"Clapham was an old Indian fighter from Massachusetts who had come to Pennsylvania during the Seven Years' War to assist Benjamin Franklin in establishing a series of forts to protect the frontier. He arrived in Pittsburgh in 1760 and eventually entered into a partnership with George Croghan to develop a settlement in the Youghiogheny valley."
-David Dixon
"At Break of day this Morning three Men came from Col. Clapham's who was settled at the Oswegly Old Town about 25 Miles from here on the Youghyogeane River, with an account that Col. Clapham, with one of his Men, two women and a child were Merdered by Wolfe and some other Delaware Indians, about two o'clock the day before. The 27th Wolfe with some others robed one Mr. Coleman on the road between Ligonier of upwards of 50 pounds- The women that were killed at Col. Clapham's were treated in such a brutal manner that Decency forbids the Mentioning. This evening we had two soldiers scalped at the Sawmill."
- William Trent, Superintendent of Fort Pitt, May 29, 1763
Prelude to the Fort Pitt Siege
While conducting my research on Pontiac's Rebellion, historian David Miller made mention of the first attack in Pennsylvania taking place on May 27,1763 near West Newton just a few miles from my home.
I began to investigate the site and found numerous artifacts (see below) that confirm that this was a trading post and possibly the William Clapham family massacre site.
Since that moment, I have taken on the personal responsibility of trying to have a Pennsylvania state historic marker placed at this very significant site. You can download my completed application below.
I began to investigate the site and found numerous artifacts (see below) that confirm that this was a trading post and possibly the William Clapham family massacre site.
Since that moment, I have taken on the personal responsibility of trying to have a Pennsylvania state historic marker placed at this very significant site. You can download my completed application below.
My Application for a Pennsylvania Historic Marker
2014_pensylvania_state_marker_nomination_form-_clapham_massacre_site.docx | |
File Size: | 40 kb |
File Type: | docx |
"On the same day (May 28th), Colonel Clapham, his wife, three children and another woman were killed at their home on George Croghan's tract of land near West Newton by the Wolf, Keskesung, and three other Delaware, one of whom was named Butler.
The women were treated with shocking indecency. The men who were working near Clapham's escaped and brought news to Colonel Ecuyer at Fort Pitt. Colonel John Burd entered in his journal on June 5 that, 'John Harris gave me an account of Colonel Clapham and twelve others being killed.' Captain Ecuyer sent a messeger to Fort Venago to warn the small garrison there, but he returned a short time later having been shot twice and severely wounded."
-C. Hale Sipe
Artifacts From the Clapham Site
"There is most melancholy news here, the Indians have broke out in divers Places and have murdered Colonel Chapman (sic) and his Family; and two of our Men at the Saw-Mill just by the Ford, and scalps taken off each Man. An Indian has brought a war belt to the Tuscarora, who says Detroit was invested and St. Dusky cut off and Ensign Pawly taken prisoner."
- Pennsylvania Gazette, May 31, 1763
"On May 28th, Delaware and Mingo warriors shed first blood in the upper Ohio Country when they wiped out Colonel William Clapham's small settlement, twenty-five miles from the Forks."
- Dr. Robert Anderson