The Hochstetler Massacre

This is a post I've been wanting to write ever since I told the story of my ancestor Rosanna.

Jacob Hochstetler emigrated from Switzerland in 1736, making his home in the Northkill Amish settlement in what is now Bern Township, Pennsylvania. During the French and Indian War, Delaware Indians attacked his home. There were 6 people at home the night of September 19, 1757; Jacob and his wife, sons Jacob Jr, Joseph, and Christian, and a daughter. The son Jacob was awakened by an unusual noise from the dog. He opened the door to see what was wrong, and received a gunshot wound to his leg. Realizing they were being attacked by Indians, he managed to close and lock the door before Indians could get in. Immediately the whole family awoke and could see 8 or 10 Indians standing outside near the bake oven. There was no moon that night and no light in the house, so the family could not be seen. Plenty of guns and ammunition were in the house, and Joseph, Christian, and their father were good marksmen. The sons pleaded with their father, but Jacob stood firm in his belief in non resistance and told them it was not right to take the life of another, even to save their own. After consulting among themselves, the Indians set the house on fire. The family took refuge in the cellar as the Indians stood guard outside. When the fire burst through the floor, they sprinkled cider on the burning spots and beat back the fire as best they could. It was nearing daybreak, and they were hoping to hold out until the Indians departed. Finally they saw them leaving one by one. As the fire continued to burn and it became impossible to stay in the cellar, the family crept out a small basement window. A young warrior had stayed behind gathering peaches and saw the family escape. The mother was a fleshy woman and had trouble getting out the window, also the wounded son Jacob had to be assisted, and by the time everyone was out they were surrounded by Indians. Joseph, being a swift runner, managed to escape even though two Indians followed him. When he saw they had given up the chase, he returned and hid behind a log. The son Jacob and his sister were tomahawked, and their mother was stabbed to the heart and scalped. Father Jacob and Christian were taken captive. An Indian caught sight of Joseph in his hiding place, and he was captured as well. Before leaving, Jacob advised his sons to fill their pockets with ripe peaches. Upon arrival in an Indian village, prisoners were made to run the gauntlet. Some captives died before reaching the end. Jacob and his sons presented the chief with their peaches, which pleased him so well they were saved from running the gauntlet. The Indians plucked out Jacob's beard and all of the hair on his head except for a tuft about four inches in diameter. He and his sons were separated and made to conform to Indian customs. Jacob never gave up on freeing himself, and after three years managed to escape. At the end of the war in 1758, a peace treaty was made with the condition that prisoners were to be returned, but very few ever were. Finally in 1762 Christian was released, and after much trying, Joseph was released a year later.

This historical marker is near the present day town of Shartlesville. More information can be found in this article from wikipedia.

Joseph Hochstetler is my great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather. Both Rosanna and Joseph are ancestors through my mom. I wish I knew more stories of my ancestry, but I'm lucky to know this much! Maybe some day I'll research and find out more about them.