Original Document

Conrad Weiser's Journal of a Journey along the Frankstown Path

From Reuben Gold Thwaites, ed., Early Western Travels, 1748-1846, vol. 1 (Cleveland: A.H. Clark, 1904), 21-25.

As the official interpreter employed by the Pennsylvania government, Conrad Weiser spent much time traveling the Indian paths that crisscrossed the interior of the colony. During his 1748 trip to the Ohio Country, he kept this account of his journey along the Frankstown Path, a route that would have been familiar to Indians and fur traders of the early eighteenth century. Weiser's terse entries give the reader a sense of the discomforts and hindrances (rain, sickness, death) that determined a traveler's pace along such routes.

Augst. 11th, 1748. Set out from my house [near modern Womelsdorf], and came to James Galbreath that day, 30 miles.
12th. Came to George Croghans, 15 miles.
13th. To Robert Dunning's, 20 miles.
14th. To the Tuscarroro Path, 30 miles.
15th and 16th. Lay by, on Account of the Men coming back Sick, and some other Afairs hindering us.
17th. Crossed the TuscaroroHill, and came to the Sleeping Place called the Black Log, 20 miles.
18th. Had a great rain in the afternoon; came within two miles of the Standing Stone, 24 miles.
19th. We travelled but 12 miles; were obliged to dry our Things in the afternoon.
20th. Came to Franks Town; but saw no Houses or Cabins; here we overtook the Goods, because four of George Croghan's Hands fell sick; 26 miles.
21st. Lay by, it raining all Day.
22nd. Crossed the Alleghany Hill and came to the Clear Fields, 16 miles.
23rd. Came to the Shawonese Cabbins, 34 miles.
24th. Found a dead Man on the Road, who had killed himself by Drinking too much Whiskey. The Place being very stony, we cou'd not dig a Grave. He smelling very strong, we covered him with Stones and Wood, and went on our Journey. Came to the Ten Mile Lick, 32 miles.
25th. Crossed Kiskeminetoes Creek and came to Ohio that day, 26 miles.
26th. Hired a canoe; paid 1,000 Black Wampum for the loan of it to Logs Town. Our Horses being all tyred, we went by Water and came that night to a Delaware Town. The Indians used us very kindly.
27th. Set off again in the morning early. Rainy Wheather. We dined in a Seneka Town, where an old Seneka Woman Reigns with great Authority; we dined at her House, and they all used us very well. At this and the last-mentioned Delaware Town, they received us by firing a great many Guns; especially at this last Place. We saluted the Town by firing off 4 pair of pistols; arriving that Evening at Logs Town, and Saluted the Town as before; the Indians returned about One hundred Guns; Great Joy appear'd in their Countenances. From the Place where we took Water, i.e. from the Old Shawones Town, commonly called Chartier's Town, to this place, is about 60 Miles by Water, and but 35 or 40 by Land.