The intention of this Blog is not to give a through history lesson but to expand the general knowledge of immediate historical space and landscapes here in Northwest New Jersey. This complete subject would be very detailed and many "new books" based on recent research are now available; for example , The Munsee Indians by Robert S. Grumet. One book around for quite some time by Anthony Wallace, Teedyuscung, King of the Delawares 1700-1763 should be read by all School Children from Junior High to High in both NJ and Eastern Pennsylvania. Teedyuscung born in Trenton or Sanhickan New Jersey. Teedyusung carried out his own war against the English during the Seven Years War in parallel with the French for the injustice of the Walking Purchase Treaties of 1730-37 and to avenge the murders of many NJ Indians especially, Weequehela in 1728. To cross the Delaware during this time was quite dangerous to be a settler there was to live in constant danger; however there are stories of truths where settlers whom treated Indians well could leave their doors unlocked, as Indians knew the ones with evil hearts whom had done them wrong. The danger lied more with the Indians any Indian friendly or not was deemed vermin. Teedyuscung would make a separate peace be given a place to live under Iroquois protection in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania only to be burned alive in his own cabin by land-grabbers from Connecticut. During this dangerous period along the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers many small parties of Indians were murdered in cold blood, men, woman, children, babies heads smashed on rocks, some of these persons gained fame as Indian Killers and Frontier heroes. The NJ Frontier had Daniel Decker, "Indian Slayer " His statue in Milford Pa. was a recent seen of controversy; by chance a run-away truck smashed it from its place, The Book concerning Decker is called the "Indian Killer" its chapters remind one of Charles Manson or worse.
Yes; the NJ Frontier even had its own New Jersey Ranger Force, which mustered and marched to many places from here to Canada and the Frontiers of the Colonies, fighting in many battles before and after the French & Indians Wars of the 1700's.
Next session we'll be back in the present time and space of the NJ Frontier its present state of affairs. Thanks to the National Park Service and a forgotten Supreme Court Judge William O. Douglas (1898-1980) who argued nature had rights through human advocacy. He helped save the NJ Frontier from destructive development during the "Tocks Island Dam" fiasco of the 1960's.
