(The Paxton Boys) | Manuscript copy of an affidavit regarding a confrontation with the Paxton Boys in Pennsylvania

(The Paxton Boys)

A manuscript document of an affidavit concerning a confrontation between a Pennsylvania land administrator and the Paxton Boys

3 pages (315 x 198 mm) on a bifolium, [Near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, shortly after 24 January 1766], docketed on final page "Copy of Jacob Whisler's Affidavit. 24th January 1766"; lightly browned, some stains, marginal chipping and repairs, minor loss at central fold. Half blue morocco folding-box gilt.

A intriguing manuscript document, being a contemporary copy of an affidavit given before William Allen, Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania, by Jacob Whisler, a Mennonite yeoman charged with administering unsold land at Conestoga Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The affidavit describes an angry confrontation between Whisler and the Paxton Boys, a group of Scots-Irish frontiersmen who formed a vigilante group to retaliate against American Indians in the aftermath of the French and Indian War and Pontiac's Rebellion, over Conestoga land in what was then referred to as "Indian Town."

The affidavit was likely executed by a court clerk, and bears the clerical signatures of Whisler and Allen at the conclusion. The document reads, in part: "on Friday last the 17th day of this Instant January in the Morning [Whisler] having occasion to go to Abraham Hare's Mill … saw there Robert Poke (who came to live on part of the said Indian Town Land soon after the said Indians were destroyed by the Company of People commonly Called the Paxton Men as was generally reported and understood) and saw the said Robert Poke get from the said Abraham Hare, a kegg of Spiritous Liquor which this Affirmant afterwards understood and believes was for the use of a Company of the said People called Paxton Men, who met that day at the House on the said Indian Town land which was built by the said Poke, and the said Paxton Men at or near the Site of the Cabin belonging to the Indian called Jo Hayes who was killed there. … that this affirmant on his return from the said Mill in the afternoon was told by his wife that Thomas Fisher … had been at this Affirmant's house … that a great Company of the Paxton Men were … at Poke's and that the said Fisher wanted this affirmant to come to his House. … [Whisler] there found a large Company of Men with Horses being about 25 or 30 as this affirmant computed, many of them having Powder Horns and Pouches and several of them Guns. … one of them, a young Man, who called himself the Captain … demanded of this Affirmant in a very angry, outrageous, & menacing manner to know what authority he had to place the said Thomas Fisher on the said Indian Land or to meddle therewith. …"