Conrad Weiser (1696-1760) was a Pennsylvania German pioneer, interpreter, and representative of the colonies to the Indians. Weiser was one of the most important figures in North America during the colonial period. Without Weiser's knowledge of native languages and customs and his deft handling of negotiations on behalf of the Penns and other royal governors, the long peace between the proprietors and the natives would have been short-lived. This second revised edition of Arthur Graeff's 1945 biography contains copious footnotes, numerous pictures, and a thorough index missing from the first edition.
Contents: 
<ul>
<li>Preface</li>
<li>I. The Exodus to Canaan</li>
<li>II. Clearing the Path of Friendship</li>
<li>III. Mid-Winter Journey to Onondaga</li>
<li>IV. Expanding Indian Affairs</li>
<li>V. A Perplexed Christian</li>
<li>VI. A Man of Affairs</li>
<li>VII. A Diversity of Duties</li>
<li>VIII. The Treaty of Lancaster</li>
<li>IX. Two Missions to New York</li>
<li>X. Standing “Newter”</li>
<li>XI. To the Ohio Country</li>
<li>XII. Rival Claims</li>
<li>XIII. Building Bridgeheads for Peace</li>
<li>XIV. Inter-Colony Quarrels</li>
<li>XV. The Founder of Institutions</li>
<li>XVI. The Storm</li>
<li>XVII. Treaties of Easton</li>
<li>XVIII. Posterity Will Not Forget</li>
<li>Epilogue: The Legacy of Conrad Weiser by Lawrence Knorr</li>
<li>Afterword: My Friend Arthur Graeff by George M. Meiser, IX</li> <li>Index</li>
</ul>
About the Author:
Arthur Dundore Graeff, Ph.D., (1899-1969) was a lifelong educator and history enthusiast from western Berks County, Pennsylvania, the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch culture. Graeff was a scholar and leader in the study of Pennsylvania Dutch culture on the boards of both the Pennsylvania Folklife Society and the Pennsylvania German Society. He helped lead the combination of these groups in the late 1960s and was the president of the combined organization. He was a contemporary of such scholars as Fred Weiser, Don Yoder, Preston Barba, Albert Buffington, and Alfred Shoemaker. Graeff was the author of several books and numerous papers and articles but was best known for his Scholla series of local history in the "Reading Times."
Graeff originally published this volume through the Pennsylvania Folklore Society in 1945. Lawrence Knorr, his grand nephew, has edited this volume and added a new epilogue about the importance of Conrad Weiser to American history. George M. Meiser IX provides his recollections of Arthur Graeff the beloved local historian.

Conrad Weiser: Pennsylvania Peacemaker

Biographies & Memoirs

Graeff, Arthur D.

Historical

Distelfink Press

Major General Peter Muhlenberg, born in Trappe, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, was one of the more effective military leaders during the American Revolution, rising to the rank of Major General at war's end. Known for the "Muhlenberg Myth," the young minister, then from Woodstock, Virginia, rallied his parishioners to the cause and then led many of them into battle, though he likely never wore his military uniform in the church. Loyal to George Washington to the last, it was Muhlenberg, a Lutheran minister, who arranged for the official memorial service to be at Zion's Lutheran Church in Philadelphia. Non-partisan in his politics, Muhlenberg served in the Congress and worked with both Federalists and Jeffersonians. Peter Muhlenberg was one of two Pennsylvanians honored in Statuary Hall in the Capitol building. For many years, his story has inspired Pennsylvania Germans and deserves to be remembered for posterity. This 2nd edition of Edward Hocker's 1936 biography has been newly edited and revised. It has been enhanced with nearly 100 images and an index.

The Fighting Parson of the American Revolution: A Biography of General Peter Muhlenberg

Hocker, Edward W.

The Relations Between the Pennsylvania Germans and the British Authorities, 1750-1776

History

Americas

The great-great-grandson of Conrad Weiser authored this biography in 1876. It was then updated in 1899 and again with this new and improved edition. This edition includes a new foreword by historian John L. Moore, index, and bibliography. The improvements include a fresh edit and the addition of numerous maps and images. Included in this book are the following: Foreword by John L. Moore Preface by C. Z. Weiser Introduction to Second Edition by W. M. Zechman I. Conrad Weiser’s Remote Ancestry and Native Place. II. Conrad Weiser’s Parents—His Father and Mother. III. The Exodus of Conrad Weiser’s Father. IV. Conrad’s Father: Chief of the Colony at Livingston Manor. V. Conrad’s Father: Chief of the Colony at Schoharie. VI. Conrad Weiser’s Father: The Defender of the Rights and Liberties of his Countrymen at Schoharie. VII. Conrad’s Father Leads a Colony to Tulpehocken, Pennsylvania. His Return and Wandering. His Visit to Tulpehocken. His Death. VIII. John Conrad Weiser, Junior. His Name—Birth-Place—Baptism. IX. Conrad’s Arrival in America. His Stay with the Maqua Indians. X. Conrad Weiser and His Stepmother. XI. Conrad Weiser’s Brothers and Sisters. His Occupation. His Marriage. His Departure for Pennsylvania. XII. Conrad Weiser’s Advent in Pennsylvania. The Beginning of His Official History. XIII. Conrad Weiser, Provincial Interpreter. Justice of the Peace. 1732–1743. XIV. Ten More Years of Indian Intercourse. Missions and Duties. 1744–1754. XV. The French and Indian War. Conrad Weiser, Superintendent of the Indian Bureau. Colonel. His Death Officially Announced. 1754–1760. XVI. Conrad Weiser’s Failing Health. His Death. His Burial-Place. XVII. Conrad Weiser as a Religious Character. XVIII. Conrad Weiser’s Will. His Possessions. His Sons and Daughters. His Posterity. XIX. Summary and Conclusion Appendix: Authentic Autobiography of Conrad Weiser Letter of Conrad Weiser to the Leaders at Ephrata, September 3, 1743 Dedication Hymn The Story of Regina Bibliography Index About the Author

The Life of Conrad Weiser: The German Pioneer, Patriot, and Patron of Two Races

Weiser, Clement Zwingli

Steve and Joan Troutman recount the history of several Mahantongo Valley farms near Klingerstown, Pennsylvania. Known initially as Hartter's Improvement, this land passed through several families until it became the location of Steve Troutman's grandparents and nearby homesteads. Included in this book:Introduction to George and Mary TroutmanThe William Penn Family Sells Parcels of LandChapter 1: Johannes Harter FamilyChapter 2: John S. Eister FamilyChapter 3: Jacob K. Wiest FamilyChapter 4: George L. Troutman FamilyChapter 5: Wert Family HistoryChapter 6: Samuel M. Wiest FamilyChapter 7: Victor W. Troutman FamilyChapter 8: George M. Troutman FamilyChapter 9: The NeighborhoodChapter 10: Mary Ann Baum's Photo Album andPhoto GalleryAbout the Authors

Mahantongo Valley Homesteads: of the Harter, Eister, Wiest, Troutman, Baum, Romberger, and Wert Families, Jordan Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

Troutman, Steve

Troutman, Joan

Third Revised Edition 
During the Victorian Era in Berks County, Pennsylvania, a group of gentlemen and farmers shared their findings of the various Native American artifacts collected by them. David Benton Brunner, a schoolteacher, collector, and later Congressman, compiled the history of recorded native activity in the county and curated the best artifacts for display in this book, The Indians of Berks County. Originally published in 1881, this book contains dozens of woodcut illustrations by the author of the finest specimens, arranged by category. He notes the locations where the artifacts were found and by whom. He also includes a list of all significant collectors in the county, their locations, and the quantities of artifacts acquired by category. Brunner’s book was revised in 1897 and now, again, for the first time in nearly 125 years. This revised third edition contains corrections and updates, a new foreword, the bibliography used by Brunner, an extensive index, and an afterword detailing some of the prominent collectors involved in the project besides the author. This book is a classic for relic collectors or those interested in Native American or colonial history.

The Indians of Berks County, Pennsylvania

Brunner, D. B.

If one man could be said to exemplify in his character the promise of America's greatness, that man was Conrad Weiser, Pennsylvania frontiersman of the Colonial period. This biography of one of the key figures in our national history reveals a personality of almost legendary nobility and charm, whose democratic principles actually helped shape the United States of America. A man of many talents and interests--farmer, soldier, churchman, political leader, father of a large family--Weiser is significant chiefly as the great champion and friend of the Indians of the Six Nations during the fateful early days of the country. Servicing as official interpreter and mediator between them and the English authorities, he brought harmony between the two factions time and again. He was responsible for keeping the important Iroquois tribes neutral during the French and Indian War.

Conrad Weiser: Friend of Colonist and Mohawk

Wallace, Paul A. W.

As a follow-up to his lengthy biography of Conrad Weiser, Paul A. W. Wallace narrates the impacts of the prominent Muhlenberg family from Pennsylvania. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the founder of the Lutheran Church in America, married Anna Maria Weiser, the daughter of Conrad Weiser, Pennsylvania's Indian agent and interpreter during the late colonial period. Muhlenberg's sons, Peter and Frederick soon became prominent citizens in their own right. Peter, who had settled in Virginia, became a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Frederick took the political route and became the first Speaker of the House of Representatives. Wallace tells the story of this impactful family based on primary sources. As with Weiser, this is the best book written to date about the Muhlenbergs.

The Muhlenbergs of Pennsylvania

Religion & Spirituality

Quaker scholar Joseph Walton compiled an excellent record of the discourse between the colonists and the various native nations during the colonial period in the Mid-Atlantic from primary sources. Conrad Weiser's interactions are the focus as the proprietors sought westward movement while maintaining the peace, This book follows the Indian agent from his arrival at Tulpehocken until his death and is an excellent reference for the various natives encountered, the treaties negotiated, and the political intrigue between colonies and officials. Weiser's friendship with Shikellamy was key to the peace, but upon his passing, Weiser found it harder to guide events. Regardless, he was always respected by all parties involved. Originally published in 1900, Walton's work was the first full-length biographical work on Conrad Weiser, surpassing the prior family history written by a Weiser descendant, Clement Zwingli Weiser, in 1876. Arthur Graeff and Paul A. W. Wallace used Walton's work in their biographies written half a century later. Walton's approach provides more direct quotations of the primary sources versus the interpretations later written by Graeff and Wallace.

Conrad Weiser and the Indian Policy of Colonial Pennsylvania

Walton, Joseph S.

Fredric Klees' The Pennsylvania Dutch is the best and most inclusive volume with an over-all approach to its subject.

The Pennsylvania Dutch

Klees, Fredric

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