John Heckewelder | |
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.png) Heckewelder as depicted in an 1807 sketch byHenry Howe |
John Gottlieb Ernestus Heckewelder (March 12, 1743 – January 21, 1823) was an Americanmissionary for theMoravian Church.
Heckewelder was born inBedford, England and came toPennsylvania in 1754. After finishing his education, he was an apprentice to acooper. Following a visit toOhio with Christian F. Post, a colonial agent, in 1762 he began temporary employment in theMoravian missions atFriedenshütten andSheshequin, Pennsylvania.
In 1771, he began his career as anevangelist to theIndians, being appointed assistant toDavid Zeisberger, in Ohio, where he remained for fifteen years. In 1792, at the request of the Secretary of War, he accompanied Gen.Rufus Putnam toPost Vincennes to treat with the Indians. In 1793 he was again commissioned to assist at a treaty with the Indians of the lakes.
In his book, Heckewelder explained the beliefs of the DelawareLenape, that the creator "made the Earth and all that it contains for the common good of mankind; when he stocked the country that he gave them with plenty of game, it was not for the benefit of a few, but of all; everything was given in common to the sons of men. Whatever liveth on the land, whatsoever groweth out of the Earth, and all that is in the rivers and waters was given jointly to all and everyone is entitled to his share. From this principle hospitality flows as from its source."[1]
Between 1797 and 1800, he lived predominantly inOhio, where he was in thecivil service as apostmaster,justice of the peace, and an associate justice of the court of common pleas. He settled atGnadenhutten, Ohio, in 1801, and devoted himself to the duties of his agency. In 1810, he resigned and engaged in literary pursuits inBethlehem, Pennsylvania until his death.
In 1822, Heckewelder was elected a member of theAmerican Antiquarian Society.[2]
Heckewelder studied the languages, manners, and customs of American Indians, particularly theDelawares. As a member of theAmerican Philosophical Society inPhiladelphia, several of his contributions were published by the society. Heckewelder also publishedAccount of the History, Manners, and Customs of the Indian Nations who once inhabited Pennsylvania and the Neighboring States (Philadelphia, 1818;German translation,Göttingen, 1821;French translation,Paris, 1822);Narrative of the Mission of the United Brethren among the Delawares and Mohegan Indians (Philadelphia, 1820); and a collection ofNames which the Lenni Lenape or Delaware Indians gave to Rivers, Streams, and Localities within the States of Pennsylvania. New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, with their Signification (1822).
Many of hismanuscripts are currently housed in the collections of theHistorical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
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