Person:Joseph Keller (5)

There are children listed in Janet's family tree.

Information comes from Janet Ariciu, monkey@@getgoin.net, on the internet.

"REPORT OF THE COMMISSION TO LOCATE THE SITE OF THE FRONTIER FORTS OF PENNSYLVANIA, Volume One.

"The sufferer was Joseph Keller (great grandfather of Rev. Eli. KELLER, my authority), who was settled in that neighborhood, having come to the country in 1737. On September 15th, 1757, his family was attacked by a band of Indians, his wife and two sons carried captives to Canada, and the oldest son, a lad of 14, killed and scalped in the attack.

"Mr. Keller's great-grandmother was eventually released from her captivity, and, naturally, related many interesting incidents connected with the same. 'Whilst held as a prisoner at Montreal in Canada by certain French officers, she heard of the Indians there, who had come from 'beyond the Blue M'ts,' as they called it, that there were excellent marksmen at the fort, - that one evening, whilst the Indians were watching the fort, one was almost shot by one of them, at a great distance.' "Mr. Keller also relates the following: "1 - 'That the girls one evening had been unruly, and, to tease them, the boys put them outside. As was natural, they became alarmed, and, promising behavior, were allowed to enter again. This story was brought back from Montreal by Mother Keller, who had learned it of Indians who had been on the watch at the time.' "2 - 'Father Keller one evening had left his home for the Blockhouse, but, remembering something he wished to do, turned back. Coming near his house he discovered several Indians in it. He hastened away to secure help, but, when they came, the Indians were gone, and so was the greater part of his tobacco he had on his garret, He expressed great sorrow ever after for not attacking them single handed. "A few of them at least would have remained on the spot," he expressed himself.' "3 - 'One evening the men were at target shooting, having the mark against a tree. One of them (I think his name was Andre) shot into the root of the tree, which met with unpleasant remarks, inasmuch as they were excellent marksmen in general In defence of the man others said, "He would shoot them in the feet, and we would get them sure, not being able to run."'

"THE HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, CHAPTER XXXVII, SMITHFIELD; ALLEN; MOUNT BETHEL; MOORE; EASTON; 1746 TO 1750 from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time by W. W. H. Davis, A.M., 1876 and 1905* editions.

"Joseph Keller, an early settler in Plainfield township, five miles northeast of Nazareth, supplied the brethren at Bethlehem with butter, as early as 1746.

"The first settlements in this township, were made along the branches of the Bushkill creek, and during the Indian wars the inhabitants were often obliged to flee for protection to Nazareth, Friedensthal and the Rose Tavern. Of the early inhabitants were Joseph Keller and wife, who removed to this frontier about 1740. On September 15, 1757, four Indians came to their house in the absence of the parents, and finding their son, Christian, aged 14, at home, killed and scalped him, leaving a babe in the cradle unharmed. The mother, and two other sons at work on the farm were made prisoners and carried off, but the father, who was plowing on another part of the farm, knew nothing of the transaction until he returned home in the evening. The prisoners were taken to Canada, and the mother was not released until October 1760, and the son Joseph several years after. The other son, John Jacob, was never heard of. Shortly after this murder, Governor Denny was petitioned to erect a fort and garrison it for the better protection of the inhabitants of this frontier. A block house was consequently built, called 'Dietz's Fort,' in which a small garrison was kept for some time. Dietz, on whose property the block house was erected, kept a tavern in the vicinity before the erection of the county, the only one in the township. This section was frequently visited by Zinzendorf and the missionaries of the Moravian church. The Plainfield church was erected at an early period and the records, from 1763, are in existence. This township was mentioned as early as 1754, two years after Northampton county was cut off from Bucks, but was not organized until 1763.*]

"Joseph Keller & Mary Engle Drumm. The Jacob you mention is not of this family. Yes their was two Jacob's in this family. At the time of the Indian raid on the Keller farm, Mary,Jacob(2years of age)and Joseph Jr. were taken capture.The un-named new born was left back at home(Joseph Sr. named this son Jacob the 2nd.).Jacob the first died while in the hands of his Indians captors. Mary & Joseph Jr. were let free after a couple of years."