Rev. Christian Hirschi (Herschi)

  Noted events in his life were:

• Immigration, 1717. We immigrated in 1717 with others from the Mennonite Faith.

• purchase, 27 Sep 1717. I took out a warrant of 1000 acres of land along with John Brubacher lying on the Little Conestoga in West Hempfield Township, Lancaster, County, Pennsylvania. In 1718, John Brubacher and I divided the tract into two equal shares of 500 acres each by a line east and west, Brubacher took the southern half and I the northern half.

• Character. ⁸²⁸ I had a compassion for the indians who lived in Conestoga Manor.

Protection for Two Friendly Indians
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
By Honorable John Penn. Esq.

Greeting: Whereas, I am given too understand that the Bearers Michael and Mary his wife are friendly Indians who formerly resided with other Indians in the Conestoga Manor, and have for upwards of fifteen months past lived with Christian Hershey, at his plantation in Warwick Township, Pennsylvania during which time they have constantly behaved in the most friendly and peaceable manner to all his Majesty's subjects, I do hereby grant the said Michael and Mary my protection and do enjoin and require all officers, civil and Miliatry, as well as all other persons whatsoever within this Government to suffer to pass and repass on their lawful business without the least molestation or interruption, and they are hereby also desired to treat the said

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms at Philadelphia, the 17th of August 1764

John Penn.

By his Honour's Command.

John Shippen, Secretary

Thus it will be noticed the Hershy family is honored with decently burying the last Indians of Lancaster County and suitably marking their graves.

The following was read over the graves of Michael and Mary - two Indians Rev. Hershey befriended: “In a spot in one of the back pastures fields of the Old Hershey Homestead the visitors found four stone markers set securely in the ground within whose enclosure lie the remains of Michael and Mary the last two Indians in the County. These Indians were friendly and during their declining years, were cared for by Christian Hershey, who then owned the homestead.

Christian married Shelly, daughter of Peter Shelly and Anna Brixten, in 1689. (Shelly was born about 1662 and died in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.)