The state of society has not been a stable or friendly one between the British colonists and the Iroquois nations. Despite multiple failed attempts at forcing natives into Christianity, Moravian colonists peacefully incorporated their society with the Iroquois in Sunbury, Pennsylvania.
On May 5, 1746, a letter was sent to the Pennsylvania government asking for a blacksmith shop in Sunbury. The governor responded back in a letter that read, “The Five Nations of Indians have taken up the Hatchet against our
Enemies.”
The Iroquois nations began to side with the British over the French after approving the blacksmith shop. Brother Martin Mack and Chief Shikellamy met at a conference where Shikellamy outlined a compromise on how the shop would be ran.
While the Native Americans had to pay for the blacksmith services, Chief Shikellamy made sure blacksmith services were free when the Iroquois came down for war parties with the Catawba. He stated, “I desire, T’girhitondi [Spangen-berg’s Iroquois name], my Brother, that when something is done to their flints that it is done for free, because they have nothing with which to pay. However, when they return, and they have something done, then they would have to pay for it.”
Trade with the blacksmith began through payments in animals hides, primarily from deer, foxes, and raccoons. The Moravian missionary’s linguistics and good intent impressed Shikellamy, as he allowed the blacksmith shop to be built shortly after the conference. Unity proved to be possible between the Iroquois and colonists, even in a time of nonstop tension.
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