Captain Jacobs facts for kids
Captain Jacobs, whose real name was Tewea, was an important leader of the Lenape people. He lived a long time ago, during a big conflict called the French and Indian War. A settler from Pennsylvania named Arthur Buchanan gave him the name "Captain Jacobs" because he thought Jacobs looked like a strong German man. Captain Jacobs died on September 8, 1756.
Contents
Early Life and Settlers
Meeting the British Colonists
Long ago, the Lenape people had a large village where Lewistown, Pennsylvania is today. This village was located where the Kishacoquillas Creek and the Juniata River meet. In 1754, British colonists, led by Arthur Buchanan, arrived in this area.
At first, Captain Jacobs, as a Lenape chief, did not want to sell land to the colonists. However, Buchanan convinced him to share the land by offering some gifts and tobacco. Captain Jacobs initially seemed friendly towards the British.
Changing Sides
As more British colonists arrived, Captain Jacobs became unhappy with them. The French, who were rivals of the British, also encouraged him to change his mind. Eventually, the Lenape people decided to leave their village. They destroyed their own settlement and moved away quietly. The colonists noticed this and became cautious.
The French and Indian War
Leading Raids
During the French and Indian War, Captain Jacobs led Lenape warriors. They attacked British colonial settlements in Central Pennsylvania. These attacks happened after a major British defeat known as Braddock's defeat.
Captain Jacobs was very confident. He once said he could capture any fort that could be set on fire. He also joked that he would only make peace with the English if they taught him how to make gunpowder.
Attack on Fort Granville
Captain Jacobs played a key role in burning Fort Granville. He did this under the direction of a French commander. The government of Pennsylvania took several months to plan a mission. Their goal was to stop both Captain Jacobs and another important chief named Shingas.
The Kittanning Expedition
The Battle at Kittanning Village
On the morning of September 8, 1756, a British force attacked the Lenape village of Kittanning. Colonel John Armstrong Sr. led 307 soldiers from Pennsylvania. Their goal was to stop the raids on frontier settlements.
Chief Shingas was not in the village during the battle. So, Captain Jacobs took command of the Lenape warriors. He fought Armstrong's men from his log cabin. His wife helped him load his guns.
Captain Jacobs's Last Stand
A young captive named Hugh Gibson was in Kittanning at the time. He reported that Armstrong's men threatened to burn Jacobs's house if he did not surrender. Captain Jacobs bravely replied that he "could eat fire."
Gibson also said that Captain Jacobs killed fourteen of Armstrong's soldiers. He added that Jacobs was hit by seven bullets before he fell to his knees. One of Armstrong's soldiers, John Ferguson, managed to set fire to Jacobs's house.
Captain Jacobs and his family stayed inside as the house burned. Their guns began to catch fire and explode. When they came out, Captain Jacobs's wife was killed first. Then, Captain Jacobs himself was killed, followed by their son.
See also
