He had been taken ill on a trip to Philadelphia, but so far recovered that he had visited Conrad Weiser at Tulpehocken, April, 1748, and completed the trip to Philadelphia.
He was again taken ill upon his return to Shamokin, and, in June, Council was advised he was so ill that he might lose his eyesight, but he recovered sufficiently to make a trip to Bethlehem early in December. On his return he became so ill that he only reached his home by the assistance of Bishop Zeisberger.
His death occurred December 17, 1748, and was extremely pathetic. His daughter and the Reverend David Zeisberger were with him during his last illness and death.
Bishop Zeisberger and Henry Fry made him a coffin, and the Indians painted the body in their gayest colors, bedecked it with his choicest ornaments, and placed with him his weapons, according to Indian custom. Then after Christian rites conducted by the good Bishop, he was buried in the Indian burying ground of his people, near the site of old Fort Augusta, in the present Sunbury.
Shikellamy left to mourn him three sons and a daughter. Another son, Unhappy Jake, was killed in the war with the Catawba in 1743. The three sons who survived were Taghneghdoarus, also known as John Shikellamy, who succeeded his distinguished father in authority, but never gained the confidence in which he was held by Indians or whites; Tahgahjute or Sayughtowa, better known as James Logan, the most celebrated of the children of Shikellamy, and John Petty. His daughter was the widow of Cajadies, the “best hunter among all the Indians,” who died in November, 1747.
After the death of Shikellamy, Shamokin declined as a center of Indian affairs. His death was the beginning of evil days. His son Taghneghdoarus was made chief, but was unable to restrain his people.
Barbara Frietchie, Native of Pennsylvania,
Died December 18, 1862
Where is the person who has not been thrilled with the reading or recitation of John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem, “Barbara Frietchie?”