Submitted by Leona Baker, Historical Society of Salisbury Township

Imagine Salisbury Township's countryside when the first Europeans traveled west on the ancient Minqua Trail used by indigenous people for centuries. Cresting what is now called Gap Hill on that wooded trail, the pioneers could glimpse lush meadows in the valley, as well as forests that stretched for miles.

In 1681, Britain's King Charles II granted William Penn the huge territory later known as Pennsylvania. History class taught us that he aimed for a "Peaceable Kingdom," where the original inhabitants of the area and newly arrived Europeans could live together side by side. However, many of the new settlers found it hard to comply with Penn's ideals. Their culture believed in land ownership, while to the Native Americans, the land belonged to God. Cultivating a particular plot for which they had set limits defined by a deed meant a lot to the English, German and Welsh settlers but contradicted indigenous beliefs.

By 1701, the situation was beginning to test the original treaty. Promises to the Native Americans were not being kept by settlers in this southcentral part of Pennsylvania. To reestablish good relations with the Susquehannocks, Penn himself traveled to meet the chiefs of that tribe to reaffirm the old Treaty of Peace. The area now known as Gap was a day's horseback ride from Philadelphia. Gap was thus the obvious place for chiefs to meet Penn before escorting his party to their campgrounds on the Susquehanna River. Greetings and renewal of friendships would, of course, have been part of the meeting.

Imagine the area around what is now the Turkey Hill convenience store, the Gap Post Office, the Gap Town Clock and McDonald's still covered with trees and dotted with temporary Native American and English campfires. For whatever reason, Penn decided to sign the treaty right there that night. Perhaps he recognized the building animosity of the Susquehannock warriors over pioneer violations of the original treaty and wanted to ensure a safe journey onward. Whatever the reason, sheepskin copies of the treaty were opened on a flat rock for signatures to rededicate both sides to peaceful coexistence. That rock has been recognized for centuries as the one at the sharp bend of the south end of Chestnut Street in Gap. Today, a sign hangs at the location designating that significant event.

Of course, a celebration accompanied this reaffirmation of intended good relations among the two civilizations. Feasting, dancing and general partying presumably lasted into the night. Before venturing farther with his Native escorts, Penn is reported to have rested in a nearby cave and had a breakfast of produce from the gardens that the Natives maintained near today's Gap Post Office.

Local residents are encouraged to view the flat rock, which once felt the hand of William Penn in his attempt at joining two diverse cultures. Take a moment to imagine what Penn and those chiefs would think of our little corner of the world were they to join us today.