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In the mid-1700’s, Neil Friend and his sons held land on the Viriginia side of the Potomac River, where the North and South Branches join. A good location for trade with Indians, but prone to flooding.
A decision was made to move on to the Northwest where Neil’s brother Andrew had settled in Pennsylvania, at Turkeyfoot, where the Youghiogheny, Casselman and Laurel Hill Creek merge (today’s Confluence, PA).
Neil’s sons, John, Andrew, Augustine and Charles*, followed the Youghiogheny upstream to this valley where a band of Shawnee were encamped. Being Indian traders, they were able to communicate and ask permission for John and his family to settle here. The Shawnee agreed. There was plenty for everyone in this Hunter’s Bowl.
The next Spring, the Friend men returned with gifts for their new neighbors including the legendary iron pot. After John built his cabin he brought back his wife Karrenhappuch and their children to the site he had chosen on the rise on the west side of the river.
The Shawnee, especially the women, were curious about the cabin, the children and the strange ways of the white people, so they came to visit and see for themselves. Having shared food and become acquainted, the tribal leader told John and Karrehappuck that the women wanted to take little Johnny back with them to visit with their children. John Sr. and the Chief agreed that Johnny would be returned the next day when the sun was high in the sky.
Exactly when the sun reached its zenith the following day, the nervous Friend family welcomed their neighbors back, who were carryig the excited little Johnny, proudly wearing a deerskin shirt and moccasins made by the Shawnee women. Johnny was full of stories about his time with the tribe. The story of his sleepover and return has been retold for generations. (John Friend Sr.’s original home site is where the John Friend Sr. Cemetery is, beside the I-68 westbound off ramp).
Illustrated by Jody Veader and adapted from her version of The Legend Of Johnny Friend, by Ina Hicks.
Article on Israel Friend – ‘Old John’ Friends Grandfather
Archaeology finds from Friendsville.
