The Hochstetler Massacre - Historical Context

For the present, we will leave Joseph and Christian with their Indian companions to learn a bit of the historical context for this conflict.

III. French and Indian War
The old home, especially during the first years, was frequently visited by Indians, who gradually withdrew as the white settlers advanced, but as they had been fairly and honestly dealt with by the noble William Penn, they never molested the white settlers of the lower part of Pennsylvania after Penn settled there. A few depredations by white men committed against the Indians were promptly punished by the government. The Indians did the same thing with their bad men, so a general good feeling prevailed, until the beginning of the French and Indian War in 1754.

Taken from p. 26 of Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler, by Rev. Harvey Hostetler, D.D., 1912. This portion was prepared by William F. Hochstetler.