Sawquehenna, the White Lily

At the 1922 Annual Meeting, M.G. Brumbaugh told the story of "Sawquehenna, the White Lily," the name given by American Indians to a Martin family child who was captured during the French and Indian War.


She soon forgot her native language and grew up as an American Indian. Sixteen years later, the girl was one of 125 white children released from captivity and returned to Pennsylvania where they hope to find their families.


Among those seeking work of their children was Sawquehenna's mother. Unable to recognize her daughter in any other way, she sang a Pennsylvania German melody that the girl remembered. In this manner they were reunited.

Source: Sawquehenna, the White Lily, by W.O. Beckner, Gospel Messenger, 1922