The Indian Capture of Jacob (Kneisle) Nicely

The four-mile run, located west of the town of Ligonier, PA, was the scene of many conflicts and captures during the period of time from 1760 through 1790. The story of the (Kneisle) Nicely family is but one of the many stories from this area. The Kneisle's moved from Switzerland to Alsace along the Rhine River and after living there for a number of years, they traveled to Rotherdam, then to England and on to Philadelphia. They headed west and settled in East Hempfield Twp. west of Lancaster, PA. In circa 1761 they moved moved onto a 1200 acre homestead near Ligonier on the Four-Mile Run. The book covers their journeys and the Indian capture of one of the family members, Jacob Kneisle. It is a remarkable story covering his capture and his life after his capture and the reuniting of his descendents with the other branches of the family 228 years after his capture. Nicely also presents other capture stories to give the reader a historic view of the dangerous conditions that existed in the area of the Four-Mile Run during the Revolutionary War. His interest in genealogy led him to the capture of the brother of his Three Great Grandfather and his research into the story eventually aided in reconnecting with the descendents of Jacob Kneisle who was known by his Indian name of Tsu-Ka-We or Crow.