, Pennsylvania, USA
1737 - September 20 - Runner Edward Marshall completes his journey in the Walking Purchase forcing the cession of 1.2 million acres of Lenape-Delaware tribal land to the Pennsylvania Colony
In 1737, the Walking Purchase marked a controversial event in colonial American history, centered around a disputed land agreement between the Pennsylvania Colony and the Lenape-Delaware Native American tribe. The infamous episode was orchestrated by Pennsylvania officials who sought to expand their territory at the expense of indigenous lands. Under the terms of an old treaty, it was agreed that land "as far as a man could walk in a day and a half" would belong to the colonists. Taking advantage of this vague stipulation, the Penn family, proprietors of Pennsylvania, hired champion runner Edward Marshall to walk the boundary lines.
On September 20, 1737, Marshall embarked on his journey, covering an astonishing distance of about 70 miles in less than a day and a half. This feat exceeded all expectations and far surpassed what the Lenape-Delaware had anticipated. As a result, the colonial authorities claimed an additional 1.2 million acres of land—vastly more than the Lenape-Delaware had intended to cede. This unilateral interpretation and exploitation of the treaty led to lasting grievances among the Native American tribes and contributed to ongoing tensions and conflicts over land rights in the region.
September 20, 1737
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