Ranch, Christian Henry

Ranch, Christian Henry distinguished as that missionary of the Moravian Church who began its work among the North American Indians, was born at Bernburg, Germany, July 5, 1715. He arrived in this country July 16, 1740, and soon after visited Shekomeko, Dutchess County, N. Y., a village inhabited by Mohicans and Wampanoags, notorious for their evil ways, and especially for their love of strong drink. Various other missionaries had attempted to convert them without success. Ranch, on his arrival, went into the hut of the worst savage of the whole clan, Wasamapah by name, commonly known as Tschoop, seated himself at his side, told him of the Saviour, and then, saying that he was very tired in consequence of his long journey, lay down by the fire and went to sleep. This simple act of trust made a deep impression upon the Indians. He won their confidence. Tschoop was converted and baptized, and became an eloquent and enthusiastic preacher of the Gospel; other converts were gathered in, and a flourishing mission was established at Shekomeko, which subsequently spread to New England. In 1757, Rauch went to Jamaica as missionary to the negroes. He died on the island of Jamaica, Nov. 11, 1763. See Spangenberg, Account of the Manner in which the United Brethren carry on their Missions (Lond. 1788), p. 62, 63; Amer. S. S. Union, Tschoop, the Converted Indian Chief; Schweinitz, Life and Times of Zeisberyer, ch. v. (E. de S.)