USA > New York > Livingston County > A history of Livingston County, New York: > Part 11
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Straight-back, so named because of his erect walk and stately manner, was a son of Tall Chief, and seems to have acquired no little of the respect held by the whites for his father. William Tall Chief,* was another son. Both were born at Squakie Hill. His personal appearance was quite striking, of "splendid physique," says one who knew him. He was a man of integrity, but more noted as a hunter than a coun- cilor. In 1846, William went to Kansas with a party
* His Indian name was Ho-is-da-geh-thet, meaning, "he carries the medal," a name given him on account of the pride he took in wearing a medal. I saw his widow and her grown-up family in 1865, and readily own that the grace of their male progenitors had been transmitted.
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of Senecas, to settle upon the lands there set apart for the New York Indians. On their way thither, several of the band contracted ship-fever on board a Missouri river steam boat, and nearly fifty fell victims to the disease. Dissatisfied with the country, William set out to return, but died on the way, of consumption and was buried at Beaver, Ohio. No stone marks his resting-place. We saw his widow, who was a grand- daughter of the White woman, and her grown-up children, in the fall of 1865. They were possessed of striking personal appearance and seemed greatly in- - terested in hearing about the former home of their relatives on the Genesee, recollecting much that had been told them of early days hereabouts. The beauty of Conesus lake, and the fertility of the Mount Morris flats, were facts that seemed to dwell most freshly in their memories.
Big Tree, Ga-on-dah-go-waah' * was a useful friend of the American cause in the Revolution, and a lead- ing adviser in all treaties and councils of the Senecas. He resided many years at Big Tree village,t which took his name. In person he was grave and dignified. In the summer of 1778, Washington sent Big Tree to the towns of his tribe along the Genesee, in the hope that his personal influence and eloquence might win the Senecas to the cause of the colonies. He found the villages of Kanadaseagat and Little Beardstown, "crowded with warriors from remote tribes. The Senecas at first seemed inclined to hearken to his wishes, but learning by a spy that the Americans were about to invade their country, all flew to arms, and Big Tree put himself at their head, 'determined,' as
*Sometimes called Great Tree. The name signifies "Large tree, lying down."
tOn the farm of Eason P. Slocum, in Leicester.
# The Indian village situated near Geneva.
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he said, 'to chastise an enemy that would presume to encroach upon his people's territory.'" His mission proving unsuccessful, he returned to the continental army. At a meeting of the commissioners of Indian affairs held in Albany in March, 1787, Big Tree and four other Indian chiefs represented that nation, and, in the same year, his name was affixed to the famous John Livingston lease, a document forming a part of .a grand scheme to secure all the Indian lands in the state. The constitution of 1777 forbade the sale of Indian lands, but by securing a lease for nine hundred and ninety-nine years, as was the purpose of the con- trivers, the inhibition was to be avoided. The lessees, known by their title of The New York Genesee Com- pany of Adventurers, numbered eighty persons, among whom were several members of the legislature, county officers and leading citizens. Their plan, though long maturing, was doomed to total failure, and the project holds no enviable place in history .* Little Beard and Hot Bread were also signers of the lease, as indeed were many others of the Iroquois leaders. The legis- lature must needs pass upon the lease. But here its design was readily penetrated and its summary re- jection followed. John Livingston himself, and two other partners in the company, held seats in the
"It is quite likely the movers in this scheme had something in view beyond the possession of the land. In November, 1793, James Wadsworth and Oliver Phelps each received a circular letter, signed by John Livingston and Dr.Caleb Benton, as officers of a convention purporting to have been held at Geneva, proposing a plan of organizing the counties of Otsego, Tioga, Herkimer and Ontario, then comprising the whole of central and western New York, into an independent State. But this daring attempt at revolu- tion was met in the true spirit of patriotism. A meeting was held at Can- andaigua to denounce it. As it found little or no favor it was abandoned. (See Turner's, Phelps', & Gorham's and Hough's Indian Treaties, for a full account.
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Assembly, and one had a seat in the Senate .* In 1788 Big Tree was invited by Governor Clinton to attend a council at Fort Stanwix, and in the following year, he, together with Brant, Little Beard and Hot Bread addressed a letter to the Governor, forcibly presenting their grievances. In December, 1790, a large depu- tation, consisting, among others, of Big Tree, Corn- planter and Half Town, visited Washington, at Phil- adelphia, and presented him with an address which has been preserved as a fine specimen of Indian eloquence.t In 1791 the legislature of Pennsylvania granted to Big Tree a patent to an island in the Alle- ghany river for a home, but his death occurred before he took formal possession of it. He lamented the dis- aster to St. Clair's army in the Miami expedition, and especially, the brutal treatment received by General Richard Butler, who was scalped and tomahawked while he lay wounded and bleeding. The Senecas hereabouts never forgave the deed, and Big Tree was heard to say that "he would have two Miami scalps in revenge for this cowardly act." While in Phila- delphia, in 1792, with a large delegation of chiefs and warriors of the Six nations, he fell sick at his lodgings and died after a few hours illness, of surfeit, a victim, says Turner, to the excessive hospitality extended to the delegation, and was buried the following Sunday with something like public honors .;
A son of Big Tree was quite noted as a runner and
* The Legislature afterwards granted the company a tract ten miles square in Clinton Co., in lieu of their great expectations. The lease bore date Nov. 30, 1787.
t It opens thus : " Father, the voice of the Seneca nation speaks to you, the great councilor in whose heart the wise men of all the thirteen fires (or states) have placed their wisdom. It may be very small in your eyes and we therefore entreat you to hearken with attention, for we are able to speak of things which to us are very great.
# Big Tree was buried April 22, 1792.
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wrestler. Colonel William Jones often wrestled with him, and being somewhat younger and less muscular, generally found himself undermost at the end of the souffle. At one of the early-day gatherings, the Indian, as usual, challenged him. This time Jones managed to throw the native, who was greatly offended, and jumping up, drew from his belt a little tomahawk which he usually carried. This he raised and aimed at his antagonist. The by-standers were excited, but Jones, who remained cool, taunted him with coward- ice for threatening to strike an unarmed man who had always till now been unlucky in these bouts. The Indian saw that he was wrong, and, dropping his weapon, stepped forward to Jones and grasped him by the hand. The two continued attached friends, though neither ever renewed the challenge.
Black Chief, Tha-on-dah-diis,* resided at Squakie Hill where he died. His swarthy complexion pro- cured him his English name. He signalized himself in war as well as in peace, and enjoyed, in a large .degree, the confidence and respect of his people. He had four sons of giant size, one of whom was called Jim Washington. Black Chief is recollected by the younger portion of early settlers as sedate and taci- turn. "All my ideas of savage barbarity," says one. "were expressed in a single look of his." He had an only daughter, whose generous nature and unusual grace of person made her a great favorite. After her father's death the tribe paid her peculiar honor. The Squakie Hill Indians held to a superstition that dur- ing her life-time, the Iroquois would regain their ancient place among the nations ; hence, no kindness toward her was omitted. Her path was often literally strewn with flowers, and the finest venison and rarest
* Meaning, "Long tree, or log."
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fruits found their way to her hut. A pestilence passed over the villages, and many died, but so long as she remained unharmed, the natives could bear their personal afflictions with resignation. The plague at length died away, and general health returned. But now, she sickened, and, although the wisest med- icine men, even the Prophet himself, exerted their best powers, she died. The light that had been so beautiful in their eyes went out. Grief, for many days filled the villages, and all that affection could suggest was done to indicate their sorrow. Her remains were carried to a platform in a fine grove and placed in a sitting posture. The rose and myrtle were scattered about the funeral couch, and corn in the ear, mint and costly furs, were hung around the lifeless form or decorated her place of burial. Fires were lighted at night and watchers relieved each other at all hours. When it was no longer possible to keep her from interment, she was buried with every mark of regret. The quick fancy of ths Indians seems to have invested this girl with.more than mortal purity and sweetness.
Jack Berry, or Major Berry, as he was usually called, lived at Squakie Hill until he removed to the Buffalo reservation. His father was a white trader residing near Avon, and the Major was in the habit of referring to his white relatives as father, uncle, or cousin, as the case might be. He spoke the English language fluently, and often acted as interpreter for Red Jacket, on one occasion accompanying that chieftain to Washington in this capacity. He had a peculiar way of prefacing and clinching every sentence of the great orator's speeches, thus, "Jacket says," then, interpreting his words he would end with, "that's what Jacket says." He was somewhat consequential and proud of his importance among the Indians, but proved, on many occasions, a useful friend of the
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whites. It is said he dropped a hint to Horatio Jones just before the latter ran the gauntlet as a prisoner at Portage Falls, a hint which saved him many a blow from the savages' clubs. In person he was rather short and thick set. His house at Squakie Hill had a chimney and floor, conveniences possessed by but one other, and the wife of Thomas Jemison, the senior, bought the house of Berry when he went to Buffalo. He was somewhat given to his cups but under all cir- cumstances preserved his self-respect .*
Captain Pollard, Ga-on-do-wah-neh, t lived at Big Tree village. His mother was a Seneca squaw, and his father an English trader, whose name he took, and identified it with Indian affairs and their domestic matters of this region. He had great weight in coun- cils. His judgment was sound and his oratorical powers scarcely inferior to the best of his race. He was pitted against Red Jacket in a memorable trial in Buffalo, in which Tommy Jimmey was charged with killing a squaw; and, judging from the effect upon the Indians assembled, was more successful than Red Jacket. "He was one of the most honest, pure- minded, worthy men I ever knew, white or red," says Hon. Orlando Allen.# Horatio Jones said, "morally speaking, Pollard was as good a man as any white minister that ever lived." Some thirty-five years ago Thomas Jemison was in Washington with a party of of natives. Pollard and Captain Jones were both there. The latter, one night at the hotel, said to Pollard, "I out ran you, I think, some years ago." "Oh, yes," responded the chief, good naturedly, "but I have often wanted to try it over again, and you were never quite ready." Captain Jones laughed
* He died in the winter of 1838-9, most probably.
+ Meaning, "Big Tree."
# In a letter to the author.
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and said no more. In person he was square built and above the medium size, dignified in manner and of agreeable countenance. He was, in faith, a Christian, and a most devoted and exemplary one, and was solicitous of being buried according to Christian rites .* In the summer of 1834, when Black Hawk and the War Prophet and other Sac and Fox Indians, were returning from their tour through the States and about to be released by the government, they stopped a day or two in Buffalo. Arrangements were made for their meeting the Indians on the reservation at the Seneca council house. Young and old gathered to witness the interview. Captain Pollard, who was familiar with the "Black Hawk war," made the · speech, "one of the most appropriate and telling ones I ever heard," says Orlando Allen, "not a Senator in Congress would have done it better." + Both Black Hawk and the Prophet replied, and owned that they had had enough of fighting the United States.
Hot Bread, O-ah-gwa-dai'-ya, # was one of the lead- ing wise men at Canawaugus. He was quite gifted as a speaker and stood well with his brother chieftains and tribesmen. In person he was rather short, and his complexion more than usually dark. Hot Bread signed the letter of the 30th of July, 1789, to Governor Clinton, a document likely enough prompted by per- sons interested in the Livingston lease, and marked by more of spirit than courtesy. Brant, Big Tree, and Little Beard, besides several other leading Indians, also signed it. The letter claimed that the state had not observed treaty stipulations, and that the money
* He arranged with Hon. Orlando Allen for such articles as were neces- sary for decent Christian burial. A handsome coffin was provided. Ho died in the winter or spring of 1838.
+ Hon. Orlando Allen in a letter to the author.
# Meaning, "Hot Bread." (See Niles' Reg. Vol. XXVIII, 18, 28.)
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due the Indians, had not been fairly divided ; and they objected to having the State surveyor mark out the lands, even threatening the State authorities, though somewhat obscurely. Hot Bread was indo- lent, and his appetite voracious. Red Jacket once said of him, "Hot Bread, waugh ! big man here," pointing to the stomach, "but very small here," bringing the palm of his hand with emphasis across the forehead. He died at Canawaugus, as Angus Mckenzie thinks, of small pox. Many others of the natives died the same year of that disease. The num ber included Corn-Tassel. Indeed, but few of the Indians recovered. About the year 1815 a disturb- ance took place between the Indians and whites at Caledonia Springs. Hot Bread figured prominently in this. Some offence was taken, and the Indians rallied in their war paint and made an attack upon the settlers. The fracas was quelled at last without serious results. Hot Bread was one of the leaders of the anti-Christian party among the Senecas, and his name appears in the memorial addressed to the Governor of New York, in respect to the "Black coats," as the Indians usually designated clergymen. This unique paper closes thus : "We ask our brothers not to force a strange religion upon us. We ask to be let alone, and, like the white people, to worship the Great Spirit as we think it best. We shall then be happy in filling the little space in life which is left us, and shall go down to our fathers in peace."
Half Town, Ga-ji-ot,* lived at Big Tree. His name appears to the ^Livingston lease, and to the noted address to President Washington.t He possessed a
* Meaning " Stopper in the hole," and applies equally to a cork in a bot- tle, and to a rock in the mouth of a bear's den, shutting him in. Half Town sometimes signed his name Achiout.
t Particularly referred to in the sketch of the Chief Big Tree.
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strong mind and was a wise councilor. His demeanor was grave. In complexion he was quite dark. In person, he was rather below the medium height. Though the Senecas fought against the colonies in the Revolutionary war, the remnant of their warriors took the American side in 1812. Two years before hostili- ties opened, Red Jacket informed our government that Tecumseh and other native leaders in the territories, were trying to draw the Senecas into a great western combination then forming against the whites. The Senecas promptly volunteered their services, but their aid was declined by our authorities from motives of policy. The action of the British officers in taking possession of Grand Island in the Niagara river, a territory of peculiar interest to the Senecas, was too much for the pride of the race; and Red Jacket, Farmer's Brother, Half Town, and other chiefs, called a council, to which the American agent was invited. Red Jacket here presented the reasons why his nation insisted on taking up arms on the side of the States. These were so cogent that the President concluded to accept their offer, and General Porter volunteered to lead them. The Indians bore themselves with sig- nal bravery and humanity throughout the war. A body of them took part in the action near Fort George, in August, 1812, in which the enemy were routed and a number of British Indians were taken prisoners. Captain Half Town, Red Jacket, Farmer's Brother, and other chiefs, all took active parts and were in a number of sharply contested engagements. As a manager of moneys belonging to his nation, Half Town was at one time advised to place certain funds in a bank, at interest. He did not readily comprehend how money could grow, as it was not placed in the earth like corn, but locked up in an iron chest. Once made aware of the operation, however, he became
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
keenly alive to its advantages. Certain of these moneys were invested in stock of the United States Bank when that institution failed, and, of course, dividends then ceased. The Seneca sachems and warriors addressed a letter to Mr. Eustis, Secretary of war, on the subject. The letter was laid before Congress, and was so just and forcible in terms, that eight thousand dollars was promptly voted in lieu of the dividend. Half Town was at Fort Harmer in 1789, where, with twenty-three other chiefs he executed a treaty with the commissioners, General St. Clair, Oliver Wolcott and Arthur Lee. Big Tree was also numbered among the signers. Pennsylvania, in 1791, granted eight hundred dollars to Cornplanter, Half Town, and Big Tree, in trust for the Senecas. An Indian war was then feared ; settlers were intruding upon their lands, and otherwise exciting their enmity, and every movement of the natives was regarded with suspicion. Half Town was the "white man's friend," and kept the neighboring garrisons of Venango and vicinity informed of every movement of the hostile bands, which, for a long time, hovered about; and, but for the vigilance of himself and other friendly chiefs, much evil would have resulted to the whites. Corn- planter and Half Town kept a hundred warriors under arms, and their runners were out constantly, watching the movements of war parties until the danger was over. Colonel William Jones, who was personally acquainted with Half Town, thought he died at the Big Tree village.
Sharp Shins, Haah-tha-o,* was a small Indian with · diminutive legs, thin features and a squeaking voice, but possessed of a gentlemanly demeanor, and though sometimes violent in temper, was generally reckoned
* Meaning " he climbs," as e. g. a ladder or tree.
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among the leading men of his people. In early life he was a noted runner for a long race. In 1815 Col- onel Wadsworth, of Durham, made a visit to his relatives, the Wadsworth brothers, at Geneseo. Col- onel Wadsworth was greatly respected by the Indians, with whom he had transacted much public business, and, in his honor, James Wadsworth invited several chiefs to dinner at his house. Captain Horatio Jones came as interpreter. The Indians were dressed with care and conducted themselves with great propriety. They smoked in a friendly way, and talked freely of their past history and of the future of their race. Sharp Shins took a leading part in the conversation, and Colonel Lyman, who was there, recollects that his views were notably sensible and made a decided impression upon all present. Turner says, on one occasion, Sharp Shins commenced the play of throw- ing tomahawks at Horatio Jones. It soon became earnest. Jones threw them back with such effect as to endanger the Indian's life and render his recovery quite doubtful. He however got well, and was afterwards careful how he provoked the Yankee warrior. Thomas Jemison describes, with much humor, the experience of Sharp Shins in breaking a pair of unruly steers, especially his earnest advice to them in a set Indian speech.
Tommy Infant lived at Canawaugus. In person he was above the ordinary size, though rather fine-look- ing, and appeared like an over-grown youth. Hence his name. He was good natured, and many anecdotes are related of his awkward size. Being in Avon, late one evening, he took the liberty to enter a vacant house through a door accidentally left open, and lay down for the night. The owner happened to come. along and saw the prostrate Indian, and, in much sur- prise, asked : "Who's here ?"' "Oh, it's no Dutch-
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man," said the six-footer native in his ludicrous way, "It's me, little baby, Tommy Infant." A merchant in York owed him for some peltry. Tommy called two or three times, but the trader was in no hurry to pay him. After sitting two or three hours one day,. without making any demand or saying a word, Tom- my, as he got up to go, turned around and said to the merchant, "I sue somebody, may be-don't know." He sued the merchant.
John Montour, Do-noh-do-ga, * was of mixed blood, a descendant of Queen Catherine, a half-blood of great beauty, whose father was said to have been a French governor of Canada, and whose mother was a squaw. Catherine became the wife of a noted chief, and allied herself with the Cayugas, establishing a village at the head of Seneca Lake.t Here John was living at the opening of the Revolution. He removed to the Genesee country, and after the peace of 1783, settled at Big Tree village. He appears in the Gilbert narrative as one of the leaders of a band of natives, who, in the spring of 1780, took several prisoners in eastern Pennsylvania, among them the Gilbert family ; and it would seem that his zeal kept him on the war-path during the whole struggle with the Colonies. He was acting with the force under Butler, between the Genesee and Conesus Lake, when Sullivan lay at the inlet, and retreated to Fort Niagara when the Ameri- can army advanced toward the river towns. While at Fort Niagara, it is said the British gave the Indians some flour that contained a poisonous element. Many
* Meaning "Between burs." It might also be translated "Between the combs." The English name is spelled also Monture.
tAt Catherine's Town, or Gus-he-o-gwah-geh, named after Queen Catherine, as she is generally called. This noted aboriginal village was burned by Sullivan. The towns of Catherine and Montour, in Schuyler county, perpetuate the name of Queen Catherine.
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died. Montour lived, but the poison resulted in an ulceration of his upper lip, which was quite eaten away, leaving both teeth and jaw exposed. This gave him a fierce look though he was quiet and good natured. "At first thought," a pioneer adds, "one would be led to expect him to take a scalp at a moment's notice." He was sometimes called "No- nose," and an impression prevails that a cancer ate away his lip. He knew something of medicine, and, with remedies self-applied, had stopped the progress of the ulcer. His imperfect lip made it difficult for him to drink. Once, Colonel Lyman met him at the river in mid-summer. Montour was thirsty and lay down on the bank to quench his thirst. He drank and drank, got up and lay down again, and drank as though he would never get his fill. As he rose, he said, "Lyman, the river is very low, very dry time." "Low," said the Colonel, "you have drunk all the water." The Indian laughed heartily. His probity was well known. Coming into Colonel Lyman's store one day, Montour saw a pair of shag mittens hanging overhead. "Ah, Lyman," said he, "those are mine." "But stop"-the merchant was about to take them down-" let me describe mine first. I was at a cer- tain place, a little drunk, staggered and fell, the hand covered by this mitten struck a burning log, which scorched it in such a part. Pull them down and see." The Indian got the mittens. A quarrel had long existed between Quawwa and Montour. The latter was quite athletic and very active, and always came out best, but in 1830 the pair got into a brawl at Squakie Hill. Montour had been drinking and Quaw- wa proved too much for him. He was knocked down and carried insensible to Big Tree. Here Doctor Bissell attended him, but he died in a week's time. He was buried in a blue broadcloth coat, white collar
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