Annals and recollections of Oneida County, Part 64

Author: Jones, Pomroy
Publication date: 1851
Publisher: Rome [N.Y.] : Published by the author
Number of Pages: 926


USA > New York > Oneida County > Annals and recollections of Oneida County > Part 64


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64


Esquire Foot knowing the cows at Oneida, told Beechtree that a certain brown, white-faced cow, would be accepted by the owner of the young ox.


Beechtree again said, " our father is very wise-he knows the best cow ; before the setting of the sun to-morrow, our young men will drive and deliver that cow ; will our father now tell us how much his young men must have ?"


Esquire Foot now informed him that his red brothers, the chiefs present, were good men ; that they mended the cove- nants that their bad people broke, that they might give his young men what they thought would be right.


Becchtree now said. " Will our brothers again hearken ? our bad men who broke the covenant were digging ginseng ; they had gathered some, which they have in their packs ; will our father look at it and say how much it is worth ? Post. who keeps the trading house at Fort Schuyler, will buy it."


Esquire Foot examined the ginseng, and informed Beech- tree that it would bring a certain sum, which he named, it being a very liberal one.


Beechtree said, "it is a fair price, but it is not enough to pay the young men. They may take it at that price, and about the first of next snow, Mr. Taylor, the agent, will be here, to pay us money for the twenty townships we sold at Albany ; we will give you a paper directing him to pay you a certain sum (which he named) ; we will make our cross on the paper-we cannot write; Mr. Taylor will then pay you, and when he pays us the rest of the money to divide among our people, we shall not give any to those who broke the covenant, so that when they see they lose their best cow, have their ginseng taken from them, and have no money given them, they will be punished ; they will be careful not


878


ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.


[CHAP.


to break the covenant any more." This proposition was agreed to, and the writing made out and signed. Beechtree then said, " if the covenant is mended, let us again be friends.21 Esquire Foot told him that if the cow was delivered the next day, the covenant would be made good, and they would all be good friends again, and the council broke up with much good will and satisfaction on both sides.


It is proper here to remark, that the cow was punctually delivered the next day, and the draft was duly honored by Mr. Taylor. During the whole sitting of the council, Beech- tree, before he made or accepted of any proposition, had a consultation with the other chiefs, and Esquire Foot had his frequent conversations with, and the advice of the settlers.


But there was one proud and revengeful spirit in that council, which did not give an assent to their being again friends. I allude to Saucy Nick. IIc had during the whole sitting, set with his head down in sullen silence, the blow which he had received from Cook while a prisoner. still smarting, still rankling and festering in his bosom. When the rest left the house, he went with them without uttering a word, but inwardly vowing revenge, as might be seen by the close observer, in the snake-like glance of the eye towards Cook. A few weeks after, Cook had occasion to go to Fort Schuyler with his cart and oxen. While there and standing near his team, Saucy Niek made at him with his drawn knife. Cook had barely time to elude the blow, by jumping into his cart and defending himself with the butt of his whip. Saucy Nick soon gave over the attempt at that time. Not long after- wards, as Cook was chopping on his lot, it being the farm now owned by the heirs of the late Walter Pollard, an arrow whizzed by him but a few inches from his body. The arm that drew the bow was not to be mistaken. It was also a warning to Cook, that nothing but his heart's blood would


1


xxx.]


INDIANS. 879


wipe off the disgrace of the blow given with the canc. Hc had now learned the character of the savage, that his attempts would never be given over until his aim was sure, that length of time would never heal his revenge or deter him from his purpose. Cook, therefore, with the advice of his friends, sold ont his " betterments," and removed back to Connecticut.


It has been said, and very generally believed, that the savage never forgave a real or supposed injury or insult, but carried his resentment to his grave. In the following it is presented in a somewhat different point of view. Major Barnabas Pond, who, now in his 84th year, enjoys a good and green old age, on his farm near Clinton, at an carly day in its settlement, kept a public-house in said village. One morning, a young Oneida chief, who spoke tolerably good English, of some twenty-three or twenty-four years of age. in company with his wife, came into the tavern, and called for some rum. Major Pond told him he did not let Indians that were intoxicated, have any liquor, but as he appeared perfectly sober, if he would not drink too much, he might have some. The Indian promised to be cautious, and after getting the rum, drank very sparingly, giving a part to his wife. After sitting a few minutes, they went away.


In the course of the afternoon they returned, in company with five other Indians. The young chief was now evidently excited with liquor. He stepped up to the bar, and called for a half pint of rum. Major Pond told him he should not let him have any, that he had already drank too much, that he informed him in the morning he did not let drunken In- dians have liquor. The young chief replied, that he did not want it for himself, he knew that he had drank enough, that he had drank too much, he wanted it for the Indians with him ; they were his friends, and he wanted to treat them ; that he would not taste a drop of it ; at the same time, show-


1


880


ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.


[CHAP.


ing a piece of money he had, tied up in a handkerchief. With this promise, Major Pond let him have the rum. Ile was true to his word, for withont tasting, he gave it to the others, who drank it off. After the liquor was drank, some one of the company said it was time to be going, when they all started. Major Pond now told the young chief he had not paid for the rum ; he replied, that he had no money, and could not pay. Major Pond told him it was not so ; he had money, and had showed it before he had the liquor; that he now told a falsehood in denying having money. The young chief now flew in a passion, saying, "what, you say, I lie !" and approached the Major at the same time drawing his knife.


The Major, a strong athletic man, now thought it time to act on the offensive ; he, therefore, struck the knife arm be- tween the elbow and shoulder a blow with the edge of his hand. which caused the knife to fly over the chief's head across the room ; he, then, in the same manner, sirnek him another blow across the throat, at the same time giving him a trip. which brought him to the floor, or to use the Major's own words, "he fell like an ox knocked down in a slaughter- house." The Indian lay some little time without any signs of animation, the blow and the fall having completely driven the breath from his body. The Major and the other Indians stood perfectly amazed. The Major afterwards stated. he. at the time, was afraid he had gone too far, and actually taken life. The Indian, however, soon commenced catching for breath, and in a short time was able to rise up, and stand on his feet. After standing a short time to recover himself, he took the handkerchief that contained the money, and threw it to the Major, who took his pay, and offered to return it, together with the knife, which he had picked up. The Indian refused to take the articles, without assigning any


.


xxx.]


INDIANS. 881


reason. The Major then took them to the chief's wife, who likewise refused them, well knowing that if she accepted them, after her husband had refused, she would have given him very great offenee. They all soon went away.


Some few weeks afterwards, the young chief came again, and was very penitent ; he begged the Major's pardon, said he behaved very bad when in liquor ; that he had been served right in being knocked down; he hoped he should be forgiven, and that they would be friends again. The Major frankly forgave him, and promised his friendship, if he be- haved himself well in future ; and then went and got the handkerchief and knife, and again offered them to the owner. They were again refused, he stating as a reason that he had forfeited his knife and would not carry it. He behaved so very bad when he was intoxicated, he was afraid he should do some mischief with it. The matter here ended, and the young chief, who was afterwards frequently in Clinton, never showed any ill-will towards our landlord.


The writer, before he concludes, believes it but common justice to the Oncidas to remark, that before they had be- come contaminated in their intercourse with the whites, they were far, very far, from being a vicious people. As they roamed in their native forests, before the demoralizing alco- hol had made a wreck of all that was grand and noble in their character, they were a virtuous and happy nation. Unlike most savages, they were not idolators. They wor- shipped One Great Spirit, though from their lack of Revela- tion, their views of him were very crude. Profanity was unknown among them, as they had no words in their lan- guage in which they could curse and swear, and when from their intercourse with the palefaces, they had acquired the vice, they had to practice it in Mother-English. Shame, white man, shame ! Theft was almost unknown among


56


ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.


[CHAP.


them ; to be sure there were exceptions, as in the case of Saucy Nick, but they were solitary. Both sexes were pro. verbial for their chastity. An Oneida would have considered himself as degraded and demeaned in his own eyes, as well as in those of his tribe, to insult a female. An instance might be mentioned, in which a young married woman and her little daughter, less than three years old, staid alone in their log cabin over-night, the husband being obliged to be absent on business, with about forty of them encamped within less than that number of rods, and much nearer than any white set- tler, but they were sober, they had no liquor with them. and she said she felt no fear ; but I forbear. I did not commence their culogy. but to do them justice. OSCEOLA.


Lairdsville. Dec .. 1838.


TUSCARORAS.


According to the before-named tradition of Cusick. the Tuscaroras were called Kau-ta-noh, and settled upon the Neuse river in North Carolina. Here they became a large and powerful nation. They were always the friends and allies of the Five Nations, a fact, which, added to the similar- ity in their language, is strong evidence of their common origin. In the many expeditions of the Five Nations against the Cherokees and Catawbas, they found the Tuscaroras ever ready to furnish them food and a resting place, where they might recruit their wasted energies after so long a march. The Tuscaroras were often at war with the Chero- kees, Catawbas, and other neighboring tribes, some of which they conquered. In 1708 it was estimated that they numbered 6,000 souls in North Carolina, besides those in Virginia and South Carolina. Becoming jealous of the


.


xxx.]


INDIANS. 383


white settlers on account of some encroachments upon their lands, they (in 1711) seized John Lawson, Surveyor General of North Carolina (he having marked off some of their lands). and after a brief trial put him to death. They also took the Baron Graffenried, a Swiss Protestant, who had formed a colony of Palatines, and kept him in confinement for some time. Fearing that these outrages would draw down upon them the vengeance of the Government, the Tuscaroras formed the bold plan of annihilating, in one day, all the Colo- nists south of Albemarle Sound. Dividing into small parties they commenced the work of death on the 22nd of Septem- ber, 1711, and on that day 130 persons fell victims to their revenge. Aid was immediately demanded by North Caroli- na, from South Carolina, to assist in putting down the insur- rection, and Col. Barnwell and a small force of whites and a large body of Cherokee, Creek and Catawba Indians were soon dispatched against them. After killing 50 and taking 250 prisoners, the Colonists came upon one of the Tuscarora Forts upon the Neuse, in which were 600 warriors. The Tuscaroras, instead of risking an attack, sued for peace. which was granted. In a few days, however, the Tuscaroras. violated the treaty, and re-commenced their depredations. but not until the force of Barnwell had repaired to their homes. A second force, of 40 whites and 800 Ashley Indi- ans, was soon collected under Col. Moore, and in December they proceeded against the enemy, and after a fatiguing march through forests and swamps, encountering snow storms. and freshets, they found the Tuscaroras within a wooden for- tification, upon the river Taw, about fifty miles from its mouth. Although well provided with fire-arms, the Tuscaro- ras were unable to resist the besiegers, who, by regular ap- proaches, in a few hours entered their works, and eight hund- red of their warriors were killed, or taken prisoners. The


884


ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.


[CHAP.


prisoners were claimed by the Ashley Indians, and were taken to South Carolina and sold as slaves.


(Charles I. granted all the lands in North America, between the 31st and 36th degrees, north latitude, to Sir Robert Heath, on the conditions that he should establish settlements, " and christianize the native Indians." By various conveyances this immense tract became the property of Dr. Coxe, in the time of William III. Daniel Coxe. a son of the Doctor, published an account and map of the coun- try, in which he persisted in calling the territory Carolana. In consideration of releasing their interest in this territory. in 1770 the Patent of Coxborough was granted to the Coxe family, and here we have the origin of the name Carolana. as a township in Coxe's Patent.)


Above we have an instance of the usual way of " Christian- izing the native Indians," the Tuscaroras. Their reverses in this contest, broke the spirit of the nation. They had sent runners to the Five Nations, asking aid : but none came. or not until it was too late. The fort upon the Taw was taken in the fore part of the year 1712 (some say 1713), and a treaty was made in which the dispirited Tuscaroras agreed to aid the Colonists in subjecting their allies, the Corees and Mattamuskects. Blount, their king or head warrior. brought in at one time the scalps of forty of the latter. This condi- tion ill-suited the haughty Tuscaroras, and parties ofteu attacked the Colonists, which led to severe measures upon. themselves. Defeated and broken, the Nation decided to remove to the territory of the Iroquois. Some authors place their removal in 1712, and Schoolcraft and others in 1714 ; but it is probable that parties removed in several years. "They had lost a thousand warriors, who represented a popu- lation of 5,000 souls.


Arriving in the country of the Iroquois, they were cordi-


$85


INDIANS.


xxx. ]


ally adopted as the Sixth Nation : and although no territory wasassigned them, they became the guests of the Oneidas, and occupied lands in the south-west corner of this county, with colonies with the Oneidas upon the Susquehannah. In 1736 their numbers were estimated by the French at 250 warriors, or 1250 souls. In 1763, Sir William Johnson estimated them at 140 men, or 700 souls. They seem to have always enjoyed equal honors and influence with other members of the confederacy.


During the Revolution, a considerable portion of them were friends of the Americans, and joined their arms with the Oneidas. After the war, the Senecas granted them lands within the present limits of Niagara county, to which they soon removed, their title being confirmed by the State. They also parchased lands adjoining of the Holland Company, with the proceeds of lands sold in North Carolina. Here they have made greater advances in civilization than any other of the Six Nations. They bear the appearance of thrift and tidiness seldom seen among the others.


Tn 1807, a mission was established among them by the Baptists, and soon after another by the Presbyterians. Schools were also established, in which the children have made fair progress. A Presbyterian church was organized many years since, which numbers about fifty members. In 1836 a Baptist church was formed, over which James Cusick. a chief and brother of David Cusick the historian, was ordained pastor, June 14, 1838.


In 1845 the Tuscaroras numbered 53 families, including 283 souls. They cultivated 2,080 acres of land, upon which they raised in that year 4,897 bushels of wheat; 3,515 do. of corn ; 4,085 do. of oats; 1166 do. potatoes ; 7,537 pounds of butter, and in like proportion of other products. Sixty of their number were then members of Christian churches, and


886 . ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.


[CHAP.


231 were members of temperance societies. Since 1845, Rev. Mr. Cusick and a portion of his people have removed to the Indian country west of the Mississippi. The tribe is located in the town of Lewiston, about eight miles below Niagara Falls, and three miles from the river; and in 1840 they owned about 5,000 acres of excellent land.


STOCKBRIDGE INDIANS.


The Stockbridge Indians were named after the town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where they resided. In 1735, the Legislature of Massachusetts granted a township, six miles square, to be laid out on the Housatonic River, for the 'Ise of these Indians and such other as might join them. The object of the colony was to collect them together in this place, where they could have the benefits of the Christian teacher and of schools. Previously they had lived in scat- tered clans, in the western part of the colony.


They have been very generally known as the Mo-he-kan- neews, (not Mohegans) and a corruption of their name is variously written, Mahhekancew, Muhhekancok, signifying " the people of the great waters, continually in motion." By the early English Colonists they were also called River In- dians. In 1736, these Indians removed to the township thus granted them (the present towns of Stockbridge and West Stockbridge, Massachusetts), which was soon confirmed to them, their heirs and assigns. A meeting house and school house were erected for them by the colony, the first of which was opened for worship November 29, 1739. In 1734. a mission had been commenced among these Indians by Mr. John Sergeant (senior), then a candidate for the ministry, as- sisted by Deacon Timothy Woodbridge as schoolmaster. under the patronage of the Board of Commissioners for Indian


xxx.]


INDIANS. 887


affairs in Boston. Mr. Sergeant was then a tutor in Yale College, but relinquishing his place, was on the 31st of Au- gust, 1734, ordained at Deerfield, Mass., as a Gospel minis- ter. Upon the occasion of his ordination, Governor Belcher, a committee of both branches of the Legislature and a large number of Indians from several tribes, were present. The Stockbridge or Housatonic Indians, as they were then called, then formally accepted him as their missionary. The Indians at Stockbridge in a few years numbered from 4 to 500. In 1741, Mr. Sergeant projected a manual labor seminary and boarding school, for the education of Indian youth; but which, from the dangers and excitements which followed the com- mencement of the first French war, did not go into successful operation for several years. This school became highly popular with the Indians and inhabitants generally, and enjoyed the confidence and aid of many of the best men in England, among whom were Dr. Isaac Watts, Capt. Coram, etc. Ench were the benefits the Stockbridge Indians received from this school, that the Six Nations became interested in the educa- tion of their children, and held a council at Stockbridge, to consider the plan of sending their children here to school. Rev. Mr. Sergeant died July 27, 1749, aged 39 years. He was a native of New Jersey, a graduate of Yale College in 1729, and lived to see the Stockbridge Tribe increased from $ or 10 families to more than 50, with a number of framed houses, and considerably advanced in agriculture. Ile left three children, the youngest of whom, John Sergeant, junior, will be named hereafter. Rev. Jonathan Edwards succeeded him in the school. The last French war destroyed the hopes of the Six Nations, with regard to this school, but to the Stockbridge Indians it was a source of many blessings. In January 4, 1758, Mr. Edwards resigned his charge for the Presidency of Princeton College, but died on the 22nd of


888


ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY. [CHAP.


March following. In 1759, Rev. Dr. Stephen West became the missionary and teacher of the Indians, a post which he filled until 1775.


Prior to this time, a tract of land, six miles square, called New Stockbridge, had been granted to this tribe by the Onei- das. but the war of the Revolution prevented their removal to it for several years. During the last French war. the Stockbridge Indians took sides with the English, and were many of them received as soldiers by Massachusetts. At the commencement of the Revolution they declared their attach- ment to the Americans, and raised a company of "minute men," who subsequently acted as rangers in the vicinity of Boston, commanded by Capt. Timothy Yokun, one of their chiefs. A full company went to White Plains, under Capt. Daniel Nimham, another chief, where four were killed, and several died of disease. At the close of the war, Gen. Wash- ington directed a feast to be prepared for the Indians, in con- sideration of their good conduct, and an ox was roasted whole. of which the tribe partook, the men first, and then the women and children. Rev. John Sergeant (junior) and Judge Dean presided at the table.


In 1775, upon the resignation of Dr. West, Rev. John Sergeant, son of their first missionary, took charge of the mission and school. He had received an education at New- ark, New Jersey, and perfectly understood the language of the Indians. In 1783, a portion of the tribe removed to New Stockbridge ; in 1785. another portion ; and the residue of the tribe in 1788. In 1785, the Indian members of the church at Stockbridge, 16 in number, took letters of dismis- sion, and immediately formed a church at their new home. At this time, the tribe numbered about 420 souls. Mr. Sergeant was ordained pastor of the infant church, and regularly spens six months in the year at New Stockbridge, until 1796, when


1


.


xxx.]


INDIANS. 889


he removed his family hither. He continued his labors with this people up to the time of his death. He died September 8, 1824, aged seventy-seven years. In 1796, the Legislature granted a tract of land, one mile square, adjoining Stock- bridge, to Rev. Mr. Sergeant, known as Sergeant's Patent. In 1818, the Stockbridge Indians numbered 438 souls, and owned about 17,000 acres of land in Oneida and Madison Counties. Nearly 150 years ago, the Miamis granted the the Stockbridge, Delaware and Munsee tribes the right to wcupy forever. a large tract of land upon the White River. in Indiana. The Delawares went many years ago, and took possession. In 1818, about one quarter of the Stockbridge tribe went west, by invitation of the Delawares, to reside upon this land. the remainder of the tribe intending to follow soon ; but before those who started had arrived at their new home, they learned that the Delawares had sold the whole tract to the government of Indiana. In 1821, the Six Na- tions and the Stockbridge, St. Regis and Munsee tribes, pur- chased of the Menominees and Winnebagoes, a large tract of land upon Green Bay and the Winnebago and Fox Rivers in Wisconsin. In 1822, a large part of the tribe remaining, removed to that territory, and the rest soon followed. There they have made considerable advances in civilization. and are in general sober and industrious.


The Stockbridge tribe preserved a tradition, that their au- cestors came a vast distance from the north-west, that in coming they crossed a water affected by tides, and that the next tide-water they saw, was upon their arrival at the banks of the Hudson. Many suppose that this refers to their passage from Asia to this continent, by way of Bhering Strait.


800


ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.


CHAP.


BROTHERTON INDIANS.


The Brotherton tribe of Indians was composed of the remnants of various tribes who had resided in New Jer- .ey. upon Long Island and the northern shore of Long Island Sound. Many of them at the settlement of the intry were powerful tribes. but all of them Lad become : duced to mere wrecks and remnants. The Oneidas in- vited them to come and reside upon their territory. and the fate governments also aided in collecting them together and settling them at their new homes. The tribes. which at dif- feront periods have thus been consolidated to forin the Brotit- erton tribe. were the Nanticokes. Narragansetts. Montauk -. Mohegans. Pequot -. Nebanties. Conoys. Tutecoes, Saponer -. Shinecocks and probably some others.


When the Brothertons began to collect is a question diff- " il: to be answered. but is certain that the component rem- nants, which formed the tribe. came at different periods. Their beation was upon and near the Oriskany. within che Minits of the present town of Marshall. Having no common Language. they early adopted the English, and soon no other was spoken among them They derived their name Brother- "no- from the fact of their union of so many tribes.


.1t the time of the treaty of Fort Stanwix in November. 1755. the Governor and Commissioners of New Jersey pur- chasel of the Oneidas. with the consent of their attorneys. a tract of upwards of 30.000 acres. in trust for the natives of New Jersey, South of the Raritan. which tract took the name .! Brotherton In 1765, Sir William Johnson reported that the Nanticokes. Conoys, Tutecoes, Saponeys, etc. etc. Huni- bering 200 warriors (1000 souls). had removed from the - ir ard. and settlel " on and about the Susquehanna. on


xxx. ]


INDIANS. 891


lands allotted by the Six Nations," and lived immediately under their direction. These were doubtless Brothertons.


On the 22d of June, 1775, the Colonial Congress of New York granted a pass to Joseph Johnson, "a Mohegan Indian. and licensed preacher among the Brotherton and Oneida Indians, and his three friends, James Shattuck, John Ske- suek and Samuel Tallman, to New London, Connecticut. and back" to Brotherton. In 1776, David Fowler and five other Indians, from Connecticut and Long Island, who were Bap- tists. removed to Brothertou, and established Baptist meet- ings, the second by that denomination west of Albany. (The first at Butternuts in 1773.)


In 1786. the Rev. Samson Occum, a Mohegan, with 192 Montauks and Shinecocks from Long Island, Mohegans fron! Connecticut, and Narragansetts from Rhode Island. emi- grated to Brotherton. Mr. Oceum was born at Mohegan. near Norwich, Connecticut, in 1723, and at the age of nine- teen, entered Rev. Dr. Wheelock's charity school at Lebanon. and was the first Indian ever educated at that place. Ho was a thoroughly-educated Indian, and in 1748 taught a school at New London. Soon afterwards he removed to Montauk, Long Island, where he remained as a teacher for ten or eleven years among the Indians, by whom he . was greatly beloved. He was also a part of this time a licensed preacher. He was ordained August 29, 1759, by the Suffolk Presbytery. In 1766, he was sent to England by President Wheelock, to solicit aid for the Indian school at Lebanon. known in those days as More's Indian Charity School. Being the first Indian preacher who had visited England. he attracted much attention, and preached to crowded houses. He preached in the King's Chapel before George III. ; also in the pulpit of Whitfield ; and, indeed, " the noblest chapels in the kingdom were open to him." He obtained large sums


$92


ANNALS OF ONEIDA COUNTY.


[CHAP.


of money and much personal distinction. During his subse- quent life, he carried a gold-mounted cane presented to him by the king. The king, many of the nobility and persons of wealth and distinction became patrons of the school. and continued their contributions for several years. After his removal to Brotherton, he preached and labored with much zeal among his people ; and, also, preached a portion of the time at Stockbridge, in connection with Mr. Sergeant. IIe enjoyed the confidence of Mr. Kirkland and of Christians generally in the infant settlements in this section. For some time he was, it is believed, the only ordained minister be- tween the German Flats and Oneida, and was called upon a.s such to preach. attend funerals and solemnize marriages, by the white settlers. He often visited the family of the author's father, where he was received as a messenger of " good news." He was a man of cultivated mind, pleasing address and manners, and in his life and conversation exeni- plificd the spirit of the Gospel. Even to this day. his name is venerated among the descendants of those he taught. Ho died at New Stockbridge, in July, 1792, aged sixty-nine years.


By an act passed February 25, 1789, the Legislature of this State ratified and confirmed the grant made by the Onei- das to the Brothertons. directing that said grant should be called " Brother Town," and that said lands should remain for " the cultivation, improvement and use of the said New England Indians and their brethren, consisting of the Tribes called the Mohegau, Montange, Stonington and Narraganset Indians, and the Pequots of Groton and Nehanticks of Far- mington, and their posterity," without the power of alienation or right of leasing for any longer term than ten years.


The very means used for the preservation of the Brother- tons. unless the Gospel and civilization had been immediately


xxx.]


INDIANS. S93


successful, were the best calculated to destroy them. They lost all their national pride, and having neither tribe nor language, they became the most degraded and dissolute of any of the Indians in the State. Many of them possessed trood farms, and might have enjoyed all of the necessaries, und many of the luxuries of civilized life. In 1818, Rev. Mr. Sergeant wrote as follows: "If they (the Stockbridge Indi- -ns) lose their own language, they will lose with it their ational pride and respectability. This is the case of the Brotherton Indians -- they have lost their language, and are ow, perhaps, more corrupt than any other Indians in the ountry."


With their neighbors of Stockbridge, the greater propor- ¿on of the Brothertons removed to Wisconsin in 1822, and The remainder followed in a few years. There a complete evolution has been effected in their character and habits. .nd' they have made great advancement in civilization, agri- ulture and the arts. By act of Congress they have been leclared Citizens of the United States. The report of the indian agent for 1849, says that " in which capacity (of citi- :ens) they appear advantageous y, many of them filling very espeetably town and county offices under our State organi- ation. They have two schools, and are anxious that their hildren should become educated as the whites."


Many interesting reminiscences of the Brothertons are embodied in the history of Marshall.


/


CORRECTION .- Page 836, transpose the 9th and 10th lines from bot- om, so as to read the 5th first. Page 837, 7th line, read " Ne-haw-re- fh-go." Page 848, 1st line, read " Ca-no-wa-lo-a." Same page, 10th A ne from bottom. for " George," read " Governor."


1


A


i




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.