USA > New York > Cattaraugus County > History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 23
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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.
the Quakers to come into the Indian country. He now said "they wanted no more schools among them; the Friends were at liberty to remain on their farm at Tune- sassa, and the Indians would continue on friendly terms with them, but he wished the people not to be instructed in the English language," etc. This chief was, however, about one hundred years old at the time, and it is probable that his opposition was produced by the machinations of others, to secure the prestige of his name. The old cry was now again raised, that for all the Quakers were doing they would by and by bring a claim for payment, which would take away all the Indian lands. It soon came out that this state of feeling was fostered and kept alive by design- ing white men (for by this time white settlements had multiplied considerably about them); and not only by traders, who did so for purposes of gain in the sale of whisky, etc., but also by another class of whites, whose calling should have made them incapable of such things. This much was ascertained by Mr. Elkinton from a chief who had just returned from a journey to Buffalo Creek. " He said he had heard news respecting me at Buffalo which he did not feel pleased about; also, that a great priest had told them the Quakers were a very insignificant people; that they were clad in coarse woolen clothes, and were not of much account. He said he told them he knew the Quakers at Allegany were good men; and he endeavored to befriend the Quakers, but the missionaries and others at Buffalo were disposed to overpower all that he could say and put them down."
The school was finally reopened, Nov. 27, 1820, at Tune- wanna, a place on the north side of the Allegany, and about two miles from the Indian village at Cold Spring. " Seven scholars attended the first day, and the duties of the school were performed as satisfactorily as had been expected." The progressive party had promised that twenty-nine children should attend regularly, but this promise was never fulfilled. During all the time it was kept there the opposition continued. Threats were made to burn the building used for the school, and also of vio- lence against Mr. Elkinton, who, in his journal kept at that time, wrote, that " the Friend felt his situation amongst the Indians at times to be very critical." The principal fear seems to have been that in some time of intoxication they would attack and perhaps murder him. "One of them (a chief) told him he had heard that one of the Indians had said he would destroy the schoolmaster's skiff, so that he could not cross the river; and another of the natives had said he would take a stick, and assault him as he passed along the road to and from the school-house." Upon one occasion (Feb. 16, 1821), he mentioned in his memorandum that after the close of school, on arriving at the Allegany (which he had to cross on his way from Tune- wanna to Tunesassa), he found his skiff split from end to end, which no doubt had been done by natives opposed to the school; and he added, " Oh, that I may be enabled to conduct like a Christian among them !"
To silence the continual croakings of the opposition, or Pagan party, a parchment document, dated Philadelphia, Jan. 19, 1821, and signed by twenty-six Friends of the yearly meeting, was sent to the chiefs of the Senecas,
stating, in language as clear and strong as could be made, that no demand for land or money or skins should ever be brought against them for what the Quakers had done, and intended to continue to do ; but it was all to no purpose in quieting the opposition, which continued to be fostered and encouraged by the whites, and by Red Jacket and other chiefs living on other reservations.
A grand council was held on the 24th of February, at which it was decided that the school should be closed at all hazards in four days from that time, and that the school- teacher must confine himself to the Quaker farm at Tune- sassa, where any of the people who wished their children educated might send them if they chose. At the time ap- pointed, February 28, the school at Tunewanna, then con- taining about twenty scholars, was closed. On the 10th of March, Mr. Elkinton made this entry in his diary, "I understand there is to be a meeting to-morrow among some of the Indians, to hear some of the natives sing psalms. I have for some time believed their minds were getting out after the practices of the missionaries."
On the 30th of March, the Clendenon family left Tune- sassa to return to their homes in Pennsylvania. Many of the native women came to bid them an affectionate farewell ; and of his own parting with them Mr. Elkinton wrote :
" I was favored to feel a portion of tranquillity at parting with them, such as I consider a favor unmerited from that gracious Being who sees and knows all that is done in this lower world. After parting at the Allegany River, I re- turned to my house, and enjoyed myself during the day with the society of Indians, and with labor. A desire was felt that my steps might be directed aright; in an especial manner, now that I am left to travel alone amongst these interesting people."
In the midst of all these discouragements, the course pursued by the Quakers towards the Indians remained unchanged,-a policy of the most disinterested friendship and benevolence. After a time, the school was reopened at or near Old Town, and, though still opposed most vio- lently by the Pagan party, was continued with considerable regularity, and with more or less of success .* Afterwards, experience brought the belief to the minds of the Quakers that day schools, permitting the pupils' return each evening to the habits and associations of home, where there was little or no discipline, and much of injurious example, were less
* Mr. Elkinton remained at Tunesassa (with the exception of occa- sional visits to his home and relatives) for about sixteen years. After- wards he frequently formed one of the delegation sent from time to time by the meeting to visit the Senecas on the Reservation. On the peculiarly interesting occasion of the committee's visit in 1866, an influential Seneca, in a speech of welcome, said in reference to Mr. Elkinton (whom he recognized among the visitors), " Our venerable friend some of us are well acquainted with. Fifty years ago he came among us. The advice he has given us to-day is known by some of our old men to be the same he gave us long ago." And in the same year, during their visit to the Cattaraugus Reservation, President Silverheels and some members of the council recognized and saluted him with warmest expressions of affection, as the faithful and beloved teacher from whom they had learned the alphabet at Tunewanna, more than forty years before. In the following year Mr. Elkinton again visited the Reservation, and the exposure and fatigue attend- ing this journey aggravated a disorder which terminated his life in a few weeks after his return home. He died in Philadelphia, Feb. 9, 1868, in the seventy-fourth year of his age.
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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.
favorable to steady progress than boarding-schools; and for this reason a school of that kind was established at Tune- sassa between 1840 and 1850, and has been continued there until the present time, and with success, the principal part of the pupils taught being Indian girls of from twelve to fifteen years of age; one great object being to instruct them in domestic affairs, and through them to work a greatly- needed improvement in Indian households.
CORNPLANTER.
The chief, Cornplanter, who was the first to request the presence of Quaker instructors among the natives, but who was afterwards among the most determined opponents of improvement, particularly the establishment of schools, was a native of Cattaraugus, having been born (ac- cording to his own statement, made to Gen. C. T. Chamberlain) on the Allegany River, at or near the present village of Olean. The date of his birth is sup- posed to have been not far from the year 1720. His residence was a short distance south of the State line, and he never lived on the Allegany Reservation, though of course his authority as sachem of the Sene- cas extended there. His lands in Pennsylvania were granted to him in recognition of services rendered in exerting his (then) powerful influence to prevent the tribes from engaging with Western Indians in hostili- ties against the United States, although at an earlier period, during the Revolution, he had been engaged in warfare against the government. He was said to have taken part in the massacre and burning of Cherry Valley, and to have been the chief who saved the gray hairs of old Mr. Wells from the scalping-knife. He was noted for his great strength of body and powers of mind, and the great age to which he lived. He had been presented with a military uniform by Gen. Wash- ington, whose name he cherished with grateful re- membrance. He considered all papers and written agreements as worthless if without the signature of Washington. He died at his home in Elk township, Pa., Feb. 17, 1836, at the age of about one hundred and seventeen years, His power and influence over the Indians had entirely decayed some years before his death.
GOVERNOR BLACKSNAKE.
The most famed and revered among the chiefs upon the Allegany Reservation was De-a-wa-ni-os, or " The Nephew," war-chief of the Senecas, better known among the whites as Governor Blacksnake. Like his relative, Cornplanter, he was a leader of the Pagan party, opposing innovations, and favoring the continuance of ancient Indian customs and beliefs, yet never acting in a spirit of aggression or injus- tice against the rights and convictions of the Progressive party. During the time of excitement which followed the opening of the Friends' school upon the Reservation, the Indian prophet, Ga-na-e-go, announced to the " keepers of the faith" that an angel or messenger from the happy hunt- ing-grounds had appeared to him in a vision, saying that the sending of Indian children to school was a great crime in the eyes of the Great Spirit, whose wrath and vengeance
would be felt by his red children unless they discontinued this practice, which was one of the devices of the Evil One to lead them astray. The " keepers of the faith" heard the message with dismay, and on consultation among them- selves decided to refer the matter to the venerable Black- snake, and to be guided by his decision, little doubting, however, that it would be unfavorable to the continuance of the schools. A committee from their number was accord- ingly designated, who waited on the chief and were received by him with his usual grave courtesy. After hearing the revelations of the prophet relative to the schools, and being informed of the deep concern of the " keepers of the faith" thereat, but that nevertheless they had resolved to be guided
SECOND
PRISESENT -
LITTLE
GOVERNOR BLACKSNAKE, WAR CHIEF OF THE SENECA NATION.
by his decision, Blacksnake replied that he was deeply sen- sible of the honor which the " keepers of the faith" had done him ; that he had listened to their narrative with the most profound attention, and had carefully considered their words. " Hear, then, my decision," said he: " Tell the people to con- tinue to send their children to school, notwithstanding the vision of Ga-na-e-go. Say to them that if it is a crime to attend school the Evil Spirit will punish and torment the children who go, and not the parents who send them." The " keepers of the faith" were disappointed, but did not dare to disregard his decision, and for the time the instruc- tion of the Indian youth was continued.
"The Nephew" (so named because he was a nephew of the famous Red Jacket) was born at an Indian village situated on the west side of Cayuga Lake (a few miles above Cayuga Ferry), about the year 1737. Afterwards he moved to the old village, which was situated near the present site of Gen-
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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.
eseo, and that was his place of abode at the time when General Sullivan destroyed the Indian villages in his mem- orable campaign of 1779. Next he lived at Niagara, and from thence removed to Cattaraugus, where he remained five years. From there he went to Cornplanter's village, on the Allegany, and finally removed (probably about 1805) farther up the river to the Indian settlement at Cold Spring, where he continued during the remainder of his life.
He fought on the side of the British during a part of the Revolutionary war, and was present, under Butler, at the massacre of Wyoming. He also fought as an able warrior under Captain Brant and his kinsman, Cornplanter. He often related how, on one occasion, during a campaign in the Mohawk Valley, the Indian warriors, having become reduced to extremities for lack of provisions, at last found and pillaged a mill which was piled full of sacks. Of these they took as many as they could carry, and made for the woods, burning the mill behind them. But when they halted at a stream to make cakes from their flour, they found, to their amazement, that it would not "mix," and, upon further examination, discovered that it was not flour at all, but some unknown substance, which could not be eaten. It was nothing else but ground plaster which had so deceived them, and the old chief laughed heartily as he related the circumstance and recollected the disappointment of the hungry braves.
In the last two or three years of the Revolution he warmly espoused the American cause, and stood well in the estimation of the officers of the government. He several times visited Philadelphia, New York, and Washington; and it was at the first-named city, in 1794, that he received the name by which he was best known, from none less than WASHINGTON himself. Being there, with Cornplanter and others, chiefs, delegates from the Seneca nation, the President asked the name of each. When " The Nephew" was presented to him he closely scanned his straight and slender form and piercing black eyes, and said, " Take a new name,-' Governor Blacksnake!'" And this name, suggested by the great First President, became the one most generally applied to him, although in his intercourse with the government officers he was still known as " The Nephew."
Two years later, at the same city and from the hand of the same illustrious man, he received the gift of a silver medal, which he wore till his death and prized above all his other possessions; as being bestowed by the hand of Wash- ington.
In 1803, on returning from a visit to the Federal capital, he received from the then Secretary of War a pass, of which the following (as transcribed from the original by the Hon. John Manley) is a copy :
"To all persons to whom these presents shall como, greeting : It is re- quired of all persons, civil and military, and all others, the good people of these United States, to permit THE NEPHEW, an Indian chief, with his associates, to proceed from the City of Washington to their places of residence, freely and without molestation; and to aid and assist them on their way, as friends of the said United States.
Seal of the " Given at the War Office at the City of War Depart. { ment. Washington, this fourteenth day of Febru- ary, 1803.
"H. DEARBORN."
Blacksnake had two wives; the first became the mother of two sons, George and Jacob, both of whom died be- fore him. By his second wife he had two sons and two daughters.
He was tall and well-formed in person, and dignified in carriage and presence, as became one in his relative station. In conversation in the Seneca tongue he was cheerful, and often humorous. In his later years he gave all his time and attention to the duties of his position among the Senecas, and acted as umpire in nearly all difficulties occurring among his people. All his impulses were generous and manly. He was in all respects strictly and absolutely honest and truthful, and in this particular he enjoyed the entire confidence of both Indian and pale-face. Well would it be for the white race if their rulers and chief men could be endued with some of the attributes of this illiterate and superstitious Pagan.
" He lived to see his grandchildren abandon the faith of their ancestors for the Christian religion, but interfered not with them while sturdily adhering to his own. Little did the old chief think the heavy tongue of a Christian church- bell would toll a requiem for his death ; but when the tidings of his departure reached the Cattaraugus Reserva- tion the bell of the United Mission Church mournfully counted off the years of his long and eventful life." He died at his residence on the Allegany, on the 26th of De- cember, 1859, at about the age of one hundred and twenty- three years.
THE OGDEN LAND COMPANY AND THE CHIEFS-CAUSES THAT LED TO THE REPUBLIC.
,
An account of the origin of the Seneca republic, and ¿ the causes which led to its formation, necessarily embraces a chapter (though not a bright one) in the history of that unincorporated and, in some respects, remarkable associa- tion of individual speculators which has become known as the " Ogden Land Company." That these two matters are inseparably blended at one point must be an excuse for mentioning them here in connection.
On the 12th of September, in the year 1810, David A. Ogden, of New York City, acting for himself and associ- ates, purchased from the Holland Land Company all the right, title, and interest which that company owned in six Indian reservations in Western New York, as follows:
Cattaraugus Reservation
26,880 acres.
Tuscarora
1,925
Allegany
30,469
Buffalo Creek
83,557
Caneadea =
8,800 "
Tonawanda
¥
46,209
Total.
197,835
For which interest he paid, or agreed to pay, the sum of fifty cents per acre, amounting to a total of $98,917.50. The "title" which was thus purchased was described and ex- plained to the Senecas by the great statesman and governor of New York-De Witt Clinton-in these words : " All the right that the Ogden Company have to your reservations is the right to purchase them when you deem it expedient to sell
Jacob was president of the Seneca nation under its new form of government in 1852-53, and died in 1857.
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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.
them ; that is, they can buy your lands, but no other person can. You may retain them as long as you please. No man can deprive you of them without your consent. The State will protect you in the full enjoyment of your property."
In 1821 this "pre-emption right"' was vested by the as- sociates in Robert Troup, Thomas L. Ogden, and Benja- min W. Rogers, as trustees, upon certain trusts and for cer- tain uses and purposes specified.
By a treaty made in August, 1826, the Seneca nation of Indians released to the trustees the whole of the Canea- dea Reservation, containing 8800 acres, a portion of the Buffalo Creek Reservation, comprising 33,637 acres ; a por- tion of the Tonawanda Reservation, comprising 33,409 acres; and a part of the Cattaraugus Reservation, containing 5720 acres.
In December, 1829, Robert Troup and Benjamin W. Rogers retired from the trust, and Charles G. Troup and Joseph Fellows were substituted in their places to act in conjunction with Thomas L. Ogden as trustees. Charles G. Troup died a few years afterwards. The above shows the changes in proprietorship of the " Ogden Land Com- pany" down to the year 1838.
In the year above named a part of the Seneca chiefs were induced-by means as indicated below-to sign an instrument, purporting to be a treaty in due form, convey- ing to this Ogden Land Company the entire remnant of the land belonging to the Seneca nation in the State of New York, being about one hundred and twenty thousand acres. While this treaty was under consideration by a committee of the United States Senate, the Indians came before them and charged that bribery, fraud, and perjury had been used to obtain signatures to it, and that a major- ity of chiefs neither approved of nor had signed it. Upon this the committee remodeled it, thoroughly changing its character, and reported it back to the Senate, which body, on the 11th of June, 1838, adopted a resolution providing for a reconsideration of the (amended) treaty by the In- dians; but that it should have no force whatever, nor be understood as having been assented to by the Senate, until, with the amendments, it should have been submitted and fairly explained by a Commissioner of the United States to each of said tribes or bands, separately assembled in council, and they had given their free and voluntary assent to said treaty, as amended, and to their contracts connected there- with, in which case only it was to be binding. The matter now stood referred to President Van Buren, who, in his message to the Senate of Jan. 13, 1840, said : " The pro- vision of the resolution of the Senate of the 11th of June, 1838, requiring the assent of each of the said tribes of In- dians to the amended treaty to be given in council, and which was also made a condition precedent to the recom- mendation to me of the Senate of 2d of March, 1839, to carry the same into effect, has not been complied with as it respects the Seneca tribe ;" and in allusion to the charges of bribery and perjury, which were abundantly proved, the President said : "That improper means have been employed to obtain the assent of the Seneca chiefs there is every rea- son to believe, and I have not been able to satisfy myself that I can, consistently with the resolution of the Senate of 2d March, 1839, cause the treaty to be carried into effect
in respect to the Seneca tribe." Notwithstanding which, the amended " treaty," which stripped the Senecas of the last vestige of their inheritance, passed the Senate and be- came the law of the land.
When information reached the Indians that the treaty, as it had been amended by the Senate, was ratified, and that by it their lands would be taken from them; and further, that if they did not voluntarily surrender and leave them they would by compulsory measures be forced to do so, and be driven into a distant wilderness, where they fully expected poverty, disease and death awaited them, they were plunged into the deepest despair. In a letter from one of the chiefs, he said : " On the annunciation to the Indians of this re- sult, consternation and gloom were everywhere spread over our villages. Relying upon the protection of the govern- ment, and the justice of our cause, we were not, after the disclosures of the means employed to obtain that treaty, prepared for this issue, and on being apprised of it the deepest distress was manifested; our women were seen on all sides weeping in their houses, and along the roads as they passed to their occupations, and in the fields whilst employed in their labors."
In this, their extremity, the Indians turned instinctively for help to the only friend who had never failed them, the Society of Quakers. In his appeal to them, the head sachem said : "Brothers, we are in trouble; we have been told that our land has been sold, and under the accumulat- ing difficulties and trials that now surround us we solicit your advice and sympathy. We feel more than ever our need of the help of the Great and Good Spirit. May his counsel guide and direct us in wisdom ! We hoped by the liberal concessions we had made of our lands to secure the quiet, unmolested occupancy of this small residue. But we have abundant reason to fear that we have been mis- taken. The agent and surveyor of the ' Ogden Company' have been on here to lay out our land for the purpose of selling it off. We have protested against their proceedings, and forbid them.
" What we want is that you should intercede with the United States government in our behalf. We wish you to know, and the government and people of the United States to know, that we never signed the treaty to give up our lands. This treaty which we know has been ratified by President Van Buren is a fraudulent one. Ransom H. Gillet, the government agent, violated the good faith of the government and the law respecting the ratification of treaties by applying to Indians at their houses, some of them upon their sick-beds, also on the highways and at taverns, and offering them money if they would sign said treaty. We wish it also to be known that in the general council convened at Buffalo for the express purpose of con- sidering this treaty sixteen chiefs only were in favor of signing it, and sixty-four were decidedly opposed to it." They also made the charge (of the truth of which there seems little reason to doubt) that the name of the head chief of the Seneca nation, which appeared upon the treaty, was a forgery.
Without delay the guardian Friends came up to the as- sistance of the outraged Indians. The usual committee was appointed, who, " having gained all the information they
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