History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 4

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427

USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 4

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Their Great Council was composed of the heads of tribes, and those whose merits had elevated them to a like rank. A council house was erected in each town, where councils convened, ambassadors were received, songs were sung, and the dead commemorated.

A chief seldom spoke at the general councils, as he usually entrusted his sentiments to another person, called his speaker or orator, this being a recognized class in all the tribes. Their manner of speaking was natural and easy, although often impassioned, their words strong and expressive, and style bold and figurative. When business of great consequence was to be transacted, a feast was appointed for a certain occasion, and at this almost the whole nation would participate. Songs and dances were a recognized part of these assemblies, as also of all others.

A national war is acted upon and entered into only after a solemn deliberation. An assembly of sachems and chiefs deliberate upon it, and consider it in all its bearings. It was in these councils that the women of the Iroquois Confederacy, or the " Five Nations," exercised a voice and vote. The presiding sachem proposed the subject of delib- eration, and, lifting a tomahawk, asked, " Who among you will go and fight this nation? Who among you will bring captives from them to replace our deceased friends, that our wrongs may be revenged, and our name and honor maintained as long as the rivers flow, the grass grows, or the sun and moon shall endure?" One of the principal warriors would

then harangue the assembly, and then addressing the young men would inquire who would go with him to fight their enemies. On such occa- sions they usually had a roasted deer, and as the warriors consented to fight he would cut a piece of meat, saying as he ate it, "thus will I devour our enemies." After these ceremonies the dance commenced, accompanied by the singing of war songs, and those relating to their conquests, their courage, or their skill.

Originally wampum was only a string of shells, gathered from the sea or lake coasts, but at a later period it consisted of a small bead of white and black shell, which was highly esteemed by them, and served the purposes of currency.

The calumet or pipe of peace was of great significance. The bowl was made of a soft red stone, which was easily hollowed, and very highly prized. The stem was of cane or a light wood painted in different colors, and adorned with the feathers of birds. The calumet was used to smoke tobacco or some herb when an alliance or other solemn engagement was formed. To smoke this pipe was the most solemn oath, and its viola- tion was the most infamous offence, deserving of punishment in the future world.

The tomahawk deserves notice, as it was of much importance both as an instrument of use in peace and a favorite weapon in war. It is a very ancient weapon, antedating the use of iron and steel. A hatchet finally substituted it, but the tomahawk, like the pipe, still had deep significance in public transactions. It was formed somewhat like a hatchet, with a long handle and ornamented by painting and feathers.

Each tribe has its peculiar symbol, which is generally an outline of an animal,-those of the Five Nations being the bear, wolf, otter, tor- toise, and eagle. When going to war they cut off all their hair, except a spot on the crown, and even plucked out their eyebrows. The lock of hair left on the crown was braided full of beads and feathers all twisted together. They painted themselves red as low as the eyebrows, suspended ornaments from the ears, and beads from their noses. On the way to war they sang the wild war songs, and were followed by the women, who carried the baggage, but who returned before the commence- ment of the action.

It will not be necessary to speak more fully at this place of the cus- toms and implements, as they will appear clearly illustrated by the dif- ferent incidents connected with the wars, treaties, and chiefs of various tribes to be detailed in the following pages. Let us first consider some of the treaties between the whites and the Indians.

INDIAN TREATIES.

It is not our intention to investigate the claims of France to all the lands between the Allegheny and the Rocky Mountains, because Mar- quette in 1673 and La Salle in 1679 urged the immediate occupation of that vast and fertile region of this extensive domain upon the King of France; nor to the Kings of England because their subjects had made discoveries on the western continent and claimed the same by right of discovery, as their royal proclamation of October 7, 1763, boldly pro- claimed.

We look upon our country from an American standpoint, claiming that on the 4th of July, 1776, our forefathers renounced their allegiance to the King of Great Britain, fought for their inalienable rights, and triumphed over his armies. We then assumed that we were a free and independent people, and upon this as the corner-stone established a republican government-each State claiming the right of jurisdiction over the district of territory embraced within its respective charter.

Several of these States held large portions of western unappropriated lands, and each and all finally believing (after the Indian titles were exhausted) that they should be appropriated for the benefit of all, as cach State in proportion to its population had spent money and shed blood; new States were organized out of the said territorial lands and placed on an equality with the thirteen original States.

We may mention that a treaty was entered into between Sir William Johnson and the Six Nations of Indians on the 24th of October, 1768, at FORT STANWIX, which was attended by representatives from the colo- nies of New Jersey, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, by Sir William Johnson and his deputies, by the agents of those traders who had suffered in the

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

war of 1763, and by deputies from the Indian nations referred to. At that meeting the line was established beginning on the Ohio at the mouth of the Tennessee (or Cherokee) River, thence up the Ohio and Alle- gheny to Kittanning, thence across to the Susquehanna, whereby the whole country south of the Ohio and Allegheny to which the Six Nations had any claim was transferred to England. By this treaty rests the title by purchase to Kentucky, Western Virginia, and Western Pennsyl- vania, and the authority of the Six Nations to sell that country rests on their claim by conquest. .

A treaty was made at Fort Stanwix October 27, 1784, by Oliver Wol- cott, Richard Butler, and Arthur Lee, representing the United States, with the Sachems and Warriors of the Mohawks, Onondagas, Senecas, Cayugas, Oneidas, and Tuscaroras, by which the Six Nations ceded to the United States all claims to the country west of a line extending along the west boundary of Pennsylvania from the mouth of Oyounayea to the River Ohio. The most distinguished chiefs were Cornplanter and Red Jacket.

A treaty was also concluded at Fort McIntosh, near the mouth of the Beaver River, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1785, by Geo. Rogers Ciark, Richard Butler, and Arthur Lee, with the Wyandot, Delaware, Chip- pewa, and Ottawa nations, by which the boundary line between the United States and the Wyandot and Delaware nations was declared to begin "at the mouth of the Cuyahoga, and to extend up said river to the Portage between that and the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum, thence down that branch to the crossing-place above Fort Lawrence, then westerly to the Portage of the Big Miami which runs into the Ohio, at the mouth of which branch the fort stood which was taken by the French in 1752, then along said Portage to the Great Miami or Omie River and down the southeast side of the same to its mouth ; then along the south shore of Lake Erie to the mouth of the Cuyahoga River where it began."

The Indian title to a large part of the country within the limits of Ohio having been extinguished, legislative action on the part of Con- gress became necessary before settlements were commenced; hence Con- gress had surveys made and sold portions of land to which the Indian title had been extinguished.

December 20, 1785, a treaty was to be held at Fort Fenney, at the mouth of the Great Miami, but changed to Jan. 31, 1786, by George R. Clark, Richard Butler, and Samuel H. Parsons with the Delawares, Wyandots, and Shawnese.

In 1788 another treaty was made, by which the country was purchased from the mouth of Cuyahoga River to the Wabash lying south of a cer- tain line mentioned in the treaty; in consideration of which the United States stipulated for the distribution of goods amongst the different tribes.

On January 9, 1799, a treaty was entered into at FORT HARMER be- tween General Arthur St. Clair and the Wyandots, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawatomics, and Six Nations, in which the treaty at Fort McIntosh was recited and confirmed. The treaty was as follows :-

"Beginning at the mouth of Cuyahoga River and running thence up the said river to the portage between that and the Tuscarawas branch of Muskingum, thence down the said branch to the forks at the crossing place above Fort Lawrence; thence westerly to the portage on that branch of the Big Miami which runs into the Ohio, at the mouth of which branch the fort stood which was taken by the French A. D. 1752; then along the said portage to the Great Miami or Omie River and down the S. E. side of the same to its mouth; thence along the southern shore of Lake Erie to the mouth of Cuyahoga where it began. And the said Wyandot, Delaware, Ottawa, and Chippewa nations, for the considera- tion of the peace then granted to them by the said U. S. and the pre- sents they then received, as well as of a quantity of goods to the valu- ation of $6000 now delivered to them by the said Arthur St. Clair, the receipt whereof they do now hereby acknowledge, do by these presents renew and confirm the said boundary line, to the end that the same may remain as a division line between the lands of the U. S. and the lands of said nations forever. And the undersigned Indians do hereby, in their own names and the names of their respective nations and tribes, their heirs and descendants, for the consideration above mentioned, release, quit- claim, relinquish, and cede to the said U. S. all the land east, south, and west of the lines above described, so far as the said Indians formerly

claimed the same, for them the said U. S. to have and to hold the same in true and absolute propriety forever."

The treaty provided that the Indians may hunt upon lands. The U. S. reserve the reservations made at the former treaty of Fort McIntosh for trading posts, viz., six miles square at the mouth of the Miami River, six miles square at the portage upon that branch of the Miami which runs into the Ohio, at the mouth of which branch the fort stood which was taken by the French in 1752; six miles square upon the Lake San- dusky where the fort formerly stood; two miles square upon each side of the Lower Rapids on Sandusky River; "which posts and the lands annexed to them shall be for the use and under the government of the United States."

The boundary line was corrected, so as not to convey the idea that it would run "from the portage on that branch of the Miami which runs into the Ohio over to the river Auglaize, but on the contrary that it should run from the said portage directly to the first fork of the Miami River, which is to the southward and eastward of the Miami village, thence down the main branch of the Miami River to the said village, and thence down that river to Lake Erie and along the margin of the lake to the place of beginning."

On 3d August, 1795, a treaty of peace was held at Greenville between the United States and the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawnees, Chippewas, Pottawatomies, Miamis, Eel Rivers, Weas, Kickapoos, Piankishaws, and Kaskaskias, by which the tribes were to receive twenty thousand dollars in goods at price cost, and a perpetual annuity of nine thousand five hundred dollars.

Treaty of Greenville.

The boundary line established May 3, 1795, between the United States and the Indians began at the mouth of Cuyahoga River, and thence up the same to the portage, between that and the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum; thence down the branch to the crossing place above Fort Lawrence; thence westerly to a fork of that branch of the Great Miami River running into the Ohio at or near which fork stood Loramie's store, and where commences the portage between the Miami of the Ohio and St. Marys River, which is a branch of the Miami which runs into Lake Erie; thence a westerly course to Fort Recovery, which stands on a branch of the Wabash; thence southwesterly in a direct line to the Ohio so as to intersect that river opposite the mouth of Kentucky or Cuttawa River.

As an evidence of the retaining friendship of the said Indian tribes they ceded to the United States the following pieces of land: "1. Six miles square at or near Loramie's store. 2. Two miles square at the head of the navigable water or landing on St. Marys River near Girtys Town. 3. Six miles square at the head of the navigable water of the Auglaize River. 4. Six miles square at the confluence of the Auglaize and Miami Rivers, where Fort Defiance now stands. 5. Six miles square at or near the confluence of the St. Marys and St. Josephs where Fort Wayne now stands or near it. 6. Two miles square on the Wabash River at the end of the portage from the Miami of the Lake, and about eight miles westward from Fort Wayne. 7. Six miles square at the Onatanon or old Weatowns on the Wabash River. 8. Twelve miles square at the British fort on the Miami of the Lakes at the foot of the rapids. 9. Six miles square at the mouth of the said river where it empties into the lake. 10. One piece six miles square upon Sandusky Lake where a fort formerly stood. 11. Two miles square at the lower rapids of the Sandusky River. 12. The post of Detroit and all the land to the northwest and south of it, of which the Indian title has been extinguished by gifts or grants to the French or English governments, and so much more land to be annexed to the district of Detroit as shall . be comprehended between the river Rosene on the south, Lake St. Clair on the north, and a line the general course whereof shall be six miles distant from the west end of Lake Erie and Detroit River. 13. The post of Michilimacinac and all the lands on the island on which that post stands and the main land adjacent, of which the Indian title has been extinguished, and a piece of land on the main to the north of the island to measure six miles on Lake Huron or the strait between Lakes Huron and Michigan, and to extend three miles back from the water of the lake or strait, and also the island De Bois Blanc, being an extra and

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

voluntary gift of the Chippewa nation. 14. Six miles square at the Chicago River, emptying in the southwest end of Lake Michigan where a fort formerly stood. 15. Twelve miles square at or near the mouth of the Illinois River emptying into the Mississippi River. 16. Six miles ' square at the old Piorias fort village near the south end of the Illinois Lake on said Illinois River."

The Indian tribes were allowed by the treaty a free passage by land and water, as one and the other shall be found convenient, through this country along the chain of posts hereinbefore mentioned. The United States relinquish claims to all Indian lands northward of the Ohio River, eastward of the Mississippi, westward and south ward of the Great Lakes and the waters uniting them, according to the treaty between the United States and Great Britain in 1783.

Treaty of Detroit.

The United States accepts the following tracts: 1. 150,000 acres near the rapids of the river Ohio, which has been assigned to Gen. Clark for the use of himself and his warriors. 2. The post of Vincennes on the Wabash River and the lands adjacent, of which the Indian title has been extinguished. 3. The lands at all other places in possession of the French people and other white settlers among them. 4. The post of Fort Mapac towards the mouth of the Ohio.

The boundaries of the land ceded were as follows: Beginning at the mouth of the Miami River of the Lakes, and running thence up the middle thereof to the mouth of the Great Auglaize River; thence run- ning due north until it intersects a parallel of latitude to be drawn from the outlet of Lake Huron which forms the river Sinclair; thence running northeast the course that may be found will lead in a direct line to White Rock on Lake Huron; thence due east until it intersects the boundary line between the United States and Upper Canada on said lake; thence southwardly, following the said boundary line down said lake, through river Sinclair, Lake St. Clair, and the river Detroit into Lake Erie to a point due east of the aforesaid Miami River; thence west to the place of beginning.

The following lands were reserved for the use of the Indian nation: One tract of land six miles square, on the Miami of Lake Erie above Roche de Boeuf, to include the village where Tondaganie (or the Dog) now lives. Also three miles square on the said river (above the twelve miles square ceded to the United States by the treaty of Greenville) including what is called Presque Isle. Also four miles square on the Miami Bay, including the villages where Meshkemau and Wangau now live. Also three miles square on the river Raisin, at a place called Macon, and where the river Macon falls into the river Raisin, which place is about fourteen miles from the mouth of the said river Raisin. Also two sections of one mile square each on the river Rouge at Segin- savius village. Also two sections of one mile square each at Ton- quish's village, near the river Rouge. Also three miles square on Lake St. Clair above the river Huron, to include Machonee's village. Also six sections, each section containing one mile square within the cession aforesaid, in such situation as the said Indians shall elect, sub- ject to the approbation of the President of the United States as to the places of location. If the reservation cannot be laid out in squares, then in parallelograms or other figures so as to contain the area speci- fied, but not to interfere with any improvements of the French or other white people, or any former cessions.

Sept. 17, 1802, Gen. Harrison entered into a treaty at Vincennes with the various Indian tribes in regard to the boundaries of land. The boundary established by the treaty at Fort McIntosh was confirmed and extended westward from Loramie's store to Fort Recovery, and thence S. W. to the mouth of Kentucky River.

July 4, 1805, a treaty was held at Fort Industry between the United States and the Wyandots, Ottawas, Chippewas, Munsees, Delawares, Shawnees, and Pottawotamies, by which the tribes were to receive six- teen thousand dollars and a perpetual annuity of one thousand dollars. The sum of four thousand dollars was secured to the President of the United States in trust for them by the Connecticut Land Company and the Proprietors of the half million of acres of land called "Sufferers' Land." The same Company and Proprietors secured to the President two thousand nine hundred and sixteen dollars and sixty-seven cents to

raise an annuity of one hundred and seventy-five dollars, part of said amount of one thousand dollars. These were the covenants paid by the agents of the Western Reserve for the cession of their lands.

November 17, 1807, Governor William Hull of the Michigan Terri tory and Commissioners of the United States, and the several Indian nations northwest of the Ohio River, consisting of the Ottawas, Chip- pewas, Wyandots, and Pottawattomies, formed a treaty, by which the United States gave them ten thousand dollars in goods, a perpetual annuity of two thousand four hundred dollars, and agreed to furnish two blacksmiths for ten years.

Gen. Wm. Hull also entered into a second treaty with the above nations at Brownstown, Michigan, on November 25, 1808, in these words :-

Treaty of Brownstown.

The several Indian nations northwest of the Ohio do give, grant, and cede unto the United States a tract of land for a road of one hundred and twenty feet in width from the foot of the rapids of the river Miami on Lake Erie to the western line of the common reserve, and all the land within one mile of the said road on east side thereof for the pur- pose of establishing settlements along the same. Also a tract of land for a road only, of one hundred and twenty feet in width, to run south- wardly from what is called Lower Sandusky to the boundary line estab- lished by the treaty of Greenville, with the privilege of taking at all times such timber and other materials from the adjacent lands as may be necessary for making and keeping in repair the said road, with the bridges that may be required along the same. Lines to be run as the President of the United States shall deem advantageous.

September 29, 1817. Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur, Esquires, Commissioners of the United States, entered into a treaty with the Sachems, Chiefs, and Warriors of the Wyandots, Senecas, Delawares, Shawnees, Pottawatomies, Ottawas, and Chippewas, at the Foot of the Rapids of the Miami of the Lakes.

Treaty of the Foot of the Rapids of the Miami of the Lakes.

Cession of Lands by the Wyandots: The Wyandot tribe of Indians cede to the U. S. the lands within the following boundaries: Beginning at a point on the southern shore of Lake Erie where the present Indian · boundary line intersects the same, between the mouth of Sandusky Bay and the mouth of Portage River; thence running south with said line to the line established 1795 by the treaty of Greenville, which runs from the crossing-place above Fort Lawrence to Loramie's store; thence west- erly with the last-mentioned line to the eastern line of the Reserve at Loramie's store; thence with the lines of said Reserve north and west to the northwestern corner thereof; thence to the N. W. corner of the Reserve on the River St. Marys at the head of the navigable waters thereof; thence E. to the western bank of the St. Marys River aforesaid; thence down on the western bank of the said river to the Reserve at Ft. Wayne; thence with the lines of the last-mentioned Reserve, easterly and northerly to the north bank of the River Miami of Lake Erie; thence down on the north bank of the said river to the western line of the land ceded to the U. S. by the treaty of Detroit in 1807; thence with the said line south to the middle of the said Miami River opposite the mouth of the Great Auglaize River; thence down the middle of said Miami River southeasterly with the lines of the tract ceded to the U. S. by the treaty aforesaid so far that a south line will strike the place of beginning.

Cession of Lands by the Pottawatomies, Ottawas, and Chippewas. They ceded their lands as follows : Beginning where the western line of the State of Ohio crosses the River Miami of Lake Erie, which is about 21 miles above the mouth of the Great Auglaize River; thence with the western line of the land ceded to the U. S. by the treaty of Detroit, in 1807, N. 45 miles; thence west so far that a line south will strike the place of beginning; thence south to the place of beginning.

The Wyandot, Seneca, Delaware, Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Ottawa, and Chippewa tribes of Indians accede to the cessions mentioned in the two preceding articles by the U. S. paying a perpetual annuity to the following nations: to the Wyandots $4000; to the Shawnees $2000; to the Pottawatomies for 15 years $1300; to the Delawares $500; to the Senecas $500; to the Ottawas $1000; to the Chippewas $1000.

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

The United States was also to erect a saw and grist mill for the use of the Wyandots, and provide one blacksmith for the Wyandots and Senecas, and one for the Indians at Hog Creek.

In addition thereto the United States paid for property injured during the war: to the Wyandots $4319.39; to the Delawares $3956.50; to the Shawnees under the treaty of Fort Industry $2500; to the Senecas $4208.24; to the Shawnees $420; to the representatives of Hembis $348.50; to the Indians at Lewis and Scoutasks towns $1227.50.

Grants to the Wyandots in fee simple by patent. To Doanquod, How- oner, Rontondee, Tauyau, Rontayau, Dawatont, Manocue, Tauyaudau- tauson, and Haudaunwaugh, chiefs of the Wyandot tribe, and their successors in office, chiefs of the said tribe, for the use of the persons and for the purposes mentioned in the annexed schedule, a tract of land 12 miles square at Upper Sandusky, the centre of which shall be the place where Fort Ferree stands, and also a tract of 1 mile square, to be located where the chiefs direct, on a cranberry swamp on Broken Sword Creek, and to be held for the use of the tribe.

Grants to the Senecas. To Tahawiadoyaw, Captain Harris, Isahown- usau, Joseph Tawgyou, Captain Smith, Coffee House, Running About, ,and Wipingstick, chiefs of the Seneca tribe of Indians, and their suc- cessors in office, chiefs of the said tribe, for the use of the persons men- tioned in the annexed schedule, a tract of land to contain 30,000 acres, beginning on the Sandusky River at the lower corner of the section hereinafter granted to Wm. Spicer; thence down the said river on the east side, with the meanders thereof, at high-water mark to a point east of the mouth of Wolf Creek; thence and from the beginning east, so far that a north line will include the quantity of 30,000 acres aforesaid.

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History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 4

Author: R. Sutton & Co. Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Number of Pages: 427

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427