USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > Athens > A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania > Part 25
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180
OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
To this Pickering responded as follows :
"Brothers, you say I have only pulled the hatchet out of your head, and have not buried it, and while it is unburied you can not sit easy on your seats. Brothers, in declaring that I pulled the hatchet out of your heads I meant to comply with your own demand to the president and council of Pennsylvania, which was that he should come and pull the hatchet out of your heads. How- ever, to give you entire satisfaction on this point, as the hatchet is already pulled out of your heads I now bury it, and pray God that it may remain buried, and that its sharp edge may never more be seen. Brothers, the United States has no wish but to live with you as brothers in perpetual peace. Brothers, I now wash off the blood of your murdered brothers, and the tears from the eyes of their friends."
Pickering then drank their health and served them round with a glass of rum. The principal chief, Farmer's Brother, then spoke again, saying :
"Brother, you have now taken us by the hand, and washed our eyes; our women expect that you will show them equal attention. They are here waiting your invitation to receive the same tokens of your friendship which last evening you gave us. Perhaps in taking them by the hand you may see one who will please you."
There was a general laugh at this humor. Pickering then ad- dressed the women :
"Sisters, I am very glad to meet you here, I have seen agreeable women of various complexions, and doubt not, such may be found among you. I invite you to my quarters, where we may eat and drink together in friendship. I now take you by the hand as my sisters."
He then went round and shook hands with every woman present. While we have no other record of it, Colonel Franklin writes in his little diary :
"Nov 15 Monday This night the Indians had a dance at the council house at the point."
It must have been a huge cabin, if it does not mean just the treaty ground. Major Snell said that they resorted to the ridge for games and lay on the brow of the hill to sun themselves. This must have been the natural rise of ground or top of the bank along the river at this spot.
There is little doubt but that Red Jacket came to this treaty of 1790, resolved to make trouble. But this was averted by the tact of Pickering, ably advised and assisted by Simon Spalding, Matthias Hollenback and Daniel McDowell, all more familiar with the Indian character than Pickering. He, although previously unacquainted with Indians, proved as wise and as wily as in settling the disputes at Wyoming between the land claimants. We regret that Franklin did not attend this treaty. But aside from the fact that he was hastening to Wyoming to be married, he was no doubt averse to meeting his former foe, Pickering. The treaty lasted a week or longer, the first Indians having arrived on Sunday, November 14, and the last con- ference being November 23.
Colonel Pickering thus reports further :
"Upon conversing with some of the principal chiefs, I found that the de- livery of a mourning belt to the head of each family to which the murdered In- dians belonged was an invariable custom among themselves, and that without
181
CLOSE OF THE TREATY AT TIOGA POINT
it an injury could not be forgiven. As I had none, the chiefs undertook to inquire among their people for suitable belts (of wampum) and, I agreed to purchase them if obtained. I also found that when I should deliver the belts they expected me to make a particular address to the relations of the deceased. The belts were procured, and on the 22d of November before the council fire was covered, I addressed the whole body of Indians, in the following speech 'Brothers, the business for which this council fire was kindled is now finished, The hatchet has been buried, and the chain of friendship is made bright; but before the fire is put out I must address a few words to the relations of our two murdered brothers. My friends you are now assembled to receive the last public testimony of respect to the memory of our two brothers whose untimely death we have joined in lamenting. Mothers, you have lost two worthy sons from whom you expected support and comfort in your old age. You appear bowed down with sorrow as with years. Your afflictions must be very great. I also am a parent, of many sons, the loss of any one of whom would fill me with dis- tress, I therefore can feel for yours. Brothers and sisters, you have lost two valuable relations, whose assistance was useful, and whose company was pleas- ing to you, and with whom you expected to pass yet many happy years. With you also I can join in mourning your misfortune. Mothers, brothers and sisters, let me endeavor to assuage your grief. You enjoy the satisfaction of remember- ing the good qualities of your sons and brothers; of reflecting that they were worthy men; and of hearing their names mentioned with honor. Let these con- siderations afford you some comfort. * * *
"Mothers, to manifest the sorrow of the United States for the loss of your sons *
* I now present to you these belts. Brothers, the stake has been stuck into the ground, and it has been pulled out in the presence of you all. We have put into the hole all of our troubles, and stuck in the stake that they may never rise again.'"
On the following day Pickering delivered to the Indians the presents from the United States (already given in invoice). Craft says :
"These ceremonies terminated, renewals of friendship secured, satisfaction given and taken on both sides, the council fire was covered up, the Indians re- turned to their homes, and Colonel Pickering repaired to Philadelphia to report his doings."
Thomas, son of Robert Morris, was present and was formally adopted by the Indians. There is every reason to believe that the Indians went directly to Philadelphia from Tioga Point. We are told that during this council Red Jacket brought up the discontent of the Iroquois over the Phelps and Gorham purchase. It is said his feel- ings were mollified, and Pickering relates that he was as obliging in private council as he was intelligent. No doubt Pickering advised another council to consider this larger and different matter. We read that the complaint was made at Philadelphia in December (the very next month), which led to another treaty the next summer. In Craft's chronicles of Sheshequin he tells that at the time of this treaty of 1790
"About 300 warriors in full gala dress passed down the Susquehanna and encamped on the Sheshequin Flats. Their whoops and war-dances, though ter- rifying, still became interesting in the extreme. Gen. Spalding contributed to their frolic and cuisine at the same time by giving them six good running hogs for capturing and cooking. The race was a long and exciting one. They cooked those shoats with corn and beans, sans dressing, and called the mess ump-a- squanch.
"On their return from Philadelphia they stopped at the same place and challenged the whites for a foot-race. The challenge was accepted, and William Witter Spalding selected as the champion of the settlers, and won the race. This gave umbrage to the Indians, and then Spalding challenged them to run a mile,
182
OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
but it was refused, and peace was maintained with much difficulty, the Indians drawing their knives for fighting."
Simon Spalding had a peculiar tact with the Indians, and "rarely failed to provide good cheer and sport on their frequent visits to his home."
As Mrs. Perkins has given many interesting details of the treaty of 1790, we will not repeat them, but pass on to that of 1791. It is a matter of record that in December, 1790, a deputation of the Six Nations were at Philadelphia asking Washington's aid to amicably settle the dispute in regard to Fort Stanwix treaty. In Pennsylvania Archives, second series, Vol. IV, pp. 626 to 638, will be found the speeches of the chiefs Cornplanter, Half-Town and Big Tree, ad- dressed to Washington, or, as they call him, "The Great Councillor of the Thirteen Fires." The allusion to the Sullivan Expedition is of special interest, also the appeal for teachers in agriculture. The whole of these speeches are typical of the attitude of the Iroquois at that time. We commend them to our school boys, knowing they will enjoy them, giving here only brief extracts. Cornplanter said :
"When your army entered the country of the Six Nations, we called you the 'Town Destroyer,' and to this day when that name is heard, our women look behind them and turn pale, and our children cling close to the necks of their mothers. * * * The men (English) told us you were children and had no guns, that when they had shaken you, you would submit. We hearkened to them, and were deceived until your army approached our towns. We were de- ceived, but your people, in teaching us to confide in that King had helped to deceive us, and we now appeal to your heart-is the blame all ours? * * * Father, We ask you to teach us to plow, grind corn, etc., above all teach our children to read and write, and our women to spin and to weave."
This conference did not end until February 19, 1791. The same volume tells that early in March Washington sent Col. Proctor to the Indians of the Northwest.
Col. Proctor, who had been with Sullivan, kept an extensive journal (published in same volume Archives), which gives a valu- able picture of the Susquehanna Valley at this period.
For some reason unknown he was given sealed instructions; not even his family was to know his errand. We will quote at length from him at the end of this chapter; a perusal of which will show that Proctor held a secret council at Squawky Hill April 1st, and one at Buffalo Creek April 27.
Measures were taken by him to hold a council at Painted Post June 17, 1791. Painted Post seems to have been the most southern point at which the Indians made a last stand or settlement. It was a favorite hunting ground, and canoe-making was also specially easy in that locality. Col. Pickering was again appointed by Washington to manage the conference. As this involved far more people, a large attendance was expected. Sixteen hundred may have been present ; Pickering records "not more than five hundred" at Tioga Point and "upwards of a thousand" at Newtown. Another letter to his wife is here inserted from Upham, Vol. II, p. 493 :
"Tioga Point, Tuesday June 14, 1791.
"I arrived here this morning in perfect health. The waters of the Tioga River are so low that the provisions and stores can be got up no farther than
183
TREATY AT NEWTOWN, 1791
Newtown Point, about twenty miles from this place; where of course the treaty will be held. There are many inhabitants in that neighborhood, so that living will be more agreeable than at the Painted Post. I purpose however to visit the latter place, shall probably go as far as Col. Lindley's." The next day he writes again : "On Tioga River five miles below Painted Post-I am now at Major McCormick's. Before I decide where to hold treaty I mean to see some of the Indian chiefs, and, if I can make them satisfied will hold treaty at Newtown Point, otherwise we must draw up the provisions and stores to the Painted Post, drawing the loaded canoes with oxen, where the water is too shallow."
July 1st he reports the treaty as to be at Newtown, nine hundred having already arrived, and writes of his son's attendance at a dance held by Indians the night before.
Thus it will be seen that, although this is known in the Archives as the "Treaty of Painted Post," it was held at Newtown Point, begin- ning June 21, 1791, and lasting three weeks. The following invoices of goods7 go to prove that it would have been a serious task to "push" such quantities up the river with low water :
"COL. TIMOTHY PICKERING
"In Account With "MATTHIAS HOLLENBACK. "June & July, 1791. DR
To Sundries furnished for the use of the Treaty held at Newtown Point, viz 100 Bushels of Wheat delivered at Tioga @ 5/- £ 25.
T. P.
20
4/4 4.
6.
8
Paid John Shepard carriage of the above to and from the mill 1. 13.
16 Bushels of Wheat delivered at Wyn- koop's Mill (Carriage 5/-)
@ 5/- 4.
5.
4
" Paid John Shepard for 9 four bushel flour barrels 3/- 1.
Paid John Shepard for 6 common flour barrels 9/- and coopering
@ 5/- 1. 14.
4
" 6 Flour barrels & 3 delivered from Wyn- koop's
17/6 1. 17. 6
1 Cask nails 1/8 packing and heading the flour casks
3/9
1.
5.
5
". G. Maxwell going to Shenang8 for some stall fed Beef Cattle, 3 days @ 7/6 per day and expenses
10/- 1. 12.
6
T. P. Carriage of 59 cwt. of U. S. Goods from Wyoming to Tioga Point with flour, first load, 4 days @ 7/6 £ 1.
10.
4 Working hands for same time @ 3/- per day each 2.
8.
1 1/2 1b. chocolate 3/-
3 1/2 # of Sugar 3/8
6.
6
3 Gallons of whiskey 18/-
change to buy milk 4/- 1. 2.
7 Loaves of bread 9/- meat 18/- 1. 7. 6. 13. 6
41 1/2 lb flour delivered the Oneida In- dians on the way up
7.
7 This invoice is taken from Matthias Hollenback's own account books.
Chenango.
4
7.
4
184
OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
The Boat and hands conveying a load of U. S. Goods From Tioga to Newtown Point, 3 1/3 days with provisions fur- nished 5. 15.
T. P.
4 Rum Kegs delivered to the Indians, not returned
12.
T. P. Carriage of 4 Rum Kegs to Painted Post 66
3.
6
T. P. 90 3/4 Gallons of Whiskey delivered at sundry times
@ 6/-
27.
4.
6
T. P. 30 1/2 gallons and 1 pint of Rum deliv- ered at sundry times
7/6
11.
9.
9
T. P. To 33 Bags (or pounds) of. Vermiellian, del. sundry times
@ 11/3
18.
11.
3
T. P. 2 pair of shoes for Capt. Hendricks 22/6, 4 Powder horns
20/-
2.
2.
6
T. P. 15 1/2 Qts of wine del. at sundry times @ 10/- per gal.
1.
18.
9
66 7 Barrels of flour equal to 42 Bushels of Wheat
@ 5/-
10.
10.
7 Flour Barrels 14/-, 62 Pipes, 5/2, Expense for 4 Chiefs at Painted Post 7/6 1.
95 pipes
T. P. 4 Bushels of Corn from John Dillson 10/-, 33 pipes 2/9
12.
9
Carried Forward
£142. 10.
1
T. P. To 3 1/2 Doz of large silver Broaches @ 11/- 4 Yds ribbon for Smith 6/8; 2 1b. of Soap 2/-
1. 18.
6
66 4 1/2 Bushel of potatoes; 8. 5 1/2; 4 1/4 Bushels of corn from Brown 10/7 1/2
19.
1
72 Bushels of corn taken from Tioga @ 2/6
9.
66 Carriage of the same together with 3 bales of U. S. Goods & 5 Barrels from Tioga to Newtown, The Boats and hands with 3 days provisions
5. 15.
Carriage of 6 barrels of Flour & 2 Bales from Tioga to Newtown
1.
15.
66 23 1/2 Bushels of corn delivered by A. Shipper @ 2/10
3. 6.
7
66
9 66
" at Newtown 25/6, 10
2. 4.
3
4 7/8 bu. of salt 58/6, Teapot 3/-, 8 1/2 Bu. corn @ 24/1
T. P. 66 4 Butcher knives for the Stockbridge Indians
T. P. 2 Rifle guns delivered Capt. Hendricks
66 62 Bushels of corn taken from Tioga @ 2/6 7. 15
66 43 Bushels of wheat taken from Tioga 5/6 10. 15
66 Carriage of wheat and corn from Tioga to Newt. 4. 15
23. 5.
T. P. " 2 Powder horns 10/-, 1/2 lb Powder 2/-, 1 doz. Pipe heads 2/-
28 Bushels of potatoes delivered at Painted Post @ 1/10 1/2
14.
2. 12.
T. P.
8.
8
66 78 Bushels of corn delivered at Painted Post @ 2/6 9. 15.
66 Bushels of potatoes 18/9
4. 5.
7. 6
11.
6
Daniel Minier's Acc't of Carriage of goods to the boat &c.
6.
6.
8
185
BILL OF SUPPLIES FOR THE INDIANS
T. P. 1/2 Yd. Cambrick, 1 Skean of thread 1/2 delivered to Capt. Hendrick
6.
4
5 Knives
T. P. 5 Bushels of corn 14/2; 5 Butcher knives for Smith and Wm. George 9/4
" 29 1/2 do do rec'd from Gardner,
66
do & 6 Bu. from Carpenter &c. 2/10
Paid for fowls, Wm. George
4.
8
T. P. 66 Pepper T. P. 4 1/8 Bushels of corn received of Roberts 11/9 Pepper for Capt, Solomon /6
12.
3
6
66 2 Yds Woosted binding 20 Bushels of corn delivered by Isaac Baldwin @ 2/10 2.
16. 8
66 8 1/4 do do received of Steele 23/6, 1 Quire of paper 2/3 1.
5. 9
quire paper T. P.
66
66 25 do do recd of Kinney & Kelsey @ 2/10 3. 10. 10 25 do do recd of Joel Thomas @ 2/10 3. 10. 10
66
Thomas, 1 3/4 stroud, 21/-, 1 pr mockisons 3/- by Smith's ord. 1. 4.
19. 6
66 4 1b Powder 12/-, 4 Butcher knives 7/6 Delaware 66 Cash paid Daniel Crygan for salt 4.
2
Carried Forward £243. 13.
T. P. To 1 Butcher knife 1/10 1/2, 2 yds Cotton Calico 12/- Fr O'Biels son Mark 13. 10₺
T. P. 8 yds cotton calico 38/3; 1 silk hkf, 7/6; 1 3/4 yd blue cloth 21/- delivered Farmer's Brother by or- der of Parish 3.
8 1/2 yds calico delivered an Indian by order Parish 1. 14.
T. P. T. P. 66 1 Kirb Bridle for O'Biel's brother 10/-, a canoe 25/- Fork 23/5 1. 13. 5 14. 5.
57 Bushels wheat at Tioga 5/-
66 Paid Carriage of the above taken in two different loads in canoes from Tioga to Newtown 2. 9.
Hauling grain to and from Baldwin's mill, for Ship- pen act. The Boat and steersman going from Newtown Point to Baldwin's mill and back 7. 6
66 101 Heads & plucks delivered the Indians @ 5/- 25. 5.
66 5 Hogsheads (fell to staves) taken up with grain &c 5/- 1.
" Carriage of Grain from Wynkoop's landing to the Mill CR.
8. 6
Supra
By 1 Barrel of Flour
£1. 17. 6
"
"I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the charges exhibited by Colo. Matthias Hollenback, which are not supported by vouchers. "Pay Office "L. CATLIN, clerk."
"Philadelphia, 29 August 1791."
"(The above is filed as 'A Copy of the Acct. of some things not allowed in my first charge &c; United States, &c.')"
AUTHOR'S NOTE-If these are only "some things," we wonder what were all the other things in the "first charge." Surely, the Indians were well treated!
1. 3.
do son-in-law 2/10
4. 3. 7 20 do do
3. 13. 8
5.
The old flour casks sold
15. £2. 6 13. .
6. 9
186
OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
T. P. evidently are the initials of Timothy Pickering, and indi- cate goods ordered by him. Wyncoop's Mills and Baldwin's Mill, both located between Chemung and Newtown, indicate that the settlers no longer had to take their grain to Wilkes-Barré to be ground. Pick- ering wrote to his wife of great difficulty experienced in getting suffi- cient grain ground.
Further search among papers of Matthias Hollenback gives this additional note or letter :
"Sir :
"In addition to the supplies & disbursements charged in my account, I have now closed the same with a charge of £20. 5. 0 for Purchasing all the corn wheat and potatoes, for attending the carrying of the same to Mill, Grind- ing, getting flour Casks, for forwarding the same to Newtown Point, with all the United States goods from Tyoga to Newtown, for Employing hands for the boat & canoes, for delivering or issuing the Meal corn & potatoes to the Indians from day to day as it was calld for-Going twice to the painted post to deliver provisions myself, and for sending Jacob Hart twice to the same place from Newtown point, in all thirty-six days at a dollar and a half a day.
"This charge I trust you will think reasonable; for you saw the great trouble which attended the procuring of the extra supplies of grain from a va- riety of places, often in small quantities, as they could be obtained; and in get- ting them transported. The daily issues of flour corn and salt also occasioned a very considerable expense to me, by obliging me to employ more hands than were requisite for issuing the beef.
"The charges for the actual transportation exhibit only my disbursements in that service. The making provision for the transportation, superintending it, and performing the other services herein mentioned, were equal to the services of two good men during the thirty-six days mentioned.
"To T. P.
"M. H."
"I certify that M. H. performed the services above mentioned at the late treaty with the Indians at Newtown Point.
"T. P." 9
Of this treaty there are not only War Department Archives, but Thomas Maxwell wrote of it from the recollections of his father, Guy Maxwell, Capt. Geo. Gardner and others who were present. Guy Maxwell acted as clerk for Pickering at Tioga Point, and transcribed the treaty.10 He had been at Tioga Point for several years and be- come acquainted with them as clerk in Hollenback's trading post. The Indians encamped in the westerly part of the village; their wigwams
9 The above is from a copy in the handwriting of Col Pickering; not dated nor signed, except with the initials of Hollenback and Pickering.
10 In connection with these treaties should be mentioned the adoption by the Iroquois Indians of Guy Maxwell and his descendants. It will be remembered that Guy Maxwell acted as secretary to Pickering at the Tioga Point council, and at Newtown. The Indians, especially Red Jacket, looked upon him with favor, and in 1792 he was formally adopted by the Senecas, and given an Indian name, Ta-ce-wa-ya-se, meaning the honest trader. His son Thomas was born at Athens the year his father was adopted, and he was shown the same favor in 1804, when he was only a little lad, being given the name He-je-no, meaning the brave boy, and adopted by a Tuscorora family. Later in life he became an Indian agent, and made many notes on the Indians, which were in his daughter's hands, and which since her death we have been unable to trace. As has already been said, Red Jacket had his por- trait painted for Thomas Maxwell; they were warm friends. Eighty years after the formal adoption of Thomas Maxwell his daughter Harriet (later known as Harriet Maxwell Con- verse) was formally adopted by the family of Red Jacket, and had many mementoes; for in- stance a necklace made of 70 little silver brooches, which had been worn by Red Jacket; also his Masonic pin. The name given her was Ga-ie-wa-noh, meaning "She who watches us." Dr. Beauchamp says she had two names, but a second was never mentioned in a personal correspondence held with the writer, although at her death the Indians, who came to do her honor, called her "The Great White Mother." She was finally made chief of a tribe or clan, an honor vouchsafed to no other white woman. These formal adoptions were quite cere- monious, with songs and addresses, and of great importance to the Indians. Mrs. Converse worked actively through her life among and for the New York Indians. See Chapter XI.
187
TERMINATION OF NEWTOWN TREATY
extended from Baldwin Street to the upper part of the village. Some conferences were held under the so-called Council Tree, on the flat east of the court house, near the corner of Conongue and Market Streets, on land owned in the late sixties by Hector M. Seward, who about 1868 cut down this famous tree. The treaty was concluded, according to Maxwell, on the flats where the State Fairs were held, on ground belonging to the Arnot family. Colonel Hendy, Eleazer Lindley, William Jenkins, Matthias Hollenback and other noted pioneers were present. This council was a most memorable one; the Indians claimed that they had only rented the land to Phelps and Gorham, that they had been deceived, etc. Cornplanter and Red Jacket were the most prominent participants, Red Jacket showing greater oratorical powers than ever. It seems that "it was a pet scheme of General Washington to induce the Indians to become agri- culturists, and he instructed Pickering to advance the idea at this time, making them liberal offers." Red Jacket, who had always op- posed every effort toward civilization, "exhibited his greatest powers of mind in opposition to this proposition." The effect of Red Jacket's effort was the rejection of the proposals by all but the tribe of Corn- planter. Five tribes were represented, and Col. Hendy counted 1400 (in- cluding squaws) who passed his door when conference ended. All difficulties were amicably adjusted by Pickering's shrewdness. The chiefs finally not only acknowledged the release from the Six Nations given to Phelps and Gorham, but assured Pickering that they were sat- isfied with the treaty of Fort Stanwix ; also that the statements made by Red Jacket at Tioga Point in November, 1790, were unfounded and mischievously intended. A certificate to this effect was signed by Pickering July 26, 1791. Thus this treaty terminated in a very satis- factory manner. Maxwell says :
"There is also the examination of Matthias Hollenback, who was present at the treaty of Fort Stanwix and also at Newtown, taken before Judge Paine of Tioga County on 14 July, 1791, showing the fallacy of these complaints-also depositions of Lee and Lindley11-and a statement of the allegations made before Pickering by Red Jacket at Tioga Point 21 November 1790."
According to American State Papers, this treaty was important because (in spite of Red Jacket's protest) it first suggested primary principles of civilization, and doubtless led the United States Senate to decide in March, 1792, to expend annually $1500 for clothing, farm implements, etc., for the Indians. At this treaty Pickering was induced to confirm to the Cayuga Indians the right to lease land in New York State for a period of years. This was really a State right, and Pick- ering's act was disowned by the Government, though his action was justifiable. Some of Cornplanter's speeches in connection with the
11 This deposition seems to have been taken anticipating difficulties; or possibly later, to prove where treaty was held, as General Washington carelessly reported it to Congress as the Painted Post Treaty. In his notes for Schoolcraft, in 1853, Thomas Maxwell stated that he then possessed a paper signed by General Knox, Secretary of War, saying that the treaty of 1791 was held at Newtown, not Painted Post. Mrs. Converse wrote us a few years ago that her father had invaluable notes and mss. for which inquiry has recently been made in vain. He himself notes a collection of reminiscences concerning Sullivan's Expedition, and notes on Indian manners and customs, on which subject he lectured several times.
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