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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison, by
+James E. Seaver
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison
+
+Author: James E. Seaver
+
+
+Release Date: November, 2004 [EBook #6960]
+This file was first posted on February 19, 2003
+Last Updated: June 24, 2013
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF MRS. MARY JEMISON ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Robert Connal, David Moynihan, Charles Franks
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+A NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF MRS. MARY JEMISON,
+
+Who was taken by the Indians, in the year 1755, when only about twelve
+years of age, and has continued to reside amongst them to the present
+time.
+
+CONTAINING
+
+An Account of the Murder of her Father and his Family; her sufferings;
+her marriage to two Indians; her troubles with her Children; barbarities
+of the Indians in the French and Revolutionary Wars; the life of her
+last Husband, &c.; and many Historical Facts never before published.
+_Carefully taken from her own words, Nov._ 29th, 1823.
+
+TO WHICH IS ADDED,
+
+An APPENDIX, containing an account of the tragedy at the Devil's Hole,
+in 1783, and of Sullivan's Expedition; the Traditions, Manners, Customs,
+&c. of the Indians, as believed and practised at the present day, and
+since Mrs. Jemison's captivity; together with some Anecdotes, and other
+entertaining matter.
+
+By James E. Seaver.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+That to biographical writings we are indebted for the greatest and
+best field in which to study mankind, or human nature, is a fact duly
+appreciated by a well-informed community. In them we can trace the
+effects of mental operations to their proper sources; and by comparing
+our own composition with that of those who have excelled in virtue, or
+with that of those who have been sunk in the lowest depths of folly and
+vice, we are enabled to select a plan of life that will at least afford
+self-satisfaction, and guide us through the world in paths of morality.
+
+Without a knowledge of the lives of the vile and abandoned, we should
+be wholly incompetent to set an appropriate value upon the charms, the
+excellence and the worth of those principles which have produced the
+finest traits in the character of the most virtuous.
+
+Biography is a telescope of life, through which we can see the extremes
+and excesses of the varied properties of the human heart. Wisdom
+and folly, refinement and vulgarity, love and hatred, tenderness and
+cruelty, happiness and misery, piety and infidelity, commingled with
+every other cardinal virtue or vice, are to be seen on the variegated
+pages of the history of human events, and are eminently deserving the
+attention of those who would learn to walk in the "paths of peace."
+
+The brazen statue and the sculptured marble, can commemorate the
+greatness of heroes, statesmen, philosophers, and blood-stained
+conquerors, who have risen to the zenith of human glory and popularity,
+under the influence of the mild sun of prosperity: but it is the
+faithful page of biography that transmits to future generations the
+poverty, pain, wrong, hunger, wretchedness and torment, and every
+nameless misery that has been endured by those who have lived in
+obscurity, and groped their lonely way through a long series of
+unpropitious events, with but little help besides the light of nature.
+While the gilded monument displays in brightest colors the vanity of
+pomp, and the emptiness of nominal greatness, the biographical page,
+that lives in every line, is giving lessons of fortitude in time of
+danger, patience in suffering, hope in distress, invention in necessity,
+and resignation to unavoidable evils. Here also may be learned, pity
+for the bereaved, benevolence for the destitute, and compassion for the
+helpless; and at the same time all the sympathies of the soul will be
+naturally excited to sigh at the unfavorable result, or to smile at the
+fortunate relief.
+
+In the great inexplicable chain which forms the circle of human events,
+each individual link is placed on a level with the others, and performs
+an equal task; but, as the world is partial, it is the situation
+that attracts the attention of mankind, and excites the unfortunate
+vociferous eclat of elevation, that raises the pampered parasite to such
+an immense height in the scale of personal vanity, as, generally, to
+deprive him of respect, before he can return to a state of equilibrium
+with his fellows, or to the place whence he started.
+
+Few great men have passed from the stage of action, who have not left in
+the history of their lives indelible marks of ambition or folly,
+which produced insurmountable reverses, and rendered the whole a mere
+caricature, that can be examined only with disgust and regret. Such
+pictures, however, are profitable, for "by others' faults wise men
+correct their own."
+
+The following is a piece of biography, that shows what changes may be
+effected in the animal and mental constitution of man; what trials may
+be surmounted; what cruelties perpetrated, and what pain endured, when
+stern necessity holds the reins, and drives the car of fate.
+
+As books of this kind are sought and read with avidity, especially by
+children, and are well calculated to excite their attention, inform
+their understanding, and improve them in the art of reading, the
+greatest care has been observed to render the style easy, the language
+comprehensive, and the description natural. Prolixity has been
+studiously avoided. The line of distinction between virtue and vice
+has been rendered distinctly visible; and chastity of expression and
+sentiment have received due attention. Strict fidelity has been observed
+in the composition: consequently, no circumstance has been intentionally
+exaggerated by the paintings of fancy, nor by fine flashes of rhetoric:
+neither has the picture been rendered more dull than the original.
+Without the aid of fiction, what was received as matter of fact, only
+has been recorded.
+
+It will be observed that the subject of this narrative has arrived at
+least to the advanced age of eighty years; that she is destitute of
+education; and that her journey of life, throughout its texture, has
+been interwoven with troubles, which ordinarily are calculated to impair
+the faculties of the mind; and it will be remembered, that there are
+but few old people who can recollect with precision the circumstances
+of their lives, (particularly those circumstances which transpired
+after middle age.) If, therefore, any error shall be discovered in the
+narration in respect to time, it will be overlooked by the kind reader,
+or charitably placed to the narrator's account, and not imputed to
+neglect, or to the want of attention in the compiler.
+
+The appendix is principally taken from the words of Mrs. Jemison's
+statements. Those parts which were not derived from her, are deserving
+equal credit, having been obtained from authentic sources.
+
+For the accommodation of the reader, the work has been divided into
+chapters, and a copious table of contents affixed. The introduction will
+facilitate the understanding of what follows; and as it contains matter
+that could not be inserted with propriety in any other place, will be
+read with interest and satisfaction.
+
+Having finished my undertaking, the subsequent pages are cheerfully
+submitted to the perusal and approbation or animadversion of a candid,
+generous and indulgent public. At the same time it is fondly hoped that
+the lessons of distress that are portrayed, may have a direct tendency
+to increase our love of liberty; to enlarge our views of the blessings
+that are derived from our liberal institutions; and to excite in our
+breasts sentiments of devotion and gratitude to the great Author and
+finisher of our happiness.
+
+THE AUTHOR.
+
+_Pembroke, March_ 1, 1824.
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+The Peace of 1783, and the consequent cessation of Indian hostilities
+and barbarities, returned to their friends those prisoners, who had
+escaped the tomahawk, the gauntlet, and the savage fire, after their
+having spent many years in captivity, and restored harmony to society.
+
+The stories of Indian cruelties which were common in the new
+settlements, and were calamitous realities previous to that, propitious
+event; slumbered in the minds that had been constantly agitated by them,
+and were only roused occasionally, to become the fearful topic of the
+fireside.
+
+It is presumed that at this time there are but few native Americans that
+have arrived to middle age, who cannot distinctly recollect of sitting
+in the chimney corner when children, all contracted with fear, and there
+listening to their parents or visitors, while they related stories of
+Indian conquests, and murders, that would make their flaxen hair nearly
+stand erect, and almost destroy the power of motion.
+
+At the close of the Revolutionary war; all that part of the State of
+New-York that lies west of Utica was uninhabited by white people, and
+few indeed had ever passed beyond Fort Stanwix, except when engaged in
+war against the Indians, who were numerous, and occupied a number of
+large towns Between the Mohawk river and lake Erie.
+
+Sometime elapsed after this event, before the country about the lakes
+and on the Genesee river was visited, save by an occasional land
+speculator, or by defaulters who wished by retreating to what in those
+days was deemed almost the end of the earth, to escape the force of
+civil law.
+
+At length, the richness and fertility of the soil excited emigration,
+and here and there a family settled down and commenced improvements
+in the country which had recently been the property of the aborigines.
+Those who settled near the Genesee river, soon became acquainted
+with "The White Woman," as Mrs. Jemison is called, whose history they
+anxiously sought, both as a matter of interest and curiosity. Frankness
+characterized her conduct, and without reserve she would readily gratify
+them by relating some of the most important periods of her life.
+
+Although her bosom companion was an ancient Indian warrior, and
+notwithstanding her children and associates were all Indians, yet it was
+found that she possessed an uncommon share of hospitality, and that her
+friendship was well worth courting and preserving. Her house was the
+stranger's home; from her table the hungry were refreshed;--she made
+the naked as comfortable as her means would admit of; and in all her
+actions, discovered so much natural goodness of heart, that her admirers
+increases in proportion to the extension of her acquaintance, and
+she became celebrated as the friend of the distressed. She was the
+protectress of the homeless fugitive, and made welcome the weary
+wanderer. Many still live to commemorate her benevolence towards them,
+when prisoners during the war, and to ascribe their deliverance to the
+mediation of "The White Woman."
+
+The settlements increased, and the whole country around her was
+inhabited by a rich and respectable people, principally from
+New-England, as much distinguished for their spirit of inquisitiveness
+as for their habits of industry and honesty, who had all heard from
+one source and another a part of her life in detached pieces, and
+had obtained an idea that the whole taken in connection would afford
+instruction and amusement.
+
+Many gentlemen of respectability, felt anxious that her narrative
+might be laid before the public, with a view not only to perpetuate the
+remembrance of the atrocities of the savages in former times, but to
+preserve some historical facts which they supposed to be intimately
+connected with her life, and which otherwise must be lost.
+
+Forty years had passed since the close of the Revolutionary war, and
+almost seventy years had seen Mrs. Jemison with the Indians, when Daniel
+W. Banister, Esq. at the instance of several gentlemen, and prompted
+by his own ambition to add something to the accumulating fund of useful
+knowledge, resolved, in the autumn of 1823, to embrace that time, while
+she was capable of recollecting and reciting the scenes through which
+she had passed, to collect from herself, and to publish to an accurate
+account of her life.
+
+I was employed to collect the materials, and prepare the work for the
+press; and accordingly went to the house of Mrs. Jennet Whaley in the
+town of Castile, Genesee co. N.Y. in company with the publisher, who
+procured the interesting subject of the following narrative, to come to
+that place (a distance of four miles) and there repeat the story of her
+eventful life. She came on foot in company with Mr. Thomas Clute, whom
+she considers her protector, and tarried almost three days, which time
+was busily occupied in taking a sketch of her narrative as she recited
+it.
+
+Her appearance was well calculated to excite a great degree of sympathy
+in a stranger, who had been partially informed of her origin, when
+comparing her present situation with what it probably would have been,
+had she been permitted to have remained with her friends, and to have
+enjoyed the blessings of civilization.
+
+In stature she is very short, and considerably under the middle size,
+and stands tolerably erect, with her head bent forward, apparently from
+her having for a long time been accustomed to carrying heavy burdens in
+a strap placed across her forehead. Her complexion is very white for
+a woman of her age, and although the wrinkles of fourscore years are
+deeply indented in her cheeks, yet the crimson of youth is distinctly
+visible. Her eyes are light blue, a little faded by age, and naturally
+brilliant and sparkling. Her sight is quite dim, though she is able to
+perform her necessary labor without the assistance of glasses. Her cheek
+bones are high, and rather prominent, and her front teeth, in the
+lower jaw, are sound and good. When she looks up and is engaged in
+conversation her countenance is very expressive; but from her long
+residence with the Indians, she has acquired the habit of peeping from
+under eye-brows as they do with the head inclined downwards. Formerly
+her hair was of a light chestnut brown--it is now quite grey, a little
+curled, of middling length and tied in a bunch behind. She informed me
+that she had never worn a cap nor a comb.
+
+She speaks English plainly and distinctly, with a little of the
+Irish emphasis, and has the use of words so well as to render
+herself intelligible on any subject with which she is acquainted. Her
+recollection and memory exceeded my expectation. It cannot be reasonably
+supposed, that a person of her age has kept the events of seventy years
+in so complete a chain as to be able to assign to each its proper time
+and place; she, however, made her recital with as few obvious mistakes
+as might be found in that of a person of fifty.
+
+She walks with a quick step without a staff, and I was informed by Mr.
+Clute, that she could yet cross a stream on a log or pole as steadily as
+any other person.
+
+Her passions are easily excited. At a number of periods in her
+narration, tears trickled down her grief worn cheek, and at the same
+time, a rising sigh would stop her utterance.
+
+Industry is a virtue which she has uniformly practised from the day of
+her adoption to the present. She pounds her samp, cooks for herself,
+gathers and chops wood, feeds her cattle and poultry, and performs
+other laborious services. Last season she planted, tended and gathered
+corn--in short she is always busy.
+
+Her dress at the time I saw her, was made and worn after, the Indian
+fashion, and consisted of a shirt, short gown, petticoat, stockings,
+moccasins, a blanket and a bonnet. The shirt was of cotton and made at
+the top, as I was informed, like a man's without collar or sleeves--was
+open before and extended down about midway of the hips.--The petticoat
+was a piece of broadcloth with the list at the top and bottom and the
+ends sewed together. This was tied on by a string that was passed over
+it and around the waist, in such a manner as to let the bottom of the
+petticoat down half way between the knee and ankle and leave one-fourth
+of a yard at the top to be turned down over the string--the bottom of
+the shift coming a little below, and on the outside of the top of
+the fold so as to leave the list and two or three inches of the cloth
+uncovered. The stockings, were of blue broadcloth, tied, or pinned on,
+which reached from the knees, into the mouth of the moccasins.--Around
+her toes only she had some rags, and over these her buckskin moccasins.
+Her gown was of undressed flannel, colored brown. It was made in old
+yankee style, with long sleeves, covered the top of the hips, and was
+tied before in two places with strings of deer skin. Over all this,
+she wore an Indian blanket. On her head she wore a piece of old brown
+woollen cloth made somewhat like a sun bonnet.
+
+Such was the dress that this woman was contented to wear, and habit had
+rendered it convenient and comfortable. She wore it not as a matter of t
+necessity, but from choice, for it will be seen in the sequel, that her
+property is sufficient to enable her to dress in the best fashion, and
+to allow her every comfort of life.
+
+Her house, in which she lives, is 20 by 28 feet; built of square timber,
+with a shingled roof, and a framed stoop. In the centre of the house is
+a chimney of stones and sticks, in which there are two fire places. She
+has a good framed barn, 26 by 36, well filled, and owns a fine stock
+of cattle and horses. Besides the buildings above mentioned, she owns a
+number of houses that are occupied by tenants, who work her flats upon
+shares. Her dwelling, is about one hundred rods north of the Great
+Slide, a curiosity that, will be described in its proper place, on the
+west side of the Genesee river.
+
+Mrs. Jemison, appeared sensible of her ignorance of the manners of the
+white people, and for that reason, was not familiar, except with those
+with whom she was intimately acquainted. In fact she was (to appearance)
+so jealous of her rights, or that she should say something that would be
+injurious to herself or family, that if Mr. Clute had not been present,
+we should have been unable to have obtained her history. She, however,
+soon became free and unembarrassed in her conversation, and spoke with
+degree of mildness, candor and simplicity, that is calculated to remove
+all doubts as to the veracity of the speaker. The vices of the Indians,
+she appeared disposed not to aggravate, and seemed to take pride in
+extoling their virtues. A kind of family pride inclined her to withhold
+whatever would blot the character of her descendants, and perhaps
+induced her to keep back many things that would have been interesting.
+
+For the life of her last husband, we are indebted to her cousin, Mr.
+George Jemison, to whom she referred us for information on that subject
+generally. The thoughts of his deeds, probably chilled her old heart,
+and made her dread to rehearse them, and at the same time she well knew
+they were no secret, for she had frequently heard him relate the whole,
+not only to her cousin, but to others.
+
+Before she left us she was very sociable, and she resumed her naturally
+pleasant countenance, enlivened with a smile.
+
+Her neighbors speak of her as possessing one of the happiest tempers and
+disposition, and give her the name of never having done a censurable act
+to their knowledge.
+
+Her habits, are those of the Indians--she sleeps on skins without a
+bedstead, sits upon the floor or on a bench, and holds her victuals on
+her lap, or in her hands.
+
+Her ideas of religion, correspond in every respect with those of the
+great mass of the Senecas. She applauds virtue, and despises vice. She
+believes in a future state, in which the good will be happy, and the bad
+miserable; and that the acquisition of that happiness, depends primarily
+upon human volition, and the consequent good deeds of the happy
+recipient of blessedness. The doctrines taught in the Christian
+religion, she is a stranger to.
+
+Her daughters are said to be active and enterprizing women, and her
+grandsons, who arrived to manhood, are considered able, decent and
+respectable men in their tribe.
+
+Having in this cursory manner, introduced the subject of the following
+pages, I proceed to the narration of a life that has been viewed with
+attention, for a great number of years by a few, and which will be
+read by the public the mixed sensations of pleasure and pain, and with
+interest, anxiety and satisfaction.
+
+
+
+
+LIFE OF MARY JEMISON.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+Nativity of her Parents.--Their removal to America.--Her Birth.--Parents
+settle in Pennsylvania.--Omen of her Captivity.
+
+Although I may have frequently heard the history of my ancestry, my
+recollection is too imperfect to enable me to trace it further back than
+my father and mother, whom I have often heard mention the families
+from whence they originated, as having possessed wealth and honorable
+stations under the government of the country in which they resided.
+
+On the account of the great length of time that has elapsed since I was
+separated from my parents and friends, and having heard the story of
+their nativity only in the days of my childhood, I am not able to state
+positively, which of the two countries, Ireland or Scotland, was the
+land of my parents birth and education. It, however, is my impression,
+that they were born and brought up in Ireland.
+
+My Father's name was Thomas Jemison, and my mother's before her marriage
+with him, was Jane Erwin. Their affection for each other was mutual, and
+of that happy kind which tends directly to sweeten the cup of life; to
+render connubial sorrows lighter; to assuage every discontentment and to
+promote not only their own comfort, but that of all who come within the
+circle of their acquaintance. Of their happiness I recollect to have
+heard them speak; and the remembrance I yet retain of their mildness
+and perfect agreement in the government of their children, together
+with their mutual attention to our common education, manners, religious
+instruction and wants, renders it a fact in my mind, that they were
+ornaments to the married state, and examples of connubial love, worthy
+of imitation. After my remembrance they were strict observers of
+religious duties; for it was the daily practice of my father, morning
+and evening, to attend, in his family, to the worship of God.
+
+Resolved to leave the land of their nativity they removed from their
+residence to a port in Ireland, where they lived but a short time before
+they set sail for this country, in the year 1742 or 3 on board the ship
+Mary William, bound to Philadelphia, in the state of Pennsylvania.
+
+The intestine divisions, civil wars, and ecclesiastical rigidity and
+domination that prevailed those days, were the causes of their leaving
+their mother country and a home in the American wilderness, under the
+mild and temperate government of the descendants of William Penn; where
+without fear they might worship God, and perform their usual avocations.
+
+In Europe my parents had two sons and one daughter, whose names were
+John, Thomas and Betsey; with whom, after having put their effects
+on board, they embarked, leaving a large connexion of relatives and
+friends, under all those painful sensations, which are only felt when
+kindred souls give the parting hand and last farewell to those to whom
+they are endeared by every friendly tie.
+
+In the course of their voyage I was born, to be the sport of fortune
+and almost an outcast to civil society; to stem the current of adversity
+through a long chain of vicissitudes, unsupported by the advice of
+tender parents, or the hand of an affectionate friend; and even without
+the enjoyment from others, of any of those tender sympathies that are
+adapted to the sweetening of society, except such as naturally flow from
+uncultivated minds, that have been calloused by ferocity.
+
+Excepting my birth, nothing remarkable occurred to my parents on their
+passage, and they were safely landed at Philadelphia. My father being
+fond of rural life, and having been bred to agricultural pursuits, soon
+left the city, and removed his family to the then frontier settlements
+of Pennsylvania, to a tract of excellent land lying on Marsh creek. At
+that place he cleared a large farm, and for seven or eight years enjoyed
+the fruits of his industry. Peace attended their labors; and they had
+nothing to alarm them, save the midnight howl of the prowling wolf, or
+the terrifying shriek of the ferocious panther, as they occasionally
+visited their improvements, to take a lamb or a calf to satisfy their
+hunger.
+
+During this period my mother had two sons, between whose ages there was
+a difference of about three years: the oldest was named Matthew, and the
+other Robert.
+
+Health presided on every countenance, and vigor and strength
+characterized every exertion. Our mansion was a little paradise.
+The morning of my childish, happy days, will ever stand fresh in my
+remembrance, notwithstanding the many severe trials through which I have
+passed, in arriving at my present situation, at so advanced an age.
+Even at this remote period, the recollection of my pleasant home at my
+father's, of my parents, of my brothers and sister, and of the manner in
+which I was deprived of them all at once, affects me so powerfully, that
+I am almost overwhelmed with grief, that is seemingly insupportable.
+Frequently I dream of those happy days: but, alas! they are gone; they
+have left me to be carried through a long life, dependent for the
+little pleasures of nearly seventy years, upon the tender mercies of the
+Indians! In the spring of 1752, and through the succeeding seasons, the
+stories of Indian barbarities inflicted upon the whites in those days,
+frequently excited in my parents the most serious alarm for our safety.
+
+The next year the storm gathered faster; many murders were committed;
+and many captives were exposed to meet death in its most frightful
+form, by having their bodies stuck full of pine splinters, which were
+immediately set on fire, while their tormentors, exulting in their
+distress, would rejoice at their agony!
+
+In 1754, an army for the protection of the settlers, and to drive back
+the French and Indians, was raised from the militia of the colonial
+governments, and placed (secondarily) under the command of Col. George
+Washington. In that army I had an uncle, whose name was John Jemison who
+was killed at the battle at the Great Meadow or Fort Necessity. His wife
+had died some time before this, and left a young child, which my mother
+nursed in the most tender manner, till its mother's sister took it away,
+a few months after my uncle's death. The French and Indians, after the
+surrender of Fort Necessity by Col. Washington, (which happened the same
+season, and soon after his victory over them at that place,) grew more
+and more terrible. The death of the whites, and plundering and burning
+their property, was apparently their only object: But as yet we had not
+heard the death-yell, nor seen the smoke of a dwelling that had been lit
+by an Indian's hand.
+
+The return of a new-year's day found us unmolested; and though we knew
+that the enemy was at no great distance from us, my father concluded
+that he would continue to occupy his land another season: expecting
+(probably from the great exertions which the government was then making)
+that as soon as the troops could commence their operations in the
+spring, the enemy would be conquered and compelled to agree to a treaty
+of peace.
+
+In the preceding autumn my father either moved to another part of his
+farm, or to another neighborhood, a short distance from our former
+abode. I well recollect moving, and that the barn that was on the place
+we moved to was built of logs, though the house was a good one.
+
+The winter of 1754-5 was as mild as a common fall season, and the spring
+presented a pleasant seed time, and indicated a plenteous harvest. My
+father, with the assistance of his oldest sons, repaired his farm as
+usual, and was daily preparing the soil for the reception of the seed.
+His cattle and sheep were numerous, and according to the best idea of
+wealth that I can now form, he was wealthy.
+
+But alas! how transitory are all human affairs! how fleeting are riches!
+how brittle the invisible thread on which all earthly comforts are
+suspended! Peace in a moment can take an immeasurable flight; health
+can lose its rosy cheeks; and life will vanish like a vapor at the
+appearance of the sun! In one fatal day our prospects were all blasted;
+and death, by cruel hands, inflicted upon almost the whole of the
+family.
+
+On a pleasant day in the spring of 1755, when my father was sowing
+flax-seed, and my brothers driving the teams, I was sent to a neighbor's
+house, a distance of perhaps a mile, to procure a horse and return with
+it the next morning. I went as I was directed. I was out of the house
+in the beginning of the evening, and saw a sheet wide spread approaching
+towards me, in which I was caught (as I have ever since believed) and
+deprived of my senses! The family soon found me on the ground, almost
+lifeless, (as they said,) took me in, and made use of every remedy in
+their power for my recovery, but without effect till day-break, when my
+senses returned, and I soon found myself in good health, so that I went
+home with the horse very early in the morning.
+
+The appearance of that sheet, I have ever considered as a forerunner
+of the melancholy catastrophe that so soon afterwards happened to
+our family: and my being caught in it I believe, was ominous of my
+preservation from death at the time we were captured.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+Her Education.--Captivity.--Journey to Fort Pitt.--Mother's Farewell
+Address.--Murder of her Family.--Preparation of the Scalps.--Indian
+Precautions.--Arrival at Fort Pitt, &c.
+
+My education had received as much attention from my parents, as their
+situation in a new country would admit. I had been at school some, where
+I learned to read in a book that was about half as large as a Bible;
+and in the Bible I had read a little. I had also learned the Catechism,
+which I used frequently to repeat to my parents, and every night, before
+I went to bed, I was obliged to stand up before my mother and repeat
+some words that I suppose was a prayer.
+
+My reading, Catechism and prayers, I have long since forgotten; though
+for a number of the first years that I lived with the Indians, I
+repeated the prayers as often as I had an opportunity. After the
+revolutionary war, I remembered the names of some of the letters when I
+saw them; but have never read a word since I was taken prisoner. It is
+but a few years since a Missionary kindly gave me a Bible, which I am
+very fond of hearing my neighbors read to me, and should be pleased to
+learn to read it myself; but my sight has been for a number of years, so
+dim that I have not been able to distinguish one letter from another.
+
+As I before observed, I got home with the horse very early in the
+morning, where I found a man that lived in our neighborhood, and his
+sister-in-law who had three children, one son and two daughters. I soon
+learned that they had come there to live a short time; but for what
+purpose I cannot say. The woman's husband, however, was at that time in
+Washington's army, fighting, for his country; and as her brother-in-law
+had a house she had lived with him in his absence. Their names I have
+forgotten.
+
+Immediately after I got home, the man took the horse to go to his house
+after a bag of grain, and took his gun in his hand for the purpose of
+killing game, if he should chance to see any.--Our family, as usual,
+was busily employed about their common business. Father was shaving an
+axe-helve at the side of the house; mother was making preparations for
+breakfast;--my two oldest brothers were at work near the barn; and the
+little ones, with myself, and the woman and her three children, were in
+the house.
+
+Breakfast was not yet ready, when we were alarmed by the discharge of
+a number of guns, that seemed to be near. Mother and the women before
+mentioned, almost fainted at the report, and every one trembled with
+fear. On opening the door, the man and horse lay dead near the house,
+having just been shot by the Indians.
+
+I was afterwards informed, that the Indians discovered him at his own
+house with his gun, and pursued him to father's, where they shot him as
+I have related. They first secured my father, and then rushed into the
+house, and without the least resistance made prisoners of my mother,
+Robert, Matthew, Betsey, the woman and her three children, and myself,
+and then commenced plundering.
+
+My two brothers, Thomas and John, being at the barn, escaped and went to
+Virginia, where my grandfather Erwin then lived, as I was informed by
+a Mr. Fields, who was at my house about the close of the revolutionary
+war.
+
+The party that took us consisted of six Indians and four Frenchmen, who
+immediately commenced plundering, as I just observed, and took what
+they considered most valuable; consisting principally of bread, meal and
+meat. Having taken as much provision as they could carry, they set out
+with their prisoners in great haste, for fear of detection, and soon
+entered the woods. On our march that day, an Indian went behind us with
+a whip, with which he frequently lashed the children to make them keep
+up. In this manner we travelled till dark without a mouthful of food
+or a drop of water; although we had not eaten since the night before.
+Whenever the little children cried for water, the Indians would make
+them drink urine or go thirsty. At night they encamped in the woods
+without fire and without shelter, where we were watched with the
+greatest vigilance. Extremely fatigued, and very hungry, we were
+compelled to lie upon the ground supperless and without a drop of water
+to satisfy the cravings of our appetites. As in the day time, so the
+little ones were made to drink urine in the night if they cried for
+water. Fatigue alone brought us a little sleep for the refreshment of
+our weary limbs; and at the dawn of day we were again started on our
+march in the same order that we had proceeded on the day before. About
+sunrise we were halted, and the Indians gave us a full breakfast of
+provision that they had brought from my father's house. Each of us being
+very hungry, partook of this bounty of the Indians, except father, who
+was so much overcome with his situation--so much exhausted by anxiety
+and grief, that silent despair seemed fastened upon his countenance, and
+he could not be prevailed upon to refresh his sinking nature by the use
+of a morsel of food. Our repast being finished, we again resumed our
+march, and, before noon passed a small fort that I heard my father say
+was called Fort Canagojigge.
+
+That was the only time that I heard him speak from the time we were
+taken till we were finally separated the following night.
+
+Towards evening we arrived at the border of a dark and dismal swamp,
+which was covered with small hemlocks, or some other evergreen, and
+other bushes, into which we were conducted; and having gone a short
+distance we stopped to encamp for the night.
+
+Here we had some bread and meat for supper: but the dreariness of our
+situation, together with the uncertainty under which we all labored, as
+to our future destiny, almost deprived us of the sense of hunger, and
+destroyed our relish for food.
+
+Mother, from the time we were taken, had manifested a great degree
+of fortitude, and encouraged us to support our troubles without
+complaining; and by her conversation seemed to make the distance and
+time shorter, and the way more smooth. But father lost all his ambition
+in the beginning of our trouble, and continued apparently lost to every
+care--absorbed in melancholy. Here, as before, she insisted on the
+necessity of our eating; and we obeyed her, but it was done with heavy
+hearts.
+
+As soon as I had finished my supper, an Indian took off my shoes and
+stockings and put a pair of moccasins on my feet, which my mother
+observed; and believing that they would spare my life, even if they
+should destroy the other captives, addressed me as near as I can
+remember in the following words:--
+
+"My dear little Mary, I fear that the time has arrived when we must
+be parted forever. Your life, my child, I think will be spared; but we
+shall probably be tomahawked here in this lonesome place by the Indians.
+O! how can I part with you my darling? What will become of my sweet
+little Mary? Oh! how can I think of your being continued in captivity
+without a hope of your being rescued? O that death had snatched you from
+my embraces in your infancy; the pain of parting then would have been
+pleasing to what it now is; and I should have seen the end of your
+troubles!--Alas, my dear! my heart bleeds at the thoughts of what awaits
+you; but, if you leave us, remember my child your own name, and the
+name of your father and mother. Be careful and not forget your English
+tongue. If you shall have an opportunity to get away from the Indians,
+don't try to escape; for if you do they will find and destroy you. Don't
+forget, my little daughter, the prayers that I have learned you--say
+them often; be a good child, and God will bless you. May God bless you
+my child, and make you comfortable and happy."
+
+During this time, the Indians stripped the shoes and stockings from the
+little boy that belonged to the woman who was taken with us, and put
+moccasins on his feet, as they had done before on mine. I was crying. An
+Indian took the little boy and myself by the hand, to lead us off from
+the company, when my mother exclaimed, "Don't cry Mary--don't cry my
+child. God will bless you! Farewell--farewell!"
+
+The Indian led us some distance into the bushes, or woods, and there
+lay down with us to spend the night. The recollection of parting with my
+tender mother kept me awake, while the tears constantly flowed from
+my eyes. A number of times in the night the little boy begged of
+me earnestly to run away with him and get clear of the Indians; but
+remembering the advice I had so lately received, and knowing the dangers
+to which we should be exposed, in travelling without a path and without
+a guide, through a wilderness unknown to us, I told him that I would not
+go, and persuaded him to lie still till morning.
+
+Early the next morning the Indians and Frenchmen that we had left
+the night before, came to us; but our friends were left behind. It is
+impossible for any one to form a correct idea of what my feelings were
+at the sight of those savages, whom I supposed had murdered my parents
+and brothers, sister, and friends, and left them in the swamp to be
+devoured by wild beasts! But what could I do? A poor little defenceless
+girl; without the power or means of escaping; without a home to go to,
+even if I could be liberated; without a knowledge of the direction or
+distance to my former place of residence; and without a living friend to
+whom to fly for protection, I felt a kind of horror, anxiety, and
+dread, that, to me, seemed insupportable. I durst not cry--I durst not
+complain; and to inquire of them the fate of my friends (even if I could
+have mustered resolution) was beyond my ability, as I could not speak
+their language, nor they understand mine. My only relief was in silent
+stifled sobs.
+
+My suspicions as to the fate of my parents proved too true; for soon
+after I left them they were killed and scalped, together with Robert,
+Matthew, Betsey, and the woman and her two children, and mangled in the
+most shocking manner.
+
+Having given the little boy and myself some bread and meat for
+breakfast, they led us on as fast as we could travel, and one of them
+went behind and with a long staff, picked up all the grass and weeds
+that we trailed down by going over them. By taking that precaution they
+avoided detection; for each weed was so nicely placed in its natural
+position that no one would have suspected that we had passed that way.
+It is the custom of Indians when scouting, or on private expeditions,
+to step carefully and where no impression of their feet can be
+left--shunning wet or muddy ground. They seldom take hold of a bush or
+limb, and never break one; and by observing those precautions and that
+of setting up the weeds and grass which they necessarily lop, they
+completely elude the sagacity of their pursuers, and escape that
+punishment which they are conscious they merit from the hand of justice.
+
+After a hard day's march we encamped in a thicket, where the Indians
+made a shelter of boughs, and then built a good fire to warm and dry
+our benumbed limbs and clothing; for it had rained some through the day.
+Here we were again fed as before. When the Indians had finished their
+supper they took from their baggage a number of scalps and went about
+preparing them for the market, or to keep without spoiling, by straining
+them over small hoops which they prepared for that purpose, and then
+drying and scraping them by the fire. Having put the scalps, yet wet and
+bloody, upon the hoops, and stretched them to their full extent, they
+held them to the fire till they were partly dried and then with their
+knives commenced scraping off the flesh; and in that way they continued
+to work, alternately drying and scraping them, till they were dry and
+clean. That being done they combed the hair in the neatest manner, and
+then painted it and the edges of the scalps yet on the hoops, red. Those
+scalps I knew at the time must have been taken from our family by
+the color of the hair. My mother's hair was red; and I could easily
+distinguish my father's and the children's from each other. That sight
+was most appaling; yet, I was obliged to endure it without complaining.
+
+In the course of the night they made me to understand that they should
+not have killed the family if the whites had not pursued them.
+
+Mr. Fields, whom I have before mentioned, informed me that at the
+time we were taken, he lived in the vicinity of my father; and that on
+hearing of our captivity, the whole neighborhood turned out in pursuit
+of the enemy, and to deliver us if possible: but that their efforts were
+unavailing. They however pursued us to the dark swamp, where they found
+my father, his family and companions, stripped and mangled in the most
+inhuman manner: That from thence the march of the cruel monsters could
+not be traced in any direction; and that they returned to their homes
+with the melancholy tidings of our misfortunes, supposing that we had
+all shared in the massacre.
+
+The next morning we went on; the Indian going behind us and setting up
+the weeds as on the day before. At night we encamped on the ground in
+the open air, without a shelter or fire.
+
+In the morning we again set out early, and travelled as on the two
+former days, though the weather was extremely uncomfortable, from the
+continual falling of rain and snow.
+
+At night the snow fell fast, and the Indians built a shelter of boughs,
+and a fire, where we rested tolerably dry through that and the two
+succeeding nights.
+
+When we stopped, and before the fire was kindled, I was so much fatigued
+from running, and so far benumbed by the wet and cold, that I expected
+that I must fail and die before I could get warm and comfortable. The
+fire, however, soon restored the circulation, and after I had taken my
+supper I felt so that I rested well through the night.
+
+On account of the storm, we were two days at that place. On one of those
+days, a party consisting of six Indians who had been to the frontier
+settlements, came to where we were, and brought with them one prisoner,
+a young white man who was very tired and dejected. His name I have
+forgotten.
+
+Misery certainly loves company. I was extremely glad to see him, though
+I knew from his appearance, that his situation was as deplorable
+as mine, and that he could afford me no kind of assistance. In the
+afternoon the Indians killed a deer, which they dressed, and then
+roasted it whole; which made them a full meal. We were each allowed
+a share of their venison, and some bread, so that we made a good meal
+also.
+
+Having spent three nights and two days at that place, and the storm
+having ceased, early in the morning the whole company, consisting
+of twelve Indians, four Frenchmen, the young man, the little boy and
+myself, moved on at a moderate pace without an Indian behind us to
+deceive our pursuers.
+
+In the afternoon we came in sight of Fort Pitt (as it is now called,)
+where we were halted while the Indians performed some customs upon their
+prisoners which they deemed necessary. That fort was then occupied by
+the French and Indians, and was called Fort Du Quesne. It stood at the
+junction of the Monongahela, which is said to signify, in some of the
+Indian languages, the Falling-in-Banks, [Footnote: Navigator.] and the
+Alleghany [Footnote: The word Alleghenny, was derived from an ancient
+race of Indians called "Tallegawe." The Delaware Indians, instead
+of saying "Alleghenny," say "Allegawe," or "Allegawenink," _Western
+Tour_--p. 455.] rivers, where the Ohio river begins to take its name.
+The word O-hi-o, signifies bloody.
+
+At the place where we halted, the Indians combed the hair of the young
+man, the boy and myself, and then painted our faces and hair red, in
+the finest Indian style. We were then conducted into the fort, where we
+received a little bread, and were then shut up and left to tarry alone
+through the night.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+She is given to two Squaws.--Her Journey down the Ohio.--Passes a
+Shawanee town where white men had just been burnt.--Arrives at
+the Seneca town.--Her Reception.--She is adopted.--Ceremony of
+Adoption.--Indian Custom.--Address.--She receives a new name.--Her
+Employment.--Retains her own and learns the Seneca Language.--Situation
+of the Town, &c.--Indians go on a Hunting Tour to Sciota and take her
+with them.--Returns.--She is taken to Fort Pitt, and then hurried back
+by her Indian Sisters.--Her hopes of Liberty destroyed.--Second Tour
+to Sciota.--Return to Wiishto, &c.--Arrival of Prisoners.--Priscilla
+Ramsay.--Her Chain.--Mary marries a Delaware.--Her Affection
+for him.--Birth and Death of her first Child.--Her Sickness and
+Recovery.--Birth of Thomas Jemison.
+
+The night was spent in gloomy forebodings. What the result of our
+captivity would be, it was out of our power to determine or even
+imagine.--At times we could almost realize the approach of our masters
+to butcher and scalp us;--again we could nearly see the pile of wood
+kindled on which we were to be roasted; and then we would imagine
+ourselves at liberty; alone and defenceless in the forest, surrounded by
+wild beasts that were ready to devour us. The anxiety of our minds drove
+sleep from our eyelids; and it was with a dreadful hope and painful
+impatience that we waited for the morning to determine our fate.
+
+The morning at length arrived, and our masters came early and let us
+out of the house, and gave the young man and boy to the French, who
+immediately took them away. Their fate I never learned; as I have not
+seen nor heard of them since.
+
+I was now left alone in the fort, deprived of my former companions, and
+of every thing that was near or dear to me but life. But it was not long
+before I was in some measure relieved by the appearance of two pleasant
+looking squaws of the Seneca tribe, who came and examined me attentively
+for a short time, and then went out. After a few minutes absence they
+returned with my former masters, who gave me to them to dispose of as
+they pleased.
+
+The Indians by whom I was taken were a party of Shawanees, if I remember
+right, that lived, when at home, a long distance down the Ohio.
+
+My former Indian masters, and the two squaws, were soon ready to leave
+the fort, and accordingly embarked; the Indians in a large canoe, and
+the two squaws and myself in a small one, and went down the Ohio.
+
+When we set off, an Indian in the forward canoe took the scalps of my
+former friends, strung them on a pole that he placed upon his shoulder,
+and in that manner carried them, standing in the stern of the canoe,
+directly before us as we sailed down the river, to the town where the
+two squaws resided.
+
+On our way we passed a Shawanee town, where I saw a number of heads,
+arms, legs, and other fragments of the bodies of some white people who
+had just been burnt. The parts that remained were hanging on a pole
+which was supported at each end by a crotch stuck in the ground, and
+were roasted or burnt black as a coal. The fire was yet burning; and the
+whole appearances afforded a spectacle so shocking, that, even to this
+day, my blood almost curdles in my veins when I think of them!
+
+At night we arrived at a small Seneca Indian town, at the mouth of a
+small river, that was called by the Indians, in the Seneca language,
+She-nan-jee, [Footnote: That town, according to the geographical
+description given by Mrs. Jemison, must have stood at the mouth of
+Indian Cross creek, which is about 76 miles by water, below Pittsburgh;
+or at the mouth of Indian Short creek, 87 miles below Pittsburgh, where
+the town of Warren now stands: But at which of those places I am
+unable to determine. _Author_.] where the two Squaws to whom I belonged
+resided. There we landed, and the Indians went on; which was the last I
+ever saw of them.
+
+Having made fast to the shore, the Squaws left me in the canoe while
+they went to their wigwam or house in the town, and returned with a suit
+of Indian clothing, all new, and very clean and nice. My clothes, though
+whole and good when I was taken, were now torn in pieces, so that I was
+almost naked. They first undressed me and threw my rags into the river;
+then washed me clean and dressed me in the new suit they had just
+brought, in complete Indian style; and then led me home and seated me in
+the center of their wigwam.
+
+I had been in that situation but a few minutes before all the Squaws
+in the town came in to see me. I was soon surrounded by them, and they
+immediately set up a most dismal howling, crying bitterly, and wringing
+their hands in all the agonies of grief for a deceased relative.
+
+Their tears flowed freely, and they exhibited all the signs of real
+mourning. At the commencement of this scene, one of their number began,
+in a voice somewhat between speaking and singing, to recite some words
+to the following purport, and continued the recitation till the ceremony
+was ended; the company at the same time varying the appearance of their
+countenances, gestures and tone of voice, so as to correspond with the
+sentiments expressed by their leader:
+
+"Oh our brother! Alas! He is dead--he has gone; he will never return!
+Friendless he died on the field of the slain, where his bones are yet
+lying unburied! Oh, who will not mourn his sad fate? No tears dropped
+around him; oh, no! No tears of his sisters were there! He fell in his
+prime, when his arm was most needed to keep us from danger! Alas! he has
+gone! and left us in sorrow, his loss to bewail: Oh where is his spirit?
+His spirit went naked, and hungry it wanders, and thirsty and wounded
+it groans to return! Oh helpless and wretched, our brother has gone! No
+blanket nor food to nourish and warm him; nor candles to light him, nor
+weapons of war:--Oh, none of those comforts had he! But well we remember
+his deeds!--The deer he could take on the chase! The panther shrunk back
+at the sight of his strength! His enemies fell at his feet! He was brave
+and courageous in war! As the fawn was harmless: his friendship was
+ardent: his temper was gentle: his pity was great! Oh! our friend, our
+companion is dead! Our brother, your brother, alas! he is gone! But why
+do we grieve for his loss? In the strength of a warrior, undaunted he
+left us, to fight by the side of the Chiefs! His war-whoop was shrill!
+His rifle well aimed laid his enemies low: his tomahawk drank of their
+blood: and his knife flayed their scalps while yet covered with gore!
+And why do we mourn? Though he fell on the field of the slain, with
+glory he fell, and his spirit went up to the land of his fathers in war!
+Then why do we mourn? With transports of joy they received him, and fed
+him, and clothed him, and welcomed him there! Oh friends, he is happy;
+then dry up your tears! His spirit has seen our distress, and sent us
+a helper whom with pleasure we greet. Dickewamis has come: then let
+us receive her with joy! She is handsome and pleasant! Oh! she is our
+sister, and gladly we welcome her here. In the place of our brother she
+stands in our tribe. With care we will guard her from trouble; and may
+she be happy till her spirit shall leave us."
+
+In the course of that ceremony, from mourning they became serene--joy
+sparkled in their countenances, and they seemed to rejoice over me as
+over a long lost child. I was made welcome amongst them as a sister to
+the two Squaws before mentioned, and was called Dickewamis; which being
+interpreted, signifies a pretty girl, a handsome girl, or a pleasant,
+good thing. That is the name by which I have ever since been called by
+the Indians.
+
+I afterwards learned that the ceremony I at that time passed through,
+was that of adoption. The two squaws had lost a brother in Washington's
+war, sometime in the year before and in consequence of his death went up
+to Fort Pitt, on the day on which I arrived there, in order to receive a
+prisoner or an enemy's scalp, to supply their loss.
+
+It is a custom of the Indians, when one of their number is slain or
+taken prisoner in battle, to give to the nearest relative to the dead
+or absent, a prisoner, if they have chanced to take one, and if not,
+to give him the scalp of an enemy. On the return of the Indians
+from conquest, which is always announced by peculiar shoutings,
+demonstrations of joy, and the exhibition of some trophy of victory, the
+mourners come forward and make their claims. If they receive a prisoner,
+it is at their option either to satiate their vengeance by taking his
+life in the most cruel manner they can conceive of; or, to receive and
+adopt him into the family, in the place of him whom they have lost. All
+the prisoners that are taken in battle and carried to the encampment
+or town by the Indians, are given to the bereaved families, till their
+number is made good.
+
+And unless the mourners have but just received the news of their
+bereavement, and are under the operation of a paroxysm of grief, anger
+and revenge; or, unless the prisoner is very old, sickly, or homely,
+they generally save him, and treat him kindly. But if their mental wound
+is fresh, their loss so great that they deem it irreparable, or if their
+prisoner or prisoners do not meet their approbation, no torture, let
+it be ever so cruel, seems sufficient to make them satisfaction. It is
+family, and not national, sacrifices amongst the Indians, that has given
+them an indelible stamp as barbarians, and identified their character
+with the idea which is generally formed of unfeeling ferocity, and the
+most abandoned cruelty.
+
+It was my happy lot to be accepted for adoption; and at the time of the
+ceremony I was received by the two squaws, to supply the place of their
+brother in the family; and I was ever considered and treated by them as
+a real sister, the same as though I had been born of their mother.
+
+During my adoption, I sat motionless, nearly terrified to death at the
+appearance and actions of the company, expecting every moment to feel
+their vengeance, and suffer death on the spot. I was, however, happily
+disappointed, when at the close of the ceremony the company retired,
+and my sisters went about employing every means for my consolation and
+comfort.
+
+Being now settled and provided with a home, I was employed in nursing
+the children, and doing light work about the house. Occasionally I was
+sent out with the Indian hunters, when they went but a short distance,
+to help them carry their game.
+
+My situation was easy; I had no particular hardships to endure. But
+still, the recollection of my parents, my brothers and sisters, my home,
+and my own captivity, destroyed my happiness, and made me constantly
+solitary, lonesome and gloomy.
+
+My sisters would not allow me to speak English in their hearing; but
+remembering the charge that my dear mother gave me at the time I left
+her, whenever I chanced to be alone I made a business of repeating my
+prayer, catechism, or something I had learned in order that I might not
+forget my own language. By practising in that way I retained it till
+I came to Genesee flats, where I soon became acquainted with English
+people with whom I have been almost daily in the habit of conversing.
+
+My sisters were diligent in teaching me their language; and to their
+great satisfaction I soon learned so that I could understand it readily,
+and speak it fluently. I was very fortunate in falling into their hands;
+for they were kind good natured women; peaceable and mild in their
+dispositions; temperate and decent in their habits, and very tender and
+gentle towards me. I have great reason to respect them, though they have
+been dead a great number of years.
+
+The town where they lived was pleasantly situated on the Ohio, at the
+mouth of the Shenanjee: the land produced good corn; the woods furnished
+a plenty of game, and the waters abounded with fish. Another river
+emptied itself into the Ohio, directly opposite the mouth of the
+Shenanjee. We spent the summer at that place, where we planted, hoed,
+and harvested a large crop of corn, of an excellent quality.
+
+About the time of corn harvest, Fort Pitt was taken from the French by
+the English. [Footnote: The above statement is apparently an error; and
+is to be attributed solely to the treachery of the old lady's memory;
+though she is confident that that event took place at the time above
+mentioned. It is certain that Fort Pitt was not evacuated by the French
+and given up to the English, till sometime in November, 1758. It is
+possible, however, that an armistice was agreed upon, and that for a
+time, between the spring of 1755 and 1758, both nations visited
+that post without fear of molestation. As the succeeding part of the
+narrative corresponds with the true historical chain of events, the
+public will overlook this circumstance, which appears unsupported by
+history. AUTHOR.]
+
+The corn being harvested, the Indians took it on horses and in canoes,
+and proceeded down the Ohio, occasionally stopping to hunt a few days,
+till we arrived at the mouth of Sciota river; where they established
+their winter quarters, and continued hunting till the ensuing spring,
+in the adjacent wilderness. While at that place I went with the other
+children to assist the hunters to bring in their game. The forests on
+the Sciota were well stocked with elk, deer, and other large animals;
+and the marshes contained large numbers of beaver, muskrat, &c. which
+made excellent hunting for the Indians; who depended, for their meat,
+upon their success in taking elk and deer; and for ammunition and
+clothing, upon the beaver, muskrat, and other furs that they could take
+in addition to their peltry.
+
+The season for hunting being passed, we all returned in the spring to
+the mouth of the river Shenanjee, to the houses and fields we had left
+in the fall before. There we again planted our corn, squashes, and
+beans, on the fields that we occupied the preceding summer.
+
+About planting time, our Indians all went up to Fort Pitt, to make peace
+with the British, and took me with them. [Footnote: History is silent
+as to any treaty having been made between the English, and French and
+Indians, at that time; though it is possible that a truce was agreed
+upon, and that the parties met for the purpose of concluding a treaty of
+peace.] We landed on the opposite side of the river from the fort, and
+encamped for the night. Early the next morning the Indians took me over
+to the fort to see the white people that were there. It was then that my
+heart bounded to be liberated from the Indians and to be restored to my
+friends and my country. The white people were surprized to see me with
+the Indians, enduring the hardships of a savage life, at so early an
+age, and with so delicate a constitution as I appeared to possess. They
+asked me my name; where and when I was taken--and appeared very much
+interested on my behalf. They were continuing their inquiries, when
+my sisters became alarmed, believing that I should be taken from them,
+hurried me into their canoe and recrossed the river--took their bread
+out of the fire and fled with me, without stopping, till they arrived
+at the river Shenanjee. So great was their fear of losing me, or of my
+being given up in the treaty, that they never once stopped rowing till
+they got home.
+
+Shortly after we left the shore opposite the fort, as I was informed by
+one of my Indian brothers, the white people came over to take me back;
+but after considerable inquiry, and having made diligent search to find
+where I was hid, they returned with heavy hearts. Although I had then
+been with the Indians something over a year, and had become considerably
+habituated to their mode of living, and attached to my sisters, the
+sight of white people who could speak English inspired me with an
+unspeakable anxiety to go home with them, and share in the blessings of
+civilization. My sudden departure and escape from them, seemed like
+a second captivity, and for a long time I brooded the thoughts of my
+miserable situation with almost as much sorrow and dejection as I
+had done those of my first sufferings. Time, the destroyer of every
+affection, wore away my unpleasant feelings, and I became as contented
+as before.
+
+We tended our cornfields through the summer; and after we had harvested
+the crop, we again went down the river to the hunting ground on the
+Sciota, where we spent the winter, as we had done the winter before.
+
+Early in the spring we sailed up the Ohio river, to a place that the
+Indians called Wiishto, [Footnote: Wiishto I suppose was situated near
+the mouth of Indian Guyundat, 327 miles below Pittsburgh, and 73 above
+Big Sciota; or at the mouth of Swan creek, 307 miles below Pittsburgh.]
+where one river emptied into the Ohio on one side, and another on the
+other. At that place the Indians built a town, and we planted corn.
+
+We lived three summers at Wiishto, and spent each winter on the Sciota.
+
+The first summer of our living at Wiishto, a party of Delaware Indians
+came up the river, took up their residence, and lived in common with us.
+They brought five white prisoners with them, who by their conversation,
+made my situation much more agreeable, as they could all speak English.
+I have forgotten the names of all of them except one, which was
+Priscilla Ramsay. She was a very handsome, good natured girl, and was
+married soon after she came to Wiishto to Capt. Little Billy's uncle,
+who went with her on a visit to her friends in the states. Having
+tarried with them as long as she wished to, she returned with her
+husband to Can-a-ah-tua, where he died. She, after his death, married
+a white man by the name of Nettles, and now lives with him (if she is
+living) on Grand River, Upper Canada.
+
+Not long after the Delawares came to live with us, at Wiishto, my
+sisters told me that I must go and live with one of them, whose name was
+Sheninjee. Not daring to cross them, or disobey their commands, with
+a great degree of reluctance I went; and Sheninjee and I were married
+according to Indian custom.
+
+Sheninjee was a noble man; large in stature; elegant in his appearance;
+generous in his conduct; courageous in war; a friend to peace, and a
+great lover of justice. He supported a degree of dignity far above his
+rank, and merited and received the confidence and friendship of all the
+tribes with whom he was acquainted. Yet, Sheninjee was an Indian.
+The idea of spending my days with him, at first seemed perfectly
+irreconcilable to my feelings: but his good nature, generosity,
+tenderness, and friendship towards me, soon gained my affection;
+and, strange as it may seem, I loved him!--To me he was ever kind in
+sickness, and always treated me with gentleness; in fact, he was an
+agreeable husband, and a comfortable companion.
+
+We lived happily together till the time of our final separation, which
+happened two or three years after our marriage, as I shall presently
+relate.
+
+In the second summer of my living at Wiishto, I had a child at the time
+that the kernels of corn first appeared on the cob. When I was taken
+sick, Sheninjee was absent, and I was sent to a small shed, on the bank
+of the river, which was made of boughs, where I was obliged to stay
+till my husband returned. My two sisters, who were my only companions,
+attended me, and on the second day of my confinement my child was born
+but it lived only two days. It was a girl: and notwithstanding the
+shortness of the time that I possessed it, it was a great grief to me to
+lose it.
+
+After the birth of my child, I was very sick, but was not allowed to go
+into the house for two weeks; when, to my great joy, Sheninjee returned,
+and I was taken in and as comfortably provided for as our situation
+would admit of. My disease continued to increase for a number of days;
+and I became so far reduced that my recovery was despaired of by my
+friends, and I concluded that my troubles would soon be finished. At
+length, however, my complaint took a favorable turn, and by the time
+that the corn was ripe I was able to get about. I continued to gain my
+health, and in the fall was able to go to our winter quarters, on the
+Sciota, with the Indians.
+
+From that time, nothing remarkable occurred to me till the fourth winter
+of my captivity, when I had a son born, while I was at Sciota: I had a
+quick recovery, and my child was healthy. To commemorate the name of my
+much lamented father, I called my son Thomas Jemison.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+She leaves Wiishto for Fort Pitt, in company with her Husband.--Her
+feelings on setting out.--Contrast between the labor of the white and
+Indian Women.--Deficiency of Arts amongst the Indians.--Their former
+Happiness.--Baneful effects of Civilization, and the introduction of
+ardent Spirits amongst them, &c.--Journey up the River.--Murder of
+three Traders by the Shawnees.--Her Husband stops at a Trading
+House.--Wantonness of the Shawnees.--Moves up the Sandusky.--Meets her
+Brother from Ge-nish-a-u.--Her Husband goes to Wiishto, and she sets
+out for Genishau in company with her Brothers.--They arrive at
+Sandusky.--Occurrences at that place.--Her Journey to Genishau, and
+Reception by her Mother and Friends.
+
+In the spring, when Thomas was three or four moons [months] old, we
+returned from Sciota to Wiishto, and soon after set out to go to Fort
+Pitt, to dispose of our fur and skins, that we had taken in the winter,
+and procure some necessary articles for the use of our family.
+
+I had then been with the Indians four summers and four winters, and
+had become so far accustomed to their mode of living, habits and
+dispositions, that my anxiety to get away, to be set at liberty, and
+leave them, had almost subsided. With them was my home; my family was
+there, and there I had many friends to whom I was warmly attached in
+consideration of the favors, affection and friendship with which they
+had uniformly treated me, from the time of my adoption. Our labor was
+not severe; and that of one year was exactly similar, in almost every
+respect, to that of the others, without that endless variety that is to
+be observed in the common labor of the white people. Notwithstanding the
+Indian women have all the fuel and bread to procure, and the cooking to
+perform, their task is probably not harder than that of white women, who
+have those articles provided for them; and their cares certainly are not
+half as numerous, nor as great. In the summer season, we planted, tended
+and harvested our corn, and generally had all our children with us; but
+had no master to oversee or drive us, so that we could work as leisurely
+as we pleased. We had no ploughs on the Ohio; but performed the whole
+process of planting and hoeing with a small tool that resembled, in some
+respects, a hoe with a very short handle.
+
+Our cooking consisted in pounding our corn into samp or hommany, boiling
+the hommany, making now and then a cake and baking it in the ashes, and
+in boiling or roasting our venison. As our cooking and eating utensils
+consisted of a hommany block and pestle, a small kettle, a knife or two,
+and a few vessels of bark or wood, it required but little time to keep
+them in order for use.
+
+Spinning, weaving, sewing, stocking knitting, and the like, are arts
+which have never been practised in the Indian tribes generally. After
+the revolutionary war, I learned to sew, so that I could make my own
+clothing after a poor fashion; but the other domestic arts I have been
+wholly ignorant of the application of, since my captivity. In the season
+of hunting, it was our business, in addition to our cooking, to bring
+home the game that was taken by the Indians, dress it, and carefully
+preserve the eatable meat, and prepare or dress the skins. Our clothing
+was fastened together with strings of deer skin, and tied on with the
+same.
+
+In that manner we lived, without any of those jealousies, quarrels, and
+revengeful battles between families and individuals, which have been
+common in the Indian tribes since the introduction of ardent spirits
+amongst them.
+
+The use of ardent spirits amongst the Indians, and the attempts which
+have been made to civilize and christianize them by the white people,
+has constantly made them worse and worse; increased their vices, and
+robbed them of many of their virtues; and will ultimately produce their
+extermination. I have seen, in a number of instances, the effects of
+education upon some of our Indians, who were taken when young, from
+their families, and placed at school before they had had an opportunity
+to contract many Indian habits, and there kept till they arrived to
+manhood; but I have never seen one of those but what was an Indian in
+every respect after he returned. Indians must and will be Indians, In
+spite of all the means that can be used for their cultivation in the
+sciences and arts.
+
+One thing only marred my happiness, while I lived with them on the Ohio;
+and that was the recollection that I had once had tender parents, and
+a home that I loved. Aside from that consideration, or, if I had
+been taken in infancy, I should have been contented in my situation.
+Notwithstanding all that has been said against the Indians, in
+consequence of their cruelties to their enemies--cruelties that I
+have witnessed, and had abundant proof of--it is a fact that they are
+naturally kind, tender and peaceable towards their friends, and strictly
+honest; and that those cruelties have been practised, only upon their
+enemies, according to their idea of justice.
+
+At the time we left Wiishto, it was impossible for me to suppress a
+sigh of regret on parting with those who had truly been my friends--with
+those whom I had every reason to respect. On account of a part of our
+family living at Genishau, we thought it doubtful whether we should
+return directly from Pittsburgh, or go from thence on a visit to see
+them.
+
+Our company consisted of my husband, my two Indian brothers, my little
+son and myself. We embarked in a canoe that was large enough to contain
+ourselves, and our effects, and proceeded on our voyage up the river.
+
+Nothing remarkable occurred to us on our way, till we arrived at the
+mouth of a creek which Sheninjee and my brother said was the outlet of
+Sandusky lake; where, as they said, two or three English traders in fur
+and skins had kept a trading house but a short time before, though they
+were then absent. We had passed the trading house but a short distance,
+when we met three white men floating down the river, with the appearance
+of having been recently murdered by the Indians, we supposed them to
+be the bodies of the traders, whose store we had passed the same day.
+Sheninjee being alarmed for fear of being apprehended as one of the
+murderers, if he should go on, resolved to put about immediately, and we
+accordingly returned to where the traders had lived, and there landed.
+
+At the trading house we found a party of Shawnee Indians, who had taken
+a young white man prisoner, and had just begun to torture him for the
+sole purpose of gratifying their curiosity in exulting at his distress.
+They at first made him stand up, while they slowly pared his ears and
+split them into strings; they then made a number of slight incisions in
+his face; and then bound him upon the ground, rolled him in the dirt,
+and rubbed it in his wounds: some of them at the same time whipping
+him with small rods! The poor fellow cried for mercy and yelled most
+piteously.
+
+The sight of his distress seemed too much for me to endure: I begged of
+them to desist--I entreated them with tears to release him. At length
+they attended to my intercessions, and set him at liberty. He was
+shockingly disfigured, bled profusely, and appeared to be in great pain:
+but as soon as he was liberated he made off in haste, which was the last
+I saw of him.
+
+We soon learned that the same party of Shawnees had, but a few hours
+before, massacred the three white traders whom we saw in the river, and
+had plundered their store. We, however, were not molested by them, and
+after a short stay at that place, moved up the creek about forty miles
+to a Shawnee town, which the Indians called Gaw-gush-shaw-ga, (which
+being interpreted signifies a mask or a false face.) The creek that we
+went up was called Candusky.
+
+It was now summer; and having tarried a few days at Gawgushshawga, we
+moved on up the creek to a place that was called Yis-kah-wa-na, (meaning
+in English open mouth.)
+
+As I have before observed, the family to which I belonged was part of
+a tribe of Seneca Indians, who lived, at that time, at a place called
+Genishau, from the name of the tribe, that was situated on a river of
+the same name which is now called Genesee. The word Genishau signifies
+a shining, clear or open place. Those of us who lived on the Ohio, had
+frequently received invitations from those at Genishau, by one of my
+brothers, who usually went and returned every season, to come and live
+with them, and my two sisters had been gone almost two years.
+
+While we were at Yiskahwana, my brother arrived there from Genishau, and
+insisted so strenuously upon our going home (as he called it) with him,
+that my two brothers concluded to go, and to take me with them.
+
+By this time the summer was gone, and the time for harvesting corn had
+arrived. My brothers, for fear of the rainy season setting in early,
+thought it best to set out immediately that we might have good
+travelling. Sheninjee consented to have me go with my brothers; but
+concluded to go down the river himself with some fur and skins which he
+had on hand, spend the winter in hunting with his friends, and come to
+me in the spring following.
+
+That was accordingly agreed upon, and he set out for Wiishto; and my
+three brothers and myself, with my little son on my back, at the same
+time set out for Genishau. We came on to Upper Sandusky, to an Indian
+town that we found deserted by its inhabitants, in consequence of their
+having recently murdered some English traders, who resided amongst them.
+That town was owned and had been occupied by Delaware Indians, who, when
+they left it, buried their provision in the earth, in order to preserve
+it from their enemies, or to have a supply for themselves if they should
+chance to return. My brothers understood the customs of the Indians when
+they were obliged to fly from their enemies; and suspecting that their
+corn at least must have been hid, made diligent search, and at length
+found a large quantity of it, together with beans, sugar and honey, so
+carefully buried that it was completely dry and as good as when they
+left it. As our stock of provision was scanty, we considered ourselves
+extremely fortunate in finding so seasonable a supply, with so little
+trouble. Having caught two or three horses, that we found there, and
+furnished ourselves with a good store of food, we travelled on till we
+came to the mouth of French Creek, where we hunted two days, and from
+thence came on to Conowongo Creek, where we were obliged to stay seven
+or ten days, in consequence of our horses having left us and straying
+into the woods. The horses, however, were found, and we again prepared
+to resume our journey. During our stay at that place the rain fell
+fast, and had raised the creek to such a height that it was seemingly
+impossible for us to cross it. A number of times we ventured in, but
+were compelled to return, barely escaping with our lives. At length we
+succeeded in swimming our horses and reached the opposite shore; though
+I but just escaped with my little boy from being drowned. From Sandusky
+the path that we travelled was crooked and obscure; but was tolerably
+well understood by my oldest brother, who had travelled it a number of
+times, when going to and returning from the Cherokee wars. The fall by
+this time was considerably advanced, and the rains, attended with cold
+winds, continued daily to increase the difficulties of travelling.
+From Conowongo we came to a place, called by the Indians
+Che-ua-shung-gau-tau, and from that to U-na-waum-gwa, (which means an
+eddy, not strong), where the early frosts had destroyed the corn so that
+the Indians were in danger of starving for the want of bread. Having
+rested ourselves two days at that place, we came on to Caneadea
+and stayed one day, and then continued our march till we arrived
+at Genishau. Genishau at that time was a large Seneca town, thickly
+inhabited, lying on Genesee river, opposite what is now called the Free
+Ferry, adjoining Fall-Brook, and about south west of the present village
+of Geneseo, the county seat for the county of Livingston, in the state
+of New-York.
+
+Those only who have travelled on foot the distance of five or six
+hundred miles, through an almost pathless wilderness, can form an
+idea of the fatigue and sufferings that I endured on that journey. My
+clothing was thin and illy calculated to defend me from the continually
+drenching rains with which I was daily completely wet, and at night
+with nothing but my wet blanket to cover me, I had to sleep on the
+naked ground, and generally without a shelter, save such as nature had
+provided. In addition to all that, I had to carry my child, then about
+nine months old, every step of the journey on my back, or in my arms,
+and provide for his comfort and prevent his suffering, as far as my
+poverty of means would admit. Such was the fatigue that I sometimes
+felt, that I thought it impossible for me to go through, and I would
+almost abandon the idea of even trying to proceed. My brothers were
+attentive, and at length, as I have stated, we reached our place of
+destination, in good health, and without having experienced a day's
+sickness from the time we left Yiskahwana.
+
+We were kindly received by my Indian mother and the other members of the
+family, who appeared to make me welcome; and my two sisters, whom I had
+not seen in two years, received me with every expression of love and
+friendship, and that they really felt what they expressed, I have never
+had the least reason to doubt. The warmth of their feelings, the kind
+reception which I met with, and the continued favors that I received
+at their hands, rivetted my affection for them so strongly that I am
+constrained to believe that I loved them as I should have loved my own
+sister had she lived, and I had been brought up with her.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+Indians march to Niagara to fight the British.--Return with two
+Prisoners, &c.--Sacrifice them at Fall-Brook.--Her Indian Mother's
+Address to her Daughter.--Death of her Husband.--Bounty offered for the
+Prisoners taken in the last war.--John Van Sice attempts to take her to
+procure her Ransom.--Her Escape.--Edict of the Chiefs.--Old King of
+the tribe determines to have her given up.--Her brother threatens
+her Life.--Her narrow Escape.--The old King goes off.--Her brother
+is informed of the place of her concealment, and conducts her
+home.--Marriage to her second Husband.--Names of her Children.
+
+When we arrived at Genishau, the Indians of that tribe were making
+active preparations for joining the French, in order to assist them
+in retaking Fort Ne-a-gaw (as Fort Niagara was called in the Seneca
+language) from the British, who had taken it from the French in the
+month preceding. They marched off the next day after our arrival,
+painted and accoutred in all the habiliments of Indian warfare,
+determined on death or victory; and joined the army in season to assist
+in accomplishing a plan that had been previously concerted for
+the destruction of a part of the British army. The British feeling
+themselves secure in the possession of Fort Neagaw, and unwilling that
+their enemies should occupy any of the military posts in that quarter,
+determined to take Fort Schlosser, lying a few miles up the river from
+Neagaw, which they expected to effect with but little loss. Accordingly
+a detachment of soldiers, sufficiently numerous, as was supposed, was
+sent out to take it, leaving a strong garrison in the fort, and marched
+off, well prepared to effect their object. But on their way they were
+surrounded by the French and Indians, who lay in ambush to deceive
+them, and were driven off the bank of the river into a place called the
+"Devil's Hole," together with their horses, carriages, artillery, and
+every thing pertaining to the army. Not a single man escaped being
+driven off, and of the whole number one only was fortunate enough to
+escape with his life. [Footnote: For the particulars of that event, see
+Appendix, No. 1.] Our Indians were absent but a few days, and returned
+in triumph, bringing with them two white prisoners, and a number of
+oxen. Those were the first neat cattle that were ever brought to the
+Genesee flats.
+
+The next day after their return to Genishau, was set apart as a day
+of feasting and frolicing, at the expence of the lives of their two
+unfortunate prisoners, on whom they purposed to glut their revenge, and
+satisfy their love for retaliation upon their enemies. My sister was
+anxious to attend the execution, and to take me with her, to witness the
+customs of the warriors, as it was one of the highest kind of frolics
+ever celebrated in their tribe, and one that was not often attended with
+so much pomp and parade as it was expected that would be. I felt a kind
+of anxiety to witness the scene, having never attended an execution,
+and yet I felt a kind of horrid dread that made my heart revolt, and
+inclined me to step back rather than support the idea of advancing.
+On the morning of the execution she made her intention of going to the
+frolic, and taking me with her, known to our mother, who in the
+most feeling terms, remonstrated against a step at once so rash and
+unbecoming the true dignity of our sex:
+
+"How, my daughter, (said she, addressing my sister,) how can you even
+think of attending the feast and seeing the unspeakable torments that
+those poor unfortunate prisoners must inevitably suffer from the
+hands of our warriors? How can you stand and see them writhing in the
+warriors' fire, in all the agonies of a slow, a lingering death?
+
+"How can you think of enduring the sound of their groanings and prayers
+to the Great Spirit for sudden deliverance from their enemies, or from
+life? And how can you think of conducting to that melancholy spot your
+poor sister Dickewamis, (meaning myself), who has so lately been a
+prisoner, who has lost her parents and brothers by the hands of the
+bloody warriors, and who has felt all the horrors of the loss of her
+freedom, in lonesome captivity? Oh! how can you think of making her
+bleed at the wounds which now are but partially healed? The recollection
+of her former troubles would deprive us of Dickewamis, and she would
+depart to the fields of the blessed, where fighting has ceased, and the
+corn needs no tending--where hunting is easy, the forests delightful,
+the summers are pleasant, and the winters are mild!--O! think once, my
+daughter, how soon you may have a brave brother made prisoner in battle,
+and sacrificed to feast the ambition of the enemies of his kindred, and
+leave us to mourn for the loss of a friend, a son and a brother, whose
+bow brought us venison, and supplied us with blankets!--Our task is
+quite easy at home, and our business needs our attention. With war we
+have nothing to do: our husbands and brothers are proud to defend us,
+and their hearts beat with ardor to meet our proud foes. Oh! stay then,
+my daughter; let our warriors alone perform on their victims their
+customs of war!"
+
+This speech of our mother had the desired effect; we stayed at home and
+attended to our domestic concerns. The prisoners, however, were
+executed by having their heads taken off, their bodies cut in pieces
+and shockingly mangled, and then burnt to ashes!--They were burnt on the
+north side of Fall-brook, directly opposite the town which was on the
+south side, some time in the month of November, 1759.
+
+I spent the winter comfortably, and as agreeably as I could have
+expected to, in the absence of my kind husband. Spring at length
+appeared, but Sheninjee was yet away; summer came on, but my husband
+had not found me. Fearful forebodings haunted my imagination; yet I felt
+confident that his affection for me was so great that if he was alive he
+would follow me and I should again see him. In the course of the
+summer, however, I received intelligence that soon after he left me at
+Yiskahwana he was taken sick and died at Wiishto. This was a heavy and
+an unexpected blow. I was now in my youthful days left a widow, with one
+son, and entirely dependent on myself for his and my support. My mother
+and her family gave me all the consolation in their power, and in a few
+months nay grief wore off and I became contented.
+
+In a year or two after this, according to my best recollection of the
+time, the King of England offered a bounty to those who would bring
+in the prisoners that had been taken in the war, to some military post
+where they might be redeemed and set at liberty.
+
+John Van Sice, a Dutchman, who had frequently been at our place, and was
+well acquainted with every prisoner at Genishau, resolved to take me
+to Niagara, that I might there receive my liberty and he the offered
+bounty. I was notified of his intention; but as I was fully determined
+not to be redeemed at that time, especially with his assistance, I
+carefully watched his movements in order to avoid falling into his
+hands. It so happened, however, that he saw me alone at work in a
+corn-field, and thinking probably that he could secure me easily, ran
+towards me in great haste. I espied him at some distance, and well
+knowing the amount of his errand, run from him with all the speed I was
+mistress of, and never once stopped till I reached Gardow. [Footnote:
+I have given this orthography, because it corresponds with the popular
+pronunciation.] He gave up the chase, and returned: but I, fearing that
+he might be lying in wait for me, stayed three days and three nights in
+an old cabin at Gardow, and then went back trembling at every step
+for fear of being apprehended. I got home without difficulty; and soon
+after, the chiefs in council having learned the cause of my elopement,
+gave orders that I should not be taken to any military post without my
+consent; and that as it was my choice to stay, I should live amongst
+them quietly and undisturbed. But, notwithstanding the will of the
+chiefs, it was but a few days before the old king of our tribe told one
+of my Indian brothers that I should be redeemed, and he would take me to
+Niagara himself. In reply to the old king, my brother said that I should
+not be given up; but that, as it was my wish, I should stay with the
+tribe as long as I was pleased to. Upon this a serious quarrel ensued
+between them, in which my brother frankly told him that sooner than I
+should be taken by force, he would kill me with his own hands!--Highly
+enraged at the old king; my brother came to my sister's house, where
+I resided, and informed her of all that had passed respecting me; and
+that, if the old king should attempt to take me, as he firmly
+believed he would, he would immediately take my life, and hazard the
+consequences. He returned to the old king. As soon as I came in, my
+sister told me what she had just heard, and what she expected without
+doubt would befal me. Full of pity, and anxious for my preservation,
+she then directed me to take my child and go into some high weeds at no
+great distance from the house, and there hide myself and lay still till
+all was silent in the house, for my brother, she said, would return at
+evening and let her know the final conclusion of the matter, of which
+she promised to inform me in the following manner: If I was to be
+killed, she said she would bake a small cake and lay it at the door, on
+the outside, in a place that she then pointed out to me. When all was
+silent in the house, I was to creep softly to the door, and if the cake
+could not be found in the place specified, I was to go in: but if the
+cake was there, I was to take my child and; go as fast as I possibly
+could to a large spring on the south side of Samp's Creek, (a place that
+I had often seen,) and there wait till I should by some means hear from
+her.
+
+Alarmed for my own safety, I instantly followed her advice, and went
+into the weeds, where I lay in a state of the greatest anxiety, till all
+was silent in the house, when I crept to the door, and there found, to
+my great distress, the little cake! I knew my fate was fixed, unless I
+could keep secreted till the storm was over, and accordingly crept back
+to the weeds, where my little Thomas lay, took him on my back, and laid
+my course for the spring as fast as my legs would carry me. Thomas was
+nearly three years old, and very large and heavy. I got to the spring
+early in the morning, almost overcome with fatigue, and at the same
+time fearing that I might be pursued and taken, I felt my life an almost
+insupportable burthen. I sat down with my child at the spring, and he
+and I made a breakfast of the little cake, and water of the spring,
+which I dipped and supped with the only implement which I possessed, my
+hand.
+
+In the morning after I fled, as was expected, the old King came to
+our house in search of me, and to take me off; but, as I was not to
+be found, he gave me up, and went to Niagara with the prisoners he had
+already got into his possession.
+
+As soon as the old King was fairly out of the way, my sister told my
+brother where he could find me. He immediately set out for the spring,
+and found me about noon. The first sight of him made me tremble with
+the fear of death; but when he came near, so that I could discover his
+countenance, tears of joy flowed down my cheeks, and I felt such a kind
+of instant relief as no one can possibly experience, unless when under
+the absolute sentence of death he receives an unlimited pardon. We were
+both rejoiced at the event of the old King's project; and after staying
+at the spring through the night, set out together for home early in the
+morning. When we got to a cornfield near the town, my brother secreted
+me till he could go and ascertain how my case stood; and finding that
+the old King was absent, and that all was peaceable, he returned to me,
+and I went home joyfully.
+
+Not long after this, my mother went to Johnstown, on the Mohawk river,
+with five prisoners, who were redeemed by Sir William Johnson, and set
+at liberty.
+
+When my son Thomas was three or four years old, I was married to an
+Indian, whose name was Hiokatoo, commonly called Gardow, by whom I had
+four daughters and two sons. I named my children, principally, after
+my relatives, from whom I was parted, by calling my girls Jane,
+Nancy, Betsey and Polly, and the boys John and Jesse. Jane died about
+twenty-nine years ago, in the month of August, a little before the great
+Council at Big-Tree, aged about fifteen years. My other daughters are
+yet living, and have families.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+Peace amongst the Indians.--Celebrations.--Worship. Exercises.--Business
+of the Tribes.--Former Happiness of the Indians in time of peace
+extolled.--Their Morals; Fidelity; Honesty; Chastity; Temperance.
+Indians called to German Flats.--Treaty with Americans.--They are sent
+for by the British Commissioners, and go to Oswego.--Promises made by
+those Commissioners.--Greatness of the King of England. Reward that was
+paid them for joining the British. They make a Treaty.--Bounty offered
+for Scalps. Return richly dressed and equipped.--In 1776 they kill a man
+at Cautega to provoke the Americans. Prisoners taken at Cherry Valley,
+brought to Beard's Town; redeemed, &c.--Battle at Fort Stanwix.--Indians
+suffer a great loss.--Mourning at Beard's Town.--Mrs. Jemison's care of
+and services rendered to Butler and Brandt.
+
+After the conclusion of the French war, our tribe had nothing to trouble
+it till the commencement of the Revolution. For twelve or fifteen years
+the use of the implements of war was not known, nor the war-whoop heard,
+save on days of festivity, when the achievements of former times
+were commemorated in a kind of mimic warfare, in which the chiefs
+and warriors displayed their prowess, and illustrated their former
+adroitness, by laying the ambuscade, surprizing their enemies, and
+performing many accurate manoeuvres with the tomahawk and scalping
+knife; thereby preserving and handing to their children, the theory of
+Indian warfare. During that period they also pertinaciously observed
+the religious rites of their progenitors, by attending with the most
+scrupulous exactness and a great degree of enthusiasm to the sacrifices,
+at particular times, to appease the anger of the evil deity, or to
+excite the commisseration and friendship of the Great Good Spirit,
+whom they adored with reverence, as the author, governor, supporter and
+disposer of every good thing of which they participated.
+
+They also practised in various athletic games, such as running,
+wrestling, leaping, and playing ball, with a view that their bodies
+might be more supple, or rather that they might not become enervated,
+and that they might be enabled to make a proper selection of Chiefs for
+the councils of the nation and leaders for war.
+
+While the Indians were thus engaged in their round of traditionary
+performances, with the addition of hunting, their women attended to
+agriculture, their families, and a few domestic concerns of small
+consequence, and attended with but little labor.
+
+No people can live more happy than the Indians did in times of peace,
+before the introduction of spirituous liquors amongst them. Their lives
+were a continual round of pleasures. Their wants were few, and easily
+satisfied; and their cares were only for to-day; the bounds of their
+calculations for future comfort not extending to the incalculable
+uncertainties of to-morrow. If peace ever dwelt with men, it was in
+former times, in the recesses from war, amongst what are now termed
+barbarians. The moral character of the Indians was (if I may be allowed
+the expression) uncontaminated. Their fidelity was perfect, and became
+proverbial; they were strictly honest; they despised deception and
+falsehood; and chastity was held in high veneration, and a violation
+of it was considered sacrilege. They were temperate in their desires,
+moderate in their passions, and candid and honorable in the expression
+of their sentiments on every subject of importance.
+
+Thus, at peace amongst themselves, and with the neighboring whites,
+though there were none at that time very near, our Indians lived quietly
+and peaceably at home, till a little before the breaking out of the
+revolutionary war, when they were sent for, together with the Chiefs and
+members of the Six Nations generally, by the people of the States, to go
+to the German Flats, and there hold a general council, in order that the
+people of the states might ascertain, in good season, who they should
+esteem and treat as enemies, and who as friends, in the great war which
+was then upon the point of breaking out between them and the King of
+England.
+
+Our Indians obeyed the call, and the council was holden, at which the
+pipe of peace was smoked, and a treaty made, in which the Six Nations
+solemnly agreed that if a war should eventually break out, they would
+not take up arms on either side; but that they would observe a strict
+neutrality. With that the people of the states were satisfied, as
+they had not asked their assistance, nor did not wish it. The Indians
+returned to their homes well pleased that they could live on neutral
+ground, surrounded by the din of war, without being engaged in it.
+
+About a year passed off, and we, as usual, were enjoying ourselves in
+the employments of peaceable times, when a messenger arrived from the
+British Commissioners, requesting all the Indians of our tribe to attend
+a general council which was soon to be held at Oswego. The council
+convened, and being opened, the British Commissioners informed the
+Chiefs that the object of calling a council of the Six Nations, was,
+to engage their assistance in subduing the rebels, the people of the
+states, who had risen up against the good King, their master, and were
+about to rob him of a great part of his possessions and wealth, and
+added that they would amply reward them for all their services.
+
+The Chiefs then arose, and informed the Commissioners of the nature and
+extent of the treaty which they had entered into with the people of the
+states, the year before, and that they should not violate it by taking
+up the hatchet against them.
+
+The Commissioners continued their entreaties without success, till they
+addressed their avarice, by telling our people that the people of the
+states were few in number, and easily subdued; and that on the
+account of their disobedience to the King, they justly merited all the
+punishment that it was possible for white men and Indians to inflict
+upon them; and added, that the King was rich and powerful, both in money
+and subjects: That his rum was as plenty as the water in lake Ontario:
+that his men were as numerous as the sands upon the lake shore:--and
+that the Indians, if they would assist in the war, and persevere in
+their friendship to the King, till it was closed, should never want for
+money or goods. Upon this the Chiefs concluded a treaty with the British
+Commissioners, in which they agreed to take up arms against the rebels,
+and continue in the service of his Majesty till they were subdued, in
+consideration of certain conditions which were stipulated in the treaty
+to be performed by the British government and its agents.
+
+As soon as the treaty was finished, the Commissioners made a present to
+each Indian of a suit of clothes, a brass kettle, a gun and tomahawk,
+a scalping knife, a quantity of powder and lead a piece of gold, and
+promised a bounty on every scalp that should be brought in. Thus richly
+clad and equipped, they returned home, after an absence of about two
+weeks, full of the fire of war, and anxious to encounter their enemies.
+Many of the kettles which the Indians received at that time are now in
+use on the Genesee Flats.
+
+Hired to commit depredations upon the whites, who had given them no
+offence, they waited impatiently to commence their labor, till sometime
+in the spring of 1776, when a convenient opportunity offered for them to
+make an attack. At that time, a party of our Indians were at Cau-te-ga,
+who shot a man that was looking after his horse, for the sole purpose,
+as I was informed by my Indian brother, who was present, of commencing
+hostilities.
+
+In May following, our Indians were in their first battle with the
+Americans; but at what place I am unable to determine. While they were
+absent at that time, my daughter Nancy was born.
+
+The same year, at Cherry Valley, our Indians took a woman and her three
+daughters prisoners, and brought them on, leaving one at Canandaigua,
+one at Honeoy, one at Cattaraugus, and one (the woman) at Little Beard's
+Town, where I resided. The woman told me that she and her daughters
+might have escaped, but that they expected the British army only, and
+therefore made no effort. Her husband and sons got away. Sometime having
+elapsed, they were redeemed at Fort Niagara by Col. Butler, who clothed
+them well, and sent them home.
+
+In the same expedition, Joseph Smith was taken prisoner at or near
+Cherry Valley, brought to Genesee, and detained till after the
+revolutionary war. He was then liberated, and the Indians made him a
+present, in company with Horatio Jones, of 6000 acres of land lying in
+the present town of Leicester, in the county of Livingston.
+
+One of the girls just mentioned, was married to a British officer at
+Fort Niagara, by the name of Johnson, who at the time she was taken,
+took a gold ring from her finger, without any compliments or ceremonies.
+When he saw her at Niagara he recognized her features, restored the ring
+that he had so impolitely borrowed, and courted and married her.
+
+Previous to the battle at Fort Stanwix, the British sent for the Indians
+to come and see them whip the rebels; and, at the same time stated that
+they did not wish to have them fight, but wanted to have them just sit
+down smoke their pipes, and look on. Our Indians went, to a man; but
+contrary to their expectation, instead of smoking and looking on, they
+were obliged to fight for their lives, and in the end of the battle were
+completely beaten, with a great loss in killed and wounded. Our Indians
+alone had thirty-six killed, and a great number wounded. Our town
+exhibited a scene of real sorrow and distress, when our warriors
+returned and recounted their misfortunes, and stated the real loss they
+had sustained in the engagement. The mourning was excessive, and was
+expressed by the most doleful yells, shrieks, and howlings, and by
+inimitable gesticulations.
+
+During the revolution, my house was the home of Col's Butler and Brandt,
+whenever they chanced to come into our neighborhood as they passed to
+and from Fort Niagara, which was the seat of their military operations.
+Many and many a night I have pounded samp for them from sun-set till
+sun-rise, and furnished them with necessary provision and clean clothing
+for their journey.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+Gen. Sullivan with a large army arrives at Canandaigua.--Indians'
+troubles.--Determine to stop their march.--Skirmish at Connessius
+Lake.--Circumstances attending the Execution of an Oneida warrior.
+Escape of an Indian Prisoner.--Lieut. Boyd and another man taken
+Prisoners.--Cruelty of Boyd's Execution.--Indians retreat to the
+woods.--Sullivan comes on to Genesee Flats and destroys the property
+of the Indians.--Returns.--Indians return.--Mrs. Jemison goes to
+Gardow.--Her Employment there.--Attention of an old Negro to her
+safety, &c.--Severe Winter.--Sufferings of the Indians.--Destruction
+of Game.--Indians' Expedition to the Mohawk.--Capture old John O'Bail,
+&c.--Other Prisoners taken, &c.
+
+For four or five years we sustained no loss in the war, except in the
+few who had been killed in distant battles; and our tribe, because of
+the remoteness of its situation, from the enemy, felt secure from an
+attack. At length, in the fall of 1779, intelligence was received that
+a large and powerful army of the rebels, under the command of General
+Sullivan, was making rapid progress towards our settlement, burning
+and destroying the huts and corn-fields; killing the cattle, hogs
+and horses, and cutting down the fruit trees belonging to the Indians
+throughout the country.
+
+Our Indians immediately became alarmed, and suffered every thing but
+death from fear that they should be taken by surprize, and totally
+destroyed at a single blow. But in order to prevent so great a
+catastrophe, they sent out a few spies who were to keep themselves at
+a short distance in front of the invading army, in order to watch its
+operations, and give information of its advances and success.
+
+Sullivan arrived at Canandaigua Lake, and had finished his work of
+destruction there, and it was ascertained that he was about to march to
+our flats, when our Indians resolved to give him battle on the way, and
+prevent, if possible, the distresses to which they knew we should be
+subjected, if he should succeed in reaching our town. Accordingly they
+sent all their women and children into the woods a little west of Little
+Beard's Town, in order that we might make a good retreat if it should be
+necessary, and then, well armed, set out to face the conquering enemy.
+The place which they fixed upon for their battle ground lay between
+Honeoy Creek and the head of Connessius Lake.
+
+At length a scouting party from Sullivan's army arrived at the spot
+selected, when the Indians arose from their ambush with all the
+fierceness and terror that it was possible for them to exercise, and
+directly put the party upon a retreat. Two Oneida Indians were all the
+prisoners that were taken in that skirmish. One of them was a pilot of
+Gen. Sullivan, and had been very active in the war, rendering to the
+people of the states essential services. At the commencement of the
+revolution he had a brother older than himself, who resolved to join the
+British service, and endeavored by all the art that he was capable of
+using to persuade his brother to accompany him; but his arguments proved
+abortive. This went to the British, and that joined the American army.
+At this critical juncture they met, one in the capacity of a conqueror,
+the other in that of a prisoner; and as an Indian seldom forgets a
+countenance that he has seen, they recognized each other at sight.
+Envy and revenge glared in the features of the conquering savage, as he
+advanced to his brother (the prisoner) in all the haughtiness of
+Indian pride, heightened by a sense of power, and addressed him in the
+following manner:
+
+"Brother, you have merited death! The hatchet or the war-club shall
+finish your career!--When I begged of you to follow me in the fortunes
+of war, you was deaf to my cries--you spurned my entreaties!
+
+"Brother! you have merited death and shall have your deserts! When the
+rebels raised their hatchets to fight their good master, you sharpened
+your knife, you brightened your rifle and led on our foes to the fields
+of our fathers'--You have merited death and shall die by our hands! When
+those rebels had drove us from the fields of our fathers to seek out
+new homes, it was you who could dare to step forth as their pilot, and
+conduct them even to the doors of our wigwams, to butcher our children
+and put us to death! No crime can be greater!--But though you have
+merited death and shall die on this spot, my hands shall not be stained
+in the blood of a brother! _Who will strike_?"
+
+Little Beard, who was standing by, as soon as the speech was ended,
+struck the prisoner on the head with his tomahawk, and despatched him at
+once!
+
+Little Beard then informed the other Indian prisoner that as they were
+at war with the whites only, and not with the Indians, they would spare
+his life, and after a while give him his liberty in an honorable manner.
+The Oneida warrior, however, was jealous of Little Beard's fidelity;
+and suspecting that he should soon fall by his hands, watched for a
+favorable opportunity to make his escape; which he soon effected. Two
+Indians were leading him, one on each side, when he made a violent
+effort, threw them upon the ground, and run for his life towards where
+the main body of the American army was encamped. The Indians pursued
+him without success; but in their absence they fell in with a small
+detachment of Sullivan's men, with whom they had a short but severe
+skirmish, in which they killed a number of the enemy, took Capt. or
+Lieut. William Boyd and one private, prisoners, and brought them to
+Little Beard's Town, where they were soon after put to death in the most
+shocking and cruel manner. Little Beard, in this, as in all other scenes
+of cruelty that happened at his town, was master of ceremonies, and
+principal actor. Poor Boyd was stripped of his clothing, and then tied
+to a sapling, where the Indians menaced his life by throwing their
+tomahawks at the tree, directly over his head, brandishing their
+scalping knives around him in the most frightful manner, and
+accompanying their ceremonies with terrific shouts of joy. Having
+punished him sufficiently in this way, they made a small opening in his
+abdomen, took out an intestine, which they tied to the sapling, and then
+unbound him from the tree, and drove him round it till he had drawn out
+the whole of his intestines. He was then beheaded, his head was stuck
+upon a pole, and his body left on the ground unburied.
+
+Thus ended the life of poor William Boyd, who, it was said, had every
+appearance of being an active and enterprizing officer, of the first
+talents. The other prisoner was (if I remember distinctly) only beheaded
+and left near Boyd.
+
+This tragedy being finished, our Indians again held a short council
+on the expediency of giving Sullivan battle, if he should continue to
+advance, and finally came to the conclusion that they were not strong
+enough to drive him, nor to prevent his taking possession of their
+fields: but that if it was possible they would escape with their own
+lives, preserve their families, and leave their possessions to be
+overrun by the invading army.
+
+The women and children were then sent on still further towards Buffalo,
+to a large creek that was called by the Indians Catawba, accompanied by
+a part of the Indians, while the remainder secreted themselves in the
+woods back of Beard's Town, to watch the movements of the army.
+
+At that time I had three children who went with me on foot, one who rode
+on horse back, and one whom I carried on my back.
+
+Our corn was good that year; a part of which we had gathered and secured
+for winter.
+
+In one or two days after the skirmish at Connissius lake, Sullivan and
+his army arrived at Genesee river, where they destroyed every article of
+the food kind that they could lay their hands on. A pan of our corn they
+burnt, and threw the remainder into the river. They burnt our houses,
+killed what few cattle and horses they could find, destroyed our fruit
+trees, and left nothing but the bare soil and timber. But the Indians
+had eloped and were not to be found.
+
+Having crossed and recrossed the river, and finished the work of
+destruction, the army marched off to the east. Our Indians saw them
+move off, but suspecting that it was Sullivan's intention to watch our
+return, and then to take us by surprize, resolved that the main body of
+our tribe should hunt where we then were, till Sullivan had gone so far
+that there would be no danger of his returning to molest us.
+
+This being agreed to, we hunted continually till the Indians concluded
+that there could be no risk in our once more taking possession of our
+lands. Accordingly we all returned; but what were our feelings when we
+found that there was not a mouthful of any kind of sustenance left, not
+even enough to keep a child one day from perishing with hunger.
+
+The weather by this time had become cold and stormy; and as we were
+destitute of houses and food too, I immediately resolved to take my
+children and look out for myself, without delay. With this intention I
+took two of my little ones on my back, bade the other three follow,
+and the same night arrived on the Gardow flats, where I have ever since
+resided.
+
+At that time, two negroes, who had run away from their masters sometime
+before, were the only inhabitants of those flats. They lived in a small
+cabin and had planted and raised a large field of corn, which they had
+not yet harvested. As they were in want of help to secure their crop, I
+hired to them to husk corn till the whole was harvested.
+
+I have laughed a thousand times to myself when I have thought of the
+good old negro, who hired me, who fearing that I should get taken or
+injured by the Indians, stood by me constantly when I was husking, with
+a loaded gun in his hand, in order to keep off the enemy, and thereby
+lost as much labor of his own as he received from me, by paying good
+wages. I, however, was not displeased with his attention; for I knew
+that I should need all the corn that I could earn, even if I should husk
+the whole. I husked enough for them, to gain for myself, at every tenth
+string, one hundred strings of ears, which were equal to twenty-five
+bushels of shelled corn. This seasonable supply made my family
+comfortable for samp and cakes through the succeeding winter, which was
+the most severe that I have witnessed since my remembrance. The snow
+fell about five feet deep, and remained so for a long time, and the
+weather was extremely cold; so much so indeed, that almost all the game
+upon which the Indians depended for subsistence, perished, and reduced
+them almost to a state of starvation through that and three or four
+succeeding years. When the snow melted in the spring, deer were found
+dead upon the ground in vast numbers; and other animals, of every
+description, perished from the cold also, and were found dead, in
+multitudes. Many of our people barely escaped with their lives, and some
+actually died of hunger and freezing.
+
+But to return from this digression: Having been completely routed at
+Little Beard's Town, deprived of a house, and without the means of
+building one in season, after I had finished my husking, and having
+found from the short acquaintance which I had had with the negroes, that
+they were kind and friendly, I concluded, at their request, to take up
+my residence with them for a while in their cabin, till I should be able
+to provide a hut for myself. I lived more comfortable than I expected to
+through the winter, and the next season made a shelter for myself.
+
+The negroes continued on my flats two or three years after this, and
+then left them for a place that they expected would suit them much
+better. But as that land became my own in a few years, by virtue of a
+deed from the Chiefs of the Six Nations, I have lived there from that to
+the present time.
+
+My flats were cleared before I saw them; and it was the opinion of the
+oldest Indians that were at Genishau, at the time that I first went
+there, that all the flats on the Genesee river were improved before any
+of the Indian tribes ever saw them. I well remember that soon after I
+went to Little Beard's Town, the banks of Fall-Brook were washed off,
+which left a large number of human bones uncovered. The Indians then
+said that those were not the bones of Indians, because they had never
+heard of any of their dead being buried there; but that they were the
+bones of a race of men who a great many moons before, cleared that land
+and lived on the flats.
+
+The next summer after Sullivan's campaign, our Indians, highly incensed
+at the whites for the treatment they had received, and the sufferings
+which they had consequently endured, determined to obtain some redress
+by destroying their frontier settlements. Corn Planter, otherwise called
+John O'Bail, led the Indians, and an officer by the name of Johnston
+commanded the British in the expedition. The force was large, and so
+strongly bent upon revenge and vengeance, that seemingly nothing could
+avert its march, nor prevent its depredations. After leaving Genesee
+they marched directly to some of the head waters of the Susquehannah
+river, and Schoharie Creek, went down that creek to the Mohawk river,
+thence up that river to Fort Stanwix, and from thence came home. In
+their route they burnt a number of places; destroyed all the cattle and
+other property that fell in their way; killed a number of white people,
+and brought home a few prisoners.
+
+In that expedition, when they came to Fort Plain, on the Mohawk river,
+Corn Planter and a party of his Indians took old John O'Bail, a white
+man, and made him a prisoner. Old John O'Bail, in his younger days had
+frequently passed through the Indian settlements that lay between
+the Hudson and Fort Niagara, and in some of his excursions had become
+enamored with a squaw, by whom he had a son that was called Corn
+Planter.
+
+Corn Planter, was a chief of considerable eminence; and having been
+informed of his parentage and of the place of his father's residence,
+took the old man at this time, in order that he might make an
+introduction leisurely, and become acquainted with a man to whom, though
+a stranger, he was satisfied that he owed his existence.
+
+After he had taken the old man, his father, he led him as a prisoner ten
+or twelve miles up the river, and then stepped before him, faced about,
+and addressed him in the following terms:--
+
+"My name is John O'Bail, commonly called Corn Planter. I am your son!
+you are my father! You are now my prisoner, and subject to the customs
+of Indian warfare: but you shall not be harmed; you need not fear. I am
+a warrior! Many are the scalps which I have taken! Many prisoners I have
+tortured to death! I am your son! I am a warrior! I was anxious to see
+you, and to greet you in friendship. I went to your cabin and took you
+by force! But your life shall be spared. Indians love their friends and
+their kindred, and treat them with kindness. If now you choose to follow
+the fortune of your yellow son, and to live with our people, I will
+cherish your old age with plenty of venison, and you shall live easy:
+But if it is your choice to return to your fields and live with your
+white children, I will send a party of my trusty young men to conduct
+you back in safety. I respect you, my father; you have been friendly to
+Indians, and they are your friends."
+
+Old John chose to return. Corn Planter, as good as his word, ordered an
+escort to attend him home, which they did with the greatest care.
+
+Amongst the prisoners that were brought to Genesee, was William Newkirk,
+a man by the name of Price, and two negroes.
+
+Price lived a while with Little Beard, and afterwards with Jack Berry,
+an Indian. When he left Jack Berry he went to Niagara, where he now
+resides.
+
+Newkirk was brought to Beard's Town, and lived with Little Beard and at
+Fort Niagara about one year, and then enlisted under Butler, and went
+with him on an expedition to the Monongahela.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+Life of Ebenezer Allen, a Tory.--He comes to Gardow.--His intimacy
+with a Nanticoke Squaw.--She gives him a Cap.--Her Husband's
+jealousy.--Cruelty to his Wife.--Hiokatoo's Mandate.--Allen supports
+her.--Her Husband is received into favor.--Allen labors.--Purchases
+Goods.--Stops the Indian War.--His troubles with the Indians.--Marries
+a Squaw.--Is taken and carried to Quebec.--Acquitted.--Goes to
+Philadelphia.--Returns to Genesee with a Store of Goods, &c.--Goes to
+Farming.--Moves to Allen's Creek.--Builds Mills at Rochester.--Drowns
+a Dutchman.--Marries a white Wife.--Kills an old Man.--Gets a
+Concubine.--Moves to Mt. Morris.--Marries a third Wife and gets another
+Concubine.--Receives a tract of Land.--Sends his Children to other
+States, &c.--Disposes of his Land.--Moves to Grand River, where he
+dies.--His Cruelties.
+
+Sometime near the close of the revolutionary war, a white man by the
+name of Ebenezer Allen, left his people in the state of Pennsylvania on
+the account of some disaffection towards his countrymen, and came to the
+Genesee river, to reside with the Indians. He tarried at Genishau a few
+days, and came up to Gardow, where I then resided.--He was, apparently,
+without any business that would support him; but he soon became
+acquainted with my son Thomas, with whom he hunted for a long time, and
+made his home with him at my house; winter came on, and he continued his
+stay.
+
+When Allen came to my house, I had a white man living on my land,
+who had a Nanticoke squaw for his wife, with whom he had lived very
+peaceably; for he was a moderate man commonly, and she was a kind,
+gentle, cunning creature. It so happened that he had no hay for his
+cattle; so that in the winter he was obliged to drive them every day,
+perhaps half a mile from his house, to let them feed on rushes, which in
+those days were so numerous as to nearly cover the ground.
+
+Allen having frequently seen the squaw in the fall, took the opportunity
+when her husband was absent with his cows, daily to make her a visit;
+and in return for his kindnesses she made and gave him a red cap
+finished and decorated in the highest Indian style.
+
+The husband had for some considerable length of time felt a degree of
+jealousy that Allen was trespassing upon him with the consent of his
+squaw; but when he saw Allen dressed in so fine an Indian cap, and found
+that his dear Nanticoke had presented it to him, his doubts all left
+him, and he became so violently enraged that he caught her by the hair
+of her head, dragged her on the ground to my house, a distance of forty
+rods, and threw her in at the door. Hiokatoo, my husband, exasperated
+at the sight of so much inhumanity, hastily took down his old tomahawk,
+which for awhile had lain idle, shook it over the cuckold's head, and
+bade him jogo (i. e. go off.) The enraged husband, well knowing that he
+should feel a blow if he waited to hear the order repeated, instantly
+retreated, and went down the river to his cattle. We protected the poor
+Nanticoke woman, and gave her victuals; and Allen sympathized with
+her in her misfortunes till spring, when her husband came to her,
+acknowledged his former errors, and that he had abused her without a
+cause, promised a reformation, and she received him with every mark of
+a renewal of her affection. They went home lovingly, and soon after
+removed to Niagara.
+
+The same spring, Allen commenced working my flats, and continued to
+labor there till after the peace in 1783. He then went to Philadelphia
+on some business that detained him but a few days, and returned with a
+horse and some dry goods, which he carried to a place that is now called
+Mount Morris, where he built or bought a small house.
+
+The British and Indians on the Niagara frontier, dissatisfied with the
+treaty of peace, were determined, at all hazards, to continue their
+depredations upon the white settlements which lay between them and
+Albany. They actually made ready, and were about setting out on an
+expedition to that effect, when Allen (who by this time understood
+their customs of war) took a belt of wampum, which he had fraudulently
+procured, and carried it as a token of peace from the Indians to the
+commander of the nearest American military post.
+
+The Indians were soon answered by the American officer that the wampum
+was cordially accepted and, that a continuance of peace was ardently
+wished for. The Indians, at this, were chagrined and disappointed beyond
+measure; but as they held the wampum to be a sacred thing, they dared
+not to go against the import of its meaning, and immediately buried the
+hatchet as it respected the people of the United State; and smoked
+the pipe of peace. They, however, resolved to punish Allen for his
+officiousness in meddling with their national affairs, by presenting the
+sacred wampum without their knowledge, and went about devising means for
+his detection. A party was accordingly despatched from Fort Niagara to
+apprehend him; with orders to conduct him to that post for trial, or for
+safe keeping, till such time as his fate should be determined upon in a
+legal manner.
+
+The party came on; but before it arrived at Gardow, Allen got news of
+its approach, and fled for safety, leaving the horse and goods that he
+had brought from Philadelphia, an easy prey to his enemies. He had not
+been long absent when they arrived at Gardow, where they made diligent
+search for him till they were satisfied that they could not find him,
+and then seized the effects which he had left, and returned to Niagara.
+My son Thomas, went with them, with Allen's horse, and carried the
+goods.
+
+Allen, on finding that his enemies had gone, came back to my house,
+where he lived as before; but of his return they were soon notified at
+Niagara, and Nettles (who married Priscilla Ramsay) with a small party
+of Indians came on to take him. He, however, by some means found that
+they were near, and gave me his box of money and trinkets to keep
+safely, till he called for it, and again took to the woods.
+
+Nettles came on determined at all events to take him before he went
+back; and, in order to accomplish his design, he, with his Indians,
+hunted in the day time and lay by at night at my house, and in that way
+they practised for a number of days. Allen watched the motion of his
+pursuers, and every night after they had gone to rest, came home and got
+some food, and then returned to his retreat. It was in the fall, and the
+weather was cold and rainy, so that he suffered extremely. Some nights
+he sat in my chamber till nearly day-break, while his enemies were
+below, and when the time arrived I assisted him to escape unnoticed.
+
+Nettles at length abandoned the chase--went home, and Allen, all in
+tatters, came in. By running in the woods his clothing had become
+torn into rags, so that he was in a suffering condition, almost naked.
+Hiokatoo gave him a blanket, and a piece of broadcloth for a pair of
+trowsers. Allen made his trowsers himself, and then built a raft, on
+which he went down the river to his own place at Mount Morris.
+
+About that time he married a squaw, whose name was Sally.
+
+The Niagara people finding that he was at his own house, came and took
+him by surprize when he least expected them, and carried him to Niagara.
+Fortunately for him, it so happened that just as they arrived at
+the fort, a house took fire and his keepers all left him to save the
+building, if possible. Allen had supposed his doom to be nearly sealed;
+but finding himself at liberty he took to his heels, left his escort to
+put out the fire, and ran to Tonnawanta. There an Indian gave him some
+refreshment, and a good gun, with which he hastened on to Little Beard's
+Town, where he found his squaw. Not daring to risk himself at that place
+for fear of being given up, he made her but a short visit, and came
+immediately to Gardow.
+
+Just as he got to the top of the hill above the Gardow flats, he
+discovered a party of British soldiers and Indians in pursuit of him;
+and in fact they were so near that he was satisfied that they saw him,
+and concluded that it would be impossible for him to escape. The love
+of liberty, however, added to his natural swiftness, gave him sufficient
+strength to make his escape to his former castle of safety. His pursuers
+came immediately to my house, where they expected to have found him
+secreted, and under my protection. They told me where they had seen
+him but a few moments before, and that they were confident that it was
+within my power to put him into their hands. As I was perfectly clear
+of having had any hand in his escape, I told them plainly that I had not
+seen him since he was taken to Niagara, and that I could give them no
+information at all respecting him. Still unsatisfied, and doubting my
+veracity, they advised my Indian brother to use his influence to draw
+from me the secret of his concealment, which they had an idea that
+I considered of great importance, not only to him but to myself. I
+persisted in my ignorance of his situation, and finally they left me.
+
+Although I had not seen Allen, I knew his place of security, and was
+well aware that if I told them the place where he had formerly hid
+himself, they would have no difficulty in making him a prisoner.
+
+He came to my house in the night, and awoke me with the greatest
+caution, fearing that some of his enemies might be watching to take him
+at a time when, and in a place where it would be impossible for him to
+make his escape. I got up and assured him that he was then safe; but
+that his enemies would return early in the morning and search him out if
+it should be possible. Having given him some victuals, which he received
+thankfully, I told him to go, but to return the next night to a certain
+corner of the fence near my house where he would find a quantity of meal
+that I would have well prepared and deposited there for his use.
+
+Early the next morning, Nettles and his company came in while I was
+pounding the meal for Allen, and insisted upon my giving him up. I
+again told them that I did not know where he was, and that I could not,
+neither would I, tell them any thing about him. I well knew that Allen
+considered his life in my hands; and although it was my intention not
+to lie, I was fully determined to keep his situation a profound secret.
+They continued their labor and examined (as they supposed) every
+crevice, gully, tree and hollow log in the neighboring woods, and at
+last concluded that he had left the country, and gave him up for lost,
+and went home.
+
+At that time Allen lay in a secret place in the gulph a short distance
+above my flats, in a hole that he accidentally found in the rock near
+the river. At night he came and got the meal at the corner of the fence
+as I had directed him, and afterwards lived in the gulph two weeks.
+Each night he came to the pasture and milked one of my cows, without any
+other vessel in which to receive the milk than his hat, out of which he
+drank it. I supplied him with meal, but fearing to build a fire he was
+obliged to eat it raw and wash it down with the milk. Nettles having
+left our neighborhood, and Allen considering himself safe, left his
+little cave and came home. I gave him his box of money and trinkets, and
+he went to his own house at Mount Morris. It was generally considered by
+the Indians of our tribe, that Allen was an innocent man, and that the
+Niagara people were persecuting him without a just cause. Little Beard,
+then about to go to the eastward on public business, charged his Indians
+not to meddle with Allen, but to let him live amongst them peaceably,
+and enjoy himself with his family and property if he could. Having the
+protection of the chief, he felt himself safe, and let his situation be
+known to the whites from whom he suspected no harm. They, however, were
+more inimical than our Indians and were easily bribed by Nettles to
+assist in bringing him to justice. Nettles came on, and the whites, as
+they had agreed, gave poor Allen up to him. He was bound and carried
+to Niagara, where he was confined in prison through the winter. In the
+spring he was taken to Montreal or Quebec for trial, and was honorably
+acquitted. The crime for which he was tried was, for his having carried
+the wampum to the Americans, and thereby putting too sudden a stop to
+their war.
+
+From the place of his trial he went directly to Philadelphia, and
+purchased on credit, a boat load of goods which he brought by water to
+Conhocton, where he left them and came to Mount Morris for assistance
+to get them brought on. The Indians readily went with horses and brought
+them to his house, where he disposed of his dry goods; but not daring to
+let the Indians begin to drink strong liquor, for fear of the quarrels
+which would naturally follow, he sent his spirits to my place and we
+sold them. For his goods he received ginseng roots, principally, and a
+few skins. Ginseng at that time was plenty, and commanded a high price.
+We prepared the whole that he received for the market, expecting that he
+would carry them to Philadelphia. In that I was disappointed; for when
+he had disposed of, and got pay for all his goods, he took the ginseng
+and skins to Niagara, and there sold them and came home.
+
+Tired of dealing in goods, he planted a large field of corn on or near
+his own land, attended to it faithfully, and succeeded in raising a
+large crop, which he harvested, loaded into canoes and carried down
+the river to the mouth of Allen's Creek, then called by the Indians
+Gin-is-a-ga, where he unloaded it, built him a house, and lived with his
+family.
+
+The next season he planted corn at that place and built a grist and saw
+mill on Genesee Falls, now called Rochester.
+
+At the time Allen built the mills, he had an old German living with him
+by the name of Andrews, whom he sent in a canoe down the river with his
+mill irons. Allen went down at the same time; but before they got to the
+mills Allen threw the old man overboard and drowned him, as it was then
+generally believed, for he was never seen or heard of afterwards.
+
+In the course of the season in which Allen built his mills, he became
+acquainted with the daughter of a white man, who was moving to Niagara.
+She was handsome, and Allen soon got into her good graces, so that he
+married and took her home, to be a joint partner with Sally, the squaw,
+whom she had never heard of till she got home and found her in full
+possession; but it was too late for her to retrace the hasty steps she
+had taken, for her father had left her in the care of a tender husband
+and gone on. She, however, found that she enjoyed at least an equal half
+of her husband's affections, and made herself contented. Her father's
+name I have forgotten, but her's was Lucy.
+
+Allen was not contented with two wives, for in a short time after he had
+married Lucy he came up to my house, where he found a young woman who
+had an old husband with her. They had been on a long journey, and called
+at my place to recruit and rest themselves. She filled Allen's eye,
+and he accordingly fixed upon a plan to get her into his possession. He
+praised his situation, enumerated his advantages, and finally persuaded
+them to go home and tarry with him a few days at least, and partake of
+a part of his comforts. They accepted his generous invitation and went
+home with him. But they had been there but two or three days when
+Allen took the old gentleman out to view his flats; and as they were
+deliberately walking on the bank of the river, pushed him into the
+water. The old man, almost strangled, succeeded in getting out; but his
+fall and exertions had so powerful an effect upon his system that he
+died in two or three days, and left his young widow to the protection
+of his murderer. She lived with him about one year in a state of
+concubinage and then left him.
+
+How long Allen lived at Allen's Creek I am unable to state; but soon
+after the young widow left him, he removed to his old place at Mount
+Morris, and built a house, where he made Sally, his squaw, by whom he
+had two daughters, a slave to Lucy, by whom he had had one son; still,
+however, he considered Sally to be his wife.
+
+After Allen came to Mt. Morris at that time, he married a girl by the
+name of Morilla Gregory, whose father at the time lived on Genesee
+Flats. The ceremony being over, he took her home to live in common with
+his other wives; but his house was too small for his family; for Sally
+and Lucy, conceiving that their lawful privileges would be abridged if
+they received a partner, united their strength and whipped poor Morilla
+so cruelly that he was obliged to keep her in a small Indian house a
+short distance from his own, or lose her entirely. Morilla, before she
+left Mt. Morris, had four children.
+
+One of Morilla's sisters lived with Allen about a year after Morilla was
+married, and then quit him.
+
+A short time after they all got to living at Mt. Morris, Allen prevailed
+upon the Chiefs to give to his Indian children, a tract of land four
+miles square, where he then resided. The Chiefs gave them the land, but
+he so artfully contrived the conveyance, that he could apply it to his
+own use, and by alienating his right, destroy the claim of his children.
+
+Having secured the land, in that way, to himself, he sent his two Indian
+girls to Trenton, (N.J.) and his white son to Philadelphia, for the
+purpose of giving each of them a respectable English education.
+
+While his children were at school, he went to Philadelphia, and sold his
+right to the land which he had begged of the Indians for his children to
+Robert Morris. After that, he sent for his daughters to come home, which
+they did.
+
+Having disposed of the whole of his property on the Genesee river, he
+took his two white wives and their children, together with his effects,
+and removed to a Delaware town on the river De Trench, in Upper Canada.
+When he left Mt. Morris, Sally, his squaw, insisted upon going with
+him, and actually followed him, crying bitterly, and praying for his
+protection some two or three miles, till he absolutely bade her leave
+him, or he would punish her with severity.
+
+At length, finding her case hopeless, she returned to the Indians.
+
+At the great treaty at Big Tree, one of Allen's daughters claimed the
+land which he had sold to Morris. The claim was examined and decided
+against her in favor of Ogden, Trumbull, Rogers and others, who were the
+creditors of Robert Morris. Allen yet believed that his daughter had an
+indisputable right to the land in question, and got me to go with mother
+Farly, a half Indian woman, to assist him by interceding with Morris for
+it, and to urge the propriety of her claim. We went to Thomas Morris,
+and having stated to him our business, he told us plainly that he had no
+land to give away, and that as the title was good, he never would allow
+Allen, nor his heirs, one foot, or words to that effect. We returned
+to Allen the answer we had received, and he, conceiving all further
+attempts to be useless, went home.
+
+He died at the Delaware town, on the river De Trench, in the year
+1814 or 15, and left two white widows and one squaw, with a number of
+children, to lament his loss.
+
+By his last will he gave all his property to his last wife (Morilla,)
+and her children, without providing in the least for the support of
+Lucy, or any of the other members of his family. Lucy, soon after his
+death, went with her children down the Ohio river, to receive assistance
+from her friends.
+
+In the revolutionary war, Allen was a tory, and by that means became
+acquainted with our Indians, when they were in the neighborhood of his
+native place, desolating the settlements on the Susquehannah. In those
+predatory battles, he joined them, and (as I have often heard the
+Indians say,) for cruelty was not exceeded by any of his Indian
+comrades!
+
+At one time, when he was scouting with the Indians in the Susquehannah
+country, he entered a house very early in the morning, where he found a
+man, his wife, and one child, in bed. The man, as he entered the door,
+instantly sprang on the floor, for the purpose of defending himself and
+little family; but Allen dispatched him at one blow. He then cut off his
+head and threw it bleeding into the bed with the terrified woman; took
+the little infant from its mother's breast, and holding it by its legs,
+dashed its head against the jamb, and left the unhappy widow and mother
+to mourn alone over her murdered family. It has been said by some, that
+after he had killed the child, he opened the fire and buried it under
+the coals and embers: But of that I am not certain. I have often heard
+him speak of that transaction with a great degree of sorrow, and as the
+foulest crime he had ever committed--one for which I have no doubt he
+repented.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+Mrs. Jemison has liberty to go to her Friends.--Chooses to stay.--Her
+Reasons, &c.--Her Indian Brother makes provision for her Settlement.--He
+goes to Grand River and dies.--Her Love for him, &c.--She is presented
+with the Gardow Reservation.--Is troubled by Speculators.--Description
+of the Soil, &c. of her Flats.--Indian notions of the ancient
+Inhabitants of this Country.
+
+Soon after the close of the revolutionary war, my Indian brother,
+Kau-jises-tau-ge-au (which being interpreted signifies Black Coals,)
+offered me my liberty, and told me that if it was my choice I might go
+to my friends.
+
+My son, Thomas, was anxious that I should go; and offered to go with me
+and assist me on the journey, by taking care of the younger children,
+and providing food as we travelled through the wilderness. But the
+Chiefs of our tribe, suspecting from his appearance, actions, and a
+few warlike exploits, that Thomas would be a great warrior, or a good
+counsellor, refused to let him leave them on any account whatever.
+
+To go myself, and leave him, was more than I felt able to do; for he
+had been kind to me, and was one on whom I placed great dependence. The
+Chiefs refusing to let him go, was one reason for my resolving to stay;
+but another, more powerful, if possible, was, that I had got a large
+family of Indian children, that I must take with me; and that if I
+should be so fortunate as to find my relatives, they would despise them,
+if not myself; and treat us as enemies; or, at least with a degree of
+cold indifference, which I thought I could not endure.
+
+Accordingly, after I had duly considered the matter, I told my brother
+that it was my choice to stay and spend the remainder of my days with
+my Indian friends, and live with my family as I had heretofore done. He
+appeared well pleased with my resolution, and informed me, that as that
+was my choice, I should have a piece of land that I could call my own,
+where I could live unmolested, and have something at my decease to leave
+for the benefit of my children.
+
+In a short time he made himself ready to go to Upper Canada; but before
+he left us, he told me that he would speak to some of the Chiefs at
+Buffalo, to attend the great Council, which he expected would convene
+in a few years at farthest, and convey to me such a tract of land as I
+should select. My brother left us, as he had proposed, and soon after
+died at Grand River.
+
+Kaujisestaugeau, was an excellent man, and ever treated me with
+kindness. Perhaps no one of his tribe at any time exceeded him in
+natural mildness of temper, and warmth and tenderness of affection.
+If he had taken my life at the time when the avarice of the old King
+inclined him to procure my emancipation, it would have been done with
+a pure heart and from good motives. He loved his friends; and was
+generally beloved. During the time that I lived in the family with him,
+he never offered the most trifling abuse; on the contrary, his whole
+conduct towards me was strictly honorable. I mourned his loss as that of
+a tender brother, and shall recollect him through life with emotions of
+friendship and gratitude.
+
+I lived undisturbed, without hearing a word on the subject of my land,
+till the great Council was held at Big Tree, in 1797, when Farmer's
+Brother, whose Indian name is Ho-na-ye-wus, sent for me to attend the
+council. When I got there, he told me that my brother had spoken to him
+to see that I had a piece of land reserved for my use; and that then
+was the time for me to receive it.--He requested that I would choose
+for myself and describe the bounds of a piece that would suit me. I
+accordingly told him the place of beginning, and then went round a tract
+that I judged would be sufficient for my purpose, (knowing that it would
+include the Gardow Flats,) by stating certain bounds with which I was
+acquainted.
+
+When the Council was opened, and the business afforded a proper
+opportunity, Farmer's Brother presented my claim, and rehearsed
+the request of my brother. Red Jacket, whose Indian name is
+Sagu-yu-what-hah, which interpreted, as Keeper-awake, opposed me or my
+claim with all his influence and eloquence. Farmer's Brother insisted
+upon the necessity, propriety and expediency of his proposition, and got
+the land granted. The deed was made and signed, securing to me the
+title to all the land I had described; under the same restrictions and
+regulations that other Indian lands are subject to.
+
+That land has ever since been known by the name of the Gardow Tract.
+
+Red Jacket not only opposed my claim at the Council, but he withheld my
+money two or three years, on the account of my lands having been granted
+without his consent. Parrish and Jones at length convinced him that it
+was the white people, and not the Indians who had given me the land,
+and compelled him to pay over all the money which he had retained on my
+account.
+
+My land derived its name, Gardow, from a hill that is within its limits,
+which is called in the Seneca language Kau-tam. Kautam when interpreted
+signifies up and down, or down and up, and is applied to a hill that you
+will ascend and descend in passing it; or to a valley. It has been
+said that Gardow was the name of my husband Hiokatoo, and that my land
+derived its name from him; that however was a mistake, for the old man
+always considered Gardow a nickname, and was uniformly offended when
+called by it.
+
+About three hundred acres of my land, when I first saw it, was open
+flats, lying on the Genesee River, which it is supposed was cleared by
+a race of inhabitants who preceded the first Indian settlements in this
+part of the country. The Indians are confident that many parts of this
+country were settled and for a number of years occupied by people of
+whom their fathers never had any tradition, as they never had seen them.
+Whence those people originated, and whither they went, I have never
+heard one of our oldest and wisest Indians pretend to guess. When I
+first came to Genishau, the bank of Fall Brook had just slid off and
+exposed a large number of human bones, which the Indians said were
+buried there long before their fathers ever saw the place; and that
+they did not know what kind of people they were. It however was and is
+believed by our people, that they were not Indians.
+
+My flats were extremely fertile; but needed more labor than my daughters
+and myself were able to perform, to produce a sufficient quantity of
+grain and other necessary productions of the earth, for the consumption
+of our family. The land had lain uncultivated so long that it was
+thickly covered with weeds of almost every description. In order that we
+might live more easy, Mr. Parrish, with the consent of the chiefs, gave
+me liberty to lease or my land to white people to till on shares. I
+accordingly let it out, and have continued to do so, which makes my task
+less burthensome, while at the same time I am more comfortably supplied
+with the means of support.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+Happy situation of her Family.--Disagreement between her sons Thomas
+and John.--Her Advice to them, &c.--John kills Thomas;--Her
+Affliction.--Council. Decision of the Chiefs, &c.--Life of Thomas.--His
+Wives, Children; &c.--Cause of his Death, &c.
+
+I have frequently heard it asserted by white people, and can truly say
+from my own experience that the time at which parents take the most
+satisfaction and comfort with their families is when their children are
+young, incapable of providing for their own wants, and are about the
+fireside, where they can be daily observed and instructed.
+
+Few mothers, perhaps, have had less trouble with their children during
+their minority than myself. In general, my children were friendly to
+each other, and it was very seldom that I knew them to have the
+least difference or quarrel: so far, indeed, were they from rendering
+themselves or me uncomfortable, that I considered myself happy--more so
+than commonly falls to the lot of parents, especially to women.
+
+My happiness in this respect, however, was not without alloy; for my son
+Thomas, from some cause unknown to me, from the time he was a small lad,
+always called his brother John, a witch, which was the cause, as they
+grew towards manhood, of frequent and severe quarrels between them, and
+gave me much trouble and anxiety for their safety. After Thomas and
+John arrived to manhood, in addition to the former charge, John got two
+wives, with whom he lived till the time of his death. Although polygamy
+was tolerated in our tribe, Thomas considered it a violation of good
+and wholesome rules in society, and tending directly to destroy that
+friendly social intercourse and love, that ought to be the happy result
+of matrimony and chastity. Consequently, he frequently reprimanded
+John, by telling him that his conduct was beneath the dignity,
+and inconsistent with the principles of good Indians; indecent and
+unbecoming a gentleman; and, as he never could reconcile himself to it,
+he was frequently, almost constantly, when they were together, talking
+to him on the same subject. John always resented such reprimand, and
+reproof, with a great degree of passion, though they never quarrelled,
+unless Thomas was intoxicated.
+
+In his fits of drunkenness, Thomas seemed to lose all his natural
+reason, and to conduct like a wild or crazy man, without regard to
+relatives, decency or propriety. At such times he often threatened to
+take my life for having raised a witch, (as he called John,) and has
+gone so far as to raise his tomahawk to split my head. He, however,
+never struck me; but on John's account he struck Hiokatoo, and thereby
+excited in John a high degree of indignation, which was extinguished
+only by blood.
+
+For a number of years their difficulties, and consequent unhappiness,
+continued and rather increased, continually exciting in my breast the
+most fearful apprehensions, and greatest anxiety for their safety. With
+tears in my eyes, I advised them to become reconciled to each other,
+and to be friendly; told them the consequences of their continuing
+to cherish so much malignity and malice, that it would end in their
+destruction, the disgrace of their families, and bring me down to the
+grave. No one can conceive of the constant trouble that I daily endured
+on their account--on the account of my two oldest sons, whom I loved
+equally, and with all the feelings and affection of a tender mother,
+stimulated by an anxious concern for their fate. Parents, mothers
+especially, will love their children, though ever so unkind and
+disobedient. Their eyes of compassion, of real sentimental affection,
+will be involuntarily extended after them, in their greatest excesses
+of iniquity; and those fine filaments of consanguinity, which gently
+entwine themselves around the heart where filial love and parental
+care is equal, will be lengthened, and enlarged to cords seemingly of
+sufficient strength to reach and reclaim the wanderer. I know that such
+exercises are frequently unavailing; but, notwithstanding their ultimate
+failure, it still remains true, and ever will, that the love of a parent
+for a disobedient child, will increase, and grow more and more ardent,
+so long as a hope of its reformation is capable of stimulating a
+disappointed breast.
+
+My advice and expostulations with my sons were abortive; and year after
+year their disaffection for each other increased. At length, Thomas
+came to my house on the 1st day of July, 1811, in my absence, somewhat
+intoxicated, where he found John, with whom he immediately commenced
+a quarrel on their old subjects of difference.--John's anger became
+desperate. He caught Thomas by the hair of his head, dragged him out at
+the door and there killed him, by a blow which he gave him on the head
+with his tomahawk!
+
+I returned soon after, and found my son lifeless at the door, on the
+spot where he was killed! No one can judge of my feelings on seeing this
+mournful spectacle; and what greatly added to my distress, was the
+fact that he had fallen by the murderous hand of his brother! I felt my
+situation unsupportable. Having passed through various scenes of trouble
+of the most cruel and trying kind, I had hoped to spend my few remaining
+days in quietude, and to die in peace, surrounded by my family. This
+fatal event, however, seemed to be a stream of woe poured into my cup
+of afflictions, filling it even to overflowing, and blasting all my
+prospects.
+
+As soon as I had recovered a little from the shock which I felt at the
+sight of my departed son, and some of my neighbors had come in to
+assist in taking care of the corpse, I hired Shanks, an Indian, to go to
+Buffalo, and carry the sorrowful news of Thomas' death, to our friends
+at that place, and request the Chiefs to hold a Council, and dispose
+of John as they should think proper. Shanks set out on his errand
+immediately,--and John, fearing that he should be apprehended and
+punished for the crime he had committed, at the same time went off
+towards Caneadea.
+
+Thomas was decently interred in a style corresponding with his rank.
+
+The Chiefs soon assembled in council on the trial of John, and after
+having seriously examined the matter according to their laws, justified
+his conduct, and acquitted him. They considered Thomas to have been the
+first transgressor, and that for the abuses which he had offered, he had
+merited from John the treatment that he had received.
+
+John, on learning the decision of the council, returned to his family.
+
+Thomas (except when intoxicated, which was not frequent,) was a kind
+and tender child, willing to assist me in my labor, and to remove every
+obstacle to my comfort. His natural abilities were said to be of a
+superior cast, and he soared above the trifling subjects of revenge,
+which are common amongst Indians, as being far beneath his attention.
+In his childish and boyish days, his natural turn was to practise in the
+art of war, though he despised the cruelties that the warriors
+inflicted upon their subjugated enemies. He was manly in his deportment,
+courageous and, active; and commanded respect. Though he appeared well
+pleased with peace, he was cunning in Indian warfare, and succeeded to
+admiration in the execution of his plans.
+
+At the age of fourteen or fifteen years, he went into the war with
+manly fortitude, armed with a tomahawk and scalping knife; and when he
+returned, brought one white man a prisoner, whom he had taken with his
+own hands, on the west branch of the Susquehannah river. It so happened,
+that as he was looking out for his enemies, he discovered two men
+boiling sap in the woods. He watched them unperceived, till dark when he
+advanced with a noiseless step to where they were standing, caught one
+of them before they were apprized of danger, and conducted him to the
+camp. He was well treated while a prisoner, and redeemed at the close of
+the war.
+
+At the time Kaujisestaugeau gave me my liberty to go to my friends,
+Thomas was anxious to go with me; but as I have before observed, the
+Chiefs would not suffer him to leave them on the account of his courage
+and skill in war: expecting that they should need his assistance. He
+was a great Counsellor and a Chief when quite young; and in the last
+capacity, went two or three times to Philadelphia to assist in making
+treaties with the people of the states.
+
+Thomas had four wives, by whom he had eight children. Jacob Jemison,
+his second son by his last wife, who is at this time twenty-seven or
+twenty-eight years of age, went to Dartmouth college, in the spring of
+1816, for the purpose of receiving a good education, where it was said
+that he was an industrious scholar, and made great proficiency in the
+study of the different branches to which he attended. Having spent two
+years at that Institution, he returned in the winter of 1818, and is now
+at Buffalo; where I have understood that he contemplates commencing the
+study of medicine, as a profession.
+
+Thomas, at the time he was killed, was a few moons over fifty-two years
+old, and John was forty-eight. As he was naturally good natured, and
+possessed a friendly disposition, he would not have come to so untimely
+an end, had it not been far his intemperance. He fell a victim to the
+use of ardent spirits--a poison that will soon exterminate the Indian
+tribes in this part of the country, and leave their names without a root
+or branch. The thought is melancholy; but no arguments, no examples,
+however persuasive or impressive, are sufficient to deter an Indian for
+an hour from taking the potent draught, which he knows at the time will
+derange his faculties, reduce him to a level with the beasts, or deprive
+him of life!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+Death of Hiokatoo.--Biography.--His Birth--Education.--Goes against the
+Cherokees, &c.--Bloody Battle, &c.--His success and cruelties in
+the French War.--Battle at Fort Freeland.--Capts. Dougherty and
+Boon killed.--His Cruelties in the neighborhood of Cherry Valley,
+&c.--Indians remove their general Encampment.--In 1782, Col. Crawford is
+sent to destroy them, &c.--Is met by a Traitor,--Battle.--Crawford's
+Men surprized.--Irregular Retreat.--Crawford and Doct. Night
+taken.--Council.--Crawford Condemned and Burnt.--Aggravating
+Circumstances.--Night is sentenced to be Burnt.--Is Painted by
+Hiokatoo.--Is conducted off, &c.--His fortunate Escape.--Hiokatoo in the
+French War takes Col. Canton.--His Sentence.--Is bound on a wild
+Colt that runs loose three days.--Returns Alive.--Is made to run
+the Gauntlet.--Gets knocked down, &c.--Is Redeemed and
+sent Home.--Hiokatoo's Enmity to the Cherokees, &c.--His
+Height--Strength--Speed, &c.
+
+In the month of November 1811, my husband Hiokatoo, who had been sick
+four years of the consumption, died at the advanced age of one hundred
+and three years, as nearly as the time could be estimated. He was the
+last that remained to me of our family connection, or rather of my old
+friends with whom I was adopted, except a part of one family, which now
+lives at Tonewanta.
+
+Hiokatoo was buried decently, and had all the insignia of a veteran
+warrior buried with him; consisting of a war club, tomahawk and scalping
+knife, a powder-flask, flint, a piece of spunk, a small cake and a cup;
+and in his best clothing.
+
+Hiokatoo was an old man when I first saw him; but he was by no means
+enervated. During the term of nearly fifty years that I lived with him,
+I received, according to Indian customs, all the kindness and attention
+that was my due as his wife.--Although war was his trade from his youth
+till old age and decrepitude stopt his career, he uniformly treated me
+with tenderness, and never offered an insult.
+
+I have frequently heard him repeat the history of his life from his
+childhood; and when he came to that part which related to his actions,
+his bravery and his valor in war; when he spoke of the ambush, the
+combat, the spoiling of his enemies and the sacrifice of the victims,
+his nerves seemed strung with youthful ardor, the warmth of the able
+warrior seemed to animate his frame, and to produce the heated gestures
+which he had practised in middle age. He was a man of tender feelings
+to his friends, ready and willing to assist them in distress, yet, as
+a warrior, his cruelties to his enemies perhaps were unparalleled, and
+will not admit a word of palliation.
+
+Hiokatoo, was born in one of the tribes of the Six Nations that
+inhabited the banks of the Susquehannah; or, rather he belonged to a
+tribe of the Senecas that made, at the time of the great Indian treaty,
+a part of those nations. He was own cousin to Farmer's Brother, a
+Chief who has been justly celebrated for his worth. Their mothers were
+sisters, and it was through the influence of Farmer's Brother, that I
+became Hiokatoo's wife.
+
+In early life, Hiokatoo showed signs of thirst for blood, by attending
+only to the art of war, in the use of the tomahawk and scalping knife;
+and in practising cruelties upon every thing that chanced to fall into
+his hands, which was susceptible of pain. In that way he learned to
+use his implements of war effectually, and at the same time blunted all
+those fine feelings and tender sympathies that are naturally excited, by
+hearing or seeing, a fellow being in distress. He could inflict the
+most excruciating tortures upon his enemies, and prided himself upon
+his fortitude, in having performed the most barbarous ceremonies and
+tortures, without the least degree of pity or remorse. Thus qualified,
+when very young he was initiated into scenes of carnage, by being
+engaged in the wars that prevailed amongst the Indian tribes.
+
+In the year 1731, he was appointed a runner, to assist in collecting an
+army to go against the Cotawpes, Cherokees and other southern Indians. A
+large army was collected, and after a long and fatiguing march, met its
+enemies in what was then called the "low, dark and bloody lands," near
+the mouth of Red River, in what is now called the state of Kentucky.
+[Footnote: Those powerful armies met near the place that is now called
+Clarksville, which is situated at the fork where Red River joins the
+Cumberland, a few miles above the line between Kentucky and Tennessee.]
+The Cotawpes [Footnote: The Author acknowledges himself unacquainted,
+from Indian history, with a nation of this name; but as 90 years have
+elapsed since the date of this occurrence, it is highly probable that
+such a nation did exist, and that it was absolutely exterminated at
+that eventful period.] and their associates, had, by some means, been
+apprized of their approach, and lay in ambush to take them at once, when
+they should come within their reach, and destroy the whole army. The
+northern Indians, with their usual sagacity, discovered the situation of
+their enemies, rushed upon the ambuscade and massacred 1200 on the
+spot. The battle continued for two days and two nights, with the utmost
+severity, in which the northern Indians were victorious, and so far
+succeeded in destroying the Cotawpes that they at that time ceased to be
+a nation. The victors suffered an immense loss in killed; but gained the
+hunting ground, which was their grand object, though the Cherokees would
+not give it up in a treaty, or consent to make peace. Bows and arrows,
+at that time were in general use, though a few guns were employed.
+
+From that time he was engaged in a number of battles in which Indians
+only were engaged, and that made fighting his business, till the
+commencement of the French war. In those battles he took a number
+of Indians prisoners, whom he killed by tying them to trees and then
+setting small Indian boys to shooting at them with arrows, till death
+finished the misery of the sufferers; a process that frequently took two
+days for its completion!
+
+During the French war he was in every battle that was fought on the
+Susquehannah and Ohio rivers; and was so fortunate as never to have been
+taken prisoner.
+
+At Braddock's defeat he took two white prisoners, and burnt them alive
+in a fire of his own kindling.
+
+In 1777, he was in the battle at Fort Freeland, in Northumberland
+county, Penn. The fort contained a great number of women and children,
+and was defended only by a small garrison. The force that went against
+it consisted of 100 British regulars, commanded by a Col. McDonald, and
+300 Indians under Hiokatoo. After a short but bloody engagement, the
+fort was surrendered; the women and children were sent under an escort
+to the next fort below, and the men and boys taken off by a party
+of British to the general Indian encampment. As soon as the fort had
+capitulated and the firing had ceased, Hiokatoo with the help of a few
+Indians tomahawked every wounded American while earnestly begging with
+uplifted hands for quarters.
+
+The massacre was but just finished when Capts. Dougherty and Boon
+arrived with a reinforcement to assist the garrison. On their arriving
+in sight of the fort they saw that it had surrendered, and that an
+Indian was holding the flag. This so much inflamed Capt. Dougherty that
+he left his command, stept forward and shot the Indian at the first
+fire. Another took the flag, and had no sooner got it erected than
+Dougherty dropt him as he had the first. A third presumed to hold it,
+who was also shot down by Dougherty. Hiokatoo, exasperated at the sight
+of such bravery, sallied out with a party of his Indians, and killed
+Capts. Dougherty, Boon, and fourteen men, at the first fire. The
+remainder of the two companies escaped by taking to flight, and soon
+arrived at the fort which they had left but a few hours before.
+
+In an expedition that went out against Cherry Valley and the neighboring
+settlements, Captain David, a Mohawk Indian, was first, and Hiokatoo the
+second in command. The force consisted of several hundred Indians,
+who were determined on mischief, and the destruction of the whites. A
+continued series of wantonness and barbarity characterized their career,
+for they plundered and burnt every thing that came in their way, and
+killed a number of persons, among whom were several infants, whom
+Hiokatoo butchered or dashed upon the stones with his own hands. Besides
+the instances which have been mentioned, he was in a number of parties
+during the revolutionary war, where he ever acted a conspicuous part.
+
+The Indians having removed the seat of their depredations and war to
+the frontiers of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and the neighboring
+territories, assembled a large force at Upper Sandusky, their place
+of general rendezvous, from whence they went out to the various places
+which they designed to sacrifice.
+
+Tired of the desolating scenes that were so often witnessed, and feeling
+a confidence that the savages might be subdued, and an end put to their
+crimes, the American government raised a regiment, consisting of 300
+volunteers, for the purpose of dislodging them from their cantonment and
+preventing further barbarities. Col. William Crawford and Lieut. Col.
+David Williamson, men who had been thoroughly tried and approved, were
+commissioned by Gen. Washington to take the command of a service that
+seemed all-important to the welfare of the country. In the month of
+July, 1782, well-armed and provided with a sufficient quantity
+of provision, this regiment made an expeditious march through the
+wilderness to Upper Sandusky, where, as had been anticipated, they found
+the Indians assembled in full force at their encampment, prepared to
+receive an attack.
+
+As Col. Crawford and his brave band advanced, and when they had got
+within a short distance from the town, they were met by a white man,
+with a flag of truce from the Indians, who proposed to Col. Crawford
+that if he would surrender himself and his men to the Indians,
+their lives should be spared; but, that if they persisted in their
+undertaking, and attacked the town, they should all be massacred to a
+man.
+
+Crawford, while hearing the proposition, attentively surveyed its
+bearer, and recognized in his features one of his former schoolmates and
+companions, with whom he was perfectly acquainted, by the name of Simon
+Gurty. Gurty, but a short time before this, had been a soldier in the
+American army, in the same regiment with Crawford; but on the account
+of his not having received the promotion that he expected, he became
+disaffected--swore an eternal war with his countrymen, fled to the
+Indians, and joined them, as a leader well qualified to conduct them
+to where they could satiate their thirst for blood, upon the innocent,
+unoffending and defenceless settlers.
+
+Crawford sternly inquired of the traitor if his name was not Simon
+Gurty; and being answered in the affirmative, he informed him that he
+despised the offer which he had made; and that he would not surrender
+his army unless he should be compelled to do so, by a superior force.
+
+Gurty returned, and Crawford immediately commenced an engagement that
+lasted till night, without the appearance of victory on either side,
+when the firing ceased, and the combatants on both sides retired to take
+refreshment, and to rest through the night. Crawford encamped in the
+woods near half a mile from the town, where, after the centinels were
+placed, and each had taken his ration, they slept on their arms, that
+they might be instantly ready in case they should be attacked. The
+stillness of death hovered over the little army, and sleep relieved the
+whole, except the wakeful centinels who vigilantly attended to their
+duty.--But what was their surprise, when they found late in the night,
+that they were surrounded by the Indians on every side, except a narrow
+space between them and the town? Every man was under arms, and the
+officers instantly consulted each other on the best method of escaping;
+for they saw that to fight, would be useless, and that to surrender,
+would be death.
+
+Crawford proposed a retreat through the ranks of the enemy in an
+opposite direction from the town, as being the most sure course to take.
+Lt. Col. Williamson advised to march directly through the town, where
+there appeared to be no Indians, and the fires were yet burning.
+
+There was no time or place for debates: Col. Crawford, with sixty
+followers retreated on the route that he had proposed by attempting to
+rush through the enemy; but they had no sooner got amongst the Indians,
+than every man was killed or taken prisoner! Amongst the prisoners, were
+Col. Crawford, and Doct. Night, surgeon of the regiment.
+
+Lt. Col. Williamson, with the remainder of the regiment, together with
+the wounded, set out at the same time that Crawford did, went through
+the town without losing a man, and by the help of good guides arrived at
+their homes in safety.
+
+The next day after the engagement the Indians disposed of all their
+prisoners to the different tribes, except Col. Crawford and Doct. Night;
+but those unfortunate men were reserved for a more cruel destiny. A
+council was immediately held on Sandusky plains, consisting of all the
+Chiefs and warriors, ranged in their customary order, in a circular
+form; and Crawford and Night were brought forward and seated in the
+centre of the circle.
+
+The council being opened, the Chiefs began to examine Crawford on
+various subjects relative to the war. At length they enquired who
+conducted the military operations of the American army on the Ohio and
+Susquehannah rivers, during the year before; and who had led that army
+against them with so much skill and so uniform success? Crawford
+very honestly and without suspecting any harm from his reply promptly
+answered that he was the man who had led his countrymen to victory,
+who had driven the enemy from the settlements, and by that means had
+procured a great degree of happiness to many of his fellow-citizens.
+Upon hearing this, a Chief, who had lost a son in the year before, in
+a battle where Colonel Crawford commanded, left his station in the
+council, stepped to Crawford, blacked his face, and at the same time
+told him that the next day he should be burnt.
+
+The council was immediately dissolved on its hearing the sentence from
+the Chief, and the prisoners were taken off the ground, and kept in
+custody through the night. Crawford now viewed his fate as sealed; and
+despairing of ever returning to his home or his country, only dreaded
+the tediousness of death, as commonly inflicted by the savages, and
+earnestly hoped that he might be despatched at a single blow.
+
+Early the next morning, the Indians assembled at the place of execution,
+and Crawford was led to the post--the goal of savage torture, to which
+he was fastened. The post was a stick of timber placed firmly in the
+ground, having an arm framed in at the top, and extending some six
+or eight feet from it, like the arm of a sign post. A pile of wood
+containing about two cords, lay a few feet from the place where he
+stood, which he was informed was to be kindled into a fire that would
+burn him alive, as many had been burnt on the same spot, who had been
+much less deserving than himself.
+
+Gurty stood and supposedly looked on the preparations that were making
+for the funeral of one his former playmates; a hero by whose side he
+had fought; of a man whose valor had won laurels which, if he could
+have returned, would have been strewed upon his grave, by his grateful
+countrymen. Dreading the agony that he saw he was about to feel,
+Crawford used every argument which his perilous situation could suggest
+to prevail upon Gurty to ransom him at any price, and deliver him (as it
+was in his power,) from the savages, and their torments. Gurty heard his
+prayers, and expostulations, and saw his tears with indifference,
+and finally told the forsaken victim that he would not procure him a
+moment's respite, nor afford him the most trifling assistance.
+
+The Col. was then bound, stripped naked and tied by his wrists to the
+arm, which extended horizontally from the post, in such a manner that
+his arms were extended over his head, with his feet just standing upon
+the ground. This being done, the savages placed the wood in a circle
+around him at the distance of a few feet, in order that his misery might
+be protracted to the greatest length, and then kindled it in a number of
+places at the same time. The flames arose and the scorching heat became
+almost insupportable. Again he prayed to Gurty in all the anguish of his
+torment, to rescue him from the fire, or shoot him dead upon the spot.
+A demoniac smile suffused the countenance of Gurty, while he calmly
+replied to the dying suppliant, that he had no pity for his sufferings;
+but that he was then satisfying that spirit of revenge, which for a long
+time he had hoped to have an opportunity to wreak upon him. Nature
+now almost exhausted from the intensity of the heat, he settled down a
+little, when a squaw threw coals of fire and embers upon him, which made
+him groan most piteously, while the whole camp rung with exultation.
+During the execution they manifested all the exstacy of a complete
+triumph. Poor Crawford soon died and was entirely consumed.
+
+Thus ended the life of a patriot and hero, who had been an intimate with
+Gen. Washington, and who shared in an eminent degree the confidence of
+that great, good man, to whom, in the time of revolutionary perils, the
+sons of legitimate freedom looked with a degree of faith in his mental
+resources, unequalled in the history of the world.
+
+That tragedy being ended, Doct. Night was informed that on the next
+day he should be burnt in the same manner that his comrade Crawford had
+been, at Lower Sandusky. Hiokatoo, who out had been a leading chief in
+the battle with, and in the execution of Crawford, painted Doct. Night's
+face black, and then bound and gave him up to two able bodied Indians to
+conduct to the place of execution.
+
+They set off with him immediately, and travelled till towards evening,
+when they halted to encamp till morning. The afternoon had been very
+rainy, and the storm still continued, which rendered it very difficult
+for the Indians to kindle a fire. Night observing the difficulty under
+which they labored, made them to understand by signs, that if they would
+unbind him, he would assist them.--They, accordingly unbound him, and
+he soon succeeded in making a fire by the application of small dry stuff
+which he was at considerable trouble to procure. While the Indians were
+warming themselves, the Doct. continued to gather wood to last through
+the night, and in doing this, he found a club which he placed in
+a situation from whence he could take it conveniently whenever an
+opportunity should present itself in which he could use it effectually.
+The Indians continued warming, till at length the Doct. saw that they
+had placed themselves in a favorable position for the execution of his
+design, when, stimulated by the love of life, he cautiously took his
+club and at two blows knocked them both down. Determined to finish the
+work of death which he had so well begun, he drew one of their scalping
+knives, with which he beheaded and scalped them both! He then took a
+rifle, tomahawk, and some ammunition, and directed his course for
+home, where he arrived without having experienced any difficulty on his
+journey.
+
+The next morning, the Indians took the track of their victim and his
+attendants, to go to Lower Sandusky, and there execute the sentence
+which they had pronounced upon him. But what was their surprise and
+disappointment, when they arrived at the place of encampment, where
+they found their trusty friends scalped and decapitated, and that
+their prisoner had made his escape?--Chagrined beyond measure, they
+immediately separated, and went in every direction in pursuit of their
+prey; but after having spent a number of days unsuccessfully, they
+gave up the chase, and returned to their encampment. [Footnote: I have
+understood, (from unauthenticated sources however,) that soon after
+the revolutionary war, Doct. Night published a pamphlet, containing
+an account of the battle at Sandusky, and of his own sufferings. My
+information on this subject, was derived from a different quarter.
+
+The subject of this narrative in giving the account of her last husband,
+Hiokatoo, referred us to Mr. George Jemison, who, (as it will be
+noticed) lived on her land a number of years, and who had frequently
+heard the old Chief relate the story of his life; particularly that part
+which related to his military career. Mr. Jemison; on being enquired of,
+gave the foregoing account, partly from his own personal knowledge, and
+the remainder, from the account given by Hiokatoo.
+
+Mr. Jemison was in the battle, was personally acquainted with Col.
+Crawford, and one that escaped with Lt. Col. Williamson. We have no
+doubt of the truth of the statement, and have therefore inserted the
+whole account, as an addition to the historical facts which are daily
+coming into a state of preservation, in relation to the American
+Revolution.
+
+AUTHOR.]
+
+In the time of the French war, in an engagement that took place on the
+Ohio river, Hiokatoo took a British Col. by the name of Simon Canton,
+whom he carried to the Indian encampment. A council was held, and the
+Col. was sentenced to suffer death, by being tied on a wild colt, with
+his face towards its tail, and then having the colt turned loose to run
+where it pleased. He was accordingly tied on, and the colt let loose,
+agreeable to the sentence. The colt run two days, and then returned with
+its rider yet alive. The Indians, thinking that he would never die in
+that way, took him off, and made him run the gauntlet three times; but
+in the last race a squaw knocked him down, and he was supposed to have
+been dead. He, however, recovered, and was sold for fifty dollars to a
+Frenchman, who sent him as a prisoner to Detroit. On the return of the
+Frenchman to Detroit, the Col. besought him to ransom him, and give,
+or set him at liberty, with so much warmth, and promised with so much
+solemnity, to reward him as one of the best of benefactors, if he would
+let him go, that the Frenchman took his word, and sent him home to his
+family. The Col. remembered his promise, and in a short time sent his
+deliverer one hundred and fifty dollars, as a reward for his generosity.
+
+Since the commencement of the revolutionary war, Hiokatoo has been in
+seventeen campaigns, four of which were in the Cherokee war. He was
+so great an enemy to the Cherokees, and so fully determined upon their
+subjugation, that on his march to their country, he raised his own army
+for those four campaigns, and commanded it; and also superintended its
+subsistence. In one of those campaigns, which continued two whole years
+without intermission, he attacked his enemies on the Mobile, drove them
+to the country of the Creek Nation, where he continued to harrass them,
+till being tired of war, he returned to his family. He brought home
+a great number of scalps, which he had taken from the enemy, and ever
+seemed to possess an unconquerable will that the Cherokees might be
+utterly destroyed. Towards the close of his last fighting in that
+country, he took two squaws, whom he sold on his way home for money to
+defray the expense of his journey.
+
+Hiokatoo was about six feet four or five inches high, large boned, and
+rather inclined to leanness. He was very stout and active, for a man of
+his size, for it was said by himself and others, that he had never
+found an Indian who could keep up with him on a race, or throw him at
+wrestling. His eye was quick and penetrating; and his voice was of
+that harsh and powerful kind, which, amongst, Indians, always commands
+attention. His health had been uniformly good. He never was confined by
+sickness, till he was attacked with the consumption, four years before
+his death. And, although he had, from his earliest days, been inured
+to almost constant fatigue, and exposure to every inclemency of the
+weather, in the open air he seemed to lose the vigor of the prime of
+life only by the natural decay occasioned by old age.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+Her Troubles Renewed.--John's Jealousy towards his brother
+Jesse.--Circumstances attending the Murder of Jesse Jemison.--Her
+Grief.--His Funeral--Age--Filial Kindness, &c.
+
+Being now left a widow in my old age, to mourn the loss of a husband,
+who had treated me well and with whom I had raised five children, and
+having suffered the loss of an affectionate son, I fondly fostered the
+hope that my melancholy vicissitudes had ended, and that the remainder
+of my time would be characterized by nothing unpropitious. My children,
+dutiful and kind, lived near me, and apparently nothing obstructed our
+happiness.
+
+But a short time, however, elapsed after my husband's death, before my
+troubles were renewed with redoubled severity.
+
+John's hands having been once stained in the blood of a brother, it was
+not strange that after his acquital, every person of his acquaintance
+should shun him, from a fear of his repeating upon them the same
+ceremony that he had practised upon Thomas. My son Jesse, went to Mt.
+Morris, a few miles from home, on business, in the winter after the
+death of his father; and it so happened that his brother John was there,
+who requested Jesse to come home with him. Jesse, fearing that John
+would commence a quarrel with him on the way, declined the invitation,
+and tarried over night.
+
+From that time John conceived himself despised by Jesse, and was highly
+enraged at the treatment which he had received. Very little was said,
+however, and it all passed off, apparently, till sometime in the month
+of May, 1812, at which time Mr. Robert Whaley, who lived in the town
+of Castile, within four miles of me, came to my house early on Monday
+morning, to hire George Chongo, my son-in-law, and John and Jesse, to
+go that day and help him slide a quantity of boards from the top of
+the hill to the river, where he calculated to build a raft of them for
+market.
+
+They all concluded to go with Mr. Whaley, and made ready as soon as
+possible. But before they set out I charged them not to drink any
+whiskey; for I was confident that if they did, they would surely have
+a quarrel in consequence of it. They went and worked till almost night,
+when a quarrel ensued between Chongo and Jesse, in consequence of the
+whiskey that they had drank through the day, which terminated in a
+battle, and Chongo got whipped.
+
+When Jesse had got through with Chongo, he told Mr. Whaley that he would
+go home, and directly went off. He, however, went but a few rods before
+he stopped and lay down by the side of a log to wait, (as was supposed,)
+for company. John, as soon as Jesse was gone, went to Mr. Whaley with
+his knife in his hand and bade him jogo (i. e. be gone,) at the same
+time telling him that Jesse was a bad man. Mr. Whaley, seeing that
+his countenance was changed, and that he was determined upon something
+desperate, was alarmed for his own safety, and turned towards home,
+leaving Chongo on the ground drunk, near to where Jesse had lain, who
+by this time had got up, and was advancing towards John. Mr. Whaley was
+soon out of hearing of them; but some of his workmen staid till it was
+dark. Jesse came up to John, and said to him, you want more whiskey, and
+more fighting, and after a few words went at him, to try in the first
+place to get away his knife. In this he did not succeed, and they
+parted. By this time the night had come on, and it was dark. Again they
+clenched and at length in their struggle they both fell. John, having
+his knife in his hand, came under, and in that situation gave Jesse a
+fatal stab with his knife, and repeated the blows till Jesse cried out,
+brother, you have killed me, quit his hold and settled back upon the
+ground. Upon hearing this, John left him and came to Thomas' widow's
+house, told them that he had been fighting with their uncle, whom he had
+killed, and showed them his knife.
+
+Next morning as soon as it was light, Thomas' and John's children came
+and told me that Jesse was dead in the woods, and also informed me how
+he came by his death. John soon followed them and informed me himself of
+all that had taken place between him and his brother, and seemed to
+be somewhat sorrowful for his conduct. You can better imagine what my
+feelings were than I can describe them. My darling son, my youngest
+child, him on whom I depended, was dead; and I in my old age left
+destitute of a helping hand!
+
+As soon as it was consistent for me, I got Mr. George Jemison, (of whom
+I shall have occasion to speak,) to go with his sleigh to where Jesse
+was, and bring him home, a distance of 3 or 4 miles. My daughter Polly
+arrived at the fatal spot first: we got there soon after her; though I
+went the whole distance on foot. By this time, Chongo, (who was left on
+the ground drunk the night before,) had become sober and sensible of the
+great misfortune which had happened to our family.
+
+I was overcome with grief at the sight of my murdered son, and so far
+lost the command of myself as to be almost frantic; and those who were
+present were obliged to hold me from going near him.
+
+On examining the body it was found that it had received eighteen wounds
+so deep and large that it was believed that either of them would have
+proved mortal. The corpse was carried to my house, and kept till the
+Thursday following, when it was buried after the manner of burying white
+people.
+
+Jesse was twenty-seven or eight years old when he was killed. His temper
+had been uniformly very mild and friendly; and he was inclined to copy
+after the white people; both in his manners and dress. Although he was
+naturally temperate, he occasionally became intoxicated; but never was
+quarrelsome or mischievous. With the white people he was intimate,
+and learned from them their habits of industry, which he was fond of
+practising, especially when my comfort demanded his labor. As I have
+observed, it is the custom amongst the Indians, for the women to perform
+all the labor in, and out of doors, and I had the whole to do, with the
+help of my daughters, till Jesse arrived to a sufficient age to assist
+us. He was disposed to labor in the cornfield, to chop my wood, milk
+my cows, and attend to any kind of business that would make my task the
+lighter. On the account of his having been my youngest child, and so
+willing to help me, I am sensible that I loved him better than I did
+either of my other children. After he began to understand my situation,
+and the means of rendering it more easy, I never wanted for anything
+that was in his power to bestow; but since his death, as I have had all
+my labor to perform alone, I have constantly seen hard times.
+
+Jesse shunned the company of his brothers, and the Indians generally;
+and never attended their frolics; and it was supposed that this,
+together with my partiality for him, were the causes which excited
+in John so great a degree of envy, that nothing short of death would
+satisfy it.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+Mrs. Jemison is informed that she has a Cousin in the Neighborhood,
+by the name of George Jemison.--His Poverty.--Her Kindness.--His
+Ingratitude.--Her Trouble from Land Speculation.--Her Cousin moves off.
+
+A year or two before the death of my husband, Capt. H. Jones sent me
+word that a cousin of mine was then living in Leicester, (a few miles
+from Gardow,) by the name of George Jemison, and as he was very poor,
+thought it advisable for me to go and see him, and take him home to live
+with me on my land. My Indian friends were pleased to hear that one of
+my relatives was so near, and also advised me to send for him and his
+family immediately. I accordingly had him and his family moved into one
+of my houses, in the month of March, 1810.
+
+He said that he was my father's brother's son--that his father did not
+leave Europe, till after the French war in America, and that when he
+did come over, he settled in Pennsylvania, where he died. George had
+no personal knowledge of my father; but from information, was confident
+that the relationship which he claimed between himself and me, actually
+existed. Although I had never before heard of my father having had but
+one brother, (him who was killed at Fort Necessity,) yet I knew that
+he might have had others, and, as the story of George carried with it a
+probability that it was true, I received him as a kinsman, and treated
+him with every degree of friendship which his situation demanded.
+[Footnote: Mrs. Jemison is now confident that George Jemison is not
+her cousin, and thinks that he claimed the relationship, only to gain
+assistance: But the old gentleman, who is now living, is certain that
+his and her father were brothers, as before stated.]
+
+I found that he was destitute of the means of subsistence, and in debt
+to the amount of seventy dollars, without the ability to pay one cent.
+He had no cow, and finally, was completely poor, I paid his debts to the
+amount of seventy-two dollars, and bought him a cow, for which I paid
+twenty dollars, and a sow and pigs, that I paid eight dollars for. I
+also paid sixteen dollars for pork that I gave him, and furnished him
+with other provisions and furniture; so that his family was comfortable.
+As he was destitute of a team, I furnished him with one, and also
+supplied him with tools for farming. In addition to all this, I let him
+have one of Thomas' cows, for two seasons.
+
+My only object in mentioning his poverty, and the articles with which I
+supplied him, is to show how ungrateful a person can be for favors, and
+how soon a kind benefactor will, to all appearance, be forgotten.
+
+Thus furnished with the necessary implements of husbandry, a good team,
+and as much land as he could till, he commenced farming on my flats, and
+for some time labored well. At length, however, he got an idea that if
+he could become the owner of a part of my reservation, he could live
+more easy, and certainly be more rich, and accordingly set himself about
+laying a plan to obtain it, in the easiest manner possible.
+
+I supported Jemison and his family eight years, and probably should
+have continued to have done so to this day, had it not been for the
+occurrence of the following circumstance.
+
+When he had lived with me some six or seven years, a friend of mine told
+me that as Jemison was my cousin, and very poor, I ought to give him
+a piece of land that he might have something whereon to live, that
+he would call his own. My friend and Jemison were then together at my
+house, prepared to complete a bargain. I asked how much land he wanted?
+Jemison said that he should be glad to receive his old field (as he
+called it) containing about fourteen acres, and a new one that contained
+twenty-six.
+
+I observed to them that as I was incapable of transacting business of
+that nature, I would wait till Mr. Thomas Clute, (a neighbor on whom I
+depended,) should return from Albany, before I should do any thing about
+it. To this Jemison replied that if I waited till Mr. Clute returned,
+he should not get the land at all, and appeared very anxious to have the
+business closed without delay. On my part, I felt disposed to give him
+some land, but knowing my ignorance of writing, feared to do it alone,
+lest they might include as much land they pleased, without my knowledge.
+
+They then read the deed which my friend had prepared before he came from
+home, describing a piece of land by certain bounds that were a specified
+number of chains and links from each other. Not understanding the length
+of a chain or link, I described the bounds of a piece of land that I
+intended Jemison should have, which they said was just the same that the
+deed contained and no more. I told them that the deed must not include
+a lot that was called the Steele place, and they assured me that it did
+not. Upon this, putting confidence in them both, I signed the deed to
+George Jemison, containing, and conveying to him as I supposed, forty
+acres of land. The deed being completed they charged me never to mention
+the bargain which I had then made to any person; because if I did,
+they said it would spoil the contract. The whole matter was afterwards
+disclosed; when it was found that that deed instead of containing only
+forty acres, contained four hundred, and that one half of it actually
+belonged to my friend, as it had been given to him by Jemison as a
+reward for his trouble in procuring the deed, in the fraudulent manner
+above mentioned.
+
+My friend, however, by the advice of some well disposed people, awhile
+afterwards gave up his claim; but Jemison held his till he sold it for a
+trifle to a gentleman in the south part of Genesee county.
+
+Sometime after the death of my son Thomas, one of his sons went to
+Jemison to get the cow that I had let him have two years; but Jemison
+refused to let her go, and struck the boy so violent a blow as to almost
+kill him. Jemison then run to Jellis Clute, Esq. to procure a warrant to
+take the boy; but Young King, an Indian Chief, went down to Squawky hill
+to Esq. Clute's, and settled the affair by Jemison's agreeing never
+to use that club again. Having satisfactorily found out the friendly
+disposition of my cousin towards me, I got him off my premises as soon
+as possible.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+Another Family Affliction.--Her son John's Occupation.--He goes to
+Buffalo--Returns.--Great Slide by him considered Ominous--Trouble,
+&c.--He goes to Squawky Hill--Quarrels--Is murdered by two Indians.--His
+Funeral--Mourners, &c.--His Disposition.--Ominous Dream.--Black Chief's
+Advice, &c.--His Widows and Family.--His Age.--His Murderers flee.--Her
+Advice to them.--They set out to leave their Country.--Their Uncle's
+Speech to them on parting.--They return.--Jack proposes to Doctor to
+kill each other.--Doctor's Speech in Reply.--Jack's Suicide.--Doctor's
+Death.
+
+Trouble seldom comes single. While George Jemison was busily engaged
+in his pursuit of wealth at my expence, another event of a much more
+serious nature occurred, which added greatly to my afflictions, and
+consequently destroyed, at least a part of the happiness that I had
+anticipated was laid up in the archives of Providence, to be dispensed
+on my old age.
+
+My son John, was a doctor, considerably celebrated amongst the Indians
+of various tribes, for his skill in curing their diseases, by the
+administration of roots and herbs, which he gathered in the forests, and
+other places where they had been planted by the hand of nature.
+
+In the month of April, or first of May, 1817, he was called upon to go
+to Buffalo, Cattaraugus and Allegany, to cure some who were sick. He
+went, and was absent about two months. When he returned, he observed
+the Great Slide of the bank of Genesee river, a short distance above
+my house, which had taken place during his absence; and conceiving
+that circumstance to be ominous of his own death, called at his sister
+Nancy's, told her that he should live but a few days, and wept bitterly
+at the near approach of his dissolution. Nancy endeavored to persuade
+him that his trouble was imaginary, and that he ought not to be affected
+by a fancy which was visionary. Her arguments were ineffectual, and
+afforded no alleviation to his mental sufferings. From his sister's, he
+went to his own house, where he stayed only two nights, and then went to
+Squawky Hill to procure money, with which to purchase flour for the use
+of his family.
+
+While at Squawky Hill he got into the company of two Squawky Hill
+Indians, whose names were Doctor and Jack, with whom he drank freely,
+and in the afternoon had a desperate quarrel, in which his opponents,
+(as it was afterwards understood,) agreed to kill him. The quarrel
+ended, and each appeared to be friendly. John bought some spirits, of
+which they all drank, and then set out for home. John and an Allegany
+Indian were on horseback, and Doctor and Jack were on foot. It was dark
+when they set out. They had not proceeded far, when Doctor and Jack
+commenced another quarrel with John, clenched and dragged him off his
+horse, and then with a stone gave him so severe a blow on his head, that
+some of his brains were discharged from the wound. The Allegany Indian,
+fearing that his turn would come next, fled for safety as fast as
+possible.
+
+John recovered a little from the shock he had received, and endeavored
+to get to an old hut that stood near; but they caught him, and with an
+axe cut his throat, and beat out his brains, so that when he was found
+the contents of his skull were lying on his arms.
+
+Some squaws, who heard the uproar, ran to find out the cause of it; but
+before they had time to offer their assistance, the murderers drove them
+into a house, and threatened to take their lives if they did not stay
+there, or if they made any noise.
+
+Next morning, Esq. Clute sent me word that John was dead, and also
+informed me of the means by which his life was taken. A number of
+people went from Gardow to where the body lay, and Doct. Levi Brundridge
+brought it up home, where the funeral was attended after the manner of
+the white people. Mr. Benjamin Luther, and Mr. William Wiles, preached
+a sermon, and performed the funeral services; and myself and family
+followed the corpse to the grave as mourners. I had now buried my three
+sons, who had been snatched from me by the hands of violence, when I
+least expected it.
+
+Although John had taken the life of his two brothers, and caused me
+unspeakable trouble and grief, his death made a solemn impression upon
+my mind, and seemed, in addition to my former misfortunes, enough to
+bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. Yet, on a second
+thought, I could not mourn for him as I had for my other sons, because I
+knew that his death was just, and what he had deserved for a long time,
+from the hand of justice.
+
+John's vices were so great and so aggravated, that I have nothing to say
+in his favor: yet, as a mother, I pitied him while he lived, and have
+ever felt a great degree of sorrow for him, because of his bad conduct.
+
+From his childhood, he carried something in his features indicative of
+an evil disposition, that would result in the perpetration of enormities
+of some kind; and it was the opinion and saying of Ebenezer Allen, that
+he would be a bad man, and be guilty of some crime deserving of death.
+There is no doubt but what the thoughts of murder rankled in his breast,
+and disturbed his mind even in his sleep; for he dreamed that he had
+killed Thomas for a trifling offence, and thereby forfeited his own
+life. Alarmed at the revelation, and fearing that he might in some
+unguarded moment destroy his brother, he went to the Black Chief, to
+whom he told the dream, and expressed his fears that the vision would
+be verified. Having related the dream, together with his feelings on the
+subject, he asked for the best advice that his old friend was capable
+of giving, to prevent so sad an event. The Black Chief, with his usual
+promptitude, told him, that from the nature of the dream, he was fearful
+that something serious would take place between him and Thomas; and
+advised him by all means to govern his temper, and avoid any quarrel
+which in future he might see arising, especially if Thomas was a party.
+John, however, did not keep the good counsel of the Chief; for soon
+after he killed Thomas, as I have related.
+
+John left two wives with whom he had lived at the same time, and raised
+nine children. His widows are now living at Caneadea with their father,
+and keep their children with, and near them. His children are tolerably
+white, and have got light colored hair. John died about the last day of
+June, 1817, aged 54 years.
+
+Doctor and Jack, having finished their murderous design, fled before
+they could be apprehended, and lay six weeks in the woods back of
+Canisteo. They then returned and sent me some wampum by Chongo, (my
+son-in-law,) and Sun-ge-waw (that is Big Kettle) expecting that I would
+pardon them, and suffer them to live as they had done with their
+tribe. I however, would not accept their wampum, but returned it with
+a request, that, rather than have them killed, they would run away and
+keep out of danger.
+
+On their receiving back the wampum, they took my advice, and prepared to
+leave their country and people immediately. Their relatives accompanied
+them a short distance on their journey, and when about to part, their
+old uncle, the Tall Chief, addressed them in the following pathetic and
+sentimental speech:
+
+"Friends, hear my voice!--When the Great Spirit made Indians, he made
+them all good, and gave them good corn-fields; good rivers, well stored
+with fish; good forests, filled with game and good bows and arrows. But
+very soon each wanted more than his share, and Indians quarrelled with
+Indians, and some were killed, and others were wounded. Then the Great
+Spirit made a very good word, and put it in every Indians breast, to
+tell us when we have done good, or when we have done bad; and that word
+has never told a lie.
+
+"Friends! whenever you have stole, or got drunk, or lied, that good
+word has told you that you were bad Indians, and made you afraid of good
+Indians; and made you ashamed and look down.
+
+"Friends! your crime is greater than all those:--you have killed an
+Indian in a time of peace; and made the wind hear his groans, and
+the earth drink his blood. You are bad Indians! Yes, you are very bad
+Indians; and what can you do? If you go into the woods to live alone,
+the ghost of John Jemison will follow you, crying, blood! blood! and
+will give you no peace! If you go to the land of your nation, there that
+ghost will attend you, and say to your relatives, see my murderers!
+If you plant, it will blast your corn; if you hunt, it will scare your
+game; and when you are asleep, its groans, and the sight of an avenging
+tomahawk, will awake you! What can you do? Deserving of death, you
+cannot live here; and to fly from your country, to leave all your
+relatives, and to abandon all that you have known to be pleasant and
+dear, must be keener than an arrow, more bitter than gall, more terrible
+than death! And how must we feel?--Your path will be muddy; the woods
+will be dark; the lightnings will glance down the trees by your side,
+and you will start at every sound! peace has left you, and you must be
+wretched.
+
+"Friends, hear me, and take my advice. Return with us to your homes.
+Offer to the Great Spirit your best wampum, and try to be good Indians!
+And, if those whom you have bereaved shall claim your lives as their
+only satisfaction, surrender them cheerfully, and die like good Indians.
+And--" Here Jack, highly incensed, interrupted the old man, and bade him
+stop speaking or he would take his life. Affrighted at the appearance of
+so much desperation, the company hastened towards home, and left Doctor
+and Jack to consult their own feelings.
+
+As soon as they were alone, Jack said to Doctor, "I had rather die here,
+than leave my country and friends! Put the muzzle of your rifle into
+my mouth, and I will put the muzzle of mine into yours, and at a given
+signal we will discharge them, and rid ourselves at once of all the
+troubles under which we now labor, and satisfy the claims which justice
+holds against us."
+
+Doctor heard the proposition, and after a moment's pause, made the
+following reply:--"I am as sensible as you can be of the unhappy
+situation in which we have placed ourselves. We are bad Indians. We have
+forfeited our lives, and must expect in some way to atone for our crime:
+but, because we are bad and miserable, shall we make ourselves worse?
+If we were now innocent, and in a calm reflecting moment should kill
+ourselves, that act would make us bad, and deprive us of our share of
+the good hunting in the land where our fathers have gone! What would
+Little Beard [Footnote: Little Bears was a Chief who died in 1806.] say
+to us on our arrival at his cabin? He would say, 'Bad Indians! Cowards!
+You were afraid to wait till we wanted your help! Go (Jogo) to where
+snakes will lie in your path; where the panthers will starve you, by
+devouring the venison; and where you will be naked and suffer with the
+cold! Jogo, (go,) none but the brave and good Indians live here!' I
+cannot think of performing an act that will add to my wretchedness.
+It is hard enough for me to suffer here, and have good hunting
+hereafter--worse to lose the whole."
+
+Upon this, Jack withdrew his proposal. They went on about two miles, and
+then turned about and came home. Guilty and uneasy, they lurked about
+Squawky Hill near a fortnight, and then went to Cattaraugus, and were
+gone six weeks. When they came back, Jack's wife earnestly requested
+him to remove his family to Tonnewonta; but he remonstrated against her
+project, and utterly declined going. His wife and family, however, tired
+of the tumult by which they were surrounded, packed up their effects in
+spite of what he could say, and went off.
+
+Jack deliberated a short time upon the proper course for himself to
+pursue, and finally, rather than leave his old home, he ate a large
+quantity of muskrat root, and died in 10 or 12 hours. His family being
+immediately notified of his death, returned to attend the burial, and is
+yet living at Squawky Hill.
+
+Nothing was ever done with Doctor, who continued to live quietly
+at Squawky Hill till sometime in the year 1819, when he died of
+Consumption.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+Micah Brooks, Esq. volunteers to get the Title to her Land confirmed
+to herself.--She is Naturalized.--Great Council of Chiefs, &c. in Sept.
+1823.--She Disposes of her Reservation.--Reserves a Tract 2 miles long,
+and 1 mile wide, &c.--The Consideration how Paid, &c.
+
+In 1816, Micah Brooks, Esq. of Bloomfield, Ontario county, was
+recommended to me (as it was said) by a Mr. Ingles, to be a man of
+candor, honesty and integrity, who would by no means cheat me out of a
+cent. Mr. Brooks soon after, came to my house and informed me that
+he was disposed to assist me in regard to my land, by procuring a
+legislative act that would invest me with full power to dispose of it
+for my own benefit, and give as ample a title as could be given by any
+citizen of the state. He observed that as it was then situated, it was
+of but little value, because it was not in my power to dispose of it,
+let my necessities be ever so great. He then proposed to take the agency
+of the business upon himself, and to get the title of one half of my
+reservation vested in me personally, upon the condition that, as a
+reward for his services, I would give him the other half.
+
+I sent for my son John, who on being consulted, objected to my going
+into any bargain with Mr. Brooks, without the advice and consent of
+Mr. Thomas Clute, who then lived on my land and near me. Mr. Clute was
+accordingly called on, to whom Mr. Brooks repeated his former statement,
+and added, that he would get an act passed in the Congress of the United
+States, that would invest me with all the rights and immunities of a
+citizen, so far as it respected my property. Mr. Clute, suspecting that
+some plan was in operation that would deprive me of my possessions,
+advised me to have nothing to say on the subject to Mr. Brooks, till I
+had seen Esquire Clute, of Squawky Hill. Soon after this Thomas Clute
+saw Esq. Clute, who informed him that the petition for my naturalization
+would be presented to the Legislature of this State, instead of being
+sent to Congress; and that the object would succeed to his and my
+satisfaction. Mr. Clute then observed to his brother, Esq. Clute,
+that as the sale of Indian lands, which had been reserved, belonged
+exclusively to the United States, an act of the Legislature of New-York
+could have no effect in securing to me a title to my reservation, or in
+depriving me of my property. They finally agreed that I should sign
+a petition to Congress, praying for my naturalization, and for the
+confirmation of the title of my land to me, my heirs, &c.
+
+Mr. Brooks came with the petition: I signed it, and it was witnessed
+by Thomas Clute, and two others, and then returned to Mr. Brooks, who
+presented it to the Legislature of this state at its session in the
+winter of 1816-17. On the 19th of April, 1817, an act was passed for
+my naturalization, and ratifying and confirming the title of my land,
+agreeable to the tenor of the petition, which act Mr. Brooks presented
+to me on the first day of May following.
+
+Thomas Clute having examined the law, told me that it would probably
+answer, though it was not according to the agreement made by Mr. Brooks,
+and Esq. Clute and himself, for me. I then executed to Micah Brooks and
+Jellis Clute, a deed of all my land lying east of the picket line on the
+Gardow reservation, containing about 7000 acres.
+
+It is proper in this place to observe, in relation to Mr. Thomas Clute,
+that my son John, a few months before his death, advised me to take
+him for my guardian, (as I had become old and incapable of managing my
+property,) and to compensate him for his trouble by giving him a lot
+of land on the west side of my reservation where he should choose it.
+I accordingly took my son's advice, and Mr. Clute has ever since been
+faithful and honest in all his advice and dealings with, and for, myself
+and family.
+
+In the month of August, 1817, Mr. Brooks and Esq. Clute again came to
+me with a request that I would give them a lease of the land which I had
+already deeded to them, together with the other part of my reservation,
+excepting and reserving to myself only about 4000 acres.
+
+At this time I informed Thomas Clute of what John had advised, and
+recommended me to do, and that I had consulted my daughters on the
+subject, who had approved of the measure. He readily agreed to assist
+me; whereupon I told him he was entitled to a lot of land, and might
+select as John had mentioned. He accordingly at that time took such a
+piece as he chose, and the same has ever since been reserved for him in
+all the land contracts which I have made.
+
+On the 24th of August, 1817, I leased to Micah Brooks and Jellis Clute,
+the whole of my original reservation, except 4000 acres, and Thomas
+Clute's lot. Finding their title still incomplete, on account of the
+United States government and Seneca Chiefs not having sanctioned my
+acts, they solicited me to renew the contract, and have the conveyance
+made to them in such a manner as that they should thereby be constituted
+sole proprietors of the soil.
+
+In the winter of 1822-3, I agreed with them, that if they would get the
+chiefs of our nation, and a United States Commissioner of Indian Lands,
+to meet in council at Moscow, Livingston county, N. Y. and there concur
+in my agreement, that I would sell to them all my right and title to the
+Gardow reservation, with the exception of a tract for my own benefit,
+two miles long, and one mile wide, lying on the river where I should
+choose it; and also reserving Thomas Clute's lot. This arrangement was
+agreed upon, and the council assembled at the place appointed, on the 3d
+or 4th day of September, 1823.
+
+That council consisted of Major Carrol, who had been appointed by
+the President to dispose of my lands, Judge Howell and N. Gorham, of
+Canandaigua, (who acted in concert with Maj. Carrol,) Jasper Parrish,
+Indian Agent, Horatio Jones, Interpreter, and a great number of Chiefs.
+
+The bargain was assented to unanimously, and a deed given to H. B.
+Gibson, Micah Brooks and Jellis Clute, of the whole Gardow tract,
+excepting the last mentioned reservations, which was signed by myself
+and upwards of twenty Chiefs.
+
+The land which I now own, is bounded as follows:--Beginning at the
+center of the Great Slide [Footnote: The Great Slide of the bank of
+Genesee river is a curiosity worthy of the attention of the traveller.
+In the month of May, 1817, a portion of land thickly covered with
+timber, situated at the upper end of the Gardow flats, on the west side
+of the river, all of a sudden gave way, and with a tremendous crash,
+slid into the bed of the river, which it so completely filled, that the
+stream formed a new passage on the east side of it, where it continues
+to run, without overflowing the slide. This slide, as it now lies,
+contains 22 acres, and has a considerable share of the timber that
+formerly covered it, still standing erect upon it, and growing.] and
+running west one mile, thence north two miles, thence east about one
+mile to Genesee river, thence south on the west bank of Genesee river to
+the place of beginning.
+
+In consideration of the above sale, the purchasers have bound
+themselves, their heirs, assigns, &c. to pay to me, my heirs or
+successors, three hundred dollars a year forever.
+
+Whenever the land which I have reserved, shall be sold, the income of
+it is to be equally divided amongst the members of the Seneca nation,
+without any reference to tribes or families.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+Conclusion.--Review of her Life.--Reflections on the loss of
+Liberty.--Care she took to preserve her Health.--Indians' abstemiousness
+in Drinking, after the French War.--Care of their Lives, &c.--General
+use of Spirits--Her natural Strength.--Purchase of her first Cow.--Means
+by which she has been supplied with Food.--Suspicions of her having been
+a Witch.--Her Constancy.--Number of Children.--Number Living.--Their
+Residence.--Closing Reflection.
+
+When I review my life, the privations that I have suffered, the
+hardships I have endured, the vicissitudes I have passed, and the
+complete revolution that I have experienced in my manner of living;
+when I consider my reduction from a civilized to a savage state, and the
+various steps by which that process has been effected, and that my life
+has been prolonged, and my health and reason spared, it seems a miracle
+that I am unable to account for, and is a tragical medley that I hope
+will never be repeated.
+
+The bare loss of liberty is but a mere trifle when compared with the
+circumstances that necessarily attend, and are inseparably connected
+with it. It is the recollection of what we once were, of the friends,
+the home, and the pleasures that we have left or lost; the anticipation
+of misery, the appearance of wretchedness, the anxiety for freedom, the
+hope of release, the devising of means of escaping, and the vigilance
+with which we watch our keepers, that constitute the nauseous dregs of
+the bitter cup of slavery. I am sensible, however, that no one can pass
+from a state of freedom to that of slavery, and in the last situation
+rest perfectly contented; but as every one knows that great exertions
+of the mind tend directly to debilitate the body, it will appear obvious
+that we ought, when confined, to exert all our faculties to promote our
+present comfort, and let future days provide their own sacrifices. In
+regard to ourselves, just as we feel, we are.
+
+For the preservation of my life to the present time I am indebted to
+an excellent constitution, with which I have been blessed in as great a
+degree as any other person. After I arrived to years of understanding,
+the care of my own health was one of my principal studies; and by
+avoiding exposures to wet and cold, by temperance in eating, abstaining
+from the use of spirits, and shunning the excesses to which I was
+frequently exposed, I effected my object beyond what I expected. I have
+never once been sick till within a year or two, only as I have related.
+Spirits and tobacco I have never used, and I have never once attended an
+Indian frolic. When I was taken prisoner, and for sometime after that,
+spirits was not known; and when it was first introduced, it was in small
+quantities, and used only by the Indians; so that it was a long time
+before the Indian women begun to even taste it.
+
+After the French war, for a number of years, it was the practice of the
+Indians of our tribe to send to Niagara and get two or three kegs of
+rum, (in all six or eight gallons,) and hold a frolic as long as it
+lasted. When the rum was brought to the town, all the Indians collected,
+and before a drop was drank, gave all their knives, tomahawks, guns, and
+other instruments of war, to one Indian, whose business it was to bury
+them in a private place, keep them concealed, and remain perfectly
+sober till the frolic was ended. Having thus divested themselves, they
+commenced drinking, and continued their frolic till every drop was
+consumed, If any of them became quarrelsome, or got to fighting, those
+who were sober enough bound them upon the ground, where they were
+obliged to lie till they got sober, and then were unbound. When the
+fumes of the spirits had left the company, the sober Indian returned
+to each the instruments with which they had entrusted him, and all went
+home satisfied. A frolic of that kind was held but once a year, and
+that at the time the Indians quit their hunting, and come in with their
+deer-skins.
+
+In those frolics the women never participated. Soon after the
+revolutionary war, however, spirits became common in our tribe, and
+has been used indiscriminately by both sexes; though there are not so
+frequent instances of intoxication amongst the squaws as amongst the
+Indians.
+
+To the introduction and use or that baneful article, which has made such
+devastation in our tribes, and threatens the extinction of our people,
+(the Indians,) I can with the greatest propriety impute the whole of my
+misfortune in losing my three sons. But as I have before observed, not
+even the love of life will restrain an Indian from sipping the poison
+that he knows will destroy him. The voice of nature, the rebukes of
+reason, the advice of parents, the expostulations of friends, and the
+numerous instances of sudden death, are all insufficient to reclaim
+an Indian, who has once experienced the exhilarating and inebriating
+effects of spirits, from seeking his grave in the bottom of his bottle!
+
+My strength has been great for a woman of my size, otherwise I must long
+ago have died under the burdens which I was obliged to carry. I learned
+to carry loads on my back, in a strap placed across my forehead, soon
+after my captivity; and continue to carry in the same way. Upwards of
+thirty years ago, with the help of my young children, I backed all the
+boards that were used about my house from Allen's mill at the outlet
+of Silver Lake, a distance of five miles. I have planted, hoed, and
+harvested corn every season but one since I was taken prisoner. Even
+this present fall (1823) I have husked my corn and backed it into the
+house.
+
+The first cow that I ever owned, I bought of a squaw sometime after the
+revolution. It had been stolen from the enemy. I had owned it but a few
+days when it fell into a hole, and almost died before we could get it
+out. After this, the squaw wanted to be recanted, but as I would not
+give up the cow, I gave her money enough to make, when added to the sum
+which I paid her at first, thirty-five dollars. Cows were plenty on the
+Ohio, when I lived there, and of good quality.
+
+For provisions I have never suffered since I came upon the flats; nor
+have I ever been in debt to any other hands than my own for the plenty
+that I have shared.
+
+My vices, that have been suspected, have been but few. It was believed
+for a long time, by some of our people, that I was a great witch; but
+they were unable to prove my guilt, and consequently I escaped the
+certain doom of those who are convicted of that crime, which, by
+Indians, is considered as heinous as murder. Some of my children had
+light brown hair, and tolerable fair skin, which used to make some say
+that I stole them; yet as I was ever conscious of my own constancy,
+I never thought that any one really believed that I was guilty of
+adultery.
+
+I have been the mother of eight children; three of whom are now living,
+and I have at this time thirty-nine grand children, and fourteen
+great-grand children, all living in the neighborhood of Genesee River,
+and at Buffalo.
+
+I live in my own house, and on my own land with my youngest daughter,
+Polly, who is married to George Chongo, and has three children.
+
+My daughter Nancy, who is married to Billy Green, lives about 80 rods
+south of my house, and has seven children.
+
+My other, daughter, Betsey, is married to John Green, has seven
+children, and resides 80 rods north of my house.
+
+Thus situated in the midst of my children, I expect I shall soon leave
+the world, and make room for the rising generation. I feel the weight
+of years with which I am loaded, and am sensible of my daily failure in
+seeing, hearing and strength; but my only anxiety is for my family. If
+my family will live happily, and I can be exempted from trouble while I
+have to stay, I feel as though I could lay down in peace a life that has
+been checked in almost every hour, with troubles of a deeper dye, than
+are commonly experienced by mortals.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX.
+
+
+An account of the destruction of a part of the British Army, by the
+Indians, at a place called the Devil's Hole, on the Niagara River, in
+the year 1763.
+
+It is to be regretted that an event of so tragical a nature as the
+following, should have escaped the pens of American Historians, and
+have been suffered to slide down the current of time, to the verge
+of oblivion, without having been snatched almost from the vortex
+of forgetfulness, and placed on the faithful page, as a memorial of
+premeditated cruelties, which, in former times, were practised upon the
+white people, by the North American Savages.
+
+Modern History, perhaps, cannot furnish a parallel so atrocious in
+design and execution, as the one before us, and it may be questioned,
+even if the history of ancient times, when men fought hand to hand, and
+disgraced their nature by inventing engines of torture, can more than
+produce its equal.
+
+It will be observed in the preceding narrative, that the affair at
+the Devil's Hole is said to have happened in November, 1759. That Mrs.
+Jemison arrived at Genesee about that time, is rendered certain from a
+number of circumstances; and that a battle was fought on the Niagara in
+Nov. 1759, in which two prisoners and some oxen were taken, and brought
+to Genesee, as she has stated, is altogether probable. But it is equally
+certain that the event which is the subject of this article, did not
+take place till the year 1763.
+
+In the time of the French war, the neighborhood of Forts Niagara and
+Sclusser, (or Schlosser, as it was formerly written,) on the Niagara
+river, was a general battle-ground, and for this reason, Mrs. Jemison's
+memory ought not to be charged with treachery, for not having been able
+to distinguish accurately, after the lapse of sixty years, between the
+circumstances of one engagement and those of another. She resided on
+the Genesee at the time when the warriors of that tribe marched off to
+assist in laying the ambush at the Devil's Hole; and no one will doubt
+her having heard them rehearse the story of the event of that nefarious
+campaign, after they returned.
+
+Chronology and history concur in stating that Fort Niagara was taken
+from the French, by the British, and that Gen. Prideaux was killed on
+the 25th of July, 1759.
+
+Having obtained from Mrs. Jemison a kind of introduction to the story, I
+concluded that if it yet remained possible to procure a correct account
+of the circumstances which led to and attended that transaction,
+it would be highly gratifying to the American public, I accordingly
+directed a letter to Mr. Linus S. Everett, of Buffalo, whose ministerial
+labor, I well knew, frequently called him to Lewiston, requesting him to
+furnish me with a particular account of the destruction of the British,
+at the time and place before mentioned. He obligingly complied with my
+request, and gave me the result of his inquiries on that subject, in the
+following letter:--
+
+Copy of a letter from Mr. Linus S. Everett, dated Fort Sclusser, 29th
+December, 1823.
+
+_Respected and dear friend_,
+
+I hasten, with much pleasure, to comply with your request, in regard to
+the affair at the Devil's Hole. I have often wondered that no authentic
+account has ever been given of that bloody and tragical scene.
+
+I have made all the inquiries that appear to be of any use, and proceed
+to give you the result.
+
+At this place, (Fort Sclusser,) an old gentleman now resides, to whom
+I am indebted for the best account of the affair that can be easily
+obtained. His name is Jesse Ware--his age about 74. Although he was not
+a resident of this part of the country at the time of the event, yet
+from his intimate acquaintance with one of the survivors, he is able to
+give much information, which otherwise could not be obtained.
+
+The account that he gives is as follows:--In July, 1759, the British,
+under Sir William Johnston, took possession of Forts Niagara and
+Sclusser, which had before been in the hands of the French. At this
+time, the Seneca Indians, (which were a numerous and powerful nation,)
+were hostile to the British, and warmly allied to the French. These
+two posts, (viz.) Niagara and Sclusser, were of great importance to the
+British, on the account of affording the means of communication with the
+posts above, or on the upper lakes. In 1760, a contract was made between
+Sir William Johnston and a Mr. Stedman, to construct a portage road from
+Queenston landing to Fort Sclusser, a distance of eight miles, in order
+to facilitate the transportation of provision, ammunition, &c. from
+one place to the other. In conformity to this agreement, on the 20th of
+June, 1763, Stedman had completed his road, and appeared at Queenston
+Landing, (now Lewiston,) with twenty-five portage wagons, and one
+hundred horses and oxen, to transport to Fort Sclusser the king's
+stores.
+
+At this time Sir William Johnston was suspicious of the intentions of
+the Senecas; for after the surrender of the forts by the French, they
+had appeared uneasy and hostile. In order to prevent the teams, drivers
+and goods, receiving injury, he detached 300 troops to guard them
+across the portage. The teams, under this escort, started from Queenston
+landing--Stedman, who had the charge of the whole, was on horse back,
+and rode between the troops and teams; all the troops being in front.
+On a small hill near the Devil's Hole, at that time, was a redoubt
+of twelve men, which served as a kind of guard on ordinary occasions,
+against the depredations of the savages. "On the arrival of the troops
+and teams at the Devil's Hole," says a manuscript in the hands of my
+informant, "the sachems, chiefs and warriors of the Seneca Indians,
+sallied from the adjoining woods, by thousands, (where they had been
+concealed for some time before, for that nefarious purpose,) and falling
+upon the troops, teams and drivers, and the guard of twelve men before
+mentioned, they killed all the men but three on the spot, or by driving
+them, together with the teams, down the precipice, which was about
+seventy or eighty feet! The Indians seized Stedman's horse by the
+bridle, while he was on him, designing, no doubt, to make his sufferings
+more lasting than that of his companions: but while the bloody scene was
+acting, the attention of the Indian who held the horse of Stedman being
+arrested, he cut the reins of his bridle--clapped spurs to his horse,
+and rode over the dead and dying, into the adjacent woods, without
+receiving injury from the enemy's firing. Thus he escaped; and besides
+him two others--one a drummer, who fell among the trees, was caught by
+his drum strap, and escaped unhurt; the other, one who fell down the
+precipice and broke his thigh, but crawled to the landing or garrison
+down the river." The following September, the Indians gave Stedman a
+piece of land, as a reward for his bravery.
+
+With sentiments of respect, I remain, sir, your sincere friend, L. S.
+EVERETT.
+
+_Mr. J. E. Seaver_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A particular account of General Sullivan's Expedition against the
+Indians, in the western part of the State of New-York, in 1779.
+
+It has been thought expedient to publish in this volume, the following
+account of Gen. Sullivan's expedition, in addition to the facts related
+by Mrs. Jemison, of the barbarities which were perpetrated upon Lieut.
+Boyd, and two others, who were taken, and who formed a part of his army,
+etc. A detailed account of this expedition has never been in the
+hands of the public; and as it is now produced from a source deserving
+implicit credit, it is presumed that it will be received with
+satisfaction.
+
+John Salmon, Esq. to whom we are happy to acknowledge our indebtedness
+for the subjoined account, is an old gentleman of respectability and
+good standing in society; and is at this time a resident in the town of
+Groveland, Livingston county, New-York. He was a hero in the American
+war for independence; fought in the battles of his country under the
+celebrated Morgan; survived the blast of British oppression; and now, in
+the decline of life, sits under his own well earned vine and fig-tree,
+near the grave of his unfortunate countrymen, who fell gloriously, while
+fighting the ruthless savages, under the command of the gallant Boyd.
+
+In the autumn after the battle at Monmouth, (1778,) Morgan's riflemen,
+to which corps I belonged, marched to Schoharie, in this state of
+New-York, and there went into winter quarters. The company to which I
+was attached, was commanded by Capt. Michael Simpson; and Thomas Boyd,
+of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, was our Lieutenant.
+
+In the following spring, our corps, together with the whole body of
+troops under the command of Gen. Clinton, to the amount of about 1500,
+embarked in boats at Schenectady, and ascended the Mohawk as far as
+German Flats. Thence we took a direction to Otsego lake, descended the
+Susquehanna, and without any remarkable occurrence, arrived at Tioga
+Point, where our troops united with an army of 1500 men under the
+command of Gen. Sullivan, who had marched through a part of New-Jersey,
+and had reached that place by the way of Wyoming, some days before us.
+
+That part of the army under Gen. Sullivan, had, on their arrival at
+Tioga Point, found the Indians in some force there, with whom they had
+had some unimportant skirmishes before our arrival. Upon the junction
+of these two bodies of troops, Gen. Sullivan assumed the command of the
+whole, and proceeded up the Tioga. When within a few miles of the place
+now called Newtown, we were met by a body of Indians, and a number of
+troops well known in those times by the name of Butler's Rangers, who
+had thrown up, hastily, a breastwork of logs, trees, &c. They were,
+however, easily driven from their works, with considerable loss on their
+part, and without any injury to our troops. The enemy fled with so
+much precipitation, that they left behind them some stores and camp
+equippage. They retreated but a short distance before they made a stand,
+and built another breastwork of considerable length, in the woods, near
+a small opening. Sullivan was soon apprized of their situation, divided
+his army, and attempted to surround, by sending one half to the right
+and the other to the left, with directions to meet on the opposite
+side of the enemies. In order to prevent their retreating, he directed
+bomb-shells to be thrown over them, which was done: but on the shells
+bursting, the Indians suspected that a powerful army had opened a heavy
+fire upon them on that side, and fled with the utmost precipitation
+through one wing of the surrounding army. A great number of the enemy
+were killed, and our army suffered considerably.
+
+The Indians having, in this manner, escaped, they went up the river to
+a place called the Narrows, where they were attacked by our men, who
+killed them in great numbers, so that the sides of the rocks next the
+river appeared as though blood had been poured on them by pailfulls. The
+Indians threw their dead into the river, and escaped the best way they
+could.
+
+From Newtown our army went directly to the head of the Seneca lake;
+thence down that lake to its mouth, where we found the Indian village at
+that place evacuated, except by a single inhabitant--a male child about
+seven or eight years of age, who was found asleep in one of the Indian
+huts. Its fate I have never ascertained. It was taken into the care of
+an officer of the army, who, on account of ill health, was not on duty,
+and who took the child with him, as I have since understood, to his
+residence on or near the North river.
+
+From the mouth of Seneca lake we proceeded, without the occurrence of
+any thing of importance, by the outlets of the Canandaigua, Honeoye, and
+Hemlock lakes, to the head of Connissius lake, where the army encamped
+on the ground that is now called Henderson's Flats.
+
+Soon after the army had encamped, at the dusk of the evening, a party of
+twenty-one men, under the command of Lieut. Boyd, was detached from the
+rifle corps, and sent out for the purpose of reconnoitering the ground
+near the Genesee river, at a place now called Williamsburg, at a
+distance from the camp of about seven miles, under the guidance of
+a faithful Indian pilot. That place was then the site of an Indian
+village, and it was apprehended that the Indians and Rangers might be
+there or in that vicinity in considerable force.
+
+On the arrival of the party at Williamsburg, they found that the Indian
+village had been recently deserted, as the fires in the huts were still
+burning. The night was so far spent when they got to their place of
+destination, that Lieutenant Boyd, considering the fatigue of his men,
+concluded to remain during the night near the village, and to send two
+men messengers with a report to the camp in the morning. Accordingly,
+a little before daybreak, he despatched two men to the main body of the
+army, with information that the enemy had not been discovered.
+
+After day-light, Lieut. Boyd cautiously crept from the place of his
+concealment, and upon getting a view of the village, discovered two
+Indians hovering about the settlement: one of whom was immediately shot
+and scalped by one of the riflemen, whose name was Murphy. Supposing
+that if there were Indians in that vicinity, or near the village, they
+would be instantly alarmed by this occurrence, Lieut. Boyd thought it
+most prudent to retire, and make the best of his way to the general
+encampment of our army. They accordingly set out and retraced the steps
+which they had taken the day before, till they were intercepted by the
+enemy.
+
+On their arriving within about one mile and a half of the main army,
+they were surprized by the sudden appearance of a body of Indians, to
+the amount of five hundred, under the command of the celebrated Brandt,
+and the same number of Rangers, commanded by the infamous Butler, who
+had secreted themselves in a ravine of considerable extent, which lay
+across the track that Lieut. Boyd had pursued.
+
+Upon discovering the enemy, and knowing that the only chance for
+escape was by breaking through their line, (one of the most desperate
+enterprizes ever undertaken,) Lieut. Boyd, after a few words of
+encouragement, led his men to the attempt. As extraordinary as it may
+seem, the first onset, though unsuccessful, was made without the loss of
+a man on the part of the heroic band, though several of the enemy were
+killed. Two attempts more were made, which were equally unsuccessful,
+and in which the whole party fell, except Lieut. Boyd, and eight others.
+Lieut. Boyd and a soldier by the name of Parker, were taken prisoners on
+the spot, a part of the remainder fled, and a part fell on the ground,
+apparently dead, and were overlooked by the Indians, who were too much
+engaged in pursuing the fugitives to notice those who fell.
+
+When Lieut. Boyd found himself a prisoner, he solicited an interview
+with Brandt, whom he well knew commanded the Indians. This Chief, who
+was at that moment near, immediately presented himself, when Lieut.
+Boyd, by one of those appeals which are known only by those who have
+been initiated and instructed in certain mysteries, and which never fail
+to bring succor to a "distressed brother," addressed him as the only
+source from which he could expect a respite from cruel punishment or
+death. The appeal was recognized, and Brandt immediately, and in the
+strongest language, assured him that his life should be spared.
+
+Lieut. Boyd, and his fellow-prisoner, Parker, were immediately conducted
+by a party of the Indians to the Indian village called Beard's Town, on
+the west side of Genesee river, in what is now called Leicester. After
+their arrival at Beard's Town, Brandt, their generous preserver, being
+called on service which required a few hours absence, left them in the
+care of the British Col. Butler, of the Rangers; who, as soon as Brandt
+had left them, commenced an interrogation, to obtain from the prisoners
+a statement of the number, situation and intentions of the army
+under Gen. Sullivan; and threatened them, in case they hesitated or
+prevaricated in their answers, to deliver them up immediately to
+be massacred by the Indians, who, in Brandt's absence, and with the
+encouragement of their more savage commander, Butler, were ready to
+commit the greatest cruelties. Relying, probably, on the promises which
+Brandt had made them, and which he undoubtedly meant to fulfil, they
+refused to give Butler the desired information. Butler, upon this,
+hastened to put his threat into execution. They were delivered to some
+of their most ferocious enemies, who, after having put them to very
+severe torture, killed them by severing their heads from their bodies.
+
+The main army, immediately after hearing of the situation of Lieut.
+Boyd's detachment, moved on towards Genesee river, and finding the
+bodies of those who were slain in Boyd's heroic attempt to penetrate
+through the enemy's line, buried them in what is now the town of
+Groveland, where the grave is to be seen at this day.
+
+Upon their arrival at the Genesee river, they crossed over, scoured the
+country for some distance on the river, burnt the Indian villages on
+the Genesee flats, and destroyed all their corn and other means of
+subsistence.
+
+The bodies of Lieut. Boyd and Parker were found and buried near the bank
+of Beard's creek, under a bunch of wild plum-trees, on the road, as it
+now runs, from Moscow to Geneseo. I was one of those who committed to
+the earth the remains of my friend and companion in arms, the gallant
+Boyd.
+
+Immediately after these events the army commenced its march back, by the
+same route that it came, to Tioga Point; thence down the Susquehanna to
+Wyoming; and thence across the country to Morristown, New-Jersey, where
+we went into winter quarters.
+
+Gen. Sullivan's bravery is unimpeachable. He was unacquainted, however,
+with fighting the Indians, and made use of the best means to keep them
+at such a distance that they could not be brought into an engagement. It
+was his practice, morning and evening, to have cannon fired in or near
+the camp, by which the Indians were notified of their speed in marching,
+and of his situation, and were enabled to make a seasonable retreat.
+
+The foregoing account, according to the best of my recollection is
+strictly correct.
+
+JOHN SALMON.
+
+Groveland, January 24, 1824.
+
+Esq. Salmon was formerly from Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and
+was first Serjeant in Capt. Simpson's and Lieut. Boyd's company.
+
+Tradition of the Origin of the Seneca Nation.--Their Preservation
+from utter extinction.--The Means by which the People who preceded the
+Senecas were destroyed--and the Cause of the different Indian Languages.
+
+The tradition of the Seneca Indians, in regard to their origin, as
+we are assured by Capt. Horatio Jones, who was a prisoner five years
+amongst them, and for many years since has been an interpreter, and
+agent for the payment of their annuities, is that they broke out of the
+earth from a large mountain at the head of Canandaigua Lake, and that
+mountain they still venerate as the place of their birth; thence they
+derive their name, "Ge-nun-de-wah," [Footnote: This by some is spoken
+Ge-nun-de-wah-gauh.] or Great Hill, and are called "The Great Hill
+People," which is the true definition of the word Seneca.
+
+The great hill at the head of Canandaigua lake, from whence they sprung,
+is called Genundewah, and has for a long time past been the place where
+the Indians of that nation have met in council, to hold great talks, and
+to offer up prayers to the Great Spirit, on account of its having been
+their birth place; and also in consequence of the destruction of a
+serpent at that place, in ancient time, in a most miraculous manner,
+which threatened the destruction of the whole of the Senecas, and barely
+spared enough to commence replenishing the earth.
+
+The Indians say, says Capt. Jones, that the fort on the big hill, or
+Genundewah, near the head of Canandaigua lake, was surrounded by a
+monstrous serpent, whose head and tail came together at the gate. A long
+time it lay there, confounding the people with its breath. At length
+they attempted to make their escape, some with their hommany-blocks, and
+others with different implements of household furniture; and in marching
+out of the fort walked down the throat of the serpent. Two orphan
+children, who had escaped this general destruction by being left some
+time before on the outside of the fort, were informed by an oracle of
+the means by which they could get rid of their formidable enemy--which
+was, to take a small bow and a poisoned arrow, made of a kind of willow,
+and with that shoot the serpent under its scales. This they did, and
+the arrow proved effectual; for on its penetrating the skin, the serpent
+became sick, and extending itself rolled down the hill, destroying all
+the timber that was in its way, disgorging itself and breaking wind
+greatly as it went. At every motion, a human head was discharged, and
+rolled down the hill into the lake, where they lie at this day, in a
+petrified state, having the hardness and appearance of stones.
+
+To this day the Indians visit that sacred place, to mourn the loss
+of their friends, and to celebrate some rites that are peculiar to
+themselves. To the knowledge of white people there has been no timber
+on the great hill since it was first discovered by them, though it lay
+apparently in a state of nature for a great number of years, without
+cultivation. Stones in the shape of Indians' heads may be seen lying
+in the lake in great plenty, which are said to be the same that were
+deposited there at the death of the serpent.
+
+The Senecas have a tradition, that previous to, and for some time after,
+their origin at Genundewah, this country, especially about the lakes,
+was thickly inhabited by a race of civil, enterprizing and industrious
+people, who were totally destroyed by the great serpent, that afterwards
+surrounded the great hill fort, with the assistance of others of the
+same species; and that they (the Senecas) went into possession of the
+improvements that were left.
+
+In those days the Indians throughout the whole country, as the Senecas
+say, spoke one language; but having become considerably numerous, the
+before mentioned great serpent, by an unknown influence, confounded
+their language, so that they could not understand each other; which was
+the cause of their division into nations, as the Mohawks, Oneidas, &c.
+At that time, however, the Senecas retained their original language,
+and continued to occupy their mother hill, on which they fortified
+themselves against their enemies, and lived peaceably, till having
+offended the serpent, [Footnote: The pagans of the Senecas believe that
+all the little snakes were made of the blood of the great serpent, after
+it rolled into the lake.] they were cut off as before stated.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+OF THEIR RELIGION--FEASTS--AND GREAT SACRIFICE.
+
+Perhaps no people are more exact observers of religious duties than
+those Indians among the Senecas, who are denominated pagans, in
+contradistinction from those, who, having renounced some of their
+former superstitious notions, have obtained the name of Christians. The
+traditionary faith of their fathers, having been orally transmitted to
+them from time immemorial, is implicitly believed, scrupulously adhered
+to, and rigidly practised. They are agreed in their sentiments--are
+all of one order, and have individual and public good, especially among
+themselves, for the great motive which excites them to attend to those
+moral virtues that are directed and explained by all their rules, and in
+all their ceremonies.
+
+Many years have elapsed since the introduction of Christian Missionaries
+among them, whom they have heard, and very generally understand the
+purport of the message they were sent to deliver. They say that it is
+highly probable that Jesus Christ came into the world in old times,
+to establish a religion that would promote the happiness of the white
+people, on the other side of the great water, (meaning the sea,) and
+that he died for the sins of his people, as the missionaries have
+informed them: But, they say that Jesus Christ had nothing to do
+with them, and that the Christian religion was not designed for their
+benefit; but rather, should they embrace it, they are confident it would
+make them worse, and consequently do them an injury. They say, also,
+that the Great Good Spirit gave them their religion; and that it is
+better adapted to their circumstances, situation and habits, and to
+the promotion of their present comfort and ultimate happiness, than any
+system that ever has or can be devised. They, however, believe, that
+the Christian religion is better calculated for the good of white people
+than theirs is; and wonder that those who have embraced it, do not
+attend more strictly to its precepts, and feel more engaged for its
+support and diffusion among themselves. At the present time, they are
+opposed to preachers or schoolmasters being sent or coming among them;
+and appear determined by all means to adhere to their ancient customs.
+
+They believe in a Great Good Spirit, (whom they call in the Seneca
+language Nau-wan-e-u,) as the Creator of the world, and of every good
+thing--that he made men, and all inoffensive animals; that he supplies
+men with all the comforts of life; and that he is particularly partial
+to the Indians, whom they say are his peculiar people. They also believe
+that he is pleased in giving them (the Indians) good gifts; and that he
+is highly gratified with their good conduct--that he abhors their vices,
+and that he is willing to punish them for their bad conduct, not only
+in this world, but in a future state of existence. His residence,
+they suppose, lies at a great distance from them, in a country that is
+perfectly pleasant, where plenty abounds, even to profusion. That there
+the soil is completely fertile, and the seasons so mild that the corn
+never fails to be good--that the deer, elk, buffalo, turkies, and other
+useful animals, are numerous, and that the forests are well calculated
+to facilitate their hunting them with success--that the streams are
+pure, and abound with fish: and that nothing is wanting, to render
+fruition complete. Over this territory they say Nauwaneu presides as an
+all-powerful king; and that without counsel he admits to his pleasures
+all whom he considers to be worthy of enjoying so great a state of
+blessedness.
+
+To this being they address prayers, offer sacrifices, give thanks for
+favors, and perform many acts of devotion and reverence.
+
+They likewise believe that Nauwaneu has a brother that is less powerful
+than himself, and who is opposed to him, and to every one that is or
+wishes to be good: that this bad Spirit made all evil things, snakes,
+wolves, catamounts, and all other poisonous or noxious animals and
+beasts of prey, except the bear, which, on the account of the excellence
+of its meat for food, and skin for clothing, they say was made by
+Nauwaneu. Besides all this they say he makes and sends them their
+diseases, bad weather and bad crops, and that he makes and supports
+witches. He owns a large country adjoining that of his brother, with
+whom he is continually at variance. His fields are unproductive; thick
+clouds intercept the rays of the sun, and consequently destructive
+frosts are frequent; game is very scarce, and not easily taken; ravenous
+beasts are numerous; reptiles of every poisoned tooth lie in the path
+of the traveller; streams are muddy, and hunger, nakedness and general
+misery, are severely felt by those who unfortunately become his tenants.
+He takes pleasure in afflicting the Indians here, and after their death
+receives all those into his dreary dominions, who in their life time
+have been so vile as to be rejected by Nauwaneu, under whose eye they
+are continued in an uncomfortable state forever. To this source of
+evil they offer some oblations to abate his vengeance, and render
+him propitious. They, however, believe him to be, in a degree, under
+subjection to his brother, and incapable of executing his plans only by
+his high permission.
+
+Public religious duties are attended to in the celebration of particular
+festivals and sacrifices, which are observed with circumspection and
+attended with decorum.
+
+In each year they have five feasts, or stated times for assembling in
+their tribes, and giving thanks to Nauwaneu, for the blessings which
+they have received from his kind and liberal and provident hand; and
+also to converse upon the best means of meriting a continuance of
+his favors. The first of these feasts is immediately after they have
+finished sugaring, at which time they give thanks for the favorable
+weather and great quantity of sap they have had, and for the sugar that
+they have been allowed to make for the benefit of their families. At
+this, as at all the succeeding feasts, the Chiefs arise singly, and
+address the audience in a kind of exhortation, in which they express
+their own thankfulness, urge the necessity and propriety of general
+gratitude, and point out the course which ought to be pursued by each
+individual, in order that Nauwaneu may continue to bless them, and that
+the evil spirit may be defeated.
+
+On these occasions the Chiefs describe a perfectly straight line, half
+an inch wide, and perhaps ten miles long, which they direct their people
+to travel upon by placing one foot before the other, with the heel of
+one foot to the toe of the other, and so on till they arrive at the end.
+The meaning of which is, that they must not turn aside to the right hand
+or to the left into the paths of vice, but keep straight ahead in the
+way of well doing, that will lead them to the paradise of Nauwaneu.
+
+The second feast is after planting; when they render thanks for
+the pleasantness of the season--for the good time they have had for
+preparing their ground and planting their corn; and are instructed by
+their Chiefs, by what means to merit a good harvest.
+
+When the green corn becomes fit for use, they hold their third, or green
+corn feast. Their fourth is celebrated after corn harvest; and the fifth
+at the close of their year, and is always celebrated at the time of the
+old moon in the last of January or first of February. This last deserves
+a particular description.
+
+The Indians having returned, from hunting, and having brought in all the
+venison and skins that they have taken, a committee is appointed,
+says Mrs. Jemison, consisting of from ten to twenty active men, to
+superintend the festivities of the great sacrifice and thanksgiving that
+is to be immediately celebrated. This being done, preparations are
+made at the council-house, or place of meeting, for the reception and
+accommodation of the whole tribe; and then the ceremonies are commenced,
+and the whole is conducted with a great degree of order and harmony,
+under the direction of the committee.
+
+Two white dogs, [Footnote: This was the practice in former times; but at
+present I am informed that only one dog is sacrificed.] without spot or
+blemish, are selected (if such can be found, and if not, two that have
+the fewest spots) from those belonging to the tribe, and killed near the
+door of the council-house, by being strangled. A wound on the animal or
+an effusion of blood, would spoil the victim, and render the sacrifice
+useless. The dogs are then painted red on their faces, edges of their
+ears, and on various parts of their bodies, and are curiously decorated
+with ribbons of different colors, and fine feathers, which are tied and
+fastened on in such a manner as to make the most elegant appearance.
+They are then hung on a post near the door of the council-house, at the
+height of twenty feet from the ground.
+
+This being done, the frolic is commenced by those who are present, while
+the committee run through the tribe or town, and hurry the people to
+assemble, by knocking on their houses. At this time the committee are
+naked, (wearing only a breech-clout,) and each carries a paddle, with
+which he takes up ashes and scatters them about the house in every
+direction. In the course of the ceremonies, all the fire is extinguished
+in every hut throughout the tribe, and new fire, struck from the flint
+on each hearth, is kindled, after having removed the whole of the ashes,
+old coals, &c. Having done this, and discharged one or two guns, they go
+on, and in this manner they proceed till they have visited every house
+in the tribe. This finishes the business of the first day.
+
+On the second day the committee dance, go through the town with
+bear-skin on their legs, and at every time they start they fire a gun.
+They also beg through the tribe, each carrying a basket in which to
+receive whatever may be bestowed. The alms consist of Indian tobacco,
+and other articles that are used for incense at the sacrifice.
+Each manager at this time carries a dried tortoise or turtle shell,
+containing a few beans, which he frequently rubs on the walls of the
+houses, both inside and out. This kind of manoeuvering by the committee
+continues two or three days, during which time the people at the
+council-house recreate themselves by dancing.
+
+On the fourth or fifth day the committee make false faces of husks, in
+which they run about, making a frightful but ludicrous appearance.
+In this dress, (still wearing the bear-skin,) they run to the
+council-house, smearing themselves with dirt, and bedaub every one who
+refuses to contribute something towards filling the baskets of incense,
+which they continue to carry, soliciting alms. During all this time they
+collect the evil spirit, or drive it off entirely, for the present, and
+also concentrate within themselves all the sins of their tribe, however
+numerous or heinous.
+
+On the eighth or ninth day, the committee having received all the sin,
+as before observed, into their own bodies, they take down the dogs, and
+after having transfused the whole of it into one of their own number,
+he, by a peculiar slight of hand, or kind of magic, works it all out of
+himself into the dogs. The dogs, thus loaded with all the sins of the
+people, are placed upon a pile of wood that is directly set on fire.
+Here they are burnt, together with the sins with which they were loaded,
+surrounded by the multitude, who throw incense of tobacco or the like
+into the fire, the scent of which they say, goes up to Nauwaneu, to whom
+it is pleasant and acceptable.
+
+This feast continues nine days, [Footnote: At present, as I have been
+informed, this feast is not commonly held more than from five to seven
+days. In former times, and till within a few years, nine days were
+particularly observed.] and during that time the Chiefs review the
+national affairs of the year past; agree upon the best plan to be
+pursued through the next year, and attend to all internal regulations.
+
+On the last day, the whole company partake of an elegant dinner,
+consisting of meat, corn and beans, boiled together in large kettles,
+and stirred till the whole is completely mixed and soft. This mess is
+devoured without much ceremony--some eat with a spoon, by dipping out of
+the kettles; others serve themselves in small dippers; some in one way,
+and some in another, till the whole is consumed. After this they perform
+the war dance, the peace dance, and smoke the pipe of peace; and then,
+free from iniquity, each repairs to his place of abode, prepared to
+commence the business of a new year. In this feast, temperance is
+observed, and commonly, order prevails in a greater degree than would
+naturally be expected.
+
+They are fond of the company of spectators who are disposed to be
+decent, and treat them politely in their way; but having been frequently
+imposed upon by the whites, they treat them generally with indifference.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+OF THEIR DANCES.
+
+Of these, two only will be noticed. The war dance is said to have
+originated about the time that the Six Nations, or Northern Indians,
+commenced the old war with the Cherokees and other Southern Indian
+Nations, about one hundred years ago.
+
+When a tribe, or number of tribes of the Six Nations, had assembled for
+the purpose of going to battle with their enemies, the Chiefs sung
+this song, and accompanied the music with dancing, and gestures that
+corresponded with the sentiments expressed, as a kind of stimulant to
+increase their courage, and anxiety to march forward to the place of
+carnage.
+
+Those days having passed away, the Indians at this day sing the 'war
+song,' to commemorate the achievements of their fathers, and as a kind
+of amusement. When they perform it, they arm themselves with a war-club,
+tomahawk and knife, and commence singing with firm voice, and a stern,
+resolute countenance: but before they get through they exhibit in their
+features and actions the most shocking appearance of anger, fury and
+vengeance, that can be imagined: No exhibition of the kind can be more
+terrifying to a stranger.
+
+The song requires a number of repetitions in the tune, and has a chorus
+that is sung at the end of each verse. I have not presumed to arrange it
+in metre; but the following is the substance: "We are assembled in the
+habiliments of war, and will go in quest of our enemies. We will march
+to their land and spoil their possessions. We will take their women and
+children, and lead them into captivity. The warriors shall fall by our
+war-clubs--we will give them no quarter. Our tomahawks we will dip in
+their brains! with our scalping knives we will scalp them." At each
+period comes on the chorus, which consists of one monosyllable only,
+that is sounded a number of times, and articulated like a faint, stifled
+groan. This word is "eh," and signifies "we will," or "we will go," or
+"we will do." While singing, they perform the ceremony of killing and
+scalping, with a great degree of dexterity.
+
+The peace dance is performed to a tune without words, by both sexes. The
+Indians stand erect in one place, and strike the floor with the heel
+and toes of one foot, and then of the other, (the heels and toes all the
+while nearly level,) without changing their position in the least. The
+squaws at the same time perform it by keeping the feet close together,
+and without raising them from the ground, move a short distance to the
+right, and then to the left, by first moving their toes and then their
+heels. This dance is beautiful, and is generally attended with decency.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+OF THEIR GOVERNMENT.
+
+Their government is an oligarchy of a mixed nature; and is administered
+by Chiefs, a part of whose offices are hereditary, and a part elective.
+The nation is divided into tribes, and each tribe commonly has
+two Chiefs. One of these inherits his office from his father. He
+superintends all civil affairs in the tribe; attends the national
+council, of which he is a member; assents to all conveyances of land,
+and is consulted on every subject of importance. The other is elected
+by the tribe, and can be removed at the pleasure of his constituents
+for malconduct. He also is a member of the national council: but his
+principal business is to superintend the military concerns of his tribe,
+and in war to lead his warriors to battle. He acts in concert with the
+other Chief, and their word is implicitly relied on, as the law by which
+they must be governed. That which they prohibit, is not meddled with.
+The Indian laws are few, and easily expounded. Their business of a
+public nature is transacted in council, where every decision is final.
+They meet in general council once a year, and sometimes oftener. The
+administration of their government is not attended with expense. They
+have no national revenue, and consequently have no taxes.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE EXTENT AND NUMBER OF THE SIX NATIONS.
+
+The Six Nations in the state of New-York are located upon several
+reservations, from the Oneida Lake to the Cattaraugus and Allegany
+rivers.
+
+A part of those nations live on the Sandusky, in the state of Ohio,
+viz--380 Cayugas, 300 Senecas, 64 Mohawks, 64 Oneidas, and 80 Onondagas.
+The bulk of the Mohawks are on Grand River, Upper Canada, together with
+some Senecas, Tuscaroras, Cayugas, Oneidas, and Onondagas.
+
+In the state of New-York there are 5000, and in the state of Ohio
+688, as we are assured by Capt. Horatio Jones, agent for paying their
+annuities, making in the whole, in both states, 5688.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+OF THEIR COURTSHIPS, &c.
+
+When an Indian sees a squaw whom he fancies, he sends a present to her
+mother or parents, who on receiving it consult with his parents, his
+friends, and each other, on the propriety and expediency of the proposed
+connexion. If it is not agreeable, the present is returned; but if it
+is, the lover is informed of his good fortune, and immediately goes to
+live with her, or takes her to a hut of his own preparing.
+
+Polygamy is practised in a few instances, and is not prohibited.
+
+Divorces are frequent. If a difficulty of importance arises between a
+married couple, they agree to separate. They divide their property and
+children; the squaw takes the girls, the Indian the boys, and both are
+at liberty to marry again.
+
+They have no marriage ceremony, nor form of divorcement, other than what
+has been mentioned.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+OF FAMILY GOVERNMENT.
+
+In their families, parents are very mild, and the mother superintends
+the children. The word of the Indian father, however, is law, and must
+be obeyed by the whole that are under his authority.
+
+One thing respecting the Indian women is worthy of attention, and
+perhaps of imitation, although it is now a days considered beneath the
+dignity of the ladies, especially those who are the most refined; and
+that is, they are under a becoming subjection to their husbands. It is
+a rule, inculcated in all the Indian tribes, and practised throughout
+their generations, that a squaw shall not walk before her Indian, nor
+pretend to take the lead in his business. And for this reason we never
+can see a party on the march to or from hunting and the like, in which
+the squaws are not directly in the rear of their partners.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+OF THEIR FUNERALS.
+
+The deceased having been laid out in his best clothing, is put into a
+coffin of boards or bark, and with him is deposited, in every instance,
+a small cup and a cake. Generally two or three candles are also put into
+the coffin, and in a few instances, at the burial of a great man, all
+his implements of war are buried by the side of the body. The coffin is
+then closed and carried to the grave. On its being let down, the person
+who takes the lead of the solemn transaction, or a Chief, addresses the
+dead in a short speech, in which he charges him not to be troubled about
+himself in his new situation, nor on his journey, and not to trouble his
+friends, wife or children, whom he has left. Tells him that if he meets
+with strangers on his way, he must inform them what tribe he belongs
+to, who his relatives are, the situation in which he left them, and that
+having done this, he must keep on till he arrives at the good fields in
+the country of Nauwaneu. That when he arrives there he will see all his
+ancestors and personal friends that have gone before him; who, together
+with all the Chiefs of celebrity, will receive him joyfully, and furnish
+him with every article of perpetual happiness.
+
+The grave is now filled and left till evening, when some of the nearest
+relatives of the dead build a fire at the head of it, near which they
+set till morning. In this way they continue to practise nine successive
+nights, when, believing that their departed friend has arrived at the
+end of his journey, they discontinue their attention. During this time
+the relatives of the dead are not allowed to dance.
+
+Formerly, frolics were held, after the expiration of nine days, for
+the dead, at which all the squaws got drunk, and those were the
+only occasions on which they were intoxicated: but lately those are
+discontinued, and squaws feel no delicacy in getting inebriated.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+OF THEIR CREDULITY.
+
+As ignorance is the parent of credulity, it is not a thing to be
+wondered at that the Indians should possess it in a great degree, and
+even suffer themselves to be dictated and governed by it in many of the
+most important transactions of their lives.
+
+They place great confidence in dreams, attach some sign to every
+uncommon circumstance, and believe in charms, spirits, and many
+supernatural things that never existed, only in minds enslaved to
+ignorance and tradition: but in no instance is their credulity so
+conspicuous, as in their unalterable belief in witches.
+
+They believe there are many of these, and that next to the author of
+evil, they are the greatest scourge to their people. The term witch, by
+them, is used both in the masculine and feminine gender, and denotes a
+person to whom the evil deity has delegated power to inflict diseases,
+cause death, blast corn, bring bad weather, and in short to cause
+almost any calamity to which they are liable. With this impression, and
+believing that it is their actual duty to destroy, as far as lies in
+their power, every source of unhappiness, it has been a custom among
+them from time immemorial, to destroy every one that they could convict
+of so heinous a crime; and in fact there is no reprieve from the
+sentence.
+
+Mrs. Jemison informed us that more or less who had been charged with
+being witches, had been executed in almost every year since she has
+lived on the Genesee. Many, on being suspected, made their escape:
+while others, before they were aware of being implicated, have been
+apprehended and brought to trial. She says that a number of years ago,
+an Indian chased a squaw, near Beard's Town, and caught her; but on
+the account of her great strength she got away. The Indian, vexed and
+disappointed, went home, and the next day reported that he saw her
+have fire in her mouth, and that she was a witch. Upon this she was
+apprehended and killed immediately. She was Big-tree's cousin, Mrs.
+Jemison says she was present at the execution. She also saw one other
+killed and thrown into the river.
+
+Col. Jeremiah Smith, of Leicester, near Beard's Town, saw an Indian
+killed by his five brothers, who struck him on the head with their
+tomahawks at one time. He was charged with being a witch, because of his
+having been fortunate enough, when on a hunting party, to kill a number
+of deer, while his comrades failed of taking any.
+
+Col. Smith also saw a squaw, who had been convicted of being a witch,
+killed by having small green whips burnt till they were red hot, but
+not quite coaled, and thrust down her throat. From such trifling causes
+thousands have lost their lives, and notwithstanding the means that
+are used for their reformation, the pagans will not suffer "a witch to
+live."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+OF THE MANNER OF FARMING, AS PRACTISED BY THE INDIAN WOMEN.
+
+It is well known that the squaws have all the labor of the field to
+perform, and almost every other kind of hard service, which, in civil
+society, is performed by the men. In order to expedite their business,
+and at the same time enjoy each other's company, they all work together
+in one field, or at whatever job they may have on hand. In the spring
+they choose an old active squaw to be their driver and overseer when at
+labor, for the ensuing year. She accepts the honor, and they consider
+themselves bound to obey her.
+
+When the time for planting arrives, and the soil is prepared, the squaws
+are assembled in the morning, and conducted into a field, where each
+plants one row. They then go into the next field, plant once across,
+and so on till they have gone through the tribe. If any remains to
+be planted, they again commence where they did at first, (in the same
+field,) and so keep on till the whole is finished. By this rule they
+perform their labor of every kind, and every jealousy of one having done
+more or less than another, is effectually avoided.
+
+Each squaw cuts her own wood; but it is all brought to the house under
+the direction of the overseer--each bringing one back load.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+OF THEIR METHOD OF COMPUTING TIME, AND KEEPING THEIR RECORDS.
+
+This is done by moons and winters: a moon is a month, and the time from
+the end of one winter to that of another, a year.
+
+From sunset till sunrise, they say that the sun is asleep. In the old of
+the moon, when it does not shine in the night, they say it is dead. They
+rejoice greatly at the sight of the new moon.
+
+In order to commemorate great events, and preserve the chronology of
+them, the war Chief in each tribe keeps a war post. This post is a
+peeled stick of timber, 10 or 12 feet high, that is erected in the town.
+For a campaign they make, or rather the Chief makes, a perpendicular
+red mark, about three inches long and half an inch wide; on the opposite
+side from this, for a scalp, they make a red cross, thus, +; on another
+side, for a prisoner taken, they make a red cross in this manner, X',
+with a head or dot, and by placing such significant hireoglyphics in
+so conspicuous a situation, they are enabled to ascertain with great
+certainty the time and circumstances of past events.
+
+Hiokatoo had a war-post, on which was recorded his military exploits,
+and other things that he tho't worth preserving.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ANECDOTES.
+
+Hiokatoo used to say that when he was a young man, there lived in the
+same tribe with him an old Indian warrior, who was a great counsellor,
+by the name of Buck-in-je-hil-lish. Buckinjehillish having, with
+great fatigue, attended the council when it was deliberating upon war,
+declared that none but the ignorant made war, but that the wise men
+and the warriors had to do the fighting. This speech exasperated his
+countrymen to such a degree that he was apprehended and tried for being
+a witch, on the account of his having lived to so advanced an age; and
+because he could not show some reason why he had not died before, he was
+sentenced to be tomahawked by a boy on the spot, which was accordingly
+done.
+
+In the last war, (1814,) an Indian who had been on fatigue, called at
+a commissary's and begged some bread. He was sent for a pail of water
+before he received it, and while he was absent an officer told the
+commissary to put a piece of money into the bread, and observe the
+event. He did so. The Indian took the bread and went off: but on the
+next day having ate his bread and found the money, he came to the
+commissary and gave him the same, as the officer had anticipated.
+
+Little Beard, a celebrated Indian Chief, having arrived to a very
+advanced age, died at his town on the Genesee river about the first of
+June, 1806, and was buried after the manner of burying chiefs. In his
+life time he had been quite arbitrary, and had made some enemies whom he
+hated, probably, and was not loved by them. The grave, however, deprives
+envy of its malignity, and revenge of its keenness.
+
+Little Beard had been dead but a few days when the great eclipse of the
+sun took place, on the sixteenth of June, which excited in the Indians
+a great degree of astonishment; for as they were ignorant of astronomy,
+they were totally unqualified to account for so extraordinary a
+phenomenon. The crisis was alarming, and something effectual must be
+done, without delay, to remove, if possible, the cause of such coldness
+and darkness, which it was expected would increase. They accordingly ran
+together in the three towns near the Genesee river, and after a short
+consultation agreed that Little Beard, on the account of some old grudge
+which he yet cherished towards them, had placed himself between them and
+the sun, in order that their corn might not grow, and so reduce them to
+a state of starvation. Having thus found the cause, the next thing was
+to remove it, which could only be done the use of powder and ball.
+Upon this, every gun and rifle was loaded, and a firing commenced, that
+continued without cessation till the old fellow left his seat, and the
+obscurity was entirely removed, to the great joy of the ingenious and
+fortunate Indians.
+
+In the month of February, 1824, Corn Planter, a learned pagan Chief
+at Tonnewonta, died of common sickness. He had received a liberal
+education, and was held in high estimation in his town and tribe, by
+both parties; but the pagans more particularly mourned his loss deeply,
+and seemed entirely unreconciled. They imputed his death to witchcraft,
+and charged an Indian by the name of Prompit, with the crime.
+
+Mr. Prompit is a Christian Indian, of the Tuscarora nation, who has
+lived at Tonnewonta a number of years, where he has built a saw-mill
+himself, which he owns, and is considered a decent, respectable man.
+
+About two weeks after the death of Corn Planter, Mr. Prompit happened in
+company where the author was present, and immediately begun to converse
+upon that subject. He said that the old fashioned Indians called him a
+witch--believed that he had killed Corn Planter, and had said that
+they would kill him. But, said he, all good people know that I am not a
+witch, and that I am clear of the charge. Likely enough they will kill
+me; but if they do, my hands are clean, my conscience is clear, and I
+shall go up to God. I will not run nor hide from them, and they may kill
+me if they choose to--I am innocent. When Jesus Christ's enemies, said
+he, wanted to kill him, he did not run away from them, but let them kill
+him; and why should I run away from my enemies?
+
+How the affair will terminate, we are unable to decide.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+DESCRIPTION OF GENESEE RIVER AND ITS BANKS, FROM MOUNT MORRIS TO THE
+UPPER FALLS.
+
+From Mount Morris the banks of the Genesee are from two to four hundred
+feet in height, with narrow flats on one side of the river or the other,
+till you arrive at the tract called Gardow, or Cross Hills. Here you
+come to Mrs. Jemison's flats, which are two miles and a quarter long,
+and from eighty to one hundred and twenty rods wide, lying mostly on the
+west side of the river.
+
+Near the upper end of these flats is the Great Slide. Directly above
+this, the banks (still retaining their before mentioned height) approach
+so near each other as to admit of but thirty acres of flat on one side
+of the river only, and above this the perpendicular rock comes down to
+the water.
+
+From Gardow you ascend the river five miles to the lower falls, which
+are ninety-three feet perpendicular. These falls are twenty rods wide,
+and have the greatest channel on the east side. From Wolf creek to these
+falls the banks are covered with elegant white and Norway pine.
+
+Above the lower falls the banks for about two miles are of perpendicular
+rock, and retain their height of between two and four hundred feet.
+Having travelled this distance you reach the middle falls, which are an
+uninterrupted sheet of water fifteen rods wide, and one hundred and ten
+feet in perpendicular height. This natural curiosity is not exceeded
+by any thing of the kind in the western country, except the cataract at
+Niagara.
+
+From the middle falls the banks gradually rise, till you ascend the
+river half a mile, when you come to the upper falls, which are somewhat
+rolling, 66 feet, in the shape of a harrow. Above this the banks are
+of moderate height. The timber from the lower to the upper falls is
+principally pine. Just above the middle falls a saw-mill was erected
+this season (1823) by Messrs. Ziba Hurd and Alva Palmer.
+
+
+HUNTING ANECDOTE.
+
+In November, 1822, Capt. Stephen Rolph and Mr. Alva Palmer drove a deer
+into Genesee river, a short distance above the middle falls, where the
+banks were so steep and the current so impetuous, that it could not
+regain the shore, and consequently was precipitated over the falls, one
+hundred and ten feet, into the gulph below. The hunters ran along the
+bank below the falls, to watch the fate of the animal, expecting it
+would be dashed in pieces. But to their great astonishment it came up
+alive, and by swimming across a small eddy, reached the bank almost
+under the falls; and as it stood in that situation, Capt. Ralph, who was
+on the top of the bank, shot it. This being done, the next thing to be
+considered was, how to get their prize. The rock being perpendicular,
+upwards of one hundred feet, would not admit of their climbing down to
+it, and there was no way, apparently, for them to get at it, short of
+going down the river two miles, to the lower falls, and then by creeping
+between the water and the precipice, they might possibly reach their
+game. This process would be too tedious. At length Mr. Palmer proposed
+to Capt. Rolph and Mr. Heman Merwin, who had joined them, that if they
+would make a windlas and fasten it to a couple of saplings that stood
+near, and then procure some ropes, he would be let down and get the
+deer. The apparatus was prepared; the rope was tied round Palmer's body,
+and he was let down. On arriving at the bottom he unloosed himself,
+fastened the rope round the deer, which they drew up, and then threw
+down the rope, in which he fastened himself, and was drawn up, without
+having sustained any injury. From the top to the bottom of the rock,
+where he was let down, was exactly one hundred and twenty feet.
+
+
+
+
+FINIS
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary
+Jemison, by James E. Seaver
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