History of the Wyandott mission, at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, under the direction of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Front matter

HISTORY

OP

THE AVYANDOTT MISSION,

Preface

In presenting this volume to the Christian public, the author claims no other merit than that of giving a plain narrative of facts which fell under his own observation, or which are derived from authentic sources. In early life he became acquainted with the Indian tribes bordering on our frontier, and acquired considerable knowledge of their history and traditions-^their manners and customs—their religion and modes of worship ; and having been subsequently several years a missionary to the ^Vyandotts, at Upper Sandusky, he is enabled to give a relation of all that pertains to the introduction and success of the Gospel among them.

In undertaking this work the author has been influenced by the advice of several of his friends, as well as by his own desire to bring to the notice of the public, the example furnished in the history of the Wyandott mission, of the divine efficiency of Christianity to civilize the heathen nations. He has not aimed at a polished style, and seeks no literary fame ; his highest ambition being to advance tlie glory of God, and the influence of genuine religion among men.

That the historical narrative contained in this volume may edify his readers, and awaken their sympathies and stimulate them to greater efforts in sustaining the cause of missions, as well as aflbrd encouragement to the missionary of the cross to renewed exertions in the great work of evangelizing the world, is the earnest prayer of

The Autiioh.

Contents

HIHTOKY OF THE WYANDOTT MISSION

Chapter I

Indians, why so called — Their origin unknown — Supposed to bedepcendaiit.-: of the Ten Tribes of Israel — Revolt of the Ten Tribes — Carried captive into Assyria — Scripture prophecies concerninfr them — Of tlicir dispcroion and final restoration — Their present exii^tence and place unknown — Outcasts from the rest of the world — Their probable miration to this continent — Arguments to show this — Quotation from Esdras — Probable from Assyria to this continent — Compaiison. bctwecn the Indians and Jews, in tlieir persons, dress, ornaments, tScc. — Txic Indian languages derived from one root — Indians' opinion of their own origin — Hold themselves to be a distinct race. Page 13

Chapter II

The Wyandotts — Former extent of their territory — Strong and warlike — Division of the nation — Tlieu- bravery — Hospitality — Divide their lands with other nations — Diminution of their numljcrs — Gloomy r>:'flections of tlie Indian in contemplating the extinction of his race — 111 treatment of them by the whites — The persons of the Inditms described — Mental characteristics — Pecvdiar traits of character — Worship the Great Spirit — Their festivals — Medicine feast — Feast of dreams — Feast of giving names — V/ar feast — The great feast — Wobbeno feast — Feast wath the dead — Boys' feast — Garangula — Autumnal feasts — Solemn feasts — Buffalo feasts — Wyandotts in two tribes — Change in the dynastv — Form of government — ]\Ianslaughtcr and the avenger of blood — A singular example — Towns of refuge — An example — Law about property sold — A case where the author was concerned — Law about theft — Theft formerly almost unknown — Sanguinary' law against murder — Its beneficial effect — Witchcraft — Case of a young man bewitched by wolves — Stewart and a witch — Horrible death inflicted on her — Games — Their religion — Believe in two Gods — Ii> future rcwai'ds and punishments — In inspiration — Seneca prophet —

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O CONTENTS.

Shawiiec prophet — Inferior prophets — Polygamy — Hospitality — Reception and entertainment of strangers — Author eats a dish of locusts — Mode of eating — ;A case of two white men transgressing it — Their friendship and hatred Page 43

Chapter III

Introduction of the Gospel among the Wyandotts — Their degraded condition before this — Their reception of the Roman Catholic religion — Its bad effects on their minds and lives — John Stewart — His conversion — Is impressed to preach to the Indians — Leaves Marietta lor this purpose — Comes to Goshen, on the Tuscarawas — Then to the Delawares at Pipetown — Adventures there — Comes to Upper Sandusky — Kindly received by the Walkers — Interview with Jonathan Pointer, who discourages him in his undertaking — First preaching of Stewart among the Wyandotts — Decision of Mr. Walker respecting the Protestant and Catholic Bibles — Stewart departs for Marietta-^ Robert Armstrong — Visits of local preachers to the Wyandotts — Tliey are recognized by the Ohio Coiifcrcncc as a missionary station — Rev, James Montgomery appointed missionaiy — Leaves the station, and becomes sub-agent at Lower Sandusky — Moses HeiJcle, Sen.^ supphes his place — First Indian quarterly meeting held at Ebenezer Zane's, November 19th, 1819 — Interesting exercise of the meeting — Experience of Between-the-logs — Of Hicks — Of Scuteash — Mononcue's exhortation, and liis remarks on whisky — Between-the-logs describes their ancient religion, that of the Roman Catholic, and the Seneca and ShaviTiee prophets — The Wyandott mission peculiarly blessed — Religion alone truly civilizes savage men — The author purs^iades them to have a school, and adopt the habits of civilized life — Address of the nation, dated August 7th, 1821, to the conference held at Lebanon — Dangerous voyage to Dc^troit — Tlie liark canoe — Quarterly meeting at Detroit — Voyage to Portland — Journey to Lower Sandusky — An Indian poney 73

Chapter IV

. The author in August, 1821, appointed mirisio)iary — Want of missionary funds and resources — Preparations for his journey — ■ Arrives at the mission — Cordially received — Lives in a cold, open cabin — Builds a new one — Works very hard, and prepares materialsfor building the mission house — Sufferings during the winter — Stewart teaches Indian school at Big Spring — Happy death of Mononcue's aunt — His speech at her funeral — Unformed state of the Clmrcli — Organization of a cla>;s a^ Big Spring, and one at the mission — Opposition to this course by the luke-wann and irrcli^'- ious — Unprincipled conduct of the traders — Heads of a sermon at the mission — Between-thc-logs exhorts — Indian woman's dream — Indians repair to their hunting ground, to hunt and make sugar — Author visits their camps to hold a two days' meeting — Eats boiled raccoon and molasses — The hunting camp — The houses, beds, and fixtures — Mode of hunting raccoons — Bears — Their habitudes — Mode of hunting them in winter — Young bears — Bear robbed of her cubs — Bear's flesh and oil — Bear's oil, venison, sugar, and parched corn — Account of the meeting — Return to the mission house — Meeting among the whites on Tyamochte creek — Mononcue's address to them on drinking — Difficulties of regulating classew and explaining Discipline Page llo

Chapter V

Interesting examination of the leaders at the quarterly conference — Cleanliness promoted — Better treatment of women — Wicked conduct of traders — Scruples of the chiefs respecting holding civil ofl[lces — The author removes their doubts — His reasoning on this topic — Interesting camp meeting on Delaware circuit — Profitable quarterly meeting at the mission — Meeting at the Big Spring — Conversion of an Indian w^oman on the way, while riding to it — Baptisms and marriages — Organization of two small schools — Erection of the mission house — Dangerous illness of the author, occasioned by hard labor at the house — Illness of Mrs. Finley — Both recover slowly — Their great sufferings — Evil surmisings respecting Stewart — Bishop M'Kendree purchases a farm for him, and provides for his family — 111 health of the author — Unable to receive a re-appointment to the mission — Correspondence with Rev. J. Soule and Rev. S. G. Roszel — Speech of Betwcen-the-logs at conference — Bishop M'Kendree's reply 135

Chapter VI

The author is appointed to the Lebanon di.-itrict, and superintendent of the mission — Charles Elliott is appointed missionar}' — Arrives at Sandusky early in October — A school committee appointed — A school opened, and becomes very large — Two teachers, viz., \^''illiam Walker, Jr., and Lydia Barstow, appointed — Revival among the children — ^The author quits the district, and takes charge of the mission — Brother Elliott is employed in making collections for the mission — Opposition of the heathen party — Bloody-eyes determines to kill his brother, Between- the-logs — The author's rencounter with

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llu! \\vixd chief, Dc-un-qiiot, and his party — Their dress — Tlio chiei !)iaintai)TS that there are two gods, one of the whites, anolhcT of th<j rod men — The author's reply to tliis theory — Pertinent remarks of Between-thc-logs — The liead cliief dies shortly after — His wifo joins the Cluirch — DifiieuUy in exercising Discipline — A ciiriouf* case between a trader and Betwcen-thc-logs Page 10 1

CHAPTEll VII.

The author visits neighboring tribes — Conversation with the chiefs on the diilcrence between Methodist and Presbyterian doctrine — Visit to the Mohawks — Dangerous passage over iloney creek — Interesting meeting and formation of a class among the Mohawks — Visit to the Senec.y.? — Tlie Seneca feast — Peccption of the Wyandotts — Speech respecting the Seneca propliet — Prelinunary answer of Between- the-Iogs — Commences a religious meeting — Admirable speech on the superiority of the Christian over the Indian religion — Answers and objections — Speech of Hicks — Speech of Mononcuc — His description of the judgment — Eili^cf on the hearers — Closing interview of the Seneca and Wyandott chiefs — The raithor renews his acquaintance with A^lpiiig-.sticlc, a chief — Good effects of their visit upon the Senecas. . . . 171

Chapter VIII

Quarterly meeting held July 26th, 1823, in the woods — Love feast — Speech of Between-thc-Iogs — Good ellbcts of the meeting — The school — Formed on the manual la])or plan — Classification and employ of the boys — Of the girls — Bishop M'Kendree'^ visit — fie teaches the boys to hoe — His letter to T. Mason — Mr. Johnston's letter — The Bishop visits and instructs the Indians at their houses — Interesting conversations with them — Eeligion can civilize savai;(* men — Attempts of the government agents to purchase the Wyandott reservation — Speech of a chief on the occasion — The whites steal their liorses — Expedient to remedy tliis — Journal of their doings in council kept in writing — Regulations concerning marriage and divoixe — Extract from their journal — liaws respecting drunkenness — Case of a young man — Good effects of religion on its professors — Treatment of the children — Manner of convincing the Indiaiis of the truth of religion — G. R. Jones' letter 182

Chapter IX

The year 1823-24 — The author re-appointed, and with him the Rev. Jacob Hooper — liCttcr from Hon. Lewis Cass — Ijast illness and death of John Stewart — The author sots out for the north, to visit other tribes, accompanied by two Indians — Incidents on tho way — The ring hunt — A Wyandott hymn — Sin of sclUng ardent spirits — Lodging at a Frenchman's — Meeting at the house of Honnis — Description of this venerable man — His speech — Roman CathoUc priests among the Wyandotts — Mouth of the Detroit river — Maiden — Brownstown — Detroit — Interview with Governor Cass — Crosses to the Canada side of the river — Forms the first Indian class ever formed in Canada — Return to Detroit — Revival there.

Chapter X

The author's return home from Detroit — Preparations for tho journey — Incidents on the way — Sleeps on the ground — Passing the Maumee — He and his companions come to an Indian camp — Spoons of lynn bark — Return to the mission — Attempts of the heathen party to revive their old religion — Their curious notions respecting the Bible — The chiefs accuse the sub-agent — His trial before Mr. Johnston — Unfounded allegations against tho author — His manner of defense — Mr. Johnston's letter — The author's life threatened — He employs no means of otfense or defense — Respect shown to him by the wicked Indians 235

Chapter XI

The year 1824 — A class formed of the school children — Tlitir religious exercises — Their Christian behavior — Death of Hanr/idi Armstrong, in May, 1824 — The Indians go to White river to hunt during the winter — Between-the-logs has charge of the party — They all observe the Sabbath, and hold religious meetings — Whi'o persons coming to trade on the Sabbath, are reproved — Admirabl<^ exhortation of Between-the-logs on one of these occasion.^ — Their return to Sandusky — Sum-mun-de-vs at and the unknown j)reachor — Unprincipled conduct of the traders — Attempt of the heatlien party to restore their religion — Manner in which tlie author restored those who had been led astray by the heathens — Kindness and revenge of the Indian — ^Instance in the case of Adam Poe and Rohn-yen-nes^: — . The Indians turn their attention to agriculture and domestic improvements — They receive much aid from the example and assistance of the missionaries — Erection of a meeting house — Inter\iev.- of the author with President Monroe — Also with Mr. Calhoun — Letter from Mr. M'Kenney — Form of a report for an l!:>dijn school— Objections to this by some — Efilciency of the Gospel to civilize man . Page 2 13

Chapter XII

May, 1824 — Missionary meeting at Baltimore — Anecdotes and address by Summerfield — The aunt and her niece — Mr. Wirt taken for an Indian — Note from Rev. ^Richard Reece — Influence of rehgion in civilization — Impulse given to missionary exertions — I^etter of T. Jackson, Philadelphia — Also of L. Dorsey, Baltimore — Mr. M'Kenney's letter — Contemplated division of their lands — Mr, M'Kenney's letter on this point — State of the mission at the close of the year — Bishop Soule's letter — State of the Wyandott mission in Canada 262

Chapter XIII

Conference year commencing 1824 — The author and J. Hooper rc-appointc_d to the mission — Division of the Indian lands considered — Proposal to remove west of the Mississippi — Letter from Mr. M'Kenncy — Letter to the War Department, on the state of the school — Mr. M'Kenney's reply — Gov. Cass' letter — The author's letter to the War Department on the removal of the Indians — Annoyance of the whites, and the remedy — Gov. Cass' letter — Blackhoof's view on removing by the government — Mr. M'Kenney's letter — Removal of the Indians — Religious state of the mission — Letter from the Female Missionary Society of New York, accompanying a donation of books — Mr. Dando's letter — Letter of the chiefs — Letter of Methodist Female Missionary Society of Philadelphia — The author's reply 294

Chapter XIV

Robert Armstrong — His capture when a child — Brief notice of his life — His character — Usefulness — Death — Author appointed Sub- Agent for the Wyandotts — Correspondence on that subject — Discharges its duties gratuitously — Letter from a Juvenile Missionary Society — Reflections — Exhortation to the young — Condition of the mission — Efforts of traders to entice the Indians to intemperance — Severe reproof to makers and venders of ardent spirits — Scuteash seduced ])y the traders, and led into incurable drunkenness — Unsuccessful attempts of the author to reform him 320

Chapter XV

Conference year commencing in 1825 — The author and Rev. J. C. Brooke appointed missionaries — Twelve of the ' largest Indian boys sPiit to live among the whites — The authors exposure in lying out all night — His dangerous sickness — A good quarterly meeting — Conversion of Scionta, the high priest of the heathen party — Letter of the author — He and Between-the-Iogs, Mononcue, and others, set out to visit the eastern cities — Voyage to Buffalo — Religious exercises on the canal — Arrival at Schenectady — At Albany — At Newburgh — At New York — They lodge at Dr. Pitts' — Are disturbed witli drays and carts passing before day — Mononcue's opinion of sea crabs — They are amused with the curiosities of the city — School of colored children — Museum — Gas lights — The chiefs speak in the (•ongregation — Rev. H. B. Bascom's admirable missionaiy sermon — Missionar)' meeting — Speech of Betwecn-the-Iogs — Of Mononcue — Of Rev. J. P. Durbin— Letter from Bishop Soule— They visit Philsidelphia — Occurrences there — Proceed to Baltimore — Received b} Bishop Soule and others at the wharf — Lodged at his house — Kindness of his family — Bishop M'Kendree — Great curiosity to see the chiefs — Favorable impression made by their visit — The Baltimore camp meeting — Address of Between-the-Iogs — He addresses the congregation by signs — Good effects — The Severn camp meeting — Anecdote of a German — Visit to Vv^ashington — The author and the chiefs return home — Their report to their people — Letter from Sarah B. Sargent — Reflection — Judge Leib's Report to the Secretary of War , Page 33G

Chapter XVI

Conference year commencing in 1826 — Rev. James Gilruth appointed missionary to the Wyandotts — Death of Between-the-Iogs — Bishop M'Kendrce's last visit to the mission — Rev. John P. Finley — The Bishop's pastoral care of the mission — Holds a council with the chiefs — His address to them — Their reply — Notes of this council, taken b}' the Bishop — His notice of some of their peculiar customs — Scionta, formerl}^ high priest of the heathen party — His conversion noticed — The Bishop's valedictory — Affecting parting scene — The Bishop, the avithor, and others, set out for Urbana — Indian provision for the journey — Incidents on the wa}' — Reflections concerning the Bishop's plainness and humility — Indian " cold coffee" — Arrival at Urbana — Bishop's letter to Editors of the Methodist Magazine — Slander against the author investigated and refuted — Certificate of the chiefs in his favor — Young Ladies' Wyandott Missionary Society of Philadelphia — Letters from same. 386

Chapter XVII

The Wyandotts want their lands divided — Letter from Gov. Cass on the subject — The division made — Good effects thereof — Letter from Mononcue — Case of cruel murder among the Indians — Death of the murdered man — The murderer's life purchased by presents to widow of deceased — Her conversion — She returns the price of her husband's blood, and marries — Stricture on the manufacture and sale of ardent spirits — Publishers' notice — Letter from Rev. James Gilnith Page 392

Chapter XVIII. Obituatiies

Bet ween- thc-logs — Big- tree — Jos. Williams — Cu-an-da-ma Hicks — Maurice — Mar)- — Wah-shu-ta-mah — An-daw-y a-wah — Thomas Mason — Isaac Walker — Co-ban — Hannah — Eliza Jane Hansberger — Sister Frost — Two Feathers — Maurice — Ken-taugh-que — Susan Brant — In-cats-see — Cu-ah's wife — John Brant — ^Eli Pipe — Ta-zuh — Nau-gah-hat — Mary I^ighter — Sy-on-to's wife — None-way-sa — Yas-yah — Sister Jaco — Men-da-za — Tar-un-ene — Polly Zane — Ya-men-dash — Ta-sa-tee-^Sister Jacques — Tay-how-wa-ha — Tare-sha — Tar-he-too — Maurice Big Spoon — An-da-wiz-u — Peter Warpole — Jesse Lee — Jacob Hooper — Men-sa-noo — May-yat-ta-hat — John Coon — John M'Lean — Ya-zhe-ah — Charlotte Barnet — Elizabeth Mononcue — Tom Long — Mariah — Rhon-yan-ness — Concluding remarks 401

HISTORY OF THE WYANDOTT MISSION.