THE EEL RIVER TRIBE
of Indiana...A Wabash Confederacy
of Indiana...A Wabash Confederacy
RESTORING LOST HISTORY
Part II
Part II
| For Many people, Knowing where you come from, your heritage and history gives your life direction and meaning. You can find a sense of pride, respect, honor for your particular culture and ancestral past. Knowing your heritage and history can also help when making decisions and choices today that will ultimately affect tomorrow. You may have heard " If you do not know history ...you are destined to repeat it" Sometimes this can be a benefit and other times a detriment. Either way an education for all. In Part I , we showed you an example of what misreported historical information can cause when used as an historical truth and accepted among the scholars and historians as fact, unaware at times that was an honest error. In Part II we will hopefully show that the Eel River where and are still a separate and independent group that popular accounts have mostly forgotten. In some cases this has caused some to question our only intent. To preserve our history and heritage solely. Many times in the past few years, these same professional historians simply have dismissed us, under the pretense " Look at all of the information available that is contrary to your accounts" We have elected to share some of our historical records in this format with the hope that these same professionals may consider a reexamination of the information they feel is factual. We wish to make it clear that some of this information may be in direct contrast to more accepted and popular historical accounts, However; the information presented is real and authentic. We welcome all to examine our records and compare the information to that which they may have or references they might be using. |
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"Why do we work so hard to prove, share, restore our heritage and history?"
| Ours is not to change the past but leave a record for our future. Ours is not to confuse others but share all that we know to be true. Ours is not to destroy, but rather build that which will last beyond our days. Ours is not to alter others stories but to preserve our own. Our path will be hard and some may fall but for those who can endure and for those who will prevail, our memory, our history, our Tribe will live in the hearts of our grand-children's children. ~ Five Trees |
In the 1780's and 1790's adventures into the region we know call Indiana had heightened. Conflicts between the Tribes of the
Wabash valley and the early inhabitants grew to levels not seen for many years. Major Battles lead by Little Turtle, Blue Jacket and
members of this Wabash Confederacy had or would inflict extreme casualties against the New American military. The Government
took immediate actions to subdue the conflicts in the region to strengthen future occupation and claim, before the British or other
governments could gain a stronger presence there. It would take whatever means necessary and this would mean destruction,
Treaties and changing policies. Many accounts of the Eel Rivers during this time period are conclusive when listing the Eel Rivers as
a separate Tribe, force under specific leadership. LINK:(More supporting historical records)
It was suggested that the Eel Rivers might be persuaded to leave this confederacy and enter into a lasting peace with the Americans.
Steps to secure this peace were taken as men such as Putnam, Heckwelder and others would venture into the region to begin
negotiation with the Eel River Leaders and other allied Leaders.
Historical Society of Pennsylvania Ms.,
Wayne Papers, vol. 20. Hamtramck, John Francis
Letter to Arthur St. Clair, Fort Knox
June 17, 1792 (Copy) Fort Knox Vincennes June 17th 1792
Sir
Since the last I had the honor of writing your Excellency an Indian who I had sent to Eel River has returned and reports that the
Indians have absolutely left the Miami Town and gone further into the Country in order to secure their women and children and were
making every preparation to defend their lands as they are told that it is the intention of Government to strip them of it.--
The Eel river Indians who had promised me to detach themselves from the Miamies are not yet arrived but are on their way to this
place few of them excepted.--
In January, 1790 Harmar wrote to Hamtramck, desiring him to send a speech from St. Clair to the Wabash Indians and the Miami,
demanding positive proof of their peace and friendship. Hamtramck delayed sending this message for several months, since most
of the Indians at this time were still at their wintering grounds. However in early April, 1790 Antoine Gamelin, long-time resident of
Vincennes, started up the Wabash with St. Clair's message to the various Indian groups. He visited the Eel River village twice, once
on his way upstream to the Miami villages of the Maumee, and again on his trip downriver to Vincennes. Neither time was he able to
obtain a satisfactory answer from the Eel River Indians. On both visits the "head chief" was absent, and the Eel River Indians
declared that they could give no answer in his absence. This attitude is in contradistinction to that expressed by the majority of Valley
groups. These latter had deferred to a future decision of the Miami of the Maumee, and these latter, in turn had stated that they had to
consult the "Lake Indians" as well as the British commandant at Detroit, before answering .Link Doc 317
As a result St. Clair resolved to attack the Wabash Indian and Miami villages. One army under Harmar was to raid the Miami and
other villages on the Maumee, while a smaller force, under Hamtramck, was to attack as many of the Wabash Indian towns as
possible.
After the defeats and losses of the 1790 campaigns against the Wabash and Maumee River Indian villages, it was decided that a
second series of campaigns should be undertaken unless the Indians sued for peace before early May. However, there was no
general movement towards attaining peace made by the Indians, so a concerted campaign was planned against the Maumee
villages by the United States army under the command of St. Clair. Subsidiary raids, up to three if necessary, were to be made by
groups of mounted Kentucky volunteers against the Wabash Valley towns.
The first raid on the Wabash towns was made against the Indians (Wea and Kickapoo) at Ouiatanon, and against Kethtipecanunk, an
"important" but unidentified village at the mouth of the Tippecanoe River. The second raid two months later under the direction of
Brig. Gen. James Wilkinson, saw the destruction of Kenapaquomaqua, the Eel River town "scattered along Eel River for full three
miles." At the time Wilkinson attacked most of the inhabitants of this town were absent for various purposes. The Americans killed
nine Eel River Indians, captured 34, and released one White captive. They also burned all the cabins of the Eel Rivers and cut down
their growing corn, before leaving in search of Kickapoo villages. This would prompt a treaty to be drafted and signed in 1792 but this
Treaty would not ratified or made official.
The Eel River Indians desirability of peace with the United States. In early March of 1792 two Eel River and seven Wea chiefs
appeared at Vincennes and made known to Hamtramck "their intention. . .to be at peace with the United States." On March 14, 1792,
a temporary agreement calling for peace and friendship with the United States was signed by Hamtramck and these nine chiefs. The
two Eel River Indian signers were Peankeunshaw and Checunememshaw, or Chicokenemanshaw
An Anthropological Report on the
History of the Miamis, Weas, and
Eel River Indians, Vol. 1. Chapter 4, pp. 161-170.
As a result, in mid-June of 1792 Hamtramck reported to St. Clair that: a number of the Eel River Indians have arrived [at Vincennes]
and says that the remainder part of their Eel River Nation are coming down: This wants more confirmation for it is my opinion that
few of them are come only in expectation to get their prisoners as they expected to have had a treaty at this place. . . .I also think that
the Eel River may be persuaded to detach themselves entirely from the Miamis and come under the protection of the United States.
At this date, the Miami were one of the leading Indian opponents of the United States. But Hamtramck's prophesy concerning the
attitudes of the Eel Rivers was correct. This group with the Weas and Piankashaws, signed the unratified Treaty of September 27,
1792, held at Vincennes.
This unratified Treaty of September 27, 1792 was held at Vincennes, with one Rufus Putnam as commissioner. The Treaty was
made between the United States and the representatives of nine different Indian groups - Eel Rivers, Wea, Potawatomi, Kickapoo,
Piankashaw, Mascouten, Kaskaskia, Peoria, and Ottawa- and the United States. Five Eel River chiefs signed the Treaty: Peankeshaw
("the name of the river at the Vemillion Town"), Nawunsuneah ("the name of the beautifulanimals invoked by their ancestors," or
"Joseph"), Awlawmawnwe ("a wave"), Shemahanechseah ("the Soldier"), and Haghhaghkeah ("Grasshopper"). One of the Eel River
chiefs, Peankeshaw or Peankeunshaw, signed both the September, 1792, treaty and the March, 1792 temporary agreement. We
conclude that Nawunsunseah or Joseph, is the same as "Joseph" or "Great Joseph," the uncle of the Soldier's wife, who died in
Philadelphia prior to February 1, 1793.40 Of the remaining four signers of the 1792 treaty, we can identify only one
"Shemahanechseah the Soldier" (1792) or "Sha-me-kun-ne-sa (or Soldier)" who signed the Treaty of Greenville of August 3, 1795.
According to John Heckewelder, the Moravian missionary who accompanied Rufus Putnam to the Vincennes treaty of September 27,
1792, the Eel Rivers were Weas. Heckewelder listed in his account of this treaty the names and locations of the various attending
groups, to wriet:
the Eel-Creeck Wiachtenoos from the source of the Wabash, Wiachtenoos
from the lower down on the Wabash, the Piankeshaws between the Wabash
and Illinois, the Potawattamos from Lake Michigan and St. Joseph, The
Kickapoos from Cahokia, the Kaskaskas and Musquetons from Kaskaskias.
A Historical misreport of an Eel River Chief.
His error and cause for this misreport was due to "The Soldier" an Eel River Chief was married to The
daughter of a Wea Chief.
Liscomb, A.A. , and A.L. Bergh. Eds. “The Writtings of Thomas Jefferson” Vol.16 Speeches of John Baptist de Coigne, Chief of the
Wabash and Illinois Indians, and other Indian Chiefs February 1, 1793 pp 377-389 particularly page 386] States:
Excerpt:
“ The wife of The Soldier, a Wyattaon, speaks.” Father.~ I take you by the hand....
NOTE: Phonetic spelling for Ouiotinon, a Wea name and settlement/ Fort near Lafayette IN)
His wife was Wea.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
At this date, the Miami were one of the leading Indian opponents of the United States. But Hamtramck's prophesy concerning the
attitudes of the Eel Rivers was correct. This group with the Weas and Piankashaws, signed the unratified Treaty of September 27,
1792, held at Vincennes.Two of the three Indians who signed the Treaty of Greenville either as "Eel River" or "Eel River and Miami"
chiefs can be identified. One, Sha-me- kun-ne-sa (or Soldier), was an Eel River chief who had signed the Putnam treaty of 1792 at
Vincennes. Another was Pee-jee-wa (or Richerville), a Miami chief formerly from Kekionga, at the head of the Maumee but in 1795
from near the mouth of the Mississinewa River. Still un-identity by most historians is, Coch-ke-pogh-togh, the third Eel River signer of
the Treaty of Greenville. The last two, signed as Eel River for specific reasons. Related to marriage rather then hereditary ties. Later
both would appear signing for other Tribal Nations other then The Eel Rivers. The Soldier also would be recorded as a member of
another group also as a result of a parental union. His father Marriages within tribal linages would create additional confusion and
difficulty when dealing with the government. The absence of this leader during reported visits to the Eel River Village, also accounts
for this multiple roll he played in history. The relationships formed by these marriages would in time create additional confusion to
the identification of The Eel Rivers, relationship to other groups and ultimately many misreports of the separate and independence as
a self governed Tribal Group.
The Treaty of Greenville was complete and issues in the area would turn to securing more and more land. This would require
additional land cessions by even more treaties. The US Government was willing to purchase these lands from the rightful owners or
from those who controlled the area. This was a pure European Idea as many groups had at one time lived on or used these shared
lands. By 1805 the difficulty identifying the Eel River, Wea and Miami had grown by similar appearances and absences during joint
meetings, inter-Tribal marriages and past relationships and newly formed relationship and tension over fame and notoriety of various
leaders.
The Treaty of 1803 at Vincennes, (different then the 1803 at Ft Wayne) a treaty was done with The Eel River Nation Aug. 7th, 1803.
Proof of lasting peace was both requested and needed. The US issued tokens of this in the form of Silver Trade or Treaty Medals and
in other cases, Flags or other artifacts that were physical proof of these agreements. Little Turtle and others had demanded these
"Proofs" as symbols of both intent and authority within the Tribal structures. The Eel Rivers had always been in the middle of issues
within the area. They had wanted to leave for Vincennes immediately following the meeting the council meeting to sign these
agreements for peace but delays and other issues seemed to always cause unforeseen delays. When tensions or hostilities had
broken out in the region they often found themselves on both sides of loyalties, one to tribe and the other to deliver on the promises to
the Agents of the Government. The Leaders were different, some had come from places and situations not common to generally
knowledge. Charley the successor to Little Turtle after the treaty of 1805, had served with Wm Harrison in the army and history has
recorded this and that fact they were at one time "Old Friends"
The Journal of the Proceedings” Ft Wayne IN “Indian Treaties” held on September 30th 1809. [Consolidated Docket No. 317, DE
61-171, Dft. Ex.131] Excerpt reads as follows:
“ The Governor ( Wm. H. Harrison) requested that all the Chiefs present would speak in thier turn, and called upon the principal Chief
of the Eel River Tribe who was an old friend of his that had served with him in General Waynes Army he demanded what his
abjections were to the Treaty. He ( the Eel River Chief) drew out the treaty of Grousland.” ‘Father....”[see treaty sec. with date Sept. 30th
1809; Kapplers Indian Laws and Treaties Vol I. / Charley is this “Principal Chief”
Wabash valley and the early inhabitants grew to levels not seen for many years. Major Battles lead by Little Turtle, Blue Jacket and
members of this Wabash Confederacy had or would inflict extreme casualties against the New American military. The Government
took immediate actions to subdue the conflicts in the region to strengthen future occupation and claim, before the British or other
governments could gain a stronger presence there. It would take whatever means necessary and this would mean destruction,
Treaties and changing policies. Many accounts of the Eel Rivers during this time period are conclusive when listing the Eel Rivers as
a separate Tribe, force under specific leadership. LINK:(More supporting historical records)
It was suggested that the Eel Rivers might be persuaded to leave this confederacy and enter into a lasting peace with the Americans.
Steps to secure this peace were taken as men such as Putnam, Heckwelder and others would venture into the region to begin
negotiation with the Eel River Leaders and other allied Leaders.
Historical Society of Pennsylvania Ms.,
Wayne Papers, vol. 20. Hamtramck, John Francis
Letter to Arthur St. Clair, Fort Knox
June 17, 1792 (Copy) Fort Knox Vincennes June 17th 1792
Sir
Since the last I had the honor of writing your Excellency an Indian who I had sent to Eel River has returned and reports that the
Indians have absolutely left the Miami Town and gone further into the Country in order to secure their women and children and were
making every preparation to defend their lands as they are told that it is the intention of Government to strip them of it.--
The Eel river Indians who had promised me to detach themselves from the Miamies are not yet arrived but are on their way to this
place few of them excepted.--
In January, 1790 Harmar wrote to Hamtramck, desiring him to send a speech from St. Clair to the Wabash Indians and the Miami,
demanding positive proof of their peace and friendship. Hamtramck delayed sending this message for several months, since most
of the Indians at this time were still at their wintering grounds. However in early April, 1790 Antoine Gamelin, long-time resident of
Vincennes, started up the Wabash with St. Clair's message to the various Indian groups. He visited the Eel River village twice, once
on his way upstream to the Miami villages of the Maumee, and again on his trip downriver to Vincennes. Neither time was he able to
obtain a satisfactory answer from the Eel River Indians. On both visits the "head chief" was absent, and the Eel River Indians
declared that they could give no answer in his absence. This attitude is in contradistinction to that expressed by the majority of Valley
groups. These latter had deferred to a future decision of the Miami of the Maumee, and these latter, in turn had stated that they had to
consult the "Lake Indians" as well as the British commandant at Detroit, before answering .Link Doc 317
As a result St. Clair resolved to attack the Wabash Indian and Miami villages. One army under Harmar was to raid the Miami and
other villages on the Maumee, while a smaller force, under Hamtramck, was to attack as many of the Wabash Indian towns as
possible.
After the defeats and losses of the 1790 campaigns against the Wabash and Maumee River Indian villages, it was decided that a
second series of campaigns should be undertaken unless the Indians sued for peace before early May. However, there was no
general movement towards attaining peace made by the Indians, so a concerted campaign was planned against the Maumee
villages by the United States army under the command of St. Clair. Subsidiary raids, up to three if necessary, were to be made by
groups of mounted Kentucky volunteers against the Wabash Valley towns.
The first raid on the Wabash towns was made against the Indians (Wea and Kickapoo) at Ouiatanon, and against Kethtipecanunk, an
"important" but unidentified village at the mouth of the Tippecanoe River. The second raid two months later under the direction of
Brig. Gen. James Wilkinson, saw the destruction of Kenapaquomaqua, the Eel River town "scattered along Eel River for full three
miles." At the time Wilkinson attacked most of the inhabitants of this town were absent for various purposes. The Americans killed
nine Eel River Indians, captured 34, and released one White captive. They also burned all the cabins of the Eel Rivers and cut down
their growing corn, before leaving in search of Kickapoo villages. This would prompt a treaty to be drafted and signed in 1792 but this
Treaty would not ratified or made official.
The Eel River Indians desirability of peace with the United States. In early March of 1792 two Eel River and seven Wea chiefs
appeared at Vincennes and made known to Hamtramck "their intention. . .to be at peace with the United States." On March 14, 1792,
a temporary agreement calling for peace and friendship with the United States was signed by Hamtramck and these nine chiefs. The
two Eel River Indian signers were Peankeunshaw and Checunememshaw, or Chicokenemanshaw
An Anthropological Report on the
History of the Miamis, Weas, and
Eel River Indians, Vol. 1. Chapter 4, pp. 161-170.
As a result, in mid-June of 1792 Hamtramck reported to St. Clair that: a number of the Eel River Indians have arrived [at Vincennes]
and says that the remainder part of their Eel River Nation are coming down: This wants more confirmation for it is my opinion that
few of them are come only in expectation to get their prisoners as they expected to have had a treaty at this place. . . .I also think that
the Eel River may be persuaded to detach themselves entirely from the Miamis and come under the protection of the United States.
At this date, the Miami were one of the leading Indian opponents of the United States. But Hamtramck's prophesy concerning the
attitudes of the Eel Rivers was correct. This group with the Weas and Piankashaws, signed the unratified Treaty of September 27,
1792, held at Vincennes.
This unratified Treaty of September 27, 1792 was held at Vincennes, with one Rufus Putnam as commissioner. The Treaty was
made between the United States and the representatives of nine different Indian groups - Eel Rivers, Wea, Potawatomi, Kickapoo,
Piankashaw, Mascouten, Kaskaskia, Peoria, and Ottawa- and the United States. Five Eel River chiefs signed the Treaty: Peankeshaw
("the name of the river at the Vemillion Town"), Nawunsuneah ("the name of the beautifulanimals invoked by their ancestors," or
"Joseph"), Awlawmawnwe ("a wave"), Shemahanechseah ("the Soldier"), and Haghhaghkeah ("Grasshopper"). One of the Eel River
chiefs, Peankeshaw or Peankeunshaw, signed both the September, 1792, treaty and the March, 1792 temporary agreement. We
conclude that Nawunsunseah or Joseph, is the same as "Joseph" or "Great Joseph," the uncle of the Soldier's wife, who died in
Philadelphia prior to February 1, 1793.40 Of the remaining four signers of the 1792 treaty, we can identify only one
"Shemahanechseah the Soldier" (1792) or "Sha-me-kun-ne-sa (or Soldier)" who signed the Treaty of Greenville of August 3, 1795.
According to John Heckewelder, the Moravian missionary who accompanied Rufus Putnam to the Vincennes treaty of September 27,
1792, the Eel Rivers were Weas. Heckewelder listed in his account of this treaty the names and locations of the various attending
groups, to wriet:
the Eel-Creeck Wiachtenoos from the source of the Wabash, Wiachtenoos
from the lower down on the Wabash, the Piankeshaws between the Wabash
and Illinois, the Potawattamos from Lake Michigan and St. Joseph, The
Kickapoos from Cahokia, the Kaskaskas and Musquetons from Kaskaskias.
A Historical misreport of an Eel River Chief.
His error and cause for this misreport was due to "The Soldier" an Eel River Chief was married to The
daughter of a Wea Chief.
Liscomb, A.A. , and A.L. Bergh. Eds. “The Writtings of Thomas Jefferson” Vol.16 Speeches of John Baptist de Coigne, Chief of the
Wabash and Illinois Indians, and other Indian Chiefs February 1, 1793 pp 377-389 particularly page 386] States:
Excerpt:
“ The wife of The Soldier, a Wyattaon, speaks.” Father.~ I take you by the hand....
NOTE: Phonetic spelling for Ouiotinon, a Wea name and settlement/ Fort near Lafayette IN)
His wife was Wea.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
At this date, the Miami were one of the leading Indian opponents of the United States. But Hamtramck's prophesy concerning the
attitudes of the Eel Rivers was correct. This group with the Weas and Piankashaws, signed the unratified Treaty of September 27,
1792, held at Vincennes.Two of the three Indians who signed the Treaty of Greenville either as "Eel River" or "Eel River and Miami"
chiefs can be identified. One, Sha-me- kun-ne-sa (or Soldier), was an Eel River chief who had signed the Putnam treaty of 1792 at
Vincennes. Another was Pee-jee-wa (or Richerville), a Miami chief formerly from Kekionga, at the head of the Maumee but in 1795
from near the mouth of the Mississinewa River. Still un-identity by most historians is, Coch-ke-pogh-togh, the third Eel River signer of
the Treaty of Greenville. The last two, signed as Eel River for specific reasons. Related to marriage rather then hereditary ties. Later
both would appear signing for other Tribal Nations other then The Eel Rivers. The Soldier also would be recorded as a member of
another group also as a result of a parental union. His father Marriages within tribal linages would create additional confusion and
difficulty when dealing with the government. The absence of this leader during reported visits to the Eel River Village, also accounts
for this multiple roll he played in history. The relationships formed by these marriages would in time create additional confusion to
the identification of The Eel Rivers, relationship to other groups and ultimately many misreports of the separate and independence as
a self governed Tribal Group.
The Treaty of Greenville was complete and issues in the area would turn to securing more and more land. This would require
additional land cessions by even more treaties. The US Government was willing to purchase these lands from the rightful owners or
from those who controlled the area. This was a pure European Idea as many groups had at one time lived on or used these shared
lands. By 1805 the difficulty identifying the Eel River, Wea and Miami had grown by similar appearances and absences during joint
meetings, inter-Tribal marriages and past relationships and newly formed relationship and tension over fame and notoriety of various
leaders.
The Treaty of 1803 at Vincennes, (different then the 1803 at Ft Wayne) a treaty was done with The Eel River Nation Aug. 7th, 1803.
Proof of lasting peace was both requested and needed. The US issued tokens of this in the form of Silver Trade or Treaty Medals and
in other cases, Flags or other artifacts that were physical proof of these agreements. Little Turtle and others had demanded these
"Proofs" as symbols of both intent and authority within the Tribal structures. The Eel Rivers had always been in the middle of issues
within the area. They had wanted to leave for Vincennes immediately following the meeting the council meeting to sign these
agreements for peace but delays and other issues seemed to always cause unforeseen delays. When tensions or hostilities had
broken out in the region they often found themselves on both sides of loyalties, one to tribe and the other to deliver on the promises to
the Agents of the Government. The Leaders were different, some had come from places and situations not common to generally
knowledge. Charley the successor to Little Turtle after the treaty of 1805, had served with Wm Harrison in the army and history has
recorded this and that fact they were at one time "Old Friends"
The Journal of the Proceedings” Ft Wayne IN “Indian Treaties” held on September 30th 1809. [Consolidated Docket No. 317, DE
61-171, Dft. Ex.131] Excerpt reads as follows:
“ The Governor ( Wm. H. Harrison) requested that all the Chiefs present would speak in thier turn, and called upon the principal Chief
of the Eel River Tribe who was an old friend of his that had served with him in General Waynes Army he demanded what his
abjections were to the Treaty. He ( the Eel River Chief) drew out the treaty of Grousland.” ‘Father....”[see treaty sec. with date Sept. 30th
1809; Kapplers Indian Laws and Treaties Vol I. / Charley is this “Principal Chief”
Many factors have alluded to make conclusions that The Small Eel
River Tribe is merely a sub-group to a larger collective or by
relationships had equally blended into other groups. The US policy
of that era was also to blend two smaller groups into one large
collective under a common name. The Leaders and Headmen of
the Eel River as with other Tribal groups of this region often
throughout history in fact did act alone. Independent of any other
influence or joint governing opinions. The repeated attempts to
consolidate the various groups of the region had cause bitterness,
rivalries and conflicts within this new union. More then enough
evidence of these conflicts can be found.
The Medal of the Eel Rivey Nation.
As with many Treaties, the US gave medals to both validate these
treaties and as proof of the leaders authority to have made these
agreements. Following the Aug 7, 1803 Treaty, such medals were
issued the following day. The inscription reads " Wm H Harrison
Eel Rivey Nation Aug8, 1803 Vincennes" Some have asked why it
reads Eel Rivey rather then Eel River. We can equate this to the
close ties and influence of the French and the language that had
given birth to our Name L'Anguile = Eel Rivey.
How heated did these rivalries get?
Special File 112, Record Group 75, National Archives
Cole, Alphonso A. Letter to Brown, February 18, 1850 (plus
enclosures). (page 19). Copy Fort Wayne, July 24. 1848.
1838 or 1839, when all, or nearly all the men of the Eel Rivers
having died or been assassinated
(Special File 112, Record Group 75, National Archives.)
(Clayton, P. ?) Letter to Brown, May 4, 1850. Treasury
Department
2' Auditor's Office May 4th 1850-
Orlando Brown Esqr Commissr Indn Affairs
The payment for 1838 was made to J. B. Richardville- the principal
chief of the Miami nation- & 13 other chiefs, some of whom it is
well known were not Eel river Indians, although the caption of the
receipt runs thus: "We the chiefs of the (Eel River) Band of Miamies
acknowledge" &c. And for 1839 payment was made to the same,
while the caption runs thus: ['We the chiefs, warriors, & head men?"
&c. ~ ~ ~
Joseph Richardville [M] Richardville writes Tipton and says that
chief Osage requests the men promised farm work. He also states
that Osage & Black Raccoon do not want the wife of James to
receive a "house & clearing on this side of the Wabash because
she bleongs to Capt. Flour Party.
Joseph Richardville to Tipton, Miami Mill, Mar 20, 1829.
Tipton Papers, II: 154
National Archives, RG 107. Old Army H-346 (2)
Harrison, William Henry to Henry Dearborn, Vincennes, March
3, 1805
H-346 (2), p. 1 (Except):
The Turtle has considerable influence over the Five Medals and
some other of the Putawatimie Chiefs & I beleive that Captain
Wells and himself controle entirely the Small band of Eel River
Indians. But when Wells speaks of the Miami Nation being of this
or that opinion he must be understood as meaning no more that
the Turtle & himself. Nine thenths of that Tribe Who acknowledge
Richardville & Peccan for their Chiefs (but who are really
governed by an Artful fellow called the Owl or long beard whom
you once saw at the Seat of Government) utterly abhor both
Wells & the Turtle. On this occasion however they may have been
induced to join in the clamor from the expectation of deriving some
advantage from it.
River Tribe is merely a sub-group to a larger collective or by
relationships had equally blended into other groups. The US policy
of that era was also to blend two smaller groups into one large
collective under a common name. The Leaders and Headmen of
the Eel River as with other Tribal groups of this region often
throughout history in fact did act alone. Independent of any other
influence or joint governing opinions. The repeated attempts to
consolidate the various groups of the region had cause bitterness,
rivalries and conflicts within this new union. More then enough
evidence of these conflicts can be found.
The Medal of the Eel Rivey Nation.
As with many Treaties, the US gave medals to both validate these
treaties and as proof of the leaders authority to have made these
agreements. Following the Aug 7, 1803 Treaty, such medals were
issued the following day. The inscription reads " Wm H Harrison
Eel Rivey Nation Aug8, 1803 Vincennes" Some have asked why it
reads Eel Rivey rather then Eel River. We can equate this to the
close ties and influence of the French and the language that had
given birth to our Name L'Anguile = Eel Rivey.
How heated did these rivalries get?
Special File 112, Record Group 75, National Archives
Cole, Alphonso A. Letter to Brown, February 18, 1850 (plus
enclosures). (page 19). Copy Fort Wayne, July 24. 1848.
1838 or 1839, when all, or nearly all the men of the Eel Rivers
having died or been assassinated
(Special File 112, Record Group 75, National Archives.)
(Clayton, P. ?) Letter to Brown, May 4, 1850. Treasury
Department
2' Auditor's Office May 4th 1850-
Orlando Brown Esqr Commissr Indn Affairs
The payment for 1838 was made to J. B. Richardville- the principal
chief of the Miami nation- & 13 other chiefs, some of whom it is
well known were not Eel river Indians, although the caption of the
receipt runs thus: "We the chiefs of the (Eel River) Band of Miamies
acknowledge" &c. And for 1839 payment was made to the same,
while the caption runs thus: ['We the chiefs, warriors, & head men?"
&c. ~ ~ ~
Joseph Richardville [M] Richardville writes Tipton and says that
chief Osage requests the men promised farm work. He also states
that Osage & Black Raccoon do not want the wife of James to
receive a "house & clearing on this side of the Wabash because
she bleongs to Capt. Flour Party.
Joseph Richardville to Tipton, Miami Mill, Mar 20, 1829.
Tipton Papers, II: 154
National Archives, RG 107. Old Army H-346 (2)
Harrison, William Henry to Henry Dearborn, Vincennes, March
3, 1805
H-346 (2), p. 1 (Except):
The Turtle has considerable influence over the Five Medals and
some other of the Putawatimie Chiefs & I beleive that Captain
Wells and himself controle entirely the Small band of Eel River
Indians. But when Wells speaks of the Miami Nation being of this
or that opinion he must be understood as meaning no more that
the Turtle & himself. Nine thenths of that Tribe Who acknowledge
Richardville & Peccan for their Chiefs (but who are really
governed by an Artful fellow called the Owl or long beard whom
you once saw at the Seat of Government) utterly abhor both
Wells & the Turtle. On this occasion however they may have been
induced to join in the clamor from the expectation of deriving some
advantage from it.
(Special File 112, Record Group 75, National Archives.)
Cole, Alphonso A. Letter to Brown, February 18, 1850; and enclosures. (pg 14).
State of Indiana
Miami County ss One of the said old Eel river women at that time appeared before the agent and Miamies and held in her hand a bundle of parchments and papers
(which were afterwards handed to me and I placed them in the hands of Alphonso A. Cole,) and told the Miamies that the papers She held in her hand showed their
right to their money, that when the Eel river chiefs were alive the Miamies would have been afraid to "Steal" their money and that they did not dare to do so untill
their old men were all dead. The Miamies at that time admitted them to be the Eel river tribe but made some complaints about a treaty they had made with Genl.
Tipton, and said that they had not been allowed to draw any money for several years and that the Miamies were entitled to the whole of it. The Conclusion of the matter
was that the Eel Rivers were excluded as they had been previously, the whole of them some twenty in number being then upon the ground and the Same who are now
residing in Said County of Miami.
Special File 112, Record Group 75, National Archives.)
“that they had "great papers" from their first "great Father" which would show that the Miamies had no right to cheat them out of their annuities, but being in the
employ of Mess. Ewing Walker & Co as aforesaid whose business at Peru was principally the Miami trade, and afterwards on my own account and not wishing to
engage in a controversy which would arouse the predjudices of that tribe against us I did not pay much attention to the matter untill about the time of the payment of
annuities to the Miamies in the fall of 1844, at which time I was Solicited as I had been previously by the said Eel rivers to represent their case to Mr Allen Hamilton who
was then the Agent who referred the whole matter to the Indians (Miamies) who consulted about the matter for some three or four days “
Some Cause for these ongoing and lasting differences between the trio may have also stemmed back to allied choices made
during past conflicts and the fact some of the Eel Rivers had been part of the US Military. In exactly what capacity is still debated.
(Special File 112, Record Group 75, National Archives.)
(Clayton, P. ?) Letter to Brown, May 4, 1850. Treasury Department
2' Auditor's Office May 4th 1850-
In a number of instances after 1840, this annuity money appears to have been blended in the payment, with the larger sum due to the Miami nation, & one receipt
given for the whole sum.
In the settlement of the account of John Johnston for 1818, it appears that this Eel river annuity for that year was paid in merchandize, forming a part of an invoice
amounting to $3-400 sent by the Department. It is called the annuity for "Miami & Eel River Indians;" & is receipted for by six Indians without designation. Among the
papers in this same settlement is one which states that this annuity for 1812, was "received at Piqua and issued to the troops & delivered to the Indians as presents.-
The Journal of the Proceedings” Ft Wayne IN “Indian Treaties” held on September 30th 1809. [Consolidated Docket No. 317, DE 61-171, Dft. Ex.131] Excerpt
reads as follows:
“ The Governor ( Wm. H. Harrison) requested that all the Chiefs present would speak in thier turn, and called upon the principal Chief of the Eel River Tribe who was
an old friend of his that had served with him in General Waynes Army he demanded what his abjections were to the Treaty. He ( the Eel River Chief) drew out the
treaty of Grousland.” ‘Father....”[see treaty sec. with date Sept. 30th 1809; Kapplers Indian Laws and Treaties Vol I. / Charley is this “Principal Chief”
The Eel Rivers had also helped to recapture Ft Vincennes, so their association with the US had dated back several years and may have crossed a couple of
generations as "The Soldier" , the son of Charley,(above listed as a friend of Wm Harrison from Military Service)
[Dr. John Sudgen “Tescumseh ...A Life” pg.338 Henery Holt Co. NY Edition 1998]
Tecumseh's defense of the American prisoners became a cornerstone of his legend, the ultimate proof of his inherent nobility; but his clemency to another group of
captives, one that appears on no one's roster of battle losses, has been forgotten.
When Elliott drew his attention to them, about the eleveth of 7 May, Tecumseh recognized the four men immediately. Big Jim, The Soldier, and the Two Perry
Brothers were Ohio Shawnee, caught in the service of the enemy. ...These four Shawnees were different, they had marched with the Big Knives.
The men were released and placed into the care of the Blue Jacket Brothers, sent back to their Chief with a message of respect. This also supports our story
that The Soldiers relationships and that of his father ( by Marriages) Had also added to the loss of our records and Tribal affiliations with historians. Records claim
us to be Wea, Miami, Shawnee , Eel River and yet more as we continue to correct and explain to those who have missed us and our history for as long as we
have existed.
Cole, Alphonso A. Letter to Brown, February 18, 1850; and enclosures. (pg 14).
State of Indiana
Miami County ss One of the said old Eel river women at that time appeared before the agent and Miamies and held in her hand a bundle of parchments and papers
(which were afterwards handed to me and I placed them in the hands of Alphonso A. Cole,) and told the Miamies that the papers She held in her hand showed their
right to their money, that when the Eel river chiefs were alive the Miamies would have been afraid to "Steal" their money and that they did not dare to do so untill
their old men were all dead. The Miamies at that time admitted them to be the Eel river tribe but made some complaints about a treaty they had made with Genl.
Tipton, and said that they had not been allowed to draw any money for several years and that the Miamies were entitled to the whole of it. The Conclusion of the matter
was that the Eel Rivers were excluded as they had been previously, the whole of them some twenty in number being then upon the ground and the Same who are now
residing in Said County of Miami.
Special File 112, Record Group 75, National Archives.)
“that they had "great papers" from their first "great Father" which would show that the Miamies had no right to cheat them out of their annuities, but being in the
employ of Mess. Ewing Walker & Co as aforesaid whose business at Peru was principally the Miami trade, and afterwards on my own account and not wishing to
engage in a controversy which would arouse the predjudices of that tribe against us I did not pay much attention to the matter untill about the time of the payment of
annuities to the Miamies in the fall of 1844, at which time I was Solicited as I had been previously by the said Eel rivers to represent their case to Mr Allen Hamilton who
was then the Agent who referred the whole matter to the Indians (Miamies) who consulted about the matter for some three or four days “
Some Cause for these ongoing and lasting differences between the trio may have also stemmed back to allied choices made
during past conflicts and the fact some of the Eel Rivers had been part of the US Military. In exactly what capacity is still debated.
(Special File 112, Record Group 75, National Archives.)
(Clayton, P. ?) Letter to Brown, May 4, 1850. Treasury Department
2' Auditor's Office May 4th 1850-
In a number of instances after 1840, this annuity money appears to have been blended in the payment, with the larger sum due to the Miami nation, & one receipt
given for the whole sum.
In the settlement of the account of John Johnston for 1818, it appears that this Eel river annuity for that year was paid in merchandize, forming a part of an invoice
amounting to $3-400 sent by the Department. It is called the annuity for "Miami & Eel River Indians;" & is receipted for by six Indians without designation. Among the
papers in this same settlement is one which states that this annuity for 1812, was "received at Piqua and issued to the troops & delivered to the Indians as presents.-
The Journal of the Proceedings” Ft Wayne IN “Indian Treaties” held on September 30th 1809. [Consolidated Docket No. 317, DE 61-171, Dft. Ex.131] Excerpt
reads as follows:
“ The Governor ( Wm. H. Harrison) requested that all the Chiefs present would speak in thier turn, and called upon the principal Chief of the Eel River Tribe who was
an old friend of his that had served with him in General Waynes Army he demanded what his abjections were to the Treaty. He ( the Eel River Chief) drew out the
treaty of Grousland.” ‘Father....”[see treaty sec. with date Sept. 30th 1809; Kapplers Indian Laws and Treaties Vol I. / Charley is this “Principal Chief”
The Eel Rivers had also helped to recapture Ft Vincennes, so their association with the US had dated back several years and may have crossed a couple of
generations as "The Soldier" , the son of Charley,(above listed as a friend of Wm Harrison from Military Service)
[Dr. John Sudgen “Tescumseh ...A Life” pg.338 Henery Holt Co. NY Edition 1998]
Tecumseh's defense of the American prisoners became a cornerstone of his legend, the ultimate proof of his inherent nobility; but his clemency to another group of
captives, one that appears on no one's roster of battle losses, has been forgotten.
When Elliott drew his attention to them, about the eleveth of 7 May, Tecumseh recognized the four men immediately. Big Jim, The Soldier, and the Two Perry
Brothers were Ohio Shawnee, caught in the service of the enemy. ...These four Shawnees were different, they had marched with the Big Knives.
The men were released and placed into the care of the Blue Jacket Brothers, sent back to their Chief with a message of respect. This also supports our story
that The Soldiers relationships and that of his father ( by Marriages) Had also added to the loss of our records and Tribal affiliations with historians. Records claim
us to be Wea, Miami, Shawnee , Eel River and yet more as we continue to correct and explain to those who have missed us and our history for as long as we
have existed.
| Reserve areas 224, 225 and 195 Near Macy IN after leaving Thorntown |
Let us always remember Our successes are only possible by the Creators Hand. Never Forget to remember the 7 Grandfathers and to Always consider the next 7 generations |
Treaty of Greenville Medal 1795 Greenville Ohio Issued to all of the Leaders and Honorories who signed this historical Treaty with The US. The Soldier signed this as an Eel River |
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