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THE EEL RIVER TRIBE of Indiana
.                                           ..A Wabash Confederacy
We are a Non Profit / Mutual Profit
Group registered in Indiana  Our Tribe has
not been Federally recognized but we
have entered the Federal
Acknowledgment Process.  
WE APPRECIATE ALL OF
YOUR WORDS OF SUPPORT!
We are struggling to be heard and to be seen as an independent group.

" A Mistake in history can be made, repeated, copied down and published and told over and over again until
it is considered a historical truth....Yet it is still a mistake"
This is the real hurdle we have to overcome. Many of the records and books in print today tell little of our existence as a
tribe and often classify us as a sub-group to the larger more well known Miami Nation. Some other classify us as Wea.
or even part of the Pankishaw, Pokias and other groups. The truth is that in part all of these are correct. The woodland
Tribes of the 1700's and 1800's had married into many different groups and shared the traditions, speech and customs of
their individual diversities through these relationships. Their were other people from other cultures integrated into these
groups. Some were captives, some run-a-way or purchased slaves while others were deserters from past conflicts.
A group of Moravian Missionaries in the 1700 came from Pennsylvania to work and live among the native people. The
Governor of that region set a militia to rescue these 600 or so people from their supposed captivity. Much to the surprise
of everyone they found that these settlers were not held against their will but there by choice. Many had married and
become quite acclimated among the tribes. The rescue party did not need to free these people after all and when they
were recruited to return back east...nearly half chose to stay with their new Native American Friends, families and
relatives. Later some of these people would be referred to as "The Christian Indians". Many of the Dutch and German
rooted names can still be found in the membership list of many woodland tribes today.
Several of the earliest soldiers and militia men into the western territory of those days, ( Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky,
Tennessee and Illinois) were promised land for service in the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars. The lands
issued to them were sometimes vague parchments and became obsolete after the formal adoption of the US Constitution
in 1789.
NOTE: At the end of the French and Indian War, in 1763, the French having been forced from the Ohio Valley, a
Philadelphia trading company was organized to monopolize the trade with the Indians of that region. The six-Nations of the
Iroquois Confederacy reserved for the Philadelphia Co, a tract nearly 5,000 square miles laying south of the Ohio and east of
the “Great Kanawah”. (Keniwa, Kanawa)[ Point Pleasant to the Ky Militia ; Army of the Kenowa, see Military Records.
1774-1865: Testimony of Burr, Executive papers, “the Army of the Kenowa”]
In 1776 the land was transferred to a new company known as “ The Indiana Land Company”
Both Virginia and  the The Indian Land Company wanted payment for settlers that moved into this area. The Land company
tried to take Virginia to the highest court after being in the courts for many years. Virginia was refused to appear as
“Defendant” by the Supreme Court and eventually the 11th Amendment was passed which supported Virginia: “The judicial
power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity commenced or prosecuted against one of
the United States by citizens of another State; or by citizens or subjects of another foreign State.”This expansion into the
Wyoming ( then the Mid-west Ohio, West Virginia, Lower Pennsylvania and parts of Ky and TN) Territory and into Kentucky
was the only place for those who lost lands to go. The promise of New Land with Title was the ploy to induce the western push
as well as the introduction of Land Speculation Companies such as “The Transylvania Company, The Ohio Co. and the
Wabash Land Co. Sometimes Land was also offered to Soldiers to induce them to forge west. There were seven original ranges.
In the area of present day West Virginia, is the rare appearance of the “Indiana” known as “The Indiana Land Co.” Also to
note that the states that now bear these same names did not usually have these companies present in that particular region
which would also add confusion to later surveys in the 1820's and into the 1850's. For example: The Wabash river is in Indiana
as is the Wabsah Valley but the Wabash Land Company never assigned lands there. Same with the Illinois Land Grant in
southern Indiana and the Indiana Land Company in Virginia.
                 
Some of the soldiers Promised land tracks for their service with George Rodgers Clarke and on other historical fronts, had
lost these lands after the ruling of the 11th amendment and choices were made by a few to side with their Native American
Neighbors and even the British who still had a presence in the region.
Raids made into the fast growing Kentucky territory in the 1780's and 1790's were lead by the British and included the
warriors of the Shawnee, Miami, Wea , Eel River and other tribes. Bounties were placed on officers and high ranking
officials and once captured they would be taken to such places as Detroit and then bartered for the release of comrades,
goods and new promises. We also have accounts of fees paid to the Indian raiders and bribes offered to many of these same
disgruntled soldiers to come back over to the British side. Some may have taken these promises of land and leadership only to
be on the loosing side again after 1812.
After the victory of the War of 1812, the US presence in the territory was changing alliances again. The men who had found
freedom with the woodland tribes and who had fought under the direction of the British influence now had no place to turn.
Some found a place in Canada while other moved even further westward, disappearing into the landscape. Once considered
patriots to their cause, they were now seen as a liability that would surly bring additional force against them.
Only a few remnants of them and their existence remain.
For Research purposes only please read:    
[ 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: "Shamonesea" The Soldier was an Eel River Leader and signer on treaties.
“ 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.
For Research purposes only please read:
( Sudgen pp.338“ Tecumseh...A Life”) It additionally tells of these men captured by the Wyandote’s while is the
service of the US military.
[Excerpt:]“They had suffered accordingly.” The Wyandots no less then the Shawnees, had some of their own people in Ohio, within the
American lines, but they regarded them as prisoners and were even then prompting Procter to offer captured American militiaman in exchange
for their release. These four Shawnees were different. They had marched with the Big Knives.”  Also......
Tecumseh’s defense of American prisoners became a cornerstone of his legend, the ultimate proof of his inherent nobility; but clemency to
another group of captives, one that appeared on no one’s roster of battle losses, has been forgotten.  When Elliot drew his attention to them, about
the evening of 7 may, Tecumseh recognized the four men immediately, Big Jim, The Soldier, and the Perry brothers were Ohio Shawnees, caught
in the service of the enemy.
Some of these same men are also found on the little known treaty below,receiving land and payments for service in the Army
and are listed as" Captive living among the Indians for Many years...etc. "
Treaty of the Rapids of the Miami of Lake Erie with the Wyandot, Seneca, Shawnee, Potawatimi, Ottawa and Chippewa.
[Sept. 29,1817.] (Kapplers Indian Treatys)
For Research purposes only please read:
Special file 112, RG 75 National Archives; Alphonso Cole letter to Brown Feb. 18th 1850/ Testimonies; Doc. No. 317,
Chapter IV pp.171-179 contains lists]
This letter contains information on the Eel River People...
1. Chingoshingquaw or Tshankcashingah, The widow of Gotoupwah   or Capt. Flour or William Flower
2. Tahkequah, Dickson’s  Capt. Dixon’s or  widow
3. Wapawsequeh, Tom Smith’s widow
4. Tahconzeh ?
5. Mazzonzequah , Capt Flowers daughter
6. Shinggogueh, 5's Daughter
7. Catherine, 6's Daughter
8. Sahketaquah, Old Kentuck’s granddaughter
9. Wasacahmequeh, Old Kentuck’s granddaughter
10.Sahcaquettah, Dickson’s daughter
11. Mariana, 10's daughter
12. Wapucoquah, 4's daughter
13. Sally 12's daughter
14. Sahcoquan Dixon’s older son
15. Wahcaconah or Wahcaconong Dixon’s younger son
16. Wahpemingqua Tom Smith’s son
Plus the three woman living in the west with their husbands
For Research purposes only please read:
The “ Sworn Testimonies” given confirming  the authenticity and identities of the small exempted Eel River group in 1848-52, taken by Attorney Cole
were made by men that had been in conflict with the Leadership and allied “Wabash Potowatomi” [24th Congress 2nd Session No.of Reps. N0 197
to accompany BILL 917, Feb, 8th 1837 “ Indiana Militia”! Report from Indian Agents Oct 1836, Logansport IN] In this account the allied
Potowatomies and Eel River Leaders, (lead by some whites at their head”)... were displeased with the Indian ( Miami leaders) appointed payee
clerks; G.Ewing and C. Tabor. These men were there to deduct monies from the annuity payment for payments of debts. These debts were the result
of credits to “Trade and Traders” to the related Indian tribes. All of these Traders had dealt with their “Nitch Group” Often giving the Indians
credits at intrust until annuity payments came in. Aviline, Ewing and McClure including Richardville and Godfroy all had trade monopolies with their
perspective groups. All of these men became quite wealthy for the times. At this particular conflict, the Eel River and Potowatomies objected and
eventually rushed the clerk’s cabin and began to disassemble it in protest.

[ see report for more details]
For Research purposes only please read:
(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- ....................(continued on NEXT PAGE)...................Orlando Brown Esqr Commissr
Indn Affairs
Sir,
In reply to your inquiry respecting the payment of the permanent annuity of $1100, for the Eel River Indians, under treaties of 1795-1805 & 1809,
- I have respectfully to State that from the year 1817- beyond which the files of this office do not extend- to about the year 1838, this annuity was
paid to the Eel river band of Miamies, separately & distinctly from the Miami nation. And that from about that period (1838) it was paid to the
Miamies without distinction,- sometimes in payments per capita, but generally to the chiefs.

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.      


We encourage all who may be interested in our story to read and do all of the research you feel necessary to form your own
opinion. We do not claim or intend to alter any other existing Tribe or group that may or may not be related to this
information. We do however claim that we are independent from these groups and have remained unaccounted for on many
of their information. Our archives are open by appointment and all research materials may be copied for research purposes
only and at your expense. In some cases you may request research materials to be sent to you via the USPS or by electronic
or other means. Only the cost of the copies and postage will be charged. There is never a fee to help with your research.
Reserve areas 224,
225 and 195 Near
Macy IN after leaving
Thorntown
  “Many live along the river, but few become it.
Between the banks of pleasure and pain
flows the river of life.
If you spend much time on either bank
you will miss out on life.”

“Help came from the Rivers"

             "We are committed to helping all people!"
If you are looking for additional information for
research purposes please contact us at
eelrivertribe@yahoo.com
If we can help we will!
Please try to be specific with your inquiries and
request due to the volume of information in our
archives. Thank You!
MORE ABOUT US
OUR HISTORY
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Always a People: Oral Histories of Contemporary Woodland Indians
NOTICE:
The Above links are forever changing as we
receive your comments , requests and
information. We try to update, correct or make
these additions as soon as possible. If a link
does not open we are sorry and should
complete all changes soon. Please check back .
Thank You!
IMPORTANT RESEARCH INFORMATION:

WE have historical papers, documents and many records which both validate our history and members. In hopes of telling
out story, sharing this information and more, many public information sites have been linked to our web site. This has been
done for your information and service. Many times these links are removed or altered without our knowledge or in some
cases have been removed from public access all together. We have no explanation for this and do apologize for the
inconvenience/ We still have hard copies of many of these removed public access sites and information. If you would like
copies please contact us with the specific request and we will gladly send you a copy for your research purposes. We can
also direct you to where these records can still be located. Some of the records now removed from various inter-net web
sites include:
The Carlyle School List of Student, Unknown Tribal List: NEW( Still available by contacting Barbara Landis.
Hamilton's Journal NEW ( American State Papers Indianapolis Indiana State Library and other locations)
Wea, Shawnee, Miami, Eel River in Kansas NEW (Franks~1Hodge, F. W.; Handbook of American Indians
Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission (INAIAC) NEW ( currently inactive)
If you should find any of our links invalid or no longer accessible, please contact us and let us know immediately so we
can post where and how to still obtain these records.
Thank You!
The Eel River Tribe of Indiana
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