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| Copyright © 2007 /2008 The Eel River Tribe of Indiana Inc. Contact us please by sending an e-mail to eelrivertribe@yahoo,com All information on this site is protected by this domain use, If you would like to copy any or all of the information within please contact us at the above e-mail address. Thank You! EELRIVERS / SERVICES / ABOUT US / HOME / CONTACT US |
THE EEL RIVER TRIBE of Indiana Inc.
. ..A Wabash Confederacy
. ..A Wabash Confederacy
| We are a Non 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.
" 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.
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.
| Metal From the Treaty of Greenville |
| 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.” “SINIPIONGI” “Help came from the Rivers" Committed to helping all people! |
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| 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! |
