No company presenting, and matters not
wearing the best aspect, concluded not to go to the Waindots [Wyandottes], but to direct my course to the Delaware
Indians; having got a horse through the kindness of Mr. Irwine, which cost me
twenty-five dollars: and being somewhat furnished with provisions for my journey,
on Monday February 8 [1773], about
ten o'clock, parted with my good friends at Chillicaathee [Chillicothe], and set out alone, passing through
Pickaweeke [Piqua]; came before night
to Kiskapookee [Kispoko Town?], which
is situated on a creek that soon empties into Siota [Scioto]. The
town is near one mile from the river.
This day's journey was more than twenty miles—the course near northeast
and by north. For the first eight
miles, was not without some apprehensions of being pursued, but after that, was
very little disturbed in mind. At this
town my lodging was with Mr. Richard Butlar, brother to William Butlar before
mentioned. His usage was kind and
generous, not only preparing wheat cakes for my journey, but he also gave me
two pair of leggins to barter for provisions by the way; for these Indians as
yet have not the use of money. In the
morning my horse could not be found, and by that means missed of company: however about one
o'clock passed over Siota in a canoe, in company with Mr. Butlar, who was so
kind as to see me over, because I could not converse with Indians about my
ferriage. The lad that brought me over
is a white captive. When I spoke to him,
was very sorry to see him shake his head, and reply, "Motta
keeno toleeh neekaana,” i.e. I do not understand you, my friend. There remain a considerable number of captives
in this nation, which were all to have been restored at the conclusion of the
last peace, and without doubt the agent has in this point been deficient. The country through which I passed to day,
appears very excellent, only it abounds very much with bogs, or what may be
called fresh marshes, so that perhaps it may not be best for health; but
promises to be extraordinary for
stock. My course to day was about
northeast. As I passed a certain place
called the Great Lick, saw the last flock of parrots [Carolina parakeets]. These birds are in great abundance about Siota
in winter, and in summer 'tis probable they may be seen much further towards
the north. Having set out very late,
night came on before I arrived to the next town. My road was very small, and the night dark in
this wide wilderness, made my travelling more disagreeable than can be easily
expressed: but before nine o'clock, came safe to Mr. McCormick's at the Standing
Stone. This town consists chiefly of
Delaware Indians. It is situated on a
creek called Hockhockin [sic]. The soil
about this is equal to the highest wishes, but the creek appears muddy. Though it is not wide, yet it soon admits
large canoes, and from hence peltry is transmitted to Fort Pitt. Overtook here Mr. David Duncan, a trader from
Shippen’s town, who was going to Fort Pitt.
Wednesday 10, intending to travel forty
miles, set out early in the morning—our course more northerly than northeast—the
land chiefly low and level—and where our horses broke thro' the frost, it might
be called bad road and good land. There
were no inhabitants by the way. Before
night, came to the designed town, called Dan. Elleot's wife's; a man of that
name was said to have here a fquaa [sic] for his pretended wife. This is
a small town consisting of Delawares and Shawannees. The chief is a Shawannee woman, who is
esteemed very rich—she entertains travellers— there were four of us in company,
and for our use, her negro quarter was evacuated this night, which had a fire
in the middle without any chimney (This woman has several negroes who were
taken from Virginia in time of last war, and now esteemed as her property). This woman has a large flock, and supplied us
with milk. Here also we got corn for our
horses at a very expensive price: but Mr. Duncan paid for me here, and in our
journey till we parted. About a mile
before we came to this town, we crossed a clear large stream, called Salt Lick
Creek, which empties into Muskingum, on which the chief Delaware town is situated.
The country here appeared calculated for
health, fertile and beautiful.
Thursday 11, set out for a small town called
Conner's, a man of that name residing there.
Our course was near northeast—the distance
was less than the preceding day's journey, so that we arrived to town some time
before sunset. Travelled this day over a
good country, only wanting inhabitants. This town is situated near no creek, a good
spring supplying them with water—the land about it is level and good, the
timber being chiefly blackoak, indicates it will produce good wheat, if a trial
was made. Mr. Conner, who is a white
man, a native of Maryland, told me that he intended to sow wheat in the fall
following, and was resolved to proceed to farming at all events. 'Tis probable that he will be as good as his
word, for he is a man that seems not to fear God, and it is likely that he will
not regard man. His connections will
favour his attempts, for according to their way, he and the chief Indian of this
town are married to two sisters. These
women were captives, and it is likely from childhood, for they have the very
actions of Indians, and speak broken English.
It seemed strange to me to see the captives have the exact gestures of
Indians. Might we not infer from hence,
that if Indians were educated as we are, they would be like us? This town consists of Shawannees and
Delawares; and some of them dwell in pretty good log houses well shingled with
nails. Mr. Conner keeps a sort of a
tavern, and has moderate accommodations, and though he is not what he should
be, yet he was kind to me.
Friday 12, here we parted with some of
our company, whose absence was very agreeable, and in company with Mr. Duncan,
set out for New-Comer's Town, which is the chief town of the Delawares. Had gone but a few miles till we came to the
Little Shawannee Woman's Town. This is
situated on the well side of Muskingum, and chiefly consists of Shawannees. Here we crossed the river in a canoe, our
horses swimming by it's [sic] side.
The country began to be hilly, interspersed with some barren plains. We passed Captain White Eye's Town, but this
noted Indian was down Ohio, perhaps with my old interpreter, so that I could
not have the satisfaction of seeing him this time, but I saw him several times
the first visit. He was the only Indian
I met with in all my travels, that seemed to have a design of accomplishing something
future. He told me that he intended to
be religious, and have his children educated. He saw that their way of living would not
answer much longer—game grew scarce—they could not much longer pretend to live
by hunting, but must farm, &c.— But
said, he could not attend to matters of religion now, for he intended to make a
great hunt down Ohio, and take the skins himself to Philadelphia. I was informed that he accomplished this, and
went round by the gulf of Florida to Philadelphia. On this occasion, could not but think of that
text of scripture, which says, "one went to his farm and another to his
merchandise." And it may be said,
the Indian went to his hunting. This was
the case last year, and perhaps something as important may employ the next
year, and so the life of man is spent, few remembring [sic] that ONE THING is needful. 1
How many others
are like this Indian, or like Festus, who was waiting for a more “convenient
season” to hear the Gospel message (Acts 24:25)? We are not promised tomorrow; today salvation
is offered through repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought to respond to God’s gracious call
today and not put it off until a “tomorrow” which we may never see.
A FEW miles north of White Eye's town, there
is a small town, where we obliged our horses to take the river, following them
in a small canoe belonging to the Indians. Thence travelled over very hilly land till we
came within two or three miles of New-Comer's Town, and from that to town the
land is agreeable and appears good for wheat. Came to town before night, and found it was a
great triennial feast, consequently little could be done till that ended. From the great town Chillicaathee to this
chief town of the Delawares, is called one hundred and thirty miles. The course may be estimated near northeast,
but as the path goes, it varies in many places. This town is situated on the west side of the
river Muskingum, which is a pretty large stream. The proper pronunciation in Indian is Mooskingung,
i.e. Elk Eye River. In their language an
elk being called moos. This town takes
its name from the name of the king, who is called Neetotwhealemon, i.e.
New-Comer. 2
When
we pick up Jones’ story again, Lord willing, we will meet another familiar
friend.
Christ, not man, is King!
Dale
2) Ibid., p. 67-8.
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