Civilization of the Indian Natives / or, a Brief View of the Friendly Conduct of William Penn Towards Them in the Early Settlement of Pennsylvania

by Halliday Jackson

In the spring of 1804, the Indians generally removed from the lower town, and settled higher up the river; several of them not far from Tunesassa. This removal subjected them to some inconveniences, the first year, but eventually proved much to their advantage; especially to those who were detached from their little towns.

As it was believed much benefit would result to the Indians from the erection of a grist mill on Friends’ farm, there being none nearer than about forty miles, measures were adopted to have grist and saw-mills erected this summer; and they were so far completed, as to be in operation the ensuing winter, when the Indians had considerable grinding done, and were much pleased to see the grain reduced to meal so much quicker than by pounding it in wooden mortars.

An Indian man, after having a grist of wheat of his own raising ground and bolted, said with animation, “I think this will make the Indians see day-light.”

In the course of this season, some dissentions took place among the Indians with regard to their chiefs. Several young men of considerable influence in the nation, and who were anxious to assume the reigns of government, became disaffected to Cornplanter, and taking measures to subvert his authority, artfully prevailed with the Indians to confer on themselves the dignified title of chiefs. This, among men whose rulers only hold their authority during the good will of the people, was not difficult to effect. In the mean time, Connediu, who had some time before been promoted to the highest title in the nation, continued (as he said) his imaginary interviews with the inhabitants of the spiritual world, so that his fame spread abroad, and visits were paid to him from distant tribes. He also travelled to distant parts himself, and promulgated his doctrines, (which happily were now become more innocent,) throughout the Seneca nation.

In the latter end of the winter and spring of 1805, the Indians experienced much damage to their infant settlements, by some unusual freshets in the Alleghany river. Nearly all their fences were swept away; but instead of being discouraged by their losses, they joined together very spiritedly, and soon repaired them; and in the end appeared to have been benefitted; for by this exertion, they gradually became more accustomed to labour—a thing, to them, of the greatest consequence.

As it was believed the time had now come when it would be right to take some measures to instruct the Indian women in the various branches of housewifery, and domestic economy, and as this could not be done without female aid, a suitable family were sought for, and a man and his wife offering for that service, as well as a single female, who had before been at the Oneida settlement, they proceeded to Tunesassa in the early part of summer; and the natives expressed much satisfaction on their arrival among them.

The arrival of the females was no less satisfactory to the Friends residing at Tunesassa—for as from the first settlement to this time, in addition to the various calls of the Indians, and their out-door labours, they had all their domestic and culinary services to perform,—except some little aid received at times, by hiring some of the Indian women.

Although many of the Indians had constructed comfortable houses, very few of their women took any pains to keep them clean and in neat order. They manufactured none of their own clothing, except the mockasins they wore on their feet. They had no knowledge of making soap, and of course their clothes could not be very clean—and very little improvement in domestic affairs had as yet taken place among the Indian families. In proportion, however, as the men became more accustomed to labour, it released the women from their former drudgery; and having now the opportunity of getting all their grain ground, which before they had to pound in wooden mortars, it would afford them more time to turn their attention to the business of the house, and the concerns more properly allotted to females, in all civilized societies.

To aid and assist them in accomplishing this, was the object of our female friends; and some of the Indian girls pretty soon began to show a willingness to be instructed in knitting and spinning. A house of employment was built at a little distance from Friends’ dwelling, and particularly allotted to their use; but for want of the necessary materials, not much could be done at these useful employments the first season. Our women Friends were, however, enabled to instruct many of them in the art of making soap, which enabled them to keep their clothes and persons more cleanly; and also by frequently visiting them in their families, had opportunities of instructing and encouraging them in habits more assimilated to civilized life. The Indian women, also, made frequent visits to them, and by observing their industry, economy, and superior mode of living, an inclination began soon to manifest itself, even among these uncultivated females of the wilderness, to imitate the more useful and rational economy of our women Friends.

In the course of this summer, Friends had got about thirty acres of land cleared on their farm—their spring crops were productive, and they sowed fourteen or fifteen acres with winter grain. The grist and saw-mills were kept in operation, and found to answer a valuable purpose.