New York Archives – Page 7 of 148

Map of Zwaanendael

Nautical chart of Zwaanendael (“Swanendael”) and Godyn’s Bay in New Netherland. Zwaanendael was a patroonship founded by Samuel Godyn, a director of the Dutch West India Company, in 1629. Godyn made his land claim to the West India Company under jurisdiction of the Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions. After a short time, the initial 32 inhabitants were murdered by local Indians and Godyn sold his land back to the West India Company. The West India Company kept the names of the local area, including Godyn’s Bay, which eventually became Delaware Bay. The text in Dutch at left side of the … Read more

Narrative of the Captivity of Nehemiah How

A Narrative of the captivity of Nehemiah How, who was taken by the Indians at the Great Meadow Fort above Fort Dummer, where he was an inhabitant, October 11th, 1745. Giving an account of what he met with in his traveling to Canada, and while he was in prison there. Together with an account of Mr. How’s death at Canada. Exceedingly valuable for the many items of exact intelligence therein recorded, relative to so many of the present inhabitants of New England, through those friends who endured the hardships of captivity in the mountain deserts and the damps of loathsome prisons. Had the author lived to have returned, and published his narrative himself, he doubtless would have made it far more valuable, but he was cut off while a prisoner, by the prison fever, in the fifty-fifth year of his age, after a captivity of one year, seven months, and fifteen days. He died May 25th, 1747, in the hospital at Quebec, after a sickness of about ten days. He was a husband and father, and greatly beloved by all who knew him.

The End of the Florida War, The Fate of the Seminoles – Indian Wars

The close of the troubles with the Florida Indians resulted in their removal to a reservation almost within the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. The tribe, the Seminoles, lost much of their prestige, and became discouraged upon the death of Osceola. The last battle of those terrible swamp skirmishes could be called by the legitimate term of regular pitched battles and occurred December 8th, 1842. The first conflict occurred on the 19th of July, 1835. This second war followed closely upon the treaty which was supposed to have removed beyond any possibility the chance of another outbreak. But only with … Read more

Captivity of Elizabeth Hanson – Indian Captivities

God’s Mercy Surmounting Man’s Cruelty, Exemplified in the Captivity and Surprising Deliverance of Elizabeth Hanson, Wife of John Hanson, of Knoxmarsh, at Kecheachy, in Dover Township, who was Taken Captive with her Children and Maid-Servant, by the Indians in New England, in the Year 1724. – The substance of which was taken from her own mouth, and now published for general service. The third edition. Philadelphia: reprinted; Danvers, near Salem: reprinted and sold by E. Russell, next the Bell Tavern, MDCCLXXX. At the same place may be had a number of new Books, &c., some of which are on the … Read more

Narrative of the Captivity of Quintin Stockwell – Indian Captivities

Quintin Stockwell, Who was taken at Deerfield, in Massachusetts, by a Party of Inland Indians, in the Year 1677; Communicated in his own Words, and Originally Published by the Eminent Dr. Increase Mather, in the Year 1684. A particular account of the interruption in which Stockwell and others fell into the hands of the Indians will be found in the Book of the Indians, Book iii, p. 97 and 98. Out of twenty-four at that time killed and taken, we learn the names only of these; Quintin Stockwell, John Root, Sergeant Plimpton, Benjamin Stebbins, his wife, Benjamin Waite, and Samuel … Read more

Narratives of Rogers, Goodwin, Toogood – Indian Captivities

Three Narratives of Excessive Distress of Persons Taken at the Destruction of Salmon Falls, in the State of New Hampshire, on the Twenty-Seventh of March, 1690; Viz., The Cruel Torture of Robert Rogers, the Five Years’ Captivity of Mehetable Goodwin, and the Fortunate Escape of Thomas Toogood. From the Magnalia Christi Americana, of Doctor Cotton Mather.

John Gyles Captivity Narrative – Indian Captivities

John Gyles captivity narrative provides a stunning display of Abenaki culture and lifestyle, as it was in the 1690’s. John was 10 years old when he was taken captive in the attack on Pemaquid (Bristol Maine) and his narrative provides an accounting of his harrowing treatment by his Indian captors, as well as the three years exile with his French owners at Jemseg New Bruswick. His faith in Christ remains central in the well-being of his mind throughout his ordeal.

The Hudson River

The Hudson River has played a prominent roll in the history of the State of New York and America. This collection of writings documents a writers sojourn along the Hudson River as he explains in poignant language the features, locations, history and tales of the Hudson River.

From Hudson to Albany along the Hudson River

Directly opposite Hudson, and connected with it by ferry, is the classically named village of Athens. An old Mahican settlement known as Potick was located a little back from the river. We are now in the midst of the great Ice Industry “Ice Industry,” which reaches from below Staatsburgh to Castleton and Albany, well described by John Burroughs in his article on the Hudson: “No man sows, yet many men reap a harvest from the Hudson. Not the least important is the ice harvest, which is eagerly looked for, and counted upon by hundreds, yes, thousands of laboring men along … Read more

The War with the Indians of the West during Washington’s Administration

After the termination of the Revolutionary War, the hardy settlers of the west had still a contest to maintain, which often threatened their extermination. The Indian tribes of the west refused to bury the hatchet when Great Britain withdrew her armies, and they continued their terrible devastation. The vicinity of the Ohio River, especially, was the scene of their operations.

The Wars of the Five Nations – Indian Wars

Although the confederacy known as the Five Nations were the allies of the English in the war against the French, and joined them in many of their principal expeditions, their history deserves a separate notice, as they afford us a complete example of what the Indians of North America were capable of. Their great reputation as warriors, and their wisdom in council, have been so often alluded to by those interested in the history of the Indians, that we shall be pardoned for giving a somewhat extended description of their confederacy, and an account of their wars. The Five Nations, … Read more

Native Americans in the Revolutionary War

At the commencement of the American struggle for independence, the Native Americans in the Revolutionary War stood in a peculiar position. Their friendship became a matter of importance to both parties. To secure this, the English took particular care, and had many advantages, of which the colonists were deprived. The expulsion of the French from Canada had given the Indians a high opinion of the valor and power of British forces. They also had the means of supplying the wants of the Indians by presents of articles, which could only be obtained from Europe, and which the American Congress had … Read more

Tammany Society

The Tammany society – occasionally at first known as the Columbian Order took an Indian title and formulated for itself a ritual based upon supposedly Indian custom.

Miscellaneous Records from Mrs. Ulessus Kennedy’s Ledger

Records that occurred within or around the Allegany Reservation in New York, and were recorded in in an old ledger owned by Mrs. Ulessus Kennedy. Smith, Bertha Pierce, returned from Seattle Washington with two children June 5th, 1904. Smith, Bertha Pierce & Ed Smith, started today for his home, Junction City, Washington, Dec. 27, 1902. Pierce, Bertha, graduated at Gov. School, March 15, 1900. Smith, Ed, Warren & Edna, gone to their western home, Hadlock, July 23, 1907. Pierce, Hattie’s house burned, July 16, 1907, about 2:30 am, occupied by Edwin Smith. Smith, Edna, surprise party, March 16 1906. Tallchief, … Read more

Deaths from Mrs. Ulessus Kennedy’s Ledger

Deaths that occurred within or around the Allegany Reservation in New York, and were recorded in in an old ledger owned by Mrs. Ulessus Kennedy. A Armstrong, Elmer, d. Jan. 28, prob. 1883. Armstrong, Ely’s Baby, buried today Aug. 6, 1911. Armstrong, Joe’s first wife, d. Mon. Aug. 28, 1893. Funeral 30th. Armstrong, Joe, D. May 28 or 29, 1898. Funeral 30th. Armstrong, Kittie (Silverheels), d. 1925. Armstrong, Mary Jane, d. May 20 prob. 1883, bur. 22nd. Armstrong, Sarah, d. March 4, 1929, Funeral 6th. Armstrong, Wau-gis or Wan-gis, Widow, buried April 1 1907 Arnold, Henrietta, D. Wed. July 21, … Read more

Marriages from Mrs. Ulessus Kennedy’s Ledger

Marriages that occurred within or around the Allegany Reservation in New York, and were recorded in in an old ledger owned by Mrs. Ulessus Kennedy. Marriage George, Wallace, mar. to Julie (looks life Lee), Jan. 1, 1903. Lay, Blanch and Sherman Seneca, Jan. 1, 1907. George, Hellen to Frank Williams, July 9, 1899, at Silver Creek. Jimerson, Willet & Phina, mar. May 2, 1910. Hare, Hiram & Mary Kennedy, mar. in church, Feb. 1, 1903. Hare, Fred & Louisa Patterson, Mar. June 28, 1903. Miller, Edith mar. to a white boy whose name is Lewis. Jan. 1, 1907. Poodry, Rose, … Read more

Births from Mrs. Ulessus Kennedy’s Ledger

Births that occurred within or around the Allegany Reservation in New York, and were recorded in in an old ledger owned by Mrs. Ulessus Kennedy. Births Amelia’s Baby, b. Nov. 7, 1908. Bennett, Benjamin Harrison, b. Jan. 6, 1892. Bennet, Benjamin’s 1st child b. Nov. 27, 1913. Bennett, Henon & Laura’s boy & girl, b. Aug. 11, 1896. Burr, Wella & Sidney’s baby boy, b. April 17, 1902. Lay orDay, Doug’s baby, b. Feb. 9, 1906. Fisher, Mr.’s birthday age 70 years, Nov. 24, 1908. Goldsmith, Herbert’s boy, b. Dec. 27, 1911. Kennedy, Charles’ oldest son, b. Jan. 19, 1842. … Read more

Brant, New York, 1865 Soldiers and Officers

Over 2,000,000 men enlisted for part or all of 1860-1865. These records do include some Indian Soldiers, and listed as Indian, others are listed with the Indian Reservation and these could be white or Indian. Pay Of The Soldiers In Civil War The Act of Aug. 4, 1854, put the pay of the private at $11 per month with a Corporal at $13, a Sergeant at $17 and a First Sergeant at $20. The Act of August 6, 1861, raised the pay of a private to $13 per month with no change in pay for non-commissioned officers. The Act of … Read more

New York Genealogy at Ancestry

Ancestry is the largest provider of genealogy data online. The billions of records they provide have advanced genealogy online beyond imagination just a decade ago. The following is but a small sample of what they provide for New York genealogy at Ancestry. While some of these databases are free, many require a subscription. You can try a 14 day free trial and see if you can find any of your New York genealogy at Ancestry! New York Genealogy Databases – Subscription May be Required Ancestry Free Trial New York Statewide Genealogy at Ancestry 10,000 Vital Records of Central New York, 1813-1850 10,000 … Read more

Patchoag Indian Bands, Gens and Clans

Many tribes have sub-tribes, bands, gens, clans and phratry. Often very little information is known or they no longer exist. We have included them here to provide more information about the tribes. Cannetquot. Described by Thompson (Long Id., 293, 1839) as a semi-tribe or family occupying in 1683 the E. side of Connetquot r., about Patchogue, in Suffolk co., Long Island, N. Y. In another place he includes this territory as part of that belonging to the Patchoag. The name seems to be a dialectal form of Connecticut, (J. M.)