Aquackanonk Tribe

Aquackanonk Indians (from ach-quoa-k-kan-nonk, a place in a rapid stream where fishing is done with a bush-net. Nelson). A division of the Unami Delawares which occupied lands on Passaic River, New Jersey, and a considerable territory in the interior, including the tract known as Dundee, in Passaic, just below the Dundee Dam, in 1678. In 1679 the name was used to describe a tract in Saddle River Township, Bergen County, as well as to designate “the old territory, which included all of Paterson’s of the Passaic River, and the city of Paterson.” The Aquackanonk sold lands in 1676 and 1679.

The Delaware in Kansas

Black Beaver, Delaware

In 1682, the seat of the Delaware government was at Shackamaxon, now Germantown, Pennsylvania. There Penn found them and made his famous treaty with them. Although extremely warlike, they had surrendered their sovereignty to the Iroquois about 1720. They were pledged to make no war, and they were forbidden to sell land. All the causes of this step were not known. Because of it the Iroquois claimed to have made women of the Delaware. They freed themselves of this opprobrium in the French and Indian War. The steady increase of the whites drove the Delaware from their ancient seat. They were crowded … Read more

The Shawnee of Kansas

tjohnson1

The Shawnee Indians, originally from areas including South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Ohio, were among the most prominent and widespread tribes of the Algonquian family before their migration to Kansas. Their name, derived from “Shawun,” meaning south, reflects their early association with southern regions. Over time, due to conflicts with European settlers and other tribes, they gradually moved westward, eventually settling along the Kansas River in the early 19th century. Their Kansas reservation became home to various Shawnee divisions, with the majority residing in present-day Wyandotte and Johnson counties. The Shawnees were actively involved in regional conflicts and experienced significant cultural and territorial shifts, particularly during and after the Civil War, leading to their eventual relocation to Indian Territory in Oklahoma.

Indian Tribes in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Northwest Territories, 1822

The article “Indian Tribes in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and North West Territories, 1822” provides a detailed account of the Native American populations in these regions during the early 19th century. It highlights the differing perspectives on the conditions and sentiments of tribes such as the Delawares in Ohio, and notes the impact of Christian missionary efforts, particularly by the Society of Friends. In Pennsylvania, the article laments the displacement and decline of tribes over the past thirty years. It also discusses the strategic importance of territories like Michigan and the North West Territories, detailing the establishment of military posts to protect and facilitate trade and education efforts. This comprehensive overview includes population statistics and locations for various tribes, illustrating the significant changes and challenges faced by Native American communities during this period.

Walam Olum, Tribal Chronicle

Walam Olum. The sacred tribal chronicle of the Lenape or Delawares. The name signifies ‘painted tally’ or ‘red score,’ from walam, ‘painted,’ particularly ‘red painted,’ and olum,’ a score or tally.’ The Walam Olum was first published in 1836 in a work entitled “The American Nations,” by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque, an erratic French scholar, who spent a number of years in this country, dying in Philadelphia in 1840. He asserted that it was a translation of a manuscript in the Delaware language, which was an interpretation of an ancient sacred metrical legend of the tribe, recorded in pictographs cut upon … Read more

Pontiac’s War

Map of Pontiacs War

Early in the eighteenth century the French had commenced extending their influence among the tribes who inhabited the country bordering on the great western lakes. Always more successful than the other European settlers in conciliating the affections of the savages among whom they lived, they had obtained the hearty good will of nations little known to the English. The cordial familiarity of the race, and the terms of easy equality upon which they were content to share the rude huts of the Indians, ingratiated them more readily with their hosts, than a course of English reserve and formality could have … Read more

The Delaware Indians

Treaty of Penn with Indians

Associated with the early history of the Delawares are thoughts of William Penn, and of his peaceful intercourse with, and powerful influence over, the wild natives with whom he treated. At the first settlement of the country by Europeans, the tribes of this nation occupied no small portion of the present state of Pennsylvania, but their principal settlements lay between the Potomac and the Hudson. Situated between the great northern and southern confederacies, they were in turn at enmity and engaged in wars with either party; but, at an early day, they were in a measure subdued and reduced to … Read more

Personal Names of Indians of Pennsylvania

The following names of Delaware Indians are gleaned from the Pennsylvania Records, and the Pennsylvania Archives, First Series. Many of these Indians were formerly residents of New Jersey, and they all spoke the same language as the Indians living between the Delaware and the ocean. Akalawhanind, a Delaware Indian, 1758. See Teedyuscung. Aketawnikity, a Delaware Indian, 1728. See Sassoonan. Alemeon, a Delaware Indian, 1738. See Hithquoquean. Allummapees or Sassoonan, King of the Delawares, 1728. See Sassoonan. Allummapis (alias Sassoonan), the Chief of the Delaware Indians, with divers of their Ancient men, as Owcawyekoman, Saykalm, Shapopaman, Naynachkeemand, Saymningoe, Opemanachum, Peeskeekond, Weytcholeching, … Read more

Iroquios Personal Ornamentation

All Indians were very much addicted to personal ornamentation, the women more so than the men. In these decorations consisted their wealth, and they were a means also of marking their rank among themselves

Iroquois Ceremonies

Among the Iroquois, and, indeed, all the stationary tribes, there was an incredible number of mystic ceremonies, extravagant, puerile, and often disgusting, designed for the cure of the sick or for the general weal of the community. Most of their observances seem originally to have been dictated by dreams, and transmitted as a sacred heritage from generation to generation. They consisted in an endless variety of dances, masquerading, and nondescript orgies; and a scrupulous adherence to all the traditional forms was held to be of the last moment, as the slightest failure in this respect might entail serious calamities. Dreams … Read more