Wyandot

1867 Roll of Wyandot Tribe

1867 Wyandot roll, U.S. microfilm M234 RG75 Roll 951, image 0252.

This free enumeration of the Wyandot people, taken 13 July 1867, has been transcribed from U.S. National Archives microfilm publication M234, Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (RG 75), Roll 951, images 0214–0252. The roll records each individual’s name, age, sex, condition, and location, with additional remarks provided by the enumerator regarding enrollment status. Original spellings have been preserved, though the format has been slightly rearranged for clarity in transcription. Images of the original rolls are included.

An Historical Sketch of the Tionontates or Dinondadies, now called Wyandots

les Tionontatacaga

The tribe which, from the time of Washington’s visit to the Ohio, in 1753, down to their removal to the West, played so important a part under the name of Wyandots, but who were previously known by a name which French write Tionontates; and Dutch, Dinondadies, have a history not uneventful, and worthy of being traced clearly to distinguish them from the Hurons or Wyandots proper, of whom they absorbed one remnant, leaving what were later only a few families near Quebec, to represent the more powerful nation.

Indian Mounds throughout North America

Great Serpent Mound Postcard

The region surrounding Lake Michigan was historically inhabited by skilled mound builders, including the Wyandots and Six Nations, who buried their deceased with treasures beneath earthen mounds. Excavations across North America, from Tennessee to Georgia, have uncovered European artifacts, suggesting cultural exchanges with early explorers. Similarities in mound structures and burial practices link the mound builders to contemporary Native American tribes. Mounds served varied purposes, including memorials and fortifications, reflecting the complex social practices of these ancient communities throughout the continent.

Moravian Massacre at Gnadenbrutten

George Rogers Clark

In 1763, Moravian missionaries established missions among the Tuscarawa Indians. Despite maintaining neutrality during the Revolutionary War, they were perceived as threats by both American settlers and British allied Indians. In March 1772, a group of American frontiersmen, led by David Williamson, deceived and massacred 96 Moravian Indians—men, women, and children—at Gnadenbrutten. This brutal act was marked by a lack of empathy among the assailants, highlighting the brutal interactions between white settlers and Native Americans during this period of conflict.

Early Exploration and Native Americans

Ferdinand de Soto’s interactions with Native American tribes, specifically the Choctaws and Chickasaws, exemplify early European attempts to impose their ideologies of civilization and Christianity upon Indigenous populations. This approach set a precedent for further exploitation and oppression of Native Americans, as European settlers sought to acquire land and resources. Throughout history, tribes like the Chickasaws, known for their valor, remained steadfast allies rather than adversaries. This enduring alliance contrasts sharply with the overarching narrative of dispossession and extermination faced by Indigenous nations in North America.

A Legend Of Slaughter At The Seneca Capital

The legend recounts a fierce battle between the Seneca and Wyandot tribes in 1755 after their alliance against the English at Braddock’s defeat. Upon their return home, tensions reignited. An old sachem, Ogista, intervened to propose a truce, allowing each tribe to select twenty warriors for single combat, culminating in a collective grave for the slain. The conflict ended with Ogista sacrificing his own son, leading to a pact of peace. This legend persisted until the investment of Fort Laurens in 1770, where subsequent violence erupted near the memorial mound.

Life and travels of Colonel James Smith – Indian Captivities

An Artists rendition of James Smith

James Smith, pioneer, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1737. When he was eighteen years of age he was captured by the Indians, was adopted into one of their tribes, and lived with them as one of themselves until his escape in 1759. He became a lieutenant under General Bouquet during the expedition against the Ohio Indians in 1764, and was captain of a company of rangers in Lord Dunmore’s War. In 1775 he was promoted to major of militia. He served in the Pennsylvania convention in 1776, and in the assembly in 1776-77. In the latter year he was commissioned colonel in command on the frontiers, and performed distinguished services. Smith moved to Kentucky in 1788. He was a member of the Danville convention, and represented Bourbon county for many years in the legislature. He died in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1812. The following narrative of his experience as member of an Indian tribe is from his own book entitled “Remarkable Adventures in the Life and Travels of Colonel James Smith,” printed at Lexington, Kentucky, in 1799. It affords a striking contrast to the terrible experiences of the other captives whose stories are republished in this book; for he was well treated, and stayed so long with his red captors that he acquired expert knowledge of their arts and customs, and deep insight into their character.

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

general st clair

After the Revolutionary War, settlers in the West faced continued aggression from Indian tribes, particularly near the Ohio River, where plundering and destruction of farms occurred. British influence exacerbated tensions, leading to military expeditions under Generals Harmar and St. Clair, both of which resulted in significant American losses. Despite initial setbacks, General Wayne eventually achieved a decisive victory, asserting American strength and shifting the balance of power against the Indians. The conflict underscored the ongoing struggles in the region and the complexities of U.S.-Indian relations.

Red Jacket and the Wyandot Claim to Supremacy

At a significant council of western tribes near Detroit, Red Jacket challenged the Wyandots’ claim to authority by questioning their historical rights and standing among the tribes. He fiercely criticized their past, recalling their weak position during conflicts and asserting the dominant role of the Six Nations. Addressing the Delawares, he admonished them for deferring to the Wyandots, reminding them of their historical dependence on the Iroquois for survival and influence. Red Jacket’s remarks emphasized the need for tribal unity and respect for established hierarchies.

Wyandot and Shawnee Indian Lands

The document outlines a schedule listing Wyandot Indians categorized as Incompetent and Orphan Classes under the Wyandot Treaty of 1855. It details the sales of lands assigned to them, confirmed by the Secretary of the Interior following a review of a 1870 report by Commissioners Irwin and Cobb. This aligns with the 15th article of the 1867 treaty involving certain Wyandot and other Indians in Kansas.

Treaty of April 1, 1850

On April 1, 1850, a convention was held in Washington D.C., resulting in a treaty between the U.S. government and the Wyandot tribe. This agreement addressed the Wyandot’s claim to 148,000 acres of land promised to them in a prior treaty from 1842, which they never received. In exchange for relinquishing their claim, the U.S. agreed to pay the Wyandot $185,000, with provisions for investments and debt settlements, and to cover negotiation expenses for the tribal delegation.

Treaty of March 17, 1842

On March 17, 1842, a treaty was signed between President John Tyler and the Wyandott Nation of Indians, where the Wyandotts ceded their lands in Ohio and Michigan in exchange for 148,000 acres in the West, a $17,500 annuity, and other provisions including education and support for their relocation. The treaty also included compensation for their improvements and debts. The agreement aimed to facilitate their migration while ensuring the well-being of the Wyandott Nation and preserving their rights as they moved westward.

Treaty of April 23, 1836

On April 23, 1836, a treaty was signed between U.S. Commissioner John A. Bryan and Wyandot chiefs William Walker, John Barnett, and Peacock. The Wyandots ceded a five-mile land strip and additional parcels in Crawford County, Ohio, to the U.S. The treaty outlined procedures for land sales, management of proceeds for tribal improvements, and protections for chiefs’ rights to specific lands. It also stipulated government oversight and the roles of Register and Receiver for handling financial matters related to the treaty.

Treaty of September 20, 1818

On September 20, 1818, a treaty was signed at St. Mary’s, Ohio, between Lewis Cass, representing the United States, and the Wyandot tribe. The agreement stipulated that the Wyandot ceded two tracts of land in Michigan, collectively encompassing about 5,000 acres, which had been reserved for their use. In return, the U.S. promised to reserve nearly 4,996 acres for the Wyandot’s future use, ensuring the land would remain in their possession as long as they occupied it.

Treaty of July 22, 1814

The Treaty of July 22, 1814, marks a significant peace agreement between the United States and various Native American tribes, including the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanoese, Senecas, and Miamies. Authorized by U.S. commissioners William Henry Harrison and Lewis Cass, the treaty stipulates mutual support in the war against Great Britain and establishes protections for the tribes. It reinforces tribal loyalty to the U.S. and outlines the restoration of pre-war territorial boundaries, emphasizing a formal commitment to peace and cooperation among the parties involved.

Indian Confederacy Of 1781

Michikinikwa, LIttle Turtle

The spring of 1781 was a terrible season for the white settlements in Kentucky and the whole border country. The natives who surrounded them had never shown so constant and systematic a determination for murder and mischief. Early in the summer, a great meeting of Indian deputies from the Shawanees, Delawares, Cherokees, Wyandot, Tawas, Pottawatomie, and diverse other tribes from the north-western lakes, met in grand council of war at Old Chilicothe. The persuasions and influence of two infamous whites, one McKee, and the notorious Simon Girty, “inflamed their savage minds to mischief, and led them to execute every diabolical scheme.”

Treaty of August 7, 1803

On August 7, 1803, a council convened in Vincennes, led by Governor William Henry Harrison, to finalize a treaty with several Indian nations, including the Eel River, Wyandot, Piankashaw, and Kaskaskia tribes. The chiefs consented to relinquish land rights for three one-mile tracts along key roads to facilitate traveler accommodations. The agreement, signed by Harrison and numerous Indian leaders, underscores the United States’ expanding reach into the Northwest Territory, marking a significant moment in the country’s territorial negotiations with indigenous peoples.

Treaty of August 8, 1831

On August 8, 1831, an agreement was forged at Wapaghkonnetta between U.S. Commissioner James B. Gardiner and Shawnee chiefs, facilitating the relocation of the Shawnee tribe to lands west of the Mississippi River. In exchange for their ceded lands in Ohio, the United States vowed to provide a hundred thousand acres in the west, cover relocation costs, and supply provisions for a year. The agreement also mandated the construction of mills and offered further support through provisions and tools for the Shawnee people.