Wyandot

Agreement of December 14, 1843

On December 14, 1843, the Delaware and Wyandot nations formalized their longstanding friendship through an agreement. The Delawares ceded thirty-nine sections of land, including three donated sections near the junction of the Missouri and Kansas rivers, to the Wyandots. In return, the Wyandots committed to pay the Delawares a total of $46,080 over eleven years. The agreement is contingent upon approval from the President of the United States, highlighting the significance of mutual respect and collaboration between the two tribes.

Exploration and Settlement of the Shenandoah Valley

Farrer 1650 map of the colonies of Virginia and Maryland

The exploration and settlement of the Shenandoah Valley began with Johann Lederer’s 1670 expedition, which subsequently led to further exploration by figures like Colonel Cadwallader Jones and George Ritter. Thomas Fairfax’s 1719 inheritance of the Northern Neck estate catalyzed the influx of Germanic and other European settlers who engaged in intensive farming. Native Americans resided in the area until the mid-18th century, when displacement occurred amidst conflicts like the French and Indian War, marking a significant demographic shift in the valley’s history.

Treaty of July 20, 1831

On July 20, 1831, a treaty was signed at Lewistown, Ohio, between U.S. Commissioner James B. Gardiner and representatives of the Seneca and Shawnee tribes. In this agreement, the tribes ceded their lands in exchange for a commitment from the U.S. to relocate them west of the Mississippi River and provide a 60,000-acre tract of land. The treaty outlined the support for their relocation, provisions, and guaranteed future protections. Specific arrangements for improvements, annuities, and assistance for tribal leaders were also established.

Treaty of February 23, 1867

On February 23, 1867, the United States entered a treaty with various Indigenous tribes, including the Senecas, Shawnees, Quapaws, and others, to facilitate land cessions and relocations. The agreement outlined financial compensation for ceded lands, provisions for rebuilding homes and farms, and terms for dissolving tribal affiliations in favor of U.S. citizenship. It addressed compensation for wartime losses and education funding, and established frameworks for integration or removal of tribes to new reservations. The treaty aimed to reshape tribal governance and land ownership in light of ongoing westward expansion.

Wyandot Indians

The Wyandot, originally known as Huron, are a Native American tribe belonging to the Iroquoian linguistic family, primarily located in the St. Lawrence Valley and the Ontario region. Historically significant, they interacted with French explorers and missionaries in the early 17th century. Their population diminished following devastating conflicts with the Iroquois in 1648-49, leading to migrations across various regions. They aligned with the British during the War of 1812, ultimately relocating to Kansas and later Oklahoma. The tribe’s legacy includes numerous geographical names and historical accounts of their enduring resilience.

Treaty of September 17, 1818

On September 17, 1818, at St. Marys, Ohio, a treaty was signed between U.S. commissioners Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur and representatives of the Wyandot, Seneca, Shawnee, and Ottawa tribes. This treaty supplemented a previous agreement from 1817, reserving lands for the tribes and guaranteeing annuities. Specific tracts for each tribe were delineated, emphasizing their perpetual use. The treaty established protections against unauthorized land conveyance and required Senate ratification, reaffirming federal commitments to Native American rights and land.

Treaty of November 17, 1807

On November 17, 1807, Governor William Hull signed a treaty at Detroit, aimed at strengthening relations with the Ottoway, Chippeway, Wyandotte, and Pottawatamie tribes. The agreement established the cession of significant land rights in exchange for financial compensation and assistance in agriculture, including blacksmith services. The treaty also allowed the tribes to continue hunting and fishing on ceded lands and included provisions for land reservations. This treaty solidified the United States’ protection over these nations and exemplified their ongoing diplomatic relations.

Treaty of November 25, 1808

The Treaty of November 25, 1808, concluded at Brownstown, involved Governor William Hull and several Indian tribes, including the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Shawanoese. The treaty secured a tract of land for roads, promoting connections between Ohio settlements and those in Michigan. The tribes ceded land while retaining hunting and fishing rights, acknowledging U.S. protection. This agreement sought to foster cooperation and development between the U.S. government and the Indian nations, aiming for mutual benefit in the region.

Treaty of September 29, 1817

The treaty of September 29, 1817, was established between U.S. commissioners and various Native American tribes, including the Wyandots, Senecas, Delawares, Shawnees, Potawatomies, Ottawas, and Chippewas. It included extensive land cessions by the tribes to the United States, in exchange for monetary annuities, land grants, and the establishment of support services like mills and agents to protect tribal interests. The treaty sought to formalize relationships and stipulate rights and land usage while preserving hunting rights and offering financial compensation for wartime damages.

Treaty of January 21, 1785

The Treaty of January 21, 1785, concluded at Fort M’Intosh between the United States and the Wyandot, Delaware, Chippewa, and Ottawa nations established peace under specific conditions. Key articles included the exchange of chiefs for prisoners, acknowledgment of U.S. sovereignty over Indian lands, and the delineation of boundaries. It also reserved certain lands for the U.S. and outlined penalties for settling on indigenous territories. Despite these agreements, the treaty was ultimately ineffective due to ongoing hostilities among Ohio tribes, leading to its supersession by the 1795 Treaty of Greenville.

Treaty of January 9, 1789

The Treaty of Fort Harmar, signed on January 9, 1789, aimed to address disputes, regulate trade, and establish boundaries between the United States and various Native American nations, including the Wyandot, Delaware, Ottawa, Chippewa, Pattawatima, and Sac. Key provisions included the return of prisoners, delineation of land boundaries, mutual protections against hostilities, and trade regulations. However, the treaty ultimately remained ineffective due to ongoing conflicts, being supplanted by the Treaty of Greenville in 1795.

Treaty of August 3, 1795

Treaty of Greenville 1795

The Treaty of Greenville, signed on August 3, 1795, marked a crucial agreement between the United States and several Native American tribes, including the Wyandot, Delaware, and Miami. Establishing peace, it ended hostilities and facilitated the cession of vast lands in Ohio to settlers. It set future precedents for land treaties, leading to further territorial losses for Indigenous peoples. Key provisions included the cessation of violence, the restoration of prisoners, and defined boundaries for Native lands, underlining a complex relationship rooted in both cooperation and dispossession.

Treaty with The Wyandot, Jan. 19, 1832

On January 19, 1832, at McCutcheonsville, Ohio, a treaty was established between U.S. Commissioner James B. Gardiner and the Wyandot leaders to cede their 16,000-acre reservation located at Big Spring. Recognizing their inability to thrive amid increasing white settlers, the Wyandots agreed to relinquish their land for financial compensation and to potentially relocate to Canada or Michigan. The treaty emphasizes financial arrangements for land sale proceeds and improvements, alongside a request for a sub-agent to support their community in Ohio.

Treaty with the Wyandot, Apr. 23, 1836

On April 23, 1836, a treaty was established between the United States, represented by John A. Bryan, and the Wyandot tribe, led by chiefs William Walker, John Barnett, and Peacock. The agreement involved the cession of a five-mile strip of land in Crawford County, along with additional specified land parcels. Provisions were made for surveying, selling the land, and using proceeds for community improvements. The treaty also ensured compensation for tribal chiefs and outlined the management of funds from land sales.

Treaty of September 8, 1815

On September 8, 1815, the United States signed a treaty with several Native American tribes, including the Wyandot, Delaware, and Chippewa, to restore peace following their involvement in the War of 1812. The treaty reaffirmed the rights and privileges of these tribes as they existed in 1811, recognized their loyalty, and pardoned certain chiefs for past hostilities. This agreement also renewed previous treaties, solidifying the relationship between the tribes and the United States, emphasizing their commitment to peaceful coexistence.

Treaty of July 4, 1805

The Treaty of July 4, 1805, established a formal agreement between the United States and several Native American nations, including the Wyandot and Ottawa. The tribes reaffirmed their friendship with the U.S. and recognized boundaries delineated by a meridian line extending from Lake Erie. In exchange for ceded lands, the U.S. promised annual payments totaling one thousand dollars to certain tribes. Furthermore, the treaty allowed these tribes to continue hunting and fishing on the ceded territory as long as they maintained peaceful conduct.

Adario, Tionontate Indian Chief, aka Kondiaronk

Adario, also known as Kondiaronk, was a notable chief of the Tionontate tribe recognized for his bravery and political acumen. He played a significant role in Indigenous-French relations, leading an expedition against the Iroquois after a 1688 treaty with the French. Surprised by concurrent peace negotiations with the Iroquois, he intercepted their envoys, which led to severe retaliatory attacks on French settlements. Adario died on August 1, 1701, during peace talks in Montreal and received military honors upon his burial.

Wyandot Indian Tribe, Photo Descriptions

The Wyandot, originally from the shores of Lake Huron, were known as the Tobacco Indians for their extensive tobacco cultivation. They faced displacement, moving to Wisconsin and back to Detroit before ceding their Ohio lands in 1832. Subsequently, many relocated to Kansas, while others were assigned a reservation near Detroit. Over the years, their population dwindled significantly. Notable figures include Mathew Mudeater, the head chief and delegate to Washington in 1875, and councilor Nicholas Cotter, both representing the tribe’s interests during treaty negotiations.

Tionontati Tribe

The Tionontati Tribe, known as the Tobacco Nation, resided in Ontario’s mountains south of Nottawasaga Bay. First encountered by the French in 1616, they comprised two clans—Deer and Wolf—and had nine villages. After the destruction of the Huron tribes by the Iroquois in 1648-49, many sought refuge with the Tionontati, leading to Iroquois attacks. The tribe ultimately fled to the region near Lake Superior, later merging with the Hurons to form the Wyandot. By 1721, they retained their name and chieftaincies while living near Detroit.

Wyandot Indian Chiefs and Leaders

Tarhe, born in 1742 in Detroit, was a prominent Wyandot chief of the Porcupine clan. Known as Crane to the English, he played a significant role in numerous battles, including Point Pleasant and the battle of Fallen Timbers, where he was severely wounded. Instrumental in the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, Tarhe opposed Tecumseh’s war efforts and supported the American cause during the War of 1812. Respected by settlers and tribes alike, he served as chief priest and was honored in a mourning council after his death in 1818.