THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
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indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
A List of Indian Nations,
their places of abode
& Chief Hunting
(1759)
In "Accounts of the Western Indians," in
Stevens, et all. The Papers of Col.
Henry Bouquet, Series 21655,
1943, pp. 85-88.
A List of Indian Nations, their
places of abode
& Chief Hunting.
The Delawares a Warlike Nation, living on the Ohio, Beaver Creek, and several other Branches of the Ohio, and high up the Susquehanna always Steady in The British Interest until this War, and never computed to consist of more than between three & four hundred Men, till now when by collecting their People together, They are reckoned to be near Six hundred fighting Men, and were the People that did us the greatest Mischief being acquainted with almost every Plantation on our Frontiers and Served as Guides to the French Indians. Their chief Hunting Bear & Deer.
The Shawanesse a Warlike Nation their chief Town on a great Plain on the River Scioto which empties itself into The Ohio about four hundred miles below Pittsburgh. They consist of about three hundred fighting Men, were Steady in The British Interest all last War, but inveterate Enemies this, owing to some of their People being put in Goal at Charles Town, the chief Man of the party (a Man more particularly attached to the British Interest than any other in the Nation) Dead. Their chief hunting Bear & Deer.
The Chocktaws a Nation living on The Missisippi River above new Orleans in the French Interest computed to be two thousand fighting Men, their chief hunting Beaver and small Furs.
Lezar a Nation living on the Ohio from the mouth upwards towards the Mouth of Wabash about four hundred fighting Men, their hunting Beaver & Deer.
The Ilionois (so call'd by the French) live on the Missisippi above the Mouth of The Ohio; The French have five Towns in their Country, which produce good Wheat from whence they Supply New Orleans & the Adjacent Forts and have sent supplies from thence during the War to Fort DuQuesne now Pittsburgh they consist of about 400 fighting Men.
The Waggueoughtennees, Nation living on The Wabash, have two Towns. They are computed at 200 fighting Men, Beaver & small skins their hunting.
The Pianguishaws, a Nation living on the heads of the Wabash, are computed at 300 fighting Men, have two Towns, Beaver & Small furs their chief hunting.
The Twightwees a Nation living on the Miame River consisting of about 300 fighting Men have _____ (illeg. copy) Towns, their chief Hunting Deer Beaver & small furs.
These three last mentioned Nations desired to be received into Friendship with The English on a time when I was transacting business with them, from Pennsylvania I accepted of their offers of Friendship & a considerable Trade was carried on. I was afterwards condemn'd for Accepting their Friendship, as The Government feared it would draw on an Additional Expence in Presents, for which reason these Indians were neglected, and tho' inveterate Enemies to the French on account of having Murdered some of their People, was at last obliged to Join in the War against us for to be Supplied with necessary Goods in exchange for their Skins & furs.
The Weyondotts. They have a Town at Fort D'Troit, and one at a place called Cheunden on this side the Lake, a brave honest Warlike People, have a regard for the English tho' engaged in the War against us, being obliged from their Situation, They consist of about three hundred fighting Men, their Hunting Deer Beaver & small furs.
Ottawas, Chepaways, Putuvatimies, Melkomineys, Shockeys. These Nations are in confederacy somewhat like the Six Nations. They live on the West Side of Lake Erie consisting of about Two Thousand fighting Men, are not by the other Indians esteemed good Warriors, have Three large Towns in Sight of Fort D'Troit. Their Hunting Beaver, Deer, Elks & Small furrs.
Nottoweases " " " a Nation called by the French Le Tue. They live on a River that runs parallel with The Missisippi. Their Settlements extend down The River to a small Lake call'd Sacrama, where the French have a Trading House, which place only they Trade with this great Nation of Indians which covers a Country of 2,000 Mile in length, some Indians who have travelled that way, say, They have (page 87) above one hundred Towns, and not less than ten Thousand Men. They have no fire Arms, The French not being able, or perhaps not choosing to Supply them. These are the People called Welch Indians are very fair, and Speak quick; their chief hunting Beaver, & small furs. Their Country abounds with all sorts of Game of which as they want to Support their families they kill with Bow & Arrows, the Skins they dress for Cloathing.
Musquakees a Nation living on The Missisippi formerly a great Nation but by continual Wars with the French are much reduced. Supposed to be now not above 200 fighting Men. They have one large Town. Beaver and Small Furrs their chief hunting.
Sagacy a Nation living lower down the River have been mostly cut off by the French, being now only about 200 fighting Men. They have but one Town. Their chief Hunting Beaver & small Furs.
Webingo a Nation living lower down The River, mostly cut off by the French, have but one Town, about 200 fighting Men, their chief Hunting Beaver and small furs.
Ousasys a Nation call'd so by the Ottaways, by the French Le Grand Tue living on one of The Branches of Missisippi called White Creek. They have several large Towns, are about 4,000 fighting Men their chief hunting Bears Elks, Beaver & Small furs.
Lenways a Nation living on Missisippi, consisting of about One Thousand fighting Men, have four Towns, their chief Hunting Bears, Elks, Beaver, & Small furs.
Misury a Nation living on Missisippi opposite The Ilionois Country, Consisting of about four Hundred fighting Men, have but one Town. Bears, Elks, Beaver & Small furs their chief hunting.
Kecop's a Nation which live about 80 Miles on the other side of Fort D'Troit have Three Towns, about Six hundred fighting Men. Bears, Elks, Beaver and small furs their chief hunting. Deer are very plenty over the Lakes, but as the French do not purchase Deerskins in the Hair, They are Seldom killed except for Provisions, & to make Shoes for their Families.
Number of the fighting Men belonging to the Indian Nations living to the Westward of Ohio, known to the English as computed by themselves.
|
|
fighting Men |
|
|
Delawares |
600 |
|
|
Shawanesse |
300 |
|
|
Chocktaws |
2,000 |
|
|
Lezar |
400 |
|
|
Ilionois |
400 |
|
|
Waughweoughtannees |
200 |
|
|
Pianquishaws |
300 |
|
|
Twightwees |
300 |
|
|
Wayandotts |
300 |
|
|
Ottawas, Chepawas, Putuvatimies, |
|
|
|
Melkomineys, or Shockeys |
2,000 |
|
|
Notoweases |
10,000 |
|
|
Musquakees |
200 |
|
|
Sagacy |
200 |
|
|
Webingo |
200 |
|
|
Ousasays |
4,000 |
|
|
Linways |
1,000 |
|
|
Misury |
400 |
|
|
Kecop's |
600 |
|
|
|
_______ |
|
[Endorsed in Col. Bouquet's handwriting] Accounts of the Western Indians 1759
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