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
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
A Journal or Account of
the Capture of John Pattin
In: Eavenson, Howard N., Who
Made the "Trader's Map"?
(Pennsylvania Magazine of
History and Biography),
vol. 66(?), 1941, pp. 420-438.
A Journal or Account of the Capture of John Pattin
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John Pattin of the Province of Pennsylvania, Indian Trader, says that some time in Nov. 1750 he went with Goods a trading to the Miamis, otherwise called the Twigtwee Town which lies near the head of that Western Branch of the Ohio called by the English Miamis River, but by the French La Riv: Rochers or Rocky River, and is about 200 miles by Water & 100 by land to where it empties itself into the Ohio, and from there up to Log's Town is about 450 Miles by Water. That this Miami Town was computed to have about 200 fighting men, all of the Twigtwee Nation settled [sic] therein and are some of those who left the French 7 or 8 years ago in order to trade with the English. That being informed here that there were some |
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The Cross Miamis Fort French French Miami River French Miamis Town Number of men at French Miami's Fort New fort talked of |
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Indians a hunting at the Cross (a place about 65 Miles from the Miamis Town where the French have erected a large Wooden Cross to be worshipped by their Traders who pass this way) he went thither & traded with them but wanting sundry Necessaries he went from thence to a Fort which the French have on a Branch of the Lake Erie called by them Miamis River, thinking as there was peace between the English & French, he would be in no danger; but contrary to his expectation when he came there he was immediately seized & kept close confined; that the River of the Fort is about three Rods wide, on the other side of which about a mile & half from the Fort is the French Miami's Town, where there are about 150 Indians the remainder of those who came over to the English as mentioned before; that the Fort is small, stuck round with Pallisados and had at the Time he was there a Capt. Lieut: 250 Men, but that most of the men were traders, who were continually passing to & fro, & by what he could hear there were but about 9 or 10 who constantly resided there; that the French talk of destroying this Fort, & building one three Miles below on the other side of the River, in a Fork between the (page 427) Miamis River & a River which leads to a Portage near the head of Wabash, |
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What sort of land Fort Detroit |
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that the Land from the English Miami's Town to the French Fort is for the most part Savannahs & Plains, but here & there some fine Timber Land interspersed that from hence he was sent under a guard of 9 Men to Fort Detroit, which is about 240 Miles by Water, that the passage to this Place is down Miami's River, which is full of small Falls, into Lake Erie & then up the Streights between Lake Erie & Huron, on the West side of which Streight stands the Fort about 40 Rods from the River, that it is a large Pallisadoed Fort, containing about 100 small Log & other Houses that there are about 200 Men settled in & about the Fort that they have got but one Swivele Gun mounted here, tho this is the most considerable settlement the French have in these Parts they raising Grain & Most Kind of Provisions to supply the other Forts about the Lakes; that great encouragement is given to young married People to settle there, the French designing to make it a large settlement if Possible; that the Streight is about a Mile across at the Fort, that there are Plantations all the way |
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Lake Huron Niagara Fort Lake Erie |
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from Ft. Detroit to Lake Huron which is about three Leagues; that the French go in three days from Fort Detroit to Fort Sandoski, which is a small Pallisadoed Fort, with about 20 Men lying on the South side of Lake Erie, and was built the latter end of the Year 1750, that after being kept Prisoner about 4 Months at Detroit he was sent under a guard to Niagara Fort, their passage to which was down the River DeTroit into Lake Erie & from thence along the North side of said lake to the River Niagara, whence they Landed and travelled on Foot till they came opposite the Fort, and crossed over, that from F. Detroit to L. Erie is about Twelve Leagues & from the Mouth of Detroit River to the West end of Lake Erie is 12 Leagues also, that the Lake is computed 300 Miles in length that from the east End of L. Erie to Fort Niagara is about 70 Miles, |
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