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.
Journal of James Kenny
(1761-1763)
(Due to length divided here into eight parts)
Jordan, John W., ed. in: Pennsylvania
Magazine of History and Biography,
vol. 37, 1913, pp. 1-47,
152-202.
Shirtees Island, got some Plumbs- Jno Bartram found a Sort of Sun flower or else a New Plant, that he had not seen ye like before, having Stalks 5 or 6 foot High & Squair & hollow bearing allways two long small Leaves together oposite sirrounding ye Stem like through stem ye Blossoms were fell. Next we went a Shoar at ye Log's town, there being no inhabitants now, but above 100 Acres I supose Clear'd Land being on ye North Side ye River & very thin Soyle ye Adjasent Hills but poor. Some of ye men like to have poyson'd them selves here Eating ye Indigo Peas, whilst we were walking out to ye woods. Prosee'd down to Beaver Creek about 8 or 10 Miles from ye Logstown & 30 Miles from Pittsburgh, where only lives Gray Eyes or Sir Wm Johnson so call'd, one of ye Heads of ye Delawares, but he was gon to ye treaty now held at Detroit, some Women & Children being at home. He has a Good Shingled House & several Stables & Cow houses under one Rood Built by ye General's ordrs. We Pitch'd our Tent near ye House & made us a fire when Wm Turnum & another Indn man about dusk came in from Hunting; they sat with us sometime & we gave each some Break and a Dram, Turnum talks English well & being observing ye Stars he could shew us ye North Star & ye Great Bear & says ye Indians knows them & ye Plannets by Particular Names, very well & observes their motions but they could not inform us of ye Oyle Springs.
19th.- Set off very early this morning down ye River, being very foggy; ye River seems here to make a Right Angle ye Course from ye Mouth of Beaver Creek being very near South West, with some Island & seems not much wider than at Pittsburgh but about 7 or 8 foot Deep in places.
Kept down ye River untill about 11 o'Clock having judg'd we went near 200 miles below Beaver Creek, being told that ye Oyle Spring was at ye mouth of Little Beaver Creek about 8 miles from ye former on same (page 22) side ye River but no such Creek could we find in this Distance, so we put on Shoar on ye Point on an Island, ye River apearing to turn more Northward round ye Point of a Hill just in sight here we Dined. View'd ye Island, many pieces of Stone Coal lying amongst ye small Stones washed down with ye River, so we went no further down but having ye wind fair hoist'd Sail & Row'd along shore up again; put a Shore on ye South side, at ye mouth of Creek where was very rich Bottoms. Bartram ye Capt & I often walk'd along Shore & in ye evening being got very near ye mouth of ye Creek we left this morning, walking along a Path on high Land above ye River came to a Town (abot a Mile below Gray Eyes) where was near to 20 well made, (but small) Stone Chimneys & several frame Buildings, some of which had no Shingles or Clapbords on; ye Houses were mostly Burn'd or destroy'd that belong'd to ye Stone Chimbneys. There was like one or two Chapples with Immages of faces cut on ye Posts, but marks of Tomhocks struck in ye sd faces, & one ye nose cut off. I am informed since that this town was where ye French had intised ye Shawanes to come & settle, to be more handy to go to war against ye English. We walk'd up to ye mouth of Beaver Creek, but ye men being tyred put ashore & Incamp'd a little lower, so we return'd to them, & stay'd there all night, McSwain going to Gray Eyes & on his return told us he eat some Good Butter which Gray Eyes had made while he was there.
20th.- Set off soon this morning & came to Logstown but went ashore on ye South side ye River opposite to where ye town was, where was very Rich Land & we judg'd about 100 Acres Clear'd growing with high Weeds & Briars, here they us'd to Plant Corn. Search'd ye Ajesent Woods for ye Horse Chestnut Trees, but could not find them, ye Children at Beaver Creek having strings of them about their necks, they grow on an Island below Shirtees, but we did not land (page 23) on it to see them; lay this night by ye River side on long Coarse Grass.
21st.- Came up ye next Day to Pittsburgh & walking along ye River side found Pieces of Putrifid stuff made into Stone but ye Shapes of Shells in places, in other places ye shapes & bulk of Hickary Nuts with ye fair Husks on, opening in four Points & quarters in ye top of ye Nutt. Jno Bartram calls them Shells, but I call them nuts; walk'd this evening out about Grant's hill & view'd some of Mens Bones that lies about yet.
23d.- Jno Bartram set off to Redstone Creek up ye Monongahela on his way to see ye Warm Springs in Virginia & it rain'd for two Days. Ye Inventory of ye Goods been all taken, only ye Househould Furniture before I went down ye River.
26th.- Here has been accot from Delaware George to ye Colll that a Party of Mingoes being at Beaver Creek in liquor signified their Intention of laying wait about ye Garden at Pittsburg in order to Kill ye Collol or some officiers which ocassioned orders to be Issued that none of ye officiers should walk out in ye Garden alone & unarm'd, nor to be out after ye Gun fired in ye evening- there has been latter orders also to reinforce ye Guards at night & ye Militia Capt Crafford reviews his Watches at night in ye way of a Town Watch; he has summon'd Josiah Davenport and Capt Trent to join ye Militia & stand Sentrys, but they dispute ye point thinking themselves above it.
10mo 1st.- Croughan is returned from ye Treaty at Detroit & information is made to us by Leut Ralph of ye Royal Americans, that ye Collol has had a Copy of Johnson's Journal, which gives account that ye Beaver King held a Counsel with ye other Nations (before Genl Johnson arriv'd) telling them that they were mislead as he & his people were by the French, & that since he was better acquaint'd with ye English than many of them were he assur'd them that they would find them a (page 24) people much preferable to ye French & that they might do what they judged best, but that him & his Nation would always hereafter joine with ye English; its also said, that he confess'd at ye following Treaty, that this Summer ye War Belt and Hatchet was brought from ye Six Nations, & offer'd to him & his Brother Shingass, but that he threw it against ye Wall & would not except of it, sits said also that ye three Heads Men of ye Wyondot Nation all agree'd not to except it but seiz'd it & deliver'd it to Capt Camble at Detroit. The Conclusion of Collol Johnson's Treaty is said to be that he has cast off ye Onandago Yoke (of ye Six Nations) from ye Delawares, Shawanas, Wyondots, Picks or Tweetwees, & others to ye Westward which makes those Nations a Seperate Power Independt of the Six Nations & that both Powers has seperately join'd in aliance now with ye English, both offensive & defensive, on which some Hundreds were set off against ye Cherokees & that ye Prisinors that wants to leave them may come away, but they that do not or cannot drive them away.
6th.- A Speces of Violets, now very thick in Blossom over ye Monongahela & several of ye Common Blue Violet in Blossom which I judge must be ye second Blossoming this Summer, one plant of which I have remov'd to ye Garden thinking to carry it down Home & ye Seeds of ye other also ye seeds of ye Aristolochia & a fine rare Rassberry Plant like ye Nine Bark wood.
7th.- The late Agent let me know that ye Commisss or some part of them were so Indulgent toward me that if at any time I rather chus'd to be relased from ye Service to let them know & they would do it, which I take very kind & has wrote to them about two weeks ago to be pleas'd to send another in my room, which I hope soon now will arive.
8th.- There is a Proclamation from Collol Johnson Posted up here for all ye Indian Traders to Adhere to, ye Prices of ye Goods that is now fix'd at a more bene- (page 25) fishal profit than here before; all ye Traders to have a Pass from Sr Wm Johnson or George Croughan Esqr else ye Commanding officiers at each Post are forbid to let them Trade.
9th.- Frederick Post came here from Tuscorawas & having a meeting with ye Indians there, before they set off (to ye Treaty) at Detroit, he let them know that the good Spirit had sent him amongst them in order to do them good & inform them in ye Christian Principels, to which they answer'd that they were very willing of his living amongst them, but not on them tearms, as they seen no better fruits or works amongst Christians than amongst themselves, but he told them that ye good spirit was with him, when he came to them in ye War time & that they had no reason to repent of his coming amongst them that time, and that now if they did not receive him on ye tearms he mentioned ye Good Spirit ordered him to lave them, and go to some others, having made them as head men of that Nation ye first offer & call'd for his Horse to be gone, but they would not consent to let him go, so he is now prepairing materials in order to build a House to live in, & keep School, & instruct them as far as he can or they will receive, but tells them that their hearts are not prepair'd to hear the gosple.
12th.- About this time ye Beaver King & Shingas came here & held a small council wt Geo. Croughan, & ye Beaver told me they would go to Philada next Spring to Confirm their alliance with our Province.
15th.- About this time I went to get Coal over ye Mountain South side of ye Monongahela about 1 1/4 Miles from ye sd River with four men & 3 Horses caried them in bags to ye River & brot home at night in a flat abot 40 Bushel fine Coal being dug out before. I kill'd a Turkey.
16th.- One Agness Miller, being a Captive amongst ye Shawnes, was delivered up here as also two other (page 26) little Girls, Daughters of Charles Stuward & Jam McBride, taken from ye Coves, one of them being taken by Shingus & belon'd to Pisquition. Langdale had orders from Israel Pemberton to advance 20 for redeeming Agness, but she being deliver'd up cost nothing.
23d.- Langdale left this place and set off home, after leaving a Protest in Writing with me (as he was just going) being against all Josiah Davenports & my Actings in ye Store since ye Day he left it in order chiefly, as he told me, to clear himself if any thing happen'd in ye Goods which he said was only matter of form, as he never alledg'd any dishonesty to any of us. One Blaine ye officer which Commands at Ligonier came here. I have had no Answer as yet from ye Commisss, which gives Frederick Post some encouragemt (if I am set at liberty) to go to see him to Tuscorawas.
11mo 1st.- The Shawana Chiefs came here & Held a Treaty of Peace with Geo. Croghan where none was admitt'd but Croghan's Assistant, (Thos Hutchins) & himself & Indians I heard they promis'd to keep in friendship with ye English for ever & blam'd ye French for drawing them away from ye English Intrest.
9th.- This Day my Brother Charles hired with us at our Store for ye Winter Quarter at Three Pounds pr Month- ye ninth 11mo 1761 & Samuel Dean went off.
12th.- Many Traders gone with Goods to Trade at ye Indians Towns. One Thos Cape that was Prisoner amongst ye Shawanas, being taken from Cape Capen in Virginia, being set free, we have taken him to live with us.
16th.- I am inform'd by Thos Cape, that when ye Indians Kill a Deer in ye Woods & being in haste to follow ye Game, they leave a Cap or some part of their Clothing on ye killed Game untill they return, which hinders ye Buzzards & Vermin to Eat it, also that if they intend to leave it all night where its kill'd they Bark or Blase (page 27) 3 or 4 Trees round it & then wets some Powder in their Hand untill it is dissolved then dips their finger in it & Sprinkles in on ye Blaszes, which in ye Night will look like Sparks of fire all round, & no Vermin would touch ye Carcase untill it would rot there.
18th.- Butter is brought here by ye Cask @ 14d & 13d and 1 Shilling pr lb. Turnips for one Dollor pr Bushell, being raised here.
19th.- The Fort Banks here is very near raise'd, which makes it look much Stronger than it was in times of more danger by accounts, ye front next ye Inhabitants being of Brick and Corners of ye Angles of Hewn Stone, about [?] foot High ye Back part next y ePoint where ye two Rivers Meets being of Earth & soded all so that it grows thick of long Grass that was done last year & they have Moov'd ye Bank several times this Summer its four Squair with a Row of Barracks along each Squair three Rows of which are Wooden frame work & ye Row on ye Bank side next ye point is Brick also a large Brick House built this summer in ye South East Corner of ye Roof being now aputing on, having fine Steps at ye Door of Hewn free Stone, a Cellar all under it, at ye Bank Side of ye Barracks opens ye Doors of ye Magazines Vaults & Dungeons lying under ye Great Banks of Earth thrown out of ye Great Trinches all Round in these are kept ye Strores of Amunition &c & Prisoners that are to be tried for their Lives, in these Vaults are no light but as they carry Lanthorns, on ye South East Bastion stands a High Poal like a Mast & top Mast to Hoist ye flag on which is Hoisted on every first Day of ye Week from about Eleven to One o'Clock & on State Days &c there are three Wells of Water wall'd in ye fort, & a Squair of Clear Ground in ye inside of about 2 Acres.
10th.- I have been Inform'd by a Young Man that was order'd by ye Commanding Officer, Collonel Bouquet, (this Sumer) to Number all ye Dwelling Houses without
that our province has no small Share in raising ye Banks of Fort Pitt.
30th.- We have been very Busey in getting Home a Stock of fire wood being Cut about a Mile up ye Allegheny & 150 Yards from ye River side some we haul'd with a Cart to ye River & some Carried & brought it home with a Battoe.
12mo 1st.- Many of ye Inhabitants here have hired a School Master & Subscrib'd above Sixty Pounds for this Year to him, he has about Twenty Schollars, likewise ye Soberer sort of People seemes to Long for some publick way of Worship, so ye School Master Reads ye Littany & Common Prayer on ye first Days to a Congregation of different Principels (he being a Prisbiterant) where they behave very Grave (as I hear), on yeoccasion ye Children also are brought to Church as they Call it.
5th.- The Provincials are discharged & Marches off with Colll Burd, this Place having but few Soldiers left in it.
Here is about 51 of ye Sennica Nation Wariors, with a Steady big Old Man, their Head, going to War against ye Cherokees. They have made a Speech at their Coming that we should not think hard of them Concerning ye Conspiracy they began this last Sumer, as that matter was Settled & they intend to live in peace with us for ye futor, & being in need of some necessaries they hope'd we would supply them as they were going against ye common Enemy to us as to them. This Nation are Said to be ye most against ye English of any of ye Six Nations.
7th.- It has snow'd for two Days (ye 5th & 6th) but no frost of any Value being in ye Earth, & ye weather Not very Cold, much of it has melt'd; it was about 2 foot deep on ye Plains in other places deeper; it continues mostly Cloudy & Spits some little snow, freezes, & this day there is much Snowy Ice driving in ye Rivers; ye (page 30) Sennica Wariors have got ye last provissions allow'd them this Day with orders to go being Supply'd with all they ask'd, they are very troublesome by crowding into ye Houses & thronging our fire Places, but behaves Civell ye Indians in General being so theevish that we are under ye necessity to watch them with ye utmost care & must be loosers after in some things unless we had as many spyes as they have thieves; this makes them fare ye worse amongst us, as we are affraid to let them Sleep in our Houses, or indulge them to tarry any longe time, but many of them are so good natured that they wont be affronted readily.
12mo 8th.- The Head Sennica Warior dealt Seven large Bucksins with me, when many of them Croud'd in ye Store being very Theivish (ye Agent being out) ye Warior seem'd not easy pleas'd with his full Pay which he took in Powdr, so I gave him a Loaf of Bread which was satisfactory to them; one of them bringing a small Skin want'd Brass Wire for it, but could hardly please himself amongst a variety of sorts, telling me to hand more, which I looked upon it as a Stratagem to keep me bussie that y others might have oppertunity to Steal something. Several of 'em want'd to get behind ye Counter but I always turn'd em back & all they got was a Handful of salt. One took out a kegg that stood behind ye door, whilst my Brother just step'd out, so I turn'd them all out & ye Hindmost stop'd by ye door & begg'd for a Little Salt, so I gave him a Handfull he being disappoint'd in Stealing of it.
9th.- It set to Snowing yesterday & continues snowing a little yet, but is not very cold, nor has not fell much. Ye Ice drives in ye Allegheny, only I am inform'd by a Prissoner that ye Shawanes set free here, that ye Head Man Call'd Manacotootha (signifying ye Scy) set off from ye Lower town to come to ye Treaty they Held here, but had not come far until his own heart smote him so with Guilt (it seems) he was for (page 31) turning back & having come ye Most of ye way after did come here nor did not let his son come saying ye English would imprissone them, & ye whole Company would have turn'd back, only for the Perswasions of One Leading Man Of ye Nation Call'd the White Horse, who carried his arguments with such force & reasons that they must unavoidably come at Last to ye English Terms, so brought ye Majority along, but before they reach'd here, Strictly Charg'd ye Prissoners when they got amongst ye English not to tell any Lyes of them & ye Women not to tell their usage. Guilt often needs no accusser!
10th.- Very smart Frost, ye Ice drives thick in ye River, these Wariors are not yet gone nor can they get them away. This Evening Teaf's Goods gone over ye River in a Batoe; they are to set off tomorrow to Beaver Creek with them down ye River, tho it seem'd with much difficulty they got a Cross to ye Island for Ice; they propose to go to ye Miammi Country amongst ye Tweetwees.
11th.- The Monongahela shut up last night & ye People Crosses on ye Ice; to Day ye Hunters comes in with their Skins & plenty of meat.
14th.- It Rains & ye 51 Wariors is set off down ye River in three Large new Canoes, shouting as they go.
15th.- Stormy weather Cloudy & Spitting Snow, people keeps coming in here from ye Inhabitants & some going notwithstanding ye Weather.
16th.- It broke up ye Ice last night in ye Monongahela so that with ye flood that is in ye Rivers; some Batoes are drove away & ye Guard stop'd several; that was broke loose & agoing though- there is plenty of Snow still remains.
17th.- I am inform'd by our Servant, Thos Cape, who was Six Years Prisoner amongst ye Shawanas, that they have much regard for ye Great Eagle, they use ye downey feathers of his Tayle stuck in their hair, also when they Shoot one of them, that they immediately (page 32) cut out his tongue & his heart & hide them in some rotten Log & hangs up ye Body for two Days, then bring it home, use ye wings, (took carefully off & join'd with some piece of white Linnen at ye Roots) to raise wind, as he says, which he has seen done, goes in some private place & fands with ye wings Singing some song all ye time for ye Space of near two Hours or more, when ye wind Will Raise ready to blow down ye Houses, ye downey long feathers of ye Tayle they keep laid up in Saele Skin, which they purchase of ye Cannada Indians whether being Heathen Idolaters they Realy can Act any Cunjuration Divination or Witch Craft I know not, but that they have many such Imposters amongst them I believe.
18th.- This Day it Clear'd & pretty fine Day, ye snow about 15 Inch deep. I am inform'd that ye Shawana head man got some Wheat sow'd that they had carried from some of ye frontiers during ye War which grew well, saved seed of ye Crop which they sow'd again part of it they Pounded in a morter to Meal which they made Bread of, this Tho Cape says, that ye Head Man of ye Shawanas was heard to say, that in Case of a War breaking out again with ye English they will never make it up again.
20th.- Here was a little Old Delaware Man & family, he is call'd James Mokeson, & his Cossen a likly young man, they dealt about 100 worth peltry with us. Ye young man Could Cast up his own peltry & knows what they came to by his head; behav'd very steady, we useing all means in our power to please them; they promis'd to come to us again in ye Spring, being very well pleas'd. Had hard work to put them over ye River, ye Ice drove so thick.
21st.- I heard by one of Teafe's Men (that went down to Beaver Creek with his Goods), that Three men that set off to go down there, by Land, only one arive'd there when he came away & it was supos'd ye other two was
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