10. RIDGEWAY, Genesee:
Several forts and places of burial.
11. ALLEN’S RESIDENCE, 1788.
Two miles west.
A flat.
Deserted Indian village.
Junction of Allen’s creek with Genesee.
Eight miles north of Kanawageas.
Five miles north of Magic Spring.
Six acres.
Six gates.
Ditch eight feet wide.
Six feet deep.
Circular on three sides.
Fourth side, a high bank.
A covered way, near two hundred years old.
Second, half a mile south, on a greater eminence.
Less dimensions.
But deeper ditch.
More lofty and commanding.
12. JOAIKA:
Twenty-six miles west of Kanawageas.
Six miles further.
Tegatainedaghgwe, or double-fortified town.
A fort at each end.
First about four acres.
Two miles distant another.
Eight acres.
Ditch about first five or six feet deep.
Small stream one side.
Traces of six gates.
Dug way to the water.
Large oaks two hundred years old or more.
Remains of a funeral pile—bones.
Mound six feet by twenty—thirty diameter—(sixty to ninety.)
13. PATH TO BUFFALO CREEK:
Heights—fortified.
14. WEST OF TONAWANDA:
Still another.
15. ON BRANCH OF THE DELAWARE:
A fort one thousand years old, by trees.
16. SOUTH SIDE OF ERIE:
Cattaraugus creek to Pennsylvania line, fifty miles.
Two to four miles apart—some half a mile.
Some contain five acres.
Wall and breast-works of earth.
Appearance of ancient beds of creeks.
[Note the geological change.]
Lake Erie retired from two to five miles.
17. FURTHER SOUTH:
A chain of parallel forts.
Two table grounds.
Recession of lake.
All these vestiges denote long periods of time, and probably different
eras of occupation. Who preceded the Iroquois? Who preceded their
predecessors? Do these vestiges tell the story? How shall we study
them? By antiquities; by language; by comparison with other races of
America, Asia, Africa, Europe.
* * * * *
ALBANY, _July 5th_.—Examine the site of ancient Mohawk
residence in 1609, on the island and its vicinity at the mouth of
Norman’s Kill. Look for their ancient burial places. Bones, pieces
of pottery, and other objects of art may tell something bearing on
their history. Is the Oasis opposite the turnpike gate, the site of
their ancient burial-ground? Is this the spot denoted by their name of
Tawasentha, or is it to be sought in other places, at the mouth, or up
the valley of this stream?
* * * * *
UTICA.—The Mohawk valley appears to have no monumental, or
other evidences of its having been occupied by races prior to the
Mohawks.
* * * * *
VERNON.—Who were the original race that first set foot in
Oneida county? When did the Oneidas come? Where did they originate, and
how? They are said to be the youngest of the Six Nations.
L. Hitchcock Esq. says that he was present, when a boy, some forty
years ago, when the last executions for witchcraft among the Oneidas
took place. The suspected persons were two females. The executioner was
Hon Yost. They were dispatched unawares, by the tomahawk.
Sachan, a strong wind, or tempest, was the Oneida name for Col. L. S.
The principal tributary to the Oneida creek which traverses this rich
grazing town, is called after the noted chief, (to adopt the common
pronunciation,) SCANADO. It means a deer. The old orthography,
for this word is Skenandoah.
Mr. Tracy, of Utica, whose authority on this point is good, gives
Tegesoken, as the Indian name of Fish creek. It means, _between the
months_.
Cowassalon creek, _i. e._, bushes hanging over the water.
Canastota. One pitch pine tree.
Aontagillon. Brook of the pointed rock.