Northeast Historical Archaeology Volume 22 From Prehistory to the Present: Studies in Article 7 Northeastern Archaeology in Honor of Bert Salwen

1993 The ahicM ans, the Dutch, and the Schodack Islands in the 17th and 18th Centuries Paul R. Huey

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Recommended Citation Huey, Paul R. (1993) "The ahicaM ns, the Dutch, and the Schodack Islands in the 17th and 18th Centuries," Northeast Historical Archaeology: Vol. 22 22, Article 7. https://doi.org/10.22191/neha/vol22/iss1/7 Available at: http://orb.binghamton.edu/neha/vol22/iss1/7

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Cover Page Footnote Many individuals have contributed to the writer's compilation and interpretation of the above research on the Mahicans at Schodack Many of the deed references were provided by Shirley Dunn of East Greenbush, New York, who is doing extensive research on the Mahican Indians. When the 1730 deed for part of Moesmans Island to Maes Hendricksen van Buren was discovered by the Historical Society of Esquatak, it was Shirley Dunn who immediately recognized its great importance to research on the Mahicans. The writer also wishes to acknowledge the assistance of Charles L. Fisher of the Bureau of Historic Sites in the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. He is currently studying archaeological evidence of the Mohawks living at Fort Hunter in the Mohawk Valley in the mid-18th century. Assistance and encouragement were also provided by Robert S. Grumet of the Mid-Atlantic Office of the National Park Service, by Lois M. Feister of the Bureau of Historic Sites, who is studying evidence from excavations at Johnson Hall, and by Charles T. Gehring of the New Netherland Project in the New York.

This article is available in Northeast Historical Archaeology: http://orb.binghamton.edu/neha/vol22/iss1/7 96 The Mahicans and Dutch at the Sclwdack Islands/Huey

THE MAHICANS, THE DUTCH, AND THE SCHODACK ISLANDS IN THE 17TH AND 18TH CENTURIES

Paul R. Huey

Documentary research calls attention to the historical and archaeological significance of an area that once consisted of three separate islands on the east side of the Hudson River below Albany. The area, called "Schodack," included the traditional council fire of the Mahican Indians. The history of these islands can be traced from 1609, when Hudson's ship, the Half Moon, anchored near them through the colonial period. Despite extensive purchases of land by the Dutch elsewhere on both sides of the river soon after 1630, the Mahican Indian owners and. occupants of these fertile islands resisted selling them to the acquisitive Dutch until a period of crisis after 1660. Although a Mahican village continued to exist on the islands until the mid-18th century, the Mahicans were gradually dispersed through the combined effects of colonial wars and activities of land specu.lators and farmers, colonial officials, and missionaries. The islands cur­ rently are owned and protected as an undeveloped state park by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Deep deposits of river dredging spoil today cover the islands and hide the Mahican and colonial sites. from archaeologists, but have also effectively protected them from vandals. Many questions about the Mahican and colonial European occupation of the is­ lands remain that can be answered only through fu.ture archaeological efforts.

La recherche documentaire permet d'attirer ['attention sur ['importance his­ torique et archeologique d'une region qui englobait jadis trois lies distinctes sur le cote est de la riviere Hudson en aval d' Albany. La region, appelee "Schodack," comprenait le traditionnel feu de conseil des Mohicans. · On peut faire remonter l'histoire de ces fles a 1609, alors que le bateau Half Moon d'Hudson jeta l'ancre a leur proximite, et la mener jusqu'a la fin de la periode coloniale. Les proprietaires et occupants mohicans de ces fle$ fertiles refuserent de les vendre aux avides Hollandais jusqu'apres 1660, au cours d'une periode de crise, malgre les impor­ tants achats de terres faits par les Hollandais des deux cOtes du fleuve des peu apres 1630. Malgre ['existence d'un village mohican dans les fles jusqu'au milieu du XVIIf siecle, les Mohicans ant ete graduellement disperses du fait a la fois de l'effet des guerres coloniales et de l'action des speculateurs sur les terres et des fermiers, des autorites coloniales et des missionnaires. Le Bureau des pares, de la recreation et de la conservation historique de rEtat de New York est aujourd'hui proprietaire des fles et en assure la protection a titre de pare d'Etat non amenage. D'epa is depOts de deblais de dragage du fleuve recouvrent les fles aujourd'hui et cachent aux archeologues les lieux d' occupation mohicans et autres sites coloniaux, mais les protegent bien aussi contre les vandales. ·Il reste beau coup de questions au sujet de l'occupation des fles par les Mohicans et les colons europeens aitxquelles seule l'archeologie pourra apporter reponse. Northeast Historical ArchaeologyNol. 21-22, 1992-1993 97

The 17th Century have been on one of the nearby islands at Schodack (Jameson 1967: 21-22). The In the upper Hudson River Valley three islands at Schodack are clearly beginning about 120 mi (192 km) above shown on the figurative map presented its mouth, is a remarkable area of rich, by Captain Hendricksen in 1616, which fertile alluvial flats and islands that also shows "Sturgeon Hook" opposite lie along the river channel. This the vicinity of present Castleton fertile land, combined with its close (O'Callaghan 1856: 10-11). The Scho­ proximity to trade routes such as the dack islands, however, are shown much Mohawk River, the Normans Kill, and smaller than the large Papscanee other tributaries reaching far inland Island, to the north (FIG. 2). from the west side of the Hudson, made De Laet recorded in 1625 that the the entire region a natural area for Mahicans lived on the east side of the trade and settlement by the Dutch in river opposite Sturgeon Hook and the 17th century. Fisher's Hook (Jameson 1967: 47). In Three fertile islands along the east the spring of 1628, war broke out side of the Hudson, separated from the between the Mahicans living along the mainland by shallow, protected chan­ Hudson River, and the Mohawks, nels ideal for close contact with river whose territory extended westward transportation by sloop or smaller craft, (Jameson 1967: 89). Many Mahicans are Upper Schodack Island, Lower were driven eastward to the Schodack Island, and Houghtaling Connecticut River, but the effect of this Island (FIG. 1). Houghtaling Island, war may have been greatest on those the southernmost, was shown on 17th­ Mahicans who lived on Papscanee century maps as Marten Gerritsens Island or at other places along the river Eylant; by 1672 it was also called to the north closer to Fort Orange and Schutters Island, its name through the the Normans Kill. 18th century. Lower Schodack Island, Fort Orange had been built by the the middle island, was consistently West India Company in 1624 for trade, called Moesmans Island or, by the In­ but the defeat of the Mahicans now of­ dians, Cachtanaquick. Finally, Upper fered new opportunities for the Dutch Schodack Island was know by various to expand their interests beyond trade names in the 17th century, including to the settlement of the rich alluvial Mahicans Eylant, or Schotack, or farmland along the river. In 1629 Kil­ Aepjes Island. iaen van Rensselaer, as a patroon under A serious obstacle to river naviga­ the charter granted by the West India tion, a sandbar, had formed in the main Company, registered his intention to channel along the west side of these is­ develop the Colonie of Rensselaers­ lands, and on September 17, 1609, as wyck above and below Fort Orange. He Henry Hudson sailed north to about purchased Papscanee Island in the present Castleton, he found the islands 1630s, but Mahicans continued to live and shallows in the middle of theriver farther south, perhaps at Schodack channel. He anchored all night near (Gehring 1978: 16, 29; Van Laer 1908: the shore. The next day his mate went 198, 199, 207, 283, 306, 307, 326). It is "on land" with an old Indian to the noteworthy that with Van Rensselaer's Indian's house. It is possible that this purchase of Papscanee Island from the house was at or near the present main­ Mahicans in 1637, his ownership of land site of Castleton, but it also could land along the east side of the river 98 The Mahicans and Dutch at the Schodack Islands/Huey ~vJ) · .

GREENBUSH . ~~ (RENSSELAER)

KILL

CONSTAPELS ISLAND

UPPER -~ SCHODACK ~ (\_,- ISLAND U

HELLGATE '~~...

SCHODACK LANDING ~

KILOMETERS I MILES F

J. BR/GGS-'92'

Figure 1. Map of the Hudson River from Beverwyck (Albany) to and including the Schodack Islands. Drawn by James Briggs. Northeast Historical Archaeology!Vol. 21-22, 1992-1993 99 )·· r

) )

Figure 2. Detail from the "Fi~ative Map" presented by Captain Hendricksen on August 19, 1616. The northernmost tsland, on the west side of the Hudson River, was the location of Fort Nassau, built in 1614. To the southeast is the large island called Papscanee. The three Schodack islands appear below Steurhoek, or "Sturgeon Hook" (O'Callaghan 1856: 10-11). extended only as far as the south end of retaliation for the murder of a that island, near present Castleton, and Dutchman (Jameson 1967: 277). On did not continue farther southward to August 30, 1645, when the River Indians include the Schodack islands. On the signed articles of peace with the Dutch opposite west side of the river, on the at Fort Amsterdam, it was Aepjen, other hand, Van Rensselaer's land "sachem of the Mahikans," who repre­ extended much farther south, as far as sented the Wappings, Sintsings, and Beeren Island (Huey and Phillips 1969: other tribes from the lower Hudson 1). This suggests an early refusal by the Valley (Van Laer 1974: 279-280). Mahicans to sell Schodack to Van In September, 1648, it appears that Rensselaer. That Mahicans were living Jacob Jansen Plodder (or Gardenier) pur­ there is further indicated by the chased from the Mahican Indians on observation of a traveller in April1640 behalf of Johannes van Rensselaer who saw many Indians fishing at "Schodack Creek," called Paponicaok, Beeren Island Gameson 1967: 206). with land extending north and south of In May 1640, Van Rensselaer com­ the creek (Van Rensselaer 1707). plained to director Willem Kieft that Plodder, a carpenter and millwright the English on the Connecticut River from Campen, Overyssell, had asked traded "with the Mahicans lying about Kiliaen van Rensselaer, the father of two leagues below Fort Orange and Johannes, for the right to work inde­ through these in tum with the mac­ pendently in Rensselaerswyck, and he quaas [Mohawks]" (Van Laer 1908: 483- soon became the operator of numerous 484; Rink 1986: 117). In 1643, Mahicans mills on both sides of the Hudson River living below Fort Orange killed 17 as far south as Kinderhook Creek (Van Indians in the lower Hudson Valley in Laer 1908: 816). Paponicaok Creek in 100 The Mahicans and Dutch at the Schodilck Islands/Huey

1648 was probably the present Muitzes them to the Dutch for a piece of cloth, Kill, just south of Castleton and at the while from Fort Orange the Dutch were north end ofUpperSchodack Island. In freely removing corn from the Indians' March 1650, Flodder purchased from an abandoned fields in canoes (Fernow Indian named W anemenheeten land on 1881: 345). Early in 1661, Volkert Upper Schodack Island described as "a Jansen Douw and Jan Thomassen piece of land on the large Island, also Witbeck had already petitioned called by the Dutch Aepjes (little Governor Stuyvesant for a grant of Ape's) Island, with a small piece on Aepje's Island, called Schodack by the the east side of a little kil" (Fernow Indians, but on October 4, 1663, Douw 1881: 26). and Witbeck evidently took advantage Meanwhile, Van der Donck's map of this· unusual opportunity to purchase of New Netherland showed, in 1656, Upper Schodack Island, together with the name "Sturgeon Hook" moved to a parcel of land on the east bank of the the east side of the river just north of kill "where the house of Machak Mahicans Eylant. Still farther south Notas stood" (O'Callaghan 1865: 223; was shown Marten Gerritsens Island Munsell 1871: 334-335). Perhaps this (Van der Donck 1968: iv-v). In April house was where the "old Indian's" 1660, Dutch land acquisition resumed house visited by Hudson's mate had its extension southward on the east side stood in 1609. of the river with the purchase of land Douw and Whitbeck purchased the beyond the south end of Papscanee whole island in north and south sec­ Island. Wickepie, a Mahican, sold tions, each sold by different Mahican Jeremias van Rensselaer a small parcel Indians. These two sections of the is­ of land called "Sanckhasick" located land were evidently separated by "the "on the East bank behind the Long Green Flat," the south end of which cut Island" (Van Rensselaer 1660; Gehring "obliquely over Apjen's island to the 1978: 18). In February 1661, at the south kil which makes the island." On end of Papscanee Island, Andries November 3, Douw and Witbeck re­ Herpertsen and Rutger Jacobsen ceived a patent for the island from purchased from four Mahicans a small Governor Stuyvesant (Gehring 1978: island called "Pachonakellick [and] by 28). Jeremias van Rensselaer early in the Dutch named Long or Mahicanders 1664 protested mightily against this island" (Munsell 1871: 291). The grant action by Douw and Witbeck, and by of this island, also known as.Constapels April he noted that they had already Island, was confirmed by Peter leased land to several people (Munsell Stuyvesant in March (Gehring 1980: 1871: 353-354; O'Callaghan 1865: 264, 101). The island was soon sown with 265; Van Laer 1932a: 353) .. These grain, and a house, barn, and two ricks people evidently included Jan were constructed (Munsell 1871: 318). Martensen, Jacob· Jansen Schermerhorn, Peter Winne, a Fleming, was living and Melgert Abrahamsen. there in October 1663 when he learned Schermerhorn had been a trader in Fort the alarming news that all Indians on Orange where, in 1648, he was caught the east side of the river were assem­ illegally taking guns from the West bled inland and would soon attack Fort India Company and trading them to the Orange. The Mahicans and Catskill Indians (Jameson 1967: 345, 369; Van Indians had abandoned their "Maize Laer 1974: 522, 533-534; Van Laer 1908: plantations," offering to sell some of 426). Representing Douw, Melgert Northeast.Histarical ArchaeologyNol. 21-22, 1992-1993 101

Abrahamsen assisted Schermerhorn in 1664, Governor Nicholls gave Moesman fencing off the Calverway on Schodack permission to return to Holland. Before Island as a common pasture, for their leaving, Moesman arranged for the pur­ own use (Van Laer 1932b: 455). The chase and shipment of lumber including Calverway, or "Calf Pasture," was evi­ oak logs for wainscoting (Van Laer dently "the Green Flat" that originally 1932a: 317, 333-334, 363; O'Callaghan divided the island. By 1670, Douw had 1851: 89; Christoph and Christoph provided Witbeck a house at Schodack 1982: 70). (perhaps on the mainland), for which On June 27, 1670, Wisquemett, Witbeck owed 60 schepels of wheat, "owner" of Moesmans Island (Cach­ and when Douw and Witbeck divided tanaquick), conveyed this island to the island between them, they divided Jonas Volkertsen, son of Volkert Jansen it lengthwise. Douw's portion was the Douw. Jonas Volkertsen then conveyed· west side toward the river, while this island, said to contain 100 acres, to. Witbeck's was on the east side toward his brother-in-law, Gerrit Teunissen the kill. The Calvel'Way was to remain van Vechten. In August 1678, Jochem as an undivided pasture held in com­ Wessels signed a petition requesting mon, and on September 8, 1673, DoU:w that Jan Jacobsen van Noorstrant be sold his half of the island to Jacob compelled to cut wood on Moesmans Jansen Gardenier (Van Laer 1926: 192; Island, a task he had agreed to do the Van Laer 1932b: 443). previous fall. Gerrit Teunissen was Douw and Witbeck meanwhile had still the owner when Governor Dongan continued to broaden and extend their confirmed title to this island and other interests in lands at Schodack and land to him by patent in August 1685 elsewhere along the Hudson River. (Dongan 1685; Van Laer 1928: 340). The Douw's attention had also turned to the third, southernmost island, Schutters next island farther south, which was Island, now called Houghtaling Island, Lower Schodack, or Moesmans, Island. by virtue of a patent on August 14,1671, The origin of the name for Moesmans was also acquired by Volkert Jansen Island remains unclear. · There was a Douw. In April1672 he conveyed it to ship called the Moesman that traded Barent Pietersen Coeymans (Munsell between the Netherlands and New 1871: 493). Netherland as early as 1658 (O'Cal­ Peace was signed at Fort Orange be­ laghan 1850: 52; Van Laer 1932a: 110). tween the Mahicans and the Mohawks In the Netherlands, Arent Jansen Moes­ in September 1666, and this fragile man was the partner of Jan Baptist van peace endured during the early 1670s Rensselaer, older brother of Jeremias, despite French attempts to turn the and Jan Baptist described him as "a Mahicans against the Mohawks. The pious, honest man." In 1663 Moesman peace was renewed in 1675, but unfortu­ came to Rensselaerswyck with plans to nately the outbreak of King Philip's manufacture potash and to purchase a War in New England again turned the thousand schepels of wheat. His Mahicans and the Mohawks against attempt to make potash may have each other. By April 1676 the occurred on Moesmans Island, since on Mahicans had fled from the Mohawks, November 6, 1663, two soldiers from but Governor Andros "sent for the Wildwyck were ordered to accompany Mahicanders to come back to their Moesman to Beeren Island, on the west lands" and promised them protection side of the river directly opposite. In (Fernow 1881: 491; Christoph, 102 The Mahicans and Dutch at the Schodack lslands/Huey

Christoph, and Gehring 1989: 352, 355, land, together with some land on the 376). The refugees from the war in 1676 mainland. The sale included a house, evidently included some Frenchmen barn, and rick, located probably on the who Jacob Jansen Schermerhorn mainland and perhaps on .that portion allowed "(out of pity) to plant land at of the land "where the house of Mahac Schodack on a one-third share." He Notas stood" (Van Laer 1932b: 467; furnished maize and peas worth 57 Pearson 1916: 130-131). guilders, and they also planted Volkert Jansen Douw died in 1683, cabbages and buckwheat (Van Laer and on May 6, 1684, Jacob Jansen 1928: 171-172). Gardenier sued widow DoritieDouw for Despite a brief clash between some a deed to Douw's half of Schodack Mohawks and Mahicans in the spring Island, with possession of half of the of 1677 just north of Albany, reprisals Calverway on the side of the kill did not ensue. Subsequently, the where Schermerhorn was encroaching Mahicans instead allegedly joined the and claiming exclusive privilege to it. Mohawks in raids southward against Schermerhorn had leased his half of the Indians of Maryland and Virginia. the island to his son Jacob, Jr., who was Meeting with officials from Maryland forbidden to plow part of the in 1682 at a peace conference in Albany, Calverway by a warrant secured by Wat-tawit, Wickepee, and other Gardenier (Van Laer 1935: 125; Van Mahican sachems declared that their Laer 1932b: 443-444}. tribe was "Very Small, and a Litle The court decided the equal north­ People, & shal never doe any harme to south lengthwise division of Schodack y Christians of Virginia and maryland, Island should continue and that nor toy Indians·Liveing in frindship w. Gardenier was to have a road as free them" (Fernow 1881: 508; Leder 1956: access to his land on the river side. 34-37, 65-67). Subsequently, the court decided on July In spite of the previous conveyances 1, 1684, that the Calverway was. to re­ of Moesmans and Schutters Islands, main in common; on January 26, 1685/86, Mahican Indians continued to live at Doritie Douw and Jonas VolertsenDouw Schodack, possibly on some of these conveyed to Jacob Jansen Gardenier title islands. In 1678, Mahican Indians to the western· half of Schodack Island living at Schodack sold some land at and a small parcel on the mainland "for Claverack, and in 1683, two Mahican a negroo boy called Christiaen, and y "sachems" of Schodack witnessed the Somme of 50 bevers" (Van Laer 1932b: mortgage of land located far down the 467; Douw and Douw 1685/6}. river near present Newburgh (Munsell Jacob Jansen Gardenier's land on 1870: 173; Pearson 1916: 183). Schodack Island, divided into four lots, Meanwhile, on Upper Schodack passed to his ~on Hendrick, who died in Island, ·as use of the ll;md intensified, 1694 or 1695. Other property that had trouble had erupted among the Dutch been include~ in the estate of Jacob owners and occupants probably by 1680. Jansen Gardenier were "the house on Witbeck, having had the island di­ the land at Shotak 7 1/2 beavers, and vided with Douw, delivered the purchase of the house and barn, fl. 60:­ Calverway to Schermerhorn and in­ ." It is most likely these houses were on formed Gardenier he did not own "a the Gardenier land on the mainland foot of it." In July 1681 Witbeck sold to and not on Schodack Island (Van Laer Schermerhorn his east half of the is- 1919: 123-124). Northeast Historical ArchaeologyNol. 21-22, 1992-1993 103

The 18th Century the ward of Catskill. Moreover, by News in August 1689 at Kinderhook May 1704, title to Schutters Island had of the French and Indian attack and evidently passed to Barent Albertsen Bradt, who, with his wife Susannah cap.ture of Pemaquid, in present day ' Marne, meant that war was imminent. sold land including Schutters Island to In February 1690 the River Indians liv­ Myndert Schuyler and others (Munsell ing at Beeren Island, across the river 1853: 104; Bradt 1704). The River Indians, or Mahicans from Schodack, were ordered to go to ' Catskill, and on December 23, 1691, it meanwhile, continued to convey title to was decided that the River Indians their remaining lands at or near should move from Kinderhook and Schodack. In August 1707, Mahicans Catskill to the Platts north of Albany. with the names Aquootch, Aempamitt, Penonaemp, Tawaheese, and Maha­ In 1700 at a meeting with the Earl tawee confirmed to Kiliaen van of Bellomont, governor of New York, Rensselaer the land that had been the River Indians promised to live only granted in 1648 to Jacob Jansen at Schagticoke, still farther north of Gardenier north and south of the Albany, but Bellomont expressed con­ Muitzes Kill (Van Rensselaer 1707). In cern at their lack of interest in the 1710, the Mahicans were represented in Protestant religion and their communi­ England by Etow-oh-koam, "King of cation with the French in Canada. In the River Nation," who visited Queen February 1704, however, the secretary Anne with other Indian chiefs and of the Society for the Propagation of with Peter Schuyler. Nevertheless, the Gospel explained to the the situation of the Mahicans did not Commissioners of Trade and improve. In August 1720 the Mahicans Plantations that only one missionary, if met with Schuyler and the any, was needed for the River Indians Commissioners of Indian Affairs at smce. they were no longer powerful,' Albany and complained that the having been almost "consumed" in presents they had received the former wars. The missionary effort in previous year "are all wore out and we New York, under the instigation of are Naked and bare." They reminded Robert Livingston, consequently became Schuyler that primarily oriented toward the Iroquois 85; (O'Callaghan 1849: 162; 1853: 816; wee were here before the Christians 1854:744-745, 107~. Came Being the antient Inhabitants of It is not known at present whether those parts and when the Christians River Indians occupied the islands at first Came we made a Covenant with them which was but of bark but after­ Schodack during this wartime period of wards the English Comeing ... we made danger from French attack. Barent a Covenant Chain of Silver that the Pietersen Coeymans, owner of valuable thunder itself could not break it and we are no~ Come to Renew." Finally, lands and mills on the west side of the the~ exrlamed, because of their "Great river, continued to own Schutters Inclination to be Christians" they re­ gretted not being able to understand Island, and in 1699 it was discovered the language spoken by the minister so that the tax assessors of Kinderhook they could "tum from the heathenish had wrongly included this island in Life wee are bred up in. their jurisdiction. His tax·of 10 guilders was to be returned to him, and Schutters Schuyler replied only that he hoped Island was henceforth to be taxed in the Mahicans would remain loyal to 104 The Mahicans and Dutch at the Schodack Islands/Huey the British and admonished that their On the northeast comer of Moesmans complaint of "Poverty and are so bare & Island, not far from the north tip, the nake which must be ascribed to your map shows a cluster of four rectangular Drinking and Laziness" (O'Callaghan structures identified as "Ampamet's 1855: 562--653). house." The map, however, is more It is said that in 1724 the Mahicans suggestive of an Indian settlement than exchanged their council camp fire at of a single house. Schodack for a new camp to the east on Maes van Buren was buried at the Housatonic River, later Stock­ Schodack on April 14, 1733, and in his bridge, Massachusetts (Bond 1974: 40, will he left to his son Hendrick the 64-65; Brasser 1978: 201-202; land on Moesmans Island. Hendrick MacCracken 1956: 248-249). In Maesen van Buren had married Aaltie September 1727 the Mahicans deeded Winne in 1731, and they soon had chil­ to Jeremiah van Rensselaer one of the dren (Pearson 1976: 116-117; Van Buren islands at or near Schodack, and, 1733) .. The Dutch settlement on the finally, in October 1730, four Mahicans mainland at Schodack was now rapidly deeded to Maes Hendricksen van Buren growing in importance. Matthew a part of Moesmans Island. Although Seutter's map of Pennsylvania, New this island was evidently previously Jersey, and New York of about 1735, for owned by Gerrit Teunissen van Vechten example, shows "Scotock" as a promi­ in the 1680s, the deed in 1730 listed nent place name on the east side of the Ampamet, Manonanys, Wautaukemet, Hudson River, whereas it had been and Wanewauseet as the Mahican omitted from most previous maps based proprietors of Moesmans Island. It is on 17th-century prototypes (Seutter c. possible that Maes van Buren had 1735; Portinaro and Knirsch 1987: 220). inherited a limited title to Moesmans Other pressures on the small Indian Island from Gerrit Teunissen through a community at Schodack came from New family connection, for Gerrit Teunissen's England and the sweeping cultural son Volkert had married in 1702 the changes on the eve of the Great daughter of Dirck Wessels ten Broeck Awakening. In 1723, Colonel Peter and Christina van Buren. Christina Schuyler had visited Boston with was Maes Hendricksen's aunt, and she Iroquois, Schagticoke, and Mahican had died in 1729 (Reynolds 1909: 265; Indian chiefs for a meeting with the Van Buren 1730; Pearson 1976: 109, 136; Massachusetts General Assembly; but Hannay 1934: 34; Rice 1987: May). the Massachusetts officials made little Maes Hendricksen van Buren's pur­ progress in influencing these Indians chase of land on Moesmans Island in "owing to the powerful influence of the 1730 was for only part of the island, Dutch, for the sake of Trade and consisting of approximately the Commerce with them" (Wheelock 1973: southeast third portion. The deed 97-98, n. 27). Early in 1734, however; mentions the creek or kill "called the Reverend Samuel Hopkins of Hillegaat" on the northeast side of Springfield began exploring the possi­ Moesmans Island, which today is bility of sending missionaries to live known as the Hell Gate and which still among the Mahicans, or River Indians, partially separates Lower Schodack while meanwhile Governor Belcher Island from lJpper Schodack Island. gave commissions to the two principal The map attached to this deed Mahicans living at Housatonic, provides further valuable information. Kunkapot, and Umpachanee. In May~ Northeast Historical Archaeology/Vol. 21-22, 1992-1993 105

these two Mahicans came to Spring­ Captain Kunkapot and Lieutenant field with their interpreter, Joachim Umpachanee went to the river and, van Valkenburg, and met with Rev­ while there, discussed r.eligion with erend Hopkins and Reverend Stephen many of the Indians. Surprisingly, the Williams, also of Springfield. Captain Hudson River Indians appeared recep­ Kunkapot was anxious to have a tive to Christianity and admitted that missionary come to Housatonic to teach they "were in a wrong way" (Hopkins the Indians, although Lieutenant 1972: 64). In August 1737 at Stockbridge Umpachanee was less enthusiastic, but Reverend Sergeant baptised willing. Consequently Reverend Nehe­ Umpaumut's son, Pmaupausoo, "from miah Bull of Westfield and Reverend the island in Hudson's river where his Williams arrived at Housatonic on July father was a chief." Nearly two years 8, 1734, to establish an agreement with later, Indians from Kaunaumeek (a vil­ the Indians for a mission. In September, lage inland from the river and east of a proposal was made to Reverend John present Nassau in southern Rensselaer Sergeant, a tutor at Yale College in County) informed Reverend Sergeant New Haven, to go to Housatonic as a "that the Indians of the Island were missionary, and he readily accepted very desirous" that he come to preach (Hopkins 1972: 16-20). to them. Sergeant agreed to be at "the · By January of 1735, the Indians at Island" on June 23, 1739. Accordingly, on Housatonic were having doubts and sec­ June 24 he preached to about 30 ond thoughts about the missionary ac­ "intelligent" Indians "on the Island in tivity, for the other Mahicans on the Hudson's River." The Indians from Hudson River resented the making of Kaunaumeek were there, and when these arrangements without the ap­ some of the Dutch people who "liv'd by proval of the entire tribe. It was ru­ the riverside" invited Sergeant to mored that the Hudson River Mahicans lodge with them, the Indians would not intended to poison Captain Kunkapot consent. Aunauwaunneekhheek, and Lieutenant Umpachanee. particularly, insisted that Sergeant Ultimately, several Indians at stay with the Indians on the island in Housatonic actually were poisoned, and order for him to pray with them night it would seem that the presence of mis­ and day. Weenkeesquoh, an Indian sionaries at Housatonic was to become a woman who had lived at Stockbridge source of friction with the Mahicans and had kept house for Sergeant, living on the Hudson River. When provided him with tea, beer, and a fat Sergeant preached in July at lamb. Sergeant was treated graciously Housantonic, he found that the men by the Indians, but three or four to had gone westward into New York to whom he preached were averse to harvest crops for the Dutch. Finally, in Christianity. Sergeant also preached February 1736, the Housatonic in English to "a great many Dutch Mahicans agreed to be consolidated people" who were present, but he found into a settlement at Stockbridge, but their behavior much more disorderly this was followed in June by news than that of the Indians (Hopkins 1972: brought by a messenger from the Hudson 71, 85-86). River calling the Indians to come and As war with France again ap­ consider a murder committed by one of proached, the Mahicans met at their tribe there (Hopkins 1972: 33-35, Stockbridge in January 1740 to send mes­ 42-43, 53-56, 64). sages to other Indians in New England 106 The Mahicans and Dutch at the Schodack Islands/Huey. urging neutrality in the coming conflict. 1745. As attacks came closer to Albany The River Indians greatly feared war in 1746, farmers .deserted their farms, with France, and the message of neu­ causing great hardship. In JUly two men trality was sent by Indians of were seriously wounded by French and Schagticoke as well as of "Mauhekun," Indians near Schodack, and about the probably Mahican Island. middle of August six men were killed In June 1741, Reverend Sergeant and scalped at Schodack. A seventh travelled to the Susquehannah River, man was captured and taken back to carrying a message of friendship and Canada where he died that November. love to the Shawnees of Pennsylvania In August 1747 the French and Indians from their elder brothers and allies at again struck Schodack, capturing 70- "Mauhekun." Subsequent missionary year-old Abraham van Valkenburg, his contact with the Mahicans at Schodack son, his son-in-law, and his 'four-year­ may have included a visit by Reverend old grandson (Anon. 1746a; Anon.1746b; David Brainerd, who rode from Norton 1965: 39; Scott 1970: 11). The ex­ Kaunaumeek to Kinderhook and then to treme terror and danger at Schodack the Hudson River where he "performed and elsewhere in the area around some business" on November 4, 1743. He Albany undoubtedly disrupted life may have purchased supplies at among the Mahican remnant on Schodack, but he did not mention any Moesmans Island. In February 1748, the Indians there (Hopkins 1972: 87-88, 99- River Indians "at Mauhekun" declared 100; Edwards 1949: 139). they were "in poor miserable circum­ Definite evidence that an Indian stances by reason of the distresses of settlement still existed on Moesmans war." Further, one of them wrote, Island, however, was provided by Dr. "when I lie down at night, I am afraid I Alexander Hamilton on June 24, 1744, as shall not live till morning, and when I he sailed by on a river sloop: "we rise up in the morning I am afraid I sailed past Musman's Island, starboard, shall not live till night; I am so har­ where there is a small nation of rassed with the War" (Sullivan 1921: Mochacander Indians with a king that 142-143). governs them. ·We run aground upon a Land ownership on Schodack Island sand bank att half an hour after" had continued to change before and af­ (Bridenbaugh 1948: 60). This sand bank ter the war, and at least some of was· probably the same shallows that Hendrick Gardenier's land on the west Hudson had encountered on September half of the island had passed to his son 17,1609. Nicholas. South of Nicholas Although the term "Mauhekun" in Gardenier's land, divided from it by the 1730s may have been loosely ap­ the "Middle Fence," was land that had plied to the Indian settlement on passed to Samuel Coeymans and Moesmans Island, Mahican Island was Ariantje (Coeymans) Verplanck, two an original name for Schodack, or children of Barent Pietersen Coeymans. Upper Schodack, Island. Dr. On the east was land of Jacob Hamilton's visit in 1744 came on the Schermerhorn, and on. the south and eve of a second terrible war with west was the kill separating Schodack France. Settlements in western New Island from Moesmans Island. In England were attacked, and Saratoga, September 1739 Samuel Coeymans con­ north of Albany, was destroyed by veyed his· property to Coenradt Ten French and Indians from Canada in Eyck, a grandson of Barent Pietersen Northe~~St Historical Archaeology!Vol. 21-22,1992-1993 107

Coeymans. Coenradt Ten Eyck's two sloop. Evidently, he travelled up sons, Anthony of New York and Jacob C. Schodack Creek. and then through Hell of Albany, both "shopkeepers," subse­ Gate "near 20 Rods" between Moesmans quently divided the property between Island and Schodack Island. The sand them on June 25, 1754 (TenEyck 1754)~ bar could then be avoided by sailing By this time, Schodack Island had close along the west side of Schodack become of such value and significance Island (Blodget 1755: 5). A map made that "Scotock 1." and "Staats" (located about 1756 (FIG. 3) showed Schutters on Papscanee Island) were the only two Island still separate from Moesmans locations on the east side of the river Island, but this was still to change between Kinderhook and Greenbush within ten years (Anon. c. 1756). (opposite Albany) identified by Lewis It is possible that the Mahicans Evans in 1749 on his map of had left Moesmans Island during the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, difficult time of trouble in 1748. In the and Delaware (Evans 1749). fall of 1755, however, Alexander A significant event also occurred McKay of New York, a merchant trad­ about 1753, when a small island of two ing to Albany in his sloop, stopped at or acres opposite the houses and mills at near Moesmans Island and sold an Coeymans began to rise up. and form Indian a pint of rum for three brooms (Smith 1964: 14). This small island (Sullivan 1922: 497). War between was probably Mull Island, and it may England and France had resumed, and have begun to join Schutters Island the river was busy with transportation with Moesmans Island, perhaps ofmen and supplies between New York eventually closing the channel between and Albany. .them and increasing the importance of On May 11, 1759, the sloop carrying Schodack Creek as an access to the Colonel James Montresor ran aground at mainland Schodack settlements from Hell Gate, apparently in the channel the river. In 1755, according to between Schodack Island and published navigation directions, sloop Moesmans Island. From this. sloop,. pilots could still navigate either to the Colonel Montresor could see several east or to the west side of the islands at other sloops aground in the western Schodack. If travelling on the east side channel of the river. He. was stranded up Schodack Creek, pilots were for less than an hour until the rising advised to tide got the sloqp off. This same day, General Amherst at Albany ordered give the Point a Birth, and you will . Montgomerie's Highlanders, the 77th find 11 or 12 Feet of Water for Miles together and a sandy Bottom. Ketp the British Reghnent, to enca:r;np on their Middle ... till you come up witfi the arrival at a point 7 mi (11.2 km) below westernmost Island ... ; keep this Island Albany. This would perhaps have been close a-board ·for near 20 Rods, then bare over. to the EastSide gradually, on Constapels Island, north of Schodack as the Channel will shew itself if you · Island, although it is possible that observe the Current; for there is the troops also camped on Schodack Island. upper Ovetslaw, or Reaf of Sand, at high Water 6 Feet Depth, or more, ev- Nicholas Gardenier, the owner of part ery common Tide. · of Schodack Island, had recently died; his estate included land not only on Samuel Blodget of New England, the Schodack Island but also property on writer of the above description, the south side of the Mohawk River himself travelled this channel in a near Fort Hunter (Scull 1882: 70; 108 The Mahicans and Dutch at the Sc1wdtick Islands/Huey

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,· - '_) Northeast Historical Archaeology/Vol: 21-22, 1992-1993 109

Doughty 1916: 23; Webster 1931: 10~ It is probable that the wanderings of 109; Fernow 1896: 175). . the unsettled but independent In July 1755, a quarrel had devel..; Mahicans frequently brought them back oped between several River Indians and to Moesmans Island or Schodack Island, Colonel John van Rensselaer of but it would appear that the Moesmans Greenbush over the ownership of some Island Indian settlement was otherWise land apparently near Kinderhook and abandoned. In November 1763, Claverack, and in November, Governor however, a group of 48 Stockbridge Hardy feared that the River Indians Indians met with Sir William Johnson "in the back parts of Orange and Ulster at Johnson Hall in the Mohawk Valley counties" would join the French (Lauber and begged him to use his influence to 1939: 211-212; Sullivan 1922: 360). The call back the Mahicans who had gone Mahicans, however, were by now a P.is­ to the upper Susquehanna (Hamilton persed people, and at Stockbridge those 1951: 932). few who remained lived in constant The Blee,cker map of 1767 (FIG. 4) danger of attack (Karlsen and reveals that Schutters Island and Crumpacker 1984: 220-222). Many had Moesmans Island had completely joined with other Indian groups to live merged, so that the whole was called on the upper branches of the Moesmans Island and was separate Susquehanna River. By the end of 1756, from Schodack Island to the north. The Mahicans had also joined with map shows no houses on either island Shawnees, Delawares, and fugitive (O'Callaghan 1850: opposite 916). A Iroquois at Tioga. During the summer of traveller on a sloop in May 1769, 1756, the Nanticokes had invited the Richard Smith, nevertheless described Mahicans to settle with them on the the southern island as Schutters Island, Susquehanna at a settlement called noting that it "affords a good low Otsiningo, and in the spring of 1757 a Bottom fit for Meadow and some of it group of 148 Mahicans from the improved." · He then observed the re­ Susquehanna participated in an Indian cently formed small island of ten acres, conference at Fort Johnson. The "covered with young Button wood Mahicans resolved to gather at. trees," before noting Schodack Island. Otsiningo in one body that year, an ar;. "The :upper End of Scotoc's Island," he rangement that was briefly. threatened wrote, "is a fine cleared Bottom not in that fall after a number of recalcitrant · Grass b:ut partly in Wheat & partly in Mahicans livillg near Schoharie and Tilth. However there was one rich Catskill were suspected of taking plun­ Meadow improved" (Smith 1964: 14). der at the Fort William Henry mas­ Perhaps the one rich meadow was the sacre. The Mahicans explained that old Calverway. " . "there are several of their People who A map drawn in 1769 shows live a wandering unsettled Life & will Schutters Island separate , from pay no regard to the Advice or Moesmans or Lower Schodack ISland. Directions of their Wise & elderly Except for the north portion called People." Otherwise, they said, "we "Veif Hook," the remaining parts of are a dispersed & unsettled People & . the island were owned by Thomas have no Land to plant ··or fixt Houghtaling and John Barclay Habitations to dwell in" (Lauber 1939: (Gambino 1975). John Barclay was mar­ 349, 565, 682, 690, 700, 712, 786, 791-792, ried to a daughter of ~ieter Barentsen 833, 844-846; Sullivan 1922: 740-741). Coeymans and during the Revolution- 110 The Mahicans and Dutch at the Schodack lslands/Huey

guage. In 1770 by a partition deed, John Barclay received the north part of Schutters Island (Barclay, Houghtal­ ing, Ten Eyck, Witbeck, and Bronck 1770). Barclay, through his marriage, is the first individual with English origins known to have become involved in this intense process of land exchange and speculation otherwise entirely dominated by a small number of fami­ lies of Dutch origin. Maps published in England, such as the Jefferys map published on Novem­ ber 29, 1774, and the Bowles "New Pocket Map" published about 1775, con­ tinued to indicate both Moesmans and Schutters Island as place names, but thereafter, maps drawn or published in 1776, 1777, and 1779 named only Schut­ ters Island. Schodack, or Upper Schodack; Island continued to appear but was not named specifically (Jefferys 1774; Bowles c. 1775; Sauthier 1776a, 1776b, 1777, 1779). The name Moesmans Island reappeared, however, at least once in 1788 on the map of Schodack drawn by John E. van Alen (Van Alen c. 1788). Smith's description in 1769 suggests that Schodack Island was the more : ·-.·,- valuable island. A deed in May 1775 describes one parcel, containing about seven acres, as part of a tract called the Figure 4. Detail from" A Map of the "Broad Streak," and south of this was a Manor of Renselaerwick" surveyed by second tract called the "Wy" (TenEyck John R. Bleecker in 1767. It shows Schodack Island separate from Moes­ 1775). mans Island, which now included Schut­ It is possible that Anthony Ten ters Island (O'Callaghan 1850: opposite Eyck had built a house on his share of 916). . . the lartd he had acquired on Schodack Island as early as 1754. A map drawn ary War was Mayor of Albany (Pearson by Captain John Montresor and pub­ 1976: 32, 64). His brother had been lished in June 1775 clearly shows a sin­ Reverend Dr. Henry Barclay, the Yale­ gle house on Schodack Island at its cen­ educated missionary who had served ter (Montresor 1775). This house again the Mohawk Indians at Fort Hunter in appears on the map published by the Mohawk Valley from 1736 to 1746 Sauthier on January 1, 1779. ·It is also and who had translated the Book of possible that the house had been built . Common Prayer into the Mohawk Ian- by the Gardeniers or Schermerhorns. Northeast Historical Archaeology/Vol. 21-22, 1992-1993 111

The Gardenier land on Schodack Island Rensselaer map of Rensselaerswyck remained in that family until after June drawn about 1632 indicates a complete 1785 (Gardenier 1785). The Ten Eyck lack of knowledge about the Schodack family retained land later designated area south of Papscanee and Constapels as lot numbers two and six on the south Islands (Van Laer 1908: 33-36, pocket). part of Schodack Island as late as It is also significant that the formal September 1786 (TenEyck et al. 1816; Dutch purchase of islands on the east Ten Eyck 1786). side of the river south of Papscanee Is­ Meanwhile, Dirck Schermerhorn land from the Indians did not begin un­ had commenced disposing of the old til1660 and that Schodack Island itself Schermerhorn lands on the east side of was not "sold" to the Dutch until1663. Schodack Island in a final phase of Indian conflicts coincided with in­ 18th~century land transfers. In tensified English pressures on the September 1785 he mortgaged half of a Dutch in the Hudson Valley in the small island called Schermerhorn years immediately before the English Island (more recently known as "Little taking of New Netherland in 1664. The Schodack Island") just below the south brief first Esopus War between· the tip of Schodack Island (Schermerhorn Esopus Indians and the Dutch had 1785). In February 1786 he sold the ended in July 1660, but in 1662 war broke southeast comer portion of Schodack out again between the Mahicans and Island to Benjamin Springsteen, a local the Mohawks, who were allies of the blacksmith (Schermerhorn 1786). Dutch. The successful Esopus Indian at­ Finally, in 1789, Schermerhorn mort:.. tack on the Dutch town of Wildwyck gaged to Anthony Ten Eyck and others (Kingston) occurred in June 1663, but a his entire farm on the mainland as well month later Dutch troops under Martin as all of his land on Schodack Island Cregier began hunting down the elusive and. the other half .of Schermerhorn Esopus Indians. From October 1 to 7 Island (Schermerhorn 1789). Cregier's men completed the process of destroying an Esopus Indian settlement and vitally important maize fields in Conclusion military expeditions that drove the As early as 1844 Henry R. School­ Esopus Indians northeastward to a craft recorded that the Mahicans' "seat meeting with their frightened of their council fire, was, for a length of Mahican allies. The Mahicans time, at Schodac" (Schoolcraft 1845: evidently had fled from Schodack, 104). The name Schodack, he believed, however, leaving their "land and com" was derived from the word ishcoda shortly before October 7 (Fried 1975: 40, meaning "fireplain," perhaps combined 61, 65, 93-94; Brasser 1978: 204; Fernow with the word akee meaning "earth" or 1881: 303, 344-345). First, on October 4, "land" (Schoolcraft 1845: 104, 113). the Mahicans had sold Schodack Is­ Indeed, Roger Williams in his study of land to Volkert Jansen Douw and Jan the Narragansett language published Thomassen. Whitbeck. in 1643 noted that the word Squtta Schodack Island, with the nearby meant "Fire" and that Auke meant "house of Machak Notas," had proba­ "Earth or Land" (Williams 1973: 118, bly been occupied by the Mahicans be­ 167). While the Hendricksen map of fore 1609, and it may have been their 1616 clearly shows the . islands at traditional council fire location. In any Schodack, it is curious that the Van case, it is clear that Schodack Island 112 The Mahicans and Dutch at the Schodack Islands/Huey was coveted by Jeremias van Rensselaer many feet of sand and gravel on the and his successful rivals, and the new islands. Upper Schodack and Lower owners rapidly developed the land Schodack Islands were merged with (Van Laer 1908: 826). Encouraged by Houghtaling Island. the magnificent the protective policy of Governor "Castleton cutoff" railroad bridge Andros, a number of Mahicans across the river was built by the New evidently had begun to return to York Central Railroad over the north Schodack Island by 1678. They were end of Upper Schodack Island. probably again forced to leave because Parallel with the bridge and close to it, of the danger of attack in 1690. A group the New York State Thruway bridge of Mahicans may have transferred was built in the 1950s. their traditional council fire east to a Fortunately, today the large island new settlement on the Housatonic River that contains Upper Schodack, Lower in 1724. Although a Mahican had Schodack, and Houghtaling Islands conveyed Moesmans Island to Douw's has been acquired by the New York son in 1670, in 1730 the Mahican owners State Office of Parks, Recreation and of Moesmans Island nevertheless sold Historic Preservation. It has been 1 part of that island to Maes renamed "Castleton Island ' and is Hendricksen van .Buren. Despite the classified as an undeveloped state losses of land, and the work of English park. Much planning and work will be missionaries at Housatonic and necessary to make it accessible to the Kaunaumeek, a Mahican settlement public, but every effort will be made to continued to exist on Moesmans Island. locate and protect all archaeological Whether this village endured through resources, whether . prehistoric or the dangerous French and Indian War historical, as required by state of 1744 to 1748 is not clear, but it is preservation laws. Initial surveys to likely the Mahicans had abandoned locate Mahican village sites and sites Moesmans Island before the end of the of subsequent historical structures have last French war in 1763. They moved been unsuccessful because these sites are probably to Otsiningo and other places buried under deposits of dredging spoil on the upper Susquehanna. A number of that in many areas are more than 6 ft Mahicans had remained at (1.8 m) deep. It is unfortunate that the Stockbridge, on the Housatonic,. but the dredging spoil has so effectively significance of Schodack as the tradi­ hidden archaeological sites and that tional tribal council fire had evidently the locations of such sites were not persisted. recorded before they were covered. It With their easy access to water will be difficult to locate the sites in and to traffic on the river and with order to insure their protection and their rich alluvial soil, the islands at recognition. Conversely, however, the Schodack were of great value to the lo­ dredging spoil now also serves effec­ cal farmers and merchants of Dutch de­ tively to protect these cultural scent who acquired them. New resources from vandalism and from construction during the 19th tentury was disturbance by park development in the limited mostly to large ice houses, for future. ·Surveys will be required to the storage of ice cut from the river, but record precise depths and extent. of the in the 1920s drastic changes occurred. dredging spoil, in any case. Dredging to create a ship channel in Archaeological sites on this state the river resulted in the deposition of land, as protected resources/ exist as a Northeast Historical Archaeology/Val. 21-22, 1992-1993 113 public trust of which the Office of coins, gun parts, ceramics, table forks Parks, Recreation and Historic Preser­ and knives, and many ·other objects of vation is the custodian. Such sites European origin· were recovered (Hesse should be located, and they can be 1975: 19, 22-30). wisely managed and conserved as re­ The Mahicans probably brought sources for continuing research and some of this· material to the upper study by the use of· controlled Susquehanna with them from archaeological sampling procedures of Schodack. They left behind at minimal impact. Data from many Schodack not only their traditional other sites directly relating to or council fire site but also their immedi­ occupied by the Mahicans of Schodack ate access to local Dutch merchants and also still remain to be studied carefully traders with supplies directly from and synthesized in relation to what New York. They also resented the Liv­ may yet be found on Castleton Island. ingstons and the Van Rensselaers who, In 1986, for example, excavations in in their eyes, had dispossessed them of Albany revealed the remains of their land east of the Hudson River. In Volkert Jansen Douw's house, which 1767 they petitioned against patents Douw evidently occupied from about that had encroached on their lands on 1647 until his death (Huey 1987: 19- both sides of the river (O'Callaghan 20). Dutch ceramics and glass, Jew's 1866: 768). The next year they com­ harps, and a great many tubular blue plained specifically to Sir William glass beads (Kidd and Kidd Variety Johnson that Van Rensselaer "has got Ilia 12) were found in deposits dating all our Lands; and we have nothing for from the period of Douw's occupation them" (Hamilton 1957: 481, 603-604). (Pefta 1990: 10()..:-101). There was also a The old chief who spoke for the Mahi­ complete leather shoe found wedged cans was evidently Keshomack, who in between two cellar floo~ boards, where 1760 had sold land east of the river on it had gotten stuck in the thick clay the road between Schodack and Kau­ beneath. Earlier archaeological naumeek (Huey and Phillips 1969: 5). discoveries relating to the Mahicans of The archaeological study of mate­ Schodack ·have occurred in the upper rial culture remains offers one approach Susquehanna Valley. In 1971 and 1972, to the question of whether the Mah­ archaeologists discovered part of a icans resisted cultural change and to settlement area at Otsiningo prior to what extent native cultural traits may construction of a comfort station off the have been retained despite or because north-bound lane of 1-81 near the site. of the Unhappy circumstances in which The site, actually located in the lower there people frequently found them­ Chenango River Valley, was found to selves. It is through the combination of be well preserved. The testing thorough historical research and care­ revealed scores of beads, several clay ful archaeological study and compari­ pipes, a Jew's harp, a pewter button, son of Mahican sites at Schodack and glass, ceramics, and several pieces of elsewhere, however, that it will be iron (Elliott 1977: 98-100). Between possible to understand more fully the 1968 and 1971, meanwhile, rescue nature of changes in their culture occa­ excavations were conducted at the site sioned by European contact and to avoid of Unadilla, where Mahicans were the bias of relying entirely on European living as early as 1753 and were still records of that culture. living in 1769. Buttons, day pipes, 114 The Mahicans and Dutch at the Schodack Islands/Huey

Acknowledgments .. Sold by Rogers and Fowle, in Queen-street next to the Prison, Many individuals have contributed Boston. Augu5t1 page 382~ to the writer's compilation and inter­ c.1756 Map of Aloany County. CXXI/9- 2, British Museum, London. pretation of. the above research on the Mahicans at Schodack Many of the Barclay, John, Thomas Houghtaling, Peter deed references were provided by Ten Eyck, Mayke Witbeck, and John J. Bronck · Shirley Dunn of E.ast Greenbush, New 1770 Partition deed, September 5. York, who is doing extensive research Deeds, Book 8, Page '274, Albany on the Mahican Indians. When the County Clerk's Office, Albany. 1730 deed for part of Moesmans Island Blodget, Samuel . to Maes Hendricksen van Buren was 1755 A Prospective-Plan of the Battle discovered by the Historical Society of near Lake George, on the Eighth Day of SeEtemoer, 1755. Printed Esquatak, .it was Shirley Dunn who by Richaro Draper, for the Au­ immediately recognized its great im­ thor, Boston. [Reprinted in Publi­ portance to research on the Mahicans. cation No. 8 of the Society of Colo­ nial Wars of the Commonwealth The wnter also wishes to acknowledge of Massachusetts, Boston, 1906.] the assistance of Charles .L. Fisher of the Bureau of Historic Sites in the New Bond, Richmond P. 1974 Queen Anne's American Kings. York State Office of Parks, Recreation [Reprint of 1952 edition.] Octagon and Historic Preservation. He is cur­ Bool

Christoph, Peter R., Florence A. Christoph, Clerk of the Court of Appeals, of ap.d Charles T. Gehring, trans. the County Clerk at Albany, and of andeds. the Secretary of State, 1626-1836. 1989 The Andros Papers: 1674-1676. The Knickerbocker Press,, New Syracuse University Press, Syra­ York.. cuse. Fried, Marc B. Dongan, Thomas 1915 The Early_ History of Kingston & 1685 Patent to Gerrit Teuriissen, Ulster County, N.Y. Ulster August 28. Patents, Book 5, Page County Historical Society, · 203, Office of the New York State Marbletown and Kingston, NY. Secretary of State, Albany. [On microfilm at the New York State Gambino, Anthony J. Archives, Albany.] 1975 Town of New Baltimore and Vicin­ ity: A Historical Atlas. Privately Doughty, Arthur G., ed; . printed, New Baltimore, NY .. 1916 ~pendix to an Historical Journal . o the Campaigns in North Gardenier, Nicholas, John Miller, and merica for the Years 1757, 1758, Nicholas Miller 1759, and 1760 by Captain John 1785 Deed to Cornelius. Gardenier and · Knox. Vol. 3. The Champlain Hendrick Garclenier, June 9. Society, Toronto. Deeds, Book 2, Pa~e 142, Rensse­ laer County Clerk s Office, Troy, Douw, Doritie, and Jonas Volkertsen Douw NY. . 1685/6 Deed to Jacob Jansen Gardenier, January 26. Deeds, Book 3, Page Gehring, Charles, trans. and ed. 307, Albany County Clerk's Of­ 1978 A Guide to Dutch Manuscripts Re­ fice, Albany. lating to New Netherland in United States Repositories. New Edwards, Jonathan York State Library, Albany. 1949 David Brainerd: His Life and Di­ 1980 · New York Historical Manuscripts: ary. Moody Press, Chicago. Dutch. Volumes GG, HH & II, Land Papers. Genealogical Pub­ Elliott, Dolores lishing Cq., Inc., Baltimore. 1977 Otsiningo, an Example of an Eigh­ teenth Cenh:lry Settlement Pattern. Hamilton, Milton W., ed. In Current Perspectives in North­ 1951 The Papers of Sir William Johnson. eastern Archeology: Essays in Volume 10. The University of the Honor of William A. Ritchie, ed. by State of New York, Albany. Robert E. Funk and Charles F. 1957 The Papers of Sir William Johnson. Hayes III, 93-105. Researches and Volume 12. The University of the Transactions of New York State State of New York, Albany. Archeological . Association Vol. 17(1). New York State Hannay, William V., ed. Archeological . Association, 1934 · Burial Records: First Dutch Re­ Rochester and Albany. formed Church, Albany; N.Y. The Dutch Settlers Society of Albany, Evans, Lewis Yearbook Vols. 8 and 9 [932-1934. 1749 A Map of Pensilvania, New-Jersey, Albany. New-York, And the Three Delaware Counties. Published by Hesse, Franklin}. Lewis Evans March 25, Philadel­ 1975 The Egli and Lord .Sites: The His­ phia. [Reprinted in Pennsylvania toric Component-"Unadilla" Archives, Third Series, Appendix 1753-1778. The Bulletin, New 1-X.] York ·State· Archeological Associa- tion, 63(March): 1~3L · Fernow, Berthold, trans. and ed. 1881 Documents Relating to the History Hopkins, Samuel . and Settlements of the Towns· along 1972 Historical Memoirs Relating to the the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers. Housatonic Indians. Johnson Weed, Parsons and Company, Al­ Reprint Corporation, New York, bany. London. [Reprint of 1912 edi- 1896 Calendar of Wills on File and tion.] · Recorded in the Offices of the 116 The Mahicans anti Dutch at the Schodack lslands/Huey

Huey, Paul R. . . 1870 Collections on the History of Al­ 1987 Archeological Evidence of Dutch bany. Vol. 3. J. Munsell, 82 State · Wooden Cellars and Perishable Street, Albany. · Wooden Structures at Seventeenth 1871 Collections oJ the' History of_ Al­ and Eighteenth Century Sites in bany. Vol. 4. J. Munsell, 82 State . the Upper Hudson Valley. In New Street,Albany. . World Dutch Studies: Dutch Arts. and Culture in Colonial America, Norton, John 1609-1776, ed. by Roderic H. 1965 Narrative of the Capture and Burn­ Blackburn and Nancy A. Kelly, ing of Fort Massachusetts by the 13-35. Albany Institute of HiS.. French and Indians. [Reprint of tory and Art, Albany. 1870 edition.] Re.erinted for New Englandiana Book Shop, North Huey, Paul R., and Ralph D. Phillips . Adams,MA. 1969 The Early History of Nassau Vil-. · lage, 1609~1830, With Biographi­ O'Callaghan, E. B., ed. · . cal Sketches of Early Settlers. 1849 The Documentary History of the Nassau Free Li6rary,Nassau, NY State of New-York. Vol. 2. Weed, Parsons &: Co., Public Printers, Jameson, J. Franklih, ed. Albany. 1967 Narratives of New Netherland:· 1850 The Documentary History of the 1609-1664. [Reprint of 1909 edi­ State of New-York. Vol.3. Weed, tion.] Barnes &: Noble, Inc., New Parsons &: Co., Public Printers, York. Albany. 1851 The Documentary History of the Jefferys, Thomas · . . . · State ofNew-YorlC. Vol. 4. Charles 1774 A Map of the most Inhabited part van Benthuysen, Public Printer, . of New England. November 29, Albany. . 1774. ·· PuBlished according to 1853 Documents Relative to the Colonial Act... , London. · · · · History of the State of New-York. Vol. 3. Weed, Parsons and Com­ Karlsen, Carol F., and Laurie Crumpacker, pany, Printers, Albany. · · eds. · 1854 Documents Relative to the Colonial · 1984 The Journal of Esther Edwards History of the. State of New-York. Burr: 1745-1157. Yale Univer­ Vol. 4. Weed, Parsons and Com­ sity Press, New Haven. pany, Printers, Albany. 1855 Documents Relative to the Colonial Lauber,Alni.on w.,ed. History of the State of New-York. 1939 The Papers. o{Sir. William Johnson. Vol. 5. Weed, Parsons and Com- Volume 9. The University of the pany, Printers, Albany. . · State of New York, Albany. 1856 Documents Relative to the ColO.nial History of the State of New-York. Vol. 2. Weed, Parsons and Com­ Leder, Lawrence H., ed. pany, Printers, Albany. 1956 The Li.vingston Indian Records: 1865 Calendar of Historical Manu­ 1666-1723. The Pennsylvania scripts in tfie Office of the Secre­ Historical Association, Gettys­ tary of State, Al1iany, N.Y. Weed, burg. Parsons and Company, Printers, Albany. MacCracke~,Henry Noble · 1866 Calendar of Historical Manu­ 1956 Old Dutchess Forever! Hastings scripts, in the Office of the Secre­ · House, New York. tary of State, Albany, New York Part 2: Weed, Parsons and Com­ Montresor, John pany, Printers, Albany. 1775 A Map of the Province ofNew- York. J>ublished as the Act directs Pearson, Jonathan, trans. June 10th. 1775, by A. Dury, · 1916 Early Records of the County of Al­ . Dukes Court St. Martins Lane, bany and Colony of Rensselaer­ London. swyck. Vol. 2, revised and ed. by · A. J. F. van Laer. The University of the State o£ New York, Albany. Munsell, Joel 1976 Contributions for the Genealogtes 1853 The Annals ol Albany. Vol. 6. Joel of_ the First Settlers of the County Munsell, 78 State Street, Albany. of Albany, from 1630 to 1800. [Re- Northeast Historical Archaeology/Val. 21-22, 1992-1993 117

print of 1872 edition.] Genealogi­ cal Publishing Co., Inc., Balti­ Schermerhorn, Dirck more. 1785 Mortgage to Jacob C. Ten Eyck, Septemoer 8. Mortgages, Book 6, Pefia, Elizabeth S. Page 50, Albany County Clerk's 1990 Wampum Production in New Office, Albany. Netherland and Colonial New 1786 Deed to Benjamin Springsteen, York: The Historical and February 8. Deeds, Book 11, Page Archaeological Context. Ph.D. 189, Albany County Clerk's Of­ diss., Boston University. . flee, Albany. University Microfilms In­ 1789 Mortgage to Benjamin Egberts, ternational, Ann Arbor. Anthony Ten Eyck, and Aitthony Egberts,. December 9. Mortgages, Portinaro, Pierluigi, and Franco I

TenEyck, Anthony . 1928 Minutes of the Court of Albany, 1786 . Mortgage to Loan-Officers of Al­ Rensselaersf1!Yck and Schenectady. bany County, September 9. Book Vol. 2 (1675-1680). The Univer­ A, Page 138, Loan Commissioners sity of the State of New York, Al­ Office Book, 1786-1822, Albany bany. County Clerk's Office, Albany. 1932a Correspondence of Jeremias van Rensselaer, 1651.:..1674. The Uni­ TenEyck, Barent H. versity of the State of New York, . 1775 Deed to Ar).dries TenEyck, Daniel Albany. Schermerhorn, and Anthony J. Ten 1932b Minutes of the Court of Albany, Eyck, May 24. Deeds, Book 10, Rensselaerswyck and Schenectady. Page 134, Albany County Clerk's Vol. 3 (1680-1685), The Univer­ Office, Albany. sity of the State or New York, Al- bany. . · TenEyck, Catherine, Egbert TenEyck, Jacob 1935 Correspondence of Maria van TenEyck, Maria TenEyck, and Rensselaer: 1669-'1689. The Uni­ Conrad TenEyck . versity of the State of New York, 1816 Deed to Aniliony TenEyck, Au- Albany. . gust 21. Deeds, Book 77, Page 67, 1974 New York Historical Manuscripts: Rensselaer County Clerk's Office, Dutch, ed. by Kenneth Scott and Troy. . Kenn Stryker-Rodda. Vol. 4. Ge­ nealogical Publishing Co., Inc., TenEyck, Jacob C. Baltimore. 1754 Deed to Anthony Ten Eyck, September 25. Deeds, Book 10, Van Rensselaer, Jeremias Page 59, Albany County Clerk's 1660 Deed from Wickepie, Colonie of . Office, Albany. · Rensselaerswycl<, April 27. Translation on file at the Albany Van Alen, John E. Institute of History and Art, Al­ c.1788 Map of Schodack. Map No. 1~, bany. Van Rensselaer Manor Papers, New York State Library, Albany. 1707 Deed from Aquoatch, Aempamit, Penonaemp, Tawakeete, and Ma­ Van Buren, Maes . hatawee, City of Albany, August 1730 Deed from Ampamet, Manonanys, 6. The Albany Institute of Wautaukemet,and Wanewauseet, History and Art, Albany. October 16. New York Genealog-: ical and Biographical Society, Webster, J. Clarence, ed. New York. 1931 The Journal of Jefiery Amherst. 1733 Will, April 7. Wills, BOok 1, Page The Ryerson Press, Toronto. 202, Albany County Clerk's Of- fice, Albany. . Wheelock, Edward, ed. . . 1973 Penhallow's Indian Wats: A Fac­ Vander Donck, Adriaen simile Reprint of the First Edition, . 1968 .A Description of the New Nether­ Printed in Boston in 1726. lands, ed. by Thomas F. [Reprint of 1924 edition.] Comer O'Donnell. Syracuse University House Publishers, Williamstown, Press, Syracuse. MA. . . Van Laer, Arnold J. F., trans. and ed. Williams, Roger · · 1908 Van Rensselaer Bowier Manu­ 1973 A Key Into the Language of Amer­ .scripts. University of the State of ica, ed. by John J. Teunissen and New York, Albany. . Evelyn J. Hinz. War.ne State Uni­ 1919 Early Records of the City and versity Press; Detroit. · County_ of Albany. and Colony oj RensselaerS'lQ}!ck, VoL 4. The Um­ versity of the State of New York, Albany. . Paul Huey 1926 Minutes of the Court of Albany, Box219 Rensselaersfi!Yck and Schenectady. Vol. 1 (166s:-1673). The Univer­ NYS Bureau of Historic Sites sity of the State of New York, Al­ Peebles Island bany. Waterford, NY 12188