The Life and Legacy of Moses Tunda Tatamy, C. 1695
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2 Markey Acknowledgements I would like to first dedicate this project to the Delaware Nation. It is my hope that this research will be used by others to improve interpretations of colonial history in Pennsylvania. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Kerry Holton, former President of the Delaware Nation, for being supportive of my efforts to make this story known. I would also like to thank my academic advisor and mentor, Dr. Jane Haladay, for her excellent guidance and patience in overseeing this project to completion. I would also like to thank Dr. Teagan Decker and the Esther G. Maynor Honors College for giving me the opportunity to complete this project. I am also thankful for the support of Pennsbury Manor and Ms. Mary Ellen Kunz for sparking my interest in the history of Pennsylvania’s Indigenous people and for making me aware of the need for more research on this subject. It was during a summer internship at Pennsbury when I first ran across the name Moses Tunda Tatamy. This project would also not be possible had it not been for the help of several organizations, libraries, and archives including the support staff at Haverford College, the Pennsylvania State Archives, the Historial Society of Pennsylvania, and the American Philosophical Society. Finally, I would like to thank my parents, David and Wendy Markey; my grandparents, David and Carolyn Markey; my sister, Julia Markey; and best friend, Christian Locklear, for their continual support of my ongoing academic endeavors. This project would not have been possible without the support of all of these individuals. 3 Markey Abstract The first time I encountered the name Moses Tunda Tatamy was while conducting research on William Penn’s early relationship with the Delaware Indians in the late seventeenth century. I stumbled upon one of Tatamy’s original letters addressed to Israel Pemberton, Jr. and was intrigued. As I began to find bits and pieces of Tatamy’s story, I questioned why such an influential Delaware man in Pennsylvania’s history remains relatively unkown. Despite having an entire town named after him and a state historical marker, Tatamy’s story remains relatively incomplete and underappreciated in Pennsylvania’s public memory. In fact, Indigenous people are underrepresented in Pennsylvania’s public memory in general. This annotated bibliography was created to delineate a number of primary and secondary sources relating to the life and legacy of Moses Tunda Tatamy. Not only do these sources help recreate the story of Tatamy’s life, but they show an Indigenous response to colonialism in eighteenth century Pennsylvania. The unique way in which Tatamy responded to a host of colonial pressures demonstrates the power of agency amongst historically oppressed people advocating for justice. This annotated bibliography will provide the framework for future research and discussion. It is my hope that this research will encourage people to use the story of Moses Tatamy to spark conversations about the Delaware experience in colonial Pennsylvania and how it can be better represented and taught throughout the state. 4 Markey Methodology For the purposes of this annotated bibliography, it was my intent to identity and locate any primary or secondary source that explicitly mentioned the name of Moses Tatamy, or was written by Moses Tatamy himself. To do this, I first located books relating to Delaware and early Pennsylvania history. Any book that mentioned Tatamy was included in this annotated bibliography. I then used these secondary sources as a guide to finding relavant primary source materials. Because I was limited in my abilities to travel to Pennyslvania during the semester, I was not able to include all of the primary sources I know exist relating to Tatamy. For example, I know land records relating to Tatamy are located in the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg, PA, but I did not get a change to look at them. However, I did have time to visit Haverford College’s Quaker and Special Collections library, which is where most of the primary sources in this annotated bibliography were found. While I did use secondary sources to help me locate some primary sources, I did stumble across primary source documents relating to Tatamy just by looking through a number of boxes of material in the Native American collections. I will note that locating these types of primary sources is tedious and difficult, as many of the documents are not labeled or transcribed. I also note that some of the sources in this document may contradict one another, which is not uncommon. It is also to be noted that most of the sources about the Delaware were written by colonial figures, and it is important to account for the potential biases of the authors of these documents. Despite these considerations, each of these sources adds valuable information and context to recreate the story of Moses Tatamy and the world he lived in. 5 Markey Note on Language Before reading into the different sources and their annotations, it is important to clarify a few details on language and my selected use of terms. The first is the use of the name of the Lenape or Delaware. The term “Lenape” refers to the indigenous people historically living along the Delaware River and its watershed from the present day states of New York to Delaware. The word “Lenape” was used by the Native people in this region and translates loosly to “the people.” The name “Delaware” is not Indigenous, but is rather the name colonists used to describe the Lenape living along the Delaware River. The name Delaware comes from the name of Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, an English politician. In this paper, I use the names “Lenape” and “Delaware” interchangeably. The second detail to clarify is the different spellings of Moses Tatamy’s name. Throughout my research, I have encountered a host of possible spellings, the two most popular being, “Tatamy” and “Tetamie.” For the purposes of this paper, I have decided to use the most popular and most common modern spelling of Tatamy. As far as pronounciation, my research points to the popular notion that Tatamy is pronounced with a long, “a” in the first syllable, which explains why it is also commonly spelled with an, “e.” I will also clarify that Moses was not Tunda Tatamy’s original name, but was given to him after working with missionary David Brainerd to symbolize the leadership of the Biblical Moses. 6 Markey The Life and Legacy of Moses Tunda Tatamy, c.1695 - c.1761: An Indigenous Response to Colonialism in Eighteenth Century Pennsylvania; An Annotated Bibliography Primary Sources: Manuscript Collections: Tetamie’s Account of the Indian Complaints (vol. 1, 65A-65H), Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Records, Haverford College Special Collections, Haverford, PA. In this document, Tatamy gives an account of Indian complaints and concerns after removing his family from his plot along the Forks of the Delaware to New Jersey for their safety following violent French and Indian War tensions. In this account, Tatamy notes that he found it no longer safe to live at his place in the Forks, so he crossed to the other side of the river and lived with Colonel John Anderson for some time. Tatamy also notes leaving Anderson’s to attend the Treaty at Crosswicks on January 8-9, 1756. He later states that he settled for some time at Maidenhead, currently Lawrenceville, New Jersey, from where he removed to Pennsbury (note Tatamy was present at the Pennsbury Treaty in 1735). It is during this time that Tatamy becomes increasingly involved with provincial officials, serving as a translator. Pemberton’s Letter from Moses Tetamie, 1756-06-06 (vol. 1, 351A-351B), Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Records, Haverford College Special Collections, Haverford, PA. This letter is addressed to Israel Pemberton from Moses Tatamy. Tatamy mentions that he has been at Bethlehem and Easton discussing affairs of the 7 Markey Indians and thanks Pemberton for his support. He signs the document as Pemberton’s “humble servant.” Pemberton’s Letter from Moses Tetamie, 1758-03-08 (vol. 1, 427A-427D), Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Records, Haverford College Special Collections, Haverford, PA. In this letter, Moses Tatamy requests the help of Israel Pemberton in searching for records relating to the New Jersey Indians who granted power of attorney to Thomas Store, Moses Tatamy, Stephen Calvin, Issac Still, and John Pumpshire to carry out their further business relating to the selling of their lands. All five of these individuals were members of David Brainerd’s congregation. Tetamie’s Account of the Walking Purchase, 1757 (vol. 1, 407A-407D), Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Records, Haverford College Special Collections, Haverford, PA. In this document, Tatamy gives a traditional Delaware account of the Walking Pruchase of 1737. This account of the Walking Purchased was used at the meetings at Easton. In his account, Tatamy is able to recount a representation of Delaware history and provide clear evidence against the proprietors. Parts of the digital format of this document are illegible and need to be revistited. Pemberton’s Letter from Moses Tetamie, 1760-11-24 (vol. 4, 055A-055B), Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Records, Haverford College Special Collections, Haverford, PA. This letter is addressed to Israel Pemberton from Moses Tatamy. The cover of the letter reads, “expecting to die soon.” Tatamy writes from Maidenhead and notes 8 Markey that he is staying with Edmund Bainbridge and is expected to die any day. Tatamy discloses he has made a will and has appointed Pemberton and Bainbridge as executors. Report of Charles Thompson & Christian Frederick Post, Messengers to the Indians, to Governor Denny of Pennsylvania, 1758-06-07 (vol.