Does this 17th Century Colonial Document Reference Natives Named "Siwanoys"?

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I long have argued that there were no local Natives who knew themselves -- or were referenced by others or properly identified -- as "Siwanoys" despite the nearly two-hundred-year-old Pelham tradition to the contrary.  See Wed., Jan. 29, 2014:  There Were No Native Americans Known as Siwanoys; Mon., Aug. 13, 2018:  There Seems To Be Another Early 17th Century Map that References Siwanoys; Mon., Aug. 20, 2018:  A 17th Century Book Reference to "Siwanois" Natives in the Region of Today's Pelham.

One of the bases for this conclusion is the fact that research has not revealed any primary source 16th, 17th, or 18th Dutch or English colonial documents showing that a group of local Natives identified themselves (or were identified by authorities) as a group named "Siwanoys."  Rather, countless such primary source documents (hundreds, if not thousands) identify the local Natives who inhabited the region that became today's Pelham and Pelham Bay Park as "Wiechquaeskecks" (with a variety of spellings).

Yesterday's Historic Pelham Blog article focused on a reference in a book published in the Netherlands in 1625 that stated:  "The natives here are called Siwanois, and dwell along the coast for eight leagues, to the neighborhood of Hellegat."  The article concluded that the un-sourced reference written by a man who never had visited America could not be viewed as actual evidence that local Natives were, in fact, known properly as "Siwanoys."  Indeed, recent scholarship seems to be settling on the suggestion that the term "Siwanoy" was a descriptive term that meant sewan (i.e., wampum) making people ("oy") of this place.  Another alternative seems to be, roughly, people to the south or southerly people.

Today's Historic Pelham article addresses an early 18th century colonial document that makes a reference to Natives known as "Sewonkeegs."  At least one scholar has concluded that the term "Sewonkeeg" was a spelling variant of "Siwanoys."  See "SYNONYMY" in Hodge, Frederick Webb, ed., Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico, Part 2, pp. 1021, 1137 (Washington, DC:  Gov't Printing Office, 1912) (stating "Sewonkeeg = Siwanoy"). 

In January, 1700 (new style), officials of the Colony of Connecticut were concerned about rumors of an "Indian Rising."  There were rumors that Natives well to the north including Mohawks were planning an attack against English settlers in New England.  The Governor of the Colony of Connecticut at the time was Fitz-John Winthrop (known as "John Winthrop" like his father who served as an earlier Governor of the Colony of Connecticut and like his Grandfather who served as an earlier Governor of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay). On January 22, 1699/1700 (old style, the equivalent of February 1, 1700 under the "new style" Gregorian Calendar), Governor Winthrop and a group of military and civilian advisers gathered in New London to meet with a number of local Native sachems and their various "councils."  The purpose of the meeting was to reaffirm earlier peace arrangements with the local Natives and to learn from them what they had heard of the rumors regarding plans by Natives to the north including Mohawks to attack English colonists.

One of the Natives present at the meeting was a Mohegan sachem named "Owaneco."  Owaneco was the eldest son of the Mohegan sachem Uncas.  He was named after Uncas' father, Owaneco.  Owaneco spoke at length during the meeting.  He detailed all rumors his people had heard.  Among those rumors was one that certain "Eastward Indians" including the Mohawks and Nowonthewogs were conspiring to attack English settlers and had sent wampum to "Western Indians" including "the Sewonkeeg" to secure their participation in the plot.  The specific reference contained in the record of the meeting reads, in pertinent part, as follows:

"Likewise he [i.e., Owaneco] informs that about a month since he heard that the Mohawks and the Nowonthewog or the Eastward Indians had combined against the English and that they had agreed to send Wampom to the Sewonkeeg or Western Indians, and that they had sent a girdle of Wampom to the Wapaquasett or New-Roxbury Indians of which he was to have a part; when he heard this news he advised his men to be silent till the belt of Wampom should be brought to him --"

If Frederick Webb Hodge, editor of the Native American Handbook, Part 2, published in 1912 was correct and "Sewonkeeg = Siwanoy," then arguably this early 18th century document would suggest the existence of a band of Natives understood (at least by the sachem Owaneco) as Siwanoys. 

Once again, like the 1625 reference in the book by Johannes De Laet addressed in yesterday's article, this much later 18th century reference to "Sewonkeeg" does not support the existence of  a group of Natives in the region of today's Pelham that were known properly as "Siwanoys."

First, of course, the location of these "Sewonkeegs" is only referenced as "Westward" of the "Eastward Indians" that included the Mohawks and the Nowonthewog.  The "Westward" reference is simply too broad to assume that the actual location was the region that included today's Pelham and Pelham Bay Park.

Second, Frederick Webb Hodge is one of many scholars who seem simply to have assumed the existence of "Siwanoys" (likely due to reliance on the work of others who also assumed their existence) without ever detailing any evidence whatsoever to establish their existence.  

Third, this document is an early 18th century document.  Scholars seem entirely to agree that by the end of the 17th century, years of warfare, periodic epidemics, and waves of settlers who took control of nearly all local land from Natives had forced the Natives (including those who once populated the region that became today's Pelham and Pelham Bay Park) out of the Hudson River Valley.  Thus, there is virtual certainty that the reference to "Sewonkeegs" who were "Westward" of the Mohawks and Nowonthewog could not have been a reference to Natives near the Pelham region.  Admittedly, of course, Native bands were forced elsewhere and this could be a reference to such a band, but the evidence is scant -- and virtually non-existent -- that a substantial band of Siwanoys large enough to be capable of being recruited for an early 18th century attack against English settlers continued to exist (much less continued to exist in this region).

Fourth, spelling variants of most Native references are legion in the early colonial records where scribes simply tried to reproduce in writing the phonetics of such terms.  Thus, it admittedly could be the case that the "Sewonkeeg" reference was a spelling variant of the more common spelling of "Siwanoy."  It must be recognized, however, that whether Siwanoys existed or not, the term "Sewonkeeg" may not be a spelling variant of the term.

Fifth, there are countless 17th century Dutch and English documents that make clear that Natives in the area that became today's Pelham and Pelham Bay Park were referenced as "Wiechquaeskecks" (also with a wide variety of spellings).  Assuming that this record dated January 22, 1699/1700 (old style) referencing ""Sewonkeegs" is actually a reference to "Siwanoys," this single document certainly provides little support for the conclusion that that Natives known as "Siwanoys" once populated the Pelham region and sold their lands to Thomas Pell on June 27, 1654 (old style).

Portrait of Fitz-John Winthrop (Born March 14, 1637; Died

November 27, 1707) Who Served as 24th Governor of the Colony

of Connecticut, 1698-1707.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

Transcribed immediately below is the January 22, 1699/1700 (old style) record referenced in today's Historic Pelham Blog article.

"Information respecting a rumored Rising of the Indians.

[New-York Papers, Bundle, H, J, K, K 23, 24, 25.]

The information made by Owaneco Sachem of Monhegan concerning a combination of the Indians to make warr upon the English given to the Gover r & Councill in New London January the 22 1699/1700

PRESENT -- The Honb le  John Winthrop Esq Governour,
Capt n Samuell Mason, 
Capt Dan l Wetherell,
Mr. Rich d Christophes
Mr Nemehiah Smyth, Mr. Nehemah Palmer.

The Indians then attending were (: besides Owaneco Sachem of the Mohegans and divers of his Councill:) Momohans Councill, Scadaub Sachim of a part of the Pequots with his Councill and the Indian Councill of Nihantick. -- 

The interpreters were:  Capt n John Stanton and Lieut t James Avery: -- 

Owaneco being asked what he desired to relate -- Declared:

He remember the covenant made between the Colony and His Father, pursuant to which he had made hast to inform Capt n Mason as soon as he understood any mischief to be designed against the English.

The Hon ble Governour then telling him, that he had sent for him to know and now expected to hear from him:) what he had heard concerning the designe, that as he had heretofore so he might also now shew, how carefull he was, that, that ancient covenant might not be broken.  Owaneco went on and reported as followeth:  That he had news by a Juncks'es Indian call'd Wadungum (: about two months since :) that a Dutchman at Albany had told of the Mohawcks that King William had ordered all the Indians to be cutt off; and that the English and French had letters about it, and that the Dutchman advised the Mohawcks to buy ammunition speedily; because in a little time none would be suffered to sell them any, and sold them presently about twenty barrells of powder -- 

Since which Owaneco informs that he heard that Canada Mohawks were come over to the other, and that they held a great Councill, where the news above mentioned was discoursed -- The Canada Mohawks said they heard the same, wherefore they came over to take Councill with them against the English.  An Indian whose name is Toby formerly belonging to the Indians that live at New Roxbury (: and who had a hand in the killing of one Johnson near the same town in the last war with the Indians, from the English, they might then easily destroy the English; Upon which the Mohawks imployed Toby to carry presents to the Nipmug (: or Wapaquassett) Indians, and to the Mohogans to draw them off from the English and withall to assure the Mohegans that if they would not forsake the English, they would look upon them as Enemies -- 

Likewise he informs that about a month since he heard that the Mohawks and the Nowonthewog or the Eastward Indians had combined against the English and that they had agreed to send Wampom to the Sewonkeeg or Western Indians, and that they had sent a girdle of Wampom to the Wapaquasett or New-Roxbury Indians of which he was to have a part; when he heard this news he advised his men to be silent till the belt of Wampom should be brought to him -- 

About a week after this Owaneco being at Norwich, one Nanaquabin a principal Indian among the Wapaquassetts came to him and asked him to refresh himself with a cup of sider, and gave him at Ensigne Bushnel's a piece of eight and an half, with a shilling which he shewed to Ensigne Bushnell and soon after went out of Norwich; designing home, but when he had got out of Town, a young Indian running after him, overtook him and told him, Nanaquabin was comeing to speak with him, upon which he made a stop until Nanaquabin came up, who then told him that he had a secret to tell him and desired that the Indians that were with him might be sent away which he did, and then Nanaquabin told him, there was a great designe on foot ag st the English, that the Mohawks were concern'd in it; and confirmed the former news which he had heard of the Mohawks, and at the same time Nanaquabin delivered to Owaneco a part of the girdle of Wampom (which he had delivered to Capt n Mason and was by him brought to the Governour and Councill.) which Wampom Nanaquabin told him the Mohawks had sent him and that the Wapaquassett Indians had already received  part of a girdle of Wampom -- He further said that Nanaquabin importuned him very much to keep this matter close, and pressed upon him the danger that would be in discovering it, because the designe was not yet ripe for the Schachkook Indians were gone a hunting to Manadnuck and Winepisseoket and were to meet at Namaschaug a fishing place, where they were to receive orders from the Mohawks when to strike the blow; and perswaded him to withdraw from the English; telling him that whatsoever discovered the plott would be look'd upon as enemies to the combined Indians and made to eat fire -- After this discourse, Nemaquabin asked Owaneco what answer he would returne to the Mohawks; who said he must first ask his Councill; then Owaneco asked Nemaquabin, how the Wapaquassett Indians liked the designe, who said very well, and that they have returned them thanks and a present of twenty five shillings; Then Owaneco asked him how much time he must have to answer them in; who replyed, the sooner the better; but not later then the beginning of the spring; after this discourse they both went to Shatuskett, and stayed there two nights; Owaneco asked Nemaquabin, where he would hunt this winter; who answered at Manadnuck but when Owaneco replyed that Manadnuck was a place of death, because he had received the Wampom; then he said he would go into Philips Country and draw off from the English, the Indians that were in those parts. --"

Source:  O'Callaghan, E.B., ed., Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New-York; Procured in Holland, England and France, by John Romeyn Brodhead, Esq., Agent, Vol. IV, pp. 613-15 (Albany, NY:  Weed, Parsons and Co., 1854) (footnotes omitted).

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