A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary JemisonSeaver, James E. (James Everett)
History
A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison
Seaver, James E. (James Everett)
Jemison, Mary, 1743-1833; Seneca Indians
The stories of Indian cruelties which were common in the new
settlements, and were calamitous realities previous to that, propitious
event; slumbered in the minds that had been constantly agitated by them,
and were only roused occasionally, to become the fearful topic of the
fireside.
It is presumed that at this time there are but few native Americans that
have arrived to middle age, who cannot distinctly recollect of sitting
in the chimney corner when children, all contracted with fear, and there
listening to their parents or visitors, while they related stories of
Indian conquests, and murders, that would make their flaxen hair nearly
stand erect, and almost destroy the power of motion.
At the close of the Revolutionary war; all that part of the State of
New-York that lies west of Utica was uninhabited by white people, and
few indeed had ever passed beyond Fort Stanwix, except when engaged in
war against the Indians, who were numerous, and occupied a number of
large towns Between the Mohawk river and lake Erie.
Sometime elapsed after this event, before the country about the lakes
and on the Genesee river was visited, save by an occasional land
speculator, or by defaulters who wished by retreating to what in those
days was deemed almost the end of the earth, to escape the force of
civil law.
At length, the richness and fertility of the soil excited emigration,
and here and there a family settled down and commenced improvements
in the country which had recently been the property of the aborigines.
Those who settled near the Genesee river, soon became acquainted
with "The White Woman," as Mrs. Jemison is called, whose history they
anxiously sought, both as a matter of interest and curiosity. Frankness
characterized her conduct, and without reserve she would readily gratify
them by relating some of the most important periods of her life.
Although her bosom companion was an ancient Indian warrior, and
notwithstanding her children and associates were all Indians, yet it was
found that she possessed an uncommon share of hospitality, and that her
friendship was well worth courting and preserving. Her house was the
stranger's home; from her table the hungry were refreshed;--she made
the naked as comfortable as her means would admit of; and in all her
actions, discovered so much natural goodness of heart, that her admirers
increases in proportion to the extension of her acquaintance, and
she became celebrated as the friend of the distressed. She was the
protectress of the homeless fugitive, and made welcome the weary
wanderer. Many still live to commemorate her benevolence towards them,
when prisoners during the war, and to ascribe their deliverance to the
mediation of "The White Woman."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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