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 next summer after Sullivan's campaign, our Indians, highly incensed
at the whites for the treatment they had received, and the sufferings
which they had consequently endured, determined to obtain some redress
by destroying their frontier settlements. Corn Planter, otherwise called
John O'Bail, led the Indians, and an officer by the name of Johnston
commanded the British in the expedition. The force was large, and so
strongly bent upon revenge and vengeance, that seemingly nothing could
avert its march, nor prevent its depredations. After leaving Genesee
they marched directly to some of the head waters of the Susquehannah
river, and Schoharie Creek, went down that creek to the Mohawk river,
thence up that river to Fort Stanwix, and from thence came home. In
their route they burnt a number of places; destroyed all the cattle and
other property that fell in their way; killed a number of white people,
and brought home a few prisoners.
In that expedition, when they came to Fort Plain, on the Mohawk river,
Corn Planter and a party of his Indians took old John O'Bail, a white
man, and made him a prisoner. Old John O'Bail, in his younger days had
frequently passed through the Indian settlements that lay between
the Hudson and Fort Niagara, and in some of his excursions had become
enamored with a squaw, by whom he had a son that was called Corn
Planter.
Corn Planter, was a chief of considerable eminence; and having been
informed of his parentage and of the place of his father's residence,
took the old man at this time, in order that he might make an
introduction leisurely, and become acquainted with a man to whom, though
a stranger, he was satisfied that he owed his existence.
After he had taken the old man, his father, he led him as a prisoner ten
or twelve miles up the river, and then stepped before him, faced about,
and addressed him in the following terms:--
"My name is John O'Bail, commonly called Corn Planter. I am your son!
you are my father! You are now my prisoner, and subject to the customs
of Indian warfare: but you shall not be harmed; you need not fear. I am
a warrior! Many are the scalps which I have taken! Many prisoners I have
tortured to death! I am your son! I am a warrior! I was anxious to see
you, and to greet you in friendship. I went to your cabin and took you
by force! But your life shall be spared. Indians love their friends and
their kindred, and treat them with kindness. If now you choose to follow
the fortune of your yellow son, and to live with our people, I will
cherish your old age with plenty of venison, and you shall live easy:
But if it is your choice to return to your fields and live with your
white children, I will send a party of my trusty young men to conduct
you back in safety. I respect you, my father; you have been friendly to
Indians, and they are your friends."
Old John chose to return. Corn Planter, as good as his word, ordered an
escort to attend him home, which they did with the greatest care.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account