Deerfield Massacre

Mohawk Valley Fine Arts

" 'Two-Feathers' and the Spotted Pony"

A Drama Based on Local History, 1806-1807.

Outdoor drama "Pre-show" (2002 & 2003) at Mohawk Valley Fine Arts - "Two Feathers' and the Spotted Pony: A Mahoning County Tragedy, The Story of the Deerfield Massacre." by Joseph E. Donnelly. (See below for the Historical Account.)

Steve as "John Mohawk," Firepony as "Firepony," Colter as "Nickshaw" and Tim as "Running Elk":

Act III,iii./ Running Elk: "Nickshaw! Get your horse. Come fish with me at the River."

Nickshaw: "Running Elk, it is good to fish but my [Diver] horse is not here: it does not walk well."

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{Historical Note: The Pioneer Christian Cackler attested that the horse John Diver traded to Nickshaw was "an old horse." -- Christian Cackler, Recollections of An Old Settler, 1874.}

Dana as "Tawasentha" and Firepony as 'Firepony'-- off stage.

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Act III,iii./ John Mohawk: "Have you seen Tawasentha?"

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[Later... after Nickshaw's premonition of death-- of his and Tawasentha's]

Act IV,iv./ Nickshaw: "When you see the Stars-- see my Eyes.

When you hear the Wind-- hear my Voice.

When you cross the River at its bend-- embrace my comely Smile."

"... Tawasentha, the future-- it has nothing for us. ...Our

People are as that 'Woodland Lamb' [fawn-deer] -- we 'graze the grass

not growing.' Do you not understand?"

Tawasentha: "...I fear these things have weighed too heavily on your mind."

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{Historical Note: Nickshaw's insistence to retain his own property, to not yield it to the avarice of the 'White Man' is an oft repeated story in American (and Ohioan) history. His lack of compliance to the 'White Man's sytem' eventually led to his murder at the hands of the "Frontiersman" Johnathan Williams. Of this man, Henry Howe in his Historical Collections of Ohio, reported:

Johnathan Williams...were fully equal to the

Indians in woodcraft, and bore them an inveterate

hatred. He lost no opportunity to kill an Indian.

--"Summit County," 1888. Vol. II, p.641

The murder of George Wilson-- Nickshaw's brother-in-law-- just prior to John Mohawk's march on Deerfield is an incident of note and often overlooked. The account of George Wilson involves Johnathan Williams' defamation of Wilson's character so as to justify his shooting the Indian in the back and hiding his body in the muddy waters of Honey-Comb Swamp.

Henry Howe, once again in his exhaustive work, describes the death of John Nickshaw and George Wilson:

...each of whom [Nickshaw & Wilson] was killed

by a white hunter named Williams at different times;

but in both cases under circumstances hardly credible

to the white hunter. --Ibid.

Johnathan Williams' claim that Wilson was a "good for nothing son of Stigwanish" who had forced an elderly woman to "dance Indian dances" to her own harm would have been fully out of character for Wilson. Having been a graduate of the Twinsburg Institute, with much commendation by Mr. Bissell of Akron, and having served the New York Legislature-- the Seneca "Gentleman" George Wilson was the pride of the local Seneca in and around Deerfield.

As for Wilson's father-- Chief Stigwanish-- he was very highly esteemed among the American federal authorities. He was not only a "nobleman" in charcter, a teetotaler, and a "friend" to the "Blue-Coat; but also the "Paul Revere of Ohio" by his active role in warning settlers, cabin by cabin, of an impending assault organized by the British and their Indian allies on all Northern Ohio settlements at the approach of the War of 1812.

Hence, Henry Howe's testimony is more than likely accurate. His additional account of local Deerfield citizens is of note:

Some of the settlers, deeming the death of Nicksaw [sic.]

unwarrantable... demanded an investigation. --Ibid. }

The entrance of Diver and Williams. On stage, Bill W. as "Nickshaw" (Paul F. as "John Diver.")

Act. II,i./ Diver: "Hey, Indian, nice pony you have there."

Nickshaw: (responding) "Good Horse."

Diver: "How much would you take for it?"

Williams: (interjecting) "Diver, you don't want dat."

Nickshaw: "Not for sale."

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{ Historical Note:

"Nickshaw... being worsted in the [Horse] bargain [with Diver]"

--"Summit County Account," 1888

Such was not the only grievance set forth by the area Seneca-Mohawk. The report soon emerged that Diver's barn housed the Senecas' guns which were usurped from the Natives after Diver had intoxicated them with whiskey. Although Ohio Law forbade the use of whiskey in all trading arrangements with the Native Aboriginal Peoples, Christian Cackler noted Diver's propensity to skirt the law in this matter, i.e.,

"[Indians]...traded...with Diver....Diver had given them whiskey"

--Recollections of An Old Settler, 1874.

Such a practice frequented the Ohio "frontier" and was known to have made a number of "White Men" quite wealthy (at the Natives' expense). It was for this reason, among others, that governors, native chieftains, military personnel and missionaries often advocated such anti-whiskey-trading laws.}

Nickshaw and his Pony with Williams & John Diver.

Act II,ii./ Diver: "I can make it worth your while. I can pay cash.... How about at least a fair trade?"

Williams: "More than fair, fer an 'Injun' spac-ially."

Nickshaw: "No, Indian keep pony."

...[afterwards] Williams: (pressuring Nickshaw) " 'Blue-Jackets'! 'Blue-Devils'! Those Lawmen

are never out here when ya need 'em!"

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{Historical Note:

"John Diver it is thought, in a horse-trade overreached

one of these Indians named John Nicksaw [sic.]

There was much dissatisfaction expressed by the Indians...."

--"Portage County Account," 1888.(emphasis mine).}

{Dramatist's Note: It is my belief that the reason for Diver's insistence to have Nickshaw's pony and his reluctance to heed Judge Lewis Day's advice "to do justice" by Nickshaw (H.Howe, Collections. Vol II., p.436), was possibly linked to the regional sport of "sleigh racing." Although a "sleighing party" is often mentioned in accounts describing the Diver dual wedding and holiday event, it is never afforded much detail. It was known, however, that area settlements engaged in a team sport of long-distance sleigh-racing. These events were the sport of the wealthy and involved much rivalry. Perhaps, Diver's excitement over obtaining a "Paint Pony" for his sleigh team colored his actions with respect to his exploitation of Nickshaw?}

The "Deerfield Choir" (of the Deerfield United Methodist Church) sing "O' New Connecticut," viz....

Ohio Yankee's Song of the Western Reserve

Donnelly Donnelly

I. O' New Connecticut, 'Tis of Thee; We sing a Song of Liberty.

Here the Yankee lifts no Crown o'er Thee

That Home and Faith and Truth be Free!

(Refrain)

II. Near Mahoning River's gentle flow; Await me there where Dogwoods grow.

By the Grace of Heaven, as you know--

We shall reap what we now sow.

(Refrain)

III. By no leave of other-- just hard work-- The Farmer knows no other yoke.

When the fields of Harvest see the snow,

His Cabin's Hearth is still aglow.

(Refrain)

REFRAIN: Venerate the Plough, Venerate the Plough, Venerate the Plough--

for the Farmer and the Plough are Free!

Ron E. as Berlin Township's first settler Garrett Packard; Kathi S. as

Eleanor Packard (his Wife); and J. Donnelly as "Indian Hunter" at "Turkey-Broth Creek."

Act I,i./ Indian Hunter: "As the Moonlight chases Sunlight

In the Twilight of the Day's End;

As the Snowflakes follow Autumn

When the Geese fly swiftly southward--

So the 'White Man' drives the 'Red Man'

From the Bosom of his Mother,

From the Land of all our Fathers,

Where their bones are deeply buried--

So he fells our shaded Forest,

So he ploughs the Land for Planting."

[Later...]

G.P.: "We have gruel and cornbread!"

Wife: "Forget the gruel, dear. I don't think Indians care much for gruel."

Paula with "Fire Pony" Aug. 10th, 2002.

The following Song was written by Joseph E. Donnelly for the Drama "'Two-Feathers' and the Spotted Pony." It was set to musical score and masterfully performed (vocals & guitar) by Classical-Guitarist Ronald Tingler, M.A., of Hanover, Pennsylvania. (Ron is a professional guitarist and a graduate of the Hollywood Institute of California.)

"Nickshaw: 'My Pony is Mine' "

Joseph Donnelly Ronald Tingler

REFRAIN: He said, "My Pony is mine;

No Trade-- It suits me just fine."

And that's the way it ever were

From the beginning o' time.

He said, "My Pony is mine;

No Trade-- It suits me just fine."

So very long ago he said--

It were from the beginning of time.

I. "Return back home & wait," they said;

But no one ever came.

They took his Painted Pony fair,

And left an Old Mare lame.

"You've got your barns & houses built,

Your grain & wealth galore.

My pony's all that I do have--

My only stock & store."

[Refrain]

II. They said he caused a 'massacre,'

'Though he did bear no gun.

They shot him down in Hudson-Town

When he was on the run.

They shot him down as he did flee--

They hid him in the snow.

Then went their way so carelessly

And thought no one would know.

[Refrain]

III. John Mohawk, he was never found--

'Though he sought what was just.

Poor Nickshaw, 'twas brought to the ground

By those he'd known to trust.

Chief Seneca was rounded up.

His daughter died in the snow.

While Nickshaw lay upon the ground--

So bloody and so low.

[Refrain]

IV. If not for Brown & Oviatt,

If not Good Hudson too,*

His lowly name we'd never know

Nor ever what was true.

His grave is laid but who knows where.

The Natives were moved on.

The Pony stayed a White-Man's "mare"

And Life continued on.

[Refrain]

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*Owen Brown, father of Abolitionist John Brown; Heman Oviatt; and David Hudson.

be reproduced in any fashion or for any purpose without the expressed written permission of its author.

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Summary Of Historical Accounts

Relative to the Deerfield 'Massacre'*

--by Joseph E. Donnelly, 2001.

After having been "relieved" of his Paint Pony in a high-pressure horse-trade--

the local native Nickshaw (Mohawk-Seneca) was left with an old mare that he had no possible

way of feeding.

This back-slapping, rum-ridden way of inducing Indians into trading things (which

they might not have otherwise) was often the complaint of chiefs, missionaries, and

government personnel on the frontier. Such was more than likely the case in Deerfield,

Ohio, in 1806-1807.

Along with his Chief, Nickshaw approached the local settler responsible for the

incident to clear the "misunderstanding."

After futile attempts to correct the matter, the local Seneca followed the mandates

set forth by Moses Cleveland in his arrangements with the Iroquois (over the "Western

Reserve of Connecticut": NE Ohio) by filing a complaint with the local magistrate--

Lewis L. Day.

Apparently, having believed the Indians to have had a valid complaint, Lewis Day

also approached the settler (John Diver) suggesting a remedy. Unfortunately, this

remedy was resolutely rejected by Diver. (His insistence on keeping the Pony may have

been rooted in his possible interest in the local sport of "sleigh-racing.")

Despite Nickshaw's attempt to seek redress by working with the "system," the

efforts of both Chief "Seneca" and the Judge failed to resolve the matter.

Given a second "bad trade deal" by the same settler for all the weapons in the

Seneca camp (at Palmyra, Ohio), and the sudden disappearance of a visiting Seneca

political leader ("George Wilson")-- the tribesman John Mohawk traveled south from

Streetsboro ("Big-Son's Town") to investigate Wilson's disappearance and

the Seneca trade-related complaints.

At the time, the Diver family (one of the brothers of which was responsible for the

trade deals) was holding a winter sleighing party. The two brothers Daniel and John had

arranged a dual wedding and holiday festivities on the same date. This was a great

social event "on the Green" in Deerfield.

Interrupting the party, the indignant John Mohawk (who refused to "go away and

come back at a more convenient time") discharged his weapon to the near mortal injury

of one of the Diver brothers.

With the calling of the militia, the entire camp of Indians were arrested for trial.

It was at this time that the Chief feared that he would be hanged in Deerfield by an angry

mob. It was also at this time that Nickshaw's wife "broke ranks" from the abusive militia,

fled into the woods, and was said to have "perished in the snow" with her young babe

(Nickshaw's son).

Although John Mohawk eventually escaped-- two trappers (one of

whom was named Johnathan Williams) continued their pusuit after the unarmed

Nickshaw-- whom Williams, in turn, shot in the back and rolled into a snowy ditch

to conceal the matter.

Three other community leaders tracked the trappers (suspecting foul play) only

to find the concealed body of Nickshaw. As a consequence, they charged the men

with "murder."

These charges, however, were dropped by the court in Warren (Ohio) when the two

men vouched for one another under a plea of innocence.

Notwithstanding, the town of Warren paraded Williams and the second trapper

(George Darrow) as famous "Indian Fighters," gave them reward money, and held a

"hoe-down" to celebrate the suppression of yet another suppossed "Indian Massacre."

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The Disappearance of "George Wilson"

As stated above, George Wilson was a Seneca tribesman who had graduated

from the Twinsburg Institute established by Samuel Bissell of Windsor Connecticut.

(This Summit County Academy educated "ministers, statesmen, generals, lawyers,

professors, physicians and artisans," according to Henry Howe's "Summit County"

account.)

Samuel Bissell described his student "George Wilson" (as related by

by the "Summit County" account) as follows:

"Among the Indian youth was George Wilson,

a Seneca, about whom a great deal has been said.

He became a fine scholar-- superior in many important

respects to any other ever in the institute. His presence

was fine and imposing, and he displayed rare gifts in

logical force and fervid eloquence...the quality of his

eloquence, the unusual power of his intellect...resembled...

those of Daniel Webster. He afterward became chief of his tribe,

and was sent to represent their interests to the New York

Legislature and to the New York Historical Society,

receiving from the latter several thousand dollars for his people,

who were in a starving condition in the West." --H.Howe, Vol. II.,

p.654.

When George Wilson returned to the greater Deerfield area for a visit, he was more

than likely well-received by both the local Iroquois and the area settlers. The local widow

whom Williams claimed collapsed while dancing with Wilson was more than likely one

of the settlers who had hailed his visit and perhaps was a partaker of a "reception" of

sorts. (One can perhaps detect a note of jealousy in the words of Williams who had

claimed that Wilson was a "good-for-nothing son of Stigwanish.")

A short time prior to John Mohawk's "uprising," George Wilson disappeared

without explanation. Of this event Henry Howe affords a comment:

"The disappearance of 'George Wilson' created a

great sensation among the Senecas, but it was not

known until years afterward what had become of

him, although the Indians and settlers suspected

Williams as the cause of it." --Vol. II., p.641 (emphasis mine)

In fact, the "Summit County" account specifically describes the actions of

Williams:

"Taking advantage of the Indian [Wilson] while

off his guard, he [Williams] shot and killed him

[Wilson]. Then depositing the body in the swamp,

he pushed it down into the mud until it sank out

of sight." --Ibid.

This method of concealing evidence appears to have been a popular practice among

the unscrupulous who gave no regard to the "rule of law." In Richland County, a certain

"Indian Fighter" was said to have "made it a rule to kill every Indian he met, whether

friend or foe." This Richland County Account highlights the details of a similar incident:

"They [settlers from Williams' tavern] overtook

them [visiting Indians] about a mile east of town,

shot them down, and buried them at the foot of a

large maple on the edge of a swamp, by thrusting

their bodies down deep in the mud." -- Richland Co. "Old Edition"

Henry Howe, Collections, 1888.

p.475.

It was reported that Williams and Darrow rolled Nickshaw's lifeless form into

a ditch; and-- for the lack of a swamp-- concealed the body with "chunks," i.e., brush,

fallen timber and snow.

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* Note: The word "massacre" was the term used by the Warren "hoe-down" dancers to

describe this affair-- although the only persons actually killed were Natives. In fact, it was

the Seneca Chieftain who acentuated this point in his "hearing" before Major Carter in

Canfield.

It appears Carter desired to know of John Mohawk's whereabouts. The Seneca

Chieftain inquired how it might be considered "just" that John Mohawk, who had merely maimed

Daniel Diver (the brother of John Diver), should be "hanged from a tree" for his crime; whereas

Williams, who had slain Nickshaw, should be set free. And, not only so-- but paraded "from

town to town" as an honorable man and given "much wampum."

Note II.: This Deerfield, Ohio, affair (1806-1807) is not to be confused with the well-known

'Deerfield Massacre' of Deerfield, Massachussetts (mid 1700's). [Howbeit, the "new" Deerfield

of Ohio was named after the "old" Deerfield of the Bay State.]

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THANK YOU

A Hearty "Thank You" to all the Actors and Prep-Helps; also to the 200 patrons on lawnchairs (Aug 10th, 2002)

who kindly appreciated (and "tolerated") our amateur acting. An apology about our sound equipment, -- our "Sound

Man" inadvertently turned the amplifier knobs the wrong way in the middle of the program. An added "Thanks" to the

U.S.Army Corps of Engineers Rangers who were kind enough to redirect traffic to our last minute change of venue.

A hearty "Dominus vobiscum" to the Deerfield United Methodist Choir for their singing my songs; and to Bill

Westover for his choir leadership and thoughtful assistance in so many other areas of this dramatic production--

"thanks much," everyone! ("No thanks" to the Township Officials for attempting to squelch the program with their

petty "in conjunction with" clause...as if Ohio's Bicentennial belonged solely to them; nor to the Berlin Volunteer

Fire Department for instigating such nonsense.) Despite all the set-backs, we were glad you thought

to come and enjoy this free, public event. Even though we produced only six of the some twenty-two scenes--

everyone seemed content and pleased with this mere "Sampling." Also, we would be remiss to not express

added "Thanks" to the representatives of the Akron Native-American Council for their attendance and many

compliments on both the drama and the M.V.F.A. Gallery. (What beautiful 70 degree weather we had--

a perfect Summer evening!)

-- Joseph E. Donnelly, M.V.F.A.

E-MAIL: mohawk.joe.in.the.valley@gmail.com

[Note: Individuals who may be critical of the historical interpretations of this dramatic production have more than likely not read the some fourteen pages of fine print provided as a "preface" to this artistic endeavor. Sigh.]

Joseph R., Jr. and Johnathon R. of the Cherokee Nation (on the MVFA "Green").

15716 W. Akron-Canfield Rd.
Berlin Center, Oh 44401
All Content, Images, and Documents Copyright 2009 Mohawk Valley Fine Arts, Joseph Donnelly