Native Americans and Quakers, 1791-1815

A letter sent to the Friends at Philadelphia from Cornplanter, a Seneca Chief, requesting that they take two Seneca boys and educate them.

Halliday Jackson documented his time living with the Seneca Indians, which lasted over two years. Following an account of the latter part of his stay, Jackson documents his route returning home. The last part of this journal is a record of an encounter between the Chiefs of the Six Nations and a missionary from Massachusetts, who hoped to preach to them. A speech by Chief Red Jacket is recorded, in which he opposes Christian evangelism, and another in which he opposes selling land.

Jacob Lindley documented his journey of four and a half months to attend the treaty negotiations between the United States and the Six Nations, which was to be held at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1793. He kept a daily and detailed account of the journey and the people he met, as well as various thoughts and reflections on contemporary politics and morality.

John Peirce documented his 61-day journey through Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York in his journal titled "Notes, On a Visit to Several Tribes of Indians, 1796." Peirce and his fellow Friends James Cooper, Joseph Sansom, Isaiah Rowland, Enoch Walker, and Henry Simmons left on May 30, 1797 for the Oneida reservation. Their goal was to meet with various Native American groups and establish agricultural programs. After passing through New Jersey and up the Hudson River to Schenectady, they followed the Mohawk River to the Stockbridge, Brothertown, Tuscarora and Oneida Villages. After meeting with the members of the various groups at the Oneida reservation, the party made their way further west to the Onondagas and Cayuga settlements, and then up to modern day Farming, New York, to meet with friends living there. Their journey home took them through central New York and Pennsylvania through Bath and Painted Post, New York as well as Muncy, Catawissa, and Reading Pennsylvania. Peirce arrived home in Darby, Pennsylvania, on July 29, 1796.

Letter describing efforts by the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting to improve relations with the Indian Nations, and providing an account of the Friends who attended the treaty intended for the year prior between the United States and Indian Nations.

Copy of a letter to the Indians living to the North and West of the United States, expressing sadness over the wars fought and hopes for peace.

A letter from the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting to the Cherokee Nation, encouraging friendship and peace.

Letter to John Drinker informing him of events at Niagara and Detroit.

Letter in advance of a meeting at Sandusky to establish a treaty between the United States government and Indian Nations.

Thank you letter from David Fowler to the Quakers in response to the donation of school books to the Brotherton community.