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Lot 155
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Mohawk 1726 Signed by the Brave old Hendrick and 8 other Chiefs showing stunning pictograph signatures including those of the Wolf, Bear and Turtle clans
Mohawk 1726 Signed by the Brave old Hendrick and 8 other Chiefs showing stunning pictograph signatures including those of the Wolf, Bear and Turtle clans
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Description:

Native American

Mohawk 1726 Land Deed depicting land marked with hatchets on the trees!

 

Manuscript document signed as an Indian land grant, 12.75" x 16.75". Dated "30th day of March 1726", and signed by Hendrick Theyanoguin, Mohawk leader and member of the Bear Clan known as "the Brave old Hendrick" , and signed by an additional Eight Mohawk chiefs inclusive of three stunning pictographs, and Nine red wax seals, most of which are in excellent condition, with but one being somewhat chipped. Near fine with expected folds and age toning. Professionally silk backed for reinforcement.

 

A wonderful scarce example of an early Indian Land grant, deeding some of their own treasured land (which they marked using a hatchet on trees), to "Adam Vrooman", who was their "good friend", and who paid them "honestly" for the parcel. An absolutely awe inspiring piece from an era now gone. A period long before our revolution, a period long before the French and Indian wars. This document demonstrates how Nine Indian chiefs peacefully and in an unsophisticated naïve manner simply deeded their treasured land. Along the bottom their unique signatures are represented by both pictograms, wax seals and by written name. The fascinating piece is shown transcribed in full below:

 

"To all Christian People to whom these presents may concern. And to the three tribs[sic] of the Mohaugs Indians formly Owners and Proprietors of a trax of land called Schoree, We therefore the under subscribers at the  desire of most of our (Adam Vrooman) brethren or all now at home meaning the Mohaugs Indians that is off the turtle, Wolf, and Bear, Wherof we are Part … and all our children knew it them and know it yet that in and about fifteen years ago we did give and grant to  … of the town of Schenectardy a large Quantity of land at Schoree being part of the land we had reserved for ourselves, as we then marked it out, and about three years after that he the said Adam Vrooman being our very good friend and finding us all in General Inclined to him, did then ask and desire of us by an interpreter for all our Right and title we had there left, upon which we granted it and he paid us honestly for all the lands from the very foot of the mountains called (illegible) as they wind and turn to the Schoree River as that wynds and turns, from the Point of the hill called (illegible) -- along the River to a Run of water, that runs of a white pine swamp into the said Schoree River with all our Right and title to any part or parcel of the aforementioned lands as we … TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all all[sic] the aforementioned lands … meaning unto the said Adam Vrooman and to his heirs assigns forever with all the Priviledges[sic] and appurtenances there unto belong to the aforementioned Land let ther[sic] be as much as ther[sic] will more or less then is mentioned in our Deeds or in the Pattent, for we are no surveyors but only with our hacthets on the trees and bounds by Daylight and not in the night, So we do now again in and for the behalf of all the Mohaugs Indians to say the turtle Wolf and Bear being the three races of tribes and for our and ther[sic] Childrens Children forever set our Marks the turtle, Wolf, and Bear and affixs the seals of Witness this 30th day of March 1726

Signed sealed and delivered in the Presents of"

 

{ 3 vertical stunning pictograph drawings of a turtle, wolf and bear, which represent the famous clans of those names. There are 9 pictographs in all one slightly faded}

9 red wax seals alongside the names of the Nine Mohawk Chiefs. Each name includes the wording with their names, their "mark and seal"

 

Theyanoguin worked to continue the alliance with the English to preserve Mohawk and Iroquis interests in New York. They depended more on diplomacy than warfare, and tried to preserve neutrality during the english-French rivalries and conflicts of the colonial years.

 

Andrew Vrooman left his mark in the history of Schenectady where this very deed is mentioned. It was first noted that Andrew Vrooman paid for this land in 1711 with one hundred and ten gallons of rum and a few blankets. Although at the time this tract became known as 'Vroomans Land', the original purchase itself has little legal meaning  as he had to live among the Indians. Then later, this offered formal land grant of "March 20, 1726", allowed him to obtain a new legal Indian title and was executed with the ensigns of the Mohawk nation - the turtle, wolf and bear (noted on page 214 of the History of the Schenectady Patent in the Dutch and English Times).

 

One of the important Indian chiefs, Hendrick Theyanoguin (whose name had several spelling variations), was a signee on this document. He was known to later continue an alliance with the English to preserve Mohawk and Iroquois interests in New York. They depended more on diplomacy than warfare, and tried to preserve neutrality during the English-French rivalries and conflicts of the colonial years.

 

An important and rare document in highly collectible condition. Would look stunning framed.


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