FOOTNOTES:[1]Trumbull in his notes in the Narragansett Club Reprint of Roger Williams'sKey, says: "Wom pamwas the name of the white beads collectively; when strung or wrought in girdles they constitutedwanôm-peg[Roger Williams], thewampon-peageof Wood and other early writers."Peageorpeakesignified simply "strung beads," andwampom-peageaccordingly signified "strings of white beads."The English were doubtless led to considerwampuma generic word, because they heard it oftenest used,wampumbeing much more abundant thansuckáuhock. Their error has however long since received the sanction of usage. But as far as our own knowledge extends there was no comprehensive word for all shell beads in use among the Indians.Sewanhad perhaps very nearly such a use in certain localities, but the real meaning of the wordsewanappears from the following note in the Narragansett Club Reprint of Roger Williams'sKey:—"Seahwhóog, 'they are scattered' [Elliot]. From this word the Dutch traders gave the name ofsewaredorzeewand[the participle,seahwhóun, 'scattered,' 'loose'], toallshell money just as the English called allpeage, or string beads, by the name of the white orwampom."[2]Sometimes from theBuccinum undulatum[Möll], found from Nantucket to Labrador, and occasionally perhaps from theNatica heros[Say] found from New York to Labrador, and theNatica duplicatafound from Florida to Massachusetts Bay.In this connection the writer would acknowledge his indebtedness to Hon. J. Hammond Trumbull, a gentleman who has given much time and talent to the investigation of matters of Indian history.[3]Many writers have asserted that wampum was worked out of the inside of the Great Conque shell. This view is evidently erroneous, as the Great Conque,Strombus gigas[Linn.], is not found on the Atlantic coast, north of Florida and the West Indies, except in the fossil state.The assertion that wampum is an Iroquois word, meaning a "muscle," is doubtless equally unfounded.Roger Williams [Key, chap. xxiv], who certainly had fine opportunities for observation, and our other most trustworthy authorities, state that theSuckáuhockwas made from the clam shell, and thewampumfrom the shells of the Periwinkle, and such was unquestionably the case.[4]Roger Williams'sKey, chap. xxiv.[5]Gordon,Hist. of Penn., Appendix F.[6]See Schoolcraft's report on the Grove Creek Mound in vol.I, ofTransactions of the Am. Ethnological Soc.[7]League of the Iroquois, p. 120.[8]The otekóa of the Iroquois was the only exception of which we know.[9]Roger Williams'sKey, chap. xxiv.[10]Roger Williams'sKey, chap. xxiv.[11]For an excellent illustration of the different modes of wearing wampum, see the plates in that admirable work,Harriot's Virginia, written in 1586, and published in 1590, in the first volume of De Bry'sVoyages.[12]Trumbull'sHist. of Connecticut,I, p. 50.[13]"It is obvious to all who are the least acquainted with Indian affairs, that they regard no message or invitation, be it of what consequence it will, unless attended or confirmed by strings or belts of wampum, which they look upon as we our letters or rather bonds."—Letter of Sir Wm. Johnson, 1753.Doc. Hist. of N. Y., vol.II, p. 624.[14]As late as 1720, a belt was brought into Connecticut from some place at the south called Towattowan, and circulated very generally among the Indians, to the alarm of the colony, "the assembly caused some inquiries to be made into the mystery, and an Indian, named Tapanranawko, testified that the belt was in token that at each place where it was accepted, captive Indians would be received and sold. He said that it would be sent back to Towattowan, which was a great way to the south, and was inhabited by a large tribe of Indians. The assembly resolved that the Indians should be directed to send it back whence it came, and should be charged not to receive such presents in future without giving notice to the magistrates."—DeForest'sHist. of Indians of Conn., p. 349.[15]League of the Iroquois, p. 339.[16]Documents relating to theColonial History of New York, vol.VII, p. 44.[17]League of the Iroquois, p. 120.[18]Eastern Maine and Nova Scotia in the Revolution, Kidder, p. 286.[19]It is interesting in this connection to notice the manner in which the chiefs affixed their names to early deeds. In the deed of New Haven given by the Quinnipiacs [see AppendixIV, DeForest's Indians of Conn.], may be seen as autographs, an arrow, a bow, a drawn bow, a war club, a tobacco pipe, a snake, a wolf (apparently), a wild fowl, etc., etc.[20]League of the Iroquois, p. 119.[21]President Stiles'sItinerary, unpublished.[22]League of the Iroquois, page 188.[23]Thomson'sLong Island, p. 62.[24]League of the Iroquois, p. 331.[25]It is stated inWinthrop's Journal[p. 147 and after], that four servants of Plymouth were condemned and hung upon their own confession of having murdered an Indian to obtain his wampum.[26]In the tomb, apparently of a chief, in the Grove Creek Mound, 1700 beads were found around the remains of a skeleton, and such deposits are frequently found in opening old graves.[27]Winthrop,I, 113.[28]Bradford'sLetters,Mass. Hist. Collections,III, 54.[29]Doc. Rel. to Colonial History of New York,I, 459.[30]Lawson'sHistory of North Carolina, ed. of 1714, page 315.[31]Rhode IslandColonial Records,I, 130.[32]Winthrop, pages 147, 149 and 192.[33]Thompson'sLong Island, page 62.[34]Hazard,II, page 413.[35]Hazard,III, page 44.[36]Hazard,II, pages 387 and 388.[37]Thompson'sLong Island, page 60.[38]Records of Mass.,I, 238. Where only one rate is mentioned, as here, we are probably to understand the white, and deduct one-half for the black or blue.[39]Colonial Records of Conn.,I, 12.[40]Records of Mass.,I, p. 302.[41]Ibid., p. 329.[42]Col. Records of Conn.,I, 179.[43]Records of Mass.,II, 261.[44]Records of Mass.,I, 323.[45]Records of Mass.,II, 279.[46]Ibid.,IV, p. 36.[47]Records of Mass.,IV, part 2, pages 4, 5.[48]R. Island Colonial Records,I, page 474.[49]Madam Knight'sJournal, written in 1704, page 43.[50]Doc. Relating to the Colonial Hist. of New York,I, 474.[51]Ibid., p. 336.[52]Ibid., p. 425.[53]O'Callaghan'sNew Netherland,I, 230.[54]Doc. Col. Hist. of New York,II, p. 371.[55]Proud'sHist. of Pennsylvania,I, page 133.[56]Hazzard'sAnnals of Pennsylvania.[57]O'Callaghan'sNew Netherland,I, 61.[58]O'Callaghan'sNew Netherland,I,ibid.[59]Schoolcraft'sNotes on the Iroquois.
[1]Trumbull in his notes in the Narragansett Club Reprint of Roger Williams'sKey, says: "Wom pamwas the name of the white beads collectively; when strung or wrought in girdles they constitutedwanôm-peg[Roger Williams], thewampon-peageof Wood and other early writers."Peageorpeakesignified simply "strung beads," andwampom-peageaccordingly signified "strings of white beads."The English were doubtless led to considerwampuma generic word, because they heard it oftenest used,wampumbeing much more abundant thansuckáuhock. Their error has however long since received the sanction of usage. But as far as our own knowledge extends there was no comprehensive word for all shell beads in use among the Indians.Sewanhad perhaps very nearly such a use in certain localities, but the real meaning of the wordsewanappears from the following note in the Narragansett Club Reprint of Roger Williams'sKey:—"Seahwhóog, 'they are scattered' [Elliot]. From this word the Dutch traders gave the name ofsewaredorzeewand[the participle,seahwhóun, 'scattered,' 'loose'], toallshell money just as the English called allpeage, or string beads, by the name of the white orwampom."
[1]Trumbull in his notes in the Narragansett Club Reprint of Roger Williams'sKey, says: "Wom pamwas the name of the white beads collectively; when strung or wrought in girdles they constitutedwanôm-peg[Roger Williams], thewampon-peageof Wood and other early writers."
Peageorpeakesignified simply "strung beads," andwampom-peageaccordingly signified "strings of white beads."
The English were doubtless led to considerwampuma generic word, because they heard it oftenest used,wampumbeing much more abundant thansuckáuhock. Their error has however long since received the sanction of usage. But as far as our own knowledge extends there was no comprehensive word for all shell beads in use among the Indians.Sewanhad perhaps very nearly such a use in certain localities, but the real meaning of the wordsewanappears from the following note in the Narragansett Club Reprint of Roger Williams'sKey:—"Seahwhóog, 'they are scattered' [Elliot]. From this word the Dutch traders gave the name ofsewaredorzeewand[the participle,seahwhóun, 'scattered,' 'loose'], toallshell money just as the English called allpeage, or string beads, by the name of the white orwampom."
[2]Sometimes from theBuccinum undulatum[Möll], found from Nantucket to Labrador, and occasionally perhaps from theNatica heros[Say] found from New York to Labrador, and theNatica duplicatafound from Florida to Massachusetts Bay.In this connection the writer would acknowledge his indebtedness to Hon. J. Hammond Trumbull, a gentleman who has given much time and talent to the investigation of matters of Indian history.
[2]Sometimes from theBuccinum undulatum[Möll], found from Nantucket to Labrador, and occasionally perhaps from theNatica heros[Say] found from New York to Labrador, and theNatica duplicatafound from Florida to Massachusetts Bay.
In this connection the writer would acknowledge his indebtedness to Hon. J. Hammond Trumbull, a gentleman who has given much time and talent to the investigation of matters of Indian history.
[3]Many writers have asserted that wampum was worked out of the inside of the Great Conque shell. This view is evidently erroneous, as the Great Conque,Strombus gigas[Linn.], is not found on the Atlantic coast, north of Florida and the West Indies, except in the fossil state.The assertion that wampum is an Iroquois word, meaning a "muscle," is doubtless equally unfounded.Roger Williams [Key, chap. xxiv], who certainly had fine opportunities for observation, and our other most trustworthy authorities, state that theSuckáuhockwas made from the clam shell, and thewampumfrom the shells of the Periwinkle, and such was unquestionably the case.
[3]Many writers have asserted that wampum was worked out of the inside of the Great Conque shell. This view is evidently erroneous, as the Great Conque,Strombus gigas[Linn.], is not found on the Atlantic coast, north of Florida and the West Indies, except in the fossil state.
The assertion that wampum is an Iroquois word, meaning a "muscle," is doubtless equally unfounded.
Roger Williams [Key, chap. xxiv], who certainly had fine opportunities for observation, and our other most trustworthy authorities, state that theSuckáuhockwas made from the clam shell, and thewampumfrom the shells of the Periwinkle, and such was unquestionably the case.
[4]Roger Williams'sKey, chap. xxiv.
[4]Roger Williams'sKey, chap. xxiv.
[5]Gordon,Hist. of Penn., Appendix F.
[5]Gordon,Hist. of Penn., Appendix F.
[6]See Schoolcraft's report on the Grove Creek Mound in vol.I, ofTransactions of the Am. Ethnological Soc.
[6]See Schoolcraft's report on the Grove Creek Mound in vol.I, ofTransactions of the Am. Ethnological Soc.
[7]League of the Iroquois, p. 120.
[7]League of the Iroquois, p. 120.
[8]The otekóa of the Iroquois was the only exception of which we know.
[8]The otekóa of the Iroquois was the only exception of which we know.
[9]Roger Williams'sKey, chap. xxiv.
[9]Roger Williams'sKey, chap. xxiv.
[10]Roger Williams'sKey, chap. xxiv.
[10]Roger Williams'sKey, chap. xxiv.
[11]For an excellent illustration of the different modes of wearing wampum, see the plates in that admirable work,Harriot's Virginia, written in 1586, and published in 1590, in the first volume of De Bry'sVoyages.
[11]For an excellent illustration of the different modes of wearing wampum, see the plates in that admirable work,Harriot's Virginia, written in 1586, and published in 1590, in the first volume of De Bry'sVoyages.
[12]Trumbull'sHist. of Connecticut,I, p. 50.
[12]Trumbull'sHist. of Connecticut,I, p. 50.
[13]"It is obvious to all who are the least acquainted with Indian affairs, that they regard no message or invitation, be it of what consequence it will, unless attended or confirmed by strings or belts of wampum, which they look upon as we our letters or rather bonds."—Letter of Sir Wm. Johnson, 1753.Doc. Hist. of N. Y., vol.II, p. 624.
[13]"It is obvious to all who are the least acquainted with Indian affairs, that they regard no message or invitation, be it of what consequence it will, unless attended or confirmed by strings or belts of wampum, which they look upon as we our letters or rather bonds."—Letter of Sir Wm. Johnson, 1753.Doc. Hist. of N. Y., vol.II, p. 624.
[14]As late as 1720, a belt was brought into Connecticut from some place at the south called Towattowan, and circulated very generally among the Indians, to the alarm of the colony, "the assembly caused some inquiries to be made into the mystery, and an Indian, named Tapanranawko, testified that the belt was in token that at each place where it was accepted, captive Indians would be received and sold. He said that it would be sent back to Towattowan, which was a great way to the south, and was inhabited by a large tribe of Indians. The assembly resolved that the Indians should be directed to send it back whence it came, and should be charged not to receive such presents in future without giving notice to the magistrates."—DeForest'sHist. of Indians of Conn., p. 349.
[14]As late as 1720, a belt was brought into Connecticut from some place at the south called Towattowan, and circulated very generally among the Indians, to the alarm of the colony, "the assembly caused some inquiries to be made into the mystery, and an Indian, named Tapanranawko, testified that the belt was in token that at each place where it was accepted, captive Indians would be received and sold. He said that it would be sent back to Towattowan, which was a great way to the south, and was inhabited by a large tribe of Indians. The assembly resolved that the Indians should be directed to send it back whence it came, and should be charged not to receive such presents in future without giving notice to the magistrates."—DeForest'sHist. of Indians of Conn., p. 349.
[15]League of the Iroquois, p. 339.
[15]League of the Iroquois, p. 339.
[16]Documents relating to theColonial History of New York, vol.VII, p. 44.
[16]Documents relating to theColonial History of New York, vol.VII, p. 44.
[17]League of the Iroquois, p. 120.
[17]League of the Iroquois, p. 120.
[18]Eastern Maine and Nova Scotia in the Revolution, Kidder, p. 286.
[18]Eastern Maine and Nova Scotia in the Revolution, Kidder, p. 286.
[19]It is interesting in this connection to notice the manner in which the chiefs affixed their names to early deeds. In the deed of New Haven given by the Quinnipiacs [see AppendixIV, DeForest's Indians of Conn.], may be seen as autographs, an arrow, a bow, a drawn bow, a war club, a tobacco pipe, a snake, a wolf (apparently), a wild fowl, etc., etc.
[19]It is interesting in this connection to notice the manner in which the chiefs affixed their names to early deeds. In the deed of New Haven given by the Quinnipiacs [see AppendixIV, DeForest's Indians of Conn.], may be seen as autographs, an arrow, a bow, a drawn bow, a war club, a tobacco pipe, a snake, a wolf (apparently), a wild fowl, etc., etc.
[20]League of the Iroquois, p. 119.
[20]League of the Iroquois, p. 119.
[21]President Stiles'sItinerary, unpublished.
[21]President Stiles'sItinerary, unpublished.
[22]League of the Iroquois, page 188.
[22]League of the Iroquois, page 188.
[23]Thomson'sLong Island, p. 62.
[23]Thomson'sLong Island, p. 62.
[24]League of the Iroquois, p. 331.
[24]League of the Iroquois, p. 331.
[25]It is stated inWinthrop's Journal[p. 147 and after], that four servants of Plymouth were condemned and hung upon their own confession of having murdered an Indian to obtain his wampum.
[25]It is stated inWinthrop's Journal[p. 147 and after], that four servants of Plymouth were condemned and hung upon their own confession of having murdered an Indian to obtain his wampum.
[26]In the tomb, apparently of a chief, in the Grove Creek Mound, 1700 beads were found around the remains of a skeleton, and such deposits are frequently found in opening old graves.
[26]In the tomb, apparently of a chief, in the Grove Creek Mound, 1700 beads were found around the remains of a skeleton, and such deposits are frequently found in opening old graves.
[27]Winthrop,I, 113.
[27]Winthrop,I, 113.
[28]Bradford'sLetters,Mass. Hist. Collections,III, 54.
[28]Bradford'sLetters,Mass. Hist. Collections,III, 54.
[29]Doc. Rel. to Colonial History of New York,I, 459.
[29]Doc. Rel. to Colonial History of New York,I, 459.
[30]Lawson'sHistory of North Carolina, ed. of 1714, page 315.
[30]Lawson'sHistory of North Carolina, ed. of 1714, page 315.
[31]Rhode IslandColonial Records,I, 130.
[31]Rhode IslandColonial Records,I, 130.
[32]Winthrop, pages 147, 149 and 192.
[32]Winthrop, pages 147, 149 and 192.
[33]Thompson'sLong Island, page 62.
[33]Thompson'sLong Island, page 62.
[34]Hazard,II, page 413.
[34]Hazard,II, page 413.
[35]Hazard,III, page 44.
[35]Hazard,III, page 44.
[36]Hazard,II, pages 387 and 388.
[36]Hazard,II, pages 387 and 388.
[37]Thompson'sLong Island, page 60.
[37]Thompson'sLong Island, page 60.
[38]Records of Mass.,I, 238. Where only one rate is mentioned, as here, we are probably to understand the white, and deduct one-half for the black or blue.
[38]Records of Mass.,I, 238. Where only one rate is mentioned, as here, we are probably to understand the white, and deduct one-half for the black or blue.
[39]Colonial Records of Conn.,I, 12.
[39]Colonial Records of Conn.,I, 12.
[40]Records of Mass.,I, p. 302.
[40]Records of Mass.,I, p. 302.
[41]Ibid., p. 329.
[41]Ibid., p. 329.
[42]Col. Records of Conn.,I, 179.
[42]Col. Records of Conn.,I, 179.
[43]Records of Mass.,II, 261.
[43]Records of Mass.,II, 261.
[44]Records of Mass.,I, 323.
[44]Records of Mass.,I, 323.
[45]Records of Mass.,II, 279.
[45]Records of Mass.,II, 279.
[46]Ibid.,IV, p. 36.
[46]Ibid.,IV, p. 36.
[47]Records of Mass.,IV, part 2, pages 4, 5.
[47]Records of Mass.,IV, part 2, pages 4, 5.
[48]R. Island Colonial Records,I, page 474.
[48]R. Island Colonial Records,I, page 474.
[49]Madam Knight'sJournal, written in 1704, page 43.
[49]Madam Knight'sJournal, written in 1704, page 43.
[50]Doc. Relating to the Colonial Hist. of New York,I, 474.
[50]Doc. Relating to the Colonial Hist. of New York,I, 474.
[51]Ibid., p. 336.
[51]Ibid., p. 336.
[52]Ibid., p. 425.
[52]Ibid., p. 425.
[53]O'Callaghan'sNew Netherland,I, 230.
[53]O'Callaghan'sNew Netherland,I, 230.
[54]Doc. Col. Hist. of New York,II, p. 371.
[54]Doc. Col. Hist. of New York,II, p. 371.
[55]Proud'sHist. of Pennsylvania,I, page 133.
[55]Proud'sHist. of Pennsylvania,I, page 133.
[56]Hazzard'sAnnals of Pennsylvania.
[56]Hazzard'sAnnals of Pennsylvania.
[57]O'Callaghan'sNew Netherland,I, 61.
[57]O'Callaghan'sNew Netherland,I, 61.
[58]O'Callaghan'sNew Netherland,I,ibid.
[58]O'Callaghan'sNew Netherland,I,ibid.
[59]Schoolcraft'sNotes on the Iroquois.
[59]Schoolcraft'sNotes on the Iroquois.
Transcriber's NoteArchaic spellings have been retained. Abbreviations have been normalised. Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note, whilst more significant amendments are listed below:P. 10, "Pyrula canicalata" toPyrula caniculata.P. 11n, "Great Congue" toGreat Conque, could be amended toGreat Conchhowever the former seems more in keeping with the original intent.
Transcriber's Note
Archaic spellings have been retained. Abbreviations have been normalised. Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note, whilst more significant amendments are listed below: