Note U — MEMOIR OF ENOCH PARSONS, ESQ., OF HARTFORD, CT.
Reading edition
In his Journal, Mr. Parsons gives the following statistics of the Aborigines, at that time inhabiting the Territory, which may not be uninteresting to compare with their present condition. We present the extract entire:
"The Delawares live at Sandusky, in a N. W. course and about 180 miles from this place, (Marietta.) Their number is 400.
"The Wyandots, living partly in the same region and partly at Detroit, 300 miles from Marietta, are about 260 in number.
"The Munsees live on the Alleghany river, about 310 miles N. E. from M. and number 100.
"The Miami tribe live at Miami town, W. S. W. 250 miles, and are about 100 in number.
"The Shawanoes live on the Miami river, S. W. 250 miles, and number 150.
"The Cherokees, or Chickewagas, live on Paint Creek, S. S. W. 250 miles, and are about 100 in number.
"The Wiahtanoes live on the Wabash river, W. S. W. 500 miles, and number 600.
"The Kickapoes live also upon the Wabash, S. S. W. 500 miles, and number 1100.
"The Piankishaws live upon the same river, S. and S. W. 600 miles—number 400.
"The Kaskaskias live on the Mississippi, S. S. W. 800 miles. Their number is 150.
"The Peorees live upon the Illinois river, W. S. W. 900 miles. Number 150.
"The Meadow Indians live also upon the Illinois, about 900 miles W. by S. Number 500.
"The Iowas live upon the Illinois, S. W. 900 miles, numbering 300.
"The Foxes live on the S. side of Lake Superior, W. N. W. 900 miles—number 1000.
"The Chippewas live W. of Lake Michigan, W. N. W. 800 miles from M. Number 4000.
"The Potowatomies live E. of Lake Michigan, W. N. W. about 450 miles. Number 4000.
"The Ottawas live N. E. of Lake Michigan, N. W. 400 miles. Number 1000.
"The Sieux live N. W. of Lake Superior. N. W. from Marietta 950 miles. Number 6000."
In his Journal we have also a specimen of the fertility of the soil, and the rapidity of the vegetation of the Territory, in the following extracts:
"June 7. Rode out with my father to his three-acre lot, which was sowed with rye in December last. About twenty days ago, it was four inches high. Ten days since, when we visited it, it was three and a half feet high; and to-day we found it seven and a half feet in height.
"June 13. Measured a spear of flax growing on my city lot, and find that in six days it has grown seven inches. Mr. Converse informs me that about three weeks ago, he planted corn, which is at the present time four feet high."
On subsequent pages of the Journal, Mr. P. has extended remarks on the philosophy of vegetation.
We have further space only for the following curious extract:
"June 15. Last night the dogs made a most hideous clamor, and seemed to be exceedingly excited. Mr.——, who lives about forty rods N. of the Stockade, was about getting up to see what disturbed them, but did not; and in the morning, on opening the outer door to let in his dog, he found in his mouth a purse filled with Brooches and Rings."