Much has been written about the history of the Tuscarora Indian Nation in Western New York, but their North Carolina sojourn is often overlooked.
In 1708, the Tuscaroras inhabited North Carolina on the Neuse River, but conflict with the Colonists broke out in 1711. The trouble was provoked by white immigrants moving into Indian territory. The surveyor general of North Carolina, John Lawson, parceled out lots on Tuscarora land to give to white settlers.
Lawson accompanied Baron de Graffenried to show him the lots, when the Tuscaroras captured them. They were taken to an Indian village and, before a general council, were condemned to death. On the day of execution, another general council was called and a reprieve was granted to Graffenried. He was kept as a prisoner, but Lawson was executed.
According to "Carroll's Historical Collections of South Carolina," published in 1841, the Tuscaroras "took out redress of wrongs a little too severely upon Mr. Lawson, who, under color of being Surveyor General, had encroached too much upon their territory."
The Indians then "way-laid him and cut his throat from ear to ear but at the same time released Baron de Graffenried, whom they had seized for company because it appeared plainly he had done no wrong," the book stated.
A short time later, a band of Tuscaroras and Coree Indians attacked scattered German settlers in the Roanoke area.
Of this raid, the book said, "Becoming alarmed by this outrage they hoped to escape punishment by murdering on a given day all of the colonists south of Albermarle Sound. Dividing themselves into small parties, they commenced their horrid purpose on 22nd of September, 1711 on which memorable day 130 persons fell a sacrifice to their revenge."
To put down this insurrection, aid was sought from South Carolina. A group from South Carolina came to aid the North Carolinians. The reinforcements included South Carolina militia with Indian allies Cherokees, Creeks and Catawbas. These Indians took arms against the Tuscaroras because they originated with the New York Iroquois, traditional enemies of the southern tribes.
A peace was then negotiated, but did not last long. The white encroachment continued, as did Tuscarora revenge raids. In December of 1713, another South Carolina force invaded Tuscarora territory. The force contained some South Carolina militia, headed by Col. James Moore, and a large number of Ashley Indians. They attacked a Tuscarora fort on the Neuse River and, according to Carroll's book, overran it.
Col. Moore, according to the book, "in a few hours completely entered their works and 800 Tuscaroras became his prisoners. They were claimed by the Ashley Indians as a reward for their services and were taken to South Carolina where they were sold for slaves."
After that, the legislature of North Carolina instituted a campaign whereby "men and money were raised and the woods were patrolled by the red allies who hunted for prisoners to be sold as slaves or took scalps for a reward."
The Tuscaroras migrated to New York. Upon reaching New York, the Tuscaroras were taken in by the Oneidas and later occupied the reservation land in the Town of Lewiston where they reside today. Lockport historian and newspaper editor Orsamus Turner, in his "Pioneer History of the Holland Purchase," published in 1850, said of the Tuscaroras, "having been merged in the Iroquois confederacy, there is but little in their history since their arrival in this state of a distinctive character."
He added, "We in fact mostly lose sight of them until the commencement of the Revolution." Turner noted the Tuscaroras and Oneidas did not help the English in that great conflict but favored the Colonists.
Gen. John Sullivan, who led a campaign against the Iroquois who fought for the English, in his written report had this to say of the friendly Indians: "Agreeable to my orders, I proceeded by the shortest route to the Lower Mohawk Castle, passing though the Tuscarora and Oneida Castles where every mark of hospitality and friendship was shown to the party. I had the pleasure to find that not the least damage nor insult was offered to any of the inhabitants."
Turner also had some kind words for the Tuscaroras. He wrote, "The surviving pioneer settlers at Lewiston and its neighborhood bear witness to the uniform good conduct of the Tuscaroras and especially to the civility and hospitality they extended to the early drovers and other adventurers upon the trail that passed through their villages."
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | November 6 2006 |