Part 25
The stream rises in the center of Sullivan County and flows to the Delaware. The falls are said to be from sixty to eighty feet in four cascades. (Hist. Sul. Co.) Another writer says: "Three miles above Forestburgh village, the stream falls into a chasm seventy feet deep, and the banks above the falls are over one hundred feet high."
Meenahga, a modern place-name, is a somewhat remarkable orthography of _Mih'n-acki_ (aghki), "Huckleberry land" or place.
Callicoon, the name of a town in Sullivan County, and of a stream, is an Anglicism of _Kalkan_ (Dutch), "Turkey"--_Wilde Kalkan,_ "Wild turkey"--in application, "Place of turkeys." The district bearing the name is locally described as extending from Callicoon Creek to the mouth of Ten Mile River, on the Delaware. Wild turkeys were abundant in the vicinage of the stream no doubt, from which perhaps the name, but as there is record evidence that a clan of the Turkey tribe of Delawares located in the vicinity, it is quite probable that the name is from them. The stream is a dashing mountain brook, embalmed poetically by the pen of Street. (See Cochecton.)
Keshethton, written by Colonel Hathorn in 1779, as the name of an Indian path, is no doubt an orthography of Casheghton. In early years a trunk-line path ran up the Delaware to Cochecton Falls, where, with other paths, it connected with the main path leading to Wyoming Valley, [FN] the importance of the latter path suggesting, in 1756, the erection of a fort and the establishment of a base of supplies at Cochecton from which to attack the Indians under Tedyuscung and Shingask in what was then known as "The Great Swamp," from which those noted warriors and their followers made their forays. (Doc. Hist. N. Y., ii. 715; Ib. Map, i, 586.) Colonel Hathorn passed over part of this path in 1779, in pursuit of Brant, and was disastrously defeated in what is called "The Battle of Minnisink."
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[FN] "The first well-beaten path that connected the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers, and subsequently the first rude wagon road leading from Cochecton through Little Meadows, in Salem township, and across Moosic Mountains." (Hist. Penn.) It was with a view to connect the commerce from this section with the Hudson that the Newburgh and Cochecton Turnpike was constructed in the early years of 1800.
Cochecton, the name of a town and of a village in Sullivan County, extended on early maps to an island, to a range of hills, and to a fall or rift in the Delaware River, is written Cashieghtunk and in other forms on Sauthier's map of 1774; Cushieton on a map of 1768; _Keshecton,_ Col. Cortlandt, 1778; _Cashecton,_ N. Y. Land Papers, 699; Cushietunk in the proceedings of the Treaty of Easton, 1758, and in other New Jersey records: Cashighton in 1744; Kishigton in N. Y. records in 1737, and Cashiektunk by Cadwallader Colden in 1737, as the name of a place near the boundmark claimed by the Province of New Jersey, latitude 41 degrees 40 minutes. "On the most northerly branch of Delaware River, which point falls near Cashiektunk, an Indian village, on a branch of that river called the Fish Kill." (Doc. Hist. N. Y., iv, 177.) In the Treaty of Easton, 1758, the Indian title to land conveyed to New Jersey is described: "Beginning at the Station Point between the Province of New Jersey and New York, at the most northerly end of an Indian settlement on the Delaware, known by the name of Casheitong." Station Point, called also Station Rock, is about three miles southeast of the present village of Cochecton, on a flat at a bend in the river, by old survey twenty-two miles in a straight line from the mouth of Maghaghkamik Creek, now Carpenter's Point, in the town of Deerpark, Orange County. Cochecton Falls, so called, are a rocky rapid in a narrow gorge covering a fall of two or three hundred feet, the obstruction throwing the water and the deposits brought down back upon the low lands. The Callicoon flows to the Delaware a few miles northeast of the falls. Between the latter and the mouth of the Callicoon lies the Cochecton Flats or valley. The precise location of "Station Point or Rock," described as "At the most northerly end" of the Indian village, has not been ascertained, but can be readily found. The late Hon. John C. Curtis, of Cochecton, wrote: "Our beautiful valley, from Cochecton Falls to the mouth of the Callicoon, was called, by the Indians, _Cushetunk,_ or low lands," the locative of the name having been handed down from generation to generation, and an interpretation of the name which is inferentially correct. There is no such word as _Cash_ or _Cush_ in the Delaware dialect, however; it stands here obviously as a form of _K'sch,_ intensive _K'schiecton_ (Len. Eng. Dic.); _Geschiechton,_ Zeisberger, verbal noun, "To wash," "The act of washing," as by the "overflow of the water of a sea or river. . . . The river washed a valley in the plain"; with suffix _-unk_ (_K'schiechton-unk_--compressed to _Cushetunk_), denoting a place where the action of the verb was performed, _i. e._ a place where at times the land is washed or overflowed by water, from which the traditionary interpretation, "Low land." [FN-1]
The Indian town spoken of was established in 1744, although its site was previously occupied by Indian hunting houses or huts for residences while on hunting expeditions. In Col. Mss. v. 75, p. 10, is preserved a paper in which it is stated that the Indians residing at Goshen, Orange County, having "Removed to their hunting houses at Cashigton," were there visited, in December, 1744, by a delegation of residents of Goshen, consisting of Col. Thomas DeKay, William Coleman, Benj. Thompson, Major Swartwout, Adam Wisner, interpreter, and two Indians as pilots, for the purpose of ascertaining the cause of the removal; that the delegation found the residents composed of two totemic families, Wolves and Turkeys; that, having lost their sachem, they were debating "Out of which tribe a successor should be chosen"; that they had removed from Goshen through fear of the hostile intention on the part of the settlers there, who "Were always carrying guns." Later, a delegation from the Indian town visited Goshen, and was there "Linked together" with Colonel De Kay, as the representative of the Governor of the province, in their peculiar form of locking arms, for three hours, as a test of enduring friendship. [FN-2] It was the only treaty with the Indians in Orange County of which there is record.
Aside from its Indian occupants the town is historic as the point forming the old northwest boundmark of New Jersey (Lat. 41 degrees 40 minutes), as recognized in the Treaty of Easton. (See Pompton.) From its association with the history of three provinces, the story of the town is of more than local interest. The lands were ultimately included in the Hardenberg Patent, and most of the Indian descendants of its founders of 1744 followed the lead of Brant in the Revolution. They probably deserved a better fate than that which came to them. They are gone. The long night with its starless robe has enveloped them in its folds--the ceaseless wash of the waters of the Delaware upon the beautiful valley of Cochecton, hymns their requiem.
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[FN-1] Probably the same name is met in _Sheshecua-ung,_ the broad flats opposite and above the old Indian meadows, Wyoming Valley, where the topography is substantially the same.
[FN-2] A belt was presented by the Indians to Col. De Kay, but what became of it neither the records or tradition relates.
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Here we close our survey of the only monuments which remain of races which for ages hunted the deer, chanted songs of love, and raised fierce war cries--the names which they gave and which remain of record of the hills and valleys, the lakes and waterfalls, amid which they had their abiding places. Wonderfully suggestive and full of inferential deductions are those monuments; volumes of history and romance are linked with them; the most controlling influences in making our nation what it is is graven in their crude orthographies. Their further reclamation and restoration to the geographical locations to which they belonged is a duty devolving on coming generations.
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THE DUTCH RACKS OF 1625-6.
[_From De Laet's "New World," Leyden Edition._]
"Within the first reach, where the land is low, there dwells a nation of savages named Tappaans. . . . The second reach extends upward to a narrow pass named by our people Haverstroo; then comes Seyl-maker's (Zeil-maker's, sail-maker's) reach, as they call it; and next, a crooked reach, in the form of a crescent, called Koch's reach (Cook's reach). Next is Hooge-rack (High reach); and then follows Vossen reach (Foxes reach), which extends to Klinckersberg (Stone mountain). This is succeeded by Fisher's (Vischer's) reach, where, on the east bank of the river, dwells a nation of savages called Pachamy. This reach extends to another narrow pass, where, on the west side of the river, there is a point of land that juts out covered with sand, opposite a bend in the river, on which another nation of savages, called the Waoranecks, have their abode, at a place called Esopus. A little beyond, on the west side, where there is a creek, and the river becomes more shallow, the Waronawankongs reside; _here are several small islands._ Next comes another reach called Klaver-rack, where the water is deeper on the west side, while the eastern side is sandy. Then follow Backer-rack, John Playser's rack and Vaster rack as far as Hinnenhock. Finally, the Herten-rack (Deer-rack) succeeds as far as Kinderhoek. Beyond Kinderhoek there are several small islands, one of which is called Beeren Island (Bear's Island). After this we come to a sheltered retreat named Onwee Ree (_Onwereen,_ to thunder, _Ree,_ quick, sudden thunder storms), and farther on are Sturgeon's Hoek, over against which, on the east side of the river, dwell the Mohicans."
TO THE READER.
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A work of the character of that which is herewith presented to you would be eminently remarkable if it was found to be entirely free from typographical and clerical errors. No apology is made for such as you may find, the rule being regarded as a good one that the discoverer of an error is competent to make the necessary correction. Whatever you may find that is erroneous, especially in the topographical features of places, please have the kindness to forward to the compiler and enable him to correct.
Respectfully, E. M. RUTTENBER, Newburgh, N. Y.
INDEX.
{Transcriber's note: The page numbers indicated below refer to pages in the separate article, "Footprints of the Redmen," and are not in sequence with the complete published volume of proceedings. The HTML and e-book versions of the article have hyperlinks to the names indexed.}
{Transcriber's Note: Some of the original index entries are incorrect. The corrected page numbers are shown in braces {p.} Alphabetical placement errors are left as in the original.}
Achquetuck 177 Achsinink 148 Ackinckes-hacky 104 Adirondacks 187 Aepjin (Sachem) 59 Agwam (Agawam) 83 Ahashewaghick 51 Ahasimus 106 Aioskawasting 146 {145} Alaskayering 148 Albany 178 Alipkonck 26 Amagansett 83 Amangag-arickan 168 Anaquassacook 69 Anthony's Nose 31, 217 Apanammis 33 Appamaghpogh 30 Aquackan-onck 104 Aquassing 46 Aquebogue 98 Aquehung 32 Arackook 139 Arisheck 106 Armonck 33 Assawagh-kemek 224 Assawanama 98 Assiskowackok 173 Assinapink 126 Assup (Accup) 77 Aschalege 216 Aspetong 32 Astenrogan 217 Athens 174 Atkarkarton 158 Aupaumut, Hendrick 11 Aupauquack 98 Aurie's Creek 210
Basha's Land 229 Bergen 106
Callicoon 230 Canagere 214 Canajohare 214 Canarsie 88 Caneray (Carenay) 191 Caniade-rioit 70 Caniade-riguarunte 72 Canniengas 189 Canopus 36 Casperses Creek 44 Cataconoche 80 Catskill 170 Caughnawaga 213 Caumset 96 Cawaoge 215 Cayudutta 214 Cheesek-ook 117 Chihocken 229 Chouckhass 133 Ciskhekainck 56 Claverack 55 Cobel's Kill 216 Cochecton 231 Comae 92 Commoenapa 105 Connecticut 80 Copake 59 Cronomer's Hill 130 Cumsequ-ogue 81 Cussqunsuck 94 Cutchogue 84
Dans Kamer 183 {138} DeKay, Colonel Thomas 232 Delaware River 219 Delawares, or Lenni-Lenape 219 Di-ononda-howe 70 Dutch Racks (Rechts) 234
Eaquoris-ink 45 Eauketaupucason 34 Esopus 155 Espating 111 Essawatene 121 Etagragon 217
Fall-kill 44 Fish-kill 37 Fort Albany 178 Fort Frederick 178 Fort Orange 178 Frudyach-kamik 162
Ganasnix 173 Gentge-kamike 183 {138} German Flats 217 Gesmesseecks 61 Glens Falls 136 {186} Gowanus 90 Greenwich Village 17
Hackingsack 104 Hahnakrois 177 Hashamomuck 99 Hashdisch 140 Haverstraw 124 Hoboken 107 Hog's Island 96 Hohokus 115 Honk Falls 166 Hoosick River 67 Hopcogues 85 Horikans 71 Hudson's River 12
Jamaica 88 Jogee Hill 134 Jogues (Father) 12, 185, 193
Kackkawanick 54 Kadarode 209 Kahoes (Kahoos) 200 Kakeout 32 Kakiate 116 Kanendenra 217 Kaniskek 174 Kapsee (Kapsick) 17 Katawamoke 97 Katonah (Sachem) 35 Kaphack 59 Kaunaumeek 58 Kau-na-ong-ga 228 Kay-au-do-ros-sa 187 Keessienwey's Hoeck 175 Keht-hanne 218 Kenagtiquak 58 Kerhonkson 162 Keschsechquereren 90 Keshethton 231 Kesieway's Kill 57 Keskeskick 22 Keskistk-onck 30 Kestateuw 88 Ketchepunak 85 Kewighec-ack 29 Kinderhook 54 {55} Kingston 155 Kiosh 15 Kiskatom 174 Kitchaminch-oke 82 Kitchiwan 27 Kit Davit's Kil (Rondout) 161 Kittatinny 31 Koghkehaeje (Coxackie) 176 Koghsaraga 188 Koxing Kil 168
Lackawack 167 Lake Champlain 72 Lake George 71 Lake Tear-of-the-clouds 185 Little Falls 217 Longhouse Creek 137
Machackoesk 58 Machawameck 175 Magaat-Ramis 152 Magatsoot 222 Magdalen Island 46 Maggeanapogh 151 Maghagh-kamieck 223 Magopson 33 Magow-asingh-inck 164 Maharness 35 Mahask-ak-ook 52 Mahequa 122 Mahopack 36 Mahway 112 Mainaitanung 113 Mamakating 227 Mamaroneck 34 Manah-ackaquasu-wanock 101 Manahan 127 Manahawaghin 106 {126} Manhaset 95 Manhattan 13 Mananosick 49 Manette 91 Manises 101 Mannhon-ake 100 Mannepies 23 Manowtassquott 99 Manuketesuck 35 Manussing 34 Marechkawick 91 Maretange Pond 145 Marsep-inck 93 Maschabeneer 144 Maskahn-ong 87 Maskutch-oung 84 {86} Massaback 85 {84} Massape-age 85 Masseks (Maskeks) 144 Mas-seps 86 Masspootapaug 99 Mastic 79 Mathahenaak 180 Matinnec-ock 95 Matouwackey (L. I.) 73 Mattachonts 168 Mattapan 44 Matteawan 37 Mattituck 84 Mawe-nawas-igh 38 Mawichnauk 53 Mawighanuck 58 Mawignack 171 Mattasink 120 Meenahga 230 Meghkak-assin 24 Menagnock 222 Menagh 29 Menisak-congue 122 Memanusack 94 Memorasink 143 Merick 87 Mespaechtes 94 Metambeson 46 Minasser-oke 81 Mingapochka 230 Minnahan-ock 17 Minnepaug 99 Minnischtan-ock 54 Minnissingh 45 Minnisais 15 Minisink 220 Mistucky 133 Mochgonneck-onck 78 Mochquams 33 Mogongh-kamigh 58 Moggonck (Maggonck) 148 Moharsic 35 Mohawk River 189 Mohawk Castles 191, 211 Mombackus 169 Mombasha 116 Monachnong 16 Monatun 16 Monemius Island 180 Mongaup 230 Monhagen 137 Monowautuck 80 Monsey 112 Montauk 75 Mopochock 169 {167} Moriches 81 Muchito 96 Muhheakun'nuk 11 Murderer's Creek 130 Muscota 19 Much-Hattoes 129
Nachaquatuck 97 Nachawakkano 53 Nachtenack 180 Nahtonk (Recktauck) 18 Namaus 81 Namenock 222 Namke 85 Nanichiestawack 35 Nannakans 28 Nanapenahaken 49 Nanoseck 161 Napanoch 167 Napeak 76 Narranshaw 116 Narratschoan Errata Narrioch 90 Navers-ing 165 Navish 28 Nawas-ink 124 Nepeneck 224 Nepah-komuk 23 Neperah (Nipproha) 23 Nepestek-oak 177 Nescotack 143 Neversink 102, 226 Neweskake 178 Newburgh 128 New Fort 142 Niamug (Niamuck) 82 Nickankook 49 Niskayune 201 Nissequague 93 Norman's Kill 179 Norumbega 179 Nowadaga 215 Nyack 92, 120
Ochabacowesuck 100 Ochmoach-ing 165 Oghrackee 210 Oi-o-gue 12, 189 Old Fort 164 Onekee-dsi-enos 206 Onekagoncka 191 Oneyagine 217 Oniskethau 177 Onuntadass 207 Orange 103 Oscawanna 26 Osquage (Ohquage) 215 Ossangwack 155 Osserrion 191 Osseruenon 191
Pachonahellick 178 Pachquyak 173 Pagganck 15 Pahhaoke 67 Palmagat 148 Pamerpock 115 Panhoosick 67 Paanpaach (Troy) 63 Papinemen 19 Paquapick 111 Pasgatikook 172 Paskaecq 173 Passaic 111 Passapenoc 61 Patchogue 81 Pattkoke 55 Peakadasank 146 Peconic 83 Peekskill 30 Peenpack 225 Peningo 33 Peppineghek 29 Pequaock (Oyster Bay) 98 Pequannock 111 Peram-sepus 112 Perth Amboy 102 Petuckqua-paug 35 Petuckqua-paen 62 Pietawickqu-assick 41 Pishgachtigok 42 Piskawn 63 Pitkiskaker 145 Pocanteco 25 Pochuck 133 Pockotessewacke 34 Podunk 69 Poesten Kill 62 Pollepel Eiland 127 Pompoenick 58 Pompton 113 Ponkhockie 157 Poosepatuck 79 Poplopen's Creek 125 Poquatuck 79 Potic 173 Potunk (L. I.) 100 Poughkeepsie 43 Poughquag 41 Preumaker's Land 161 Primary Explanations 3 Prince's Falls 126
Quachanock 172 Quahemiscos 180 Quantuck 87 Quaquarion 205 Quarepogat 42 Quarepos 33 Quaspeck 121 Quassaick 128 Quatackqua-ohe 69 Quatawichnack 171 Quauntowunk 78 Quequick 65 {66} Quinnehung 31 Quissichkook 54 Quogue 87
Ramapo 114 Rapahamuck 94 Rappoos 153 Raritangs 102 Reckgawank 124 Rechqua-akie 87 Rennaquak-onck 92 Rockaway 87 Roelof Jansen's Kill 47 Ronkonkoma 100 Runboldt's Run 133