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MS Farmer, Silas September 24, 1816
MS Farmer, Silas September 24, 1816
MS Farmer, Silas September 24, 1816
Annuity receipt for the years 1812 to 1816 inclusive paid to the Odawa Nation from the Governor of Michigan Territory, Lewis Cass. Manuscript signed by 10 parties. Odawa Chiefs Cocosh, Cachemowai, Watesbenawa, Ochquenagose, Tusquagen, Wasekeshue and Tontoganene signed using totemic signatures. Manuscript dated September 24, 1816 and authored by Silas Farmer. W Knaggs, R. A. Forsyth, and G: Godfroy signed as witnesses.
Nation named in manuscript (DLM).
Information contained within manuscript now part of the Burton Historical Collection located in the Detroit Public Library.
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Paper and blue ink.
Handwritten with quill pen.
Totemic signatures/images of a turtle, a bear paw?, a thunderbird, a forked stick, a bear, a bird of prey and a crane.
Receipt of Lewis Cass, Governor of Michigan Territory Nine Thousand Dollars being the annuity due to the Ottawa nation of Indians for the year of 1812, 1813, 1814 and 1816.
Sept. 24th, 1816 Signed Duplicates
Signed in presence of, Coegsh the Hog} [totemic signature of a turtle: round body, opposing front and back feet “T” shape on body, very dark ink]
R. A .Forsyth Cachemowai or the Big Bee} [totemic signature of a bear paw?: Three opposing dark, thick shapes]
W Knaggs Tontoga[s]ene or the Dog} [totemic signature of a thunderbird: two opposing triangles for body, wings outstretched, feathers coming down, small legs and side view of curved beak and head, ink lighter and lines finer]
G: Godfroy Watesbennwa} [totemic signature of the forked stick: small “v” shape, ink very dark]
Ochquenagose} [totemic signature of a bear: curved back, downwards facing head, rudimentary legs, inked in]
Tusquagen or McCarter} [totemic signature of a bird of prey: curved, circular shaped claws, tear shaped body, elongated neck, outline very dark]
Wasekeshue or the other day}[totemic signature of a crane: elongated neck, bustle, three toed foot]
Manuscript signed and dated (DLM).
Provenance
About This GRASAC Record
MS Farmer, Silas ZC27 Sept. 24, 1816. Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library.
This record was created as part of a Great Lakes Research Alliance for the Study of Aboriginal Arts and Cultures (GRASAC) research trip to the Detroit Public Library, Burton Historical Collection, funded by a grant from the International Opportunities fund of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).