1860s

This decade was one of great change. Not only were white settlers coming into the county in greater numbers, they were building houses and stores, saw mills and lumber yards, a grist mill and a boat dock. By 1864 Elk Rapids had seven churches and seven saloons. All of this had it's affect on Milton township. 

In addition to the Natives listed below there were 45 white settlers in Milton township in 1860.

Federal Census taken 11 Jul 1860 – Milton township, Grand Traverse county. 

House #/family# Name Age Sex 

607/436 Eiquabenage, 80, male, value of real estate $200, born in Michigan

Mary, 70, female, born in Michigan

608/437 Keneswaga, 46, male, value of real estate $200, born in Michigan

Matwesin, 40, female, born in Michigan

Pewagene, 20, female, born in Michigan

609/438 Shabanaqua,  36, male, value of real estate $200, born in Michigan

Peuasine 36, female, born in Michigan

Pewaqua 16, female, born in Michigan

610/439 Keuado, 74, male, value of real estate $200, born in Michigan

611 un [unoccupied]

612 un [unoccupied]

613/440 Pabomera,  34, male, value of real estate $200, born in Michigan

Maonqouin, 34, female, born in Michigan

David, 12, male, born in Michigan

Wahasee, 10, female, born in Michigan

Meegesee, 8, male, born in Michigan

Naasheen 6, male, born in Michigan

614/441 Mabosa 20 male, value of real estate $200, born in Michigan

Keuadin, 17, female, born in Michigan

Bouagesqua 1, female, born in Michigan

615/442 Naquageshi 25 male, value of real estate $200, born in Michigan

Nomequa 21, female, born in Michigan

Keuadosa 8, male, born in Michigan

Mitchell 4, male, born in Michigan

616/443 Kenoc 30 male, value of real estate $200, born in Michigan

Angeka 28, female, born in Michigan

Pagoshe 10, female, born in Michigan

617/444 Menodosh Guthrie, 40, male, value of real estate $200, born in Michigan

Savenagrim 50, female, born in Michigan

618/445 Aken, 28, male, value of real estate $200, born in Michigan

Musquaquet,  28, female, born in Michigan

Wassabonequa, 6, female, born in Michigan

619/446 Nedouinequet, 26, male, value of real estate $200, born in Michigan

Doheen 20, female, born in Michigan

Wabeskauakin 2, male, born in Michigan

620/447 Wabaquam, 40, male, value of real estate $200, born in Michigan

Andenoqua 40, female, born in Michigan

Dohema 18, female, born in Michigan

Mary 16, female, born in Michigan

Waubouse 10, male, born in Michigan

Etawah 8, male, born in Michigan

The 1861 Annuity Roll transcribed by Larry Wykoff (from Academia.edu) from originals at the National Archives, Washington, D.C.

 

Civil War

When the Union forces ran low on sharpshooters and the call went out to each state, Michigan changed the law prohibiting Native American from military service. The First Michigan Sharpshooters was organized between April 14, 1863 and October 7, 1863 with the first six companies mustered into service on July 7, 1863. Four more companies were formed soon after. One of these companies, Company K, was recruited from the tribes of Michigan.

While no one living in Kewadin in the 1860s served in Company K, several who did serve had later ties to the community.

John Wesley, whose children Lizzie Wilson, Frank Wesley and Emma Shawano later lived in Kewadin and Elk Rapids did serve in the Civil War. John enlisted in company K, First Sharpshooters, 1 Feb 1864 at Kalamazoo for 3 years, age 28. He mustered 2 Feb 1864. On 19 Feb 1864 he was admitted to Nelson Convalescent Camp at Camp Nelson, KY from Grand Rapids, MI, where his age is given as 21. Discharged from Camp Nelson on 4 Apr 1864 he is sent to join the regiment, arriving at Camp near Annapolis on 14 Apr 1864. John is next sent to the 2nd Division USA General Hospital in Alexandria, VA from the field due to intermittent fever on 27 Apr 1864. On 21 May 1864 he is transferred to Satterlee General Hospital in West Philadelphia. John is finally returned to duty on 18 Oct 1864. Promoted to Corporal from Private on 1 Mar 1865. He mustered out at Delaney House in Washington DC on 28 Jul 1865 and returned to Mason county, Michigan. John died there 26 Sep 1908 and is buried in an unmarked grave in the Grant cemetery.

Another Civil War soldier with Kewadin ties was Charles Allen whose sister Mary Ann (wife of Peter Mark) died in Kewadin in 1868. Charles of Northport. enlisted in company K, First Sharpshooters, as Sergeant, 12 Jun 1863 at Northport, for 3 years at age 19. He mustered 22 Jun 1863. Charles died on 18 May 1864 of wounds he received in action at the Battle of the Wilderness, VA on 6 May 1864. His mother applied for a pension based on his Civil War service on 11 Mar 1881.

Peter Anderson, uncle of Edward, enlisted in the Army in 1865 but saw no service, for his company got only to Grand Rapids on its south-bound journey before the war ended, according to his obituary. The military record of Peter Anderson was mixed with that of Peter Amderling who actually saw service. According to the 1890 Federal Census Peter Anderson stated he enlisted in Company K and that his discharge papers had been lost. He was living in Mason and Manistee counties prior to the war, moving to Kewadin in the 1920s. He is buried in an unmarked grave in the Kewadin Indian Mission cemetery.

Another source of information are the draft rolls of Antrim county. The Enrollment Act, also known as the Draft Act of 1863 was enacted by Congress on 3 Mar 1863 to provide additional manpower for the Union Army. It required enrollment of all male citizens between 20 and 45. Married men were not drafted until all the unmarried had been taken. Eight Native American men from Milton township and eight from Elk Rapids township are on the list of 1 Jul 1863.

From Milton township:

Aukewapor, 29, farmer, married

Agqua-gon-che, 27, married

Aiken, 25, married

Mam-a-goo-na, 30, farmer, married

Na-nogon-a-be, 34, farmer, married

Pa-sha-na-quom, 34, farmer, married

Pe-Eew, 25, farmer, single

Paptisdockea, John, 20, farmer, single

From Elk Rapids township:

Fisher, Charles, 39, farmer, married

Fisher, David, 28, farmer, married

Francis, 25, laborer, married

Me-nam-o-quetta, 24, farmer, married

Martin, 21, farmer, married

Mek-a-noc, 30, farmer, married

Mec-a-noe, 25, laborer, single

Sho-ba-quom, 28, laborer, married

None of the above named men were drafted or volunteered to served in the war.

D. C. Leach, Office of the Mackinac Agency, Detroit, Michigan, October 17, 1863: 

[From the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indians Affairs for 1863, Message of the President to the First Session of the Thirty-Eighth Congress, pp. 494-500.]

"On the east side of Grand Traverse bay, in the county of Antrim, lies a small reservation, inhabited by

some seventy Indians. As is the case with all the isolated bands, little or no progress is being made. They

should be induced to remove to one of the larger reservations. They have no school…."

The 1865 annuity roll, taken 30 Dec 1865.

Transcription by Larry Wykoff (from Academia.edu) from the originals at the National Archives, Washington, D.C.

1866 Annuity Roll -- Copies of the originals from the National Archives, Washington, D.C.

1867 Annuity Roll -- Originals from the National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Thomas Leguthrie, age 96, died 9 Jul 1867 of old age. He was married and said to be born in Mackinaw.

Chief Aish quay go nay be died 21 Sep 1867 at age 90, of old age. While he was listed as married, the 1867 roll line 24 above, listed him as one man, no wife. 

Wah-ba-nai, age 85, a widow, died 10 Jan 1868 of old age.

Ah-qua-kay-o-qua, the 15 year old daughter of Kenishaway and Wek nah, died 20 Feb 1868, cause unknown.

On 1 Apr 1868, Sha-bon-diu, a 50 year old married man, died of throat disease. 

There was cause for celebration with the birth of Wabmacouequa, son of George Aquanabie and Mahato Kay, on 1 May 1868

While Peter Mark and wife Mah-he-an (Mary Ann) welcomed a son on 10 Oct 1868, there wasn't a celebration. Mah-he-an, age 25, died the same day in childbirth. The death certificate states she was born in Grand Traverse. Baby died 1 Nov 1868 at the age of 21 days, cause not known.

On 13 Dec 1868, A-gat-a-gong, a 28 year old married female, died, cause unknown.

John Fisher, age 23 and single, died 15 Dec 1868, cause unknown. He was born in Grand Traverse and a laborer.

There are changes between the 1867 and 1868 rolls. Aishquaygonaybe has died and Taybawsekezhick became chief. The number of families increased from 30 to 50.  The number of people from 89 to 148.

The 1868 annuity roll was taken 21 Dec 1868 for the payment of monies from the treaty signed 31 Jul 1855. Transcribed and published by Raymond C. Lantz 1992

1868 Annuity Roll – Tay-baw-se-ke-zhick’s Band

# Name men/women/children/total amount received

1 O-ge-maw-ke-ge-do 1/1/8/10 158.50

2 Waw-bose 1/1/4/6 $95.10

3 O-ge-daw-naw-quot 1/1/4/6 $95.10

4 Me-zhaw-gaw, Francis 1/1/4/6 $95.10

5 O-ge-maw-ke-nay-se 1/1/4/6 $95.10

6 Waw-be-shaw 1/1/3/5 $79.25

7 Aken 1/1/3/5 $79.25

8 Tay-baw-se-ke-zhick, Chief 1/1/3/5 $79.25

9 Totrocheau, John B. 1/1/3/5 $79.25

10 Aw-waw-ne-ke-zhick 1/1/2/4 $63.40

11 Aw-waw-naw-quot, Francis 1/1/2/4 $63.40

12 O-ge-maw-ke-ge-do, Enos 1/1/2/4 $63.40

13 Naw-we-ge-zhe-go 1/0/3/4 $63.40

14 Maw-caw-day-mong 1/1/2/4 $63.40

15 Mitchell 1/1/2/4 $63.40

16 A-gaw-o-go-mo 1/1/2/4 $63.40

17 Ain-waw-te-no-quay 0/1/2/3 $47.55

18 Kin-ne-she-nay 1/1/1/3 $47.55

19 Ke-me-waw-nish-cum 1/1/1/3 $47.55

20 Me-ke-noe 1/1/1/3 $47.55

21 Naw-o-quay-ke-zhick 1/1/1/3 $47.55

22 Me-me 1/1/1/3 $47.55

23 Naw-baw-naw-gwan-do-quay 0/1/2/3 $47.55

24 Saw-gaw-naw-quaw-do, Mrs. Francis 0/1/2/3 $47.55

25 Key-way-quo-um, Saml. 1/1/1/3 $47.55

26 Saw-gaw-che-way-o-say 1/1/1/3 $47.55

27 Pay-she-nin-ne-a-be 1/1/1/3 $47.55

28 Key-way-din 1/1/0/2 $31.70

29 Way-win-daw-naw-quaw-do-quay 0/1/1/2 $31.70

30 O-ke-che-ge-ze-go-quay 0/1/1/2 $31.70

31 Ain-waw-tin, Joseph 1/1/0/2 $31.70

32 Ste. Perrie, Peter 1/1/0/2 $31.70

33 Pawn-de-gay-caw-waw, Louis 1/1/0/2 $31.70

34 Aw-naw-ne-ge-zhe-go-quay 0/1/1/2 $31.70

35 Kaw-gee 1/1/0/2 $31.70

36 O-pay-shaw 0/1/1/2 $31.70

37 Ain-waw-te-no-quay 0/1/1/2 $31.70

38 O-saw-waw-naw-ne-quay 0/1/0/1 $15.85

39 Key-way-nin, Margaret 0/1/0/1 $15.85

40 Naw-scaw 1/0/0/1 $15.85

41 O-chick-e-saw 0/1/0/1 $15.85

42 No-pe-me-quay 0/1/0/1 $15.85

43 Se-be-quay 0/1/0/1 $15.85

44 May-yaw-waw-che-won 0/1/0/1 $15.85

45 Pay-baw-me-say 1/0/0/1 $15.85

46 Pay-me-key 0/1/0/1 $15.85

47 Ne-ge-gwaw-baw-no-quay 0/1/0/1 $15.85

48 Battise, John 1/0/0/1 $15.85

49 Naw-o-gwaw-nay-be, Jacob 1/0/0/1 $15.85

50 Jackson, Mrs. Henry 0/1/0/1 $15.85

Copies of originals from the National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Shabondone, a 70 year old married man, died 25 Apr 1869 of cause unknown.

copyright (c) 2020 Vicki Wilson

1850s

The year 1850 saw white settlers coming in to the Grand Traverse area rapidly. The Natives, who thought they had secured permanent claims to the land found out the terms of the 1836 treaty reservations had expired years before. "The adoption of the revised State Constitution of 1850 made citizens of all persons of Indian descent, who were not members of any tribe. The red men might buy government lands, settle upon them and become citizens." [The First Protestant Mission in the Grand Traverse Region, Ruth Craker, page 71]

Rev. Dougherty advised the people to use the next annuity payment to purchase land. Many went to Omena, along with Rev. Dougherty, but a few stayed in the Elk Rapids area.

On 1 Apr 1850 ten men, Mamagoona, Menanoquelt, Aquagonabe, Aukewosa, Cosa, Charles Fisher, Nanogonabe, Owenocagick, Pashawnaquong and Moses Showonosche, became the first land owners in Milton township, having purchased 40 acres each in the south 1/2 of section 2 and the NW 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of section 1. It is unknown if each man and his family lived on his own section, or if the families lived closer together.

From the diary of Rev. George Smith (Northport), the annuity payment for 1851 was paid on the 25th of September on Mackinac Island. Each person received $7.50. Two years later instead of the people traveling to Mackinac Island, the Indian agent came to Old Mission (Sep 1853).

1853 Annuity Roll

Grand Traverse Band No.1 

1 Aish quay go nay be, Chief, one man, one woman, one child, three total, received $27.03

2 Oge maw ke ge do, 1st. 1 1 3 5 45.05

3 Taw baw say ge zhick 1 1 1 3 27.03

4 Naw o gaw nay be 1 3 4 36.04

5 Me sco pe nay se & Bro. 1 1 2 18.02

6 Ah kay o say 1 1 6 8 72.08

7 May yaw waw ge way 1 1 2 18.02

8 Tay baw ke yaw 1 1 2 4 36.04

9 Paw quawn gee 1 2 3 27.03

10 Me ge se meig 1 2 3 27.03

11 Pay me say 1 1 4 6 54.06

12 Ke sis o quay & sister 1 1 2 18.02

13 She quaw chaw 1 1 3 5 45.05

14 Pay baw me say 1 1 2 18.02

15 Shaw waw ne ge zhe go quay 1 1 9.01

16 Oge maw ke ge do, 2nd. 1 1 1 3 27.03

17 Shaw waw no gaw day 1 1 2 18.02

18 Naw o quaw um 1 1 5 7 63.07

19 Waw say quo um's wife & child 1 1 2 18.02

20 Waw be scaw 1 1 3 5 45.05

21 Way waw te sone 1 4 5 45.05

22 Waw bose 1 1 1 3 27.03

23 O pe we gee 1 1 2 18.02

24 Key way saw mo quay, 1st. 1 2 3 27.03

25 Key way saw mo quay, 2d. 1 1 2 18.02

26 Me te go ne gwe gwon 1 1 1 3 27.03

27 Pay shaw baw no quay 1 1 9.01

28 Waw be nay se 1 1 2 4 36.04

29 Me ke noc 1 1 2 4 36.04

30 She she gway quay 1 1 9.01

31 May maw go e nay 1 1 4 6 54.06

32 Waw be no quay 1 1 2 18.02

33 Napo 2 2 18.02

Totals 20 30 60 110 991.10

Another treaty was written in 1855, setting aside for bands who usually assemble for payment at Grand Traverse, townships 29, 30, and 31 north, range 11 west, and townships 29, 30, and 31 north range 12 west, (present day Leelanau, Suttons Bay and Bingham Townships in Leelanau County) and the east half of township 29 north, range 9 west. (Milton Township in Antrim County).

Signers for Grand Traverse were: Aish-quay-go-nay-be, Ah-ko-say, Kay-quay-to-say, O-naw-maw-nince, Shaw-bwaw-sung, Me-tay-o-meig (called chiefs), and Louis Mick-saw-bay, May-dway-aw-she, Me-naw-quot (called headman)

Amendments were signed in Northport on Jul 5, 1856 by Aish-quay-go-nay-be, Ah-ko-say, O-naw-mo-neece, Kay-qua-to-say, Peter-waw-ka-zoo, Shaw-bwaw-sung, Loius-mick-saw-bay.

The 1855 Annuity Roll was taken 31 Oct 1855 for the payment of monies due from the treaty of 1836.

Transcribed and published by Raymond C. Lantz 1992

# Name men/women/children/total amount received

1 Aish quay go nay be 1/1/1/3 $24.96

2 Pay baw nee say, John 1/1/1/3 $24.96

3 Tay baw se ge zhick, George 1/1/2/4 $33.28

4 Oge mem ke ge do 1/1/3/5 $41.60

5 O che gunse 1/1/1/3 $24.96

6 Otem gau mew ke, Louis 1/1/3/5 $41.60

7 Ching gwaw naw quo um, Charles 1/0/0/1 $8.32

8 Saw gun, Antoine 1/0/0/1 $8.32

9 Skembose, David 1/0/1/2 $16.64

10 Wan be nay se 1/1/1/3 $24.96

11 K ne she way 1/1/1/3 $24.96

12 Shem bwe dung 1/1/1/3 $24.96

13 O ke dan new quot 1/0/0/1 $8.32

14 Ke way din 1/1/1/3 $24.96

15 Wan bose 1/1/2/4 $33.28

16 Kay me waw ne skung 1/1/2/4 $33.28

17 Pe tem waw nan quot 1/1/2/4 $33.28

18 Me ke noe 1/0/2/3 $24.96

19 Wain dun so mo say, Louis 1/1/4/6 $49.92

20 Ah kay o say, Benj. 1/0/0/1 $8.32

21 Aw ke shway 0/1/6/7 $58.24

22 Pay shem waw quo um 1/1/2/4 $33.28

23 Nay yea to shing, Etienne 1/1/2/4 $33.28

24 Naw o quay ge zhick 1/0/0/1 $8.32

25 Shem waw no gaw day 1/0/0/1 $8.32

26 Wan be scan 1/1/3/5 $41.60

27 O saw waw nem ne quay 0/1/1/2 $16.64

28 Ain waw te no quay 0/1/3/4 $33.28

29 Me zhem quan to quay 0/1/2/3 $24.96

30 Me she mem ke ne go quay 0/1/0/1 $ 8.32

31 Pay shem baw ne quay 0/1/0/1 $ 8.32

32 No pe me quay 0/1/2/3 $24.96

33 Naw o quay de no quay 0/1/0/1 $8.32

34 She bem te go quay 0/1/1/2 $16.64

35 Caw ge she quo um 1/1/2/4 $33.28

36 O to we ge zhick 1/0/3/4 $33.28

37 Pe wash 1/1/1/3 $24.96

$8.32 in 1855 is the same as $260.85 in 2020

A land survey commenced 1 Sep 1855 by A. S. Wadsworth, deputy surveyor and approved 8 Sep 1856 by Leander Chapman, surveyor general. The survey map, with Elk Lake to the south and Birch Lake to the west, showing sections one and two where the 1850 purchased were made, and section 11 where the Kewadin Indian Mission Church is located today.

Land Allotments

Map from Larry Wykoff shows location of land, with the red being the previous purchases and the green being the land picked by Aish quay go nay be's band in Milton Township.

Of the 33 band members who received land, 24 moved to Milton Township, 8 moved to Leelanau county and 1 moved to Charlevoix county. [Above from Larry Wykoff at Academia.edu]

Band No. Name Men Women Children Total Payment

Grand Traverse 

468 Aish qua go na be [Chief] 1 man 1 woman 2 children, received $10.56

469 John Pa bah me say 1 1 5.28

470 Ta bah se ge zhick 1 1 1 3 15.84

471 O ge mah ke ge do 1 1 3 5 26.4

472 O che ganse 1 1 2 4 21.12

473 Louis O tah gah mah ke 1 1 2 4 21.12

474 Chas. Ching gah nah quom 1 1 5.28

475 Antoine Saw gun 1 1 5.28

476 David Shah bose 1 1 5.28

477 Ke ne she wa 1 1 1 3 15.84

478 Shah bone dung 1 1 1 3 15.84

479 O ge dah nah quot 1 1 5.28

480 Ke wa din 1 1 1 3 15.84

481 Wah bose 1 1 1 3 15.84

482 Ka me wah skung 1 1 2 4 21.12

483 Pe tah wah nah quot 1 1 1 3 15.84

484 Me ke noc 1 1 2 4 21.12

485 Pa shah nah quo um 1 1 1 3 15.84

486 Stephen No yea to shing 1 1 1 3 15.84

487 Nah o qua ge zhick 1 1 5.28

488 Wah be scah 1 1 3 5 26.4

489 O sah wah nah ne qua 1 1 2 10.56

490 Ain wah te no qua 1 4 5 26.4

491 Me zhah quah do qua 1 2 3 15.84

492 Me she mah ke ne go qua 1 1 5.28

493 Pe shah bah no qua 1 1 5.28

494 No pe me qua 1 1 2 10.56

495 Nah o qua de no qua 1 1 5.28

496 She bah te go qua 1 1 2 10.56

497 Kah ge she quo um 1 1 1 3 15.84

498 E to we ge zhick 1 1 2 4 21.12

499 Pe mosh 1 1 1 3 15.84

500 Ma ah mo 1 1 2 10.56

501 Isabel 1 1 5.28

502 Mah kah ba ah bun 1 1 5.28

503 Nah shah 1 1 1 3 15.84

504 E to we gwa na be 2 2 10.56

505 Ne sah wah quot 1 1 2 4 21.12

506 Mah cah da pe na se 1 1 2 4 21.12

507 Michael Shah wah nah quo um 1 1 2 4 21.12

508 Mary Pe twa we tum 1 2 3 15.84

509 Louis Wasso 1 1 2 4 21.12

Totals: 29 men / 35 women / 49 children /  113 people total  $596.64

1858 Annuity roll (This is the third annual annuity payment roll under the treaty of July 31, 1855)

Transcribed by Larry M. Wyckoff, December 2015 from the original roll located at the National Archives in Washington D.C.

# Name men/women/children/total amount received

1 Aish quay go nay be, Chief 1/1/1/3 $12.63

2 Pay baw me say 1/1/0/2 $ 8.42

3 Tay baw say ge zhick 1/1/1/3 $12.63

4 O ge maw key ge do 1//1/3/5 $21.05

6 O che gause 1/1/2/4 $16.84

7 Me gin dos 0/1//3/4 $16.84

8 Charles 1/0/0/1 $ 4.21

9 Antoine 1/0/0/1 $ 4.21

10 Davis & bro. 1/0/1/2 $ 8.42

11 Ke ne she way 1/1/1/3 $12.63

12 Shaw bone dung 1/1/1/3 $12.63

13 O ge daw naw quot 1/0/0/1 $ 4.21

14 Key nay din 1/1/1/3 $12.63

15 Waw bose 1/1/2/4 $16.84

16 Key nee naish cum 1/1/1/3 $12.63

17 Pe taw naw naw quot 1/1/1/3 $12.63

18 Me ke noc 1/1/1/3 $12.63

19 Pay shaw naw quo um 1/0/2/3 $12.63

20 Aken 1/1/2/4 $16.84

21 Naw o quay ge zhick 1/1/1/3 $12.63

22 Naw be scaw 1/1/3/5 $21.05

23 O saw naw naw ne quay 0/1/1/2 $ 8.42

24 Ain nwaw te no quay 0/1/3/4 $16.84

25 Me zhaw quaw do quay 0/1/2/3 $12.63

26 Margaret 0/1/01 $ 4.21

27 She baw te go quay 0/1/2/3 $12.63

28 Pe wosh 1/1/1/3 $12.63

29 May aw mo 0/1/1/2 $8.42

30 Kaw bay aw baw no quay 0/1/0/1 $4.21

Total 22 men, 24 women, 38 children, 84 people $353.64 [$4.21 in 1858 is $138.61 in 2020]

1859 Annuity Roll

                               Number, name, men, women, children, total, amount received

copyright (c) 2020 by Vicki Wilson

1830s & 1840s

Exactly when Annishnabek moved to the Kewadin area is not known. “The 1810 map is the first to show Ojibwa villages on the northeast shores of Lake Michigan in a region principally occupied by the Ottawa. Early Ojibwa locations tentatively identified are Stony Point on the western shore of Grand Traverse Bay and Wequagemog on the eastern side of the bay at the north end of Elk Lake.” [Atlas of Great Lakes Indian History, edited by Helen Hornbeck Tanner, 1987, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, page 97]

Dr. James M. McClurken states that the villages on Grand Traverse Bay considered themselves as ethnically Chippewa until the late 1840s.[The Michigan Historical Review, vol 12 #1, Spring 1986]

"Aish quay go nay be was the chief of a large band that was originally located north of Torch Lake in Antrim County. The population in 1836 was 292 and was 409 in 1837."

21 - Grand Traverse Band - Chief Aish quay go nay be
22 - Carp River Band - Chief Michinock
23 - Grand Traverse Band - Chief Agosa

[from Larry Wykoff at Academia.edu]

On March 28, 1836 a treaty was signed in Washington D.C. by the following Grand Traverse chiefs: Aishquagonabee, Oshawun, Epensysee and Akosa. In the treaty a tract of 20,000 acres on the north shore of Grand Traverse Bay was to be reserved for the use of the Grand Traverse Anishnabeeks. A supplemental article was signed on March 31st by Aishquagonabee and Akosa.

The tenth article of the treaty made payments to the various chiefs under the following schedule: those considered first class and entitled to $500 each at Grand Traverse - Aishquangonabee, or the Feather of Honor, Chabwossun, Mikenok; those considered second class and entitled to $200 each at Grand Traverse – Akosa, Nebauquumm Kabibonocca; and those considered third class and entitled to $100 each at Grand Traverse – Shawun Epenaysee and Agausgee.

The Indian Dormitory was built on Mackinac Island as part of the 1836 treaty as a place to house the Natives coming to the island for the annuity payments. As the Natives continued to camp at the harbor instead, the building was used as an administration building, a public school and currently an art museum.

Henry Schoolcraft's 1837 map of the area with Native Villages numbered.

1836 annuity roll 

The 1839 annuity roll of “the Band or Village of Grand Traverse” lists 110 families (91 men 105 women, 204 children) with a total of 400 people. Family #1 is Esh-qua-guen-a-ba (chief) who is living near Eastport and later Elk Rapids according to Rev. Dougherty's diary while family #76 is Ah-goo-say, who Dougherty places at Old Mission.

From a transcription by Larry Wykoff [from Academia.edu]

1.  Esh qua guen a ba, Chief , 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
2.  Shaw wan a shee, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
3. Na ska zee, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
4. Ah wan e gezhick, 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children, $53.04
5. Ma mah gowina, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
6. Mache we dah 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, $35.36
7. Kish ke qwence, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
8. Ah won ah be, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
9. Ogick, (or Fisher), 1 man, 1 woman, 5 children, $61.88
10. Menah nah quot, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
11. Main de do, 1 man, 3 woman, no children, $35.36
12. Ogema ghee ge do, 1 man, 1 woman, no children, $17.68
13. Manedo wah be, 1 man, 1 woman, no children, $17.68
14. Wah we yah do wan, 1 man, 1 woman, no children, $17.68
15. Kezhe go Ogemaw, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
16. Nay to wah do wan, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
17. Pim way way, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
18. Shaw gah bon gon, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, $35.36
19. Nis so guad, 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children, $53.04
20. Kay me won ne skang, 1 man, 1 woman, no children $17.68
21. May zhe kain, 1 man, no women, 1 child, $17.68
22. Tay bah ke yah bau dam, 1 man, 1 woman, no childdren, $17.68
23. Ah kay os say, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, $35.36
24. Ching wah, me kah o go, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
25. Omah yah won din o quay, no men, 1 woman, 2 children, $26.52
26. Otah be tah gezhick o qua, no men, 2 women, 1 child, $26.52
27. Mesah kam e go quay, no men, 1 woman, 4 children, $44.20
28. Ah be dah gah win aw, no men, 1 woman, 5 children $53.04
29. Om a dway je won o quay, no men, 1 woman, no children $8.84
30. Oshaw a nah a mo quay, no men, 1 woman, 2 children, $26.52
31. Pid way way skam, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
32. Mache ke wis, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
33. Ne bee zee qua, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
34. Ne ga nah quam, 1 man, no women, 1 child, $17.68
35. Nah ba nay gee zhick, 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children, $53.04
36. Ah won nah quot, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
37. Pay bah me say, 1 man, no women, no children, $8.84
Total - 31 men, 37 women, 72 children, total of 140 people $1,237.60

38. Koos say, Chief, 1 man, 1 woman, 5 children, $61.88
39. Nah kay os say, 1 man, 1 woman, no children, $17.68
40. Qua ke ge won o quay, 1 man, no women, no children, $8.84
41. Meshe naw do way, 1 man, no women, 1 child, $17.68
42. Ne che gaw me ke shin, 1 man, 2 women, 1 child, $35.36
43. Mo ke wenaw, 1 man, 1 woman, no children, $17.68
44. Osee be qua, no men, 1 woman, 1 child, $17.68
45. Omis sin na sko day way, 1 man, 1 woman, 5 children, $61.88
46. Shaw won an gay o say, 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children, $53.04
47. Meshee genee qua, no men, 1 woman, 2 children, $26.52
48. Kaw gee gay maig, 1 man, 1 woman, 5 children, $61.88
49. Ocheg wah gan, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
50. Ah ke wainzee, 1 man, no women, no children, $8.84
51. Pash an o quang, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, $35.36
52. Keway koskam, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
53. Kezhe aw ben o quay, no men, 1 woman, 2 children, $26.52
54. Pontiac, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, $35.36
55. Ah kee naw ah inang, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 children, $26.52
56. Megis se mong, 1 man, 1 woman, no children, $17.68
57. Pe wosh, 1 man, 1 woman, 5 children, $61.88
58. Oh aw on e gon abay, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, $35.36
59. Kay quay dah ba tang, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
60. Amuk way bay, 1 man, no women, no children, $8.84
61. Wah sange 1 man, no women, no children, $8.84
62. Kah geem, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, $35.36
63. Osaw an nah na quay, no men, 1 woman, 2 children, $26.52
64. Osaw ganah quoto, 1 man, no women, 1 child, $17.68
65. Kay shin sha way, 1 man, 1 woman, no children, $17.68
66. O be me geen, no men, 1 woman, 1 child, $17.68
67. May ah wad ge way1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
68. Pedway we tum, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, $35.36
69. Nay na gonce, 1 man, 1 woman, 5 children, $61.88
70. Kaw be bo an o kay, 1 man, 1 woman, 7 children, $79.55
71. Ay gaw che en, 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children, $53.04
72. O to pen bee, 1 man, no women, no children, $8.84
73. Penace wa no quot, 1 man, no women, no children, $8.84
74. Qua ke o qua, no men, 1 woman, no children, $8.84
75. Osh aw on a benace, 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children $53.04
76. Ah goos say, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
77. Mad way sah ge naw, no men, 1 woman, 2 children, $26.52
78. Ma ka da kis kaw gon, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
79. Kay way do say, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
80. Sha won day see, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
81. Kay dah gay, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
82. Mish wa quay, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
83. Wa be zhe bezhe, 1 man, no women, no children, $8.84
84. Kay bay os say, 1 man, 1 woman, no children, $17.68
85. Shaw bwa sang, 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children, $53.04
86. Kaw gee zhe quang, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 child $35.36
87. Nis sah wah co wena, 1 man, 1 woman, 6 children, $70.72
88. Esh quay bay 1 man, no women, 1 child, $17.68
89. Nay way day geezhick, 1 man, 1 woman, 5 children, $61.88
90. Sageto, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
91. Wab Inni, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
92. Pezhe ke we gezhic, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
93. Maw je ge nig, no men, 2 women, 3 children, $44.20
94. Waw be na ce, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
95. Shaw go zhe way, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, $35.36
96. Ka gen, 1 man, 1 woman, no children, $17.68
97. Sa cum e go qua, no men, 2 women, 3 children, $44.20
98. Che ke wis, 1 man, 1 women, 3 children, $44.20
99. Qua tche o, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, $35.36
100. Ke o gemaw, 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children, $53.04
101. Sa ge wa qua, 1 man, 3 women, no children, $35.36
102. Sa we mick, 1 man, 1 woman, no children, $17.68
103. A na wa be, 1 man, 1 woman, no children, $17.68
104. Ne sa kay, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, $26.52
105. Nis saw wa quot, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, $44.20
106. Ke tche ge won o qua, no men, 3 women, no children, $26.52
107. She gaw gon we she qua, no men, 1 woman, no children, $8.84
108. Ke we twash ka mo quay, no men, 1 woman, no children, $8.84
109. Be naw gay, no men, 1 woman, no children, $8.84
110. Mis is sack, 1 man, no women, no children, $8.84
Total 60 men, 68 women, 132 children, total of 260 people, $2,298.40


A land survey was taken of the area by deputy surveyors Sylvester Sibley and John Hodgson commenced on 20 Apr 1839 and was completed 27 Jun 1839. Elk Lake is to the south in section 11. [From the Bureau of Land Management]

“When the Protestant missionaries entered the Grand Traverse region, the Indians had several permanent settlements. There were gardens on the Old Mission Peninsula, a village of wigwams stood on the banks of Old Mission harbor.” [The First Protestant Mission in the Grand Traverse Region, by Ruth Craker, 1932, Rivercrest House, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, page 20] Natives in the region were found to be cultivating corn, pumpkins, beans and potatoes.

When Rev. Doughtery first came to the region, looking for a spot to set up his mission he stopped first at what would become Old Mission, a village containing a few bark wigwams and nearly empty of people. The Band was encamped at the mouth of the river on the opposite side of the bay. After meeting with both Chief Ahgosa (of Old Mission) and Chief Aish-qua-gwan-aba (from the East Port area), Chief Aish-qua-gwan-aba stated his intent to move his band to the Elk Rapids area and have the others join him so it was decided to set up the mission at Elk Rapids.

On May 20, 1839 Dougherty landed at Elk Rapids and commenced to build a house. This had been completed when Henry Schoolcraft, Indian agent from Mackinaw arrived on June 20th. Schoolcraft decided Old Mission was the best site to locate the Government provided carpenter, farmer and blacksmith. Soon Chief Ahgosa visited Dougherty and being unwilling to move to Elk Rapids asked Dougherty to move the mission across the bay to Old Mission peninsula.

Rev. Dougherty's diary tells us “Sabbath, June 30, 1839. The morning bright and pleasant. Most of the men absent. Sent word to Aish-qua-gwan-aba who attended worship with several of his men. Talked to them about the origin of man. All attentive.”

Andrew Blackbird (Me-ka-te-bi-neshi) arrived in the fall of 1840 as government blacksmith. Earning $240 per year, he stayed in the area for five years. While there he worked on the copper kettle of legend.

Dougherty's diary gives a glimpse of Aish-qua-gwan-aba. “Friday, June 3. The old Chief, Aish-qua-gwan-aba said I was too young a man to teach them. If they had an old man the Indian would listed. He is an old snake.” [But he was right in regard to Anishnabe feeling/reverence toward elders].

“Mrs. Susan Pequongay said that Aish-gua-gwan-aba came from Kewadin to Old Mission, that he was fat and short, and indulged in fire-water very often. The meaning of his Indian name is 'the last feather'.” [ Ruth Craker, page 68].

Chief Ahgosa has been described at tall and slim, good looking with a red face and straight black hair. He enjoyed dressing in white man's clothing, and there are pictures/drawings of him in a top hat. Craker's book claims he was born at St. Clair, migrated to a small island near Mackinaw, moved to Charlevoix, Norwood and lastly to Old Mission, being there only a short time before Dougherty arrived in 1839. It is unknown how many of his band moved with him, but since bands are loosely related it is likely the others also originated elsewhere.

"The [Grand Traverse Indian] agency employees were supposed to model European-American civilization for the Chippewa. Often what the Indians saw, however, were the expressions of jealousy and pettiness that marked the worst features of small-town life. The year before Blackbird came to Grand Traverse the agency carpenter, George Johnston, became embroiled in a dispute with the blacksmith, Isaac George. When the blacksmith claimed that Johnston was delinquent in paying him a $5 debt, the latter contended that his honor had been impugned. He took a gun to the blacksmith's shop and demanded that [Isaac] George apologized of "meet him like a man." The blacksmith refused and holed up in his shop the entire day with George Johnston waiting outside, his gun cocked. Dougherty found them so situated that evening and he intervened, convincing Johnston to return to his home. Akosa, one of the leading chiefs in the area, was shocked at the confrontation and he askied Dougherty for an "explanation of the matter." The chief told Dougherty the Chippewa "could not understand how those who called themselves Christians would thus try and shoot each other." Akosa slyly observed that for their part the Chippewa "lived in peace and they never saw anything like that unless men were intoxicated." [Pages 101-102, Blackbird's Song referencing a letter from Peter Dougherty to Walter Lowrie, 4 May 1839.]

Rev. Dougherty's diary mentions that on 13 Jan 1841 "last evening made an interestin visit to an old Indian, Kich-e-go-me-kish-en." Also from his diary 10 May 1841. "This day I opened the school with 25 scholars."


"A list showing the age time of entering & progress of Children attending the School at Grand Traverse Bay" 

The records of Rev. Dougherty's mission show who was in the Old Mission/Elk Rapids areas during the 1840s. [Original record book at Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.]

4 Jun 1843 - 12 baptized: Native name, given English name

Ah go sa (a chief), Addison Potts

Mechegumekshin, Samuel Miller

Menonequd, David Comfort

Naish ka ze, Moses Allen

Kah ga maig, John Krebs

Muh ou ah non, Daniel Wells

Nah we nah mik o qua, Sarah Miller

Tah we se qua, Jane Comfort

Ke wa zim oqua, Mary Downey

On je qua, Emma Allen

Se be qua, Abby Dodd

Shon das e qua, Ann Miller


Baptized 25 Jun 1843:

Ahgosa had:
Madwagonashe, David, about 9 years old
Kesis, Jhn Lowrie, about 7 years old
Anwahtin, Robert Lenox, about 5 years old
Kewadinequm, Albert, about 3 years old

Mechegumakishen had:
Mawaguhkong, Jane, about 9 years old
Mikenok, William about 3 years old

Nenonequd had:
Wassagezhieoqua, Eliza, about 10 years old
Wah bun oqua, Susan, about 8 years old
Aish kuh be gah sing, George, about 6 years
----, Henry, about 9 months old

Sebe qua had 2
Wahsa ah no qua, Hannah, about 7 years old
Sah wah nah ba, Joseph, about 5 years old

Kah ga maig had 1
Kessie sonqua, James, about 9 years old

Naish ka ze had 3
Wah sah go nabe, Walter Lowrie, about 6 years old
----, Soloman, no age given
----, Anna, no age given.


7 Jan 1844 - persons admitted to the church membership

Kah gee, named Henry
Unduhwahbushe, named Elizabeth
Quakejeshnoqua, named Phebe

Moses Allen had son Charles baptized


Jul 1844 - five persons admitted to the church

Babezha, named Agnes

Shahwenahshe, named Joseph

Shoundase, named Isaac

Gingwah nah quhum, named Charles Fisher

Ozhe gah bah we qua, named Jemima

Four members suspended for drinking - Emma Allen, Elizabeth, Phebe and Henry.

One member reinstated - Mary Downey

July 1844 - 4th Sabbath

Children baptized:
Isaac had 3
Mary about 8;
Levi about 6
Lydia about 6 months

Mo suh e nah had
Harriet, about  6 months

4 Jan 1845

Ke wa yon joined the church and was given the name Susan

Babezha / Agnes had on child baptized - Jane, about 6


7 Jan 1845, Elizabeth Potts, wife of Chief (Ahgosa) died.


18 May 1845

The chief's daughter,Mis suh nah ne qud joined the church and was given the name Ellen.

The Chief Addison Potts had baptized  one named George Hale

Me non e qud had one baptized named Sidney

Kah ge and Se be qua had an adopted child baptized Isabella


June 1846

Two members of the church, Mo kue nah (Daniel Wells) and his wife uaquejeahnoqua (Phebe Wells) were kept back for improper conduct.

Charles Fisher and Henry Gahgee or Crow were stored to church membership, having been suspended for drinking.

Joseph Shahwuhnakshe was ill

Baptized children were:

Moses Allen and wife - one named Mary Ann

Abby Dodd - one name Thomas


May 1847

Baptized:
Ahka, given the name James

Ahka's wife, given the name Ellen

Mengowene's wife, given the name Martha


25 Jun 1847

Baptized:

Mem go we ne, given the name Edwin

Wuh muh ge zhik, given the name Aaron

Nos cah, given the name Edward

Wah sahj, given the name Agnes

Pe me ga, given the name Margaret

Pe na se wah, given the name Catherine

Wah me mik o qua [no English name listed]

Children baptized:

Memgowene, one -  named Mary Ann

Nos cah, one - named Charlott

Wah be mik o qua, two -
Pabahmasa, named John
Tubuhsuhgezhik, named George

Pe me ga, one - Negonce, named Abby

Nashkaze, one named Nancy


1845 Annuity Roll - Chief Aish quay gon a bee - 163 people

1846 Annuity Roll - Chief Aish quay gon a bee - 178 people

From the Census Returns of the Indian Tribes of the United States 

1848

Algonquin Group - Chippewas of Grand Traverse Bay - #9 Eshquagonabee's Band:

Number of Families in the Tribe or Band is 24
Whole Number of Souls of all ages and both sexes is 127
Males under the Age of 18 is 49
Females under the Age of 16 is 20
Males age 18-60 is 27
Females age 16-60 is 28
Both sexes age 60-100 is 3
White males is 0
White females is 0
Male children of half or mixed blood is 0
Female children of half or mixed blood is 0
Marriages during the year is 0
Number of births during the year - male is 5
Number of births during the year - female is 0
Number of deaths during the year - male is 2
Number of deaths during the year - female is 0
Number of deaf / dumb is 0
Number of lunatics / insane is 0
Number of idiots is 0

Number born blind is 0
Hunters is 26
Farmers is 37
Male interpreters is 0
Female interpreters is 0
Blacksmith is 2
Carpenter is 1
Shoemakers is 0
Wheelwrights is 0
Silversmiths is 0
Tailors is 1
Traders is 0
Learned professions is 0
Males attending school is 37
Females attending school is 10
Children speaking English is 5
Males working as teachers is 0

Females working as teachers is 0
Male Sabbath-school scholars is 22
Female Sabbath-school scholars is 27
Males who can read and write is 10
Females who can read and write is 2
Males who know vocal music is 9
Females who know vocal music is 5
Females who spin, knit, weave is 13
Yards of homespun wove is 0
Pairs of stockings knit is 0
Females who can do seamstress work is 2
Garments made 101
Acres cultivated is 150
Bushels of corn is 530
Bushels of wheat is 0
Bushels of potatoes is 848

Bushels of oats is 0
Bushels of beans is 30
Bushels of peas is 0
Bushels of buckwheat is 0
Bushels of turnips is 0
Pounds of flax is 0
Pounds of hemp is 0
Pounds of cotton is 0
Fruit trees is 1
Melons grown is 3,000
Pounds of maple sugar is 8,800
Pounds of cheese is 0
Pounds of butter is 0
Pounds of honey is 0
Beef cattle killed or sold is 0
Estimated value of agricultural or hunt products of the family during the year is $80
Number of horses is 13
Number of mules is 0
Number of oxen is 0
Number of milch cows is 0

Number of cattle is 0
Number of sheep is 0
Fleece sheared is 0
Number of hogs is 60
Number of ploughs is 0
Number of carts is 0
Number of log-chains is 0
Number of crowbars is 0
Number of hoes is 51
Number of spades / shovels is 9
Number of axes is 63
Number of harrows / drills is 0
Number of buggies / pleasure wagons is 0
Number of saddles / bridles is 11
Estimated value of implements is 0
Average value of skins is 0
Number of skins is 0
Total estimated value of year's hunt in the family is $25.00

Cash annuity is 0
Male Christians is 32
Female Christians is 40
Practice Native religion is 54
Number of clans is 1
Number of chief - 1st class is 1
Number of chief - 2nd class is 1
Number of war chiefs is 0
Number of warriors is 0

1848 Annuity Roll - Chief Aish gua gon a bi and Chief Ah ko say

Transcription by Larry Wyckoff.

copyright (c) 2020 Vicki Wilson

updated Oct 2024