The Influence Of Wampum On Native American Culture

indicate, he occasionally demanded it. Included in his holdings was land near Sherman’s Creek in present day Perry County. He also owned land near Lake Erie and Penn’s Creek along with many other locations. With a presence in vast areas of the colony, it is difficult to imagine that he would not have had such a strong influence over the events between the colonists and Native Americans. It seems that with his skill set, Montour was an estimable ally for both the Native Americans and the colonists in Pennsylvania.
On one occasion, his services were required, along with those of Conrad Weiser, with whom he frequently traveled, as an interpreter between the Quakers and the Six Nations. An interesting aspect of this meeting, and a point that …show more content…
Wampum consisted of shell and it was formed in the shape of a bead. Countless sources have talked about wampum being handled as a form of currency; however it would seem that this is a misconception due to the numerous instances that demonstrate wampum being exchanged as a kind of peace-offering. In George Croghan’s journal, there is a reference to wampum which he gave to a group of Native Americans referred to as the several nations. “I am sent here by your brother the Governor of Pennsylvania with this Present of Goods to renew the friendship so long subsisting between us, and I present you these four strings of wampum to clear your minds and open your eyes and ears that you may see the Sun clear, and hear what your brother is going to say to you.” In another instance, wampum was given to the Quakers from the Six Nations as a peace-offering. These little shells strung together provided a bridge between a divide that was ever-growing. In an unconnected entry from Croghan’s journal, wampum was again mentioned, and was given to the governor, which then in turn was given to Onodago. From these examples, it seems that wampum was frequently traded as a sign of prospective peace, or as a message to others. Wampum must have represented a valuable gift as Montour had stopped at villages to have his wampum repaired on several …show more content…
Indeed! such is their opinion, at present, respecting this Boundary and the delays of Government, in not ordering it to be confirmed, That it must inevitably produce an Indian War, early next Spring or perhaps this Winter, unless Sir William Johnson and myself, should be able to divert it; For their Intentions are, I am convinced, to do themselves justice, by force of Arms, as they say, They are agrieved and much slighted and deceived by