It might have been a Squonk! Did you know the swamps of northern Clinton County once contained quicksand? After the Lenape were defeated, they became subservient to the Susquehannock and referred to them as uncles.. Evidence of these mischievous beings has even been found in local Native American culture. The account received mixed reactions, some questioning the reporters encounters, others coming forward with similar sightings in the area. One thing is for sure, the Susquehanna Mystery Thing would be a spooky sight to see from a kayak in the Greenway waters of Northumberland County. The men hunted and fished. Our next Greenway legend is another Clinton County native, and even holds the title as the Official Monster of Clinton County.. The studies have been covered up because they do not fit the narrative I personally know researchers who have seen first hand 7-8 foot tall skeletons uncovered in Pennsylvania, never to be seen again once certain museums got their hands on them. They established their towns along the Susquehanna because of the fertile soil and waters that facilitated travel and trade and provided them with a constant supply fish and waterfowl. Reports of the creature became less and less frequent in the later 1800s, many believing it to have died or escaped to the ocean through underground caverns. Get the latest Job listings in your email! Rather than controlling the elements, this Water Witch, being the symbol of something ever flowing knows a persons destiny. On the opposite side of the house is a small chimney for a parlor stove. She emerges as if from a dream to reveal that destiny, but beware; her prophecies are often mocking or even withheld completely, leaving the witness wanting and dispirited. Susquehannock Indians reportedly painted images that match the description of these creatures on their war shields, and the Algonquin also told of small hairy hominid creatures, which they called Megumoowesoos. Soon great epidemics of European diseases devastated numerous tribes, including the Lenape. When the Northwest Indian War began in 1785, between the United States and a confederation of numerous Native American tribes for control of the Northwest Territory, the tribes were aided by the British. Often scores of people pass over them every day without ever knowing. Around 1550 AD, the people we know as the Susquehannock moved from higher up the river to the Lower Susquehanna Valley. Battle of Fallen Timbers by H. Charles McBarron, Jr, 1953. A creature with many names, this elusive legend has been said to lurk in the waters of the Susquehanna River near Lock Haven in Clinton County. The woman was able to flee, but, stricken by grief, drowned herself in the quicksand. Send your story to info@susquehannagreenway.org, References: PA Wilds (Lou Bernard), Mysterious Universe (Jason Offutt), Susquehanna Legendsby Henry Shoemaker, CryptoZoo News (Loren Coleman). Today, there exists no descendant Susquehannock community. Is the Kettle Creek Monster / West Branch Dugong / Susquehanna Seal really gone? Today you can visit his grave inscribed with his real name Isaac Gaines at Furst-McGonigal Cemetery in Clearfield County. Many of them temporarily moved south tothe Chesapeake Bay in the summer to fish and gather shellfish returning, before returning in the fall to harvest their crops and hunt. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Pig-like with a saggy skin covered in warts and blemishes, the Squonk spends much of its life weeping. So the question is, were the Susquehannocks true giants? The Swamp Angel appeared with just the right advice and the day was saved. In 1782, a group of Pennsylvania militiamen, falsely believing the natives were responsible for several raids, killed almost 100 Christian Lenape in what became known as the Gnadenhutten Massacre. The Susquehannock were large scale agriculturalists. Over the next few years, they settled on the James River in Missouri, eventually occupying about 40,000 acres. The Susquehannock people, also called the Conestoga by some English settlers or Andastes [2] were Iroquoian Native Americans who lived in areas adjacent to the Susquehanna River and its tributaries, ranging from its upper reaches in the southern part of what is now New York (near the lands of the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy ), One of the most common causes of toma, Start Gardening This Summer and Reap the Rewards | Successful Harvesting for Beginners, Gardening is a rewarding experience that brings with it many benefits, from improved physical and mental health to the joy of harvesting fresh produce. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Susquehannock, Bucknell University - The Bucknell Environmental Center - Susquehannock, Susquehannock - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Susquehannock - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). They also worked as gatherers and hunters, collecting wild-plant foods, seeds, nuts, insects, reptiles, mollusks, fish, birds, and mammals. This small, but powerful tribe, occupied only one or two major towns at a time, but controlled the important trade routes along the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay. The Dutch ceded New Netherland to the English in 1664. It is very elusive, preferring to hide out of sight in the hemlock woods; however, the legend says that if you do happen to catch a Squonk, it wont be long before you find yourself with a puddle of tears in place of the beast. The Schultz site is the earliest known Susquehannock town in the lower Susquehanna River Valley. Evidence of these mischievous beings has even been found in local Native American culture. Like many Native Americans, the Susquehannock social organization was centered almost entirely about female ancestry. https://www.facebook.com/dennis.wallace.353250/photos_albums Need F.B. The Susquehanna Greenway is a landscape full of opportunities not only for hiking, biking and paddling, but also for rich cultural and historic treasures, some of which have ghostly pasts. Later, after successful trading, they acquired firearms and ammunition. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. In 1675, approximately 500 survivors fled to an abandoned Piscataway fort along the Potomac River. For travel up or down the river, Susquehannocks used an extensive system of walking paths. The governor gave special papers for their protection. The woman was able to flee, but, stricken by grief, drowned herself in the quicksand. The Susquehannocks slipped out of the fort at night and harassed settlers in Virginia and Maryland, then eventually moved back to live along the Susquehanna River. Instead of front paws, it had bird claws, and instead of back feet, it had horse hooves, which confused trackers trying to follow it. The word has been translated people at the falls or roily water people referring to the Susquehannocks home by the river. Sea lion, shark, whale, or some prehistoric dinosaurthe true identity of the creature remains a mystery. Wikipedia, Byways & Historic Trails Great Drives in America, Soldiers and Officers in American History. Error! Whether you live in Las Cruces or Atlanta, there are a few steps you can take to ensure your tomato plants survive the heat and continue producing. Susquehannock Indians, they seized con trol of the Susquehanna Valley and ap pointed their agent Shikellamy to supervise the affairs of the Susquehannock as well as the Shawnee, Conoy, Nanticoke, and others who had lately settled in the region by their invitation.8 As a result of white intrigue in land sales and the pressure exerted by the Five Na A friend of Maurers who had also seen the creature described it as a small submarine about to surface. Around 1677, the Susquehannocks moved to New York and intermingled with their Iroquois relatives. The American colonel who led the attack was roasted slowly at the stake. They were described asnoble, heroic, aggressive, warlike, andimperialistic. These firearms were carefully not traded to Iroquois or Lenape tribes. The only account of a person catching a Squonk comes from the book. They were an independent people and werenot part of any confederacy into the 1600s. This first meeting was friendly but Smith was wary because he already heard of theSusquehannocks warlike reputation. Keystone State. They were later allowed to return to their former territory along the Susquehanna River. Then at some point before the turn of the century, according to an 1899 township map, it came to be owned by David H. Hess. The Kettle Creek Monster, West Branch Dugong, or. Known as the Paxtang Boys, the group was upset by the Indian incursions of Pontiacs Rebellion. In it, a man captures a Squonk in a sack only to feel the sack becoming lighter and lighter as he carries it home. A mythical being known to frequent European folklore, a Water Witch was said to have power over the wind and weather, often appearing to sailors and others in the seafaring trade. By 1700 there were only 300 Susquehannock remaining and their rapid decline continued until the last 20 were massacred by a mob of colonists in 1763. Read Barry Kents 1984 publication Susquehannans Indians, which uses archaeological and historical records to tell the story of the Susquehannock and other native tribes from 1450 to 1750. Travel all the way down the Greenway to the Lancaster County town of Columbia and youll hear all about the legend of the Albatwich, a mini apple-munching Sasquatch. Some Susquehannock are believed to have joined the Meherrin (North Carolina) during the 1670s. The Kettle Creek Monster, West Branch Dugong, or Susquehanna Seal is a marine creature that dates back over a century. As early as 7000 BC, when the great Wisconsin glacier covered New York State, Pennsylvania was covered with arctic plants and spruce-fir forests. It was often blamed for the spilling or capsizing of lumber rafts at the time. yeah steve Quayle's site has some amazing info on there.I frequent it quite a bit. "Susquehannock" was not the name these people used for themselves; it is an English interpretation. According to Henry Shoemakers Susquehanna Legends, They say, that is the old mountaineers, that the Water Witch was an Indian girl who suddenly changed her mind towards her lover. Becker conducted a forensic analysis of 13 complete Susquehannock skeletons plus long bones from 18 other individuals. In 1859, the U.S. government forced the remaining Lenape onto a reservation near Anadarko, Oklahoma. During the American Revolution, the Lenape were divided. The Susquehannocks were armed with flint-or stone- tipped spears and arrows, along with heavy war hammers and stone axes. Chance of rain 60%. It is probable that the Susquehannock moved south in order to better control the fur trade. The stockaded communities were surrounded by large fields of corn, beans, and squash. After the lands were allotted, the government sold surplus land to non-Indians. Most simply described as a mishmash of animals, the Giwoggle was called upon by local witches to wreak havoc and mayhem on farmers who offended them. Both sexes adorned themselves with various ornaments made of stone, shell, animal teeth, claws, and tattooing and nose rings were common. The northern reaches of the Greenway overlap with Squonk territory. T he Susquehannock Trail System (STS) traverses some of the most remote terrain in Pennsylvania, with more wildlife than people. Creepy. The Lenape claimed to be the parent from which numerous Algonquin tribes descended. It was often blamed for the spilling or capsizing of lumber rafts at the time. It is said that he called upon the aid of the spirit to break a witchs curse, summoning her by burning a plant called foxfire. They farmed corn, beans, squash, melons, and tobacco and gathered wild fruits, berries, and nuts. . Those who had converted to Christianity attempted to remain neutral in the conflict. According to Henry ShoemakersSusquehanna Legends, They say, that is the old mountaineers, that the Water Witch was an Indian girl who suddenly changed her mind towards her lover. I think the above artcile is in error when it says the average Europeans were only 4ft to 5 ft 3, because most Medieval skeletons showed that European Englishmen were averaging 5 feet 6, and the Women, being about 5 feet 1--certainly short by Susquehannock standards, but not 4 foot pygmies! All rights reserved Susquehanna National Heritage Area. Deer was the most common protein but bear, elk, and fish were also popular. This being said, keep your eyes open for the Giwoggle as you explore the trails and communities of the Greenway in Clinton County. An article in the Daily Democrat from February 27, 1897, describes the travels of a creature that existed before the valley was settled, making its way up the river and settling in the area between present-day Lock Haven and Kettle Creek. Pottery of this form and size were used by the Susquehannock as common food vessels at meal time and as containers to store small personal items such as needles, fish hooks, spoons and other items made of antler, bone and wood. By the 1860s, the scythe was the standard reaping tool. That same year, the Lenape living on Smokey Island near Pittsburgh were attacked by Americans. In 1608, Captain John Smith and his small crew of adventurers set out in an open boat to explore the Chesapeake Bay. Most of these tunnels and culverts are completely hidden from view. I have never heard that account before. Kettle Creek Monster / West Branch Dugong / Susquehanna Seal (Lock Haven, Clinton County). Archaeology of the Lower Susquehanna River reveals that American Indians had utilized its resources for thousands of years. The Paxtang Path As Halloween approaches, nows the time to brush up on your Greenway ghouls and legends. By 1640, theSusquehannock had amonopoly on European firearms, further increasing the tribes power. Alana Jajko is the director of communications and outreach for the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership. Its said that a strange glowing fireball known as the Swamp Angel still frequents those wetlands. She is said to have appeared near Rattlesnake Run in the remote wilderness of the Nature Conservancy West Branch Forest Preserve. Some Susquehannocks moved to old Fort Piscataway, below present-day Washington D.C. Additionally, watering daily with s, This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our. It is detailed as a marine animal or sea monster with the bulk of an ox or hippopotamus. The monster was not the form or image of anything else on earth and was said to make a horrible howling and thrashing at night. Never miss a headline with NorthcentralPa.com newsletters. Those not in the village at the time of the massacre were taken to the workhouse (jail) in Lancaster city for their own protection. Constructed of field stone, it would have been covered in stucco and it still retains its slate roof. Some of Urban's works listed on the National Register of Historic Places include the Farmer's Southern Market, Stevens High School, Lancaster Trust Company, Hager Building, Kirk Johnson Building, and the W. W. Griest Building. Corrections? Native Americans in the Susquehanna River Valley, Past and Present, The Stature of the Susquehannock Population of the Mid-16th Century Based on Skeletal Remains from 46HM73, Aiden Lair Lodge and Theodore Roosevelts Midnight Ride to the Presidency, How the Susquehannocks became known as the Conestoga Uncharted Lancaster, https://www.facebook.com/dennis.wallace.353250/photos_albums, Native American Shaft Polisher from Stamans Run in Washington Boro Uncharted Lancaster, In the News: Live from the CodeBar Podcast featuring Uncharted Lancaster, 4,000-year-old emoji discovered on Susquehanna River island. It is Beckers belief that the Susquehannocks high protein, maize-based diet was responsible for their greater height. She emerges as if dreamlike to reveal that destiny, but beware; her prophecies are often mocking or even withheld completely, leaving the witness wanting and dispirited. While the exterior of the structure has been stabilized the interior is currently not accessible for public visitation. However, a few scattered Delaware remained in Texas. Some claimed to have seen it near Chickies Rock, a heavily. A brief peace followed before the Susquehannocks again waged war with the Iroquois until suffering a major defeat in 1675. Let's examine the etymology of the curiously named Bird-in-Hand. Seen as recently as the 2000s, the Susquehannas Mystery Thing was publicized by outdoor guide and writer Ken Maurer of Sunburys, The story of this strange creature is thought to have its roots in Pennsylvanias lumber history. Get a daily list straight to your email inbox. Partly cloudy. When they died and were buried on the farm, it marked the end of the once powerful Susquehannock Indians. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.. This work is by a group of authors who add to Kents analysis and assessments of the culture 35 years after Susquehannas Indianswas written. 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