George and Elizabeth

Ashland Express, Ohio
B.F. Nelson, Editor
Thursday, June 17, 1875

Indian Reminiscences: Captivity of George and Elizabeth Foulks
By Geo. W. Hill, M.D.

About the year 1774, the parents of George Foulks located in the midst of the dense forest in the northwest corner of what is now Washington County, Pa., near the Ohio river. The family of Mr. Foulks consisted of three boys and two or three girls. He was quite poor, and had ventured to improve his fortunes amid the dangers surrounding the border settlers. He had lived some years in the city of Philadelphia, where most of his children were born. When he moved to his new home, the Delaware and Wyandot Indians visited that region in great numbers in search of game. The colonies had been greatly oppressed by Great Britain, and were just on the verge of revolt. Her agents and traders were busy in alienating and exciting the savages against the rebel inhabitants of the colonies, as they were then denominated.

The Capture

It was the custom of many of that settlers of that region, in the spring of the year, to cross the Ohio which there runs nearly west for many miles, in canoes, to make sugar on the fine bottoms. John, George and Elizabeth Foulks, aged respectively nineteen, eleven and thirteen years, crossed the river in company with their father and erected a neat camp house of small poles, and a furnace, in which they placed kettles to boil sap. After tapping a large number of sugar trees, Mr. Foulks re-crossed the river to his cabin, leaving John, Elizabeth and George to gather and boil the sugar water. This was early in March, 1780. After they had been thus engaged several days, one evening about nine o'clock, while the moon was shining brightly, the camp house was approached by five or six Wyandot Indians, well armed. They had been attracted by the camp file. When arrived with a short distance of the camp, John Foulks discovered their approach and judging the visit to be hostile, fled in the direction of the Ohio river where he hoped to cross in a canoe left near of the north banks of that stream, leaving his little sister and brother to the mercy of the savages. The indians followed him with a dog, and he had fled by a short distance when they overtook him and insisted on his surrender and return; but continuing to retreat, several of the warriors discharged their guns after him, and he was fatally wounded, fell, and soon expired. His scalp was taken; and they hastily returned to the camp where George and Elizabeth had been captured without resistance.

Their Flight And Route

The Indians hastily entered the forest in a westerly direction, ordering Elizabeth and George in broken English, to follow. They were most terrified; but complied promptly. They traveled some miles, when their prisoners were secured, and all slept on the leaves. Early the next morning, the Indians arose, and broiled slices of venison, on which all breakfasted, and continued their flight nearly west all day, and again slept as they had done before. During their progress through the forest they crossed a number of small streams on logs or poles. While crossing one, some three feet deep, an Indian who walked behind George, in sport, pushed him off the log and he was thoroughly saturated. At this, the Indians all laughed heartily.

George refrained from showing temper, but resolved to retaliate the first opportunity. The next day they came to another stream somewhat more swollen, and had to cross it on a log. The Indian who had pushed him in the day before, pointed to the log, desiring him to lead again. George refused the honor of leading, and fell in behind the Indian. They had gone about half over, when George caught the belt of the Indian, and giving him a sudden twitch, the savage fell into the stream nearly neck deep. He waded out, venting all sorts of threats and imprecations on George for his temerity. The Indian was thoroughly soaked, and his comrades gave vent to the most uproarious merriment over the incident. This calmed the fury of the enraged Indian, and changed his revenge to admiration.

The little captive was regarded from that time, with favor, and as much tenderness as if he were a real Indian. They traveled a little south-west until they reached the old trail which passed near the present site of Wooster, to a village then known as Mohican Johnstown, near the present site of Jeromeville in Ashland County. They were several days in reaching this point, and being unaccustomed to the Indian mode of preparing food, which consisted almost wholly of venison, without salt, bread, or even parched corn, the prisoners were very hungry. They remained at Mohican Johnstown several days, and then continued along the trail in a north-west direction across what is now Ashland and Richland counties to Snipestown, an Indian village near the present site of Rome. Here they found a large number of Wyandots, who rejoiced at the success of the captors, who proved to be of that nation or tribe. Here the scalp halloo was given as at Mohican Johnstown, but at neither place were they required to run the gauntlet.

Snipestown

They remained at Snipestown some days. This village was named after a leading warrior and chief who resided there; and was much esteemed by his people. From this village they continued along the old trail to Upper Sandusky, the principal town and headquarters of the Wyandot warriors. When they came in sight of the village, the scalp halloo was again given, and large numbers sullied out to meet the warriors. George was again spared the pain of running the gauntlet.

His New Parents

He was given to an old woman who had some time before lost a son on an excursion to the Pennsylvania border. She was the reputed mother of seven sons, all brave warriors and noted among the Wyandots. His sister was claimed by another warrior and was given to an Indian family in Lower Sandusky to be taught the manners and duties of a woman. George remained at Upper Sandusky with his new mother, who treated him with much tenderness. He attracted a good deal of attention, and soon formed an acquaintanceship with the Indian youths of his village. He was clothed and habited in all respects as an Indian, and soon learned to talk their language, and became accustomed to their mode of preparing food, and their bark wigwams or huts. He was taught the use of the bow -- their gymnastic exercises -- wrestling -- foot-racing -- playing ball and other sports; and soon became contented with his new mode of life. He occasionally met his sister, who was equally fortunate in securing a good Indian mother, who did not require her to perform all the drudgery of a common woman.

Making Sugar

It was the custom of the Wyandots, in the spring of the year, to scatter to various points in the forest, in small bands, to make sugar. The first first year or two after George had been captured, he was required to assist in gathering the sap in small bark buckets to be evaporated in brass and copper kettles, by the women. Never relishing hard work, he disliked his new vocation. The water was caught in bark vessels prepared for the purpose; and when it flowed freely, the task of gathering it was quite laborious. After worrying several days, in a vain effort to keep pace with the flow of sap, George conceived a plan of relieving a portion of his toil. When he emptied the vessels, he slightly perforated the bottom, and a large share of the sap escaped. In this way, his toil was reduced, to the confusion of the women, who were unable to penetrate the mystery. A discovery of his trick would have resulted in many stripes; but fortunately, the difficulty was not solved.

A Rescue

The following autumn the Indian mother, and father of George, and a number of Wyandots were encamped near Snipe's town. An incident occured that made a very strong impression upon George. It was this: The Indians brought in a white boy who had been captured on the borders of Pennsylvania. The poor little captive was offered to an Indian woman whose son had been killed by the "Long-knives," in lieu of her child. She scornfully rejected the proposition, declaring -- "Me no take white rebel for my son." Upon consultation, the little boy was ordered to be executed, and the time and place fixed. Sometime in the afternoon, on the day prior to the time appointed, George and a number of Indian boys were playing a little distance from his mother's hut. She called him to her and told him the white boy was to be killed the next morning, and he should not be so merry. This reproof arrested his sport. His sympathies were deeply moved. The next morning the captive was bound to a log to be slain. At this time, a number of Delawares were encamped not a great distance from Snipe's town. They somehow learned the Wyandots had determined to excute the rejected prisoner, and a warrior conceived the idea of rescuing him. He hurried into the Wyandot camp, and coming to the place where the prisoner was bound, struck the cords by which he was fettered, with his tomahawk, and severing them, carried off the boy to the astonishment of the Wyandots. The boy afterwards escaped and returned to his friends.

His Adoption

When George reached the proper age, he was adopted after the manner of the Wyandots, passing through all their ceremonies, and was given an Indian name, Ha-en-ye-ba, or my brother, which he retained. During the period of his indoctrination in Indian customs, modes of hunting and fishing, he often accompanied his Indian parents and other members of the tribe through the north part of what are now Richland, Ashland, and Wayne Counties, and sometimes nearly to Beaver County, Pa., during which excursions he learned the names of the streams, all the good camping points, the best springs and the principal resorts of game. In fact, he became a thorough woodsman, an accomplished builder, and an Indian in taste, dress and habits. Snipe's town was a favorite Indian village, and he spent a large share of his captivity there, occasionally visiting Upper and Lower Sandusy and Crane's town, with the warriors and hunters.

Indian Privations

Many times during his captivity the Indians suffered for food. After the hunting seasons, when they had plenty of venison and hominy, bear's oil and sugar, they lived extragavantly. For many weeks their chief occupation was visiting, dancing and feasting, which continued until their stores of provisions were consumed. At this point, the hunters and warriors were compelled to sally forth to renew their stores of venison and bear's meat. On many occasions, George and his Indian mother were so nearly starved that they were compelled to gather old bones about their wigwam, crack and reboil them for soup, after they had been bleached in the sun and air for many months. These messes were to him, very savory, and quite a luxury, at such periods.

Hard Fate Of The Wyandot Women

The Indian women were very industrious and hoed the corn, chopped the wood, done all the cooking, built the camp files, and in fact, were literally slaves for their red-skinned lords. They made sugar in the spring, tried out the bear's oil, jerked the venison and buffalo meat, pounded and prepared the hominy and parched corn for the haughty warriors.

War Parties

Towards the close of the Revolutionary War George often accompanied the warriors to the borders; but was always very reticent about the mischief done during these excursions. In fact, he had been so thoroughly indoctrinated in Indian secrecy, that very little, if anything, could be learned of him concerning the warlike expeditions of the Wyandots. He was at several Indian consultations at Crane's town some four miles north of the present site of Upper Sandusky. He there met the noted Simon Girty and several British agents. Their council house was of bark, and was 75 or 100 feet long and perhaps 20 feet wide. Tarhe, or as he was sometimes called, King Crane, was rising into influence and power as a chief among the Wyandots. He there met many other chiefs and warriors, and learned the particulars of the capture and execution of Col. William Crawford by the Delawares, being, himself, too young to witness that battle.

Visits His Home

When he was about twenty years of age, he obtained a sort of furlough to hunt in the east, near the Ohio River; and stealthily visited his old home. He was then a complete Indian, in dress, language and manners; and loving the nomadic life of his people. His parents offered every motive for his return to civilized life; but in vain. He determined to return to the home of the red-man. This was in the fall of 1786. He had then been with the Indians about ten years.

Border War Renewed

In 1789-90 active hostilites were carried on between the Indians and the settlers in West Pennsylvania, Virgina and Kentucky. It is believed that George Foulks accompanied the Wyandots and Delawares against Harmar and St. Clair, though he was always silent on the subject. In 1790, the Wyandots were very anxious of the subject of the war, then approaching. They feared the "Long Knives" -- Sa-ray-u-migh, would prevail. One of their prophets or medicine men, took a lot of charcoal, and pounding it into a sort of power, placed it upon a piece of bark, and then drew a rude map of the country, its rivers, lakes, Indian trails, and the probable route of the invaders. They then took a flint and steel and fired a piece of punk and applied it to the points where Harmar and his army would be most apt to attack the Indian territory. The fire gradually spread from the points ignited. The Indians watched it attentively. When the charcoal ceased to burn, the Indians formed in double file and simultaneously fired their guns. After which they stood quietly watching a dark cloud that was floating over. In a few seconds, the sound of three guns was distinctly heard in the clouds. The Indians regarded this as a good omen and shouted over the result; stating that the white warriors would not succeed that year. They at once began to prepare for war. The result is too well know known for repetition. Disaster met the frontier solders at every point.

About the year 1788, George Foulks was persuaded to marry a Wyandot woman and fully identify himself with the fortunes of his people. He had two children by his Wyandot wife, but like Jonathan Alder, finally tired of the Indian mode of living. His people were so frequently involved in war with the whites that there was great danger of final extermination. Looking the whole field over, he concluded to abandon the Wyandots and return to civilized life. The Wyandot warriors discovered by his manners that something was wrong, and watched his motions closely.

A Long Race

He slyly departed from his wigwam and took the most direct route for his old home in Washington County, Pa. The warriors soon discovered his desertion, and several of them took the trail and gave chase. Suspecting this, he traveled with the utmost speed, and when about exhausted, and likely to be overtaken in crossing a principal stream on the route, he concealed himself beneath drift-wood, thrusting all but his head, under the water. While in this retreat, several of the warriors walked on the drift, and gave utterance to their indignation, saying they would punish him severely if they caught him, for the perfidy of deserting his tribe. The sound of their voices gradually died away and all became quiet. He cautiously emerged and finding the warriors had disappeared, proceeded on his way, and finally reached his old home in safety. He was soon noticed by Brady, Sprott, McConnell and other scouts in the government employ, and had some adventures. He did not, enter very seriously, however, the field against the Wyandots. He had always been treated by them as if he had been born amongst them, and a real Indian. After the battle of "Fallen Timbers," and peace had been declared, the Wyandots frequently returned to hunt, fish and sell their peltry in the city of Pittsburgh. After his return home, he married a daughter of Henry Ullery and located near the present site of Darlington in Beaver County, Pa.

A New Adventure

Shortly after he located, he was requested by a Mr. Castleman to go to Upper Sandusky and rescue his daughter from captivity. Two daughters of Mr. Castleman, Mary aged thirteen, and Margaret aged nine, had been captured in a sugar camp near the banks of the Ohio River some years prior to the proposed rescue. The Indians had taken the captive girls to Greentown, on the Blackfork, and sold the youngest to an English trader by the name of McIntosh, while Mary was taken to Upper Sandusky and adopted. Margaret was taken to Detroit, sent to school, and finally, through the traders, returned to her parents. Mary married a half breed named Abram Williams by whom she had two children, George and Sally. Williams loved fire water, and when under its influence, was jealous, and very cruel, to his wife. Regarding her life as being in peril, she managed to convey word of her whereabouts to her parents, through the traders, who often visited Pittsburgh. George Foulks consented to attempt to rescue her from her perilous situation. He passed, alone through the dense forests, up the well-worn Indian trails to Upper Sandusky where he met Williams and proposed to take his wife home on a visit. Williams became angry and threatened to scalp Foulks if he attempted such an enterprise. Foulks desisted from further interviews with Williams. From his long residence with the Wyandots, he had many confidential friends among the warriors. he, therefore, resorted to stratagem. He proposed to an old Indian friend if he would secretly take Mary away, he would give him a barrel of whiskey and a lot of trinkets. After some parleying the Indian consented. The "fire water" was so tempting, he could not resist. The warrior, in company with Mrs. Williams, left the village without exciting suspicion, and passed down the old Wyandot trail which ran very near the present site of Olivesburg to Jerometown, while Foulks remained one day and then proceeded by a circuitous route to reach the same place. On arriving near Jerometown, he gave a signal, and the Indian and Mrs. Williams joined him in the forest. He had arranged with a trader for the whiskey and trinkets for the Indian upon his return. Foulks and Mrs. Williams continued along the trail near the present site of Wooster, and safely reached the residence of Mr. Castleman in Washington County, Pa. Mrs. Williams regretted very much to leave her children; but an attempt to take them along would have proved fatal. She never met them again. Sally grew up and married a famous hunter by the name of Solomon Jonnycake who was well known to the pioneers of Ashland and Richland Counties. This was the last Indian exploit of George Foulks.

A Surprise

Some time after this, his Indian wife and two children are reported to have visited him in Beaver County, to induce him to return to the Wyandots. He declined to do so; but visited Pittsburgh and purchased a number of blankets and such other articles as would be useful in their wigwam, and presented them to the woman with a horse to bear them to their home on the Sandusky, which she accepted and never returned.

Civilized Life

Mr. Foulks had a fine mill near Darlington, and afterwards became quite wealthy. He was a man of fine native abilities and was often spoken of as a suitable person to be elected to the Legislature or to fill any of the county offices. He, however, refused to accept any office, and steadily continued in business. During his captivity, he passed over the most valuable parts of what is now Richland County, and became acquainted with all the good agricultural locations. After the war of 1812, when the lands, in what is now Bloominggrove township, came into market, he entered some eight or ten quarter sections, and induced his father-in-law, Mr. Ullery, to invest largely in lands. About the year 1830, Henry and George, sons of George Foulks, located near Rome in Richland County. He had several daughters, some of whom yet survive. Jacob and William, brothers of George Foulks, also located in Bloominggrove. Jacob resided two or three miles north-west of Olivesburg. George Foulks died in Beaver County, Pa., in 1838, aged 72 years, and sleeps quietly in the cemetery near Darlington, where he lived many years, an influential and reputable citizen. Mrs. Foulks died at the residence of one of her sons in Richland County some years after his decease.

History Of His Sister

It may be interesting to the reader to learn the history of Elizabeth Foulks, who was captured with George, on the banks of the Ohio river. As before stated, she was taken to Lower Sandusky where she was adopted by a kind woman. As she grew to womanhood, she became acquainted with a young man by the name of George Whitaker, who had been captured by the Wyandots when a child, in Virginia, and adopted by them. All his friends were killed. He had lost nearly all recollection of his parentage, and had become thoroughly initiated among the Indians, and had no desire to leave them. Whitaker became much attached to Elizabeth, and she to him. They were, finally, married after the Wyandot customs. Whitaker became an influential trader and interpreter among the Indians. On one occasion a number of Cherokee, Shawnee and Wyandot warriors captured an emigrant boat on the Ohio river with a number of pioneers, among whom were a Mr. Skyles and Johnston, with one or two others who were brought to Upper Sandusky. A French trader, M. Duchonquet, purchased Johnston of the Indians, and Skyles finally escaped.