October 10, 2019
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP
October 10, 2019 • 5:30 p.m.
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines, Pa.
Attendance: 38 members and guests
Speaker: Frank Salvati — “Six Nations in the Revolutionary War”
The meeting was opened promptly at 5:30 p.m. by President Kris Avery. She welcomed all and announced that the next meeting would be at Clymer Library on November 14, 2019, with a presentation on “Ellis Island: Immigration that Built America.” Posters were handed out to willing volunteers for the upcoming meeting.
Additionally, she announced to watch for email communications on the next archive meeting. She then announced that our speaker for the evening, Frank Salvati, had not shown up yet and asked for people to be patient. At this, Ike Olson announced to the group that he had visited one of his ancestor’s homes in Virginia. He took a few minutes to describe the tremendous construction to the point where the roof was built of bricks. He offered how unusual this was and how he enjoyed his visit.
When our speaker finally arrived at 5:50 pm, he did apologize for getting lost. We all stood for the Pledge of Alliance to our flag.
Kris introduced the guest speaker, Mr. Frank Salvati, whose presentation was on “Six Nations in the Revolutionary War”. Mr. Salvati is a known historian on American Indian tribes especially from the New England and Northeast Pennsylvania areas. He began by listing the tribes of the Iroquois and their groupings along the rivers and regions of upstate New York.
His talk was intense and interesting because it was highly unusual for tribes to break from each other. But the British and the Colonists each pulled on specific tribes to call allegiance to either the Brits or the Americans. This tug split the nation of the Iroquois and left brothers fighting against brothers.
Frank then talked about the specific battles in the Finger Lake, Albany (and north) and Hudson Valley areas. These battles were strategic but also brought the Iroquois fighting against each other. Specific leaders were mentioned, among them were Samuel Kirkland, Joseph Brandt, and John Butler and son, Walter.
He also spoke about how the Iroquois fought and won or lost battles. They used “gentlemen’s agreements” which both sides knew weren’t going to be honored, but this was hand-me-down from the British.
Of interest was that the Iroquois were honorable and only drew arms against those who fought against them. But, when a publication noted that they were slaughtering women and children in the next battles, they were so angry at this misrepresentation that they actually did kill women and children. They did not appreciate being lied about because it was a matter of honor.
Several other battles were presented, including the Sullivan/Clinton Expedition and Fort Pitt. All of these were in relationship to the splintering of the Iroquois. He took several questions and discussion followed. He was then presented with a certificate of appreciation by Kris Avery.
Meeting was closed at 6:35.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Rapp, Secretary
