Travels in New-England and New-York Volume 3

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823 edition. Excerpt: ... LETTER II. Indian Monument. Kent. Major General Swift. Journey from Salisbury Cataract to Lake George. Caldwell. Northumberland. Moreau. Saratoga Springs. Ballston Springs. Lansingburgh. Troy. Albany. Hudson. Livingston. Clermont. Rhinebeck. Clinton. Poughkeepsie. Fishkill. Philipslown. Dear Sir; After we had examined the falls of this river, and its passage through the mountains below, my companions ascended the summit of that on the eastern side, for the purpose of seeing a monument of stones, formed in a manner generally resembling that which I have heretofore described in these Letters, as existing on Monument mountain, near Stockbridge. It was intended to mark the grave of an Indian chief who was buried here. This chief was one of the Scaghticokes: a tribe which I have heretofore mentioned, and of which New-Milford was formerly the principal residence. His crime was the murder of one of his own people. In consequence of this act he was immediately pursued by the avenger of blood; who, among the Mohekaneews, and among the Iroquois also, was, usually, the nearest male kinsman. The chief fled to Roxburv, a township bordering on New-Milford south-eastward, thence to Woodbury, and thence to Southbury: in which township he came upon the river. He then directed his course up the stream till he reached the summit of this mountain, where he was overtaken and killed by his pursuer, on the spot in which he was buried. The figure of this monument was, in one respect, different from that which is in the neighbourhood of Stockbridge. That was an obtuse cone. This is a circular enclosure, surrounding INDIAN MONUMENT. 887 the grave. Both were, however, gathered in the same manner. Every Indian, at least of the tribe to which the deceased belonged, ..