Muhheakannuck Nations at Nu Schodack
The massacre at Pavonia Feb. 25, 1643 and the aftermath
As Remembered by Tunxis
Aug 15, 2020
The massacre at Pavonia occurred on Feb. 25-26, 1643 in the time of Governor Kieft
It was the time of the winter hunt. Other M’hicanuk came by to see if those living with the Dutch at Pavonia would join in the hunt. The M'hiacanuk staying at Pavonia, however, agreed that only the "Young men" [the M’hiacan word for “Warrior” translates as “Young Man”] would go on the hunt instead of all going as usual for the Schwaniken seemed "nervous". So the women, children and elders living at Pavonia stayed behind to reassure the Europeans of their friendly intentions while the Pavonia Warriors accompanied the families of neighboring bands of M'hiacanuk and others on the hunt.
While the "Young Men" were away from Pavonia, the Schwaniken came during the night and murdered over a hundred women, children and elders. Instead of the usual joy and celebration on their return, the hunting party was greeted with devastation and carnage. This angered many.Thus, the "Dutch Wars", contrary to the advice given in the Seven Fires Prophecies, began.
The Dutch had targeted the Christians who were indigenous volunteers attempting to become friends with the Dutch and learn their ways. Not only was this done in a cowardly and unwise way, it resulted in the Dutch turning over control of what they had built to the English. The "Dutch Wars" ended only when the Schwaniken gave up to the Owanis.
As directed by the Seven Fires Prophecies, M'hiacanuk, are to help the Europeans, showing and teaching them our ways, thus assimilating them into a way of life in harmony with Earth and all living. When Henry Hudson sailed up the M’heakannituck, as foretold, in Sept of 1609, it was quickly seen, however, that those from across the big sea were rather uncooperative. They were fearful and not very friendly. They had little connection with Mother Earth. They had little respect for any life.
While the "Young Men" were away from Pavonia, the Schwaniken came during the night and murdered over a hundred women, children and elders. Instead of the usual joy and celebration on their return, the hunting party was greeted with devastation and carnage. This angered many.Thus, the "Dutch Wars", contrary to the advice given in the Seven Fires Prophecies, began.
The Dutch had targeted the Christians who were indigenous volunteers attempting to become friends with the Dutch and learn their ways. Not only was this done in a cowardly and unwise way, it resulted in the Dutch turning over control of what they had built to the English. The "Dutch Wars" ended only when the Schwaniken gave up to the Owanis.
As directed by the Seven Fires Prophecies, M'hiacanuk, are to help the Europeans, showing and teaching them our ways, thus assimilating them into a way of life in harmony with Earth and all living. When Henry Hudson sailed up the M’heakannituck, as foretold, in Sept of 1609, it was quickly seen, however, that those from across the big sea were rather uncooperative. They were fearful and not very friendly. They had little connection with Mother Earth. They had little respect for any life.
So, the M’hiacanuk began hiding right out in the open. All contact with the Dutch and other Europeans became conscious choice. It was necessary to survive to have any lasting influence. It was seen that it would be a long endeavor.
Survivors Joined Tunxis.
Many of the survivors from Pavonia and their neighbors went to live with the Tunxis [Watunxis Esopus] in what is now called Farmington, CT.
The Tunxis group had been established here before the Haudenosaunee had considered being peaceful. There was a joining of families from M'hiacanu proper [those living at Nu Schodack, i.e., Our Fireplace, the place of the council fire], located then at the midpoint in Mahican migration up the M’heakannituck, at present day Kingston, NY] and Esopus families [Esopus is originally a branch, the rabbit clan, of the Munsee] from the same area, living mainly along the Esopus River.
In the 1920s, some Tunxis began returning to the now Greater New York City area, partly due to economic and social conditions, seen and for seen, in Connecticut and elsewhere. One family was the descendents of Eliza Jane Kelley, keeper of the 11 burial grounds of Farmington, CT and her Meherrin husband Richard Reuben Lewis, formerly a sub chief in Virginia, before being twice enslaved. They have many descendents through their son Richard Reuben Lewis {Reuben] and his wife Lucy Davis, born in Lakeville, Massachusetts. Many spoke indigenous languages and passed as white or colored as they could. If pinned down as to indigenous affiliation, no two agreed. Uncle Jerry [Jeremiah Hill Lewis named for Civil War veteran Jeremiah Hill, a cousin of Eliza Jane through her mother Annie Hill of Sharon, Ct.] was “Mohawk”. Uncle John [John Prince Lewis] was Tuscarora, Juice was Chicopee, etc.
None were Mukadai [black].
When Uncle Bill [William Kelley Lewis, Sagamore], Aunt Muddie [Mildred Lewis, Bear Clan mother], Uncle Truc, [Clarence Lewis, Bear clan leader] and Pop [Bernard Aloysius Livingstone Lewis, aka Barney Lewis, Owaya Sagamore] all died between Feb. and Aug of 1967, some of the family began returning to Connecticut. However, by now, they were not only living all over the U.S., from Maine, to Florida, to California and Washington state, they were international.
In the late 1990s, the Rahway Intertribal Circle [RITC] was organized by Sagamore Michael J. D’Amico with Munsee Sakima Barry “Hunter” Boyce and Cherokee Chief C.W. Longbow. In the early 2000s, the RITC began holding annual ceremonies at the Pavonia site in the Communipaw section of Jersey City on the anniversary of the 1643 massacre to clear the site and help those still there go home.The Sagamore Mike D'Amico, son of Barney Lewis, grandson of Lucy and name giver Reuben, great grandson of Eliza Jane & Richard, walked on Feb. 27, 2007. There was no ceremony that year.On Feb. 25, 2008, there was an interdimensional clearing of the Pavonia site, facilitated by the partnership of Sagamore Mike in spirit and Etaoqua, plus two others members of the RITC in the physical, Jean Taylor of Roselle, present, and Clio Day in Florida, with enormous cooperation from interested parties. All the remaining ghosts went to the Light, welcomed by their long waiting relatives. The energy levels at the site were greatly elevated.
The remaining Tunxis continued "hiding right out in the open" until the Onondaga announced in 2012 that they would enact the Two-Row Wampum Treaty of 1613 on the M'heakannituck in the summer of 2013, ending at the United Nations on August 9. [Sequehieni of the Onondaga Eel clan was a signer of the Treaty of Farmington of 1640 with the Owanis.]
Some Tunxis and other M'hiacanuk are beginning to acknowledge that they in fact may have some indigenous blood. Most M'hiacanu speakers have walked on so fewer give themselves away these days when they get excited. We ceased to teach the children after WWII because it was deemed too dangerous.
Relaying inaccurate information about indigenous people does little to heal the wounds and further the possible benefits to all people now. Confusing information can, in fact, further the agendas of those who would control people for their own gain. There is no healing and reconciliation without recognizing truth. All rights reserved © 2019 Etaoqua
Relaying inaccurate information about indigenous people does little to heal the wounds and further the possible benefits to all people now. Confusing information can, in fact, further the agendas of those who would control people for their own gain. There is no healing and reconciliation without recognizing truth. All rights reserved © 2019 Etaoqua
Note: The luminescent who is responsible for this universe does not call himself "God".People may have a better understanding of "authority" if they realize it is 100% RESPONSIBILTY for whatever is being cared for, nurtured.This responsibility is NOT control. Rather it is like a supervisor whose primary job is to see that those being supervised have everything they need to do their job.Or like a M'hican Sagamore whose primary responsibility is to see that the people have food to eat, shelter, and clothing.