The Delaware Indians of Kansas

The Delaware Indians

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The Delaware belong to the great Algonquin family. Their oldest known home was in the lower part of Pennsylvania and the adjacent parts of New Jersey, their villages being on the waters of the Delaware River and its tributary streams. The Delaware, or Lenni Lenape, claimed to be the "parent" from which the numerous Algonquin tribes descended -- the name Lenape signifying original man. Their claim to superiority was recognized by the other tribes, who accorded to them the title of "Grandfather."

The chiefs of this tribe were the principal parties to the first treaty made with William Penn. They were conquered, and for many years lived under the domination of the Iroquois, who bestowed upon them the degrading appellation of "Women." They espoused the cause of France during the the Old French War, and at the opening of the American Revolution, declared independence on their own account -- ridding themselves of the hated domination of the Iroquois, and the still more hated name that nation had fastened upon them.

Delaware Indian Family

The first treaty made by the United States with an Indian tribe was with the Delaware on September 17, 1778, at Fort Pitt. It was a treaty of peace and mutual protection, the sixth article indicating that the United States contemplated the possible formation of an Indian State, with the Delaware at its head.

By the treaty of August 18, 1804, made at Vincennes by William Henry Harrison, then Governor of Indiana territory, the Delaware relinquished their land in Indiana -- "all their right and title to the tract of country which lies between the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, and below the tract ceded by the treaty of Fort Wayne, and the road leading from Vicennes to the falls of Ohio." The United States agreed to "consider the Delaware as the rightful owners of all the country which is bounded by the White River on the north, the Ohio on the south, the general boundary line running from the mouth of the Kentucky River on the east, and the tract ceded by this treaty and that ceded by the treaty of Fort Wayne on the west and southwest."

The Delaware were assigned lands in the State of Missouri, and removed to their reservation, on the James Fork of the White River, where they remained until a new treaty was established on September 24, 1829, that relinquished the Missouri land. They were then granted lands in present-day Kansas, thus described: "The country in the fork of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, extending up the Kansas River to the Kansas line, and up the Missouri River to Camp Leavenworth, and then by a line drawn westerly, leaving a space ten miles wide, north of the Kanza's boundary line."

These lands were surveyed by Isaac McCoy, an Indian missionary the following year, who was appointed by the Delaware accompanying the surveying party. By arrangement made with the Delaware, the site of Fort Leavenworth was reserved to the United States, McCoy's instructions making no provisions for such reservation. The Delaware Reserve was one of the most valuable in the territory, and the eastern portion, from the junction of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers north to Fort Leavenworth was afterward well cultivated by the Indians. The United States erected grist and saw mills for them, fenced and plowed 105 acres of land, erected a schoolhouse and other buildings, and furnished them cattle. Their farms and cabins were scattered along the military road which led to Fort Leavenworth and though many subsisted by farming, the majority continued to live as hunters.

Briggsvale School on the Delaware Baptist Mission, Wyandotte County

Briggsvale School on the Delaware Baptist Mission,

Wyandotte County, 1851.

A Methodist Mission, under the direction of the Missouri Conference, was founded in 1831 and in the first four years, it had a church of 50 members, and a school which taught 25 students. Reverend E.T. Perry and wife were the first missionaries.

A Baptist Mission was established in 1832, under the superintendence of Dr. Johnston Lykins, the missionaries residing at the Shawanoe Station. A school was started in April, 1833, with G.D. Blanchard being employed as teacher. The mission labored under many disadvantages, but held its ground, and, after ten years' effort, was reported prosperous. Three missionaries were then employed.

Mr. John G. Pratt, who came to the Shawnee Mission in 1837 to take charge of the printing office, was afterward Superintendent of the Delaware Mission. He learned the language, into which he translated several books, and printed them for the use of the tribe. He remained for many years in charge of the mission, and was one of the last agents appointed for the tribe.

On December 14, 1843, the Delaware sold to the Wyandot tribe, 23,040 acres of land, situated at the junction of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, which contract was ratified by act of Congress on July 25, 1848.

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