Philip Tarbell (Ta-ra-ke-te), St. Regis

St. Regis Reservation Map and Occupants, 1890

The St. Regis Indians are the successors of the ancient Mohawks, and reside on their reservation in Franklin and St. Lawrence counties, New York, which is 7.3 miles long upon the south line and about 3 miles wide, except where purchases made by the state of New York in 1824 and.1825, as indicated on the map, modify the shape. The original tract was estimated as the equivalent of 6 miles square, or 23,040 acres, and the present acreage, computed by official reports without survey, is given as 14,640 acres.

Four main roads diverge from the village of Hogansburg, and these are fairly well maintained. Nearly all local roads are poor and little more than trails. The country is practically level, and, in the winter teams move almost at random anywhere over the snow or ice. In the summer boats are in general use and the products of Indian industry find a ready market. The St. Regis river is navigable to the point indicated on the map and communication is maintained with towns on both sides of the national boundary several times a week. At Messena, 12 miles westward, at Helena, 6 miles southwest, and at Fort Covington, 9 miles eastward, are railroad connections with mail facilities 6 days in the week.

Nearly the entire tract is tillable, and the greater portion has exceptional fertility. The land is slightly rolling, but nowhere hilly. The supply of water is ample, and in portions of the reservation, where swamps or bog prevent tillage, drainage will be necessary before efficient farming can be done. A large tract of this character, containing fully 1,000 acres, extends beyond the boundary line, and complaint has been made by farmers on both sides that the feeder dam of the Beauharnois canal holds back water, so as to reduce even the natural drainage to its minimum. Timber has already become scarce for fuel or fencing, and only occasional clumps of small pines represent the former dense forests along the rivers. The cultivated lands have been quite generally fenced with small poles, but the annual spring repairs only supplement about as much of necessary fencing as is quite generally and conveniently used for fuel during the winter.

The national boundary line established by the treaty of Washington about equally divides the population of the St. Regis Nation. The house, known as the “International hotel”, is bisected diagonally by this boundary line. It also cuts off one of the rooms of the house opposite.

The St. Regis Indians

The St. Regis Indians formed part of the Seven Nations of Canada. In 1852 they numbered 1,100, or nearly the present number of the St. Regis Indians in the United States. By a provision of the first constitution of New York, adopted April 26, 1777, no purchases or contracts for the sale of lands by the Indians since the 14th day of October, 1775, were to be valid unless made with the consent of the legislature. Among the documents in the possession of the nation at the present time none are more prized than the treaty made May 4, 1797, exemplified, signed, and sealed by John Jay, governor, February 28, 1800. Three of the most noted parties to that treaty, namely, Te-liar-ag-wan-e-gan (Thomas Williams), A-tia-to-ha-ron-gwam (Colonel Louis Cook), and William Gray, who was made captive in his boyhood and adopted by the Indians, are still represented among the families enumerated upon schedules. Thomas Williams was third in descent from Rev. Thomas Williams, of Deerfield, Massachusetts. Louis Cook was captured with his parents, his father being a colored man, at Saratoga, in 1775. He raised and commanded a regiment on the colonial side. Spark’s Life of Washington and American State Papers are generous in their recognition of the services of Cook and the St. Regis Indians at that period, and the history of the War of 1812 is equally creditable to their loyalty to the United States.

By an act of the legislature passed March 26, 1802, William Gray, Louis Cook, and Loren Tarbell, chiefs, were also appointed trustees on behalf of the St. Regis Indians to lease the ferry over the St. Regis River, with authority to apply the rents and profits for the support of a school and such other purposes as such trustees should judge most conducive to the interests of said tribe. The same act provided for future annual elections of similar trustees by a majority of adults of the age of 21 years, at a town meeting, on the first Tuesday of each May thereafter. This system is still in force.

The powers, functions, and responsibilities of these trustees are hardly more than nominal in practical effect. The peculiar credit, which the Six Nations attach to all preserved treaties, however old or superseded, developed during the census year a new departure in the St. Regis plan of self-government. The old or pagan element among the Onondagas maintained that their rights to lands in Kansas and similar rights rested upon treaties made between the Six Nations (exactly six) and the United States, and at a general council, held in 1888, the St. Regis Indians were formally recognized as the successors of the Mohawks, thus restoring the original five, while, with the Tuscaroras, maintaining six. The theory was that an apparent lapse from the six in number would in some way work to their prejudice. The same element at once proposed the revival of the old government by chiefs, which had become obsolete among the St. Regis Indians. A meeting was held, even among the Cattaraugus Senecas, with the deliberate purpose to ignore or abandon their civilized, legal organization as the Seneca Nation and return to former systems. The impracticability of such a retrograde movement did not silence the advocates of chief ship for the St. Regis Indians. The election through families, after the old method, of 9 chiefs and 9 alternate or vice chiefs was held, and these were duly installed in. office by a general council, representing all the other nations. Practically and legally they have no power whatever. Two of them are still trustees under the law of 1802.

By tacit understanding the Indians avail themselves of the New York courts in issues of law or fact so far as applicable, and submit their conduct to ordinary legal process and civil supervision, so that they have, in fact, no organic institution that antagonizes civilized methods. The distinctions by tribe or clan have almost disappeared, those of the Wolf, Turtle, Bear, and Plover only remaining. Thomas Ramsom, the third trustee, retains in his possession the old treaties and other national archives, while the people, ignorant of the reasons for any change, vibrate between the support of the two systems, neither of which has much real value. The small rentals of land are of little importance in the administration of affairs, and the more intelligent of the prosperous Indians distinctly understand that the elected chiefs have no special authority until recognized by the state of New York as legal successors of the trustees. Either system is that of a consulting, supervising, representative committee of the St. Regis Indians, and little more.

The following is a list of the chiefs in 1890:

Peter Tarbell (Ta-ra-ke-te, Hat-rim, or Neck-protection), great grandson of Peter Tarbell, the eldest of the Groton captives; Joseph Wood (So-se-sa-ro-ne-sa-re-ken, Snow Crust), Heron chin; Peter Herring (Te-ra-non-ra-no-ron-san, Deerhouse), Turtle clan; Alexander Solomon (A-rek-sis-o-ri-hon-ni, He is to Blame), Turtle clan; Angus White, chief and clerk (En-ni-as-ni-ka-un-ta,-a, Small Sticks of Wood), Snipe clan; Charles White (Sa-ro-tha-ne-wa-ne-ken, Two Hide Together), Wolf clan; also Joseph Bero, John White, and Frank Terance, Alternate or vice chiefs are Joseph Cook, Mathew Benedict, Paid Swamp, John B. Tarbell, Philip Wood, and Alexander Jacob (2 vacancies).

There is a pending question among the St, Regis Indians, which may require settlement by both the state and federal governments, respecting their intercourse with their Canadian brethren. Even the census enumeration is affected by its issues. The early treaties, which disregarded the artificial line of separation of these Indians and allowed them free transit over the line with their effects, are confronted by a modern customs regulation, which often works hardships and needless expense. The contingency of their purchasing horses beyond the line and introducing them for personal use, while really intending to sell them at a profit greater than the duty, is not to be ignored; but such cases must be rare, and the peculiarly located families near the line, who worship together, farm together, and live as people do in the adjoining wards of a city, seem to call for a special adjustment to the facts.

Meanwhile the development of the basket industry, and the ready market at Hogansburg, where a single resident firm bought during the year, as their books show, in excess of $20,000 worth, have attracted the Canadian St. Regis Indians across the line, so that the schedules indicate the term of residence of quite a number as less than a year in the United States. Their right to buy land of the St. Regis Indians in New York and erect buildings has been discussed, and the question as to trustees or chiefs as their advisory ruling authority has had this political element as one of the factors. Clerk Angus White furnished a list of those whom he declared to be Canadians proper, drawing Canadian annuities, and on the United States side of the line only to have the benefit of its market for profitable basketwork. The loose holding or tenure of land among the St. Regis Indians makes them jealous of extending privileges beyond the immediate circles, At the same time indispensable daily intimacies prevent the establishment of any arbitrary law of action in the premises. Petitions have been sent to the New York legislature demanding that the Canadians be terribly put across the line. A wise commission could adjust the matter equitably without injustice to any or bad feeling between the adjoining families of the same people. Some who are denounced by one party as Canadians have reared children on the United States side of the line and call it their home. The trustees or chiefs, or both, are continually at work to have stricken from the New York annuity list all whose mixture of white blood on-the female side is decided.

All such questions as those involved in this controversy can only find permanent solution through some ultimate appeal to state or federal authority for distinct and binding settlement.

As a general rule, the state agent is able to adjust the distribution of the state annuity without friction. The St. Regis Indians slowly advance toward a matured citizenship.

St. Regis Reservation Occupants in 1890

We have carefully copied the names listed on the map in hopes it will provide a better record but also help you in your search for ancestors.

Section A – Green

Loran Thompson
D. Billings
Louis Square
John Loran
Peter Loran
Paul LaFrance
Tom Oaks
John Oaks
Frank Torance
Thos Torance
Mitchel Oaks
Thos St Denis
Jos Swamp
John Boots
Andrew Boots
Louis Thompson
John Hops Widow
J. Phillips
Peter Cloud 2nd
P. Cloud
Peter Cloud
M. Sowlis
Widow Torance
John Billings
Adolph Billings
Louis Sawyer
Wm. Gray
John Sawyer
Widow Gareau
Chas White
School No. 3
Mary LaFrance
John Hill
George Torance
Thomas Torrance
Marthew Benedict
Jos Gareau
David Billings
John Cooketer LaFrance
Widow Hemlock
Louis Torrance
Louis White
John White
Sylvester Gray
M. Torance
Richard Torance
John Bonaparte
Loran Jackson
Cemetery
Peter Cole
Louis David
Mitchell Gareau
Mitchell Lazar
Louis LaFrance
Loran LaFrance
Peter La France
John Cook
School No. 1
Phillip Wood
Phillip Tarbell
Felix White
Felix Gareau
Louis Gareau
Peter Gray
Richard Herring
Michael Johnson
John Back
Michael Bero
Louis Back
John Hall
Mary Gray
Peter Papineau
St. Regis Parish (Part in section)

Section B – Red

S. C. Grow
Hogansburg (town of)
J.M. Bero
M.E. Church
Louis Benedict
Louis Smoke
Mary Swargo
Jos Torrance
John White
Argus White
Louis Gray
Steamboat Landing
P/E. Church
John Ransom
Jos. Gar_all
Thos. Bero
I. Lottrilee
C. Swargo
Betsey Deeme
P. Lamoyiet
M. White
F. Papineau
L. Barro
J.J. Dear
St. Regis Parish (Part in section)
Louis Tarbell
John Smith
Peter Tarbell
Mitchell Papineau
John Ransom Jr.
Paul Swamp
Alex Sheran
Andrew Cook
Tom Cree
Jacob Gray
David Bruce
Louis Deeme
John Arquette
Joseph Sam
John Paul
Widow Joe
Louis Gareau
Loran Cook
Widow McDonald
John McDonald
George Peters
Widow Sala-quis-qua
Widow Gareau
Jacob Cook
Charles Cook
Peter Staqua
Martin Chubb
J. Ransom
M. Cook
Vacant
Louis Back
School No. 4
Peter Torance
Thos Ransom
Angus Gareau
Peter Day
Angus Laughing
Louis Smoke
Mary Torrance
Louis Cole
Jos. Tarbel
Abram Swamp
Loran Jackson
District No. 2
Peter Ransom
Occasional Woods
Widow Babian
T. W. Babian
Moses Vilinay
Louis Herring
Michael Tarbell
Abram Herring
Julius Herring
John Herring
Louis Jacob
Moses Jacob
School No. 3
Peter Jacob
Peter Gareau
Abram Gareau
Thos Woods
Levi Jacobs
Peter Quarts

Section C – Blue

Louis Cook
John Sawyer Jr.
Frank Torance
Louis Sawyer
Wm. Gray
John Sawyer
Louis Jacobs
Joshua Webster
Mitchell Leaf
Widow Jos. Gareau
Jacob Billings
Jos. Jackson
Wm. Gray
John Conners
Louis Gareau
Jas. Hill or Tarbell
Peter LaFrance
Peter Abram
Alex Solomon
Frank Cook
Louis Jacobs
Jos Connor
Isaac White
Thos Gray
L. Cloud
J. Williams
John Lazar
Mary Jackson
James Billings
Nancy Hill
Wm. Lazar
Louis Lazar
Thos. Cornelius
Peter Cornelius
School No. 5
Caroline Clause
Phil Big Tree
Peter McDonald
Cemetery
School
R. C. Church
Convent
John Tarbell
Caroline Trabell
Mitchell Tarbell
John Hoops
L. Gareau
P. Chubbs
Loran Bero
M. Tarbell
Peter Tarbell
Jos Bero
Loran Ransom
Peter Tarbell
John Herring
Peter Herring
Hattie Torance
Alex Chubbs
Louis Quarts
Dominio Jacob
Paul Gray
Regis Quarts
Loran White
Cha’s Jackson
Loran Chubb
John Chubb
Loran Stovepipe
Joseph Martin
Loran Jackson
Joseph Wood
Peter Woods


Collection:
Department of the Interior. Report on Indians Taxed and Indians not Taxed in the United States, Except Alaska at the Eleventh Census: 1890. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1894.

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11 thoughts on “St. Regis Reservation Map and Occupants, 1890”

  1. Looking for info on Shatraw or Arquette. Looking for family history that lived in Franklin, NY. What I have found is our relatives came from the St. Regis Indian Reservation. If have any info, would be greatly appreciated.

  2. HI, my family is the Carons. The last name is recorded as Caron, Carrow, Garrow. I am wondering if it is the Gareau family here. My family is from Canada, and upstate NY. Is there a place that lists family members? Thanks

  3. Hello to all. Iv’e been researching my Father-In-Laws genealogy. Along the way some names popped up from the St.Regis Reservation, John Thomas @ 1881-1959, who married a Nellie Geddes, they had a daughter together @ 1913. In my research it states John’s Father was Joseph Thomas born @ 1850. John’s mother was Louise White born @ 1850. They other name is Louis Grey, states he was an orphan in 1910 on the reservation. I’m really just looking for confirmation of the names. Through my research I was connected to the granddaughter of John and Nellie, who had no idea of her connection to the St.Regis area.
    Thank you in advance-Kelly

  4. Current living cousins insist my great-grandfather, Jesse Terry, (family bible indicates he was born 1833 in Sorrel, Cannada and no documentation can be found to confirm this) was a Native American because his youngest daughter, a/k/a my grandmother, took her toddler age children (born 1911, 1913, 1915) to visit family in Chateaugay, NY and “they went to the Reservation”. My great-grandmother, was Olive Patnode/Patenaude Terry and records indicate she and Jesse lived in the same house on Lake Street in Chateaugay, NY from about 1860 until their respective deaths in 1900 and 1923. I have found no documents to indicate my ancestors lived on the St. Regis Reservation. It is my understanding some people with the name Patenaude lived on the Reservation at one time but I don’t know if they were related to my g-grandmother. I believe Jesse Terry is an Anglicized version of his birth name (currently unknown) as early church records for him and his descendants show his name with various French spellings. Census records, sign up for Civil War, Naturalization request, and the like show the name as Jesse Terry (but none of them show his parents’ names).
    Is anyone aware of additional records I could search to see if I can guess what Jesse’s birth name, or the name of his parents, might be? If his parents lived on the Reservation I have no idea if they ever owned a home or just rented so I’m not sure where I can go from here to search for additional information. Suggestions appreciated. THANKS!

  5. Belinda Johndrow Twing

    My great grandparents Mary Laclair and James Jondreau had many of their children on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation and I am looking for help on and information found on them.

    1. My mother’s last name is LaClair and my cousin Thomas LaClair is also researching on Ancestry. He just found out a relative Frances LaClair was part of the Story Regis Reservation. You can find him on Facebook

    2. Duran Flint jacobs

      Did you read the article??? It CLEARLY says “Saint Regis Indians”, NOT Saint Regis Mohawk, & it should probably say “American Saint Regis Indians”. My clan HAS come across the info about “Saint Regis Indians” being the only “Indians” around here descended from the ancient Mohawk. But that’s not in the Treaty language anywhere. Oh by the way, I’m a direct blood descendant of Louis Cook and My clan still lives on the rezervation. Louis Cook was half black & half “Mohawk” but the other trustees were either ALL White or White mixed with some other “Canadian tribe” AKA White men painted brown.

      1. Hello Mr. Jacobs, I recently “joined” AccessGenealogy in the hopes of finding information on my great-grandfather who was born in 1833 and allegedly moved to the St. Regis Reservation in 1834. I did not see the family name in the 1890 census which is posted here and am asking if you are aware of any place I could potentially find information on residents of the St. Regis Reservation in the 1830-1850s time frame. Thank you in advance. Carolyn

  6. Hi, I am trying to find information regarding an old post card which was sent to my father around 1927. The post card pictures six men in ceremonial dress and the caption says Degree team of Court Ianawate 4562.
    If you know what this refers to could you email. Thanks in advance

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