Indian Joe, (Captain Joe, Old Joe, Jo Indian, Joe Injun, Abenaki translation of Joseph: Susapp[1]) was a Native American scout.
Indian Joe | |
|---|---|
| Born | around 1739 |
| Died | 1819 (aged 79–80) |
| Occupation | Guide |
| Known for | "the friendly Indian Guide" |
Biography
editBorn near Louisbourg, Nova Scotia of Mi'kmaq origin, he was adopted by Abenaki people, who took him to St. Francis (today's Odanak). He served as a scout under Colonel Jacob Bayley (1726-1815). He was injured in the Rogers' Rangers raid on the village. He eventually moved to the area of Cowass (today's Newbury, Vermont).[1][2]
During the American Revolutionary War, Joe again served under Jacob Bayley and later under Moses Hazen. After the war, he and Molly lived in Danville, Vermont[1] and on an island on what is now called Joe's Pond in Danville.[2] He received an annual pension and had guardians to take care of him. These were John McDonald of Hyde Park, Timothy Hinman of Derby, and Frye Bayley of Newbury.[3] Joe died on February 19, 1819, after he fell and was injured by the severe cold. His burial was paid for by Frye Bayley, and he was given a military style funeral.[1]
Legacy
editSeveral places are named after Joe and Molly:
- Joe's Pond between present day Danville and Cabot[2]
- Joe's Brook, outlet of Joe's Pond[1]
- Molly's Pond in Cabot[1]
Other tributes:
- "A Dirge for Jo Indian", composed in 1922, by Eastwood Lane as part of his Adirondack Sketches
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f Johnson, Arthur (Nov 2007). "Indian Joe". Ne-Do-Ba (Friends). Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ^ a b c Brown, E. Jane (September 1994). "Welcome to Joe's Pond Vermont". Originally published in The Caledonian Record. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
- ^ Dodge, Sylvia C. (2021-07-29). "Remembering Joseph Susap – 'Indian Joe'". The North Star Monthly. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
Further reading
edit- Johnson Family of Newbury [VT] Papers, 1775-1886, Docs. 574.76.1 & 575.33, MSA 426.28, Vermont Historical Society.
- William Parker Neal, Indian Joe Trilogy: Indian Joe The Friendly Indian Guide, Indian Joe The Famous Abenaki, Molly - Squaw of Indian Joe. [Danville, VT: United Methodist Church & the author, 1976-?]. (See http://www.joespondvermont.com/products.html)
- Frederic P. Wells, History of Newbury, Vermont ... St. Johnsbury, VT: Caledonian, 1902.