History of Jefferson County, N.Y., 1878
Near the north-west corner of Rodman, on lot number two, on the farm of Jared Freeman, was
formerly an interesting work, of which no trace remains, except a boulder of gneiss, worn smooth by
grinding. Before the place had been cultivated, it is said to have shown an oval double bank, with an
intervening crescent-shaped space, and a short bank running down a gentle slope to a small stream, on
of the sources of Stony Creek, that flows near. Several hundred bushels of burnt corn were turned out,
over an area one rod by eight, showing that this must have been an immense magazine of food. On the
farm of Jacob Heath, on lot No. 25, near the west line of Rodman, and on the north bank of North
Sandy Creek, a short distance above the confluence of the two main branches of that stream, there
formerly existed an enclosure of the same class. It included about three acres, was overgrown with
heavy timber, and furnished within and without, when plowed, a great quantity and variety of terra
cotta, in fragments, but not metallic relics. Under the roots of a large maple was dug up the bones of a
man of great stature, and furnished with entire rows of double teeth.
History of Jefferson County, N.Y., 1878
One of the most conclusive evidences of ancient military occupation and conflict, occurs in Rutland,
near the residence of Abner Tamblin, one mile from the western line of the town, and two miles from
the river. It is on the summit of the Trenton limestone terrace, which forms a bold escarpment,
extending down the river, and passing across the southern part of Watertown. There here occurs a
slight embankment, and ditch irregularly oval, with several gateways; and along the ditch, in several
places, have been found great numbers of skeletons, almost entirely of males and lying in great
confusion, as if they had been slain in defending it. Among these bones were those of a man of
colossal size, and like nine-tenths of the others, furnished with a row of double teeth in each jaw. This
singular peculiarity, with that of broad flat jaws, retreating forehead, and great prominence of the
occiput, which was common to most of these skulls, may hereafter afford some clue to their history.
Earthworks in the Iroquois lands around the Great Lakes consisted of oblong and circular earthworks
and others that were perfect squares. The oblong and circular works are believed to be fortifications.
The square works in one locale was described as being similar to those in Indiana and Ohio that were
constructed by the Allegewi-Hopewell. However, the Iroquois squares along the Great Lakes are
generally smaller in size. Descriptions of the square works with avenues going down to the adjoining
creek and burial mounds within their interior are more descriptive of a ceremonial center. The
ceremonies within the works were likely similar to those to the south, that were aligned to solar or
lunar events.
A series of square earthworks were found from New York State to Michigan. The occurrences of the square earthworks are in the same general locations as the burials that contained large skeletons. This
is only a partial list of the square earthworks to give an idea of their size and their geographic extent. Antiquities of Long Island, 1874
On the subject of this fortification: When this part of Long Island was first settled by the Europeans
they found two fortifications in this neighborhood, upon a neck of land ever since called, from that
circumstance, Fort Neck. One of them, the remains of which are yet very conspicuous, is on the
southernmost point of land on the neck, adjoining the salt meadows. It is nearly, if not exactly a
square, each side of which is about thirty yards in length. The breastwork or parapet is of earth, and
there is a ditch on the outside which appears to have been about six feet wide. The other was on the
southernmost point of the Salt Meadow, adjoining the bay, and consisted of palisades, set in the
meadow.
This last described work was a true Indian fort, as is shown by all plates and sketches of such works
as accompanying, Smiths "History of Virginia", Debrys "Voyages" and all the early works in this
country, but no instance has ever been shown of the North American Indians having either in ancient or
modern times, erected for the purpose of defense or for any other purpose, a four square fort of earth,
with regular wall and ditch.
All this view of the case brings us to the conclusion that the two forts upon Fort Neck were
constructed at different periods of time, and it may be far remote from each other; that the one first
described, regular in its form, and built of earth, was the work of a people entirely different in the
modes of living and in other respects from the aboriginal race found here by our forefathers.
Otzinachson: A History of the West Branch Valley of the Susquehanna, 1889
That the valley of the West Branch was inhabited by a superior race, of whom we have no account,
appears to be evident. Traces of peculiar fortifications, resembling, those found in some of the Western
States, are yet to be pointed out. One of these existed on the farm of Mr. Shoemaker, on the north side
of Muncy Creek, it was square, and consisted of embankments thrown up in regular order, covering
about one fourth of an acre. A simular one existed on the farm of Gov. Shultz, below Williamsport.
On the other side of the river, nearly opposite the mouth of Lycoming Creek, was found another,
resembling the one on Muncy Creek, traces of which can probably be seen to this day. Mr. Shoemaker
of Muncy, now an old man, but with memory bright and mind unimpaired, informs me that years ago
he made a personal examination of this latter fortification, and found all the embankments well
defined. Large trees were growing upon them, however, the concentric circles of which would indicate
many hundred years of growth, and entirely preclude the idea of their having been thrown up by the
Anglo Saxon race. Mr. Shoemaker also states that many years ago he made inquiry of an old Seneca
Chief concerning them, but all the information the old Indian could give, was that he had it from his
ancestors that they were erected by White Indians. Of them we have no definite knowledge whatever.
History of Sandusky County, 1882 There are evidences of another fort of the same kind above the Williams Reserve a short distance, on the high bank of the river, In section thirteen, township five, range fifteen, (Sandusky Township) This work is different in form from those heretofore mentioned, being nearly square, and is supposed to include about three acres of land. It is situated at a place where there was once an Indian village called Muncietown, about three miles below the city of Fremont.
History of St. Joseph County Michigan, 1880 Within three hours ride of Colon Village, there are no less than six fortifications of these ancient people. One of them is distinctly visible yet, and is in a square form, fronting the St. Joseph River, with an avenue leading to the rear to Bear Creek.
A Place Called the Thumb, Sanilac County Michigan, 1880 In 1931, Wilbert B. Hinsdale in his "Archaeological Atlas of Michigan" located for a record, Indian villages sites, mounds, garden beds, circular and square enclosures, and other remains. In Watertown Township in Sanilac County an unusual construction consisted of a square enclosure with an interior mound. In the southwest corner of Worth Township, Hinsdale located a rectangular enclosure with an opening to the north, and a mound in front of the opening.
Civil History of Michigan , 1895
Forts of the squar
e or rectangular kind are sometimes found. There is said to be one or two miles
below the village of Marshall, one in the township of Prarie Ronde, several on the Kalamazoo, and in
other places. In Bruce Township in the county of Macomb, on the north fork of the Clinton, are
several...eight miles from Lake St. Clair. In sinking the cellar of a building for a missionary, sixteen
baskets full of human bones were found of a remarkable size. Near the mouth of this river, on the east
bank, are ancient works representing a fortress, with wall of earth thrown up simular to those in Ohio
and Indiana
The following list is predominately subsurface burials that were discovered in areas that are
consistent with the homelands of the early Iroquois. This includes those states bordering on one the
Great Lakes. The historical accounts in Ohio are predominately from the northern counties, on Lake
Erie. There is also evidence that the early Iroquois were present along the Wabash, and in east central Indiana.
New York
Notes on the Iroquois by Henry Schoolcraft, 1847
Ancient Entrenchments on Fort Hill The work occurs on an elevated point of land formed by the junction of a small stream, called Fordhams brook, with Allens Creek, a tributary of the Genessee River. Its position is about three miles north of the village of LeRoy, and some ten or twelve northeast of Batavia. The best view of the hill, as one of the natural features of the country, is obtained a short distance north of it, on the road from Bergen to Leroy.
But the most remarkable and distinctive tract connected with its archaeology is the discovery of human bones denoting an uncommon stature and development, which are mentioned in the same communication. A Humerus or shoulder bone, which is preserved, denotes a stature one-third larger than the present race, and there is also a lower jaw bone, preserved by a physician at Batavia, from the vicinity, which indicates the same gigantic measure of increase.
History of the Holland , 1849 A mile north of Aurora Village, in Erie County, there are several small lakes or ponds, around and between which, there are knobs or elevations, thickly covered with a tall growth of pine; upon them, are several mounds, where many human bones have been excavated… There are in the village and vicinity few gardens and fields where ancient and Indian relics are not found at each successive ploughing. Few cellars are excavated without discovering them. In digging a cellar a few years since upon the farm of P. Piersen, a skeleton was exhumed, the thigh bones of which would indicate great height; exceeding by several inches, that of the tallest of our own race.
History of the Holland Purchase, 1849
The ancient works at For Hill, LeRoy, are especially worthy of observation in connection with this
interesting branch of history… Forty years ago an entrenchment ten feet deep, and some twelve or
fifteen feet wide, extended from the west to the east end, along the north or front part, and continued up
each side about twenty rods, where it crossed over, and joining made the circuit of entrenchment
complete. It would seem that this fortification was arranged more for protection against invasion from
the north, this direction being evidently its most commanding position. Near the northwest corner,
piles of rounded stones, have, at different times, been collected of hard consistence, which are
supposed to have been used as weapons of defense by the besieged against the besiegers. Such
skeletons as have been found in and about this locality, indicate a race of men averaging one third
larger than the present race; so adjudged an anatomist.
History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, New York, 1853
In the town of MaComb, St. Lawrence County, are found traces of three trench enclosures, and
several places where beds of ashes mark the site of ancient hearths. One of these was on the farm of
William Houghton, on the bank of Birch Creek, and enclosed the premises now used as a mill yard. It
is somewhat in the form of a semi-circle; the two ends resting on the creek, and might have enclosed
half and acre… On an adjoining hill, now partly occupied by an orchard, traces of an ancient work formerly existed, but this has also been obliterated.
In the pond adjoining there was found, many years since, a skeleton, said to have been of great size.
History of Seneca County, New York, 1876 There were several mounds on the Calver place, and we often plowed up bones and ancient crockery. In 1850 we opened one of these mounds, and found a very large skeleton, with a well-shaped skull, and a stone pitcher near the head. The pitcher seemed to have been made of sand and clay. Small vessels of the same material, filled with clam-shells, were placed inside of the elbows. Some of these pitchers would hold half a gallon. We gave them to Gen. Brish. These things were as wonderful to the Indians as to us.
History of Niagara County , New York, 1878
“About one and a half miles west of Shelby Centre, Orleans County, is an ancient work. A broad
ditch encloses in a form nearly circular about three acres of land: the ditch is at this day well defined,
several feet deep. Some skeletons, almost entire, have been exhumed, many of giant size, not less than
seven to eight feet in length. The skulls are large, and well developed in the anterior lobe, abroad
between the ears and flattened in the coronal region.”
History of Cattaraugus County, Ellis, 1879
Limestone Creek Area Twenty years later, Mr. Older revisited the place, and found the work much changed by the hand of the white man. The smaller circle had been leveled, and a lumberman’s road crossed its enclosure. Some workmen were attempting to remove a stump of about two feet diameter, which stood at the two circles, and interfered with the excavation of a cellar which had been marked out. Oxen were attached and the stump was easily turned out from its ancient bed, disclosing a mass of human bones, from which the earth had been entirely removed by the small fibrous roots. ‘On examination,’ writes Mr. Older, ‘They proved to be skeletons entire, having been deposited there three or four in depth, with faces downward and heads to the east. A remarkable characteristic of these skeletons was their enormous proportions. Compared with my own stature and physical formation they must have been giants indeed! I am five feet eleven and a half inches in height, and I wear a hat seven and a half in size by hatters measure; but a skull of one of these skeletons would sit loosely on my head; a rib bone would pass round me from spine to colon, outside my garments, including an overcoat; a shin-bone would reach from my ankle two or three inches above the top of my knee joint; a thigh-bone reached from my knee to the upper part of the hip bone; and the sub-maxillary would encase my jaw like an easy-fitting mask. The teeth were enormous, particularly the molars. An attempt was made to preserve portions of these remains, but by exposure to the atmosphere they crumbled to a fine powder. These people must have been at least eight feet high, with other proportions corresponding.’ The earthwork here mentioned is still visible. Its location is on the land now owned by Job Moses.
History of Niagara County, New York, 1878
Town of Cambria A search enabled them to come to a pit, but a slight distance from the surface. The top of the pit was covered with slabs of the Medina Sandstone, and was twenty-four feet square by four and a half in depth- the planes agreeing with the four cardinal points. It was filled with human bones of both sexes and all ages. They dug down at one extremity, and found the same layers to extend to the bottom, which was the same dry loam, and from their calculations they deduced that at least four thousand souls had perished one great massacre. In one skull two flint arrowheads were found, and many had the appearance of having been fractured and cleft open by a sudden blow. They were piled in regular layers, but with no regard to size or sex… One hundred and fifty persons a day visited this spot the first season, and carried
off the bones. They are now nearly all gone and the pit ploughed over. The remains of a wall were traced near the vault. Some of the bones found in the latter were of unusual size. One of these was a thighbone that had been healed of an oblique fracture. One was the upper half of a skull so large that that of a common man would not fill it.
New York Times, February 11, 1902
Find Giant Indian’s Bones
Workmen on Harlem Road Unearth Relics of Teekus Tribe
Special to the New York Times
Katonah, N. Y., Sept 6-While a gang of men in the employ of the New York and Harlem Railroad were taking sand from an immense mound near Purdy’s Station to day fill an excavation, they unearthed several skeletons of unusual size.
The bones are believed to be those of Indians who once lived in this vicinity and belonged to a tribe that was led by the great Chief Teekus, from whom the Titicus Valley, now a part of the New York watershed, takes its name. Besides finding the bones, the workmen also exhumed a score or more of arrowheads, hatchets, and copper implements. It is believed that the large mound in which the relics were found was once the burying ground of the Teekus Indians. The last Indians were seen in the valley a short time after the Revolutionary War.
The bones found to-day were brought to Katonah and will be reinterred in the local cemetery.
Canada
Pioneer Society of Michigan, 1904 We frequently hear of the discovery of the skeletons of a gigantic race, and we are therefore the more puzzled to know to what race the mound builders belonged, for although we are called a new country, comparatively speaking, we may be the oldest.
A few years ago an article appeared in the Toronto Telegraph stating that in the township of Cayuga in the Grand River, on the farm of Daniel Fredenburg, five or six feet below the surface, were found two hundred skeletons nearly perfect, in a string of beads around the neck of each, stone pipes in the jaws of several of them, and many stone axes and skinners scattered around in the dirt. The skeletons were gigantic, some of them measuring nine feet, and few of them less than seven. Some of the thigh bones were six inches longer that any now known. The farm had been cultivated a century and was originally covered with a growth of pine. There was evidence from the crushed bones that a battled had been fought and these were some of the slain. Were these the remains of Indians or some other race? Who filled this ghastly pit?
The Nephilim Chronicles: Fallen Angels in the Ohio Valley Page 10