Jasper Parish Collection mssParish

Gayle Richardson
The Huntington Library
July 2020
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
reference@huntington.org


Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
Title: Jasper Parish collection
Creator: Parish, Jasper, 1767-1836
Identifier/Call Number: mssParish
Physical Description: 1.65 Linear Feet (1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1804-1828
Abstract: A collection of material related to the life and work of Jasper Parish, interpreter for the U. S. government and Iroquois Native Americans.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item]. Jasper Parish collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquired from W. C. Wyman, approximately 1920.

Biographical / Historical

Jasper Parish (1767-1836) of Canandaigua, New York, served as an interpreter and U.S. sub-agent to the Iroquois nation from 1792 to 1828. Parish was fluent in the Mohawk and Delaware languages after having lived among the Munsee and Mohawk nations for six years as a child. Parrish's residence with those nations began when he and his father were kidnapped by members of the Munsee nation on July 5, 1778. Parish lived with the Indians for seven years before returning to his birth family in 1784. In some records, his last name is sometimes spelled Parrish.

Scope and Contents

A collection of 34 items from 1804 to 1828; it consists primarily of correspondence, invoices, and receipts documenting business transactions made between Jasper Parish and U.S. government officials on behalf of the Seneca Nation. The Oneida, Cayuga, and Tuscarora nations are also represented among these papers, as well as the Stockbridge Native Americans. Items include: a power of attorney authorizing Jasper Parish as agent and attorney for the Seneca Nation, notifications and accounts of council meetings, treaty negotiations and contracts for lands purchased, and receipts for annuity payments made to the Six Nations by the U.S. government.

Processing Information

Processed by Margaret Phung, January 2014. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the electronic finding aid derived from an earlier finding aid.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Related Materials

The Jasper Parish collection forms part of the American Indian File.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Blacksmithing
Cayuga Indians
Indian agents
Indians of North America -- New York (State) -- Government relations
Indians of North America -- New York (State) -- History -- 19th century
Oneida Indians -- History
Onondaga Indians
Quakers -- New York (State)
Seneca Indians -- History
Stockbridge Indians -- History
Tuscarora Indians -- History
Contracts -- United States -- 19th century
Invoices -- United States -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 19th century
Receipts (financial records) -- United States -- 19th century
Farmer's Brother, approximately 1730-1841
Lewis, Morgan, 1754-1844
M'Intyre, Arch'd ( Archibald), 1772-1858
Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844
Red Jacket, Seneca chief, approximately 1756-1830
Williams, Eleazer, 1787-1858

Box 1, Folder 1-34

Jasper Parish collection 1804-1828