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Many of Chester County’s roads and railroad lines of today follow the same paths that the Lenni Lenape once walked. The Susquehanna Native Americans used a trail that passed over Brandywine Creek. This was used mostly to trade with the settlers after they came to the Philadelphia area. The Lenni Lenape lived throughout the Chester County area for as long as history can recall. They have taught us a lot about the area and are part of this community’s heritage. The Lenni Lenape also known as the Woodland Indians, who were a part of the Algonquin language group. They were under the political influence of the Iroquois Confederation. The tribe was composed of three powerful groups recognized by their totem symbol, the turtle (Unami) and the turkey (Unalachitgo). The Lenni Lenape were considered by many to be one of the most important tribes of the Algonquian Family, and were honored by being referred to as the “grandfathers”. Other tribes would seek their advice, as the Lenapes were known for possessing unusual wisdom and spiritual power. The Lenni Lenape were a large and peaceful people. They were typically hunters and gatherers. Although they practiced farming, raising corn, beans and squashes as staples for their diet. They had made peace with the Europeans who had come to the area. The Lenni Lenape lived in two types of houses. The first style, longhouse that was to house more than one family and the other style of shelter was not as big. They made their homes by bending trees and covering the tree frames with animal skins or tree bark. Villages had a fence to keep animals out and were located along a river or a forest to catch fish and animals. The boys of the tribe spent hours fishing until they were 12 or 15. Then they could go hunting. Girls had to stay home and help their mothers clean fish, prepare food and garden. When the boys and girls got older, they were expected to do more work. Boys had strict discipline and women were the decision makers. Herbs were used as medicines. They believed that everything had a soul. For example, before cutting down a tree they would express their gratitude and thank their god. The Indians were here long before other people came to the area but the Dutch were the first Europeans to come to Chester County area. They came to build trading posts. The Lenni Lenape people inhabited the Schulykill watershed when the European explorers arrived. The settlers labeled them the “Delaware Indians.” The Swedes were the first to make permanent and successful settlements. William Penn and his Quakers had bought that land from the Indians. He believed all people could live in peace together. When Penn died, the Indians and the settlers began to have problems. In Chester County, there was a Lenni Lenape woman that has been remembered for her accomplishments. This woman is Indian Hannah. Indian Hannah was the last member of the Lenni Lenape to live in Chester County. The Unami was her family group name and their totem was the tortoise. Her family lived in Webb’s cabin in the winter and along the Brandywine Creek where they planted corn. Hannah and her family moved to Delaware, then moved back to southeast Pennsylvania. Her family eventually died off. Historical records indicate that she may have married a man named Andrew Freeman. She lived and traveled with him for years. She made a living making baskets and brooms. She lived with several Quaker families during the winter, while in the summer she traveled selling baskets. She was known as a healer of herbalist who knew which herbs and wild plants were good remedies for various illnesses. She carried everything she owned in her backpack, because she traveled so much. In 1798, Quakers made an agreement to take care of her. Hannah died on March 20, 1802 . Indian Hannah will always be remembered as a big part of this area’s history. She helped cure people and help them with their problems by using her knowledge of the land, herbs, and healing. The Lenni Lenape tribe had a massive impact on this area. They helped develop the land. They were a smart people, with a great knowledge of the land, and used every natural resource to the fullest. |