Indians of Pennsylvania
The Susquehannocks Were Once Skilled Hunters and Fierce Warriors
May 25, 2009
Located in the Susquehanna River near the Safe Harbor Hydroelectric Plant in Pennsylvania is a series of petroglyphs that is only accessible via boat. The petroglyphs are what are left of the Susquehannocks that once lived along the river.
Life along the Susquehanna River
A woodland tribe like the Iroquois, the Susquehannocks once lived as far north as the Pennsylvania-New York border. Ongoing battles with the Iroquois forced the Susquehannocks to relocate to the southern end of the Susquehanna River, which included the parts of York County, the southern part of Lancaster County and north and eastern part of Maryland along the Chesapeake Bay area and the Potomac River.
The Susquehannocks survived by planting maize, beans, squash, and tobacco. Once they moved to the Chesapeake Bay area they gathered shellfish. They also hunted animals such as deer, rabbits, bear, and fowls to name a few.
The name of the dwelling the Susquehannocks lived in were called Longhouses. The houses were built from strips of bark that are woven through pole lines to cover the dwelling, which helped to keep the inside dry. The homes also had fireplaces.
The Susquehannocks traded beaver furs with the Europeans. Trade allowed them to build a sufficient amount of guns and ammunition, but still their enemies over powered the tribe.
Europeans Negotiate Land Treaties
The Susquehannocks were taken advantage of when Europeans negotiated land treaties. This was obvious when William Claiborne of Virginia claimed Palmer Island. The Chief cleared the island in order for Claiborne to be able to plant corn, which he did, but he also built a fort in order to fight off the Susquehannocks when necessary. The island is known today as Garrett Island.
By 1650, the Susquehannock population had dwindle down to 3,000 and by 1703 their population had decreased to 300. Their decrease in population had much to do with the ongoing battles with the Iroquois, Picataways, Wicomisse, and disease brought on by the Europeans.
The Susquehannock eventually blended in with the Conestoga tribe and the Quakers converted some. The converts lived peaceful amongst the Iroquois and settlers and became creative basket makers.
Indian Steps Museum and Petroglyphs
Located in York County is a small museum that sits along the Susquehanna River and not far from Safe Harbor where the petroglyphs are located. The outside wall of the museum gives an example of what the petroglyphs look like. The museum also holds many other items that were used by the Susquehannocks. These things are the only things left of a tribe that had existed for hundreds of years until Europeans and battles with other tribes destroyed them.
Sources:
Brubaker, Jack. Down the Susquehanna River to the Chesapeake. University Park, Penn State Press, 2002.
Grumet, Robert. Historic Contacts: Indian People and Colonists in Northeastern United States in the Sixteenth through Eighteenth Century. Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 1995.
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