Most
believe that the only information that we have to help us find Carantouan is the text from
Samuel Champlain that discusses this place called Carantouannais, and the map that shows
where it was in reference to other areas that was known to Champlain at the time.
But
there are other clues as to the location because of a couple of other things that were
stated in the text that we have references to.
Three
Days from the Battle Site: For instance, we know that Carantouan was a short three
days journey from the place that Brule and his 500 Carantouan warriors were going to
battle the Onnondagas with Champlain. Since we have not been able to find the exact
location of that battlefield, this clue has not been very helpful to date. As we look at
the general area, however, Spanish Hill is within 3 short day journey of this area.
7
Days Journey from What We Now Call "Philadelphia": Another clue is
that Carantouan was said to be located 7 days journey from "where the Dutch
traffic" and what is now known as Philadelphia, PA. A days journey in those
times was said to be 25-30 miles, Philadelphia is 222 miles from the "Valley,"
making it 31 miles per day. Some might say that this is over the 25-30 miles per day
target; however if you look at the map, they would have used their canoes for a part of
that journey, thus making it easily within range.
The
Three Dutchmen: Also, there is a reference by Champlain about three Dutchmen being
captured by the Carantouans, in his text he states:
"...they
told us that the preceding year, while making war, they captured three of the Dutch, who
were assisting their enemies, as we do the Attigouautans, and while in action one of
their own men was killed. Nevertheless they did not fail to send back the three Dutch
prisoners, without doing them any harm, supposing that they belonged to our party, since
they had no knowledge of us except by hearsay, never having seen a Christian; otherwise,
they said, these three prisoners would not have got off so easily, and would not escape
again should they surprise and take them."
The
Dutch Map: The Dutch men that were captives of the Carantouans were taken to the
Delaware Bay - (where the Carantouans knew other white men were) and were ransomed by a
Captain Hendrickson in 1614. Captain Hendrickson shared this info with the man who
made the first maps of "New Netherland."
Note:
As with all maps of that time, these maps are not perfectly drawn and are based not only
on word of mouth and sketches of this new land, but also what past mapmakers assumptions
were as well. I find the easiest way to try to figure out what was most probably the
correct parts of the maps is by looking at this map and how it evolves over the years,
some things get corrected, and some things remain the same...
Note
that the Susqehannocks (Andastes) that lived in central and southern PA were known as the
"Minques" or "Minkas." As you travel northward on that same river the
Miques are placed, you see the "Capitinesses" and the "Gauchoos"
before reaching the "Senecas."
Some
also claim that the words "Capitinesses" and the "Gauchoos" are a
Spanish reference, thus making some wonder if that is a link to "Spanish Hill."
Whatever the name the Dutch used, it undoubtedly shows more than you would notice at first
glance...
1.)
The water-colored red line marks the line between the British ownership and the Dutch.
This was marked by the first west branch of the Susquehanna - near Sunbury, PA.
2.)
The next west flowing branch leads to the large oval shaped fortified area, which I
believe also resembles Carantouan's oval-shaped area and how it would have been described
by these men.
3.) It
also shows the mouth of the "Susqefahanough" just about where Cooperstown and
Otsego Lake (the actual mouth of the Susquehanna River) would be.
Do you see the #42 on the edge next to the round fortified area?
(That means 42 degrees latitude.)
Sayre, PA is 41.997 degrees latitude.
Spanish Hill on the NY/PA border is 42.
Mapping Latitude and Longitude in 1615: Unfortunately,
nobody in those times could tell latitude yet, (not until the late 18th century). So
the only standardized mapping method they had then was longitude, (north and south) and
then used their own methods of arbitrary "east" and "west"
references the best that they could.
General
John S. Clark:General
Clark was well aware of this map and the mapping problems that existed. So he
studied the maps as well as other links to Spanish Hill and Bradford County for in
historical documents. Clark and his partner David Craft studied the Jesuit Relations and
Moravian Missions, which are nearly the only other historical documents available besides
Champlain's Voyages for our local area's early history.
General
Clark also surveyed the hill and studied the fortifications before he made the following
statement:
"After very careful study of all accessible facts, I unhesitatingly
commit myself to the conclusion that Spanish Hill is nothing more or less than this
ancient fortified town, the stronghold of the Carantouans" ~ John S. Clark - 1878
After
three years of my own research, I agree with him.