Spanish Hill

Who were the Susquehannocks? (Andastes) johnsmiths_illustartion.gif (54365 bytes)

A brief summary:

The Susquehannocks were made up 5 - 6 tribes spread out amongst approximately 20 villages along the Susquehanna river. General John S. Clark, a surveyor from Auburn NY claimed that their most northerly of the villages was Carantouan and the most southerly was the located at the "Great Falls" between Harrisburg and Columbia.

Their name:

The name Susquehannock is derived from the word Sasquesahanough, a descriptive term used by Smith's Algonquian interpreter to mean People at the Falls, or People of the Muddy River. Two other names that were used to refer to them were "Andaste" (particularly by the French) or "Minqua,""Minques," or "Minckas" by the Dutch, but there seems to be many other names used as well.

Their size :

~Pennsylvania Archeologist, Volume 61 No. 2 September 1991

The Stature of A Susquehannock Population of the Mid-16th Century Based on Skeletal Remains from 46HM73

Marshall Joseph Becker

ABSTRACT

When John Smith first contacted a group of Susquehannock in 1608 he described these people as "gyant-like." Direct confirmation of this observation can now be provided through studies of the long bones of a population which was part of the Susquehannock "confederacy." Recent excava- tions at a Susquehannock site on the South Branch of the Potomac River in Hampshire County, West Virginia, re- vealed portions of a palisaded village and associated fea- tures dating from the middle of the 16th century. This rem- nant of a flood-destroyed site yielded 13 relatively intact burials. Surface collection of skeletal material immediately downstream of the site after the flood provided long bones from at least 18 other adults. Calculation of the stature of the individuals represented in this sample and comparisons with the other Native American populations of this period confirm John Smith's observations.

When were they here?

By the early 1600's, the Susquehannocks had left the village of Carantouan as they began to lose significant numbers of their population due to constant Indian wars with neighboring tribes. This is indeed supported by a quote from "Old Tioga Point and Early Athens" - by Louise Welles Murray:

"From 1640 the (Iroquois) Five Nations were supplied with firearms, and soon devastated the tribes on the upper Susquehanna, thus opening the way to the lower tribes on the river..."

They also lost many lives due to the diseases brought by the Europeans.

It would seem that the the Susquehannocks and their Carantouan village would have only have been in existence for less than 40 years during the time the Europeans began writing about their experiences with the natives in the new world. The Indians did not use a written language, and sadly, our history starts with either stories told over the years, or European versions that were recorded at that time. Because of this, not much written detail remains to tell the story of the Susquehannocks, other than the tales of E. Brule's travels with them as referenced by Champlain or in other historical accounts such as the Jesuits Relations. (This is also largely due to the use of so many names referring to each tribe in the area, and the lose ends in the historical data caused by this.) There are also things that can be learned from the remains left at their old village sites and burial grounds as well.

Excerpts concerning their southward migration from "The Selected Manuscripts of General John S. Clark, page 78":

"The Susquehannas were certainly established in the new position as early as 1653 and probably earlier. The instructions to Captain Obder in 1661 show that a permanent garrision of 50 soldiers were to occupy a fortified position either within or without the Susquehanna fort which they were to fortify for their own security...A critical study of the history of this period will show the Susquehanna fort was at Blue Rock, Connadago, five miles from Columbia..."

The Andastes (Susquehannocks) were believed to be the only tribe that had cannons:

"Lalemant now describes the warfare which ha [Page 10] continued between Canadian and other tribes and the Iroquois. The latter attack the Andastes, far down the Susquehanna, but find that the villages of this tribe are defended with European cannon; and, moreover, the Andastes are a match for them in cunning — seizing twenty-five Iroquois spies, and burning them to death in the sight of their own army. Not only do the invaders meet disaster, but their own villages are ravaged by smallpox, and their fields remain half tilled. Thus menaced, the Iroquois plan to form an alliance with the French, hoping that the latter may help them against their enemies; but they abandon this scheme, upon hearing that the king of France is about to send many soldiers to Canada, to crush the enemies of the colonists. Meanwhile, some souls among them are saved; for certain captive Frenchmen baptize over three hundred children, and some adults who are dangerously ill." - The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents Volume 48

One last item that is known about them is how they met their demise. In 1763, the last remaining 20 Susquehannocks were living in peace in Conestoga, PA, only to be slaughtered by the Paxton Boys in revenge for Indian raids that these specific people had nothing to do with.

Why do we care if the Susquehannocks were here?

This information about the Andaste (Susquehannocks) being here gives us a better indication that the location of Spanish Hill was the site of Carantouan - and also also gives more credit to the stories of the Giant Skeletons being found here.

As General John S. Clark so wisely stated that where the historical documentation and archeological results can "sing in harmony" - is where you will be able to find the truth. Hopefully - if you read the following areas of this site, Giant Skeletons , Carantouan , and the Susquehannocks(this page), you will begin to hear the opening notes of our distant past being played out.

"The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth should be its basis, presented without fear or favor, conscientiously and in good faith," and again: "If I suceed in exciting a more earnest determination to investigate the rich historical mines that reexamine almost unknown and untouched in our libraries, and awaken the wise men of the day to realize the inportance of securing while it is yet possible the vast stores of antiquarian wealth in fields yet untrodden, then I will feel that I am more amply repaid for my labors." - from the Selected Manuscripts of General John S. Clark, Relating to the Aboriginal History of the Susquehanna, 1931.

"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" ~ General John S. Clark

For more detail please use the following links:

Learn more at: