The Last of the AndroscogginsPeal Pol or PierpoleLast Indian of the Sandy River August 1997 - updated June 2001 |
|---|
The Last of the AndroscogginsPeal Pol or PierpoleLast Indian of the Sandy River August 1997 - updated June 2001 |
|---|
Research by Nancy Lecompte - "Canyon Wolf"
His Christian name was Pierre Paul. Most likely he pronounced his name as Pial Pol. The early settlers corrupted it to Pierpole. When and where he was born is unknown. He was an adult with a family in 1781 when early settlers of the Sandy River first met him. We also know that he fought on the American side during the War where he received the title of Captain. We should place his date of birth before 1758. When and where he died is still a mystery. The last date I have found him in history is 1801 when he filed a petition to sell his land at Strong. When settlers first came to the Sandy River there were two Abenaki families living in the area: Old Philip and Pierpole. Pierpole was living at Farmington Falls which was the site of the old Ammessecontee Village. Philip soon moved away. This is probably the same Philip who sold the Indian Stream land to Thomas Eames in 1796. Philip died about a year later in Northumberland, NH under the care of his friend Thomas Eames. Philip was probably in his eighties when he died. Abenaki hunters continued to trade in the Sandy River area for many years. We do not know what band Pierpole was from. Some say Norridgewock, some say Penobscot, some say he must have been Androscoggin. The people of the old Ammessecontee Village were possibly Penecook, originally from the Merrimack River. His neighbor, Old Philip, is considered Cowas. It's not unlikely that Perepole was a little of each. I personally favor a Maliseet connection for him. We are told that Pierpole was of "medium height, broad in the shoulders, straight, strong and lithe". He always wore native dress "a blanket and moccasins, with ornamentation of silver bracelets and a silver medal". He spoke English well enough to communicate with his neighbors. He traveled to Quebec each year to "carry his gifts to the priest and receive his benediction". I am sure this yearly trip also included trading and visiting with relatives. He was given 100 acres of land on the Sandy River for his service during the War. This was lot #11 in township #3 (Readstown/ Middletown/Strong). The original deed for the land that now makes up the town of Strong (Township No. 3 in the 1st Range of townships on the west side of Kenebeck River) includes reservations and resolves to accommodate the early settlers that had established homesteads and made improvements to the land prior to the date of the deed. These reservations include the usual lots for the schools, church, and minister, etc. along with the following section titled "Reservation for Capt. Peirpole" in the left margin of the deed. The text of this section reads;And also reserving one hundred acres for the use and benefit of Captain Peirpole (so called) an Indian & his heirs, who settled on said land a number of years ago, & still resides on the same.The document is "Sworn to before Justice Cooper 1st February 1794" Local history tells of Pierpole's lead mine somewhere on Day's Mountain. He would disappear in the forest and return with lead for making his bullets. No one has ever located this mine although many have tried. It is possibly there was never a mine. The Abenaki had an important trail through this area in earlier days. It's not unlikely that there were munitions caches at strategic points along their trails. Perhaps Pierpole simple knew where one of these old hiding places was located. Pierpole's wife was Hannah Sussup [Anna Joseph], thought to be of Norridgewock. Pierpole is quoted as saying "wisest squaw of all the Sandy, the best forest women". She made birch-bark utensils, which she sold or traded locally. Hannah typically wanted nothing to do with her neighbors, she "maintained toward them a sullen and surly demeanor". We do know of one instance of her helping a neighbor concerning the theft of a shawl. When Hannah recognized the shawl, she took it from the visiting Indian and returned it to it's owner, a Mrs. Hunter. The names of his children seem to be confused by time. We do have some official public records and a lot of legends: (1) Molly Susan Pearpole married 24-JAN-1798 Heaten Gilman, both of Plantation #3. Performed by Moses Starling. This would by Marie Suzanne Pierre Paul. Heaten Gilman was believed to be Penobscot and possibly related to David Gilman of Farmington, who married Ester Wyman 15-DEC-1796. Heaten is an unusually name and perhaps it is a corruption of Etienne, which is French Stephen. This is strengthened by the fact that we find an Etienne Gilman in tribal records at Trois Rivieres in the mid 1800's and his spouse is called 'Suzanne Pierre-Paul' in records. (2) Molley Perepole married 7-MAY-1798 John Sebatus both of Middletown Plantation. Recorded by Soloman Adams, Town Clerk, Farmington. She is also called Molly Susep. This would be Marie Josephte Pierre Paul and her husband would be Jean Baptiste. This is not the same Sabatis that the town of Sabattus is named after or the Sabattus that was with Molly Ockett in Fryeburg. It is also not likely that he is the Sabatis that went to Quebec with Arnold's expedition. (3) Katherine Peerpole married Peter or John Mussel, who was believed to be Penobscot. The marriage intentions are filed in Winslow ME on 8-Jun-1796. Mussell may very well be his proper name, but Mitchell is more likely. He is believed to be Penobscot. (4) A son, Johnny or Joseph Sussup learned to read and write from Supply Belcher, Esq. I suspect his name was actually John Joseph, as Sussup is simply the Abenaki pronunciation of Joseph. Two children died very young while the family was still living in the Strong area. Many legends have grown up around these two. I will give you the most common versions. Hannah Oppalunski was sometimes referred as a male child named Oppalunski. The family took the child to Penobscot for baptism but the priest had already left for Canada. The child died before they could find a priest. Pierpole and Hannah believed the child was cursed because it had never been properly baptized. Oppalunski is buried in the "old burying-ground on the elevation above the David F. Hunter farm in Strong". A son called Iganoose [Ignace] died during the summer before he was baptized. Legend says Pierpole smoked the body and transported it by sled to Canada the following winter for proper Catholic burial. Pierpole's relations with his neighbors "were most pleasant, ... he rendered them essential service". They spoke of him as "a most kindly disposed man, gentle and religious". Descendants of the Freeman family tell a story of Pierpole traveling from Strong to Farmington in a blinding snowstorm to fetch a doctor for an ailing member of their family. Pierpole was a friend and frequent visitor of Deacon Livermore. In the Deacon's papers was found the following place names (dated 28-Feb-1789) given by Pierpole;
I, Perepole, of lawful age, testify and say that the Indian name of the river was Pejepscook, from Quabacook, which is now called Merrymeeting bay, as far as Amitgonpontook, what the English call Harris' falls, and all the river from Harris' falls up was called Ammascoggin, and the longest falls on the river was above Roccomecook about twelve miles, and those falls have got three pitches, and there are no other falls on the river like them, and they used to catch most salmon at the foot of those falls; and the Indians used to say when down the river from Roccomecook, and when they got down over the falls by Harris', that now come Pejepscook.
To the Hon. the Senate & the Hon. the House of Representatives in General Court Assembled --Pealpole X Coveagme
your Petitioners humbly Showeth that when Township No.3 or Reads Town, on Sandy river, was purchased by William Read & others, one hundred acres was reserved for me Capt. Pealpole, Indian Man & my heirs, but not for assigns. and as I now wish to sell said Land and __ [house?] which is Lot no. 11 which I possessed long before that purchase & ever since. I humbly pray your Hon. that I may be authorized to convey the same by deed as there is not any other Indian family living Near, I have so many visiting Indians, it keepeth me excessive Poor. I would further State that as my kindred live at Kanada, I wish to remove thither not only that I may enjoy my Friends, but that Religion which I was taught to observe - as in duty bound with ever pray -
We the Subscribers do hereby certify that the above Statement by the said, Pealpole is True. we would further State that we think it much for his interest to sell said Lot & remove to Kanada. For the reasons by him Stated, we futher certify that he has now an opportunity of selling his lot for the full value. Provided he can be authorized to give a deed of the same - we add that [he was?] Friendly & a good Soldier in the American war -- "
Resolve on the petition of Pealpole Coviagme an Indean Man authorizing him to sell and convey lot of Land in Readstown in the County of Kennebec. Feby 12 . 1801
On the petition of Pealpole Coviagme and Indian Man praying that he may be authorized to sell and convey a lot of land in a place called Reads town or No three in the county of Kennebec.
Resolved for reasons set forth in said petitions that the said Pealpole Coviagme be and he is hereby authorized to sell and convey lot Number eleven in a place called No. Three or Readstown in sandy river in the county of Kennebec, containing one hundred acres ___ or resolve to the contrary notwithstanding __ [part?] down for concurrence
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |