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Treaty

Seneca at Buffalo Creek, New York (1802)

In 1802 the Seneca sold Little Beard's Reservation, 1,280 acres on the Genesee River, to three men for $1,200.

Signed
June 30, 1802
Senate
Ratified

What happened

On 30 June 1802, at Buffalo Creek, New York, the sachems, chiefs and warriors of the Seneca Nation signed a second paper alongside the larger exchange of the same day. The buyers were three individuals: Oliver Phelps of Ontario County, Isaac Bronson of New York City and Horatio Jones of Ontario County. John Tayler was the commissioner appointed by the President to hold the treaty.

For twelve hundred dollars, paid in hand, the Seneca leaders granted, released and forever quit-claimed to the three men the tract known as Little Beard's Reservation in Ontario County. The text bounds it on the east by the Genesee River and Little Beard's Creek, on the south and west by other lands of the buyers, and on the north by Big Tree Reservation. It says it contains two square miles, or twelve hundred and eighty acres.

Three copies were signed, one for the United States, one for the Seneca and one for the buyers. Thirteen marks appear, among them Red Jacket's, Corn Planter's, Young King's and Farmer's Brother's. It was ratified and proclaimed on 7 February 1803.

The text does not explain why the tract was sold or what the Seneca did with the money. It describes a private sale approved at a treaty held under United States authority.

Summarized with AI assistance from 4 sources and checked against their words; not yet reviewed by historians or by the nations. Report an error

What the sources say, and how this was checked

Well supported by the sources below.

  1. for and in consideration of the sum of twelve hundred dollars, lawful money of the United StatesTreaty with the Seneca, 1802 (7 Stat. 72), Tribal Treaties Database
  2. ALL that tract of land commonly called and known by the name of Little Beard's ReservationTreaty with the Seneca, 1802 (7 Stat. 72), Tribal Treaties Database
  3. containing two square miles, or twelve hundred and eighty acresTreaty with the Seneca, 1802 (7 Stat. 72), Tribal Treaties Database
  4. BOUNDED on the East by the Genesee river and Little Beard's CreekTreaty with the Seneca, 1802 (7 Stat. 72), Tribal Treaties Database

Research notes. The text offers no reason for the sale. One buyer, Horatio Jones, also appears as a witness and interpreter on the companion 1802 treaty; his dual role is not discussed here. A repeated signer name (Blue Sky) appears twice in the signature list.

What happened next

Everything the record holds about this land and this treaty, in order: what earlier agreements said, what this one did, and what the United States, the courts and the nations did afterwards.

Who is doing the work today

The nations connected to this treaty come first, then groups returning land and defending treaty rights. Support goes directly to them.

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Sources

  1. treaties.okstate.edu/treaties/treaty-with-the-seneca-1802-0062reference work
    June 30, 1802. | 7 Stat., 72. / scan: 62 TREATY WITH THE SENECA., 1802.

Shapes are approximate and are not legal descriptions of land, title or jurisdiction.