Scaroyadii Lodge - Order of The Arrow
Columbiana Council
Boy Scouts of America
24 North Park Ave
Lisbon, Ohio
- Norman Spiker
Columbiana
THE STORY OF SCAROYADII
Scarouady - Scarrooyady - Scruneyatha - Skirooniatta - also known as
Monactuatha or Monakaduto by The Delewares, Momakatootha, by the
Algonquins and possibly the Shawnees.
Scaroyady on the other side of the sky was an Oneida Chieftain who was
sent by the Great Council of the Six Nations (Iroqilois) to the Ohio Valley
about 1747 as a Vice Regent over the Shawnees of that Region. He was an
elderly man at that time, but lived long enough to take a prominent part
of the side of the English in King Georges' war and the French and Indian
War.
At the same time Tanacharison, also known as half king, was placed over
the Delewares and Mingoes in the Ohio Valley. Both of their Headquarters
were at Logstown, which is the present site of Legionville. Between
17 and 18 miles below. Pittsburgh, just below Ambridge and Economy. The
six Nations. held Sway over all of the above mentioned people. Tanacharison
died in 1754 and Scaroyady succeeded him as lhalf king over all the Dele-
wares, Mongoes and Shawnees.
Scarouady traveled quite extensively to keep the peace between the
English and the Indians. Many times his travels took him to Lancaster,
Carlisle Winchester, and Philadelphia where he was highly rewarded by
the Governor and his Council.
Scarouady and Tanacharison were with George Washington at the time of the
capture and killing of the Junonville's party of Frenchmen. Scaroudy
then traveled to Logstown and the Regions of Lake Erie to prevent, if
possible the Indians in those areas from joining the french. There for
he did not participate in the Fort Necessity Battle. He did participate
in Braddocks Campaign and tried to advise him as to how he should guard
against Indian attack, but his advise was not taken. During the march
Scarouady and his son were captured by the French. His son escaped and
the French were going to kill Scarouady when the Indians with then
protested that they would desert the Frencli if he were killed, thus
showing some tie of friendship with Scarouady who then rejoined Braddocks
march unharmed.
Scarouady's son was killed in error by the English during a skirmish,
He was given a military and Christian burial, which was a liffle different
from Braddocks usual contempt for the Indians. Scarouady was hardly
able to support his loss. He said had he been killed by the French
it would have been a trifling, but what he regretted most was his being
killed by his own people. What part Scarouady played in the remaining
part of Braddocks' march in the disastrous battle is clouded in obsecurity.
After Braddocks defeat Scarouady traveled between his people - Philadelphia
and the Six Nations promoting against the French, to keep peace between
the friendly Indians and the English, and to win back the French Indian
allies.
The date of, Scarouadys death is not known, but it was after April 1757.
??
when a Six Nation conference was held at Lancaster during the month.
Scarouady left on the 26th to Scout out the western wilderness for
possible renewed French attack, Nothing was heard until August 26, 1758.
Scarouady's wife and children accompanied by several Mohawks came to
Phidelphia to present Governor Denny with her husband Calumet Pipe and
desired that he and the Indians might smoke it together.
Scarouady had tattooed the figure of a Tomahawk on his breast and that
of a Bow and Arrow on each cheek. He was always a stanch friend of the
English against the French - so it is with sincere regret that we take leave
of Scarouady, an admirable character, a forceful orator, the leading
speaker at many conferences, the wise counselor, far past the prime of
life when he came upon the scene. He bore many burdens to the end of
his eventful career.
Foot-note - Scarouady - is now spelled Scaroyadii
References -
C - Hale Sipe (Indian) Chiefs of Penna
C - Hale Sipe - Indian wars of Penna
I.C. Fitzpatrick - The Writing of George Washington
and many thanks to E.G. Williams of Pittsburgh
Houghton Mifflin Co, George Washington Diaries Volume I
Ohio State University Library
Columbiana Public Library