Rice LakeA History of the Rice Lake Indians by Mary Jane Muskratte Simpson
The benefit of the Indian tribes
1,120 were granted in 1834 to trustees for "the benefit of the Indian tribes" in the Province, and with a view "to their conversion and civilization".
They have subsequently purchased 430 acres in addition out of their own funds. 200 acres in Otonabee are also held in trust for the joint benefit of the Rice and Mud Lake Indians.
Rice Lake Band: These tribes are all Christianized, the Rice and Scugog Indians adopting the Methodist form of belief, while the Mud Lake tribe are under the superintendence of the New England Company. Their present minister is a Baptist.
The Rice Lake Indians number 145, being a small increase within the last fifteen years. Their village contains 26 houses, all but one of which are built of logs, 13 barns, of which 11 are frame structures, a frame church, a school house, and a school-master's house, also a council-house.
The school is at present kept by a white woman, and the usual attendance is reported latterly to have reached 30. During the past winter it averaged about half that number, the total number of children of an age to attend school is given at 40.
Mud Lake Band: These Indians are so-called from the settlement on Mud, or Chemong, Lake where there have been located upwards of 25 years.
They occupy a tract of 1,600 acres in the Township of Smith, which was given for them in trust to the New England Company, in 1837. Their present clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Gilmour, has allotted to each family a parcel of ground varying from 1 to 4 acres. They number 96 individuals, holding 70( acres of ground, all of which are cleared. Their public property consists of a log church and a small quantity of farming implements and stock. They possess 17 houses and 6 sheds or barns, all of which are made of logs. The produce raised last year was Spring Wheat, 35 Bu; Indian Corn, 15 Bu; potatoes, 195 Bu; and 10( tons of Hay. Their stock comprises 4 horses and 17 head of cattle.
The average attendance at school is said to be about 20.
Cobourg Sentinel-Star, issue July 14th, 1858; Meeting of the Sons of Temperance.
The Editor of that day gives a sketch of the Reserve at Alderville, where he attended this meeting.
"The venerable Chief, John Sunday, so well known as a speaker on missionary platforms, was present and was duly elected and installed as one of the officers of the Division, as was also his son-in-law John Rice, an Indian of more than ordinary intelligence. There were, if we remember rightly, nearly a score of old members present, and we trust that with the able co-operation of the Rev. S. Hurlburt, under whose pastoral care this very interesting mission is now placed, the good cause will flourish again and take deeper root than ever, and fill the neighbourhood with its pleasant fruits."
"After the immediate object of our visit was concluded we paid a visit to the school-room, a commodious structure of brick, where we were particularly struck with the reading of one of the Indians. Few white men can read English with half the clearness of enunciation, the correct emphasis, and thorough appreciation of the subject as this young son of the forest, whose mind is anything but 'untutored'. It is truly gratifying to know that under the care and influence of Mr. Bettice, the younger members of this interesting community are acquiring at least the rudiments of knowledge, and learning to become useful members of society. There are from 50 to 70 attending this school."
"We cannot entertain but pleasing anticipations of the results of the combined labours of the missionary, the schoolmaster, and the Temperance Brotherhood of the future prospects of this beautiful village, over which there already reigns a Sabbath-like placidity which contrasts most favourably with many a village of the white man."
"We may observe in connection with this matter the unblushing manner in which the law prohibiting the sale of liquor to an Indian is violated in this town. Whenever Cobourg has inflicted upon it the visit of a circus or anything of the kind, many of the Indians were discovered reeling drunk about the streets and nobody has done the mischief! What a burning shame it is that our tavern-keepers should be allowed to go on breaking the laws with impunity. Sooner or later they will bitter repent their iniquitous conduct, and discover that money thus earned brings with it a fearful curse."
"Many of our readers have doubtless noticed in the shop of Mr. Pringle, watchmaker, a beautiful silver tomahawk. This very beautiful specimen of silverwork was lately presented to Captain Anderson by the Mohawk Indians near the Bay of Quinte upon the occasion of his farewell visit. The pipe-tomahawk, for it is a combination of the emblems of war and peace, is a most admirable piece of workmanship, the head being of silver exquisitely chased and engraved.
On one side are delineated the emblems of three different tribes, the turtle, the bear, and the wolf, disposed triangularly; and on the other a beautiful sketch of an Indian encampment by the lake shore, surrounded with flowers, scroll-work, etc; the whole forming a very fine specimen of the skill of J. G. Joseph and Co. of Toronto by whom it was executed, and a most tasteful tribute to Captain Anderson, by whom it was wholly unexpected.
When he took his leave of them for the last time some of the principal men of the tribes accompanied him for nine miles on his way, and then in bidding him farewell presented him with this most beautiful and appropriate testimony of their respect and goodwill. On the socket which receives the mahogany stem or handle the following inscription is engraved: 'Presented to Captain T. G. Anderson by the Mohawk Indians, Tyendinaga, 1858.'