LACOL Digital Humanities 2023

Kalea Ramsey, Jesse Koblin, Nahom Ayalew

Archive Metadata

Vassar (Collected by Jesse and Nahom)

Jasper Parrish Papers, Digital Collections, Vassar College 

Format: The Jasper Parrish Papers Digital Collection objects are scanned and digitized versions of manuscripts and typewritten papers. Although these digital objects are legible in their current form, our group requires transcribed versions for text analysis and visualization. To achieve this, we have transcribed, plan to transcribe, or are currently transcribing the objects detailed below. 

Rights: According to the Guide to the Jasper Parrish Papers, 1757-1954, the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library have made this collection accessible (as long as researchers comply with regulations detailed in the Archives Authority Statement). Our group can use the publicly-accessible materials for scholarly research, citation, and data collection. However, as stated in the Permissions Policy, re-publication would require approval by the original owner. 

Privacy and Ethics: This collection and the objects therein depict the life of 18th-century U.S. military interpreter Jasper Parrish as told through correspondence and legal and financial notes. Also included in the collection and our documented sources are correspondence from Native Peoples, speech transcriptions, U.S. Census reports, and biographical narratives of Parrish’s life written by his descendent. We believe no materials require censorship or removal, as every source included provides a critical insight into the condition of Native Iroquois Peoples during the 18th century through both internal and external perspectives. Ethically, we have not been concerned with any sources identified; they are all above-board public documents created by U.S. and Native representatives, composed formally, legalistically, and numerically depending on the document type.

1. Correspondence To and By Jasper Parrish

Chiefs and Warriors of the St. Regis Indians, 1828 January 3

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College. Chiefs and Warriors of the St. Regis Indians, 1828 January 3. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/eb4c6762-aee6-45cd-b653-82794cc899a7. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (2 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Written in letter form. Fully transcribed. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use.
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

Thomas L. McKenney | to Jasper Parrish, 1827 Dec 20

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College. Thomas L. McKenney | to Jasper Parrish, 1827 Dec 20.
• https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/615d69c4-afd1-4ca7-8935-7da9f17f23db. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (4 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Written in letter form. Being transcribed. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use.
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

Parrish, Jasper | to Thomas L. McKenney, 1828 Jan 1

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College. Parrish, Jasper | to Thomas L. McKenney, 1828 Jan 1. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/8d60cbbc-3b36-44e5-aa3c-da86b3b05c37. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (2 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Written in letter form. Being transcribed. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use.
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

Parrish, Jasper | to Chiefs and Warriors of the St. Regis Indians, 1828 Jan 3

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College. Parrish, Jasper | to Chiefs and Warriors of the St. Regis Indians, 1828 Jan 3. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/eb4c6762-aee6-45cd-b653-82794cc899a7. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (2 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Written in letter form. Fully transcribed. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use. 
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

Parrish, Jasper | to Edward P. Parrish, 1828 Jan 3

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College. Parrish, Jasper | to Edward P. Parrish, 1828 Jan 3. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/d2402c6f-314e-4116-ad1b-008031c94c09. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (2 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Written in letter form. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use. 
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

​​Parrish, Jasper | to Thomas L. McKenney, 1828 Jan 26

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College.​​ Parrish, Jasper | to Thomas L. McKenney, 1828 Jan 26. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/984f87b5-1485-4bd1-a784-216bd2854cf3. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (2 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Written in letter form. Being transcribed. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use.
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

Edward Paine | to Jasper Parrish, 1798 May 26

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College. Edward Paine | to Jasper Parrish, 1798 May 26. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/3b13858c-12d7-4e6a-815b-ec2e9a05c8f0. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (3 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Written in letter form. Fully transcribed. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use.
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

Col. Timothy Pickering | to Jasper Parrish, 1790 Oct 30

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College. Col. Timothy Pickering | to Jasper Parrish, 1790 Oct 30.

https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/5b18563b-ad0c-4c03-8f46-6ccb931be160. Jasper Parrish Papers.

• Loose pages (2 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Written in letter form. Fully transcribed. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use.
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

2. Addresses and Messages

Copy of petition to President Monroe by Six Nation Chiefs [fragment], 1818 January 1 

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College. Copy of petition to President Monroe by Six Nation Chiefs [fragment], 1818 January 1. 
• https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/2c72fa25-f5be-414f-b8ad-2f74730c93f8. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (2 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Fully transcribed. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use.
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

Brief description of the Jefferson address to the Seneca, Oneida, and Onondagua Nations, 1803 Feb 14

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College. [Brief Description of the Jefferson Address to the Seneca, Oneida, and Onondagua Nations, 1803 Feb 14]. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/a8df1ef9-a328-4dea-bfbf-1e91873cd0fc. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Text, Loose pages (1 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Being transcribed.
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use.
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

Message from the Six Nations to the Secretary of War, 1815 Feb 20

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College. Message from the Six Nations to the Secretary of War, 1815 Feb 20. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/0e644b13-6a3f-4f10-a91e-3f62e0f0228b. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (4 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Fully transcribed.
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use.
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

Address to chiefs of the Seneca, Oneida, and Onondagua Nations, 1803 Feb 14

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College. Address to chiefs of the Seneca, Oneida, and Onondagua Nations, 1803 Feb 14. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/e8c5f25d-c430-48ef-a058-903c36eaa6c4. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Text, Loose pages (4 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Not yet transcribed. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use.
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

Report from the Tuscarora Indians, 1823, Dec 9

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College. Report from the Tuscarora Indians, 1823, Dec 9. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/f45b9c11-700d-47e0-95fd-28ed86f40a4c. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (3 p. ); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Fully transcribed.
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use.
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

3. Legal Documents

Appointment of Parrish by Indian chiefs as attorney for Rev. War claims, 1824

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College. Appointment of Parrish by Indian chiefs as attorney for Rev. War claims, 1824. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/c102e2c4-e133-4ef7-a88f-f465892ee497. Jasper Parrish Papers. 
• Loose pages (5 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Being transcribed. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

4. Financial Documents

Receipt of payment to Seneca warriors for war of 1812 service, 1821 May 28

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College.​​ Receipt of payment to Seneca warriors for war of 1812 service, 1821 May 28. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/32562e5a-d625-40e6-813b-f7b63d43931a. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (2 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Being transcribed. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use.
• Does not contain sensitive information. 

5. Censuses of the Six Nations

Muster roll of Six Nations in War of 1812, 1814 Feb 14

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College.​​ Muster roll of Six Nations in War of 1812, 1814 Feb 14. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/ce906188-5f72-485a-b209-b1a19a5b1920. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (2 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Being transcribed. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use. 
• Does not contain sensitive information.

Number of Onondagas at Onondaga, 1808 Sept 5

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College.Number of Onondagas at Onondaga, 1808 Sept 5.
• https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/c1e521cc-a613-4ce3-9139-232af5bf2388. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (1 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Being transcribed. 
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use.
• Does not contain sensitive information.

6. Biographical Narratives, Transcripts and Inventories

Biographical narratives of Jasper Parrish, n.d.

• Digital Collections Library, Vassar College.​​ Biographical narratives of Jasper Parrish, n.d. https://digitallibrary.vassar.edu/collections/other-collections/jaspar-parrish-papers/4c753f4f-c507-47c6-8d99-8e86b0ab2877. Jasper Parrish Papers.
• Loose pages (18 p.); Iron gall ink on aged paper. Written in letter form. Transcribed.
• Owned by Vassar College; available for public use. 
• Does not contain sensitive information.

Amherst (Collected by Kalea)

43 Results for keyword ‘native american’, Amherst College Archives & Special Collections (not all listed, and some needs to be checked)

(Each link directs to a page on archivespace that lists more metadata information.)

1. Catalogue of the Gilbert Museum of Indian Relics

Bound manuscript volumes, loose manuscript notes, and published material describing specimens of Native American relics that once formed the Gilbert Museum of Indian Relics at Amherst College.

2. The Younghee Kim-Wait (Class of 1982)/Pablo Eisenberg Collection of Native American Literature
3. Heman Humphrey Sermons

A collection of Humphrey’s sermons in holograph and one bound volume of sermons published as pamphlets between 1813 and 1861. The collection includes his printed sermons on temperance, slavery and Native American rights.

4. Frederic Brewster Loomis (AC 1896) Papers

1896-1938; Dr. Frederic Brewster Loomis spent his life and career within the community of Amherst College—first as a student (class of 1896), then as a dedicated teacher and scientist. Professionally, he was a vertebrate paleontologist, and conducted expeditions across the continental United States and in Native American nations. This collection of professional papers contains correspondence, lectures, scientific articles in print and typescript, teaching materials, and research notes…

5. Native American News, Perspective – 3rd World Projects/ American Indian Music, 1977 March
6. Native American Students Organization, 2013
7. Native American Images: Photogravures by Edward S. Curtis, 1979 May
8. Series 7: Miscellaneous Manuscripts, 1670s-1823

Letters, autographs, engraved portraits, dispatches with instructions for the troops, drawings, lottery tickets issued to support the war, a score of a popular war song, and manuscripts relating to the interactions between the British forces and their Native American allies, such as a copy of the Treaty of Peace with Delaware and Shawnee Indians.

9. Series 14: Maps, 1670-1926
10. Pease to Frederick Tuckerman, 1919 April [20]

Comments re Native American names for places in and near the White Mountains.

11. Accounts of Camp Asquam expeditions and activities by others, circa 1900-1903
12. Dr. Helen Tanner, 2002 November 10

Dr. Tanner (d. 2011) was a senior researcher at the Newberry Library. At home in Beulah, Michigan, she spoke about her 40 years of experience with Native American communities, and the early African influence in these communities. This material was the basis for the publication “The genesis of African and Indian cooperation in colonial North America: An Interview with Helen Hornbeck Tanner.” Ethnohistory Quarterly. 56.2 (Spring). Themes: concepts of ‘tribe’; black Seminoles; secret societies;…

13. Loomis, Frederick Brewster Memorial Library
14. Outline for the course on Man and his environment by F.B. Loomis, undated
15. “On the Shell Heaps of Maine”, 1912
16. “Dr. Hitchcock and the Amherst Indian Collection”, 1915
17. “Early Man in Florida”, 1926
18. Shell Heaps – manuscript notes, 1933
19. Expedition to Patagonia – two diaries, 1911 – 1912
20. Expedition to Colorado and Wyoming – expense account, specimen list, 1920
21. Expedition to Wyoming – expense account, specimen list, 1922
22. Expedition to Wyoming – report, specimen list, 1927
23. Expedition to Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota – expense account, specimen list, 1929
24. Expedition to [unknown] – expense account, specimen list, 1934
25. Frederic B. Loomis, 1896
26. Expedition to Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming and South Dakota – report of expedition (printed – 45 copies), expense account, specimen list, 1931
27. “Dr. Hitchcock and the Amherst Indian Collection”, 1915 June
28. Harold H. Plough (AC 1913), Harkness Professor of Biology, Emeritus, 1977 November 21-22
29. Biological expedition to Patagonia, 1911-1912

Williams (Collected by Kalea)

1. 0-019: Williams, Ephraim, 1691-1754. Deed recording conveyance of land from Stockbridge Native Americans to Ephraim Williams Sr., 1737-06-02

Deed recording conveyance of land from John Popnehonnawak alias Kunkapot, Poniote, Pelawahkout alias Shanuup, Wuaumpe, Wequagun, Umpeethhowhi, Nannowsquah (a rare female signatory), Nicholas Mhutkau, Uhwanmut, Neshawuh, Sauseekhoot, and Annowwaumpummuhqseet, to Ephraim Williams. Recorded 1739 June 26. Executed 1737 June 2. Contemporary true copy is undated. The deed is for Township #1, which includes land today called Monterey.

2. Ephraim Williams Jr. early will

The handwritten early will of Ephraim Williams with typed transcript

Museum Metadata

Vassar 

1867 records found from a search of “Native American” on the The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center database

Contacted museum staff, awaiting export of dataset on these items. 

Amherst

869 records found from a search of “Native American” on the Mead Art Museum Collection Database

Contacted museum staff, awaiting export of dataset on these items. 

Williams

12 records labeled “Native American” and 1 “Native American?” in the “culture” column in the WCMA dataset

This dataset requires further cleaning.