Handsome Lake (1740–1815)

Rise To Prominence

In 1777, the Senecas and most other Iroquois entered the American Revolution fighting on the side of the Crown. Handsome Lake, not yet a chief, fought throughout the conflict as an ordinary warrior. While the Senecas and their allies were largely successful when on the offensive, an American army under General John Sullivan invaded their homeland in 1779 and burned their towns and fields. No provision was made for Britain's native allies in the peace treaty ending the war. Facing the victorious new United States, the Senecas made substantial concessions in the treaties of Fort Stanwix (1784), Fort Harmar (1789), Canandaigua (1794), and Big Tree (1797). The Big Tree treaty left the Seneca with a few relatively small reservations in New York, including the Allegany Reservation on the Allegheny River.

Cornplanter had moved to the Allegheny River during or shortly after the American Revolution. For his facilitating role in the postwar treaty negotiations, Pennsylvania awarded Cornplanter a personal land grant on the river just south of the New York border. Handsome Lake and his daughter's family shared with Cornplanter the largest house in the village of Jenuchshadego on the Cornplanter Grant. Handsome Lake had by then been selected for a position on the council of the Iroquois Confederacy.

The residents of Jenuchshadego were a demoralized Seneca population that had suffered heavily during the war and its aftermath. Excessive alcohol consumption was both a symptom of social stress and a factor that exacerbated social conflict. In May 1799 a drinking bout following the spring sale of deerskins [Page 649]in Pittsburgh seems to have worsened Handsome Lake's already poor health and mental outlook.

In mid-June, Handsome Lake lay bedridden. Physically he was very weak—so much so that when he collapsed at the door of his cabin, his daughter was convinced he was dead. Handsome Lake's nephew, Governor Blacksnake, found a warm spot on his uncle's chest. The sick man revived and told those gathered around him what he had just experienced.

Handsome Lake had been visited by three angels, Indian men dressed in traditional fashion, their faces painted red. Each fed berries to Handsome Lake as a cure. Part of their message was that the rituals of the traditional ceremonial cycle must continue. Also, four evils made the Creator unhappy. These were the consumption of alcohol, witchcraft, love magic, and medicines that caused abortions and sterility. Handsome Lake was told to expect a visit from a fourth angel soon.

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