38. VILLAGE OF SECOTON
A. DRAWING BY JOHN WHITE Plate 35
A bird's-eye view of an unenclosed Indian village of thirteen houses of light
pole and mat construction. At the top, a path leads from water (a stream or
pond) to the main group of houses where it widens into a central
thoroughfare running down through the settlement. On the street, in the
centre of the main group of houses, a spoke-shaped fire attended by two
Indians is burning and below, further down the path, are shown mats spread
out on which are three large circular eating vessels and six small objects of
indefinite form. One squatting and two sitting figures are seen eating and
one man armed with a bow stands by. To the right of the path and street are
three cornfields each at a different stage of growth. The top field of ripe
maize contains a small hut, open at one side, which may shelter a seated
figure and is mounted on a platform with four legs. A path to the right
separates this field from the two lower ones in which crops of unripe and
very young maize are growing. The last has faint indications perhaps
representing hills around the bases of the plants. To the left of the unripe
maize is a house with a small fenced yard before the door which is in the
centre of the end wall. The houses to the left of the road are set among (or
near to) birch-like trees. Among the trees to the left are two houses with
three figures nearby, two of them apparently carrying bows. Four other
figures are to be seen among the main group of houses, which are shown
with open ends, several revealing the pole framework and side platforms,
while a few have small window-like openings. At the bottom right a path
separates the lowest cornfield from the ceremonial area and is bordered by a
row of seven posts. Below this is a circle of seven posts, the tops of which
are possibly carved in the form of human heads, and on a path around it nine
Indians (apparently all men), with feathers in their hair and waving gourd
rattles, are dancing. Some wear a single apron-skirt and others apparently are
naked or wear breech-clouts only. One Indian crouches beside a post outside
the circle to the right and six others squat or sit in line on the roadway to the
left. A further path is indicated at the bottom right, below the dancers. To the
left of the roadway, opposite the circle, a path surrounds four posts within
which a spoke-shaped log fire is burning, a fifth post being seen to the right
near where the path joins the road. The heads of the posts are again possibly
carved like the others. To the left of the fire is a but with the end covered and
below, at the bottom left, is a house taller than the rest which may have
openings in the end wall. A short path leads from it to the road.
Black, crimson and brown body-colours, brown, yellow, grey and blue
water-colours, heightened with white (partly oxidized) and gold, over black
lead outlines; some running of the colours as a result of water damage; 32.4
x 19.9 cm. or 12 3/4 x 7 3/4 in.
Inscribed in dark brown ink, in the top right-hand corner, on the first field of
maize, "Their rype corne" .; below, on the second field, "Their greene
corne" .; on the third field, "Come newly sprong" . In the centre, below the
eating figures, "their sitting at meale" . In a semi-circle about the fire, near
the bottom left-hand corner, "The place of solemne prayer" and below,
above the hut, "The house wherein the Tombe of their Herounds standeth" .
To the right, on the street, below the line of squatting figures, "SECOTAN" .,
and to the right again, below the dancing figures , "A Ceremony in their
prayers wth | strange iesturs and songs dansing | about post carved on the
topps | lyke mens faces" .
1906-5-9-1 (7), L.B. 1(6), C-M. & H. 36.
Literature: Quinn, pp. 420-1, no. 37(a); Croft-Murray & Hulton, p. 42, no.
36.
OFFSET
The right and centre part of the drawing has offset lightly and evenly, the left
side irregularly and with considerable water stains.
P. & D., 199.a.2, L.B. 2(6).
52. INDIAN IN BODY PAINT
A. DRAWING BY JOHN WHITE Plate 47
A man stands to the front, his face half-left, his feet well apart, the back of
his right hand resting on his right hip. He is wearing a single apron-skirt of
fringed deerskin and a grayish (puma?) tail which hangs down at the back
and is seen between his legs from the thighs almost to the ankles. His hair is
worn short at the sides leaving a central roach and is caught up at the back.
Two feathers are stuck in his hair by his left ear and one is visible by his
right, while a tall feather stands upright from his forehead. From his right ear
protrudes what seems to be a bone ornament, and from his left hangs an
ornament which appears to consist of a stone (or bead) enclosed by a strip of
yellowish metal from which depend three small metal balls; one ball may
also be seen above the stone. Around his neck he wears a long six-string
necklace of blue or near black pearls or beads of even size, and two bracelets
of the same materials are worn round his right wrist. He is elaborately
painted in reddish-brown and white on the face, neck, chest, upper arms and
calves. Around the neck the painting simulates a necklace from which hang
three circular plaques with double outlines, the lowest of these having a
central boss. Round the nipples and on the shoulders are similar circular
designs, from the latter of which stripes are carried down to the forearm. He
is armed with a strung bow somewhat taller than himself which he holds
upright in his left hand. On his left wrist is a folded band or wrist-guard of
skin, secured with a button, while from his left side projects a basketry
quiver inside which the tips of arrows are visible. This is supported by a
string or thong probably suggested by the line on his left shoulder.
Black, red, yellow, gold and bluish-white body-colours, various shades of
brown, reddish-brown and grey water-colours, heightened with white (partly
oxidized), over black lead outlines; 26.3 x 15 cm. or 10 3/8 x 5 7/8 in.
Inscribedin dark brown ink, in the upper left-hand corner, "The manner of
their attire and | painting themselues when | they goe to their generall |
huntings, or at theire Solemne feasts. "
1906-5-9-I (12), L.B. I (13), C-M. & H. 48.
Literature: Quinn, p. 440, no. 51(a); Croft-Murray & Hulton, pp. 47-8, no.
48, pl. 111.
51. INDIAN WOMAN
A. DRAWING BY JOHN WHITE Plate 46
A woman stands facing half-left, with the right foot crossed behind the left
and her arms bent, her hands resting on her shoulders so that her forearms
partly cover her breasts. She is wearing an apron-skirt of fringed deerskin,
apparently single. Her hair has a fringe in front and is caught at the neck
behind, while beneath the fringe, a headband is visible. Her ear ornament
consists of two or more blue beads hanging from the lobe. She wears a short,
two-string necklace of alternate black and blue beads (or pearls?) from
which hangs a large bead (with two others) to form a pendant. She is
tattooed or painted on the forehead, cheeks, chin, wrists, the left upper arm
and the calves. Her left foot, as drawn, has the toes on the wrong side.
Black, blue body-colour, various shades of brown, grey and pinkish-grey
water-colours, touched with white (partly oxidized), over black lead
outlines; 23.4 x 13.5 cm. or 9 1/4 x 5 1/4 in.
Inscribed in dark brown ink, at the top, "One of the wyues of Wyngyno. "
1906-5-9-I (17), L.B. I (18), C-M. & H. 47.
Literature: Quinn, p. 439, no. 50(a); Croft-Murray & Hulton, p. 47, no. 47.
OFFSET
The drawing has been lightly transferred and there is little of the original
brown and grey, but the features are distinct.
P. & D., 199.a.2, L. B. 2 (18).
B. SLOANE COPY Plate 82 (b)
The pose of the woman is the same as in (A) and the figure is about the same
size, but it is much more crudely drawn, 1 the top half of her body being
strongly heightened with white (which has oxidized) and the outlines heavily
emphasized. The general colour is darker brown. The ear ornament is a
simple loop with pendant, and the pendant of the necklace has been
simplified into a large round bead. The markings on the face have been
exaggerated and instead of the double row of dots on the cheekbone there is
a continuous short thick line on the cheek. A single line (tattooed?) seems to
replace the headband. The pattern of the leg markings also differs and there
is only one double ring round the calf, with a pattern below it, instead of
three. The apron-skirt is double and the back part has been brought up, and
tucked in and folded over at the waist. The left arm covers more of the breast
than in the original. The faulty drawing of the toes of the left foot has been
retained.
Black, reddish-brown body-colour, various shades of brown, yellow and
grey water-colours, heavily heightened with white (largely oxidized) over
black lead outlines; enclosed within a double ruled ink border, 25.8 x 13.3
cm. or 10 1/8 x 5 1/4 in.
Inscribed in dark brown ink, above, "Of Aquascogoc: "
P. & D., 199.a.3 (formerly Sloane MS. 5270), f. 6r., L.B. 3 (6).
Literature: Quinn, p. 439, no. 50(b); Croft-Murray & Hulton, p. 62.
C. COPY FROM B
B.M., Dept. of MSS., Add. (formerly Sloane) MS. 5253, no. 17.
46. INDIANS FISHING
A. DRAWING BY JOHN WHITE Plate 42
A wide stretch of water is represented as a channel between two shore-lines,
one in the immediate foreground, one in the distance. On the former sand
and turf are shown with sea-shells, grasses and a number of flowering plants
which are not depicted sufficiently clearly for identification. Close to the
edge of the sand are shown, on the right, a King Crab 1 and part of another at
the right-hand edge, and between them a small fish. To the left of the King
Crab are two shells, the one on the right apparently containing a Hermit
Crab. 2 Beyond the King Crab is a Hammerhead Shark 3 to the right and a
largish fish to the left. An Indian dug-out canoe occupies the centre of the
drawing. It is stoutly constructed with the stern and bows curved, the latter
slightly more sharply. An Indian is standing at the bows wielding a long
shovel-bladed paddle to starboard and another Indian stands at the stern
holding in the water to port an implement with a long handle and a fanshaped end-piece, formed by six sticks held flaring apart by two crosswise
sticks or rows of twining, the distal end being hidden in the water. In the
middle of the canoe two Indians are crouching over a small fire surrounded
by piles of large fish (Shad(?)). 4 A small dip-net hangs over the stern to
starboard. The two standing Indians are wearing longish breech-clouts
secured by strings round the waist, hanging down between their thighs, their
hair short at the sides and caught up at the back with a roach in the middle
(the right standing figure has reddish hair and breechclout). The hair of the
crouching Indians is similarly dressed and the one on the left is wearing a
skin mantle over his left shoulder, while the one on his right may be wearing
an apron-skirt. The head of a Catfish 5 is visible to the left of the canoe,
beyond the bows; towards the centre are three small fish and, beyond, a
Burrfish; 6 in the centre is a Hammerhead Shark, and towards the right a
large fish. From the middle of the left-hand edge a fish-weir extends
obliquely right to the farther shore. At the nearer end a rectangular fish-trap
protrudes from it in which a number of fish can be distinguished including a
Skate or Ray. To the right, in the centre, a naked Indian, in water up to his
calves, is about to throw a long fish spear held in his right hand. In front of
him are two jacks (?) 7 and, beyond, a large fish (a Sturgeon (?)) 8 and two
smaller fish to the right. Another Indian, similarly posed, is shown on the
right facing left, while behind him part of another fishweir is visible at the
right-hand edge. In the distance, near the far shore, is another canoe
containing two figures. On the shore are low undulating sand-hills with a
few trees or large bushes. The sky is washed with pink and blue to indicate
light clouds. On the left, above the land, two swans 9 are flying towards the
left and, on the right, nine duck(?). In the top left corner flies a Brown
Pelican. 10
Black, crimson, scarlet, gold and brown body-colours, brown, grey, pink,
greenish-blue, blue and purple water-colours, heightened with white or silver
(oxidized), over black lead outlines; the right- and left-hand edges cut (about
1/2 in.); 35.3 x 23.5 cm. or 13 7/8 x 9 1/4 in.
Inscribed in brown ink, above the far shore, in the centre, "The manner of
their fishing., " and across the canoe, "A Cannow."
1906-5-9-I (6), L.B. I (5), C-M. & H. 43.
Literature: Quinn, p. 433 , no. 46 (a) ; Croft-Murray & Hulton, pp. 45-6, no.
43, pl. VII.