Title to Mohawk Park and Lake questioned

EAGLES NEST/BRANTFORD – After countless hours of research, to date we have found no instrument of transfer a large swath of land of the Mohawk Village to one John Lovejoy. It is part of this parcel of land that eventually became Mohawk Park. But how did he get it? From whom, for what, and did that assumed transaction follow the terms of sale, as laid out by the town and the Confederacy Chiefs?

Brantford has recently announced public meeting on the city’s plans for the revitalization of the Park and the Lake. In light of that, we thought we would republish an updated on an article we published in a number of issues ago. When the town plot of Brantford was surrendered to the settlers, there were rules of sale in place, which required certain steps must be taken in the sale or disposal of Indian Lands. It is Six Nations contention that much of that land was never paid for or was embezzled from the Six Nations Trust Fund.

Sale of Indian Lands at Brantford 

The 29th Day of September 1835

We the undermentioned persons do hereby agree to pay to the Honourable the Commissioner of Crown Land, the sums of money let opposite the respective parcels of land, in the following account of the sale of Indian Lands, as designated and described to have been sold to us, and to the account which we have severally subscribed our monies. And according to the following …

Conditions of Sale.

1) The highest to be the purchaser, and in case a dispute shall arise respecting any bedding, the lot shall be immediately again put up and sold.  No bidder shall be permitted retract or assign his or her bibbing to another.

2) The purchase monies tombs paid to the Commissioner of Crown Lands this office in the City of Toronto, by the following instalments. One quarter at or before the expiration of one week from the day of sale, and the remainder thereof by three annual instalments with interest at the rate of six per Centum (sic) per annum from the day of sale; and no transfer of any purchase will be permitted untill (sic) the full amount of purchase money and interest shall be discharged.

3) The purchasers to reside on the lots purchased within six calendar months from the day of sale, and the bona fide and sufficiency of such residence shall be shown to the satisfaction of the Trustee of the Six Nations Indians.

“The Sachems, and Chiefs of the Six Nations of Indians, done at our Council fire, of the one part, and our Sovereign Lord, George the Fourth by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, of the other part”.

The document was signed by the following Sachems and Chiefs: Jacob Ayomghwahtha, Henry Brant Dekanagwasen, Jacob Shoriahowane, Lawrence Tharon-tenh-tha, Icak Teghennakarine, Moses Shohsgoarowane, Joseph Dwaser- age, Petter Kanongwaheye, Otatseghte, Wagerieyos, Awennoxsonton, Teghatkah- thos, Skanawatigh, Onesehaen, Skayentaken, Oghnawara, Oghrenhregowa, Kannehdage, Kanougeritawi, Kanayegh. Dekenyough, Dewatiron, Deyotoreghgon, Skawenatigh, Kabwisdanoro, Dekarahgwen, Dayekawehe, Kayonanoron, Teatup, and Henry A. Hill.

Delivery of the deed was made in the presence of John Brant (son of Chief Joseph Brant, then superintendent of the Six Nations Indians) ; William Holme, J.P., James Racey, J.P., Lewis Burwell, and John Norton.

Related Article: tworowtimes.com/news/local/mohawk-park-something-just-dont-fit

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