Who Was Polly Cooper? And why is she important? Also, why is her shawl so important?

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The date is 1777-1778.  This is the time of the Revolutionary War in America in her bid for freedom.  The place is Valley Forge in an extremely harsh winter of 1777 and spring of 1778.  George Washington’s troops are starving.

The Continental Army had no money to give these troops to purchase food.  The merchants could not give them food or supplies because there was no money to pay them.  The colonists would not supply the troops with either food or clothing because they, too, could not be paid.  George Washington tried his best, but he could not feed or clothe his men.  As it was, about 1/4 of the troops died from the bitter cold and starvation.

The Oneida Indians (part of the Iroquois Confederation) had already fought with the American Patriots.  When they heard about the starving troops of General George Washington, they looked into their hearts, and, led by Chief Skenondoah (sometimes spelled Shenondoah), they decided to bring food to George Washington’s starving soldiers.

 

Th Oneida Indians were excellent farmers and hunters.  They had some food and they decided to help George Washington’s troops.  Led by their leader, Skenondoah, and some warriors, they walked about 100-200 miles to Valley Forge, bringing with them many bushels of dried corn and other goods.  Polly Cooper made the journey with these warriors and their leader.  She volunteered to go with Skenondoah and his men because she thought the soldiers might not know how to prepare the corn so it was edible.

She was right.  As soon as the soldiers at Valley Forge saw the food, they would have eaten the dried corn, which, had they done so, would have increased in size in their bellies and could have killed them.  Polly forbid them to eat it until she had prepared it.  She cooked it as she did most every day (the Indians knew how to make corn into a full protein using wood ash, but that’s another story).  Once it was cooked, she fed the troops.  But, when Skenondoah and his men left, having given the troops their supplies, Polly stayed to cook for the men every day and care for them with Oneida medicines (herbs, roots, etc.).  

Polly showed the men how to cook the food so it was nourishing and she often was seen going onto the field after a battle and helping the men who were injured with herbal medicines and food.  She helped not only the Americans, but, because her heart was so big, she attended to the British/German soldiers, as well, believing that all men are sons of mothers, and as a mother, it was her right to help them all.

At the end of the war George Washington praised the Oneida Indians for their help during the war.  Polly was offered payment for her services and her help, but she refused it, saying it was her duty morally under the laws of the Creator.  Martha Washington was so taken by what Polly Cooper had done, she took Polly to Philadelphia and then to Washington.  While they were in Washington, Martha Washington took Polly into different shops, and Polly was taken by a beautiful black shawl and a bonnet.  Seeing this Martha Washington and other women in Washington DC asked the Continental Congress to purchase the shawl as a recognition of Polly’s generous and wholehearted help during the Was For Independence.  And the Congress did buy the shawl to Polly as a thank you for her help.

This is a picture of the shawl.  It’s important because the Oneida had a long history of recording their agreements with the newly forming American government by using wam-pam to record their agreements.  These agreements were honored by the Oneida.  This shawl is considered to be an agreement of friendship and cooperation between the newly forming government and the Oneida.

The Oneida gave the newly forming country as much help as they could.  One third of their men died in battle and at the end of the war, and for four years afterwards the Oneida, once a rich, prospering community, had fallen on very hard times, becoming victim to small pox and other diseases.  But despite their troubles, the Oneida remained friends with the people who had fought for an won their Independence.

 

Here are some of the acknowledgements to the Oneida Indians for their help during the War for Independence:

1777: “We have experienced your love, strong as the oak, and our fidelity, unchangeable as truth. You have kept fast hold of the ancient covenant chain, and preserved it free from rust and decay, and bright as silver. Like brave men, for glory you despised danger; you stood forth in the cause of your friends and ventured your lives in our battles. While the sun and moon continue to give light to the world, we shall love and respect you (Journals 9:996).”

1784: “The immovable firmness with which you have preserved our faith to Congress and attached yourselves to the fortunes of America has justly raised your glory among nations. It is a glory that will last as long as any memory of these times shall remain. Congress has not forgot your fidelity and attachment (Campisi 1988:58).”

1794: The Oneidas “adhered faithfully to the United States, and assisted them with their warriors; and in consequence of this adherence and assistance, ” the Oneidas “at an unfortunate period of the war, were driven from their homes, and their houses were burnt and their property destroyed (Kappler 2:37).”

To the left is a picture of Martha and George Washington.

Unfortunately, as our country grew in size, corporations grew up in Washington who had influence over the Congress and the land of the Oneida was swallowed up by land speculators and opened up to colonists.  But the Oneida continued to survive, and, although their villages have long since disappeared, they remain one of the long-living tribes of the Iroquois Confederation.  They have not disappeared, and they are proud to this day of having given their aid to the Patriots in a time of need.

I believe the shawl remains in the custody of the descendants of Polly Cooper.

We know of this story from people who recorded it at this time in history and by oral tradition.  Indeed, William Honyost Rockwell (1870 – 1960), an important Oneida Indian recalls hearing this story in oral tradition when he was a lad.

We celebrate our 250th year Anniversary as a country this year.  And, as we celebrate it, perhaps we might remember those kindhearted people who, in friendship, came to the aid of those fighting for freedom when it was most needed.

Source:  https://www.oneidaindiannation.com/the-polly-cooper-shawl-testimony-to-a-pact-of-the-revolutionary-war

Hoping you enjoyed this little bit of history today.  I’ll be giving away a free e-book of my latest story, SHE BELONGS IN MY WORLD, to each of you who leave a comment here today as a Valentine’s gift. 

 

 

 

 

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KAREN KAY aka GEN BAILEY is the multi-published author of American Indian Historical Romances. She has written for such prestigious publishers as AVON/HarperCollins, Berkley/Penguin/Putnam and Samhain Publishing. KAREN KAY’S great grandmother was Choctaw Indian and Kay is honored to be able to write about the American Indian Culture.
Please refer to https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules for all contest rules.

82 thoughts on “Who Was Polly Cooper? And why is she important? Also, why is her shawl so important?”

    • Hi Barbara!

      I hadn’t either until my mind was turned toward doing research for a story i am doing for my next book, and it’s to honor the founding of our country.

  2. That is fascinating. I love that bit of history. We owe Polly and the Onieda a great deal.
    I look forward to reading a lot about our heritage in this year of celebration.

  4. I enjoyed reading the post, I didnt know who she was, Thank you for sharing this info. I dont read ebooks, but Thank you.

    • Hi Alicia! Great to see you here on the blog! I didn’t know about her either until I started doing research for a new novella I’m doing. I thought it was so heartwarming, I wanted others to know who she was.

    • They didn’t? Oh, my goodness. Shame on them. They could have at least mentioned it as a “legend.” Sigh. There’s a saying that history is written by the victors. Perhaps that is true.

    • Hi Abbie!

      Thanks for your comment. You know, when I came across this, I it was so heartwarming, I would have to share it. Thanks for coming to the blog today.

  8. Great story! Of course this is the first time I heard of her. I wonder how many more Indian heroes were there that we missed in school?

    I’m not sure I could sacrifice like that.

  9. A wonderful story. So many sacrifices were made that were never taught in school or shared by anyone I know. These are the types of stories that are truly meaningful and will and should be remembered for all time.

    • Hi Sandra!

      I so very much agree with you. These are the bits of history that make it exciting. And, you’re right. :I think they should be remembered for all time.

  10. Thank you for telling her story. I’ve heard it before from family (I’m Métis), but you have details that I didn’t know, like the shawl, that’s awesome! ?

    • Hi Carly,

      Thank you so much for coming here and telling me that you had heard of this story before. I am so happy it is being passed down from one family to another. I must tell you that I looked of Metis (please excuse, the board I type on doesn’t have the mark over the “e”). I have read and have knowledge, however, of the Red River people. They were very important to the tribe often write about…the Blackfeet. Thanks so much for your comment.

  11. Thank you for telling her story. I’ve heard it before from family (I’m Métis), but you have details that I didn’t know, like the shawl, that’s awesome! ?

    • Hi Sondra!

      I hadn’t heard it, either. And, I should have heard it because I often have my nose in history. When I ran across it and read about Polly, it was truly inspiring. It is said that what matters most in living is to make sure we did our best to leave the world in a better place. I can honestly say I think she did this.

  13. Hi Miss Kay,
    This was a such fascinating piece of history to learn about. I give my gratitude to Polly, the Oneida, among other Indigenous heroes who fought for their people throughout history to continue living. And we must remember them not only for their sacrifices, but also their strength and determination to keep the memory of who they are alive for the next generation.

    I am a non Indigenous person, I am Hispanic, a daughter of immigrants and I understand what it is like to have family members risk everything to come here to the US to have an opportunity so I give my love again to Polly, the Oneida, among other Indigenous heroes who gave it their all to ensure they will not be forgotten.

    I’m happy that you’re giving away e book copies of your latest story as a Valentine’s Day gift. It’s so generous of you to do so. Thank you and have a fabulous day Miss Kay.

    • Hi Ashley!

      I am so very glad to meet you. I agree very much with you about these people keeping alive their history and their culutre. I do believe, also, that the Hispanic people are American Indians, just a little further south of the states. Did you know that the Iroquois (this includes the Oneida) historically migrated east from living in the West. Where the tribe originated, I’m not sure. But, I know they migrated from the area of the Mississippi to the east. The Cherokee are also part of the iroquois who migrated and went a little farther south than the tribes we now know as Iroquois.

      I loved your post, and it is my pleasure to give away a free e-book. Make sure your email address is correct, as I will send the ebook directly to your email. And, I’m hoping you’ll enjoy the story.

      Thank you so much for your comment.

      • Hello Miss Kay,
        I apologize for the very late reply. Yes my email is correct and it is the same. I am looking forward to reading the book for Valentine’s Day, I am so excited to read it!!! Have a great day Miss Kay.

        • Thank you, Ashley!

          I’m in the process of personally sending the book to each one of you who came to the blog today. It’s not a mass email, but a personal one. So it might take me a day or two to do it, but I’m in the process of doing it. And, I should have the book to you By tomorrow or Friday. Because it’s not a mass email, it might take me a bit…but I’m on it.

  15. Thanks so much for this amazing story! I live in Tennessee and grew up hearing stories about the Cherokee tribe and enjoyed hearing about another tribe that helped shape this great country. I am excited for us as a nation to celebrate our 250th anniversary this year and hope that we can learn much needed lessons about the courage and strength it took for our country to start, strive and thrive.

    • Hi Patti!

      Gosh, you are from Tennessee and grew up learning about the Cherokee, who are related in blood to the Iroquois. I must admit I did not grow up listening to these stories. Perhaps this is why doing the research necessary for my books is so fascinating to me. Thank you so much for coming here today and leaving post. It’s so very nice to meet you.

    • Hi Pam!

      No, it was not. Matha Washington and other wives of the men in the Continental Congress awarded it to her for outstanding service to them. This part — about the Congress giving it to her, is down further into the post. Althought I mention it only briefly.

  17. This is a very interesting story. Living in Arizona for a good portion of my life, I have had many Native American friends over the years and they have shared many stories of their lives with me. I recently discovered that I am a descendant of Cynthia Ann Parker and have been looking into the the history of the Parker family, so the story of Polly Cooper caught my interest. Thank you!

    • Hi Karin!

      Thank you so much for your post. You’re from Arizona. Gosh, I love Arizonia. So much history. Yes, the story of Cynthia Parker is a wonderful, if rather tragic, story. It’s too bad her own family did not recognize that she had changed and that bringing her back to them did not really aid their cause to bring her happiness.

      Thank you for coming here today and thank you for your thoughts.

  18. Very interesting! I’d never heard that about the Oneida Indians before. Was the Shenandoah valley named for this chief?

    • Hi Karijean,

      Thanks for your post. I don’t know if it’s named for him or not. I rather doubt it because it is a good distance away from the Oneida’s homeland. But, I could be wrong. In the account that I have read about him, his name was slightly different and spelled Skenandoah. A little different. But, thanks for asking.

  19. That was very interesting. Of course things like that is seldom told in favor of the Indians. Thanks
    Would be very interested in a pattern for the shawl if one existed.

    • Hi Sandy,

      You are right. But as the saying goes: it’s the victors who write history, although when the men who lived through the Revolutionary war, they honored her. Thanks for coming to the blog today.

    • Hi Debra!

      It’s true! But sometimes people do what they do, not for fame or glory, but simply because it’s the right thing to do. I so admire this. Thanks for your post.

  22. Thank u for the wonderful story. I have always loved stories on native Americans. As my three times grandmother was of the Delaware tribe. She was beautiful.

    • Hi Emma!

      Gosh, it’s great to see you here at the blog. Yes, we still honor these people in our hearts which is why I wanted to post something about Polly. I greatly admire her.

    • Hi Carol,

      It’s nice to meet you. Yes, I was really taken by this story of Polly who did this simply because it was the right thing to do. I loved the story of Polly. Thanks for your post.

  25. Walking 100 miles, carrying food supplies and then staying to feed and nurse the sick, etc.! Wow! I don’t know many people today who would DIVE less than that to do the same thing. The Oneida people were very dear to our U.S. army! Thank you, Karen Kay!

    • You know, Lana, it might have been more than that — they estimated that they traveled 100-200 miles to bring help to the men at Valley Forge. And, you’re right. Not many today would do, but there are some who even to this day risk life and limb to help others. It’s nice to know this still exists. Perhaps it’s America’s Indian heritage to the world.

  26. Probably not amazingly, all things considered, I had never heard of any of the above and was delighted to be enlightened about a clearly massively important intervention an assistance by the Oneidas as well as additional evidence of Woman Power in the actions of Polly Cooper. Thanks so much for sharing today!

  27. Hi Elissa!

    So nice to meet you. I feel much as you do. I was enlightened and heartened to read about Polly and the Oneida who risked much to bring aid to the troops there at Valley Forge. They also fought right alongside the Patriots because they thought their cause was just. It’s heartwarming to me to read about it.

  28. What a wonderful part of history, had never heard this. Just goes to prove that are good people everywhere. We ususally only hear about the bad ones. Thanks for sharing this.

    • Hi Sarah,

      Thank you for coming here today and for commenting. You’re right, you know. We seldom hear about the good people. Good observation.

      It is also very nice to meet you!

  30. It is sad how many Native American men and women who have contributed to our nation have been forgotten. Thank you so much for an interesting post. There is much in it I had not yet known. In all I have heard about Valley Forge, never once has this contribution been mentioned. In typical fashion, Native American help was repaid with their land being stolen and their people killed. Women’s contributions have been ignored in much of history, and native women are no exception. In addition to Polly Cooper, Nanyehi Nancy Ward, who is well known locally, and Molly Brant, a Mohawk from Northern NY, played important roles in the Revolutionary War. I grew up in that area and never heard of her. That might be because she eventually moved to Canada and sided with the British. I did not hear of Nancy Ward until moving to TN, but she served as a spokesperson for the Cherokee, negotiating with the American government in hopes of retaining their land. Treaties were signed, and typically were broken and the Cherokee forced off much of their land.

    • As usual, Patricia, I learn alot from your posts. Well, at least, while that Continental Convention was convened, they did pay Polly a tribute. George and Martha Washington in particular. And, her people have never forgotten her…have kept her good works in their minds and in their prayers. Thank you for your insighrful post.

  31. I love reading about Polly Cooper and how she helped the soldiers so much, that we’re in such desperate need. I love the fact that Congress gave her such a beautiful Shawl that she liked so much. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.

    • Hi Kay!

      It is so nice to meet you! We share a name because in my real life, I’m usually called Kay. I love these stories and Ibet there are many, many of them…it just takes us a while to discover them and tell others about it. Thank you for coming to the blog today.

  33. We were taught about the Mohawks fighting with the British and the Algonquins with the French during the French and Indian Wars before the Revolution but never about the Oneidas with the Colonists. When I first read the Oneida named Skenandoah, I thought Shenendahowa which is the name of a school district along the Mohawk River in Saratoga County, N Y. not far from where the Oneida people lived. Now I need to do some research and see if there is a connection. I had a number of friends who went to school there and never knew where the name came from since it is not a community name.

    • Hi Alice, Thank you so much for this informative post. Well, Skenandoah of the Oneida was right around the Mohawk River. It might have a connection. Now, interestingly, the Mohawks and the other tribes that made up the Iroquois Confederacy were divided on which side to be on during the Revolutionary War. Byant, a Mohawk, was tied to England, but there were still many Mohawks who sided with the Patriots. But the Oneidas were squarely on the Patriot side. If you find out the name is due to this Oneida chief, maybe you could let me know? Thank you, Alice.

      • The information I found just said Shenendahowa is from the native language but didn’t mention a particular person it might be related to. All of the schools in that district have native names according to the info I found. They are from the Iroquois tribes and because of the location I think they are probably Mohawk or Oneida.

  34. WOW! That’s some history. I didn’t realize that soldiers were dying because their own “neighbors” wouldn’t help them. They were fighting for everyone’s freedom and that’s how they were treated. How sad. Polly and The Oneida India’s are amazing people!

    • Hi Carrie! I know, it seems inconceivable. I think it has to do alot with finance. In our world one needs money to do most anything. But, to the Indian, their medium of exchange was along this line: You need something and I supply it and teach you at the same time how to do it. I need something and you supply it and at the same time teach the person how to do it. No money is exchanged. It’s based on service and giving help to one another. Maybe it has to do with this.

  35. Hi Kay, this story was beautiful, Polly was a very brave woman. She did what the Creator expected her to do, however that goes for every person alive, if everyone followed this practice there would be no more wars.

    It still breaks my heart that no matter how helpful the Indians were they were forced out of their homes. It just wasn’t right. My heart goes out to all people, races and ethnic groups who were looked down on and forced out of their homes and lands.

    One day soon the Creator will set things right. Pray for that day.

    • Hi Starr! It’s great to see you here on this blog. I love your insight into this. It breaks my heart about this, too. The thing is, though, those people were strong enough to keep their tribal identity and clever enough to be a part of something NOT fully of the government, yet still be here, and not really a part of it. That’s quite something when one thinks about it. Thanks for coming here today.

  36. Hi Kay, this story was beautiful, Polly was a very brave woman. She did what the Creator expected her to do, however that goes for every person alive, if everyone followed this practice there would be no more wars.

    It still breaks my heart that no matter how helpful the Indians were they were forced out of their homes. It just wasn’t right. My heart goes out to all people, races and ethnic groups who were looked down on and forced out of their homes and lands.

    One day soon the Creator will set things right. Pray for that day. The shawl is very beautiful and was a good gesture.

  37. I loved this article. The Indians helped us a lot and they were not treated very nice throughout history.

  38. Hi LInda. I, too, loved this little bit of history. It’s an amazing story that I only discovered recently. And, as soon as I read it, I knew I’d be blogging about it. Thanks for coming here today.

  39. Great story. One I’ve never seen before. Polly could, indeed, be the Mother of our country. The soldiers at Valley Forge sure needed her.

  43. Hi Karen, Love all the information in your blog. It was wonderful that this tribe helped, George Washington & his troops. We, as a nation can learn a lot from this tribes acts of kindness.
    Still enjoying all your print books. Your reader always!

  44. Hi Karen, Love all the information in your blog. It was wonderful that this tribe helped, George Washington & his troops. We, as a nation can learn a lot from this tribes acts of kindness.
    Still enjoying all your print books. Your reader always!

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