hv_swaynej_diary_1798_080

on their way home many of them called at our House amongst them was an elderly female Chief with whom we had considerable conversation, amongst other things she observed that the Indian Women had too great a burden to labour under for the Men would work but little, the Women had to cut and carry home all the fire wood, plant &; raise all the Corn pound it &; prepare it for eating, and when it was ready the Men must eat first, and when the Men killed any Deer the Women had to carry home the meat and what was worse than all the Men often got Drunk and then they would beat and abuse the Woman and yet they had to bear it all. I was a little pleased with the old Womans remark as many of them do not seem willing their husbands should work. 4 Mo 27th I set out in company with two Indians in a Canoe loaded with wheat intending to go to Oil Creek Mill about