Indian Joe, (Captain Joe, Old Joe, Jo Indian, Joe Injun, Abenaki translation of Joseph: Susapp) was a Native American scout.

Biography

Born near Louisbourg, Nova Scotia of Mi'kmaq origin, he was adopted by Abenaki people, who took him to St. Francis (today's Odanak). He served as a scout under Colonel Jacob Bayley (1726-1815). He was injured in the Rogers' Rangers raid on the village. He eventually moved to the area of Cowass (today's Newbury, Vermont).

During the American Revolutionary War, Joe again served under Jacob Bayley and later under Moses Hazen. After the war, he and Molly lived in Danville, Vermont and on an island on what is now called Joe's Pond in Danville. He received an annual pension and had guardians to take care of him. These were John McDonald of Hyde Park, Timothy Hinman of Derby, and Frye Bayley of Newbury. Joe died on February 19, 1819, after he fell and was injured by the severe cold. His burial was paid for by Frye Bayley, and he was given a military style funeral.

Legacy

Several places are named after Joe and Molly:

  • Joe's Pond between present day Danville and Cabot
  • Joe's Brook, outlet of Joe's Pond
  • Molly's Pond in Cabot

Other tributes:

  • "A Dirge for Jo Indian", composed in 1922, by Eastwood Lane as part of his Adirondack Sketches

See also

Further reading

  • Johnson Family of Newbury [VT] Papers, 1775-1886, Docs. 574.76.1 & 575.33, MSA 426.28, Vermont Historical Society.
  • William Parker Neal, Indian Joe Trilogy: Indian Joe The Friendly Indian Guide, Indian Joe The Famous Abenaki, Molly - Squaw of Indian Joe. [Danville, VT: United Methodist Church & the author, 1976-?]. (See [permanent dead link])
  • Frederic P. Wells, History of Newbury, Vermont ... St. Johnsbury, VT: Caledonian, 1902.