VI. THE SENECA MISSION AT

BUFFALO CREEK.

The earliest attempt to evangelize the Indians in this vicinity came after the permanent establishment of their villages on the Niagara frontier following the devastation of their Genesee valley towns by Sullivan's expedition in 1779, when they fled to the protection of the British at Fort Niagara. At the close of the succeeding winter they made their settlements near that Fort and at Buffalo Creek. In the year 1800 the New York Missionary Society sent Rev. Elkanah Holmes as missionary to the Tuscaroras and Senecas, and from the report presented at their annual meeting April 5, 1802, it appears that at first he made his headquarters at Niagara and in April, 1801, visited New York with proposals from the Indians to build two school houses: one at Buffalo Creek, the other at the Tuscarora village about four miles from Lewiston. It would appear from this report that the Senecas prior to this time had been suspicious of designs upon their lands and had rejected a missionary "sent from Boston," but that they were now eager for a missionary teacher, and while on this visit to New York Mr. Holmes received about $190 toward the establishment of a school at Buffalo Creek, so that the attempt was actually made upon his return. The report states that "Shortly after his arrival at Buffalo, most of the timber for the school-house was hewn and immediately on opening a subscription among

the inhabitants $300 was raised. Owing, however, to sickness they had not been able to finish this building, but the school had been taught by Mr. Palmer (Joseph R. Palmer?) till the beginning of last winter (1801-2), when it was thought proper to suspend till spring."

The Society's annual report of April 3, 1803, states that "We have not learned with certainty that a school has been set up among the Senecas, nor that the two school-houses, one for the Senecas and another for the Tuscaroras, for which the Legislature of the State appropriated $1,500, have been erected." At this time Mr. Holmes' engagement was confirmed as permanent missionary at a salary of $500, including traveling and incidental expenses, commuted at $125, his commission embracing the Senecas and Tuscaroras as "his peculiar and stated charge from which he is never to be away more than six months in any one year."

For several years no mention is made of the Senecas on the Buffalo Creek. Mr. Holmes lived at the Tuscarora village, probably making occasional visits to his other charges until differences finally arose between the New York Society and its representative. He opposed the suggestion of forming a church organization among the Tuscaroras, on the ground that the Indians were not ready for it; an agent was sent to investigate, who reported that Mr. Holmes' views were at variance with those of the Society's management, as he gave evidence "of pædo-baptist leanings." This resulted in his resignation in 1807 or 1808, after which he was employed by the Baptists as an itinerant preacher. In 1809 Rev. Andrew Gray succeeded him as missionary to the Tuscaroras, and Rev. J. C. Crane “of New Jersey" was sent to that village as a teacher at a salary of $200 per annum, "with the hope of an augmentation." He afterwards succeeded to the charge of that mission, where he remained in faithful service until his death in January, 1826.

In 1811 the Society sent Rev. John Alexander as a missionary to the Senecas at Buffalo Creek, but after meeting with the chiefs in council he found them still suspicious that some attempt was on foot to gain possession of their lands, and they refused to receive him. It appears that some years