Antiquities of the state of New York; being the results of extensive original surveys and explorations, with a supplement on the antiquities of the west (1851) (14762978854)

Identifier: antiquitiesofsta00squi (find matches)
Title: Antiquities of the state of New York; being the results of extensive original surveys and explorations, with a supplement on the antiquities of the west
Year: 1851 (1850s)
Authors: Squier, E. G. (Ephraim George), 1821-1888
Subjects:
Publisher: Buffalo, G. H. Derby
Contributing Library: University of Connecticut Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Library Consortium Member Libraries



Text Appearing Before Image:
e town of Ledyard, Cayuga county. It forms a good il-lustration of the character of the aboriginal defences. It is■situated upon a high point of ground, formed by the junction•of two immense ravines, which here sink some hundreds of feetbelow the table-lands. A narrow spur, hardly wide enough topermit two to walk abreast, extends down to the bottom of theravines, starting from the extreme point of the headland. Itis still called the Indian Path, and affords a practicable de-scent to the water. At every other point the banks are almost,if not entirely inaccessible. At some distance inward, extendingfrom the bank of one ravine to the other, was originally a lineof palisades. The holes left by their decay are still distinct,each about eight inches in diameter. The position is eminentlya strong one, and, under the system of attack practiced by theIndians, must have been impregnable. Within the inclosureare to be found caches and other features common to the class J^Z^TB XIII. JTfS. O^
Text Appearing After Image:
SCAiE, J.ffS. PALISADED INCLOSURES. Si) of works previously described, and with whicli this work entirelycoincides, except that the embankment is wanting. So far as could be ascertained, there is no tradition currentrespecting this work. Still, as it is known that the principaltowns of the Cayugas existed in this vicinity until a very latedate, there can be no doubt that this was one of their places oflast resort. Very many traces of their former occupancy occurhere and along the eastern shores of Cayuga Lake. Plate XIV. No. 1. Ancient Work of the Senecas, near Victor, Ontario County, New York. The site occupied by the work here figured and the countryadjacent, derives considerable interest from its historical asso-ciations. Recent investigations have satisfactorily determinedthat the Marquis De Nonville penetrated here in his celebratedexpedition against the Senecas, in 1687 ; and there is goodreason to believe that the traces at present existing are thoseof the palisaded fort which