Development of Wakazooville

 

This 4th article focusing on NAHA exhibits tells the story behind a map of Wakazooville, a portrait of Deacon Joseph Dame and a famous letter written by Deacon Dame. The following dates and anecdotes provide a view of the early community of Wakazooville.

 

1850 – The Michigan constitution grants voting rights to male inhabitants of Indian descent, native of the United States and not a member of a tribe. Leelanau Peninsula is opened for purchase by Natives as well as Non-Natives.

• The Indian tribes in Michigan had put aside some of their annuity payments to buy lots from the US Government.

•  Peter Wakazoo and Reverend Smith purchase land on the harbor (now Northport Bay). The sale was recorded in 1848. Smith and Peter decide to plat the land as a village with 5 streets and 84 lots. They plan to sell lots to the Natives who are members of Smith’s Wakazooville Mission. (See Map)

• First business in Wakazooville: Canfields operate a fisherman’s camp on what is now Northport Point.

• Charles McLaughlin and Reverend Smith build a schoolhouse which becomes a place for not only a school but for church services, council meetings and singing classes. Smith writes in his diary: “December 1850: Began school…had five Indian scholars and 5 White…had the scholars chop wood.”

• Preparations for winter – harvesting potatoes and corn.

• The difficulties of surviving are immense. Mrs. Smith writes: “This year was a great privation to us all.” She describes bouts of typhoid and consumption and attacks by panthers and weasels. 

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1851

Winter: Severe weather, food scarce 

Summer:

• Boats arriving in the harbor are more numerous than in the previous year. This is the beginning influx of White settlers.

• 1st marriage in Wakazooville: Mary Jane Smith, 16-year-old daughter of Reverend and Mrs. Smith, marries Payson Wolfe, nephew of Peter Wakazoo.

• In addition to Peter Wakazoo’ s band, families from Nagonabe’s band, Shabwasung’ s band and Onumunese’s band join Smith’s Wakazooville Mission.

• When the Natives return from receiving their annuities on Mackinac Island, they meet in Council at the schoolhouse to select Village lots.

• December 17, 1851, Smith writes the following about Mr. Merrill, the government farmer paid to teach the Natives about farming: “I think it is one of the most lying, filthy, worthless families that I ever knew. He is holding his place and receiving a salary and yet I do not suppose he has done a week’s work.”

1852

• January: Joseph Dame purchases 31.36 acres in the section north of Nagonaba St.

• Reverend Smith’s diary: 

  • April 2nd – “There is a threatening prospect of suffering if the weather does not change soon…many horses have died. Many of the Indians at the Village here…have nothing but sugar to eat.” 

  • April 7th – “Peter and Azhquabe came from Mr. Canfield’s drunk…Mr. Canfield said he would sell them more if they wanted.”

• Canfield sends his brother to Smith to ask for help in taking potatoes stored in a pit belonging to a Native. When Smith refuses, the Canfields take eight bushels and Merrill takes one barrel. Smith sends fish to the Natives and visits them trying to help.

• The problem of non-Natives selling liquor to the Natives began when Canfield sold brandy to two Natives.

• A daughter is born to Mary Jane and Payson Wolfe. She is the first baby born in Wakazooville who does not die at birth.

 

1853

• Natives begin clearing land for the Village streets and begin a road to Omena. Peter and Smith work on Nagonaba Street.

• Settlers in the area are more numerous than in any previous year.

• Joseph Dame writes several letters to the New York Tribune encouraging settlers to come to Leelanau. He receives many responses.

 

Reverend’s Smiths vision of relocating his Old Wing Colony to Leelanau and developing a Mission in an unsettled area was going well, even though there were many challenges. The support he offered as a teacher, preacher, friend and leader was attracting other bands of Natives and the Mission/Village was taking shape. There were warning signs, however, that predicted trouble for the Mission of Wakazooville.

 

Excerpts from: A History of Leelanau Township

George N. Smith Papers

Wyckoff, Larry. “Wakazooville, Michigan.”

Omena Historical Society, 2021

Smith, Mrs. George N., “A Pioneer Woman”