Comments on: People of the Standing Stone: The Skenandoah Boulder in Oneida http://newyorktraveler.net/people-of-the-standing-stone-the-skenandoah-boulder-in-oneida/ life and travels in Upstate New York Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:51:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Cathy Mason http://newyorktraveler.net/people-of-the-standing-stone-the-skenandoah-boulder-in-oneida/comment-page-1/#comment-42876 Cathy Mason Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:23:45 +0000 http://newyorktraveler.net/?p=440#comment-42876 Dear Mrs. Mecomber, This is a fascinating subject. You asked who Schoolcraft was. Possibly after all this time you've subsequently learned the answer: he was Henry Rowe Schoocraft, a geologist and Indian agent who worked with and studied Native Americans during the 19th century. Dear Mrs. Mecomber,

This is a fascinating subject. You asked who Schoolcraft was. Possibly after all this time you’ve subsequently learned the answer: he was Henry Rowe Schoocraft, a geologist and Indian agent who worked with and studied Native Americans during the 19th century.

]]> By: Bruce Nichols http://newyorktraveler.net/people-of-the-standing-stone-the-skenandoah-boulder-in-oneida/comment-page-1/#comment-41340 Bruce Nichols Sun, 07 Nov 2010 02:33:07 +0000 http://newyorktraveler.net/?p=440#comment-41340 Dear Mrs. Mecomber, I was pleased to find your piece drawing attention to the "Skenandoah Boulder." While you are entirely correct that Kirkland and Skenanadoah are both buried at Hamilton College, your piece makes it sound as if that Skenandoah was carried on the shoulders of his fellow Indians up College Hill at his death in 1816. This was not the case; at the time Kirkland was buried behind his house, a property now known as the Harding Farm, on Rt. 233. Skenandoah was first interred there, and the two were moved, I believe sometime in the 1840s, to the College cemetery. I offer this in no critical spirit; it is nice to see someone interested in the topic! Bruce Nichols Dear Mrs. Mecomber,

I was pleased to find your piece drawing attention to the “Skenandoah Boulder.” While you are entirely correct that Kirkland and Skenanadoah are both buried at Hamilton College, your piece makes it sound as if that Skenandoah was carried on the shoulders of his fellow Indians up College Hill at his death in 1816. This was not the case; at the time Kirkland was buried behind his house, a property now known as the Harding Farm, on Rt. 233. Skenandoah was first interred there, and the two were moved, I believe sometime in the 1840s, to the College cemetery. I offer this in no critical spirit; it is nice to see someone interested in the topic!

Bruce Nichols

]]> By: Melanie Zimmer http://newyorktraveler.net/people-of-the-standing-stone-the-skenandoah-boulder-in-oneida/comment-page-1/#comment-28086 Melanie Zimmer Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:37:02 +0000 http://newyorktraveler.net/?p=440#comment-28086 The Shenandoah boulder is just a historical marker. It is not the Sacred Stone of the Oneidas which was removed to Oneida territory. Schoolcraft published some erroneous material. The stone is not all that large. The lithograph in Schoolcraft's book bears no resemblance to the stone, but it merely an artist's interpretation of what the stone might look like. Also, regarding one of the comments that "we" whoever that might be, placed the stone in the cemetery, apparently it was placed there by the Oneidas for safekeeping as they did not wish it to be on private property which could be sold at the time, however the marker was placed there by the cemetery and also contained some unfactual material which I presume is the reason the Oneidas did not take the base or marker. The cemetery offered it to them. I see Tony Wonderley's book is recommended in the comments and it should be good. Dr. Wonderley served as the Oneida Nation Historian for many years. You may also read about the stone and see a photo of it in my book, Central New York and The Finger Lakes: Myths, Legends, and Lore published by The History Press. The Shenandoah boulder is just a historical marker. It is not the Sacred Stone of the Oneidas which was removed to Oneida territory. Schoolcraft published some erroneous material. The stone is not all that large. The lithograph in Schoolcraft’s book bears no resemblance to the stone, but it merely an artist’s interpretation of what the stone might look like.
Also, regarding one of the comments that “we” whoever that might be, placed the stone in the cemetery, apparently it was placed there by the Oneidas for safekeeping as they did not wish it to be on private property which could be sold at the time, however the marker was placed there by the cemetery and also contained some unfactual material which I presume is the reason the Oneidas did not take the base or marker. The cemetery offered it to them.
I see Tony Wonderley’s book is recommended in the comments and it should be good. Dr. Wonderley served as the Oneida Nation Historian for many years. You may also read about the stone and see a photo of it in my book, Central New York and The Finger Lakes: Myths, Legends, and Lore published by The History Press.

]]> By: Steve Darman http://newyorktraveler.net/people-of-the-standing-stone-the-skenandoah-boulder-in-oneida/comment-page-1/#comment-16522 Steve Darman Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:15:47 +0000 http://newyorktraveler.net/?p=440#comment-16522 Living nearby on Oneida Street in 1974, I found that the Sacred Stone of the Oneida Nation was in Forest Hill cemetary. To me, it was a tragic symbol of what white men did to ravish the Oneida culture. What were we thinking? If a very special stone that doesn't belong to us looks like a gravestone- we should take it and then put it with other gravestones? I called a close friend who was married to a Cherokee Indian who was active in the American Indian Movement (William Myer) who contacted the Oneida Nation leaders- and the stone was returned to it's home shortly afterward. I understand that today, whites are not allowed to even view the stone. Living nearby on Oneida Street in 1974, I found that the Sacred Stone of the Oneida Nation was in Forest Hill cemetary. To me, it was a tragic symbol of what white men did to ravish the Oneida culture. What were we thinking? If a very special stone that doesn’t belong to us looks like a gravestone- we should take it and then put it with other gravestones?

I called a close friend who was married to a Cherokee Indian who was active in the American Indian Movement (William Myer) who contacted the Oneida Nation leaders- and the stone was returned to it’s home shortly afterward. I understand that today, whites are not allowed to even view the stone.

]]> By: Mrs. Mecomber http://newyorktraveler.net/people-of-the-standing-stone-the-skenandoah-boulder-in-oneida/comment-page-1/#comment-15794 Mrs. Mecomber Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:55:13 +0000 http://newyorktraveler.net/?p=440#comment-15794 Howdy, Neighbor. Thanks for your comment. Yes, I know that brick house. It's an Italianate, so it was probably built between 1870 and 1890. It's beautiful and it does command a great view of the valley! I suppose the stone would have been placed at the main thoroughfare, even if Shenandoah's house was up that hill, just because it would be more visible. Thanks for visiting! Howdy, Neighbor. Thanks for your comment.

Yes, I know that brick house. It’s an Italianate, so it was probably built between 1870 and 1890. It’s beautiful and it does command a great view of the valley!

I suppose the stone would have been placed at the main thoroughfare, even if Shenandoah’s house was up that hill, just because it would be more visible.

Thanks for visiting!

]]> By: Neighbor http://newyorktraveler.net/people-of-the-standing-stone-the-skenandoah-boulder-in-oneida/comment-page-1/#comment-15748 Neighbor Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:39:42 +0000 http://newyorktraveler.net/?p=440#comment-15748 I live on the road behind the Shenandoah (Skenandoah)boulder, down over the hill behind it. I often wonder if the actual home was at the highest point in the immediate area where there is now a red brick two story home. From there one can see a wonderful view of the West and North over the city of Oneida, perhaps more appropriate for the greatest chief the Oneidas had. I have never tried to research my speculation. I live on the road behind the Shenandoah (Skenandoah)boulder, down over the hill behind it. I often wonder if the actual home was at the highest point in the immediate area where there is now a red brick two story home. From there one can see a wonderful view of the West and North over the city of Oneida, perhaps more appropriate for the greatest chief the Oneidas had. I have never tried to research my speculation.

]]> By: olie http://newyorktraveler.net/people-of-the-standing-stone-the-skenandoah-boulder-in-oneida/comment-page-1/#comment-7557 olie Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:42:16 +0000 http://newyorktraveler.net/?p=440#comment-7557 I saw mention of the Oneida Stone in a book I was reading. I did a web search and found your blog. Very interesting. The shape of the stone in Schoolcraft's drawing is similar to that of other Manitou stones. I am wondering what more you have found? One feels great sadness for the Indian, they have taken or tried to have taken everything from them. I saw mention of the Oneida Stone in a book I was reading. I did a web search and found your blog. Very interesting. The shape of the stone in Schoolcraft’s drawing is similar to that of other Manitou stones.
I am wondering what more you have found?
One feels great sadness for the Indian, they have taken or tried to have taken everything from them.

]]> By: Mrs. Mecomber http://newyorktraveler.net/people-of-the-standing-stone-the-skenandoah-boulder-in-oneida/comment-page-1/#comment-6499 Mrs. Mecomber Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:00:50 +0000 http://newyorktraveler.net/?p=440#comment-6499 I've been reading a book about the history of the Oneidas-- and I intend to post more about it in detail. I have discovered that the Oneida Stone was returned to the Nation in 1992 or 93. The history of the Stone and of the Nation is amazing. I'll be updating with photos soon. Thanks for your comment. I’ve been reading a book about the history of the Oneidas– and I intend to post more about it in detail. I have discovered that the Oneida Stone was returned to the Nation in 1992 or 93. The history of the Stone and of the Nation is amazing. I’ll be updating with photos soon.

Thanks for your comment.

]]> By: Strikeslip http://newyorktraveler.net/people-of-the-standing-stone-the-skenandoah-boulder-in-oneida/comment-page-1/#comment-6498 Strikeslip Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:55:43 +0000 http://newyorktraveler.net/?p=440#comment-6498 The so-called "Sacred Stone of the Oneidas" used to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery . . . I remember taking an out-of-town visitor to see it in the late 1960s. I thought I read during the 80s or early 90s that the Oneida Nation laid claim to it and removed it, but the <a href="http://www.foresthillcemetery.org/index_files/history.htm" rel="nofollow">Forest Hill Cemetery Website</a> and a <a href="http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/services/largemarkers/inventorythree.html" rel="nofollow">page on the NYSED website</a> seem to suggest that it is still there. Maybe someone could check it out? The so-called “Sacred Stone of the Oneidas” used to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery . . . I remember taking an out-of-town visitor to see it in the late 1960s.

I thought I read during the 80s or early 90s that the Oneida Nation laid claim to it and removed it, but the Forest Hill Cemetery Website and a page on the NYSED website seem to suggest that it is still there. Maybe someone could check it out?

]]> By: Playing Detective for the Oneida Stone at New York Traveler.net http://newyorktraveler.net/people-of-the-standing-stone-the-skenandoah-boulder-in-oneida/comment-page-1/#comment-5510 Playing Detective for the Oneida Stone at New York Traveler.net Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:12:30 +0000 http://newyorktraveler.net/?p=440#comment-5510 [...] by Anthony Wonderley, and it is amazing! I blogged about our journey to Oneida Castle to see the mysterious Skenandoah Boulder. I’ve decided to dig a little deeper about the Oneida Stone, apparently a huge stone that [...] [...] by Anthony Wonderley, and it is amazing! I blogged about our journey to Oneida Castle to see the mysterious Skenandoah Boulder. I’ve decided to dig a little deeper about the Oneida Stone, apparently a huge stone that [...]

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