Polly Cooper
Encyclopedia
Polly Cooper was an Oneida
woman who took part in an expedition to aid the Continental army
during the American Revolution
at Valley Forge
in the winter campaign of 1777-78.
s had produced an abundant amount of corn and knowing that George Washington
and his army at Valley Forge were low on supplies, Chief Shenendoah (aka Oskanondohna) sent an expedition to help with the food shortage. Among them was one woman by the name of Polly Cooper. Cooper would also be among a group of people who would choose to stay behind and continue to help the American Army.
She aided not only in caring for the many sickly soldiers but also taught them the nutritional and medicinal purposes of various foods. Most importantly, she showed them how to use hulled corn to make a soup that was an essential part of the Iroquois
diet. Cooper was even known to walk among the soldiers during battle to provide water to the soldiers. Polly Cooper and the generous gift of the Oneida
certainly helped lead to a victory by George Washington
and his troops in leading the British out of Valley Forge
and Pennsylvania
.
Among the Iroquois tribes, it was common to give gifts during an official agreement. The story of the shawl of Polly Cooper is an important one among the Oneida people as it symbolizes their relationship and loyalty to the development of the United States. Today, the shawl is a treasured artifact that remains with the descendants of Polly Cooper.
In the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, in Washington, D.C., there is a statue is called "Allies in War, Partners in Peace." It was created by Utah-based sculptor Edward Hlavka and celebrates the friendship between the Oneida Nation and the United States.
Polly Cooper continued to show her loyalty to the young United States
when she served again as a cook during the War of 1812
.
Oneida tribe
The Oneida are a Native American/First Nations people and are one of the five founding nations of the Iroquois Confederacy in the area of upstate New York...
woman who took part in an expedition to aid the Continental army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
at Valley Forge
Valley Forge
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...
in the winter campaign of 1777-78.
At Valley Forge
The harvest for the previous year among the OneidaOneida tribe
The Oneida are a Native American/First Nations people and are one of the five founding nations of the Iroquois Confederacy in the area of upstate New York...
s had produced an abundant amount of corn and knowing that George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and his army at Valley Forge were low on supplies, Chief Shenendoah (aka Oskanondohna) sent an expedition to help with the food shortage. Among them was one woman by the name of Polly Cooper. Cooper would also be among a group of people who would choose to stay behind and continue to help the American Army.
She aided not only in caring for the many sickly soldiers but also taught them the nutritional and medicinal purposes of various foods. Most importantly, she showed them how to use hulled corn to make a soup that was an essential part of the Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
diet. Cooper was even known to walk among the soldiers during battle to provide water to the soldiers. Polly Cooper and the generous gift of the Oneida
Oneida tribe
The Oneida are a Native American/First Nations people and are one of the five founding nations of the Iroquois Confederacy in the area of upstate New York...
certainly helped lead to a victory by George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and his troops in leading the British out of Valley Forge
Valley Forge
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...
and Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
The Shawl of Polly Cooper
Despite her hard work, Cooper refused to be paid for her service. According to legend, one day the officer's wives took Cooper shopping in nearby Philadelphia. Though she had little interest in the items for sale and purchased nothing, the women took notice of a particular black shawl that Cooper admired. After informing their husbands, funds were appropriated by Congress for the purpose of buying the shawl to be given to Cooper in appreciation for her services.Among the Iroquois tribes, it was common to give gifts during an official agreement. The story of the shawl of Polly Cooper is an important one among the Oneida people as it symbolizes their relationship and loyalty to the development of the United States. Today, the shawl is a treasured artifact that remains with the descendants of Polly Cooper.
In the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, in Washington, D.C., there is a statue is called "Allies in War, Partners in Peace." It was created by Utah-based sculptor Edward Hlavka and celebrates the friendship between the Oneida Nation and the United States.
Polly Cooper continued to show her loyalty to the young United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
when she served again as a cook during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
.