Thomas Forsyth (Indian Agent)
Encyclopedia
Major Thomas Forsyth was a 19th-century American frontiersman and trader who served as a U.S. Indian agent
to the Sauk and Fox during the 1820s and was replaced by Felix St. Vrain
prior to the Black Hawk War
. His writings, both prior to and while an Indian agent, provided an invaluable source of the early Native American
history in the Northwest Territory
. His son, Robert Forsyth
, was a colonel
in the United States Army
and an early settler of Chicago, Illinois.
, his father William Forsyth was a Scots-Irish Presbyterian who immigrated from Ireland
around 1750. A veteran of the French and Indian War
, he was twice wounded while under General Wolfe at the capture of Quebec in 1759. Shortly after Forsyth was born in Detroit, his father was imprisoned as a loyalist
during the American Revolutionary War
. He became a successful Indian trader in his youth, spending several years living with the Ottawas on Saginaw Bay
and, as early as 1798, he spent the winter on an island in the Mississippi
a short distance downstream from present-day Quincy, Illinois
.
He later became partners with his half-brother John Kinzie and his son, Robert Forsyth. The two established a trading post in 1802, at the site of what is now Chicago, Illinois. After marrying a Keziah Malotte near Malden
in 1804, he moved to Peoria Lake
where he became a successful trader and businessman. During the Peoria War
, he served as a spy
for Governor William Clark and was later an agent for the tribes in the region and was able to persuade the Illinois River
Pottawatomie to remain neutral during the War of 1812
. In December of that year, he and a number of others at the agency were arrested the Illinois Rangers under Captain Thomas E. Craig who later ordered Peoria to be burned. Forsyth was bitterly resentful of Craig's actions, however Craig defended himself claiming he, nor anyone else outside Washington, D.C.
, knew of his status as an Indian agent. "It was supposed by the President that Mr. Forsyth would be more serviceable, to both sides, if his friends, the Indians, did not know this situation."
Forsyth and the others were eventually released by Craig dropping them off on the riverbank below Alton, Illinois
where they were "in a starving condition (and) they were landed in the woods ... without shelter or food." He would later distinguish himself as an outspoken supporter of peace for both Native Americans
and the U.S. government and, often risking his own life, negotiated with tribal leaders for the release of American prisoners. This was most evident in his securing the release of the survivors of the Chicago massacre
among whom included Lieutenant Lenai T. Helm, the son-in-law of John Kinzie
.
Officially appointed a U.S. Indian subagent for the Sauk and Fox at Rock Island, Illinois
, he was later stationed at Fort Armstrong
and reported the movements of the Sauk and Fox as well as its ever increasing strength in the region during the early 1820s. He became a respected figure in the region, however he was eventually replaced after 18 years of service by Felix St. Vrain
due to Forsyth's insubordinate attitude, unwillingness to remain at the fort, and the criticism of his supervisor. His successor, 31-year-old Kaskaskia
sawmill operator Felix St. Vrain
, proved to be unpopular and his inexperence eventually resulted in the St. Vrain massacre
. It has been speculated by historians such as Lyman Copeland Draper that his removal from the position as Indian agent to the Sauk and Fox could have prevented the Black Hawk War
.
Forsyth retired to St. Louis, Missouri
where he died on October 29, 1833. He was survived by his wife, who died only four years later, and his four children.
Indian agent
In United States history, an Indian agent was an individual authorized to interact with Native American tribes on behalf of the U.S. government.-Indian agents:*Leander Clark was agent for the Sac and Fox in Iowa beginning in 1866....
to the Sauk and Fox during the 1820s and was replaced by Felix St. Vrain
Felix St. Vrain
Felix St. Vrain was a United States Indian agent who was killed during the Black Hawk War. St. Vrain died along with three companions while on a mission to deliver dispatches from Dixon's Ferry, Illinois to Fort Armstrong. The incident has become known as the St. Vrain massacre.-Early life:Felix...
prior to the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
. His writings, both prior to and while an Indian agent, provided an invaluable source of the early Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
history in the Northwest Territory
Northwest Territory
The Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, more commonly known as the Northwest Territory, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 13, 1787, until March 1, 1803, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Ohio...
. His son, Robert Forsyth
Robert Forsyth
Robert Forsyth is the Anglican Bishop of South Sydney - a region of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. He has been bishop since 2000. Prior to that he was the rector of St. Barnabas, Broadway.- Personal life:...
, was a colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and an early settler of Chicago, Illinois.
Biography
The grandson of a French emigreEmigre
Emigre, also known as Emigre Graphics, is a digital type foundry, publisher and distributor of graphic design centered information based in Berkeley, California, that was founded in 1984 by husband-and-wife team Rudy VanderLans and Zuzana Licko. The type foundry also published Emigre magazine...
, his father William Forsyth was a Scots-Irish Presbyterian who immigrated from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
around 1750. A veteran of the French and Indian War
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
, he was twice wounded while under General Wolfe at the capture of Quebec in 1759. Shortly after Forsyth was born in Detroit, his father was imprisoned as a loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. He became a successful Indian trader in his youth, spending several years living with the Ottawas on Saginaw Bay
Saginaw Bay
Saginaw Bay is a bay within Lake Huron located on the eastern side of the U.S. state of Michigan. It forms the space between Michigan's Thumb region and the rest of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Saginaw Bay is in area...
and, as early as 1798, he spent the winter on an island in the Mississippi
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
a short distance downstream from present-day Quincy, Illinois
Quincy, Illinois
Quincy, known as Illinois' "Gem City," is a river city along the Mississippi River and the county seat of Adams County. As of the 2010 census the city held a population of 40,633. The city anchors its own micropolitan area and is the economic and regional hub of West-central Illinois, catering a...
.
He later became partners with his half-brother John Kinzie and his son, Robert Forsyth. The two established a trading post in 1802, at the site of what is now Chicago, Illinois. After marrying a Keziah Malotte near Malden
Malden
Malden is the name of places:In England:*New Malden, Kingston upon Thames*Old Malden, Kingston upon Thames*Malden Rushett, Kingston upon ThamesIn the United States of America:*Malden, Illinois*Malden, Massachusetts*Malden, Missouri...
in 1804, he moved to Peoria Lake
Peoria Lake
Peoria Lake is a section of the Illinois River between Peoria in Peoria County, Illinois and East Peoria in Tazewell County, Illinois. The oldest section of Peoria, the largest city on the river, lies at its shores....
where he became a successful trader and businessman. During the Peoria War
Peoria War
During the War of 1812, the Illinois Territory was the scene of fighting between Native Americans and United States soldiers and settlers.Tensions in the Illinois Territory between U.S. settlers and Native Americans were on the rise in the years before the War of 1812...
, he served as a spy
SPY
SPY is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* SPY , ticker symbol for Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts* SPY , a satirical monthly, trademarked all-caps* SPY , airport code for San Pédro, Côte d'Ivoire...
for Governor William Clark and was later an agent for the tribes in the region and was able to persuade the Illinois River
Illinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
Pottawatomie to remain neutral 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...
. In December of that year, he and a number of others at the agency were arrested the Illinois Rangers under Captain Thomas E. Craig who later ordered Peoria to be burned. Forsyth was bitterly resentful of Craig's actions, however Craig defended himself claiming he, nor anyone else outside Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, knew of his status as an Indian agent. "It was supposed by the President that Mr. Forsyth would be more serviceable, to both sides, if his friends, the Indians, did not know this situation."
Forsyth and the others were eventually released by Craig dropping them off on the riverbank below Alton, Illinois
Alton, Illinois
Alton is a city on the Mississippi River in Madison County, Illinois, United States, about north of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 27,865 at the 2010 census. It is a part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area in Southern Illinois...
where they were "in a starving condition (and) they were landed in the woods ... without shelter or food." He would later distinguish himself as an outspoken supporter of peace for both Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
and the U.S. government and, often risking his own life, negotiated with tribal leaders for the release of American prisoners. This was most evident in his securing the release of the survivors of the Chicago massacre
Fort Dearborn massacre
The Battle of Fort Dearborn occurred on August 15, 1812, near Fort Dearborn, Illinois Territory during the War of 1812. The engagement followed the evacuation of the fort as ordered by the U.S. General William Hull...
among whom included Lieutenant Lenai T. Helm, the son-in-law of John Kinzie
John Kinzie
John Kinzie was one of Chicago's first permanent European settlers. Kinzie Street in Chicago is named after him.-Early life:...
.
Officially appointed a U.S. Indian subagent for the Sauk and Fox at Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
, he was later stationed at Fort Armstrong
Fort Armstrong
Fort Armstrong , was one of a chain of western frontier defenses which the United States erected after the War of 1812. It was located at the foot of Rock Island, Illinois, in the Mississippi River between present-day Illinois and Iowa. It was five miles from the principal Sac and Fox village on...
and reported the movements of the Sauk and Fox as well as its ever increasing strength in the region during the early 1820s. He became a respected figure in the region, however he was eventually replaced after 18 years of service by Felix St. Vrain
Felix St. Vrain
Felix St. Vrain was a United States Indian agent who was killed during the Black Hawk War. St. Vrain died along with three companions while on a mission to deliver dispatches from Dixon's Ferry, Illinois to Fort Armstrong. The incident has become known as the St. Vrain massacre.-Early life:Felix...
due to Forsyth's insubordinate attitude, unwillingness to remain at the fort, and the criticism of his supervisor. His successor, 31-year-old Kaskaskia
Kaskaskia
The Kaskaskia were one of about a dozen cognate tribes that made up the Illiniwek Confederation or Illinois Confederation. Their longstanding homeland was in the Great Lakes region...
sawmill operator Felix St. Vrain
Felix St. Vrain
Felix St. Vrain was a United States Indian agent who was killed during the Black Hawk War. St. Vrain died along with three companions while on a mission to deliver dispatches from Dixon's Ferry, Illinois to Fort Armstrong. The incident has become known as the St. Vrain massacre.-Early life:Felix...
, proved to be unpopular and his inexperence eventually resulted in the St. Vrain massacre
St. Vrain massacre
The St. Vrain massacre was an incident in the Black Hawk War. It occurred near present-day Pearl City, Illinois in Kellogg's Grove on May 24, 1832. The massacre was most likely committed by Ho-Chunk warriors who were unaffiliated with Black Hawk's band of warriors. It is also unlikely that the...
. It has been speculated by historians such as Lyman Copeland Draper that his removal from the position as Indian agent to the Sauk and Fox could have prevented the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
.
Forsyth retired to St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
where he died on October 29, 1833. He was survived by his wife, who died only four years later, and his four children.
Further reading
- Forsyth, Thomas and Lyman Copeland Draper, ed. "Journal of a Voyage from St. Louis to the Falls of St. Anthony, in 1819". Wisconsin State Historical Society Collections. Vol. VI. Madison: Wisconsin State Historical Society, 1872.
- Transcripts of the Illinois State Historical Society. Pub. 9 (1904). Springfield, Illinois: Philips Brothers, 1904. (pg. 138-142)