John Etarwegeshig, also called John Wa we swan/Wa me gwon, was born about 1837 in Kent County, the son of Paw ge te go quay/Pah te go qua/Paw co te go quay/ Po te go quah and her first husband (possibly Reeche/Keeche - not yet found in the annuity rolls).
Mother Pawcotegoquay remarried in Apr 1849 in Montcalm County to James Tahyawquawgon.
Youngest half siblings from pension records were Notenisquom, born about 1850; Nahtahwegeshig, born about 1852; and Wahwatchchenodin, born about 1854.
1858 Annuity Roll - Chief Shaw gwaw baw no
#21 Taw yea quaw quon, 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children, received $25.26
1859 Annuity Roll - Chief Shaw gwaw baw no
#20 Taw yea quaw gwon, 1 man, 1 woman, 4 children, received $29.82
1861 Annuity Roll - Chief Shaw gwaw baw no
#21 Taw yea quaw gwon, 1 man, 1 woman, 5 children, received $32.34
Father was said to have died in 1862 and was buried in Little Traverse (Harbor Springs).
John enlisted as a private on 5 Jul 1863 at Pentwater, for 3 years, age 26. He was described as 5'9", black hard and eyes, with a dark complexion. John mustered in 11 Jul 1863.
In late September 1863, John deserted from his guard post at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois. He was arrested on 4 Oct and returned to his unit.
On 2 Oct 1863 John wrote home to his mother.
The letter was later translated as part of his mother's pension application.
On 4 Feb 1864 John again wrote to his mother.
This letter was also translated as part of his mother's pension application.
On 12 May 1864 John was killed in action during the Battle of Spotsylvania in Virginia.
John's step-father, Tahyawquawgon died in Aug 1864.
1865 Annuity Roll - Chief Shaw gwaw baw no
#3 Paw we te go quay, no men, 1 woman, 6 children, received $28.00
1866 Annuity Roll - Chief Shaw gwaw baw no
#2 Paw we te go quay, no men, 1 woman, 6 children, received $26.18
1867 Annuity Roll - Chief Aish ke baw gosh
#2 Paw we te go quay, no men, 1 woman, 6 children, received $24.99
1868 Annuity Roll - Chief Aish ke baw gosh
#3 Paw we te go quay, no men, 1 woman, 6 children, received $110.95
John's mother applied for a pension based on his service on 29 Mar 1869
1870 Annuity Roll - Chief Aish ke baw gosh
#3 Paw ge te go quay, no men, 1 woman, 5 children, received $91.80
Below are Pension Letters Transcribed by Larry Wyckoff:
Letters from the Indian Office relating to the claim of Pah te go quah, mother of John E-tar-we-ge-shig
Office of M.H. Brooks, Attorney at Law Hart, Mich. July 20th 1876
To Commissioner of Indian Affairs Washington D.C. Dear Sir I am in receipt of a letter from Pension Office in regard to claim No. 212198 of Poh-te-go-quah E-tar-we-ge-shig. They write me that it is left with you to identify claimant and ask a statement from you [ms. illegible] upon inquiry as to the merits of the case with regard to dependence &c. The claim I filed nearly 2 years ago. I sent evidence of her dependence by three good and disinterested witnesses one of them that sold her woolen goods and trusted her son for [ms. illegible] and now paid it and his dependence on her now. I also sent letters to the Pension department written by son to his mother while in service and of his sending money home for her support. If you require evidence to show that John Wa-we-swan was John E-tar-we-ge-shig I can send you evidence that he was called that by name that it is one and the same person. The old lady is suffering more for help and is old and it does seem to me that the department ought to move about the matter. Will you be kind enough to write me about it and tell me who is Indian agent for this state at the present time. Hoping I may hear from you soon I remain as ever yours Respectfully M.H. Brooks
[Reply: To Pension Office July 27, 1876; to Agent Lee August 16, 1876; to Brooks August 16, 1876.]
SOURCE: NAM, M234, Roll 411, 709-710.
§ § §
July 27, 1876
The Honorable Commr. of Pensions Sir: I have the honor to request that you will furnish this Office with the status of the claim of pension (No. 212.198) of Po-te-go-quah, mother of E-tarwe-ge-shig. J.Q. Smith Commr.
SOURCE: NAM, M21, Roll 130, 475.
§ § § §
August 16, 1876
Geo. W. Lee Esq. U.S. Indian Agent Ypsilanti, Michigan Sir: I transmit herewith, a letter received at this Office from W.H. Brooks Esq. of Hart, Mich. relative to the claim for pension (No. 212.198) of Po-te-go-quah, mother of John E-tar-we-ge-shig, a deceased Indian, late member of Co. “K” 1st Michigan Sharpshooters. You are directed to obtain such evidence as will identify the claimant as the mother of said soldier, showing her dependence upon him for support, and also ascertain the correct name of the soldier under which he served, as he signs his name in a letter John Wa-we-swon. When such evidence is obtained, you will forward the same, and return the enclosed letter to this office for appropriate action. J.Q. Smith
SOURCE: NAM, M21, Roll 130, 525-526.
§ § § §
August 16, 1876
M.H. Brooks Esq. Hart, Michigan Sir: Referring to your letter of the 20 ultimo, in relation to the claim for pension (No. 212.198) of Po-te-go-quah, mother of John E-tar-we-ge-shig, late member of Co. “K” 1st Michigan Sharpshooters. I enclose herewith, for your information in relation to the subject, a copy of a letter to Agent Lee, of this state, setting forth the requirements of the Pension Office in the case. J.Q. Smith
SOURCE: NAM, M21, Roll 130, 524.
§ § § §
Ypsilanti, Mich., Oct. 27, 1876
Hon. J.Q. Smith Commissioner of Indian Affairs Sir
I have visited Hart, Oceana County this State in obedience to your instructions of Aug. 16 with enclosure which I return herewith with the result of my investigation. I find his enlistment papers and evidence of his death are already on file in the Pension Bureau as well as the affidavits of Hervey S. Sayles, Louis Genereau, Charles Wa-be-sis as to the fact of John Wa-we-swan and John E-tar-we-ge-shig are one, and the same person, that it is not an infrequent thing among the Indians here, to be known by one or two names. Of all this there are already on file in the Pension Bureau, I was informed, the evidence and all I could do would be to incur the expense of getting the witnesses together which would be considerable, and duplicate that already in possession of the bureau of Pensions. Of one thing I am well satisfied, i.e. that the Old woman Pah-te-go-quay is very poor and destitute, being about 70 years of age. That after her son went to the war, he did at various times send her money from his pay, before his death, and that he was her main dependence for support. If however further affidavits are needed, I have made arrangements for their procurement if required. But it seems to me the evidence already on file ought to be conclusive; that any further would be simply cumulative. I have the honor to be most Respectfully your obedient Servant, Geo. W. Lee
[Reply: Letter to Com. Pensions November 23, 1876]
§ § § §
Nov. 24, 1876
The Commissioner of Pensions Sir: Referring to Pension Office letters of Feby 9th and 21st and of August 4, 1876, in relation to claim 212.198 of Pah-te-go-quah, mother of E-tar-we-ge-shig, I have the honor herewith enclose a copy of the report of Agent Lee made in conformity with request of Feby. 9th last. Should Agent Lee’s report as to the identity of the claimant and the deceased, and of her dependence upon him for support, in addition to the evidence on file in the case, be deemed insufficient, upon notice thereof to this office the Agent will be directed to present the evidence of the desired facts in such form as you may request. J.Q. Smith
SOURCE: NAM, M21, Roll 132, 208-209.
§ § § §
Dec. 12, 1876
Geo. W. Lee Esq. U.S. Indian Agent Ypsilanti, Michigan Sir: I transmit herewith a letter from the Pension office in relation to the claim of pension (No. 212.198) of Pah-te-go-quah, mother of John E-tar-we-geshig, a deceased Indian, a late member of Co. K 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, referred to in office letter of August 16th last. You are directed to obtain the evidence required, by that office and forward the same, with the enclosed letter to this office, for appropriate action. J.Q. Smith
SOURCE: NAM, M21, Roll 132, 266.
§ § § §
Ypsilanti, Mich., January 9, 1877
To the Hon. Commissioner of Indian Affairs Washington, D.C. Sir, Referring to your letter of date of 12th Dec. 1876. I have on enquiring in relation to the application of Pah-te-go-quay, E-tar-we-ge-shig No. 212198 asking for further information as to her second husband and his ability to support her &c. Upon enquiring I learn the answers to these same questions have been sent as they were previously required, the Old Lady is now a widow and most wretchedly poor. She has no money to send anyone to procure the testimony again, the witnesses have now moved away, and she is lame and nearly blind. I enclose copies of letters from the Pension Dept. where this testimony was sent from which you will see they promised attention. It does seem if this was a White Mother the case would not have been delayed. Abundance of testimony has been sent to prove that John did at different times while in the service send his mother money for her support. She is now over seventy years old and as I remarked above in extreme poverty, & helpless from infirmity. In her behalf I most earnestly ask that something be done for her. Justice in such cases of extreme poverty and destitution would seem to demand a waiver of pure technicalities. These facts are clearly proven: 1st Her son was a soldier, and died in the service. 2d She depended on him for her support, and the Pension Bureau have the evidence that he sent her money from the Army for this purpose. 3d That she is unable to support herself, and has no one upon whom she can rely for assistance, and is clearly of the class that the act was intended to benefit.
Finally it is not right to insist upon objections, which her helplessness, ignorance, and poverty prevent her answering a second time. All that these letters seem to require are claimed to have been forwarded, and certainly upon your request, I visited the place expressly to learn all required, and becoming fully satisfied of the merits of the case so reported in letter of 27th Oct. last, to which reference is had. I am confident of the meritorious character of this application and think it should not longer be delayed. I am Sir most respectfully, Geo. W. Lee Indian Agent
SOURCE: NAM, M234, Roll 412-130-131.
§ § § §
Jany. 17, 1877
The Commissioner of Pensions Sir: Referring to Pension Office letters of Feby 9th and 21st and of August 4, and December 7th 1876, in relation to claim 212.198 of Pah-te-go-quah, mother of E-tar-we-ge-shig, I have the honor herewith enclose a copy of a communication of Agent Lee in answer to office letter of December 12th last in regard to said claim. The Agent alleges that the evidence called for the Pension office letter of the 7th of December last, is already filed in the case, and for reasons stated it will be impossible to take the same over again. As he has made a personal investigation of all the facts relating to the claim, and regards it as meritorious, I trust that his report in connection with the evidence will be deemed sufficient to warrant favorable action in the case. The claimant is reported to be helpless and in a destitute condition. J.Q. Smith
SOURCE: NAM, M21, Roll 132, 369-370.
§ § § §
Office of Mackinaw Indian Agency Ypsilanti, Mich. April 18th 1877
To the Hon. Commissioner of Indian Affairs Sir
I have the honor to return herewith the Comr. of Pensions note of Feby. 6th & the required affidavit, and hope the poor Old Woman, now more than 70 years old, and very infirm, may have the means to eke out the remnant of her days in tolerable comfort, at least so as not to suffer from the want of the necessities of life. When the natural source from whence these were received was destroyed by her son giving his life for the defense of the Nation. I am Sir Very Respectfully your Obedient Servant Geo. W. Lee U.S. Indian Agent
[Reply: letter to Com. of Pensions April 24, 1877]
SOURCE: NAM, M234, Roll 412, 301-302.
§ § § §
April 24, 1877
The Commissioner of Pensions Sir: Referring to your letter of Feby. 6th last, in relation to the Pension claim of Pah-te-go-quah, mother of E-tar-we-ge-shig, I have the honor to return the same herewith, as requested, accompanied by the additional evidence required, and copy of a letter from U.S. Agent Lee relating to said claim. J.Q. Smith
SOURCE: NAM, M21, Roll 136, 103.
§ § § §
Office of M.H. Brooks, Attorney at Law Hart, Mich. June 21, 1877
George D. Lee Esq.
Dear Sir. I received a letter from Pension Department in relation to claim No. 212.198. The Department now wants an explanation. The evidence discloses that second husband married this claimant while first husband was alive. Second husband was married in 1849 and first husband died in 1862. All of this is true but they did not live together any more than first husband had been dead. For first husband took another squaw and lived with her. Indians do not get divorces and the Department ought to understand it by this time. They have evidence that the soldier took care of his mother by working by the month and sent her money while in the army and the Department has his letters to that effect to his mother. As fast as we get evidence of one thing the Department asks for, then they want something more. I am getting tired. There seems to be a disposition to beat the Indians and I have written the department to that effect. I know you are satisfied the government should pay this old lady a pension, it won’t last long any way and is meritorious. I thought I would write you at the same time I did the Department and if you wished to make further explanation to them you could do so.
SOURCE: NAM, M234, Roll 412, 365.
§ § § §
Ypsilanti, Mich., June 22, 1877
To the Hon. Commissioner of Indian Affairs Washington, D.C. Sir, I have several times had occasion to call the attention of the Dept. to the case of Pay-te-go-quay's application for pension on account of the death in the Army of her son John E-tar-we-ge-shig (No. 212198). It really seems as if this case had been a white woman, or a white soldier, the queries raised all these years, would not be thought of. Now every one conversant with Indian manners, and customs, knows that they are not like those of our people, and if this is to be a waiver of their rights let it be so understood. Once fact is established, this young man worked by the month to support his mother before he went to the war. 2d He sent his earnings home to & for her while there. 3d He was killed or died in the service. 4th She is very old and helpless (over 70) and needs something now. 5th Many years have been spent in this effort to get a just claim, and as fast as one obstacle is removed, new ones present themselves. She is spending the pittance she has by aid of the charitable, to employ counsel to prosecute what seems to me a just claim. As to her Husbands, the first left her before she married the second and never lived with her after. Second husband was married in 1849, first died in 1862. She has had no aid from either as I understand. I hope the Pension Department can be disposed to close up this case, it has been before it now for over 4 years as I understand, and in justice to the Old Woman who cannot survive long, it should be decided, and certainly if because she is Indian, it is unworthy of notice, or proper recognition, because Indian marital regulations are not the same of white peoples; let that be settled, and time to all concerned can thereby be saved; for I am sure they do not wish to be annoyed by the presentation of cases not to be entertained.
The last query I have seen, seems to be that no divorce is shown--now Indians do not go to Courts, as Indians, for divorces---having a shorter way of accomplishing such matters. We were glad of the service of Indians, as soldiers when in our extremity, let us be just now, to all who gave their all for the country--their lives for that of the Nations
I am Sir truly your Obedient Servant. Geo. W. Lee
Indian Agent
[Reply: letter to Com. of Pensions June 30, 1877] SOURCE: NAM, M234, Roll 412, 362-364.
§ § § §
June 30, 1877
The Commissioner of Pensions Sir: I have the honor to transmit, for your consideration of the 22d instant, from Geo. W. Lee, U.S. Indian Agent at Ypsilanti, Michigan relative to claim for Pension No. 212.198, of Pa-te-go-quah, mother of John E-tar-we-ge-shig. J.Q. Smith
SOURCE: NAM, M21, Roll 136, 355.
[Note: The Pension Office eventually awarded her a pension of $8.00 per month in August 1877]
1908 Durant Roll Field Notes
#3 page 52 Paw-ge-to-go-quay, dead; 1st husband, dead.
Children:
1) Ne-zette Compaux, dead; husband Pay-me-saw-aw or Pete Compaux, see 5-58; their child Nancy Pontiac, P.O. Freesoil, now wife of Mitchell Ninise
2) Elizabeth Williams, age 68, P.O. Lattin, husband dead; children Mary Ching-waw-age 41, see 6-50 and John Williams, age 36, see 2-61
3) James Norton, age 60, P.O. Upper Peninsala, no children
4) Richard Albert, P.O. Freesoil, see 37-52
5) Wm Norton, P.O. Honor/Northport, same as Wm Newton. See 25-55 [Gives his name as Waw-waw-che-no-din, age as 62]
6) Mary Louise, 57 P.O. Lattin, see 1-49
7) Maw-ge-aw-quo-do-quay, age 55, P.O. Lattin, separated
8) James Mitchell, 53, P.O. Lattin, 1st wife Mary Trombly, 2nd wife Jane Mitchell nee Paw-caw-non-quot
9) Susan Mitchell Koon, husband Wm Koon, age 49, P.O. Lattin, see 6-56
10) Ah-qua-she, husband Joe Fox.
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