Polly Cooper
Polly Cooper | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Oneida people |
| Known for | Feeding soldiers at Valley Forge during theAmerican Revolutionary War |
Polly Cooperwas anOneidawoman from theNew York colonywho took part in a expedition to aid the starvingContinental Armyduring theAmerican Revolutionary War.She was among 47 Oneida and Seneca people who carried bushels of corn 250 miles (400 km) toValley Forgefrom late April into May 1778. She taught them how to make a soup with the corn, nuts, and fruits to increase its nutritional value. Not wanting to be paid for her service, she was presented with a black shawl, which has been esteemed by Cooper and the Oneida people. It has been loaned to the Oneida Nation Cultural Center. Cooper is depicted in a bronze statue, "Allies in War, Partners in Peace", made by Edward Hlavka. It is on display at theNational Museum of the American Indianof theSmithsonian Institution.
American Revolution
[edit]The Oneida had a friendly relationship withGeorge Washingtonand his army.[1]They supported the American cause due to the leadership of thePresbyterianpreacher,Samuel Kirkland[2]and their disdain for the British appointed native superintendents, SirWilliam Johnsonand his son-in-lawGuy Johnson.[3]
The Oneida and Tuscarora people played a significant role in theAmerican Revolutionary War.They fought and died with theContinental Army,they were scouts, and they provided intelligence of British troop movements during the war.[4][5][6]Doing so meant that they fought against the other nations of theIroquois Confederacywho sided with the British.[5]In 1777, the Seneca, some Mohawk, and Cuyoga officially chose to fight with the British.[6]
Valley Forge
[edit]
On April 25, a group of forty-seven Oneida and Seneca men along with Polly Cooper left withLouis de Tousardcarrying bushels of corn 250 miles (400 km) and supplies to assist Washington atValley Forge,Pennsylvania.[7][8][a]They walked through cold weather and deep snow[5]to reach the soldiers who were starving and dying of exposure and hunger.[4][5]They arrived in May 1778.[10]Cooper taught theContinental Armysoldiers how to make the native's hulled corn soup, mixed with nuts and fruits to improve its nutritional quality.[11]Cooper stayed to care for ill soldiers.[5]She also became Washington's cook.[12][b]
The shawl
[edit]The Continental Army tried to pay Polly Cooper for her valiant service, but she refused any recompense, stating that it was her duty to help her friends in their time of need.[13][14]According to Oneida oral tradition,[7]Cooper was given bonnet and a dark shawl byMartha Washington,who was at the encampment until June.[10][c]
The shawl is still in the care of the Cooper descendants and is in nearly perfect condition.[16]It has been loaned for display on special occasions[5]at the Shako:wi, The Oneida Nation Cultural Center.[17]
After the war
[edit]After the war, the Oneida's lost most of their land.[15]The words written about Oneida's role in American history have been delayed and understated for two centuries.[5][18]According to Carlton E. Spitzer, modern television documentaries generally exclude the roles that Native Americans and Black Americans played in the colonial war.[5]In 2001, Valley Forge was replacing the film it shows visitors with one that reflects the role Native Americans and black soldiers played in America's history.[5]
Legacy
[edit]- The Polly Cooper Chapter of theNational Society Daughters of the American Revolutionis located inChappaqua,New York.[19]
| External image | |
|---|---|
 "Allies in War, Partners in Peace",by Edward Hlavka,Smithsonian Institution |
- In 2004, theOneida Indian Nationcommissioned a bronze statue by sculptor, Edward Hlavka to share the oral tradition of Polly Cooper.[20]The twenty-two foot tall, 2,200 pound monument "Allies in War, Partners in Peace" was gifted to theSmithsonian Institution'sNational Museum of the American Indianand is displayed on the Oneida floor.[21][22]It depicts Polly Cooper carrying a basket of corn withChief Skenandoa,GeneralGeorge Washington,and twoOneidasatValley Forge.Skenandoa represents the warriors who fought with the patriots during the Revolutionary War.[22]
- In 2005, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Oneida County Historical Society.[23]
Notes
[edit]- ^Polly Cooper is said to be also known as Dolly Cobus,[4]but there is no information that says that Dolly Cobus is Polly Cooper and the information is limited. There was also a Polly Cooper who fought in theWar of 1812and received a pension, but she was 31 at the time, born about 1782.[9]
- ^Loew states that Dolly Cobus, also known as Polly Cooper, cooked for Washington in Philadelphia.[6][7]
- ^There are other theories, like Martha Washington invited Cooper to Philadelphia,[4]or a dark brown gossimer shawl may have been purchased by the other officer's wives according to Valley Forge staff.[5]The National Park Service published a document about women at Valley Forge that said that Martha Washington gave Cooper the shawl. Martha, at the encampment until June 1778, was known for keeping people's spirits up.[10]It is also said that she saw a shawl in a window andCongresspaid for it.[15]
References
[edit]- ^Glatthaar & Martin 2006,pp. 95, 116.
- ^Glatthaar & Martin 2006,pp. 57, 66, 67.
- ^Glatthaar & Martin 2006,pp. 70–86.
- ^abcdWideman, Steve (1995-11-18)."Oneida cast for silver screen".The Post-Crescent.p. 17.Retrieved2024-05-12.
- ^abcdefghijSpitzer, Carlton E. (2001-01-04)."The legend of Polly Cooper's shawl".The Star-Democrat.p. 5.Retrieved2024-05-12.
- ^abcLoew 2001,p. 105.
- ^abc"Oneida".George Washington's Mount Vernon.Retrieved2024-05-12.
- ^Glatthaar & Martin 2006,pp. 203, 205.
- ^Hurtado, Albert L., ed. (2008).Reflections on American Indian history: honoring the past, building a future.Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 64–66.ISBN978-0-8061-3896-1.
- ^abc"The Women Present at Valley Forge".Valley Forge National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service).Retrieved2024-05-12.
- ^Glatthaar & Martin 2006,pp. 205, 208.
- ^"The Oneida Nation in the American Revolution (U.S. National Park Service)".nps.gov.Retrieved2024-05-12.
- ^"Polly Cooper: Oneida Heroine".Oneida Indian Nation.
- ^Glatthaar & Martin 2006,p. 208.
- ^abLoew 2001,p. 106.
- ^Hulbert, Guy C. (February 22, 1994). "Oneidas Will Display Gift from Martha Washington".Oneida Daily Dispatch.
- ^"The Polly Cooper Shawl: Testimony to a Pact of the Revolutionary War".Oneida Indian Nation.
- ^"Oneida tribe hoping to set record straight".The Post-Crescent.1995-11-18. p. 19.Retrieved2024-05-12.
- ^"New York - State and Chapter Web Sites".Daughters of the American Revolution - National Society.RetrievedMay 11,2024.
- ^Zotigh, Dennis."New Sound-and-Light Installation Brings to Life the Oneida Nation's Aid to the American Revolution".Smithsonian Magazine.
- ^"Allies in War, Partners in Peace".Oneida Indian Nation.
- ^abGlatthaar & Martin 2006,p. n9.
- ^"Polly Cooper: Oneida Heroine".Oneida Indian Nation.
Bibliography
[edit]- Glatthaar, Joseph T.; Martin, James Kirby (2006).Forgotten allies: the Oneida Indians and the American revolution.New York: Hill and Wang.ISBN978-0-8090-4601-0.
- Loew, Patty (2001).Indian nations of Wisconsin: histories of endurance and renewal.Madison: Wisconsin Historical Society Press.ISBN978-0-87020-332-9.