Thomas Forsyth letter transcript
Collection — Folder: S0479
Identifier: S0479
Scope and Contents
This collection includes a typed transcript on onion-skin paper from Thomas Forsyth in Peoria, Illinois dated September 24, 1812, regarding the military action of Native Americans during the War of 1812.
Dates
- 1812/09/24
Creator
- Forsyth, Thomas, 1771-1833 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Literary rights, including copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their legal heirs and assigns. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts. The publisher must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.
Biographical Note
Thomas Forsyth was born December 5, 1771 in Detroit (now Michigan). He became an Indian trader, first partnering with a Mr. Richardson and later, with his half-brother, John Kinzie, and his son, Robert Forsyth. About 1802, they set up a trading post in Chicago, Illinois. He was married in 1804 and set up trading in Peoria, Illinois, also becoming an Indian sub-agent. During the Peoria War, Forsyth served as a spy for Governor William Clark and was later an Indian agent for the tribes in the region and was able to persuade the Illinois River Potawatomi people to remain neutral during the War of 1812. He was able to negotiate with Native Americans for the release of prisoners taken during the massacre of Chicago. In 1812, he was taken prisoner by Illinois Rangers Captain Thomas E. Craig, who was unaware he was an Indian agent and suffered through harsh treatment, with his fellow captives. He retired in 1830, moving to St. Louis, Missouri and he wrote about the history of Native tribes of the Old Northwest. Forsyth died on October 29, 1833 in St. Louis.
Sources:
Thrapp, Dan L. "Forsyth, Thomas." In Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography, vol. 1, 510. Glendale, CA: Arthur H. Clark Company, 1988.
Wikipedia. "Thomas Forsyth (Indiana agent." Wikipedia.org. Accessed February 8, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Forsyth_(Indian_agent).
Sources:
Thrapp, Dan L. "Forsyth, Thomas." In Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography, vol. 1, 510. Glendale, CA: Arthur H. Clark Company, 1988.
Wikipedia. "Thomas Forsyth (Indiana agent." Wikipedia.org. Accessed February 8, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Forsyth_(Indian_agent).
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation. The original is located in the William Woodbridge papers at Detroit Public Library.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2014/12/24 by Edythe Huffman. EAD finding aid created 2014/12/24 by Edythe Huffman. EAD finding aid revised 2025/02/08 by Brittany Kropf.
Creator
- Forsyth, Thomas, 1771-1833 (Person)
- Title
- Thomas Forsyth letter transcript
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
