Total Number Of Pages: 1
Source: Scanned from the original photograph which is 10 inches in width and 8 inches in height.
Language: English
Coverage: Shinnecock Reservation, Southampton, N.Y. (Town)
Creators:
Red Thunder Cloud [Cromwell Ashbie Hawkins West]
Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions
Description: The caption reads:
"This photo shows a Shinnecock man pictured in front of the native type of cellar or barn as it was also called. This cellar was made by digging holes four or five feet deep and roofing the place with poles and sod placed over the framework. This one is made of huge pieces of sod and on the outside the branches hold the chunk of sod in place. Early colonists used to complain that the Shinnecock cellars were a menace to their cattle used to fall in them and break their legs. The Shinnecocks no doubt had reason to complain that the early settlers with their strict regulations were a menace to them.
The Virginia and Carolina Indians equivalent to the Shinnecock cellar is the Outkitchen, a covered framework on poles behind the house through which air flows which keeps foods and vegetables cool.
This is a rare photo of John Henry Thompson, a Shinnecock of Indian and white blood who ran the biggest farm on the Shinnecock Reservation. He had 300 chickens, cows, pigs, ducks and horses and he and his family always had plenty of everything. His two sons, Harry and Gus were both conversative Indians both of whom married Indians but neither of whom had any children. Harry was a fine cabinet maker and Augustus was employed by the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in addition to having his own Garbage Disposal business. Two of John Henry Thompson's daughters also married Indians, one Lillian Harvey (Singing Willow) married Ernest Harvey and Alice married James Phillips of the Poosepatuck Reservation of Mastic. Gus Thompson who is now 87 resembles his father very much and is a well respected member of the Shinnecock Tribe. (April 25, 1969)"
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