David Cusick facts for kids

David Cusick (born around 1780, died around 1840) was a talented artist and writer from the Tuscarora nation. He is famous for his book, David Cusick's Sketches of Ancient History of the Six Nations (published in 1827). This book was one of the very first times a Native American person wrote and published their own history and traditional stories in English.

About David Cusick

David Cusick was born between 1780 and 1785. He was likely born in New York State, on land belonging to the Oneida people. He was a member of the Tuscarora nation.

His Family and Education

David's father, Nicholas Cusick, was born in 1756 and lived until 1840. Nicholas was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He also worked as an interpreter for a church group that helped the Seneca people.

It's believed that David went to a mission school. There, he learned how to read and write in English. David had a younger brother named Dennis Cusick. Dennis was also an artist, known for his watercolor paintings. Together, the Cusick brothers helped create a style of art. This style is sometimes called the "Iroquois realist school of painting."

His Life and Work

David Cusick fought in the War of 1812. During this war, his village was sadly burned down by the British.

Besides being an artist and writer, David was also a doctor. He spent a lot of time studying the oral traditions of the Haudenosaunee, also known as the Iroquois. These are the traditional stories and histories passed down by word of mouth. David Cusick is thought to have passed away around 1840.

David Cusick's Book

Stonish Giants, an engraving by David Cusick from his book.

David Cusick's book, Sketches of Ancient History of the Six Nations, was very important. It was the first book in the United States written, printed, and copyrighted by a Native American author.

Publishing the Book

Cusick first published his book as a small, 28-page booklet. This happened in 1825 or 1827 in Lewiston, New York. The next year, he released a new version. This updated book had more text and included four of his own amazing engravings. The Sketches was published again in 1848 and then in 1892. David Cusick even paid for some of the editions of his book himself. His book became a source for other writers in the 1800s who were interested in Iroquois oral traditions.

What the Book is About

Sketches tells a history that spans about 2,800 years. It is divided into three main parts.

Part One: Good Mind and the Eagwehoewe

The first part of the book talks about a character called Good Mind. Good Mind created people known as the Eagwehoewe.

Part Two: Challenges and Creatures

The second part describes the Eagwehoewe's adventures. They faced many challenges from powerful beings. These included the scary Stonish Giants and the mysterious Flying Heads.

Part Three: The Chain of Alliance

The third part of the book explains how the Eagwehoewe created a "chain of alliance." This means they formed strong friendships and agreements with each other.

Characters and Stories

The book starts by describing "two worlds" that existed long ago. There was a dark "lower world" and an "upper world" where humans lived. The story features twin brothers, Enigorio (the good spirit) and Enigonhahetgea (the evil spirit). They created different beings, including the Eagwehoewe (the people) and their enemies, the Ronnongwetowanca (giants).

Early people were helped by a hero named Donhtonha. Other characters include Big Quisquiss, the Big Elk, and the Lake Serpent.

Villains in the Stories

The book also features many interesting "villains." These include:

• The Konearaunehneh (Flying Heads)
• The Lake Serpent
• The Otneyarheh (Stonish Giants)
• A snake with a human head
• The Oyalkquoher or Oyalquarkeror (the Big Bear)
• The great musqueto (a giant mosquito)
• Kaistowanea (a serpent with two heads)
• The great Lizard
• And witches introduced by the Skaunyatohatihawk or Nanticokes.

How People Saw His Work

When Sketches was first published, some early critics didn't fully understand or appreciate it. These included famous writers like Henry David Thoreau and Francis Parkman. However, it's important to remember how rare and special Cusick's book was. It was the first self-proclaimed history in English by a North American Indian. This made the attention it received, even the negative comments, quite remarkable.