Kendaia facts for kids

Kendaia, also called Appletown, was an important village for the Seneca and Cayuga Nations. These groups were part of the larger Iroquois Confederacy. Kendaia was located in what is now Romulus, New York. The village was on the east side of Seneca Lake, and its site is now part of Sampson State Park. The name Kendaia has been written in different ways over time, like Thendara or Candaia.

A Long History of Kendaia

Kendaia was likely a busy place for a long time, or it was used many times throughout history. This is because many items from the early 1700s, like those used by Jesuit missionaries, have been found there. These discoveries show that people lived and traded in Kendaia for an extended period.

Birthplace of a Seneca Leader

A famous Seneca war chief named Tah-won-ne-ahs, also known as Chainbreaker, was born in Kendaia. He was born sometime between 1737 and 1760. He became a very important leader for his people.

Kendaia During the American Revolution

During the American Revolution in 1779, a military group called the Sullivan Expedition came to Kendaia. They described it as the "oldest town we have passed." The soldiers noted that Kendaia was a pleasant village located on high ground near Seneca Lake.

What the Village Looked Like

Kendaia had about twenty or more houses. These homes were built from logs and covered with bark. Some of them were even painted. The village also had a large apple orchard with sixty trees, plus other fruit trees like peach trees.

The soldiers also noticed special burial sites for important chiefs. One large tomb was made of wooden planks, painted in bright colors. It had openings so the body could be seen and a roof to protect it from the weather.

The Sullivan Expedition's Actions

As part of a plan to weaken the Native American nations who supported the British, General Sullivan ordered his troops to destroy Kendaia. This was part of a "scorched earth" policy, meaning they burned houses and destroyed crops and fruit trees.

During their time in Kendaia, Sullivan's soldiers found and freed a captive named Luke Swetland. He had been captured during the Battle of Wyoming. Swetland told them that the people of Kendaia had left the village two days earlier. They had gone to Fort Niagara to find safety with the British army.

Kendaia Today

As of 2015, there is a small community called a hamlet named Kendaia in Seneca County. This modern hamlet is located a few miles from where the historic Seneca village once stood.