Ots-Toch facts for kids

Ots-Toch was an important Mohawk woman who lived a long time ago, from about 1600 to 1646. She was from a place called Canajoharie, New York. Ots-Toch married an early Dutch settler, and their children became very important. They helped people from the Mohawk nation and the Dutch colony of New Netherland talk to each other.

Who Was Ots-Toch?

Ots-Toch was born around the year 1600 near Canajoharie, New York. Some people think she might have been born even earlier. She married a Dutch settler named Cornelise Antonnisen Van Slyke. Together, they started the Van Slyke family in New Netherland.

Ots-Toch and Cornelise got married around 1620. They had at least three children who grew up and became very helpful. These children worked as interpreters, which means they helped translate between the Mohawk people and the Dutch. Their children included Jacques Cornelius Van Slyck, Marten Maurice van Slyck, and Hillitie.

Ots-Toch's Family Life

We don't know a lot of details about Ots-Toch herself. But her family, especially her children, are mentioned in many old stories about early New York. For example, her daughter, Hillitie, chose to live with the Dutch settlers. Even so, she became an official interpreter for the Mohawk nation.

Cornelise Van Slyke, Ots-Toch's husband, lived with the Mohawk people. This was a common practice following Mohawk traditions, where family lines are often traced through the mother. Cornelise was even chosen to be an official representative from New Netherland to the Mohawk. Their children also became important interpreters for both groups.

Some stories about Ots-Toch say her father was French. However, the oldest records about her family don't suggest this. For example, an interview from 1680 with her daughter, Hillitie, said that Hillitie and her brother Jacques were of mixed heritage. This means they had both Mohawk and European parents. Also, Ots-Toch was known for not wanting to follow European religions. This makes it unlikely her father was a French Catholic.

Ots-Toch's Lasting Impact

Many people compare Ots-Toch to Pocahontas. Pocahontas was another Native American woman from the 1600s who married a European settler. But there was a big difference between them. Pocahontas eventually moved to Great Britain and became a Christian. Ots-Toch, however, stayed with the Mohawk people. She is said to have chosen not to follow European religions.

Like many people who lived in and around New Netherland, not much was written down about Ots-Toch's life. Her name isn't even mentioned in most records from her time. Most of what we know about her comes from stories passed down through generations. Some historians wonder if the name "Ots-Toch" is a traditional name given to her later, rather than her actual historical name. If it is a traditional name, it might have been inspired by a Mohawk spirit named Otskon, who was known for being unpredictable, much like Ots-Toch was described.