Sally Ainse facts for kids

Sally Ainse (born around 1728, died 1823) was a remarkable Oneida woman. She was known by many names, including Sally Montour and Sara Hance. Sally was a skilled diplomat and a successful fur trader. She played an important role in her community and in the history of the Great Lakes region.

Early Life and Family

Sally Ainse grew up near the Susquehanna River. This area is close to where Pennsylvania and New York meet today. When she was a teenager, she married a man named Andrew Montour.

In 1756, Sally and Andrew separated. Most of their children went to live with Andrew in Pennsylvania. Sally was pregnant with her youngest son, Nicholas, at the time. She raised Nicholas herself. He was baptized in Albany, New York in October 1756. Sally and Nicholas lived in an Oneida village near the Mohawk River.

Trading and Land Claims

Sally Ainse became a successful trader. She traveled widely for her business. She traded goods like rum and furs. Her travels took her between places like Michilimackinac, Detroit, and New York.

Sally also owned land. She received a deed for land where Fort Stanwix was built. The Oneida gave her this deed. However, the colonial government of New York did not recognize her claim. In 1772, a powerful leader named Sir William Johnson took the land. He gave it to his friends instead.

Despite this setback, Sally expanded her trade. She moved west into the Great Lakes area. In 1766, she traded with the Mississaugas near Lake Erie. She also lived and traded at Michilimackinac.

Life in Detroit

Around 1775, Sally moved to Detroit. This was during the time of the American Revolution. She grew her business even more. She traded in furs, cider, and other items. People began to know her more commonly as Sally Ainse.

She bought a house and a piece of land in 1778. The next year, she bought the neighboring lot. This made her property much larger. Records from 1779 show she owned cows, horses, and flour. She also owned four enslaved people. These individuals were likely of African and Native American descent. By 1782, she owned more livestock and supplies.

Later Life and Political Work

In 1782, Sally Ainse made her biggest land purchase. She bought 1600 acres on the north shore of the Thames River. She bought this land from the Ojibwe people.

By 1787, Sally had sold her Detroit property. She moved to her new land near present-day Chatham, Ontario. She brought at least one enslaved person with her. She built a house, farms, and an orchard there.

Sally continued her trading in the Detroit area. She also became involved in important political work. She was an ally and messenger for Joseph Brant. This was during the Northwest Indian War. She also helped with peace talks after the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. She worked as a go-between for Brant and the British.

Land Disputes and Legacy

In 1790, the Indian Department bought land from the Ojibwe. This was called the McKee Purchase. However, the main negotiator, Alexander McKee, refused to accept Sally's land ownership. The Ojibwe repeatedly said her land was not part of the sale.

Sally Ainse fought for her land for many years. She made legal attempts in 1808, 1809, 1813, and 1815. The government even claimed she was dead at one point. Eventually, she left her property. She moved to Amherstburg, Ontario. Sally Ainse died there in 1823.

Sally Ainse had an amazing career as a trader. She gained a lot of property and influence. Her legal battles over land were a big part of her later life. She is remembered as an important figure in the history of the Great Lakes region.