512 MOUND EXl'LOKATIONS. 



tlie work must liavc inclosed a brook, now dry. An artificial depres- 

 sion which was originally similar in size and shape to that on the Scott 

 farm in Gerry, thongh perhaps a little larger, conld be seen upon the 

 higher land within the inclosure, bnt nearer to the embankment than 

 to the center. The land everywhere about here is generally tlat, the 

 same level extending to the shore of Lake Eiie. A few celts, arrow- 

 heads, fragments of pottery with rude incisions (some of which were 

 dug up with bones very jiiuch decayed), a biconcave disk, two chisels, 

 and a highly polished celt of black stone, which had been picked up on 

 the site, were examined. 



It is stated that an old fort formerly stood on the west bank of Fay's 

 creek, in the town of Portland, on the central part of lot 38, T. 5. The 

 Erie road runs through what was the northern portion. It was a heavy 

 earthwork, slightly elliptical in shape, and embraced about an acre, 

 t'lay and stone pipes and stone implements have been found within and 

 around the walls. 



There was also another, some remains of which may still be seen, on 

 the farm of Mr. Hugh !Neil, half a mile south of West Main street, in the 

 village of Westtield. 



NIAGARA COUNTY. 



In Turner's History of the Holland Land Purchase reference is made 

 to an earthwork near Lockport having a covered way leading to a 

 spring. This was found upon the land of Mr. Sharpe, 1 mile west 

 of Lockport. A short examination sufticed to show that it was a long 

 natural ridge of limestone. No evidences of Indian occupation could 

 be found. Near by, however, was the site of a small mound, dug into 

 many years ago, which was found to consist almost entirely of small 

 stones. 



On the northern hord(;r of tiie Tuscarora Indian Reservation there 

 was formerly an earthern inclosure. It was situated on the brow of the 

 high steep blutt'that constitutes the first terrace from Lake Ontario and 

 the beautiful level country that stretches unbrokeuly 10 miles to the lake. 

 Many pieces of human bones and innumerable flint chips were observed 

 scattered about. The embankment inclosed about an acre and a half. 

 The blutlbeiug a suthcient defense upon the north, no wall existed on 

 that side. At the southeast portion is a ravine, now dry, but formerly 

 a considerable stream flowed through it. iNIount Pleasant, the Tusca- 

 rora chief, stated that inside of this work, in Revolutionary times, stood 

 the Seneca " Refuge house," where dwelt a Seneca woman named 

 Ge-gah'-sa-seh, or Wild Gat. This was the place of safety for criminals 

 fleeing from the tribes, east or west. Across the ravine and two rods 

 southwest from it was a small heap of stones where Mount Pleasant 

 said the Tuscaroras, seventy years before, had a dance of thirty days 

 and nights around a woman in a trance. 



Upon this reservation, a little over half a mile west of the in('losure 



