42 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
near Chautauqua lake. James Sherrard mentions fragments of pot- 
tery in Stockton, and a cache in Sheridan of “as much as two 
bushels of flint spalls or chips, and a number of arrow and spear- 
heads.” Many fine and rare relics are found in various places. 
Rev. Samuel Kirkland said of the north part of this county, “ On 
the south side of Lake Erie are a series of old fortifications, from 
Cattaraugus creek to the Pennsylvania line, a distance of 50 miles. 
Some are from two to four miles apart, others half a mile only. 
Some contain five acres. The walls or breastworks are of earth, 
and are generally on ground where there are appearances of creeks 
having flowed into the lake.” Little attention has been given to’ 
these works near the lake. 
The Jesmt relations of 1648 says, “This lake named Erié was 
formerly inhabited on its southern coast by certain peoples whom 
we call the nation of the Cat, who have been obliged to withdraw 
inland in order to get away from their enemies who are more toward 
the west. These people of the Cat have a number of fixed villages, 
for they cultivate the ground and are of the same language as 
our Hurons.”” They knew little of Europeans and their downfall 
came in 1654-55. 
1 There were remains of extensive works in Westfield—Young, 
p. 18. There was a bank in the village of Westfield, half a mile 
south of West Main street, on Hugh Neil’s land—Reynolds, p. 512 
2 There were circular works and old roadways in Portland.— 
Young, p. 18. An elliptic work was on the west bank of Fay’s 
creek Portland, on the central part of lot 38, T. 5. The Erie railroad 
runs through the north part of the fort and clay and stone pipes 
have been found there.—Reynolds, p. 512 
3 A bank in Portland opposite the home of John L. Coon.— 
Reynolds, p. 512 
4 Two circular works not connected with the Fredonia series 
were noted on the first terrace of Lake Erie-—Cheney, p. 47. Loca- 
tion not specified but presumably near Fredonia. 
5 A work near the east line of Fredonia was on an abrupt emi- 
nence of 30 feet and was 190 feet long. It intersected the steep 
banks of the creeks on either side. The wall was semicircular. 
