Woodland Indians Forum

"At the present time, of all the remaining Delawares that are scattered far and wide over our country, the most interesting and in some ways remarkable members of the tribe are the Sand Hill Indians of Monmouth County, New Jersey.  Now numbering only about thirty individuals, and dwelling in one of the most densely populated areas, only a comparatively short distance from New York City, these Indians have yet retained their old tribal customs, councils, ceremonials, arts and crafts, and their clan system, as well as their chieftainships, although surrounded by the whites and civilization for over two hundred years.  Many are members of the true Leni-Lenape or Turtle Clan, among these being Lone Bear Revey who maintains a trading post and factory where the Indians make authentic Indian costumes, artifacts, etc., for sale in various stores and for use in the movies, pageants, stage, etc.  They have some Cherokee blood from members of the latter tribe who passed New Jersey on a northward migration in 1713.  Outwardly thoroughly civilized and indistinguishable from their white neighbors, and following numerous trades, yet at their green corn dance and their council meetings they don the old tribal costumes and behave like Indians.  Their present chief is Ryers Crummel, who, in accordance with the clan system rule, became chief because his mother was the oldest daughter of Chief Isaac Richardson, who died in 1904."

               -Verrill, A. Hyatt, The Real Americans, New York (1954), page 100.


A culture now gone.  But, descendants live on.

Last edited by sschkaak (Jan-08-2010 01:13:am)

"In central New Jersey live the Sand Hill Indians, who regard themselves as descendants of the Tuscarora, the Cherokee, or the Delaware.  This group has lived for generations in Monmouth County, where they have preserved certain Indian traditions and practiced crafts such as basketry and beadwork.  Eventually they settled at a spot near Asbury Park called Sand Hill.  They are now widely scattered, though a few remain."

               Trigger, Bruce L., Handbook of North American Indians, Vol. 15:  Northeast, Washington, D.C. (1978), page 291.

Okay.  I'm just posting some of the shorter references, for those trying to research the subject.

"A consciousness of Indian identity was kept alive until 1953, when the last formal meeting was held by a group of Indians having Delaware, white, and Cherokee increments, who lived in Monmouth County, New Jersey, only a short distance from New York City.  Sometimes called the Sand Hill Indians from a place they occupied in 1875, they continued to perpetuate certain Indian customs, ceremonials, arts, and crafts, and had their own chief and council.  Ordinarily dressed like their white neighbors and pursuing similar occupations--they put on their costumes on certain occasions and tried to preserve their Indianism.  Although this band no longer exists as an organization, the scattered descendants are still proud of their Indian ancestry.  Among these is James Revey (Lone Bear), whose father was a prominent Sand Hill Indian and whose mother's people were New Jersey Delawares.  In personal discussions and correspondence with me, Mr. Revey has shown his keen awareness of the traditions and affairs of the Delaware Indian groups.  At present he maintains a shop in New York City, where he makes authentic Delaware Indian costumes and such artifacts as flutes, water drums, horn rattles, war clubs, pump and bow drills, feather fans, and moccasins."

               -Weslager, Clinton A., The Delaware Indians:  A History, New Brunswick, NJ (1972), pages 277-278.

a partial bibliography

There's some things in the list I'd like to read, but finding them would be the next question!

ramapoughnative wrote:

Thanks Ray for posting this.. This seems to enforce what Claire Garland has been saying all along.

Well...  Not quite "all along."  After all, she printed that article calling Sam Beeler "Chairman of the Tribal Council of the Sand Hill Band of Indians" in her newsletter!