Object Record
Metadata
Object Name |
Firesteel |
Catalog Number |
1939.348.5 |
Material(s) |
Steel |
Description |
"A striking iron in a homespun sack" |
Notes |
An article from the January 1919 edition of the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society entitled "The Marjorie Ayleffe Smith Indian Collection" by J.E. Barton states that this firesteel is a "'striking iron' with a small homespun made sack in which to carry it. This iron was used by the Indians with a piece of flint to strike fire... [it] came down from Tecumseh's days and were used by the Indians of that period." This collection passed to the Kentucky Historical Society from Edward Smith of Detroit in 1919. He inherited the collection from his wife, Charlotte Isabella Evans Smith (1876-1918). She was the daughter of Reverend Ephraim Evans (1803-1892) of Canada. Rev. Evans was given the objects by Ezhaaswe (Reverend William A. Elias). In a November 1918 newspaper article published in Kentucky, Smith said he received the flag - and presumedly other objects - from Ezhaaswe in 1903. It is unknown whether the objects in this collection were from Ezhasswe's home community or if he had collected them during his years as a missionary and healer. Mr. Smith presented the collection to KHS as a memorial to his daughter, Marjorie A. Smith (1902-1918), and the collection was known as the "Marjorie Smith Memorial Indian Collection" until recent years when it was changed to the "Edward Smith Collection." Ezhaaswe (Reverend William A. Elias), an Odawa/Ojibwe, was likely of the Bear Clan. He is thought to be born on Bjekwanong (Walpole Island) around 1848. His father, Medweskug (Jonas Elias) had migrated to the island between Detroit and Windsor in the early 19th century from Grand Traverse Bay, in present day Michigan. Ezhaaswe attended the Mount Elgin Institute Residential School. He trained both as a Methodist minister and traditional healer. In these capacities he served many communities on both sides of the border in the upper Great Lakes region until his death in 1929. Ezhaaswe kept a journal that is currently in the possession of his family. Reverend Ephraim Evans was a teacher, Methodist minister, editor, and school administrator. He was born in 1803 in Kingston upon Hull, England. He moved with his family to Canada in 1820 and was ordained in 1830. Assigned to various communities and on traveling circuits for the Methodist Episcopal church, Evan became involved in church politics. Evans was superintendent of Mount Elgin Industrial Institution for Indian students at Muncey from 1872-1875. It is likely that Evans met Ezhasswe at Mount Elgin during this period. Evans spent his final years as secretary of the Western Ontario Bible Society and died in 1892. Edward Smith was married to Charlotte Evans, daughter of Ephraim Evans, in 1900 in Canada. By 1900 they were living in Detroit, MI. Both Charlotte and their daughter, Marjorie, died in 1918. The elder of tuberculosis and the girl was struck by an electric car according to her death certificate. |
Collection |
Edward Smith Collection |
People |
Tecumseh, 1768-1813 Smith, Marjorie Ayleffe |
Subjects |
Flags Military flags Native Americans |
Search Terms |
American Indians Battle of the Thames Canada Great Britain Indigenous Peoples Military Native Americans Tecumseh War of 1812 |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |