Polly Cooper

In the freezing winter of 1776, the Continental Army were trying to make it to Spring almost completely without food or clothing.  Chief Shenedoah of the Oneida Indians knew of their plight and wanted to send an expedition out to bring them food. The Oneidas had just experienced a very bountiful harvest and had an excess of corn and other foods they could share.  So he put together a group of 40 warriors and one woman to accompany them. Her name was Polly Cooper.  They travelled through the cold and snow to deliver 600 baskets of corn to the starving army. Upon seeing the  many needs of the army, Polly decided not to accompany the warriors back home. She stayed to help nurse the sick, teach others medicinal knowledge she had learned, and showed them how to make a soup from the corn that was more nutritous. She even carried water to those in battle. Eventually she became a cook for the General himself. For all these services she refused pay. One afternoon, when some army wives went to town to shop, they took Polly with them.  She went around admiring the clothing but bought nothing. The wives noticed her particular interest in a beautiful black shawl. Knowing they couldn’t afford it themselves, they went to their husbands who asked a number of Iroquois tribes to contribute to the cause. They presented the black shawl to a surprised and very grateful Polly. But the gift represented more than just a small token of appreciation. It showed that the Indians were committed to helping America in it’s development, and stood as a symbol of that relationship. Polly continued her service to the army and even became a cook for them during the War of 1812.