GARDEAU TRACT

Inscription

GARDEAU TRACT
NORTH BORDER OF RESERVATION
SET ASIDE FOR MARY JEMISON
WHITE WOMAN OF THE GENESEE
DURING THE BIG TREE TREATY
OF 1797 AT GENESEO N.Y.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2014

The Gardeau Tract contained 17,927 acres on both sides of the Genesee River. The land was reserved for Mary Jemison by the Seneca Nation in the Big Tree treaty of 1797. Known as “The Old White Woman” or “The White Woman of the Genesee,” Jemison’s family emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania in 1743. In 1755 she was captured by the Senecas at age of 12 or 13 and was adopted by them, in turn became fully assimilated into their customs and habits. She grew to be strongly respected by both the Senecas and white settlers. The name “Gardeau” derives from a hill on the property. The east and west borders of this property lies within the town of Castile.