the Oneida County History center Courtesy of the Oneida Indian Nation
Han Yerry and Tyonajanegen By Lou Parrotta
OCHC Volunteer & City of Utica Historian Teamwork. That was the mantra of husband and wife Oneida Indian Nation members Han Yerry and Tyonajanegen The married couple Han Yerry and Tyonajanegen were members of the Oneida during the epic Battle of Oriskany in the American RevoluIndian Nation and among the founding members of Oriska (Oriskany) tion. Han Yerry Tewahangarahken, which means “He Who Takes Up the Snow Shoe,” was born in 1724. He ascended to the position of Chief Warrior of the Oneidas as a member of the Wolf Clan. He was renowned for his “exceptional courage and coolness in combat.” Around 1750, he married Tyonajanegen, who was known as “Two Kettles Together.” The couple was part of the founding members of Oriska, today’s Oriskany, where they raised their family. On August 6, 1777, the noted Battle of Oriskany took place, and Han Yerry and Tyonajanegen took up arms with about sixty other Oneidas, including their son Cornelius, to help the Colonists in their fight with the advancing British army for six hours. Han Yerry took a musket ball to the wrist during the battle, which hampered his ability to return fire. Tyonajanegen took charge and joined her husband in the fight. Tyonajanegen reloaded her husband’s musket and never left his side during the battle. The Pennsylvania Journal & Weekly Advertiser wrote on September 3, 1777, “(Han Yerry and Tyonajanegen … friendly Indian(s)) … distinguished themselves remarkably on that occasion. (Han Yerry) killed nine of the enemy, when, having received a ball through his wrist that disabled him from using his gun, fought with his tomahawk. His son killed two, and his wife, on horseback, fought by his side with pistols during the whole action. The village of Oriska was destroyed and the Yerrys lost their home in the village after the battle as the Mohawk warriors burned it to the ground accusing them of betrayal.”
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