[Cochrane] Henry Cochrane "The White Seneca"
by Cynthia Cochran Scheuer Jones
Henry Cochrane states in the books "The White Seneca" and its sequel "At
Seneca Castle" that his name was Henry Cochrane and he was the son of Henry
Cochrane who settled the Mohawk Valley, in the state of New York. His
father had died in August 1774 while on a day trip to Johnstown to make some
payment in furs and pearl ash upon his land. While gone Henry Sr fell ill
and died. His wife had visited him the last two day of his life at a house
of a couple that was taking care of him. Henry, Jr. and his sister, Eleca
were to go to neighbor "Mr. Weaver" up the Mohawk River till their mother
returned. They were attacked by 6 Warriors and Electa escaped but Henry,
Jr. was captured (he said he was 15 years of age when captured. He spent
about 4 years with the Senecas and returned when he was 18 years old.
At the time of the Wyoming Massacre (1782) he had discovered his mother and
sister and rescued them and took them to a place of safety. At this
Massacre there was a William Cochran who was killed by the Indians.
He became a Scout for Gen. George Washington and helped Major-Gen. John
Sullivan in the campaign against the Iroquois in 1779. But I find no Rev.
War Record for him.
He and his sister, Eleca were the only children of his parents. He does not
mention his mother's first name at all in either book.
So I figure from this information Henry, Jr. was born abt 1759. His father,
Henry Sr. died 1774. He, his sister, and mother were still alive in 1782.
Now there is a story of a William Cochran who was killed by Indians in 1774
but I had never heard of a Henry Cochrane mentioned in this context before.
The name has also been spelled Crocheron and Cocheron in New York Records.
Both of the above books are for sale at many stores under Children's books.