Dean, James, 1748-1823

Groton, Conn., native who as a child lived for five years among the Oneidas and who attended Dartmouth as a charity student, graduating in 1773.

Under the auspices of Eleazer Wheelock of Dartmouth, James Dean, Levi Frisbie, and another charity student spent the summer of 1774 among the Canadian Indians. Dean's oratorical abilities and his familiarity with the languages and customs of the Iroquois gave him great influence among them; during the Revolution he was instrumental in persuading the Oneidas to support the colonies.

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