1841

William G. Ewing Debt Letter

The Ewing Family

The Ewings were a prominent and influential family throughout the region in the early to mid-19th century. Colonel Alexander Ewing (William and George's father) is considered to be a founder of Fort Wayne. He built the first tavern and purchased land helping to expand Fort Wayne westward.

His sons William Griffith Ewing and George Washington Ewing formed a dominate fur trading company, W. G. & G. W. Ewing Company, owning stores in Missouri, Minnesota and in Indian Territories. They heavily invested in land and ran a very successful business to the dismay of area tribes. They also played an active role in legislation regarding the removal of Indians from Indiana and Ohio. This account list, dated December 1, 1841, kept record of all the debts owed by the Miami Nation of Indians to W. G. & G. W. Ewing, and was written a few months after the death of Chief Richardville.