Mrs. Harriet Snay

Harriet was said to be born in the 1820s. "Footprints, Stories of Native American in West Central Michigan" by Wallace K. Ewing, Ph. D., page 160, states Harriet was the daughter of an Ottawa chief. Some researchers say she was the daughter of Chief Leopold Pokagon and Ketesse/Elizabeth Topinabee. 

1850 Federal Census - Township of Spring Lake, Ottawa, Michigan

Febion Snai, 35, laborer

Harriet, 28, red

Mary, 12

Cicilia, 10

Magdalene, 8

Margareta, 7

Joseph, 5

Theresia, 3/12

1855 land allotment from treaty

#963 - Harriet Snay, W1/2 of the SE  1/4 of section 19 in township 15 north, range 16 west, 80 acres [this is in Elbridge township, Oceana county]

1857 Annuity Roll - Chief Pay-shaw-se-gay

#16 Harriet Snay, no men, 1 woman, 4 children, received $25.30

1858 Annuity Roll - Chief Pay-shaw-se-gay

#20 Harriet Snay, no men, 1 woman, 4 children, received $21.05

1859 Annuity Roll - Chief Pay-shaw-se-gay

#22 Mrs. Sov Snay, no men, 1 woman, 5 children, received $29.82

1860 Federal Census - town of Ottawa, Ottawa, Michigan

Fabion Snay, 48, fisherman, real estate valued at $400, personal estate valued at $30

Harriet, 35, Ind

Mary, 22

Madelaide, 16

Margaret, 14

Joseph, 12

John, 8

Sarah, 10

Eliza, 6

Paul Chistho_ee, 26, Ind. laborer

1861 Annuity Roll - Chief Pay-shaw-se-gay

#20 Mrs. Sov Snay, no men, 1 woman, 4 children, received $23.10

1865 Annuity Roll - Chief Pe-nay-se

#9 Mrs. Sov Snay's chn, no men, no women, 4 children, receiving $16. 

[Harriet was no longer receiving an annuity meaning she has died between 1861 and 1865. The children are no longer receiving annuity payments under Chief Pay-shaw-se-gay, who was still chief of his band. When did the children move to Saugatuck?]

1866 Annuity Roll - Chief Pe-nay-se

#8 Mrs. Sov. Snay, no men, no women, 4 children, received $14.96

1867 Annuity Roll - Chief Pe-nay-se

#11 Mrs. Sovt Snay, no men, no women, 4 children, received $14.28

1868 Annuity Roll - Chief Pe-nay-se

#7 Mrs. Sovt Snay, no men, no women, 4 children, received $63.40

1870 Annuity Roll - Chief Pe-nay-se

#8, Mrs. Sovt Snay, no men, no women, 4 children, received  $67.20

1870 Federal Census - Township of Saugatuck, Allegan, Michigan 

Sney, Fabeo, 50, Indian, farmer, born Canada

    Ellen, 40, Indian, born Canada

Shashayua, Pean, 25, Indian, farm laborer, born Michigan

    Robert, 20, Indian, farm laborer, born Michigan

Snay, Joseph, 26, Indian, farm laborer, born Canada

Snay, John, 22, Indian, no occupation given, born Canada.

Many researchers claim Harriet died on 12 Nov 1872 in Allegan county. There are a few problems with this. First she stopped receiving annuity payments prior to 1865. Second the death certificate for the Mrs. Snay, no first name given, who did die on that date was said to be born in Ireland. This is NOT her.

1904 Taggart Roll - Huron Potawatomies

243 Mary Sha-sha-gway, age 60, Saugatuck, $287.98

244 Frances Sha-sha-gway, dau of 243, 30, Saugatuck, $287.98

245 Joseph Sha-sha-gway, son of 243, 28, Saugatuck, $287.98

246 William Sha-sha-gway, son of 243, 40, Holland, $287.98

247 Anna E. Sha-sha-gway, dau of 246, minor, Sherman Van Ark, Guard., 243 W 12th, Holland, $287.98

248 Joseph Sha-sha-gway, son of 246, minor, Sherman Van Ark, Guard., 243 W 12th, Holland, $287.98

249 Theresa Sha-sha-gway, dau of 246, minor, Sherman Van Ark, Guard., 243 W 12th, Holland, $287.98

250 Mary F. Sha-sha-gway, dau of 246, minor, Sherman Van Ark, Guard., 243 W 12th, Holland, $287.98

251 Agnes J. Sha-sha-gway, dau of 246, minor, Sherman Van Ark, Guard., 243 W 12th, Holland, $287.98

252 Joseph Snay, bro of 243, age 50, Saugatuck $287.98

253 Laura Snay, dau of 252, minor, William R. Takken, Guard, Saugatuck, $287.98

254 Joseph Snay, son of 252, minor, William R. Takken, Guard, Saugatuck, $287.98

255 George W. D. Snay, son of 252, minor, William R. Takken, Guard, Saugatuck, $287.98

256, John Snay, bro of 243, 48, Grand Haven, $287.98

257 Jennie Snay, dau of 256, 24, Grand Haven, $287.98

258 Fannie Snay, dau of 256, 21, Grand Haven, $287.98

1908 Durant Roll Field Notes

line 8 page 56

Mrs Soot Snay, dead

This family are all children of Mrs. Soot Snay

1 Joe Snay, 68, Saugatuck, Mich

wife white

1) Laura Snay, 20

2) Joe Snay, Jr. 16

3) Geo Snay, 10

4) John Snay, 5

5) Maynard Snay - born summer of 1908, Aug 27 - off

2 Theresa E. Snay, 51, Grand RApids, Mich 210 N. Prospect St. single

3 John Snay, 61, Grand Haven

    wife white

1) Fannie Marks, 34, Grand Rapids, 207 -7th Ave

    husband white

    child 1] Edwin Marks 6

             2] Mary Marks 4

2) Jennie Snay, 32, Grand Rapids, single

4. Eliza, dead, no heirs

line 19 page 57

Azh-quay-taw-gaw or Jos. Sha-sha-quay, dead

wife dead - was a daughter of Mrs. Soot Snay #8/56

Child 1 - dead Louise, husband white - her child James Williams, 22, single, Saugatuck, Mich

Child 2 - dead, no heirs

Link to article about son John

Copyright (c) 2023 Vicki Wilson

Updated August 2026

Link to Michigan Native American Ancestors facebook group