Tomochichi

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Tomochichi (to-mo-chi-chi') (c. 1644-1739) was a 16th century Creek leader and the head chief of a Yamacraw town on the site of present day Savannah, Georgia.

Although much of his early life is unknown, Tomochichi was exiled from the Creek nation for unclear reasons and, along with several followers, first settled what is now Savannah, Georgia. By the time of the establishment of the colonial charter of Georgia in 1732 (the colonial charter was contributed in the same year), Tomochichi remaining a lifelong friend of the early English colonists, helping the settlers in Georgia negotiate a treaty with the Lower Creeks (as well as settling previous disagreements with the Creek).

He was taken to England by colonial governor James Edward Oglethorpe in 1734, where he was entertained, given presents as well as a portrait painted of him and his nephew. Upon his death in 1739, Tomochichi was given a public funeral by the colony and, in 1899, a monument to his memory was erected by the Colonial Dames of America.

[edit] References

• Lafarge, Oliver. A Pictorial History of the American Indian. New York: Crown Publishers, 1957.
• Grant, Bruce. The Concise Encyclopedia of the American Indian. New York: Wings Books, 2000. ISBN 0-517-69310-0