Moytoy of Citico

Moytoy of Citico was a Cherokee leader during the time of the Anglo-Cherokee War (1759–1761) and was its chief instigator.

In retaliation for perceived slights by the British while campaigning with them against the French in the French and Indian War in 1758, Moytoy took his band and left the campaign to return home. He stole a number of British horses in compensation. The rest of the Cherokee allies were said to agree with his perception of the British, but the leaders Attakullakulla and Ostenaco did not agree with his actions.

Moytoy was a war chief in the conflict that began in 1759 between the Cherokee and British.

Etymology

Moytoy's name comes from the Cherokee A-Ma-Do-Ya (or amatoya), "rainmaker." This could have been his personal name, or a title he held.

References

• Brown, John P. Old Frontiers. (Kingsport: Southern Publishers, 1938).
• Evans, E. Raymond. "Notable Persons in Cherokee History: Ostenaco". Journal of Cherokee Studies, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 41–54. (Cherokee: Museum of the Cherokee Indian, 1976).
• Haywood, W.H. The Civil and Political History of the State of Tennessee from its Earliest Settlement up to the Year 1796. (Nashville: Methodist Episcopal Publishing House, 1891).
• Kelly, James C. "Notable Persons in Cherokee History: Attakullakulla." Journal of Cherokee Studies 3:1 (Winter 1978), 2-34.
• Ramsey, James Gettys McGregor. The Annals of Tennessee to the End of the Eighteenth Century. (Chattanooga: Judge David Campbell, 1926).