Tahlonteeskee (Cherokee chief)

Tahlonteeskee (or 'Talotisky' ) was a Cherokee headman of Cayoka town, on Hiawassee Island (in modern day Hamilton County, Tennessee). He was the older brother (possibly a half-brother) of John Jolly. Tahlonteeskee emigrated into the west in 1809, one of the first "Old settlers" of the Cherokee Nation in the Indian Territory." He became the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation -West in 1817, and served until his death in 1819, after which he was succeeded by his brother, John Jolly.

Extended family

According to the Cherokee genealogist, Dr. Emmet Starr, Talotisky^[1] Tahlonteeskee married Jennie Lowrey, sister of Assistant Principal Chief George Lowrey. Lowery may have been a cousin of Sequoyah. Lowery's wife was Lucy Benge, a half-sister of Sequoyah. Lucy was the sister of Chickamauga warrior, Bob Benge (often referred to as 'Captain' Bench), whose uncle was John Watts (or 'Young Tassel').^[2]

Notes

↑ Talotisky is possibly an alternate spelling of Tahlonteeskee, since at that time there was not a uniform system of writing Cherokee sounds into English.
↑ NOTE: The Cherokee embraced the matrilineal clan system, in which uncle-nephew connections were more important than father-son relationships.

References

Wilkins, Thurman. Cherokee Tragedy: The Ridge Family and the Decimation of a People. (New York: Macmillan Company, 1970).

Preceded by Degadoga	Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation West 1817–1819	Succeeded by John Jolly