Cherokee Chief. Born the son of Moytoy Pigeon of Tellico and his Shawnee wife sometime between 1700 and 1710. During the French and Indian War, although he apparently did not like or trust the British colonists, he made an allegiance with them in order to collect on promises of clothing, guns, and ammunition. He gained a powerful reputation as a warrior as he led successful war parties against the French and their Indian allies. He acquired the title Great Warrior of Chota, and the British recognized Oconastota as the military and political leader of the Cherokee. In 1759 the British took Oconastota and thirty of his followers hostage. When Oconastota was released, he killed a British officer outside the fort and the British then killed the twenty-eight Cherokees still held captive. In a revenge raid led by Oconastota, the Cherokee captured Fort Loudoun in 1760 and massacred most of the garrison. He became the Headman at Chota at about the same time. In his subsequent career, he commanded campaigns against the Creeks, Choctaws, and Iroquois, entered into treaty negotiations with the British including the Treaty Sycamore Shoals in 1775, and became the Principal Chief at about that time, a position he held for five years, resigning in 1780. He died about three years later and was buried at Chota. His remains were unearthed during the archaeological surveys of the Chota site during the preperation for the Tellico Reservoir impoundment. His body was reportedly identified by a pair of reading glasses that were known to have been buried with him. He was re-interred near Chota in 1987.
Cherokee Chief. Born the son of Moytoy Pigeon of Tellico and his Shawnee wife sometime between 1700 and 1710. During the French and Indian War, although he apparently did not like or trust the British colonists, he made an allegiance with them in order to collect on promises of clothing, guns, and ammunition. He gained a powerful reputation as a warrior as he led successful war parties against the French and their Indian allies. He acquired the title Great Warrior of Chota, and the British recognized Oconastota as the military and political leader of the Cherokee. In 1759 the British took Oconastota and thirty of his followers hostage. When Oconastota was released, he killed a British officer outside the fort and the British then killed the twenty-eight Cherokees still held captive. In a revenge raid led by Oconastota, the Cherokee captured Fort Loudoun in 1760 and massacred most of the garrison. He became the Headman at Chota at about the same time. In his subsequent career, he commanded campaigns against the Creeks, Choctaws, and Iroquois, entered into treaty negotiations with the British including the Treaty Sycamore Shoals in 1775, and became the Principal Chief at about that time, a position he held for five years, resigning in 1780. He died about three years later and was buried at Chota. His remains were unearthed during the archaeological surveys of the Chota site during the preperation for the Tellico Reservoir impoundment. His body was reportedly identified by a pair of reading glasses that were known to have been buried with him. He was re-interred near Chota in 1987.
Bio by: Iola
Family Members
Advertisement
