Hanging Maw facts for kids

Hanging Maw, also known as Uskwa'li-gu'ta in the Cherokee language, was an important leader of the Cherokee people. He was the main chief of the Overhill Cherokee from 1788 to 1794. The Overhill Cherokee lived in what is now southeastern Tennessee.

Hanging Maw became chief after the death of Old Tassel. The Cherokee also moved their main town, Chota, after attacks from European Americans.

Early Life and Cherokee Traditions

Uskwa'li-gu'ta was born into his mother's family and clan. The Cherokee people had a matrilineal system. This means that family lines and important traditions passed down through the mother's side.

Because of this system, his mother's brother would have taught him how to be a man. He would have also guided him in the ways of the men's groups in the community. Hanging Maw was a descendant of an earlier leader named Moytoy III.

Family Connections

Hanging Maw's wife was named Betsy. She was the sister of another important chief named Attakullakulla.

Leading the Cherokee People

Hanging Maw was a member of the tribal council for a long time. He represented his mother's clan in important decisions.

He believed he should be the "First Beloved Man." This was a very important title for the main chief. He felt he deserved it as the headman of the Overhill Towns. However, the rest of the Cherokee nation chose Little Turkey for this role. This happened when the council moved its main meeting place. They moved it south to Ustanali on the Conasauga River. This move happened after Old Tassel was killed.

For a while, both Hanging Maw and Little Turkey held power.

Taking Part in Conflicts

Hanging Maw was involved in the Cherokee–American wars. These wars took place from 1776 to 1794. He led attacks against settlers in areas that are now Tennessee and Kentucky.

In 1776, his group was involved in the capture of Jemima Boone, the daughter of Daniel Boone.

In 1786, Hanging Maw led about 60 men in a fight in Middle Tennessee. They met a group of surveyors. The surveyors escaped, but they lost their horses and tools. The stream where this happened became known as "Defeated Creek."

A Difficult Time for the Cherokee

In 1793, a group of Cherokee leaders from the Lower Cherokee were on a peace mission. They were traveling to Knoxville, Tennessee. This city was the capital of the Southwest Territory at the time.

However, colonial militia attacked them. The militia then chased the Cherokee to Chota. Chota was much smaller by then, as the capital had moved. When the militia could not capture the peace group, they attacked the people in Chota. During this attack, Hanging Maw was hurt, and his wife Betsy was killed.

The Cherokee responded by invading settlements along the Holston River. They gathered a very large group of warriors. More than 1,000 fighters came from both the Cherokee and the Upper Muskogee nations. John Watts, a chief of the Lower Cherokee, led them.

During this time, some warriors attacked a small settlement called Cavett's Station. They killed a European-American family there. This happened even though Chief Watts had promised the family safe passage. This event caused disagreements among the Cherokee people.