King Yanabe Yalangway facts for kids

King Yanabe Yalangway was an important leader, known as the eractasswa or chief, of the Catawba Indian Nation. He led his people around the 1740s. We don't know a lot about his early life. But we do know he became chief before King Hagler. He learned leadership skills from an earlier chief named Whitmannetaughehee.

A Leader in Times of Conflict

As a warrior, Yanabe Yalangway helped his people during many years of fighting. They often fought against northern tribes. These included the Iroquois Seneca and the Lenape (also called Delaware). The Lenape were an Algonquian-speaking group. They had moved to the Ohio Valley and become allies of the Iroquois.

Chasing Raiding Parties

The Catawba often chased these raiding parties back north. This happened in the 1720s and 1730s. They even crossed the Potomac River. One time, a group of Catawba followed some Lenape who had attacked them. They caught up near Leesburg, Virginia. There, they had a big battle.

Other Battle Sites

Similar fights happened in other places. These included present-day Franklin, West Virginia (in 1725). Battles also occurred near Hanging Rocks and the Potomac South Branch. More fights took place near the mouths of Antietam Creek (1736) and Conococheague Creek in Maryland. Some historians believe Catawba Creek in Botetourt was named after a battle there. This shows how widespread these conflicts were.

Efforts for Peace

In 1721, leaders from Virginia and New York held a meeting. It took place in Albany, New York. Delegates from the Six Nations (also called Haudenosaunee) and the Catawba attended. The colonists asked for peace between the Iroquois and the Catawba.

Land Claims and Paths

However, the Six Nations claimed the land west of the Blue Ridge mountains for themselves. This included an important route called the Indian Road. It was also known as the Great Warriors' Path. Later, it became the Great Wagon Road. This path went through Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. Seneca war parties used this busy path until 1744. It went through the Shenandoah Valley to the South.

The Smallpox Epidemic

In 1738, a serious disease called smallpox spread in South Carolina. It caused many deaths. Not only did Anglo-Americans die, but many Native American tribes were also affected. The Catawba and related tribes suffered greatly. These included the Waxhaw, Wateree, Congaree, Sugeree, Santee, Waccamaw, Winyaw, Sissipahaw, Shakori, Enoke, Cheraw, Peedee, and Dawhee.

Yanabe Yalangway Becomes Chief

After this terrible epidemic, Yanabe Yalangway became the main chief of the Catawba people. He might not have been the direct successor to Whitmannetaughehee. To help their people survive and become stronger, some smaller tribes joined the Catawba. These included the Sissipahaw, Shakori, and Enoke.

Challenges During His Leadership

Yanabe Yalangway was the main chief of the Catawba people in 1744. That year, the Treaty of Lancaster was signed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This treaty renewed an agreement between the Iroquois and the colonists. The governor of Virginia offered payment to the Iroquois for their land claims. This was because settlers had moved into Iroquois territory.

Continued Conflicts

This treaty likely brought peace for the Iroquois. They had claimed the Ohio Valley as their hunting ground. But other western tribes kept fighting the Catawba. The Catawba people were much smaller in number by then. They found it hard to resist attacks. In 1744, the Natchez and Pedee attacked and killed several Catawba. The Catawba drove them into European settlements.

King George's War

During "King George's War" (1744-1748), the Shawnee and Cherokee attacked the Catawba. Sometimes, southern Shawnee were called "Cherokee." When the Catawba tried to find safety in the Carolinian settlements, these settlements were also attacked. King Yanabe Yalangway had to guide the Catawba through these very difficult years. He led them during a crucial time in their history.

His Death

King Yanabe Yalangway was murdered in 1750. He was killed by a group of Iroquois. This happened during a time when there was still conflict with the Iroquois from the North. He was on his way home from Charleston. He had just attended a meeting with South Carolina's Colonial Governor James Glen.