Opessa Straight Tail facts for kids

Opessa Straight Tail (born around 1664, died before 1750), also known as Wopatha or Wapatha, was an important leader of the Shawnee people. He belonged to the Pekowi division of the Shawnee. His father was also a respected chief named Straight Tail Meaurroway Opessa.

Opessa is most remembered for signing a special agreement on April 23, 1701. This agreement, called "Articles of friendship and agreement," was between William Penn (a famous English leader) and several Native American tribes, including the Shawnee. It set out rules for how the tribes and English settlers would live peacefully together and share lands.

Early Life and Journeys

Opessa was likely born in what is now Indiana or Illinois around 1664. When he was about 10 years old, in 1674, his village in Illinois was visited by French explorers. His sister, Sewatha Straight Tail, married one of these visitors, Martin Chartier.

Opessa's family traveled a lot. They lived near Starved Rock (in Illinois) and later moved to the Cumberland River in Tennessee. They even spent a summer near the future site of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their travels took them across the Alleghenies and along the Susquehanna River.

Around 1689, Opessa's family settled near what is now Nashville, Tennessee. In 1692, the Shawnee and a group of Susquehannock people moved to Cecil County, Maryland. This move happened after the Shawnee had conflicts with other tribes like the Illinois and Miami Indians.

Becoming a Shawnee Leader

By the mid-1690s, Opessa was becoming a key leader among the Shawnee. His father was preparing to step down as chief. In 1694, Opessa asked the Maryland government if about 700 Shawnee people from Carolina could settle in Maryland. These Shawnees were looking for a new home after conflicts with the Catawbas.

However, Maryland officials were suspicious of Opessa's brother-in-law, Martin Chartier. He was arrested for a time, but later found not to be a spy. Even so, the Shawnees felt unwelcome in Maryland. In 1694, they moved north into Pennsylvania. They eventually settled at a place called Chartier's Old Town.

In 1697, Opessa officially became the Pekowi Chief. He took over from his father in Pequea Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

In 1698, Opessa's group asked the Conestoga people and William Penn for permission to live permanently on Pequea Creek in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A Shawnee community thrived there for about 30 years. Around 1728, most Shawnee people began moving west into the Ohio River Valley.

Opessa as Chief

On April 23, 1701, Opessa and other tribal chiefs signed an important treaty with William Penn. This agreement gave some lands along the Potomac River to the English. In return, the Native American tribes received protection and trading rights. The treaty stated that the tribes and settlers would "be as one head and one heart, and to live in true friendship and amity, as one people." This treaty was so important that the Shawnee still kept a copy of it over 50 years later.

In 1707, Opessa met with Governor John Evans. Opessa told him that his people were "happy to live in a country at peace." He explained that in their old lands, they often found their towns attacked and their families taken by enemies.

Later that year, Governor Evans visited Opessa at his home. He was there to get help from Opessa's brother-in-law, Martin Chartier.

In 1710, Opessa attended a meeting to discuss protecting the Shawnee, Tuscarora, and Conestoga people. At this time, it was common for Native Americans to be kidnapped and sold into slavery. The chiefs wanted a treaty to ensure their safety. However, the Pennsylvania officials did not fully agree, blaming Native Americans for violence against settlers.

A Difficult Event

In 1711, Opessa attended a meeting about the death of Francis Le Tort. Some young Shawnee warriors from Opessa's group had been involved. Opessa explained that he had tried to stop the warriors from pursuing Le Tort.

The Deputy Governor, Charles Gookin, investigated the event. Opessa apologized for the young man's death, saying his people would be willing to make things right. Governor Gookin understood the situation and decided not to pursue further charges against Opessa or his people. He warned that such events should not happen again.

Leaving Leadership and Returning

After this event, Opessa decided to step down as chief and leave his tribe for a time. Some believed he feared being held responsible for Le Tort's death, despite the pardon. He went to live among the Lenape people in a village called Shamokin. There, he married Polly, the daughter of a Lenape chief named Sassoonan. Later, he moved to a place called Opessa's Town, which is now Oldtown, Maryland.

In 1714, Opessa's brother, Cakundawanna, became the new Pekowi Chief. However, many Shawnee people did not fully recognize Cakundawanna as their leader. For several years, the tribe was without a strong central chief.

In 1722, Cakundawanna agreed to help Virginia officials find and return some people who had escaped from Virginia. These individuals had sought safety among the Shawnees at Opessa's Town.

Facing the possibility of war between different Native American groups and their allies, Opessa was asked to return as chief. He agreed in 1723, taking over from his brother. Many of his Pekowi Shawnee followers joined him at Opessa's Town in Maryland.

Moving West

In the mid-1720s, Opessa's community began to move westward. Shawnee and Lenape communities were relocating to the Ohio River Valley. They were pushed out of Pennsylvania by the growing number of European settlers and land conflicts. They were also drawn by the French, who offered trade goods and protection.

New communities like Kittanning (started in 1724) and Logstown (started in 1727) became homes for many different groups of people. These groups included families and individuals who had survived illnesses or conflicts. Opessa and his family moved to Logstown sometime between 1727 and 1750. He likely passed away soon after arriving there.

Family Life

Opessa had a large family. He was the uncle and father-in-law of Peter Chartier. Peter was the son of Opessa's sister, Sewatha Straight Tail. Peter married Opessa's daughter, Blanceneige-Wapakonee Opessa.

Opessa was married twice. His first wife was Margaret Pekowi, whom he married in 1684. With Margaret, he had a daughter, Blanceneige-Wapakonee Opessa, and four sons: Tecoomteh, Wawwaythi, Loyparkoweh, and Lawaquaqua-Pride Opessa. His second wife was Polly, the daughter of Sassoonan, whom he married in 1711.