Ostenaco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ostenaco
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Portrait of Ostenaco by Joshua Reynolds, 1762
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| Born | c. 1710 |
| Died | 1780 Ooltewah, Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States
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| Nationality | Cherokee |
| Occupation | Skiagusta |
Ostenaco was a powerful Cherokee leader and warrior who lived in the 1700s. His full name was Otacity Ostenaco, and it meant "Bighead." He became a very important chief warrior, also known as a skiagusta. He was also a great speaker and helped the Cherokee people deal with the British. His name can be spelled in different ways.
Contents
Ostenaco's Early Life
Ostenaco was born around 1710 in a busy Cherokee town called Tellico. People believe he was part of the Ani-waya (Wolf) clan. This clan was known for having many brave warriors. White settlers often called him "Judd's Friend" because he knew a trader named Judd. In 1753, after the Creek Indians attacked Tellico, Ostenaco moved to Tomotley.
Fighting in the French and Indian War
During the French and Indian War, Ostenaco first helped the Colony of Virginia against the French and the Shawnee people. He traveled over 3,500 miles on foot and by canoe to help.
In 1756, he led 130 Cherokee warriors in the Sandy Creek Expedition. This was a joint campaign with Virginia soldiers in what is now West Virginia. In 1757 and 1758, his war party attacked the French fort called Fort Duquesne, which is now Pittsburgh.
The Timberlake Expedition
Meeting Henry Timberlake
In December 1761, a group of explorers arrived in the Overhill Cherokee town of Tomotley. This group included Lieutenant Henry Timberlake, Sergeant Thomas Sumter, and an interpreter. Ostenaco, who was a key leader in Tomotley, welcomed them.
After staying a few days with Ostenaco, Timberlake and his interpreter went to Chota, the main Overhill Cherokee town. Many chiefs had gathered there. Ostenaco gave a speech and symbolically buried a hatchet. This showed that there was peace between the English and the Cherokee. Timberlake then took part in a peace ceremony, smoking ceremonial pipes with the chiefs.
Journey to London
On January 2, 1762, Timberlake returned to Tomotley. His mission was mostly finished. Timberlake spent the next few weeks learning about Cherokee customs and making maps. By the end of January, rumors spread that rival tribes were starting conflicts again. Timberlake became worried and asked Ostenaco to guide him back to Virginia.
Ostenaco agreed, and they left on March 10, 1762. They arrived in Williamsburg in early April. While in Williamsburg, Timberlake and Ostenaco went to a dinner party at William & Mary College. There, Ostenaco said he wanted to meet the King of England.
A young Thomas Jefferson, who was a student at the college, later wrote about Ostenaco:
"I knew much of the great Outassete (Ostenaco), the warrior and orator of the Cherokee. He was always the guest of my father on his journeys to and from Williamsburg. I was in his camp when he made his great farewell oration to his people the evening before he departed for England. The moon was in full splendour, and to her he seemed to address himself in his prayers for his own safety on the voyage and that of his people during his absence. His sounding voice, distinct articulation, animated action, and the solemn silence of his people at their several fires, filled me with awe and veneration, although I did not understand a single word he uttered."
In May 1762, Timberlake, Sumter, and three important Cherokee leaders, including Ostenaco, sailed to London. They arrived in early June. The Cherokee leaders became very popular and drew large crowds. The poet Oliver Goldsmith waited over three hours to meet them. He offered Ostenaco a gift. Ostenaco thanked him by kissing him on both cheeks, leaving red ochre makeup on Goldsmith's face. This made people laugh and made Goldsmith uncomfortable.
It might have been Goldsmith who suggested to his friend Joshua Reynolds to paint Ostenaco's portrait. Reynolds painted Ostenaco, but he was not happy with the result. He struggled to show both the universal idea of a warrior and Ostenaco's unique features. He chose not to show Ostenaco's tattoos or makeup. Instead, he painted his wampum and hairstyle against a mountain background. He called the portrait 'Syacust Ukah' and put it away.
The Cherokee leaders returned to North America in August 1762. This trip made Ostenaco famous on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
The American Revolution
During the Second Cherokee War, Ostenaco was the main war leader for the Cherokee Lower Towns. These towns were in western South Carolina and northeast Georgia. Ostenaco and his people were allies with the British forces. In 1776, he led an attack against the Province of Georgia.
After the Lower Towns were destroyed in a counterattack, Ostenaco led his people west. Most of them settled in what is now far northern Georgia, with Ustanali as their main town. Some followed Ostenaco and Dragging Canoe into the Cherokee–American wars. They settled in the Chickamauga region, which is now Chattanooga, Tennessee, at a town called Ooltewah.
Ostenaco's Death
Ostenaco died in 1780 at Ooltewah. He passed away at the home of his grandson, Richard Timberlake. Richard was the son of Henry Timberlake and Ostenaco's daughter.
