Pisquetomen facts for kids

Pisquetomen (died around 1762) was an important Lenape leader. He helped his people by acting as an interpreter and negotiator. This meant he helped the Lenape talk and make agreements with the government of Pennsylvania in the mid-1700s.

Even though he was chosen to be a chief, some powerful people didn't want him. Later, Pisquetomen joined other Lenape leaders like Shingas and Captain Jacobs. They led attacks on Pennsylvania settlements at the start of the French and Indian War. However, Pisquetomen later worked for peace. He helped with important talks that led to the Treaty of Easton in 1758. He is thought to have passed away in 1762.

Pisquetomen's Early Life

Pisquetomen and his brothers, including Nenatcheehunt, Tamaqua (also called "King Beaver"), and Shingas, were likely born in the Tulpehocken Creek Valley. This area is in what is now Berks and Lebanon counties in Pennsylvania. Pisquetomen probably had six brothers in total. He and his brothers were likely the sons of a sister of Chief Sassoonan. This would make them grandsons of the famous Lenape leader Tamanend.

The name "Pisquetomen" means "he who keeps on, though it is getting dark." In 1722, the Lenape living in the Tulpehocken Valley had to leave their homes. The governor of Pennsylvania, William Keith, invited German immigrants to move there. The Lenape had not given up their rights to this land and wanted payment. Pisquetomen and Sassoonan helped arrange this payment. After that, they moved their people to a new village called Shamokin.

Meeting James Logan

James Logan, an important Pennsylvania official, around 1740.

In 1731, Pisquetomen's uncle, Chief Sassoonan, visited Philadelphia. Pisquetomen went with him to meet James Logan. Logan was a very powerful government official in Pennsylvania. Logan did not like Pisquetomen right away. He even called him "an ill fellow." When Logan found out that Sassoonan wanted Pisquetomen to be the next chief, he tried to stop it. Logan wanted someone else to be the leader.

Even though Logan didn't trust him, Pisquetomen was a very good interpreter. By 1733, he regularly helped translate at meetings in Philadelphia. Logan had to admit that Pisquetomen did his job well. He wrote that Pisquetomen "seems well enough inclined to interpret faithfully."

The Walking Purchase of 1737

The land claimed by Pennsylvania after the Walking Purchase of 1737.

Pisquetomen was the official interpreter for Chief Nutimus during the Walking Purchase in 1737. This was an agreement between the Lenape and the Pennsylvania government. William Penn's sons claimed they had an old document from 1686. It supposedly said the Lenape had agreed to sell a large area of land. This land started near the Delaware River and Lehigh River (near modern Easton, Pennsylvania). It was supposed to stretch as far as a man could walk in a day and a half.

The Lenape thought a man could walk about 40 miles in that time. However, the colonists cheated. They hired three fast runners who covered 70 miles. This allowed them to claim over 1.2 million acres of land. This huge area included all the traditional Lenape homelands along the Delaware River. The Lenape protested, but they were eventually forced to move to Shamokin. Pisquetomen was a strong leader. The colonists worried about his influence, especially since he was upset about the Walking Purchase.

Pisquetomen Not Chosen as Chief

In 1741, Chief Sassoonan wanted Pisquetomen to be the next main leader of the Lenape. But James Logan and the Iroquois leader Shikellamy disagreed. They did not want Pisquetomen to be chief. Pisquetomen then moved to Kittanning. This town was becoming a center for the Lenape people.

Many Lenape saw Pisquetomen as a powerful leader. Sassoonan believed he was the perfect choice to "have the chief command" and speak for his people. Pisquetomen could unite the Lenape from both the east and the west. He had experienced being forced from his home. He also knew the feeling of freedom after moving west to Kittanning.

However, Logan saw Pisquetomen as a problem for Pennsylvania's plans. Pennsylvania wanted the Iroquois to control the Lenape. Pisquetomen was not a leader who would simply do what he was told. Both Pennsylvania and the Iroquois saw him as a strong, independent leader. They feared he could encourage other Lenape to resist their control.

Many western Lenape were unhappy that Pisquetomen was not chosen. They did not want a chief chosen by the Iroquois and the Pennsylvania government. Logan, Shikellamy, and another official named Conrad Weiser worked hard to stop Pisquetomen. After Sassoonan died in 1747, they tried to choose a different chief. But the chosen chief, Lappapitton, refused out of respect for Pisquetomen.

No Chief for a Time

After Pisquetomen was rejected, the western Lenape did not have a main chief for several years. They did not want to give in to the demands of the colonial government. But they also knew that without a chief, they had no voice in important discussions.

The governor of Pennsylvania, James Hamilton, wanted to solve this problem. He hoped the Lenape would choose a new leader that everyone could agree on. He told them to choose "one of your wisest Counsellors." This person would then be recognized as their chief.

At the Logstown Treaty talks in 1751, the Lenape were still careful. They remembered what happened with Pisquetomen. Tamaqua, Pisquetomen's brother, knew how important it was to have a leader who could represent all Lenape. He said it would "take some time to consider on a Man that was fit to undertake to rule a Nation." He wanted a leader who would not be opposed by Pennsylvania and the Iroquois.

The situation continued until 1752. At new treaty talks in Logstown, Virginia officials met with the Lenape. They noticed the Lenape had no king. Instead, Shingas and his brother Tamaqua represented them. Both brothers made a good impression.

The Logstown Treaty of 1752

At the Logstown Treaty talks in 1752, officials from Virginia wanted to confirm an earlier treaty. This treaty supposedly gave Virginia land near the Ohio River. The Iroquois did not attend these talks themselves. Instead, they sent their "half-kings" (Ohio Senecas) to look after the Ohio tribes.

Tanacharison, the Seneca leader in charge of the Lenape, felt that Virginia was giving too much power to the Ohio tribes. So, he made sure to state that the Iroquois still controlled the Ohio Indians. Tanacharison told the Lenape and Shawnees to stop fighting with the Cherokee. He said, "you belong to me, & I think you are to be ruled by me."

The Iroquois were upset that Virginia officials were talking to other Native American nations without asking them first. So, they told Tanacharison to choose a chief for the Lenape. This chief had to be acceptable to everyone. At Logstown, Tanacharison chose Shingas as the new Lenape chief. He said it was the Iroquois's right to give the Lenape a king. Shingas was not there, so Tamaqua stood in for his brother. Tamaqua received a special hat and jacket for Shingas.

Fighting in the French and Indian War

After Shingas became the leader of the western Lenape, relations with Pennsylvania got worse. Some Lenape joined the war against Pennsylvania and the English. This happened after the British lost the Battle of the Monongahela in July 1755.

On October 16, 1755, Lenape war parties from Kittanning attacked. These groups were led by Shingas, Pisquetomen, and Captain Jacobs. They moved into the Penn’s Creek settlement. Lenape warriors entered homes, taking captives and burning farms. Pisquetomen may have also taken part in other raids. These attacks happened in what is now Fulton and Franklin counties. There were also attacks along Swatara Creek and Tulpehocken Creek.

Hugh Gibson's Adoption

Hugh Gibson, a 14-year-old boy, was captured by Lenape Indians in July 1756. His mother was killed. He was taken to Kittanning. There, Pisquetomen adopted him as a brother. Gibson said Pisquetomen was hurt and adopted him to help him.

Gibson and Pisquetomen were in Kittanning when it was attacked by Colonel John Armstrong's forces in September 1756. After the attack, Gibson was taken to a place called Kuskuskin. One day, Gibson said he heard that white people were coming to fight the Indians. Pisquetomen's brother heard this and wanted Gibson to be punished. To protect Gibson, Pisquetomen took him to live in a tent outside the village. Gibson wrote that Pisquetomen "took a Dutch captive for his wife" around this time. Pisquetomen spoke and understood English well.

In 1757, Gibson and Pisquetomen moved to Saucunk. Gibson lived like a servant and was sometimes treated badly. Once, Pisquetomen beat him for being lazy. Gibson calmly accepted the punishment and called Pisquetomen "brother." Pisquetomen felt bad and treated Gibson kindly after that.

In October 1758, Pisquetomen and Gibson moved to Muskingum. In March 1759, Gibson escaped. He walked 250 miles to Fort Pitt, which was being built.

Working for Peace

The English realized they needed Native American support to win the war. So, they started talking with Lenape leaders to get them to stop fighting. The Lenape chiefs hoped to get a treaty that would protect their lands.

Pennsylvania's Deputy Governor, William Denny, asked Christian Frederick Post to be a negotiator. Post knew the frontier well and spoke the Lenape language. The Lenape trusted him. Denny told Post to offer forgiveness to all Lenape who had attacked Pennsylvania. In return, they had to support the British.

Pisquetomen went with Post to Philadelphia in July 1758. They met with important officials. Post then returned with Pisquetomen to meet his brothers Shingas and Tamaqua. Post told them that the English wanted peace. Pisquetomen and his warriors even protected Post from the French.

On October 8, 1758, a big meeting happened at Easton. Representatives from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York were there. Many Native American groups attended, including the Lenape, Six Nations, Nanticokes, Mohicans, and Wappingers. Pisquetomen and his council led a small group of western Lenape.

In his speech, Pisquetomen reminded the officials that he had safely brought Frederick Post to their council. The Treaty of Easton ended the Lenape's involvement in the French and Indian War. This helped the British general, John Forbes, capture Fort Duquesne in November without fighting the local Native American tribes.

After the meeting, Pisquetomen and Post traveled to Loyalhanna. They asked the Ohio Indians to leave Fort Duquesne. The British were planning an attack and did not want to hurt any potential allies. On this trip, Pisquetomen asked Post to protect him. They passed through areas Pisquetomen had attacked earlier in the war.

Pisquetomen was also worried that British colonists would move onto Lenape land. He asked soldiers if the general would claim the land after driving away the French. He said, "We are always jealous the English will take the land from us." He also said the Lenape could have driven away the French themselves. After the French left Fort Duquesne in November 1758, Pisquetomen told Post that for lasting peace, the English "must speedily retire to the other side of the mountains." Post did not promise this.

Later Years and Death

Pisquetomen is mentioned in the journal of James Kenny. Kenny was a Quaker who brought supplies to the Lenape and Shawnee. In 1759, Kenny traded with Pisquetomen, Shingas, and Killbuck at Fort Pitt. Kenny wrote that Pisquetomen "often called himself a Quaker." However, it does not seem that Pisquetomen officially became a Christian.

Pisquetomen is believed to have died in 1762.

Images for kids

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  The land claimed by Pennsylvania after the Walking Purchase of 1737.

See also

• Lenape
• Shingas
• Sassoonan
• Christian Frederick Post
• Tamaqua (Lenape chief)
• Treaty of Easton
• Walking Purchase