Straight Tail Meaurroway Opessa facts for kids

Straight Tail Meaurroway Opessa (born 1630, died 1709) was a very important leader of the Shawnee Native American people. He was the Chief of the Pekowi, one of the main groups within the Shawnee tribe. He also led the Turtle Clan, which was a special religious group within the tribe. People often called him Meaurroway.

Becoming a Leader

Straight Tail was born in 1630 in the area we now call Ohio. His father was also the Chief of the Pekowi. We don't know much about Straight Tail's childhood. But when he was 40 years old, in 1670, he became the Chief of the Pekowi and the Turtle Clan, just like his father.

The Shawnee tribe had different groups, and each group had special jobs. The Pekowi group was in charge of keeping order, making sure everyone did their part, and celebrating their religion. As their chief, Straight Tail was responsible for these very important parts of tribal life.

Meeting New People

In 1674, Straight Tail's group lived in a village near the Wabash River in what is now southern Illinois. French explorers Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette visited them. One of Jolliet's men was Martin Chartier.

Later, in 1675, Martin Chartier married Straight Tail's daughter, Sewatha Straight Tail. They had a daughter in 1676. Martin Chartier later returned to the Shawnee, staying with Straight Tail's group for a year or two at a place called Starved Rock.

Moving Around: The Shawnee Journeys

The Shawnee people often moved from place to place. They traveled a lot across eastern North America in the 1600s and 1700s.

In 1677, Straight Tail led his people to what is now Illinois and Ohio. They joined up with other Shawnee groups and other tribes there. Between 1680 and 1685, Straight Tail led his group into Tennessee. Martin Chartier joined them again near the Cumberland River, close to where Nashville, Tennessee is today.

For the next seven years, Straight Tail guided his people through areas that are now Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina. In 1692, they moved north to Cecil County, Maryland. Finally, in 1694, they settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Later Years and Family

In 1697, Straight Tail passed on his leadership roles to his son, Opessa. But he still helped represent the Shawnee people for several more years.

In 1698, there were disagreements about land in Lancaster. Straight Tail, even though he was very old, attended a meeting to discuss these issues. An eyewitness said he was brought on horseback because of his age. His son-in-law Martin Chartier was also there.

Straight Tail's son, Opessa, later signed a peace treaty with William Penn in 1701. Opessa also had good relationships with the Pennsylvania governor, John Evans. Straight Tail's grandson, Peter Chartier, became chief of the Pekowi in 1737.

Straight Tail Meaurroway Opessa died in Pennsylvania in 1709.

Straight Tail's Children

Straight Tail married a Pekowi woman around 1650. They had several children:

• Wolf Straight Tail: Born around 1654.
• Sewatha Straight Tail: Born around 1660 in Ohio. She married Martin Chartier around 1675 and was the mother of Peter Chartier. She died in 1759 in Illinois.
• Cakundawanna Straight Tail: Born around 1662.
• Opessa Straight Tail: Born around 1664. He was the great-grandfather of Tecumseh, a famous Shawnee leader during the War of 1812.
• Snow White Straight Tail: Born around 1666 in Ohio.
• Minitha Straight Tail: Born around 1668 in Ohio.
• John White Straight Tail: Born around 1670 in Ohio.
• Daughter Straight Tail: Born around 1680 in Illinois.

His Lasting Impact

Straight Tail was different from some other Native American chiefs of his time. He did not stop people from marrying outside their tribe. Instead, he encouraged good relationships with Europeans. His daughter, Sewatha, married a French-Canadian trader and explorer, Martin Chartier. Other children and their descendants also married white people.

Because of these marriages, many of Straight Tail's descendants today have European features.

His son, Opessa Straight Tail, became chief in 1697. Opessa signed peace treaties with William Penn. Around 1727, Opessa decided to lead his people to the Ohio River Valley.

Two of Straight Tail's grandchildren, Loyparcowah and Meshemethequater, also became Shawnee leaders. One of his great-granddaughters, Margaret Tecumsapah Opessa, was the stepmother to Colonel Alexander McKee.