Tahlonteeskee (Cherokee chief) facts for kids

Tahlonteeskee (also spelled Talotisky) was an important leader of the Cherokee people. He was a Principal Chief of the first Cherokee Nation. He was also one of the "Old Settlers" who moved west to new Cherokee lands.

Early Life and Moving West

Tahlonteeskee was a leader in a Cherokee town called Cayoka. This town was on Hiawassee Island, in what is now Hamilton County, Tennessee. In 1805, Tahlonteeskee and another chief named Doublehead signed an agreement. This agreement gave large parts of traditional Cherokee hunting lands to the United States. Many Cherokee people were unhappy about this decision.

After these land changes, Tahlonteeskee moved west in 1809. He was one of the first "Old Settlers" to move to the new Cherokee Nation. This new nation was being formed in the Arkansaw Territory. Tahlonteeskee's parents were Tahlonteeskee "Aaron Price" Bloody Fellow and Wurteh Betsy Watts. His mother, Wurteh Betsy Watts, was also the mother of Chief John Jolly Due, Chief Robert "the Bench" Benge, and Sequoyah George Gist.

Leading the Cherokee Nation–West

Tahlonteeskee became the third Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation–West in 1817. He took over from Chief Takatoka. Tahlonteeskee served as chief until he passed away in 1819. After his death, his brother, John Jolly, became the new chief.

Tahlonteeskee was the first western chief to allow Christian teachings among the Cherokee. He let missionaries set up a school called Dwight Mission. This mission was in the Cherokee lands in the Arkansaw Territory. Later, the United States Government asked the Old Settlers to move even further west. They moved into the area that would become the Indian Territory.

Family Connections

According to a Cherokee family historian, Dr. Emmet Starr, "Talotisky" was another way to spell Tahlonteeskee's name. At that time, there was no standard way to write Cherokee sounds in English.

Tahlonteeskee was the older brother, or possibly half-brother, of John Jolly. Tahlonteeskee married Jennie Lowrey. Jennie was the sister of Assistant Principal Chief George Lowrey. George Lowrey may have been a cousin of Sequoyah. George Lowrey's wife was Lucy Benge, who was a half-sister of Sequoyah. Lucy was also the sister of the Chickamauga warrior, Bob Benge.

A Town Named After Him

Tahlonteeskee, Oklahoma was the first capital city of the early western Cherokee Nation. It was named after him. The town served as the capital from 1828 to 1839. In 1839, a new capital building was finished in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The government then moved there. Tahlonteeskee, Oklahoma, is known as the oldest governmental capital in Oklahoma.