Tanacharison facts for kids

Tanacharison (born around 1700 – died October 4, 1754) was a Native American leader. He played a very important part in the start of the French and Indian War. Europeans often called him the Half-King. This title was also used for other important Native American leaders. His name has been spelled in many different ways.

Early Life of Tanacharison

We don't know much about Tanacharison's early life. He might have been born around 1700 near what is now Buffalo, New York. He may have belonged to the Catawba tribe.

When he was a child, French people captured him. Later, he was adopted into the Seneca tribe. The Seneca are one of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. His early years were spent near Lake Erie in western New York State.

Becoming a Leader: The Half-King

Tanacharison first shows up in history books in 1747. He was living in Logstown, a village near today's Ambridge, Pennsylvania. This village was home to many different Native American groups.

The Iroquois who moved to the Ohio Country were often called 'Mingos'. Tanacharison became a Mingo leader around this time. He also spoke for the Six Nations at the 1752 Treaty of Logstown. There, he was called "Thonariss, known by the English as the Half King."

He spoke for the Six Nations' Grand Council. But he also made it clear that the council needed to approve things. This was part of the Iroquois way of government.

Some people believed the Grand Council named Tanacharison a "half-king." This meant he was like a special helper or spokesman. He would talk to other tribes and the British for them.

However, some historians today think differently. They believe Tanacharison was mainly a village leader. They think his power mostly stayed within his own village. They also suggest the title "half king" might have been an idea from the British.

Tanacharison and the French and Indian War

In 1753, the French army began to take over the Ohio Country. They forced British traders out and built many forts. But British colonies also said the Ohio Country belonged to them.

Robert Dinwiddie, the governor of Virginia, sent a young George Washington to the French forts. Washington's job was to tell the French to leave the Ohio Country. On his trip, Washington stopped at Logstown. He asked Tanacharison to come with them as a guide and spokesman for the Ohio Indians.

Tanacharison agreed. He planned to give back a special wampum belt he got from a French captain. The French commander was surprised by this. He tried to make Tanacharison his friend, but Tanacharison did not trust the French. He really liked their brandy, but he did not like the French people.

Tanacharison wanted the British to build a strong fort at the Forks of the Ohio River. In early 1754, he even helped place the first log for a British fort there. He was very angry when the French captured it.

On May 27, 1754, Tanacharison was camped at Half King's Rock. He learned about a French camp nearby. He quickly sent a message to Washington, urging him to attack. Washington was at the Great Meadows, about five miles away.

Washington immediately sent 40 men to join Tanacharison. He followed with another group, but some got lost in the rain. It was dawn on May 28 when Washington reached Half King's Rock.

After a quick meeting, the English and Tanacharison's eight or nine warriors went to attack the French. This was the Battle of Jumonville Glen. The French quickly gave up. Their commander, Ensign Joseph Coulon de Jumonville, was hurt. Most of the French soldiers were killed or captured.

A French soldier named Monceau saw the surrender. He later reported what happened to his commander. Tanacharison also sent a message to the French commander. He said the British had shot Jumonville. He also said that if the Native Americans hadn't been there, the British would have killed all the French.

On July 3, 1754, Washington was at the battle of Fort Necessity. This was a fort he quickly built at the Great Meadows. Tanacharison and his Native American allies were not with him. Tanacharison called the fort "that little thing upon the meadow." He also complained that Washington would not listen to advice. He felt Washington treated the Native Americans like slaves.

Tanacharison and another Seneca leader, Queen Aliquippa, took their people to Wills Creek. Washington's army was outnumbered and running out of supplies. He had to surrender the fort.

Last Days

After the Battle of Jumonville Glen, Tanacharison moved his people. He also moved the old Queen Aliquippa east. They went to a farm owned by George Croghan in the Aughwick Valley.

There, Tanacharison became very sick. He was taken to the farm of John Harris near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He did not take part in the rest of the war. Tanacharison died of pneumonia on October 4, 1754. Queen Aliquippa died a few months later.

See also

In Spanish: Tanacharison para niños