Yamacraw facts for kids

The Yamacraw were a group of Native American people who lived in what is now Georgia in the early 1700s. They settled along the Savannah River, close to where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. The Yamacraw were formed from parts of two other groups: the Lower Creek and the Yamasee. They stayed independent for about 20 years before joining the main Lower Creek people again. The city of Savannah was later built in this area.

Who Were the Yamacraw People?

The Yamacraw group was created in the late 1720s. Their leader was a man named Tomochichi. He brought together some people from the Yamasee and Lower Creek tribes. These people had disagreed with their tribes ending their friendship with the British during the Yamasee War in 1715. By 1728, the Yamacraw had made their home along the Savannah River, near its mouth. This spot later became the city of Savannah.

How Did the Yamacraw Interact with Settlers?

In 1733, a man named James Oglethorpe wanted to start a new colony in the area. He saw that the location by the river was very important for trade and defense. Oglethorpe talked with Tomochichi, the Yamacraw leader. They reached an agreement, and the Yamacraw agreed to move their village further up the river. This allowed Oglethorpe to establish the new colony.

What Was the Yamacraw Name Controversy?

Later, in the mid-1800s, some historians discussed the name "Yamacraw." Charles Colcock Jones, a historian, wrote that the Creek people did not recognize any group called the Yamacraw. He also mentioned that the Muskogee or Yuchi languages in the region did not use the "r" sound in the same way as the name "Yamacraw." This made some people wonder about the true origin of the name.

See also

In Spanish: Yamacraw para niños