Biography of Tomo Chi-Chi

Around the year 1650, Tomo-chi-chi was born into the Creek Indian tribe in the town of Coweta. As a boy, Tomo-chi-chi explored forests and meadows and learned how to make arrows.

When he came of age, Tomo-chi-chi joined other young Creeks who aspired to become warriors at the green corn festival. They drank the sacred black drink to cleanse their bodies and minds and in the eyes of the people of Coweta, Tomo-chi-chi became a man. As time passed, he became respected for his good judgement and wisdom. Even though he was young, he was often consulted in matters of politics and law. A few years later, Tomo-chi-chi fell in love with Senawki, a young woman of Coweta. They were married.

Trade was an important part of life for the Indians in Coweta. They traded with Indians of the Cherokee tribe and others for salt, furs, pearls, and saddles. But one day, the life of the Indians changed forever when, a white trader arrived. The Creeks were very hospitable and welcomed the stranger. They were introduced to comforts they never dreamed of: mirrors, metal pots & pans, sharp knives & hatchets, and hoes & spades. But the guns and ammunitions they received made war easier -- and soon, tribal wars broke out over hunting territories.

Tomo-chi-chi was among the Creek warriors sent to fight the Spanish-allied Apalachee Indians. Four months later, the Creeks defeated the Apalachees. Tomo-chi-chi attended a meeting in Coweta whereby the Creeks signed an alliance with the English settlers in Carolina. The Creeks soon angered, though, when some of the English traders were found to be selling Creeks into slavery. After the Creeks protested, the government of Carolina promised to end the selling of Creeks into slavery. However, the slave trade didn't end and the Creek Indians eventually declared war on the English. The war lasted until 1717, when an agreement was negotiated. In the treaty, the Savannah River was named as the Creek-Carolina border.

Tomo-chi-chi and Senawki eventually decided that life in Coweta no longer suited them, and in 1728, left their home to establish their own town, Yamacraw, located on the Savannah River.

Five years after establishing Yamacraw, in 1733, the Indian chief must have been curious to see a small, flat bottomed boat with six passengers. When the boat dropped anchor -- out stepped General James Edward Oglethorpe, on behalf of His Majesty King George II set foot on the land which was to become the new colony of Georgia and the last of the original thirteen colonies.

After Oglethorpe climbed the bluff, Tomo-chi-chi stepped forward and greeted the stranger. Mary Musgrove, a Creek Indian who had been educated in Carolina to learn the ways of the white people, welcomed the general in English. Oglethorpe was suprised to be greeted in his own language. He bowed and thanked Tomo-chi-chi, who by this time was over 80 years of age.

After meeting the rest of Oglethorpe's group, Tomo-chi-chi invited the general and his friends to talk and smoke the pipe of peace. The Creek leader listened as Oglethorpe told him his plans -- to establish a colony on the bluff -- not far from the town of Yamacraw. Tomo-chi-chi could have posed a problem for Oglethorpe - if he chose not to welcome them. However, Tomo-chi-chi and Oglethorpe agreed there was plenty of room for both the Indians and the English settlers

Late that night, after Oglethorpe and his men had left, Tomo-chi-chi wondered if he had done the right thing by allowing the colonists to settle so close. After all, white people had made promises to the Indians before -- and broken them! Would Oglethorpe keep his word?

February 22, 1733 was the day the colonists arrived a began setting up their tents. Tomo-chi-chi and Oglethorpe met many times. The two men soom became friends -- and developed a friendship that would last a lifetime.

The new English settlement was named Savannah and General Oglethorpe's had a plan to lay the new city out around a series of squares filled with flowers and trees. The general was so impressed with Tomo-chi-chi, that he invited him to return with him to England to approve the treaty between the English and the Creeks. Tomo-chi-chi and his wife, Senawki gathered gifts of fine furs so they could present them to the King of England.

In March of 1734, they set sail on the seventy day voyage. When they arrived in England, Tomo-chi-chi was not prepared for the sights he would see. First, they had never seen so many people -- so many horses and carriages. Tomo-chi-chi could not believe the size of London and the great houses and buildings in it. In August, Tomo-chi-chi and his group were presented to King George II at Kensington Palace.

Tomo-chi-chi and his family would depart for Yamacraw on October 31st and arrive home in December. Not until 15 months later would General Oglethorpe return to the New World. With him, he brought John Wesley, a missionary who had come to preach to gospel to the Creeks. Wesley would fail in his attempts to convert the Creeks, but his efforts established the Methodist Church in America.

In the year 1739, Tomo-chi-chi, growing weaker, named his son, Tooanahowie the leader of the Yamacraw Creeks. Tooanahowie would make the journey to Coweta for the green corn festival. With him, Mary Musgove would go to act as interpreter for the English who had been invited. As a sign of friendship between the English and the Creeks, General Oglethorpe would also go to Coweta.

It took a month of traveling for the group to reach Coweta. When they arrived, they were given a friendly welcome. The general and his men were treated as brothers and invited to take part in the drinking of the sacred black drink and smoking the pipe of peace. The Creeks signed a treaty with the English and, after three days of celebration, the group began their long trip home.

On October 5, 1739, Tomo-chi-chi looked out at the sea for the last time and then requested to be taken to his lodge. There he waited for Tooanahowie. When Tooanahowie arrived home, his father welcomed him and told him that he loved him. He told him to take care of Senawki and serve his people wisely and kindly. He asked about his friend, the general, and was told Oglethorpe had not yet returned from Coweta. Tomo-chi-chi asked to be buried in Savannah.

The great leaders last hours were peaceful -- and he died surrounded by the people he loved. The next day, General Oglethorpe arrived, and upon learning of his friends death, he ordered a state funeral and his burial with full military honors. He also ordered a great stone pyramid be built over the grave -- an order that was fulfilled nearly two hundred years later.

A stone bearing the words...

In memory of Tomo-chi-chi
the Mico of the Yamacraws
the companion of Oglethorpe
and the friend and ally
of the Colony of Georgia

was placed in what is now Wright Square.

Information obtain from http://www.savannah-online.com