The Delawares

Divided into three tribes; the Unamis [Turtle], Unalachtgo [Turkey] and the Minsi [Wolf], aka the Monseys or Muncies. They were thought to be less war-like than other Nations and more accepting of Christianity.

Pricipal chiefs:

• White Eyes (leader of the peace element; died c1780)
• Captain Pipe (leader of the warrior nations).

Other leaders: Netawatmees, Buckougahelas, King Newcomer, Half King.

There are also stories about a white woman who dwelled with the Delaware and had great influence over them. The creek known as Whitewoman is named after her.

The Delaware towns were located at the vicinity of the forks of the Muskingum, or the confluence of the Tuscarawas and Muskingum. The Muskingum River derives it name from the Delaware: Mooskingom (Elk's Eye). Probably called this because of the clearness of the flowing water. The term Tuscarawas came from an Indian town situated where Bolivar now stands. The name meant "old town" and the village that bore it was the oldest in the valleys. The name Piqua was according to the Natives, comes from a time when the wise men and chiefs were sitting around smouldering embers of a council fire. They were startled by a great puff of white smoke and fire, and then, from the midst of the ashes and coals, there arose a man of splendid form and his name was Piqua, to signify his manner of coming into the world, born of fire and ashes. The name Megoachuke signifies a fat man filled: man made perfect so that nothing is wanting.

The Shawnees

Of foreign origin (not native to the Washington County area). Roamed the area from Kentucky to Florida. They were led northward by the Miami Tribes and dwelled in the Scioto Valley until driven out in 1672 by the Iroquois. They later went on to settle in the Carolinas, and in the 1830s were (in large part) driven west to present-day Oklahoma.

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