Tomochichi Lesson for Kids

Tomochichi's Life

Tomochichi was born in about 1644, although no one really knows for sure, because it was such a long time ago and Native American tribes didn't keep those kind of records. Historians also don't know what kind of problem caused Tomochichi to be told to leave the Creek tribe, but they think it might have been an argument about how to get along with the Spanish and English who were moving into Georgia.

Tomochichi had a following of people in his tribe who had also been exiled (told to leave), and people from the Yamasee tribe who had disagreed with their chiefs. With about 200 people, he formed a new tribe called the Yamacraw and created a home on the banks of the Savannah River. Tomochichi could have been angry and waged war on the other tribes, but he chose peace instead.

A Drawing of Tomochichi

Choosing Peace

In 1733, an English general named James Oglethorpe arrived in the area where the Yamacraw lived. Oglethorpe immediately knew that this place would make an ideal place for his group to build a town, but he was afraid of how the Native American people would feel about it. He decided to try to treat the people fairly and went to talk to Tomochichi.

Tomochichi did not speak English, but James Oglethorpe had Mary Musgrove with him. Mary's mother was a member of the Creek tribe and her father was English, because of this Mary was able to translate. Tomochichi and Oglethorpe both wanted to live peacefully. Tomochichi allowed Oglethorpe to build the town of Savannah and helped the English establish their colony.

Tomochichi Goes to England

I don't know if you've ever been on an airplane, but the journeys are often bumpy and there isn't much room. In about 1735, Tomochichi went with Oglethorpe to England on a sailing ship. At this time, Tomochichi would have been about 90 years old.

It took 7-12 weeks to travel to England by ship - three months one way! Most 90 year olds would struggle to travel by plane today, but Tomochichi knew he had to go to England to advocate for his people. Advocate means to stand up for someone, discussing how good the person or group is and why they should be treated well.

Tomochichi wanted the Yamacraw to continue to be treated fairly by the English, and so he made the difficult journey. He returned to Georgia in 1736. Throughout the rest of his life, he worked to build relationships with the English and Native Americans, as well as advocate for his people.

Tomochichi Might Have Sailed On A Ship Like This

His Death

On October 5, 1739, Tomochichi died and the English gave him a military funeral, which was a huge honor. His grave was marked with stones from the area in a pyramid shape. In the 1880's, the stones were taken away so that the railroad could be built. In 1899, a new stone with a metal plate was placed close to the original site. The plate tells of how grateful the people of Savannah are to Tomochichi.

Lesson Summary

Tomochichi was a Native American leader who chose peace after he was exiled from his tribe. He founded the Yamacraw tribe and they lived in peace with both the English and the native people. Even at the age of 90, Tomochichi was willing to travel for months to advocate for his people.