Shawnee- Collins Family

Information on the Shawnee Tribe connections with the Collins Family

in the Ohio Valley and southern Appalachians of West Virginia

I think this will help you...Two weeks ago I received my application for the Appalachian Shawnee Tribe...Jane is my 6 great grandmother

The Appalachian Shawnee Tribe found my mother Dianna Lyons Smith though the information that she has posted on the net...of course the tribe check it all out before contacting us..

.Dianna's mother was Edith Grogan Lyons and Edith's parents were John and Margaret Shephard Grogan...

My mother forwarded this to me. I have not received my acceptance yet but she has..

Straight Tail aka Meaurroway- - Pekowi born about 1630 OH-died 1709 PA – parents unknown,

Turtle Clan, 1670 a Pekowi Chief in OH, 1677 band moved from OH-mid-Ohio valley to IN-IL-Miami & Illinois River valleys near Miami & Illinois,.

About 1680 some of the family/band begin to move to the corner of TN-KY-VA-NC to join the Chalakatha-Mekoche-Kishpoko there. By 1689 the bulk of the band from IL-IN joins Chalakatha, Mekoche-Kishpoko in east TN-west NC-east KY-southwest VA, by 1693 most of band from NC-TN-VA-KY living in Cecil Co MD, by 1697 most of the band living in Lancaster Co PA-Susquehanna valley.

1697 succeeded by his son Opessa/1664 as Pekowi Chief in Pequea PA, 1709 succeeded by Pheasant-Kakawatchekee/1670 as Pekowi Chief in Pechoquealin PA,

husband 1650 OH of Pekowi Woman/1635, father of son Wolf/1654, daughter Sewatha/1660, sons

Cakundawanna-Sevana/1662, Opessa/1664, daughter Snow White/1666, son John

White/1670, Daughter-(wife of Tamenebuck)/1674-all Pekowi Opessa aka Opethatha-

Wapatha-Wopatha-Hopesha-Opessa Straight Tail-Oppaymolleh – Pekowi born 1664 OH - died later 1760 OH - son of

Straight Tail-Meaurroway/1630 & Pekowi Woman/1635,

Turtle Clan, moved 1677 with band to IN, moved 1680 to IL, 1689 moved with band to TN-NC-KY-VA, by 1693 living in Cecil Co MD, about 1693 a Pekowi Chief under his father in Cecil Co MD, 1697 moved to Lancaster Co PA with band, 1697 succeeded Straight Tail as Pekowi Chief in Pequea PA, signed Treaty 1701 with William Penn with Lemoytungh & Pemoyajagh, 1706 Council Philadelphia, 1707 Conference at Pequea Lancaster Co PA with

Governor John Evans, 1710 Conference at Conestoga PA with

John French & Henry Worley, resigned 1711 to move to Sassoonan’s Delaware village-Shamokin PA, succeeded 1711 as Pekowi Chief at Pequea PA by his brother Cakundawanna/1662, 1715 Conference Philadelphia with Sassoonan, 1722 moved to Old Town MD-upper Potomac & replaced his brother Cakundawanna as Pekowi Chief. Again by 1723, by 1734 moved to AL with band, by 1738 returned to western MD/southeast

PA, Aug. 1749 Council Philadelphia, 1750 moved to OH, 1752 succeeded Pheasant - Kakawatchekee/1680 as Head Pekowi Chief on the Ohio River, May 1756 Council Tioga Point, Aug. 1760

Council Ft. Pitt, brother in law (through sister Snow White) of Peter Chartier/1690, connected with Poxinosa, White Fish (1) & Okowellos Cornstalk, great-grandfather of Tecumseh/1768,

husband 1st by 1684 IN of Margaret Pekowi/1670, 2nd

1711 PA of Polly-Daughter of Sassoonan/1695-Delaware, father with Margaret of children/1685-94, daughter Snow White/1695, sons Tecoomteh/1698, Wawwaythi/1700,

Loyparkoweh/1705 & Lawaquaqua-Pride Opessa/1710-all Pekowi, children with Polly unknown

Opessa, Sewatha-Sarah (1) – Pekowi born 1726 MD-died after 1750 (OH?) - daughter of Loyparkoweh Opessa/1702 & Nancy Pekowi/1706, aunt of Tecumseh, with Pekowi in the west WV/east OH 1750, wife by 1745 PA of Col. Alexander McKee/1725, mother of  Tecumpolas-Margaret McKee/1746, Child/1750, Child/1754, Child/1760,

Daughter/1764-all ½ Pekowi-Metis

McKee, Tecumoplas-Margaret aka Tecumoplas-Margaret Opessa – 1/2 Pekowi-Metis

born 1746 PA-died after 1791 (WV?) - daughter of Sewatha-Sarah Opessa (1)/1726 &

Col. Alexander McKee/1725, namesake of her grandmother Margaret Pekowi/1670 &

Aunt Tecumsapah-Margaret Opessa/1725, a Pekowi in the North, 1st cousin of Tecumseh,

wife 1761 WV of Rupert Collins born about 1740-died after 1791, mother of Sarah Collins/1762, children/1764-66, Jane Collins/1768, children/1770-78, Parker Collins/1780 (or 11 children/61-82?) -all 1/4th Pekowi-Metis

Collins, Jane (1) - 1/4th Pekowi-Metis born 1768 WV-died after 1800 (WV?) - daughter

of Tecumoplas Margaret McKee/1742 & Rupert Collins/1740, 2nd cousin/niece of

Tecumseh, wife by 1790 (WV-OH?) of Lewis Full/1770, mother of Joseph Full/1791,

Absalom Full/1795, Andrew Full/1799, Amelia Full/1803, Reuben Full/1806 & 5 more

children-all 1/8th Pekowi-Metis-(all 3rd cousins of Tecumseh)

We are descendents of Tecumoplas Margaret McKee and Rupert Collins ;

Tecumoplas

-- abt 1742 -1823

-- Great-X5-Grandparents --

Spouse -- Rupert Collins b. abt 1740

"The mother of Jane Collins Full is said to have retained her Indian name after her marriage to Mr. Collins." She was born about 1742

Jane Collins

-- Abt 1768 --

-- Great-X4-Grandparents --

Spouse -- Lewis Rubin Full -- abt 1770

Pendleton, Virgina (WV), Lewis Full was the first settler on Fulls Fork (Known as Childers Fork).

__________________________________________________

Tecumseh

    

     There are several different stories as to the relationship of the famous Shawnee Indian political leader and war chief, Tecumseh, to the Ice family.  There is little proof of this because of the lack of Indian records but there are stories passed down from several seemingly unrelated families that support this.  I will try to include as much information here as I can gather.

    One such story is:

    Frederick Iaac (Ice), living on the South Branch of the Potomac, traveled with several men a long distance, possibly to Winchester, Va., to a mill to have grain ground for their food for the following winter.  While they were gone, the Mohawk Indians raided the settlement and killed or took prisoner all the inhabitants and burned their homes, run off their animals, and destroyed their crops.  Frederick's family was taken prisoner and perhaps in the pursuit by some whites, the wife of Frederick was unable to keep up and was killed by the Indians. (other stories say she was killed and thrown down a well with some others)  Sons John and William, as well as daughters Mary and Margaret, were to live with the Indians for some time.  (Some say John was with his father at the time of the raid)  Mary, according to the tradition of the Ice family, is said to have been married to an Indian Chief and become the mother of the Prophet (Teliskwatawa or Tenskwatawa) and Tecumseh.  William is said to have lived with the Indians for 5 years before he escaped (that is another great story that I will include at a later date).  If this story is accurate I don't know how Mary wentfrom the Mohawks to the Shawnee.  Some say it was just a guess as to which Indians really raided the settlement.  The war party was probably on its way home after a trip into the Shenandoah Valley.  Some accounts say they were Mohawks, who were one of the most belligerent tribes, living mostly in New York.  The white men may have labeled all raiding Indians as "Mohawks".  Because this party moved swiftly to the west and crossed the Ohio River, they were more likely to be Shawnees.  The William Ice (Indian Billy) story may shed some light on this.

    In the book "The History of Wood County, West Virginia 1980" there is information stating that Samuel Sheppard 1803 - 1872 married Amelia Full in 1823.  Amelia Full was the daughter of Lewis Full, born in 1765, and Jane Collins Full, born in 1768, who came from Potomac Valley to settle Full's Fork in 1818.  Jane was the daughter of Rupert and Tecumopeas Collins, born 1749.  Tecumopeas was the sister of Tecumseh 1768 - 1813, and daughter of Shawnee Chief Pukeshenwa, who died in the Battle of Point Pleasant 1774, and wife, former Mary Iaac (Ice) 1727 - 1823, who was kidnapped because of her red hair, at age 5.  Her father Fredericke Iaac, born in Holland 1680, died 1799 in the Potomac Valley.

    One thing about stories from different points of view is that a lot of times the years don't exactly match up.  Information passed down by the Ice family show the raid to be about 1745 where the information from "The History of Wood County" would have the raid at about 1732 or so.  But then again, the Ice family information shows Mary born about 1737 not 1727 which would have the raid at about 1742, a little closer match.

    Of course, there is the story of Tecumseh's mother being Mary Bayles, wife of Andrew Ice who was Fredericke Iaac's son.  Jesse Bayles and wife Marie Monraine, and their young children came from the vicinity of Winchester in the Shenandoah Valley to settle near Ice's Ferry in 1770.  Their second child and oldest daughter, Mary, born in 1763 was stolen by the Indians and returned several years later with a 2 year old son whom she called Tecumseh.  She said he was born in the Indian Camp on Quarry Run, about 2 miles from Ice's Ferry.

    When she married Andrew, she kept Tecumseh with her until he was 14.  He then went to join his father's people, and gradually rose to be a great chief.  He often visited his home, during these years, where he was considered one of the family and was always on the friendliest terms with his mother's people and their neighbors.

    The night before the battle in which he lost his life, he and 2 of his half brothers, Jesse and John Ice, soldiers in the American Army, sat on the trunk of a fallen tree and visited for some time.

    This story doesn't sound too plausible to me.  Tecumseh was born about 1768 and Mary was born 1763 which means she was 5 when he was born.  I don't think so.  It's a neat story, though.

    Now historical information (that doesn't necessarily mean accurate) about Tecumseh say he was born in 1768, with his mother being Tsalagi (Cherokee) but captured by the Shawenese and named Methotase. 

More information on the mother of Tecumseh

From: "The Writings of Harold Somerville Volume 1"

            on the Full and Collins Family

GEN 1

1. Lewis Full (Our Line), born abt. 1765, Pendleton, Virgina (WV), married Jane Collins born abt. 1768.. Lewis Full was the first settler on Fulls Fork (Known as Childers Fork). His wife Jane Collins was the daughter of Rupe Collins b. abt. 1742 and Tecumoplas Collins, the only sister of the Shawnee Indian Chief Tecumseh: "The mother of Jane Collins full is said to have retained her Indian name after her marriage to Mr. Collins."

Lewis and Jane Collins Full came to Fulls Fork branch of right Reedy Creek, known then as Childers Fork, in 1818. They purchased 100 acres from John Hartley.

Children of Lewis and Jane were:

GEN 2

1. Joseph Full- (son of, Lewis) born 1791 Pendleton Co. WV, died Turkey Fork, 1865, married in 1791 to Mary Sheppard, daughter of Robert Sheppard. Her grandparents were John and Sarah Sheppard of Hardy Co. (Her siblings were, William, James, Ann, Hannah, Mahala, possibly Rebecca Sheppard.)

GEN 3

Joseph and Mary's children were:

Mariah Full(Joseph, Lewis) b. abt. 1820 d. Apr. 7. 1888 Wirt Co. marr. Joseph Carez II

Zebedee Full (Joseph, Lewis)

Rosanna Full (Joseph, Lewis)

Hannah Full (Joseph, Lewis)

Lewis Full (Joseph, Lewis) (married Clarissa Full daughter of Andrew Full)

Mary C. Full (Joseph, Lewis)

Roxanna Full (Joseph, Lewis)

2. Absalom Full, (son of, Lewis) - Married Iowa Lyons, their sons were: George Washington Full, Jesse, and Jackson. His second wife was Mahala Sheppard, sister to Mary Sheppard Full, wife of Joseph Full.

3. Andrew Full (son of, Lewis) (Our Line), - Married Emma Jane Hartley, daughter. of John Hartley. (Notes for Andrew), Andrew first resided on Fulls Fork in 1830, moved to Turkey fork where he lived on the Francis Kent farm with his brother Joseph, and Ezekiel McFarland. Later he moved to upper left sandy where he died in 1867, Emma Jane died near Lowdell, 1883, at the home of a daughter.)

(Andrew and Jane's children)

GEN 3

A. Joseph Full, (Andrew, Lewis) b.. 1824 d. 1911, m. Julianna Lockhart,

B. Jackson Full,(Andrew, Lewis) b.

C. Mary Ann Full (Andrew, Lewis) (Our Line), b. 1827 d. Dec.. 3. 1890 m. Michael Staats Anderson

Mary Ann Full and Michael S. Andersons children were:

GEN 4

Margaret Anderson

Mary Anderson

Sarah Anderson

Frances Anderson

Michael N. Anderson

Benjamin Anderson

Phoebe Anderson

Alice Anderson

Isidora Anderson

Gertrude Anderson

Annie Laura Anderson(Our Line), born Dec, 25, 1863, Wood Co. WV. died Jan. 10, 1893 married Joseph Shepard (Wood Co. WV) born Sept, 18, 1858, died Oct, 31, 1936 Shepard/Anderson line.

To make a long story short, Annie Laura and Joseph had a daughter named, (GEN 5) - Ruby Agnes Shepard born May 22, 1885- died May 19, 1930. Ruby married (GEN 5) - Moses Ellsworth Deem , born July 16, 1881, died Feb. 9, 1940 WV. Ruby and Moses had (GEN 6) Ada Lois Deem June 25, 1918 (GRANDMA)

Flora M. Anderson

Prudence Anderson

Samuel Anderson

Michael and Mary Ann lived at the head of Big Pond Creek near Limestone Hill where they owned one square acre of land.

4. Jesse Full (son of, Lewis) - returned to Pendleton Co. and lived.

5. Reuben Full (son of, Lewis) - youngest son of Lewis and Jane was b. 1806 Pendleton Co. on Fulls Fork Nov. 22, 1866 married Elizabeth Somerville in 1842.

6. Betty Full (dau. of, Lewis)

7. Clarissa Full (dau. of, Lewis)

8. Susan Full (dau. of, Lewis) - Married Francis McGraw, moved to Illinois at the end of the Civil War.

9. Amelia Full (dau. of, Lewis) - b. 1803 Pendleton Co. Died 1876 Wirt Co. married Samuel Sheppard in 1823.

10. daughter (dau. of, Lewis) who married Daniel Wire.

Notes: "Lewis Full came from Pendleton Co. to this part of the state in 1818."

My line to Tecumseh's sister is:

Ada Lois Deem & Lambert Stewart

Ada Lois Deems parents were:

Moses Ellesworth Deem & Ruby Shepard

Ruby Shepards parents were:

Joseph Shepard & Annie Laura Anderson

Annie L. Andersons parents were:

Michael Staats Anderson & Mary Ann Full

Mary Ann Fulls parents were:

Andrew Full and Emma Jane Hartley

Andrew Fulls parents were:

Lewis Full and Jane Collins

Jane Collins' parents were:

Rupe Collins & Tecumapease, sister of the famous Tecumseh

Tecumapease's parents were:

Pucksinwah and Mary Iaac, daughter of Frederick Iaac, She was kidnapped by the Indians when she was a young child. AKA Methelashe, aka, Methotasa

"Lewis Full was born abt.. 1765 and came with his parents to the south fork of the south branch of the Potomac in 1771. His marriage to Jane Collins was solemnized sometime prior to 1788. Our records of the Collins family are meager, due to lack of time for research, but Mrs. Full is thought to have been the daughter of one Rupe Collins who led a surveying party to the upper waters of the south branch at an early date."

"Many traditions, relative to the ancestry of Jane Collins, have been recited from generation to generation. These legends, strengthened by documentary evidence, came from various parts of the united states, and from as many branches of the Full family, carry the same interesting story, leading to a definite conclusion that the ancestry of Jane Collins were of those who carried the bow and arrow and wielded the tomahawk. The first American citizens. These traditions bear the information that her mother was of the Shawnee tribe and a sister to the great chief Tecumseh, being the eldest of a family of seven, one daughter and six sons." (Note: this is incorrect. Tecumapease was not the eldest, she had an older brother Chisika, she was born, then Tecumseh was born, and later the three triplets.)

"From Odin, Illinois, James G. McKee writes, "Jane (Collins) Full was a niece to Tecumseh and the mother of Lewis Full's children. Uncle Joe Full never denied his Indian blood but seemed proud of it."

note: according to the book, children of Pucksinwah and Methotasa, (Tecumseh's parents) were, Tecumopeas, Chesetau, Sauwaseekay, Tecumseh, Kumekaukau, and Nehaseemo. In history there are various spellings of each of these names.

According to Harold's book, in 1750 Tecumopeas was one year old.

�There is a story that Methotasa, the mother, transplanted a beautiful Cherokee rose from the banks of the Tennessee River to those banks of the Scioto where it flourished and spread far and wide�

"A man named Stephen Ruddell was taken prisoner on the licking river during a Shawnee raid, he was adopted by Pukesheno�s (Pucksinwah) family at the age of six, being only a few months younger than Tecumseh, they became lifelong friends."

Emma Jane Hartley was believed to have been the daughter of John Hartley. Andrew Full died in 1867. Emma Jane died near Lowdell in 1883 at the home of a daughter.

"Pucksinwah died Oct. 10, 1774 in the battle at Point Pleasant."

"Virgil A. Lewis spoke of Pukesheno as the "noblest warrior of them all."

In the book, "The writings of Harold Somerville Vol. 1" the author says that Tecumseh was a triplet, but he was born several years before the triplets.

The oldest children of Pucksinwah and Methotasa were Chiksika, (Chesetau). He was killed 1788 or 89. according to this book.

"Tecumseh would not tolerate the torture of prisoners. History records show he prevented his followers from killing and scalping prisoners taken at Fort Meigs. On one occasion he found two boys in the woods and personally led them back to the settlement to prevent them from suffering harm."

Tecumseh died during the war of 1812, he had one son that I know of. Some of his direct descendants are the Alfordos in Oklahoma.

End, the writings of Harold Somerville

In the book "The History of Wood County, West Virginia, 1980", under the "Sheppard Family" it states that "Samuel Sheppard 1803 MD - 1872 . . . In 1823 he married Amelia Full 1893 - 1876, daughter of Lewis Full, born 1765, and Jane Collins Full, born 1768, who came from Potomac Valley to settle Full's Fork in 1818. Jane was daughter of Rupert and Tecumopeas Collins, born 1749. Tecumopeas was sister of Tecumseh 1768 - 1813, and daughter of Shawnee Chief Pukeshenwa, who died at (battle of) Point Pleasant 1774, and wife, former Mary Iaac 1728 - 1823, who was kidnapped because of her red hair, at age 5. Her father, Fredericke Iaac, born in Holland 1680, died 1799 in the Potomac Valley."

Articles which appeared in the Wirt County Journal on the following dates in 1943: July 2, 9, 16, 23; August 6, 13, (20?). These articles were written by Harold Somerville under his pen name of "Tommie Sewell".

"The Full Family"

"The name Full is of Dutch origin and ancestry. The name of the ancestral immigrant of this important family and the date of the arrival is not available, but their forebearers were known to have been in Virginia during colonial times. It is believed that the family is descended from one of the many Dutch settlers that sought homes on the waters of South Branch of the Potomac and the valleys extending into Hardy and Pendleton Counties before the Revolutionary War.

"In 1790 Lewis Full, who later with his family was to become one of the early pioneers of Jackson and Wirt Counties, was living near the present village of Mouth of Seneca, and nearby was the famed natural wonder of Seneca Rocks. The Fulls in their early records spelled the words "Cinica". Their neighbors at this time were few and far between and among them were Zeb Dye, Thomas Hopkins, and Moses Winkle. With his son, Joseph, he had received a land grant on Seneca Creek where they had taken up their abode. To the north of them some 20 miles, a distance not too far for neighbors along the frontier, resided Joseph Hanks, parent of Nancy Hanks, on Mikes Run, branch of Paterson Creek. Near them lived John and Sarah Sheppard, parents of Jonathan Sheppard, first settler on Right Reedy.

"From the Mouth of Seneca Creek and near the Full home, was the Seneca Trail, the best defined path in the state. Over the mountains to Cheat River this trail led to the Tygart and up nearly to its source and thence to the headwaters of the Little Kanawha. Along this trail moccasined feet trod for centuries before the coming of the whites. It was along this trail that the Fulls drove their cows, sheep, and other livestock along with their pack horses when they came as pioneers to what was later to be Wirt county.

"Among the written records of Lewis Full, preserved to this day, is one which reads as follows: 'Andrew Full was a soldier in the first Virginia detachment under Colonel Beuford and Captain Adam Walles and died in the service. I knew him in the service. Given under my hand, Joseph Brown.'

"There are hundreds of various papers, legal and otherwise, that belonged to Lewis Full, including land grants and promissory notes, executed just following the Revolution and now kept intact. One note dated September 14, 1806 is as follows: 'I promice to pay or cause to be paid unto Charles Blechyard or his order the just and full sum of eight shillings and six pence on demand in Virginia currency. It being for value received as witness my hand and seal this September 13, 1806. Attes: Clary Full (signed) Lewis Full.'

Among the collection of old papers that belonged to this family is a letter written by Thomas Miller of Pendleton County to Andrew and Joseph Full in April, 1833. The recipients of this letter itself was posted at Franklin, Virginia, bearing the postmark date, April 3, 1833, and addressed to Jackson Courthouse, Virginia, and it is interesting to note that the letter was among the first letters to be delivered at Ripley. The copy is below without any corrections:

"Pendleton County, Virginia April 3rd 1833 "I again Take pen in hand To Let you know that your Brother Jesse Full departed this Life on the Last day of October 1831 after 18 days of illness he applied to Medical aid but to no Effects the Doctor Said his Complaint was the Consumption I was Compeld to administer on his Effects as he died at my House there is Sumthing in my hands that I am willing to Pay To his Heirs on application If one of you Comes after the money he must Comproperly authorized from the Rest this is the fourth Time I have Wrote on the Same Subject. (Signed) Thomas Miller.'

"Lewis Full was born about 1765 and came with his parents to the South Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac in 1771. His marriage to Jane Collins was solemnized sometime prior to 1788. Our records of the Collins family are meager due to lack of time for research, but Mrs. Full is thought to have been the daughter of one Rupe Collins who led a surveying party to the upper waters of the South Branch at an early date.

"PUKESHENO, FATHER OF THIS INDIAN FAMILY "The father of this famous family was Pukesheno, a name signifying, 'I light from flying'. He was a chief of more than passing fame, having won his laurels of Braddock's Defeat in 1755 while fighting under chief Black Hoof. The mother was Methelashe, a name signifying 'a turtle laying her eggs in the sand'. She was a Cherokee and is described as a woman of strong character and ability. Pukesheno was born prior to 1730. - (my note: Methelashe, aka, Methotasa, wasn't Cherokee, she was formally Mary Iaac, daughter of Frederick Iaac, who was kidnapped by a band of indians when she was a child. The Cherokee ended up with her and raised her, then the Shawnee captured her. That explains why Tecumseh was able to walk into a white mans camp, or town, dressed in white mans clothing and not be detected as an indian, and why he and his siblings went against the Shawnee tradition of torturing their captives.)

"Virgil A. Lewis in his description of the battle speaks of Pukesheno was the 'noblest warrior of them all who perished on that fateful day. The bodies were left to decay on the ground, exposed to the birds and beasts of prey. The mountain eagle, lord of the feathered race, from his lofty flight, with piercing eye, surveyed the feast prepared for his use. The gaunt wolf, grim tyrant of the wilderness, paused in his midnight revelry to howl a funeral dirge.'

"REUBEN FULL "Reuben Full, youngest son of Lewis and Jane Collins Full and of the fourth generation Pukesheno line, was born in Pendleton County in 1806. He died at the old homestead on Full's Fork on November 22, 1866. His marriage to Elizabeth Somerville, daughter of Andrew and Rebecca Sheppard Somerville, occurred January 6, 1842 with William E. Sheppard, a justice of the peace officiating. Mrs. Full was born in 1825 and died in 1877.

Who was the mother of Tecumseh?

Her Shawnee name was Methotasa, meaning "A turtle laying her eggs in the sand. But where did she come from? Most of the books you read will tell you that the Shawnee's capture her while fighting the Cherokee, and the great chief Pucksinwah, married her. She became the mother of Chiksika, Tecumapese, Tecumseh, and the triplets, Sauwaseekau, Kumskaka, Tenskwatawa, who later became known as Lowawluwaysica (The Profit, although most who have studied about this family know that he was not the profit, it was his brother Tecumseh). Later they would adopt two white girls and a white boy who were taken as captives after fights with the white people.

Many people will tell you that Methotasa was first a Mohawk, or from some other tribe before she was taken by, or traded to the Cherokee. But, Methotasa was not Native American at all. Methotasa, mother of Tecumseh, was born, Marguerite Mary Iaac. She was born between 1728 and 1737 in Hampshire Co. WV. Her parents were Frederick Iaac Jr. who was born about 1713 in Holland and died in Monongalia Co. WV. And Mary Galloway, born about 1690.

While Frederick and some men were out one day, many members of his family were attacked and killed by a band of indians. His wife Mary Galloway Iaac was among those found dead.

Some of the children were taken as captives, Marguerite Mary Iaac, who was between the age of 5 and 10, William Iaac, John Iaac, and Christina Iaac. Marguerite Mary Iaac ended up with the Cherokee, she may have been traded to them, or sold, or captured by them. It was told that she had flaming red hair and was very pretty. She spent many years with the Cherokee, but was taken captive by the Shawnee after a battle between the two tribes. Mary soon became a favorite in the eyes of the Shawnee Chief, Pucksinwah, and they were married. That is who Methotasa really was.

In book, Sorrow in my Heart, by Allan W. Eckert, I read a passage about Methotasa going to visit her family after she was very old. I always wondered who they meant. There was reference in the book to it being her Cherokee family, but that didn't make sense to me. The Iaac (ICE) family tell a story about a woman, Mary Iaac, who had been kidnapped by the Indians when she was a small child, and returned in her olden age to visit with the family. This was around 1825. Mary didn't stay with the family, she only came to visit before going back to her people.

In many books I have read about Tecumseh's family there is reference to him looking like a white man. In fact he looked so much like a white man that he was able to dress in white mans clothing and walk into their camps and towns without being noticed. There were many references to him being a very handsome man. No one ever photographed or painted a picture of Tecumseh while he was living. But later someone painted a portrait of him based on a photo that was taken of his nephew who looked nothing like him.

Tecumapease was married twice, Her first husband died before their son was born, and her second husband divorced her. At one time she took off with a french trader but Tecumseh went after her and forced her to go back to her people. If she married Rupe Collins she would have been in her late forties when this happened.

For anyone interested in knowing the history of The Shawnee, Tecumseh's family especially, Some of the most accurate books I've ever read are those written by Allan W. Eckert. Some titles are, "Sorrow in our Hearts, and The Frontiersmen." Supposedly the author came across documents that were written back during the time of Tecumseh's battles with the white men. This man knew that he was seeing history in the making and he lived among the Shawnee and white men, plus other native tribes.

He explained to the natives that he wanted to write down their version of this history, and he talked to the children of the famous Simon Kenton...The man died and left behind hundreds of documents. I have heard that Allan W. Eckert took these documents and made a serious of books from them without being bias toward any side. The two books that I mentioned are basically the same story, but "The Frontiersmen" is from the white mans point of view, and "Sorry in our Hearts" is from the red mans point of view..to be fair, the author made two books with both sides of the same story.

Ice's Ford was founded prior to 1769 by the brothers Andrew and Frederick Ice. It was an outpost located at the foot of the beautiful hundred mile long Cheat River Valley. It was a combination of a store, meeting house, drinking place and message center. ..a stopping point for traders, trappers, scouts and adventureres. William A. Galloway, Old Chillocothe (Xenia, 1934)

 In the book, The Frontiersmen, written by Allan W. Eckert........Chiksika, cheeksekah, or chiksekau, was also known as Pepquannahek, meaning gunshot. Methotasa, also Methotase and Methoatase, was not a Cherokee Indian.

Pucksinwah was about 26 when he met Methotaso. Pucksinwahs group attacked and defeated a large party of Cherokees at their village. Four Cherokee men and a dozen women and children were taken as captives. Amoung them was a slim and attractive girl of fifteen, who was captured by Oshashqua, Muskrat, the oldest member of their war party. He discovered her hiding in a pile of furs that war being bound into bundles for transport...this was Methotase...a Turtle laying her eggs in the Sand...Oshashqua was of the Peckuwe sept. and after their arrival., Methotase, as his captive was taken by him into his own village of Puqua Town..there she was officially adopted by Oshashqua and his wife...with this adoption she became part of the Kahgulaywilani...the turtle unsoma
Pucksinway made frequent trips to the Peckuwe town to see her. ...after she had been there a little over a year, he married her in 1755, Methotaso dies about 1788.

Rob Ice
Ice Family History
http://www.svic.net/robice/index.htm