Society Hill in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Tribal Chieftains

Courtesy of Thomas P. Martin, July 28, 2021

1. Tribal Chieftains Marker

Inscription. In January of 1793 a delegation of tribal chieftains from what are now Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan arrived in Philadelphia, the U.S. capital. The Indians had been invited by President George Washington to a Peace Council to resolve boundary disputes in the newly-created Northwest Territory. No agreement was reached at this time and war followed. The Indians were defeated at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794.

Eight of the chieftains were stricken with smallpox and died between January and April. They were buried here in St. Peter’s Churchyard. Although their grave sites are unknown, they were entered into church records as follows:

LaGese, a chief of the Potowatamies on the Illinois River
Apautapea, a Penkeshaw War Chief
Bigigh Weautons, War Chief of the Wabash Nation
Barkskin, of the Penkeshaw Nation
Grand Joseph, Great Chief of the Weatons Nation
Wapeteet, War Chief of the Payughrya Nation
Toma, War Chief of the Pawaura Nation
Little Elk, an Indian Chief

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Native Americans. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1793.

Location. 39° 56.592′ N, 75° 8.892′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Society

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Hill. Marker is on Pine Street. The Tribal Chieftains marker is located on the grounds of St. Peter's Churchyard Cemetery which is in the rear of the Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 313 Pine St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Peter's Churchyard (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephen Decatur (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Peter's (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named St. Peter's Churchyard (within shouting distance of this marker); Ada Knowlton Chew (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Philip McCracken (within shouting distance of this marker); Beginning in 1764… (within shouting distance of this marker); Thaddeus Kosciuszko (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Commodore Stephen Decatur image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 26, 2011

2. Commodore Stephen Decatur

Commodore Stephen Decatur is also buried in St Peter's Churchyard Cemetery

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 26, 2011

3. Commodore Stephen Decatur

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 26, 2011

4. Tribal Chieftains Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 442 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 28, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 10, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.