Everything about Gelelemend totally explained
Gelelemend (
1737–
1811), known to whites as
Killbuck or
John Killbuck Jr., was a
Delaware (Lenape) chief during the
American Revolutionary War. His name signifies "a leader."
Biography
Gelelemend was born near the
Lehigh River in
Pennsylvania, son of
Bemino (John Killbuck Sr.), a renowned war leader of the
French and Indian War, and grandson of
Netawatwees ("Newcomer"), principal chief of the Delaware.
At that time, Delaware Indians were members of one of three clans or
phratries: turtle, turkey, and wolf. Each division had its own chiefs, councilors, and war captains. The chief of the turtle phratry—the senior clan—served as principal chief of the tribe. In 1774,
White Eyes replaced the aged Netawatwees as principal chief, and Gelelemend served as councilor of the turtle clan. With White Eyes and
Captain Pipe (war captain of the wolf clan), Gelelemend signed a treaty with the
United States in 1778. After the death of White Eyes later that year, Gelelemend became principal chief.
However, the Delawares were deeply divided over how to respond to the war, and bands led by Pipe and
Buckongahelas broke away from the pro-American leadership of Gelelemend. By 1781, Gelelemend had been forced from power, and he turned against his own people, guiding Colonel
Daniel Brodhead in an expedition to destroy the Delaware capital of
Coshocton. With a few of his followers, Gelelemend returned with the Americans to
Fort Pitt. He had become a man without a country. He remained at Fort Pitt until 1785, always in fear for his life.
Long interested in
Christianity, Gelelemend joined the
Moravian mission at
Salem, Ohio in 1788. At the baptism ceremony, he took the name
William Henry, after a man who had rescued him during the French and Indian War. He was the most prominent convert in the
Christian Munsee community. Gelelemend died in
Goshen, Ohio in 1811.
Legacy
Many of Gelelemend's descendants used Henry as a middle name, including Katherine Henry Kilbuck, the daughter of
John Henry and Edith Kilbuck, in gratitude to Colonel Henry.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Gelelemend'.
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