Primary information from Kathryn Forbes, Cherokee historian and Assistant Curator for Cherokee Profiles:

As with most Cherokee names, there was probably more than one man called Willenawah. James Hicks claims that Willenawah and Tistoe/Tiftow of Tannasee are the same man, but they can’t be. Tistoe went to England with Attakullakulla in 1730 and was already a chief, not a young man. Attakullakulla was the youngest of the group and he is believed to have been born about 1710. In addition, all of the men who went to England in 1730, except Attakullakulla were dead by 1760 and Willenawah was most certainly alive then.

Since he does not appear in records until the 1750’s it’s probable that he was born around 1715-1720, but there is no information whatsoever about his birth or parents. No known children. The only thing we know about his family is that Old Hop was an uncle (although this could just mean they were of the same clan).

Here are some references with dates:

Brown’s Old Frontiers:

• 1756 – speech by Old Hop (Kanagatoga/Standing Turkey) to Capt. Demere near Chota: “It is true that Willenawah and the Little Carpenter [Attakullakulla] are my nephews, but I do not know how they would behave.” [Old Hop was discussing who might take over when he passed away.] p. 67
• 1758 – signs letter to Gov. Lyttleton along with Old Hop, (Standing Turkey), and Attakullakulla (Little Carpenter) [also noted in Steele’s “The Cherokee”) p.87
• 1759 – Old Hop, Willenawah, and Little Carpenter (all from the Overhill towns) deliver white scalps taken in raids by men from the lower towns to Capt. Demere for burial pp 90-91
• 1760 – Willenawah and Standing Turkey [this is probably Old Hop’s other nephew, not Old Hop himself] lay siege to Fort Loudon after massacre of Cherokee hostages. P 95
• 1761 – December: Willenawah and Ostenaco [Judd’s Friend] refuse to attend peace talk at Charles Town p. 114
• 1775 – participated in Sycamore Shoals treaty (also noted in Steele) p. 4
• 1777 – Willenawah supports Dragging Canoe and the Chickamauga removal p. 164
• Brown, John P., ‘’Old Frontiers’’, Southern Publishers Inc., Kingsport, TN, 1938.

Timberlake’s Memoirs:

• Identifies Willenawa as the head man of Toqua on his map of the Overhill towns
• Describes siege of Fort Loudon: “… notwithstanding the express orders of Willinawah [directing Cherokee women to stop bringing supplies to their white partners]…” p. 35
• 1762 – “This was to give notice of the return of a party commanded by Willinawah, who went to war towards the Shawanese country some time after my arrival.” Timberlake recorded Willinawah’s account of the action. Pp. 45-47
• Timberlake, Henry. ‘’Memoirs of Lt. Henry Timberlake.’’ Ed. Duane King, Museum of the Cherokee Indian Press, Cherokee, N.C. 2007. p. 8

Corkran “The Cherokee Frontier 1740-1762”

Identifies Willinawah as headman of Toqua and cousin of the Little Carpenter (ref Indian Books of South Carolina, that is the records of the colony dealing with the Indian trade)

• 1751 -Present at meeting in Chota
• 1753 – Present at meeting in Chota
• 1758 - March - sent by Little Carpenter down Tennessee River to continue war on Ohio
• 1759 – winter: Tistoe of Keowee, Round O of Stecoe (Setticoe?), Oconostota of Tanase and Willinaway of Toquo constitute the peace faction during Little Carpenter’s absence
• 1760 – Willinawah accompanies Little Carpenter from Chota to Col. Byrd of VA, arriving at Byrd’s camp on Nov.1 (Journals of the Executive Council of VA)
• 1761 – “On August 21 the Little Carpenter set out for Fort Prince George with a delegation consisting of Oconostota’s brother, Williniwah, Old Hop’s son Cappy, Old Caesar, Moytoy of Hiwassie, the Raven of Tomatly, Half Breed Will of Nequassie, the Mankiller of Nequassee, and a large number of attendants.” Journal of Captain Christopher French

I find no further mention of Willenawah in any of these standard Cherokee history references after remarks concerning his support of Dragging Canoe. He was not a principal chief or a spokesman. His last major activity seems to be at Sycamore Shoals, although he is later identified as a supporter of Dragging Canoe. His death does not seem to be mentioned in the South Carolina or other records. Other than Old Hop’s statement that Willenawah was his nephew, there is no other mention of family of any kind.

Kathie Forbes

------------------------------------------------------

The English terms for Willenawah were Gray or Great Eagle. He was also called Tiftoya of Tenase. Sometimes called William The Eagle The Colonial Records of South Carolina, Documents Relating to Indian Affairs, 1750-1754, p100; Talk of the Head Men of Chotee and Tanacy (SCIB2-100) August 9, 1751; "Tifftoya of Tanassee (commonly called Willeeneewa) says he has been a head man this six years." Attended 1730, Delegation to King George II According to this source, (Cherokee Indian) Great Eagle attended a Delegation to King George II in 1730. He also went by the name of "Tifftoya of Tanassee". SOURCES: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/i/cJames-R-Hicks/BOOK-00 01/0025-001.html who has extracted much documentation from books such as Cherokee Tragedy; "Old Frontiers", by John P. Brown; Indian Countryman of Hiawassee; the Emmet Starr book on the Cherokee, and http://www.users.mis.net