Moses Tunda Tatamy
Encyclopedia
Moses Tunda Tatamy or Tashawaylennahan was a Lenape
translator and guide.
He was born around 1690 in New Jersey
and was a translator and guide for the early settlers of New Jersey and Pennsylvania
in the early 18th century. He lived near what is now Stockertown, Pennsylvania
and Forks Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania
, north of Easton, Pennsylvania
in the Lehigh Valley, along the Delaware River
. He moved from New Jersey as early as 1733. The Lenape were displaced from their land by the Walking Purchase
, but on April 28, 1738 Tatamy was given 325 acres (1.3 km²) by John, Thomas and Richard Penn, the descendants of William Penn
. Worried that he would be displaced from his land, he formally purchased it in 1741 for 48 pounds, 16 shillings, and 5 pence. This made him the first native-born individual to make a formal purchase of land in Pennsylvania. After the Native Americans were forced to leave the Lehigh Valley, Tatamy petitioned the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania for the right to remain on his land. In 1745, Tatamy was the first Native American
baptized by David Brainerd
. He died in 1760 and around 1780, Tatamy's neighbors, Henry and Mattias Strechen, claimed the property, and transferred it to William Allen. Tatamy's widow was listed on the first United States Census, 1790
.
claimed the land once owned by Tatamy. At the time of the lawsuit, the parcel was occupied by Binney & Smith, the maker of Crayola
crayons, as well as 25 single-family homes. The tribes went to court to regain title to the land with the intention of opening a casino
.
Lenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
translator and guide.
He was born around 1690 in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and was a translator and guide for the early settlers of New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in the early 18th century. He lived near what is now Stockertown, Pennsylvania
Stockertown, Pennsylvania
Stockertown is a borough in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in the Lehigh Valley region of the state.The small borough contains large industries, such as, Hercules Cement, Polymer Products, and Praxair. The Borough is located within a 2-mile radius and provides...
and Forks Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania
Forks Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania
Forks Township is a township in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. Forks Township is located in the Lehigh Valley region of the state.The population of Forks Township was 8,419 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, north of Easton, Pennsylvania
Easton, Pennsylvania
Easton is a city in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 26,800 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Northampton County....
in the Lehigh Valley, along the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
. He moved from New Jersey as early as 1733. The Lenape were displaced from their land by the Walking Purchase
Walking Purchase
The Walking Purchase was a purported 1737 agreement between the Penn family, the proprietors of Pennsylvania, and the Lenape . By it the Penn family and proprietors claimed an area of 1,200,000 acres and forced the Lenape to vacate it...
, but on April 28, 1738 Tatamy was given 325 acres (1.3 km²) by John, Thomas and Richard Penn, the descendants of William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
. Worried that he would be displaced from his land, he formally purchased it in 1741 for 48 pounds, 16 shillings, and 5 pence. This made him the first native-born individual to make a formal purchase of land in Pennsylvania. After the Native Americans were forced to leave the Lehigh Valley, Tatamy petitioned the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania for the right to remain on his land. In 1745, Tatamy was the first Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
baptized by David Brainerd
David Brainerd
David Brainerd was an American missionary to the Native Americans who had a particularly fruitful ministry among the Delaware Indians of New Jersey. During his short life he was beset by many difficulties...
. He died in 1760 and around 1780, Tatamy's neighbors, Henry and Mattias Strechen, claimed the property, and transferred it to William Allen. Tatamy's widow was listed on the first United States Census, 1790
United States Census, 1790
The United States Census of 1790 was the first census conducted in the United States. It recorded the population of the United States as of Census Day, August 2, 1790, as mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the United States Constitution and applicable laws...
.
Casino
In 2003 two Delaware Indian tribes based in OklahomaOklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
claimed the land once owned by Tatamy. At the time of the lawsuit, the parcel was occupied by Binney & Smith, the maker of Crayola
Crayola
Crayola is a brand of artists' supplies manufactured by Crayola LLC, which was founded in 1885 as Binney & Smith. It is best known for its crayons...
crayons, as well as 25 single-family homes. The tribes went to court to regain title to the land with the intention of opening a casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
.