Tishomingo (Chickasaw leader)
# Tishomingo (Chickasaw leader)

Tishomingo (from Chickasaw: Tishu Minco, lit. 'warrior chief'); c. 1735 – c. 1837), also known as Tishominko, was chief of the Chickasaw nation until his death, c. 1837.

## Early life and military service

Tishomingo was born c. 1735 in Mississippi. He served with U.S. Army Major-General Anthony Wayne against the Shawnee in Northwest Territory and received a silver medal from President George Washington. He led by example and was respected for his honesty and high moral standards, serving with distinction at Fallen Timbers, in the Red Stick War with the Creeks, and the War of 1812. During the War of 1812, Tishomingo served under future president Andrew Jackson.

## Later life and "Trail of Tears"

After the War of 1812, Tishomingo retired to his farm until white settlers came onto his land. He traveled to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., and was a principal signatory of the treaties of 1816 and 1818 as well as the 1832 Treaty of Pontotoc. In 1837, a final treaty forced him and his family to relocate to Indian Territory.

Another account states, according to Tishomingo's son Richard, Tishomingo died c. 1838 on Brushy Creek, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory on the same day his wife named "U Kuth Le Ya" died. This was during the time both Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes resided together in Indian Territory. Both Tishomingo and his wife's burial was witnessed by two Chickasaw Warriors who served with Tishomingo in the War of 1812 and gave their testimony attesting to this fact to the Indian Agent Douglas H. Cooper on September 27, 1859 in accordance with the requirements of a Bounty Land Application of Tishomingo's son Richard.

Chief Tishomingo was reported to have had a Lithotomy or kidney stone operation March 25, 1821 in Columbus, Mississippi performed by Dr. Henderson and Dr. Barry. The article stated, "The patient is supposed to be in his 63d year." This would place his birth approximately in the year 1758.

## Legacy

The county of Tishomingo, town of Tishomingo, and Tishomingo park in Mississippi; and the capital of Tishomingo in the Chickasaw Nation are named for him.

