Individual Details

Mekinges and its other spellings, is a variation of the Lenape word Macunchis, meaning "Last Born," that is, "the Youngest". Her English name is Elizabeth (possibly Ketchum). She was born after 1780. Some have said that Mekinges may have been the daughter of Chief William Anderson, but there is evidence to the contrary and nothing to support the Anderson connection. (See end notes 1 and 2 for a further discussion of her ancestry). In any event, she grew up in Chief Anderson's home on the White River in Indiana on the lands reserved to the Delaware.1 Mekinges's mother was Ahkechelungunaqua. Her mother is said to have been the sister of Mehshayquowha (Captain Patterson) and the widow of Twehullalla or Tweehulala (George Ketchum). William Anderson married second Ahkechelungunaqua who brought with her two sons, Lapahnihe (Big Bear) Ketchum and Queshatowha (John Ketchum), and a daughter, Aukeelenqua ( Nancy Ketchum).2

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KIKTHAWENUND--William Anderson is the English name for Delaware Chief KikThaWeNund, also spelled as Kechkawhanund, Kechlawwhenind, Kithteellund, and Kithtuwhelund, all of whom may be the same person. He was born in the 1740s in Anderson's Ferry (present Marietta) Pennsylvania. His father was a Swedish trader and his mother was a Delaware, the daughter of Delaware Tribal Chief Netawatwees. During the Revolutionary War, Anderson sided with pro-American, Chief White Eyes. After the war, when Anderson was the chief of the Turkey Clan, the Delaware made an arrangement with the Miami to settle on their land along the White River in present Indiana, Chief Anderson settled in a small village in what is now Anderson in a two-story log house. Kikthawenund was an important leader who helped keep the Delaware out of the uprising led by the Shawnee Prophet and his brother. In 1818, he signed the Treaty of St. Mary's for the Delaware and made his preparations for relocation. He was with the tribe on their journey to Kansas and spent much of his life trying to negotiate a better settlement for the Delaware. Chief Anderson had four known sons and daughters. According to some, his daughter Mekingis married William Conner, a white trader, and had six children by him. [We are seeking the proof for that. Editor]. Conner decided to remain behind in Indiana when his wife and six children left with the tribes to receive their land in the west. Although he re-married a white woman three months later while Mekingis was still in Indiana, her reportedly paid her a fair price for her Indian lands in Indiana, gave half of his money and a large number of horses. A missionary in 1823 described Anderson as "a very dignified man in character and appearance, upward of six feet tall, well proportioned, a man of great benevolence and power, of excellent understanding, but not a public speaker." [To be continued.] For more detailed information, see Ruby Cranor, KIK-Tha-We-Nund, The Delaware Chief. (Based on an article in the Conner Prairie web site http://www.connerprairie.org/cp/connbiol.html ) Researcher: Tom Swiftwater Hahn

Another version of the life of Kikthawenund or Chief William Anderson has been provided by Laurence D. Heady:


Kikthawenund or Chief William Anderson was principal chief of the Delaware Nation during the period of our "Diaspora" from Pennsylvania to Ohio and Indiana, or the Northwest Territory, and finally to the Trans-Mississippi-Missouri and Kansas. Kikthawenund was born in the 1740s in Anderson's Ferry (now Marietta). Pennsylvania. His mother was a daughter of the Delaware's principal chief Netaawatwees and his father was the Swedish Indian trader John Anderson, of the Susquehanna country. Throughout his life, went by both his Lenape name and his father's name. Not much is known about his early life, but he was much influenced by his grandfather [Netaawatwees] with whom he spent much of his time. Tribal strife during the Revolutionary War divided the Delaware. Kikthawenund sided with Wicocalind, who was pro-American. After the war, increasing white settlement in Pennsylvania drove the tribe west. The Delaware struck a bargain with the Miami to settle some of their territory and Kikthawenund (by then the Head Chief of the Turkey Clan of the Unami Delaware) and his tribe settled in several villages along the White River [in Indiana]. Kikthawenund himself settled in a small village located in what is now downtown Anderson, Indiana. During the uprising of Tecumseh and his brother The Prophet, he kept his tribe out of war. In 1818, he sign the Treaty Of St. Mary's for the Delaware and reluctantly prepared to be relocated. The tribe left Indiana and had a troubled journey to Kansas, where they settled briefly [ about thirty five years] before the final removal to Indian Territory. He spent most of the rest of his life trying to negotiate a better settlement for our people. Kikthawenund had four known sons and one daughter. His sons became famous scouts and guides for the western-bound wagon trains. His daughter, Mekingees, was born of his union with his second wife, Achechelungunaqua, the daughter of Chief Captain Patterson. Mekinges, also known as Elizabeth Anderson, married William Conner, a white trader, and had six children by him. When the Delaware left Indiana, Conner decided that his wife and children should go to receive their land in the West, but that he would stay. He re-married (to a white woman) before Mekinges left Indiana, but otherwise was fair to her, giving her half his money and a large group of horses. He also bought the family's Indian lands, and gave a fair price for them. A missionary who met Kikthawenund described him as "A very dignified man in character and appearance, upward of six feet tall, well proportioned, a man of great benevolence and power, of excellent understanding, but not a public speaker." He was probably a wise businessman as well. When the Moravian missionaries living in the Anderson area lefty after a five-year residence, the Chief charged them "one young ox, three hogs and a table made from the wood of the place," as rent before he would allow them to go. In Indiana, romantic legends abound about Chief Anderson. It is told that he died there, by riding his pony off a high bluff into the White River. Another story credits him with a second daughter who also married a trader and who stayed in Indiana when the tribe left. Kikthawhenund is said to have returned to visit her and to have died during the visit. In the 1890's, when the Anderson Hotel was being built, a skeleton was found which many locals were convinced belonged to him. However, tribal historians record that he died 1831 in the tribe's new home in Missouri. (Laurence "Larry" D. Heady, a descendant of Kikthawhenund, is a Member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians. He lives in Minnesota. Any comments regarding this entry should be sent to him, lenapelh@hotmail.com, with a copy to the Editor swiftwater@lenapedelawarehistory.net) [There is as yet no proof of where he was buried. Editor]

* * *

Died: William Anderson, aged head chief of the Delaware nation, in the latter part of September, 1832 at his home on the Delaware reserve, present Wyandotte county. He had been a Kansas resident less than one year. Though Anderson had some white blood, according to Missionary Johston Lykins, he had "shewed but little disposition to embrace [ white man's] manners and customs."
The chief's deah (possibly from the then-prevalent smallpox) occurred after September 22 1832 on wich date Anderson wrote a letter in which he made mention of his four sons: Captains Shounack ( Shawanock ), Pushkies, Secondyan (Secondine ), and Sacacoxy ( Sarcoxie ).

At a later time " Secondine " was the name of a Wyandotte county post office ( from 1856-1859) " Sarcoxie " was the name of a Jefferson county post office ( from 1889-1901 ). (The Kansas Historical Quarterly Summer 1962.

-- MERGED NOTE ------------

Mekinges and its other spellings, is a variation of the Lenape word Macunchis, meaning "Last Born," that is, "the Youngest". Her English name is Elizabeth (possibly Ketchum). She was born after 1780. Some have said that Mekinges may have been the daughter of Chief William Anderson, but there is evidence to the contrary and nothing to support the Anderson connection. (See end notes 1 and 2 for a further discussion of her ancestry). In any event, she grew up in Chief Anderson's home on the White River in Indiana on the lands reserved to the Delaware.1 Mekinges's mother was Ahkechelungunaqua. Her mother is said to have been the sister of Mehshayquowha (Captain Patterson) and the widow of Twehullalla or Tweehulala (George Ketchum). William Anderson married second Ahkechelungunaqua who brought with her two sons, Lapahnihe (Big Bear) Ketchum and Queshatowha (John Ketchum), and a daughter, Aukeelenqua ( Nancy Ketchum).2

http://lenapedelawarehistory.net/mirror/bio_m.htm

KIKTHAWENUND--William Anderson is the English name for Delaware Chief KikThaWeNund, also spelled as Kechkawhanund, Kechlawwhenind, Kithteellund, and Kithtuwhelund, all of whom may be the same person. He was born in the 1740s in Anderson's Ferry (present Marietta) Pennsylvania. His father was a Swedish trader and his mother was a Delaware, the daughter of Delaware Tribal Chief Netawatwees. During the Revolutionary War, Anderson sided with pro-American, Chief White Eyes. After the war, when Anderson was the chief of the Turkey Clan, the Delaware made an arrangement with the Miami to settle on their land along the White River in present Indiana, Chief Anderson settled in a small village in what is now Anderson in a two-story log house. Kikthawenund was an important leader who helped keep the Delaware out of the uprising led by the Shawnee Prophet and his brother. In 1818, he signed the Treaty of St. Mary's for the Delaware and made his preparations for relocation. He was with the tribe on their journey to Kansas and spent much of his life trying to negotiate a better settlement for the Delaware. Chief Anderson had four known sons and daughters. According to some, his daughter Mekingis married William Conner, a white trader, and had six children by him. [We are seeking the proof for that. Editor]. Conner decided to remain behind in Indiana when his wife and six children left with the tribes to receive their land in the west. Although he re-married a white woman three months later while Mekingis was still in Indiana, her reportedly paid her a fair price for her Indian lands in Indiana, gave half of his money and a large number of horses. A missionary in 1823 described Anderson as "a very dignified man in character and appearance, upward of six feet tall, well proportioned, a man of great benevolence and power, of excellent understanding, but not a public speaker." [To be continued.] For more detailed information, see Ruby Cranor, KIK-Tha-We-Nund, The Delaware Chief. (Based on an article in the Conner Prairie web site http://www.connerprairie.org/cp/connbiol.html ) Researcher: Tom Swiftwater Hahn

Another version of the life of Kikthawenund or Chief William Anderson has been provided by Laurence D. Heady:


Kikthawenund or Chief William Anderson was principal chief of the Delaware Nation during the period of our "Diaspora" from Pennsylvania to Ohio and Indiana, or the Northwest Territory, and finally to the Trans-Mississippi-Missouri and Kansas. Kikthawenund was born in the 1740s in Anderson's Ferry (now Marietta). Pennsylvania. His mother was a daughter of the Delaware's principal chief Netaawatwees and his father was the Swedish Indian trader John Anderson, of the Susquehanna country. Throughout his life, went by both his Lenape name and his father's name. Not much is known about his early life, but he was much influenced by his grandfather [Netaawatwees] with whom he spent much of his time. Tribal strife during the Revolutionary War divided the Delaware. Kikthawenund sided with Wicocalind, who was pro-American. After the war, increasing white settlement in Pennsylvania drove the tribe west. The Delaware struck a bargain with the Miami to settle some of their territory and Kikthawenund (by then the Head Chief of the Turkey Clan of the Unami Delaware) and his tribe settled in several villages along the White River [in Indiana]. Kikthawenund himself settled in a small village located in what is now downtown Anderson, Indiana. During the uprising of Tecumseh and his brother The Prophet, he kept his tribe out of war. In 1818, he sign the Treaty Of St. Mary's for the Delaware and reluctantly prepared to be relocated. The tribe left Indiana and had a troubled journey to Kansas, where they settled briefly [ about thirty five years] before the final removal to Indian Territory. He spent most of the rest of his life trying to negotiate a better settlement for our people. Kikthawenund had four known sons and one daughter. His sons became famous scouts and guides for the western-bound wagon trains. His daughter, Mekingees, was born of his union with his second wife, Achechelungunaqua, the daughter of Chief Captain Patterson. Mekinges, also known as Elizabeth Anderson, married William Conner, a white trader, and had six children by him. When the Delaware left Indiana, Conner decided that his wife and children should go to receive their land in the West, but that he would stay. He re-married (to a white woman) before Mekinges left Indiana, but otherwise was fair to her, giving her half his money and a large group of horses. He also bought the family's Indian lands, and gave a fair price for them. A missionary who met Kikthawenund described him as "A very dignified man in character and appearance, upward of six feet tall, well proportioned, a man of great benevolence and power, of excellent understanding, but not a public speaker." He was probably a wise businessman as well. When the Moravian missionaries living in the Anderson area lefty after a five-year residence, the Chief charged them "one young ox, three hogs and a table made from the wood of the place," as rent before he would allow them to go. In Indiana, romantic legends abound about Chief Anderson. It is told that he died there, by riding his pony off a high bluff into the White River. Another story credits him with a second daughter who also married a trader and who stayed in Indiana when the tribe left. Kikthawhenund is said to have returned to visit her and to have died during the visit. In the 1890's, when the Anderson Hotel was being built, a skeleton was found which many locals were convinced belonged to him. However, tribal historians record that he died 1831 in the tribe's new home in Missouri. (Laurence "Larry" D. Heady, a descendant of Kikthawhenund, is a Member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians. He lives in Minnesota. Any comments regarding this entry should be sent to him, lenapelh@hotmail.com, with a copy to the Editor swiftwater@lenapedelawarehistory.net) [There is as yet no proof of where he was buried. Editor]

* * *

Died: William Anderson, aged head chief of the Delaware nation, in the latter part of September, 1832 at his home on the Delaware reserve, present Wyandotte county. He had been a Kansas resident less than one year. Though Anderson had some white blood, according to Missionary Johston Lykins, he had "shewed but little disposition to embrace [ white man's] manners and customs."
The chief's deah (possibly from the then-prevalent smallpox) occurred after September 22 1832 on wich date Anderson wrote a letter in which he made mention of his four sons: Captains Shounack ( Shawanock ), Pushkies, Secondyan (Secondine ), and Sacacoxy ( Sarcoxie ).

At a later time " Secondine " was the name of a Wyandotte county post office ( from 1856-1859) " Sarcoxie " was the name of a Jefferson county post office ( from 1889-1901 ). (The Kansas Historical Quarterly Summer 1962.

-- MERGED NOTE ------------

Mekinges and its other spellings, is a variation of the Lenape word Macunchis, meaning "Last Born," that is, "the Youngest". Her English name is Elizabeth (possibly Ketchum). She was born after 1780. Some have said that Mekinges may have been the daughter of Chief William Anderson, but there is evidence to the contrary and nothing to support the Anderson connection. (See end notes 1 and 2 for a further discussion of her ancestry). In any event, she grew up in Chief Anderson's home on the White River in Indiana on the lands reserved to the Delaware.1 Mekinges's mother was Ahkechelungunaqua. Her mother is said to have been the sister of Mehshayquowha (Captain Patterson) and the widow of Twehullalla or Tweehulala (George Ketchum). William Anderson married second Ahkechelungunaqua who brought with her two sons, Lapahnihe (Big Bear) Ketchum and Queshatowha (John Ketchum), and a daughter, Aukeelenqua ( Nancy Ketchum).2

http://lenapedelawarehistory.net/mirror/bio_m.htm

KIKTHAWENUND--William Anderson is the English name for Delaware Chief KikThaWeNund, also spelled as Kechkawhanund, Kechlawwhenind, Kithteellund, and Kithtuwhelund, all of whom may be the same person. He was born in the 1740s in Anderson's Ferry (present Marietta) Pennsylvania. His father was a Swedish trader and his mother was a Delaware, the daughter of Delaware Tribal Chief Netawatwees. During the Revolutionary War, Anderson sided with pro-American, Chief White Eyes. After the war, when Anderson was the chief of the Turkey Clan, the Delaware made an arrangement with the Miami to settle on their land along the White River in present Indiana, Chief Anderson settled in a small village in what is now Anderson in a two-story log house. Kikthawenund was an important leader who helped keep the Delaware out of the uprising led by the Shawnee Prophet and his brother. In 1818, he signed the Treaty of St. Mary's for the Delaware and made his preparations for relocation. He was with the tribe on their journey to Kansas and spent much of his life trying to negotiate a better settlement for the Delaware. Chief Anderson had four known sons and daughters. According to some, his daughter Mekingis married William Conner, a white trader, and had six children by him. [We are seeking the proof for that. Editor]. Conner decided to remain behind in Indiana when his wife and six children left with the tribes to receive their land in the west. Although he re-married a white woman three months later while Mekingis was still in Indiana, her reportedly paid her a fair price for her Indian lands in Indiana, gave half of his money and a large number of horses. A missionary in 1823 described Anderson as "a very dignified man in character and appearance, upward of six feet tall, well proportioned, a man of great benevolence and power, of excellent understanding, but not a public speaker." [To be continued.] For more detailed information, see Ruby Cranor, KIK-Tha-We-Nund, The Delaware Chief. (Based on an article in the Conner Prairie web site http://www.connerprairie.org/cp/connbiol.html ) Researcher: Tom Swiftwater Hahn

Another version of the life of Kikthawenund or Chief William Anderson has been provided by Laurence D. Heady:


Kikthawenund or Chief William Anderson was principal chief of the Delaware Nation during the period of our "Diaspora" from Pennsylvania to Ohio and Indiana, or the Northwest Territory, and finally to the Trans-Mississippi-Missouri and Kansas. Kikthawenund was born in the 1740s in Anderson's Ferry (now Marietta). Pennsylvania. His mother was a daughter of the Delaware's principal chief Netaawatwees and his father was the Swedish Indian trader John Anderson, of the Susquehanna country. Throughout his life, went by both his Lenape name and his father's name. Not much is known about his early life, but he was much influenced by his grandfather [Netaawatwees] with whom he spent much of his time. Tribal strife during the Revolutionary War divided the Delaware. Kikthawenund sided with Wicocalind, who was pro-American. After the war, increasing white settlement in Pennsylvania drove the tribe west. The Delaware struck a bargain with the Miami to settle some of their territory and Kikthawenund (by then the Head Chief of the Turkey Clan of the Unami Delaware) and his tribe settled in several villages along the White River [in Indiana]. Kikthawenund himself settled in a small village located in what is now downtown Anderson, Indiana. During the uprising of Tecumseh and his brother The Prophet, he kept his tribe out of war. In 1818, he sign the Treaty Of St. Mary's for the Delaware and reluctantly prepared to be relocated. The tribe left Indiana and had a troubled journey to Kansas, where they settled briefly [ about thirty five years] before the final removal to Indian Territory. He spent most of the rest of his life trying to negotiate a better settlement for our people. Kikthawenund had four known sons and one daughter. His sons became famous scouts and guides for the western-bound wagon trains. His daughter, Mekingees, was born of his union with his second wife, Achechelungunaqua, the daughter of Chief Captain Patterson. Mekinges, also known as Elizabeth Anderson, married William Conner, a white trader, and had six children by him. When the Delaware left Indiana, Conner decided that his wife and children should go to receive their land in the West, but that he would stay. He re-married (to a white woman) before Mekinges left Indiana, but otherwise was fair to her, giving her half his money and a large group of horses. He also bought the family's Indian lands, and gave a fair price for them. A missionary who met Kikthawenund described him as "A very dignified man in character and appearance, upward of six feet tall, well proportioned, a man of great benevolence and power, of excellent understanding, but not a public speaker." He was probably a wise businessman as well. When the Moravian missionaries living in the Anderson area lefty after a five-year residence, the Chief charged them "one young ox, three hogs and a table made from the wood of the place," as rent before he would allow them to go. In Indiana, romantic legends abound about Chief Anderson. It is told that he died there, by riding his pony off a high bluff into the White River. Another story credits him with a second daughter who also married a trader and who stayed in Indiana when the tribe left. Kikthawhenund is said to have returned to visit her and to have died during the visit. In the 1890's, when the Anderson Hotel was being built, a skeleton was found which many locals were convinced belonged to him. However, tribal historians record that he died 1831 in the tribe's new home in Missouri. (Laurence "Larry" D. Heady, a descendant of Kikthawhenund, is a Member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians. He lives in Minnesota. Any comments regarding this entry should be sent to him, lenapelh@hotmail.com, with a copy to the Editor swiftwater@lenapedelawarehistory.net) [There is as yet no proof of where he was buried. Editor]

* * *

Died: William Anderson, aged head chief of the Delaware nation, in the latter part of September, 1832 at his home on the Delaware reserve, present Wyandotte county. He had been a Kansas resident less than one year. Though Anderson had some white blood, according to Missionary Johston Lykins, he had "shewed but little disposition to embrace [ white man's] manners and customs."
The chief's deah (possibly from the then-prevalent smallpox) occurred after September 22 1832 on wich date Anderson wrote a letter in which he made mention of his four sons: Captains Shounack ( Shawanock ), Pushkies, Secondyan (Secondine ), and Sacacoxy ( Sarcoxie ).

At a later time " Secondine " was the name of a Wyandotte county post office ( from 1856-1859) " Sarcoxie " was the name of a Jefferson county post office ( from 1889-1901 ). (The Kansas Historical Quarterly Summer 1962.

Birth	Abt 1747	Anderson's Ferry, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
Marriage	1810	Ahkechlungunaqua Nyeswanan Killbuck
Death	22 Sep 1831	Wyandotte, Kansas, United States
Alt name		William X. "Making A. Cracking Noise" Chief "Kik Tha We Nund" Anderson
Alt name		Kik Tha We Nund
Alt name		White Eyes
Burial		White Church Cemetery, Kansas City, Wyandott, Kansas, United States
Burial		White Church Cemetery, Kansas City, Wyandott, Kansas, United States

Spouse	Ahkechlungunaqua Nyeswanan Killbuck (1760 - 1831)
Child	Swan Nuck Anderson (1777 - 1841)
Child	Machingwe Pooshies Anderson (1780 - 1832)
Child	Secondyan Anderson (1782 - )
Child	O- Ne- Hye Anderson (1783 - )
Child	John "Sarcoxie" Anderson (1784 - 1867)
Child	Walks Straight Anderson (1785 - 1825)
Child	Absalom Anderson (1785 - )
Child	So Se Cum Anderson (1787 - 1824)
Child	Nancy Elizabeth Anderson (1788 - 1818)
Child	Mekinges Anderson (1783 - 1855)
Child	Rebecca Nancy Anderson (1814 - 1870)
Child	Stephen Anderson (1817 - 1895)

Father	John "Swedish Trader" Anderson (1720 - )
Mother	Netaawatwees "Newcomer" (1730 - )

Notes