Tammany
Tammany was a prominent leader of the Unami Delaware, also known as the Lenni Lenape, during the seventeenth century. While details of his life remain sparse and often intertwined with legend, he is historically noted for his welcoming gesture towards William Penn upon the latter's arrival in Pennsylvania. Tammany's name is associated with treaties from 1683, including one that facilitated the sale of land to Penn, and another signed in 1697, indicating his role in early land negotiations with European settlers. Throughout his life, he was recognized for his amicable relations with white settlers, which garnered him respect within the community. After his death, Tammany's legacy continued, inspiring the naming of various societies during the American Revolution, where he became a symbol of resistance against British colonial rule. Notably, the Society of St. Tammany, established in New York in 1789, evolved into a significant Democratic Party organization. Today, Tammany's historical impact is acknowledged in the context of early American history and Indigenous-European relations.
Subject Terms
Tammany
- Born: c. 1625
- Birthplace: Unknown
- Died: c. 1701
- Place of death: Unknown
Tribal affiliation: Lenni Lenape
Significance: Tammany sold the Delawares’ homeland to William Penn, who dubbed the land “Pennsylvania”
Tammany was a seventeenth century Unami Delaware (Lenni Lenape) leader. Little is known for certain about his life; fact and legend are probably inextricably linked. It is said that he greeted William Penn when Penn arrived in Pennsylvania. Tammany’s name appears on two 1683 treaties (one of which sold to William Penn the land between Neshaminy and Pennypack creeks), and on another signed in 1697. Tammany was apparently friendly toward whites throughout his life, and the white settlers respected him. Well after his death, a number of societies during the American Revolution (and after) were named for Tammany (nicknamed “Saint Tammany”), who came to symbolize resistance to British colonial rule. The Society of St. Tammany, founded in New York in 1789, eventually evolved into the Democratic Party organization in New York.