Huron / Wyandot Chiefs


1535
Donnacona – Chief at Stadacona.

1541
Acona – Chief at Stadacona.

1609
Ochastequin – Chief of the Arendarhonon Hurons at time of Champlain’s attack on the Iroquois.

1615
Atironta – One of several who had the name. Village chief of Arendarhonons at Cahiague’.

1620s
Onorotandi – Quieunonascaran was a town of the Attignawantan Hurons. Onorontandi (I believe) was a title only and that he was a war chief and not a civil chief.

1620s
Anenkhiondic – Chief of Attignawantan Hurons at Ossossane’.

1623
Auoindaon – Chief at Quieunonascaran.

1624
Atironta – Chief at Cahiague’. Possibly the same as in 1615, but not necessarily the same man.

1630
Aenons –  Chief of Attignawantan. May have succeeded Auoindaon or may have been the same man.

1635
Sangwati – Chief at Ihonatiria.

1635
Tsondechaouanouan – Council chief of Huron Confederacy.

1636
Taretand’ – Chief at Ihonatida.

1637
Taratouan – He was referred to only as a Huron chief and was killed by the Iroquois. He may have been a war chief.

1637
Ontitarac – Sachem of the Hurons per Francis Parkman.

1639
Oscouenrout – Chief of Attignawantan.

1640
Tsondakwa – Chief at Teanaostaia.

1642
Pierre Ondakion – Chief at Ossossane’.

1642
Barnabe’ Otsinonannhont – Chief at Scanonaenrat.

1642
Jean-Baptiste Atironta – Chief at Cahiague’.

1645
Pieskaret – Huron Chief who lead a war party.

1650
Pierre Ondakion – Chief of the Hurons in the vicinity of Quebec.

1653
Atsina – Chief of the Hurons at Three Rivers.

1656
Ignace Tsaouenhohouhi – Chief of the Hurons in the vicinity of Quebec and those from Three Rivers who joined in 1654.

1661
Kondiaronk – Sastaretsi (Grand Sachem) of the Wyandots and Hurons. He was in Wisconsin for a time and recognized by all bands as the leading man. Not before or since has there been such a universal recognition by all Wyandots and Hurons

1666
Pierre Atironta – Chief of Hurons near Quebec, but subservient to Kondiaronk.

1670
Taondechoren – Chief at Notre-Dame-De-Foy

1671
Tonsahoten – Chief at Saint-Francois-Xavier Mission.

1685-93
Ignace Stavinenholi – Chief at Lorette. Hurons are considering themselves separate from Wyandots in the west but continued to honor Kondiaronk who was in the vicinity of Michilimackinac.

1701
Kondiaronk – Died at Montreal.

1701
Grandson of Kondiaronk – There is some indication that Kondiaronk, who died in August, was succeeded by his grandson as Sastaretsi. The new Sastaretsi died later that same year.

1740
Nicolas Orontony – Chief at Sandusky Bay, but not Detroit.

1740
Ri-An-Tacha – A Wyandot chief at Detroit, probably not Sastaretsi.

1742
Tacharian – May not have been chief, but he was an influential Wyandot at Detroit and had been for over 40 years.

1747
Nicolas and Aniotin – Both referred to as Wyandot chiefs from Ohio when they visited the Wyandots at Detroit that year. The Sastaretsi was at Detroit or Flat Rock. One Detroit clan chief (Turtle) was named Saenswat.

1747
Taychatin – Chief at Detroit but second to the Sastaretsi for ceremonial functions. Taychatin was of the Wolf clan. Sastaretsi was of the Deer clan.

1747/50
Sastaretsi – Last full blood Wyandot chief of the ancient line of head chiefs. He died while at Quebec in August and was succeeded by another Wyandot who took the title.

1755
Cachawatcheka – Chief at an Ohio Wyandot town called Deonondady.

1755
Anastase – A Huron war chief from Lorette. He was the leader of all the Indians who opposed General Braddock, included the Wyandot, Huron, Ottawa, Ojibway and Miami.

1757
Tahaddy
Wyandot chief met with Sir William Johnson on Nov. 4th. He was probably from Detroit.

1759
Aghstaghregck – He was killed in battle at Niagara. Some referred to him as the Principal Chief, others as nephew of the Principal Chief.

1759
Diccatea – Lead a Wyandot delegation at a conference in Pittsburgh.

1761
Jacques Duperon Baby – A Wyandot of chieftain rank at Detroit named Odinghquanooron who took the name of a Frenchman whom he admired. Some reports referred to Baby as Principal Chief at Detroit.

1763
Takay – Chief of the Detroit Wyandots who favored joining Pontiac.

1763
Teata – Chief of the Detroit Wyandots who opposed joining Pontiac.

1763
Baby – Principal Chief at Detroit who first opposed Pontiac but eventually he and Teata joined.

1763
Sastaretsi – Opposed Pontiac but when most of the tribe came under threat he joined the Ottawas.

1764
Dowayetit – Principal Chief at Detroit.

1764
Big Jaw – Chief at Sandusky.

1766
Teata – He attended a very large council with Sir William Johnson at Oswego. Although he was not Principal Chief, he retained considerable influence.

1768
Adyughkannorwn – Listed as a Wyandot Chief from Sandusky.

1772
Babie or Baby – Charlevoix said he saw the young (a minor) Sastaretsi at Detroit. – Continued as Chief at Detroit.

1774
Chiyawee – A Wyandot Chief at battle of Point Pleasant. He was not Principal Chief, but influential. Signed the Treaty of Fort Harmar fifteen years later.

1775
Half King – Principal Chief at Upper Sandusky also named Pomoacan or Too-Dah-Re-Zhlea. Some say he and Da-Wat-Tong were the same man.

1778
Sastaretsi – Probably Da-Wat-Tong who lived near Detroit. Baby was probably Principal Chief at Detroit and Half King at Upper Sandusky.

1779
Bawbee or Baby – Continued on at Detroit. He may have been called Sarahass at times.

1779
Dooyantat – Principal Chief at Detroit. His name was also spelled Duentate.

1780
Zhau-Shoo-To – Probably a white man named Kuhn. He gained great reputation as a warrior and village chief, but never became chief of the Nation. He lived around Lower Sandusky. His family was later known as Coon, i.e., Maggie Coon.

Sept. 20, 1780
The Wyandots at Detroit ceded some land to Father Potier in appreciation of his many services and kindnesses. The deed was signed by six chiefs and leading men with the Wyandot seal affixed. The seal was in the form of a turtle with a cross on its back and a cross on its right flipper. The following Wyandots signed: Teguaguiratin, Dawaton (the Sastaretsi), Sindaton, Nonyacha, Sachetotach and Dewatonte (or Duentate).

Note that Half King did not sign and this is just one of several reasons I disagree with other Wyandot historians in that Pomoacan’s authority was great in Ohio, but at no time extended to the entire nation. If Half King and Da-Wat-Tong were the same man, second name above, Dawaton would be Half King.

1781
A bewildering number of Wyandots sat in council with British and other tribes. For example, the following names appear in the Council records and probably all refer to the same man: Sindaton, T’Sindatton, Sundinon, Semdinon, Cimrathon, etc.

1782
Doyantate – Principal chief also named Duentate, Dewatonte or Dawatong (the Sastaretsi). Deeded some land to Father Hubert for a new church. These are the same men who had been leading the nation. The spelling of their names continues to change in the records.

1788
Tarhe – When Half King died, the Wyandots chose Tarhe to replace him. Tarhe, a man of outstanding ability, was never in complete control of the Detroit Wyandots, although his influence did exceed that of his predecessor. The Sastaretsi continued to live at Detroit as did: Ta-Hou-Ne-Ha-Wie-Tie (Adam Brown), Mondoro (Mondoron), Dou-Yen-tet (Duentate), Walk-In-the-Water, William Walker, Sr., and others of importance.

Zhau-Shoo-To or Kuhn remained in Ohio and usually supported Tarhe. Shendete continued to live near Detroit and was Principal Chief there for a time more or less comparable to Tarhe’s position in Ohio. He was a much-respected tribal elder, sometimes referred to as Shandotto.

1789
Tawree – General Harmar referred to him as Chief of all the Wyandots and Delawares.

1791
Blind Chief – Village Chief at Brownstown and Dongnagon.

1812
Walk-In-The-Water – By this time there are three main settlements in the Detroit area, including the Canadian side of the river. The three village chiefs were: Walk-In-The-Water, Lame Hand and Splitlog, the brother of Round Head.

All acknowledged Tarhe as Titula, leader of the nation, but at the same times, each went their own way as in the War of 1812. By the end of the war, Warrow had emerged as village chief of the Canadian Wyandots. Isadore Chesne, who was part French, never achieved his ambition to lead the nation but was influential.

There were a lot of chiefs and would-be chiefs. Walk-In-The-Water was a steadying influence that usually supported Tarhe when he could.

1812
John Hicks – John is often called the last of the hereditary chiefs. He died in Kansas in 1853. Before moving to Kansas he lived in Ohio and served on Tarhe’s tribal council. There is no record that he or others ever considered himself to be the Sastaretsi.

There is some question of his being the “last.” See reference to his son Francis Hicks in 1838. John was also known as Donwattout. His father was a captive of German descent who had once lived in Maryland. John’s mother was Wyandot and it’s said she could trace her lineage back to the Tionontati. John was placed on the tribal council by Tarhe and continued under Da-Un-Quot.

1812
Mononcue – Other leading men at Upper Sandusky in those years were Mononcue, George Punch, Between-The-Logs and Matthew Peacock.

1812
Leather Lips – Lived near present day Columbus and Round Head was in process of moving to Gibraltar near Detroit.

1812
Isadore Chesne, also known as Shetoon, Chene or Chaine or Ha-Yane-Dac. – He made an effort to unite several tribes. Some say Isadore was Wyandot. I side with those who think he was Huron and even so, he was pretty much on his own lacking real strong support from Detroit, Upper Sandusky or Lorette. His father was French, his mother Indian, either Huron or Wyandot. He hoped to succeed Half King, but the tribe insisted on a full blood and chose Tarhe.

1813
Round Head – died. Although he was never chief of the nation, he had been a village chief. He was Tarhe’s war chief until he sided with British in the War of 1812. He and his brother, Splitlog, were among the finest warriors of their day. A third brother, John Battise, was killed in battle at Fort Meigs. They were 1/4 Delaware and 3/4 Wyandot.

1816
Da-Un-Quot – Tarhe died and was succeeded as Principal Chief by Da-Un-Quot; however, he was not officially installed until 1820. Although not yet installed he visited Washington DC on tribal business in 1817. He was accompanied by Scotash. Even then the Wyandots on the Canadian side of the Detroit River gave him lukewarm support. His name is sometimes spelled Da-Un-Qua-Et and Da-Un-Quod.

1816
Splitlog – Considered Principal Chief by the Canadian Wyandots at Amherstburg with a little over 100 Wyandots in the band.

1820

Some say the last full blood Wyandot died. His name was Yan-Nyah-Moh-Deh.

1828
Ron-Tun-Dee – When the Principal Chief died about 1825 the tribal council governed until a new form of government was formed with the first tribal elections being held in 1828. A Principal Chief and seven council members were elected. Ron-Tun-Dee was elected Principal Chief at Upper Sandusky. Approximately 525 Wyandots were at Upper Sandusky and Big Spring.

1828
Solomon Warrow – Chief at Amherstburg. Chief Isadore died and Solomon Warrow succeeded him.

1829

Gabriel Vincent or Wenwadahronhe was not a Chief. He was the last full blood Huron to die at Lorette.

1830
Francis WarrowChief Solomon Warrow died at Amherstburg. Francis Warrow succeeded him.

1832

Wyandots ceded Big Spring reserve on January 19. One of the leaders who signed was Bearskin.

1833
Warpole – Also known as Ron-Tun-Dee, elected Principal Chief.

1834
Henry Jacquis – Elected Principal Chief in January. Defeated Summundewat by 12 votes.

1835
Summundewat  – Elected Principal Chief in January at Upper Sandusky. There were about 575 Wyandots then in Ohio.

1835
Splitlog – Chief at Amherstburg.

1836
Tom Long – Principal Chief at Upper Sandusky.

1836
William Walker, Jr. – Chief Long died and William completed his term.

1837
John Barnett – Also known as Myme Hamkee is Principal Chief at Upper Sandusky.

1838
Francis A. Hicks – Principal Chief at Upper Sandusky. Some consider his father John to be the last of the hereditary chiefs as Francis was elected.

1838
Joseph White – Principal Chief at Amherstburg who was also known as Mondoron. He remained Principle Chief until his death in 1885.

1839
William Walker, Jr. – Principal Chief.

1840-41
Warpole – Principal Chief.

1842
Summundewat – Principal Chief. He was murdered in December by white men.

1843-44
Henry Jacquis – The last Principal Chief of the Wyandots in Ohio and the first Principal Chief in Kansas.

1844-45
Francis A. Hicks – Principal Chief.

1845-46
James Washington
Principal Chief also known as An-Daw-Yaw- Wa or Peacock.

1847
Henry Jacquis
Principal Chief.

1848
George I. Clarke
Principal Chief early in the year.

1848
Francis A. Hicks
Principal Chief late in the year.

1849
Tauromee
Principal Chief early in the year.

1849
George I. Clarke
Principal Chief late in the year.

1850s
The 1850s were a rather confusing series of years for the tribe and in some years as many as three men served as principal chief. It was always the same group of men; however, the acting chief was invariably one of the following: George I. Clarke, Tauromee, James Washington, Francis A. Hicks or John D. Brown.

1850-51
George I. Clarke
Principal Chief

1852
James Washington
Principal Chief until his death. At his death the Beaver Clan became extinct. He is said to have been related to Half King.

1853
John D. Brown
Principal Chief.

1853
Tauromee
Also known as John Hatt, served as Principal Chief or acting chief part of the year in addition to John D. Brown and Matthew Mudeater.

1854-55
Tauromee
Principal Chief.

1856
George I. Clarke
Principal Chief. Matthew Mudeater also served.

1857
Matthew Mudeater
Principal Chief

1858
George I. Clarke
Principal Chief died in office.

1858
Silas Armstrong
Completed the term of George I. Clarke upon his death.

1858-59
John Sarahess
Also known as Bearskin, he was elected Principal Chief in August.

1859-60
Matthew Mudeater
Elected Principal Chief late in the year.

1865
Silas Armstrong
Elected Principal Chief in August and died in December.

1868-70
Tauromee
Principal Chief. He died in office on January 15, 1870.

1870
John Kayrahoo
Served as acting chief after the death of Tauromee.

1870
John W. Greyeyes.
Principle Chief. The tribe was now at the Neosho Agency in Oklahoma.

1873
Thomas Punch
Principal Chief.

1875
Matthew Mudeater
Principal Chief.

1880
Irvin P. Long
Principal Chief. Also known as Ter-Ra-Tu-En. He was probably chief a number of years beginning around 1876.

1880-82
Nicholas Cotter
Elected Principal Chief late in 1880.

1882-83
Irvin P. Long
Elected Principal Chief late in 1882. He also served as chairman of the Intertribal Council consisting of the Wyandottes, Senecas, Ottawas, Shawnees, Peorias and Quapaws.

1886
James Clark
Chief of Anderdon Band near Detroit on the Canadian side of the Detroit River. James Clark visited Oklahoma on occasion.

1912
Silas Armstrong
Principal Chief. The second man to serve as chief with the name.

1936
Allen Johnson, Jr.
Principal Chief early in the year.

1936-42
Leonard N. Cotter
Elected Principal Chief late in 1936.

1944-47
Sam Long
Principal Chief.

1947
Mont Cotter
Became Principal Chief in November.

1948-54
Leonard N. Cotter
Principal Chief.

1953-62
Lawrence Zane
Principal Chief.

1963-76
Leonard N. Cotter
Principal Chief.

1976-78
Mont Cotter
Elected Principal Chief late in 1976.

1978-83
Phillip Peacock
Principal Chief

1983-2011
Leaford Bearskin
Elected Principal Chief in September of 1983. Leaford died on Nov. 9, 2012.

2011
Billy Friend
Assumed the office of Principal Chief on June 1, 2011 upon the retirement of Leaford Bearskin on May 31, 2011.

*Prepared By Charles Aubrey Buser in 1989
Wyandotte Nation (formerly the Huron Tribe)