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Tecumseh Material Culture

National Museum of the American Indian

NMAIProctorTomahawkPipe.jpg

Tomahawk pipe, gift from Henry Proctor to Tecumseh. Courtesy of the National Museum of the American Indian.

“Originally a gift from British Army officer Henry Proctor (ca. 1763-1822) to the Shawnee leader Tecumseh (1768-1813) in 1812 in recognition of their allied warfare against the U.S. during the War of 1812; subsequent collection history unknown; formerly in the collection of Joseph A. Imhof (1871-1955, Western artist); lent to MAI in 1930; donated to MAI by Imhof's widow, Sarah Imhof (1872-1966), in 1961.”

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British flag. Courtesy of the National Museum of the American Indian.

“Said to have been given to Tecumseh (Shawnee, 1768-1813) by the British circa 1812, and carried during the Battle of the Thames in 1812 by Sawa Benashe (probably Yellow Hawk/Othaawaapeelethee, Shawnee, ca. 1728-ca. 1820), and handed down in Yellow Hawk's family as an heirloom. Purchased by Milford G. Chandler (1889-1981) in 1942 and part of his collection until 1961 when it was presumably sold to MAI.”

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Belt with leather sheath. Courtesy of the National Museum of the American Indian.

“Said to have been given to Tecumseh when he was made a Brigadier General.  It was carried in the Battle of the Thames in 1812 by Sawa Benashe, (Yellow Hawk), and handed down as an heirloom.  It was purchased by the collector in 1942 from the Potawatomi heir, at Walpole Island.”

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Tomahawk pipe, obtained by General Russell. Courtesy of the National Museum of the American Indian.

"Said to belong to Tecumseh, Shawnee. Obtained at his death Oct. 5, 1812 by Gen. Russell, who gave it to his son Luther Russell, of Burton, Ohio. He gave it to his son E.E. Russell, of Canton, Ohio, who sold it to S.W. Cowles, of Hartford, Connecticut, in 1881."

Objects
National Museum of the American Indian