In addition to a rich history of their own people, the Potawatomi are mentioned in early French records, which suggest that in the early 17th century, they lived in what is now southwestern
Michigan. During the
Beaver Wars they fled to the area around
Green Bay to escape attacks by both the
Iroquois and the
Neutral Confederacy, who were seeking expanded hunting grounds. It is estimated that the Potawatomi numbered around 3,000 in 1658. As an important part of
Tecumseh's Confederacy, Potawatomi warriors took part in
Tecumseh's War and the
War of 1812. Their alliances switched repeatedly between
United Kingdom and the United States as power relations shifted between the nations, and they calculated effects on their trade and land interests. At the time of the War of 1812, a band of Potawatomi inhabited the area near
Fort Dearborn, where
Chicago developed. Led by the chiefs Blackbird and Nuscotomeg (Mad Sturgeon), a force of about 500 warriors attacked the United States evacuation column leaving Fort Dearborn. They killed most of the civilians and 54 of Captain
Nathan Heald's force, and wounded many others.
George Ronan, the first graduate of
West Point to be killed in combat, died in this ambush. The incident is referred to as the
Battle of Fort Dearborn. A Potawatomi chief named
Mucktypoke (, Black Partridge), counseled his fellow warriors against the attack. Later he saved some of the civilian captives who were being ransomed by the Potawatomi.
French period (1615–1763) The
French period of contact began with early explorers who reached the Potawatomi in western Michigan. They also found the tribe located along the
Door Peninsula of Wisconsin. By the end of the French period, the Potawatomi had begun a move to the
Detroit area, leaving the large communities in Wisconsin. • Mukatapenaise, a.k.a.
Black Partridge ( "Blackbird") 19th century • Notawkah Many Potawatomi found ways to remain, primarily those in Michigan. Others fled to their
Odawa neighbors or to Canada to avoid removal to the west. •
Iowa,
Wabash River •
Maumksuck (, "Big Foot") at
Lake Geneva •
Mecosta (, "Having a Bear's Foot") •
Chief Menominee (1791?–1841) Twin Lakes of Marshall County •
Pamtipee of Nottawasippi •
Mackahtamoah (, "Black Wolf") of Nottawasippi •
Pashpoho of
Yellow River near
Rochester, Indiana •
Pepinawah •
Leopold Pokagon (–1841) •
Simon Pokagon (–1899) •
Shupshewahno (19th century – 1841) or (Vision of a Lion) at
Shipshewana Lake. •
Topinbee (The Younger) on the
St. Joseph River •
Wabanim (, "White Dog") on the
Iroquois River • (Snapping Turtle) on the
Iroquois River •
Wanatah •
Weesionas (see Ashkum) •
Wewesh ==Bands==