Early Leaders
Before 1794, the Cherokee had no standing national government. Their structure was based on clans and towns, which had various leaders. The clans had functions within each town and the tribe. The towns appointed some leaders to represent the nation to British, sometimes French, and later American authorities. The range of aboriginal titles were usually translated into English as "chief." The term "emperor" is placed in quotes, since this title was created by Sir Alexander Cuming and was not accepted by the tribe as a whole.
- Outacite (d. 1729), peace chief, signed a 1720 treaty with Governor Nicholson, outacite is actually his title
- Charitey Hagey of Tugaloo (1716–1721)
- Long Warrior of Tanasi (1729–1730)
- Wrosetasetow, "emperor" of the Cherokees until 1730, real title was Ama-edohi or "water-goer", served as a trade commissioner
- Moytoy of Tellico, Ama-edohi, (d. 1741), declared "emperor" from 1730 until 1741, real title was Ama-edohi or "water-goer"
- Attakullakulla, Little Carpenter, Ada-gal'kala, Attacullaculla, Oukou-naka (1708/1711–1780), white peace chief from Echota recognized as principal chief by the British, or "president of the nation" from 1762 to 1778
- Amouskositte, Ammouskossittee, Amascossite, Ammonscossittee, Amosgasite, Dreadfulwater of Great Tellico (b. ca. 1728), served as "emperor" from 1741–1753, son of Moytoy
- Old Hop, Guhna-gadoga, Kanagatucko, Standing Turkey (1753–1756), war chief from Echota, either Ammouskossitte's uncle or father
- Moytoy of Citico, Amo-adaw-ehi, war chief during the Anglo-Cherokee War (1759–1761), nephew of the Moytoy of Tellico.
- Uka Ulah, Ukah Ulah (d. 1761), "emperor," nephew of Old Hop,
- Stalking Turkey, Cunne Shote, traveled to England in 1762 with Henry Timberlake
- Outacite of Keowee, Judd's Friend, Outacity, Outassite, Outacite, Outassatah, Wootasite, Wrosetasetow, Ostenaco, Outassete, Scyacust Ukah (ca. 1703–ca. 1780) traveled to England in 1762 with Henry Timberlake chief
- Oconostota, Ogan'sto', Groundhog Sausage (1712–1781), red war chief of Echota, served entire tribe from 1778–1785, Speaker of the National Assembly
- Savanukah of Chota (1781–1783)
- Old Tassel, Corntassel, Tassel, Kaiyatahee (d. 1788), peace chief from Echota, served from 1783–1788
- Raven of Chota, Colonah, war chief, nephew of Oconostota
- Little Turkey, served from 1788–1794
- opposed by Hanging Maw, Scolaguta, served 1788–1794
Read more about this topic: Principal Chiefs Of The Cherokee
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