Born as Nanyehi, Nancy Ward made her way into the world around 1738 in the Cherokee capital of Chota. Today, this location is known as Monroe County, Tennessee. His mother was often called "Tame Doe" and was the sister of Attakullakulla. Additionally, Nanyehi's mother was a member of the Wolf Clan, the most prominent of the seven Cherokee clans. His father was thought to be a Cherokee-Delaware man. War with European settlers and other tribes meant that every day brought a threat of violence during Nanyehi's childhood. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In 1751, Nanyehi married Kingfisher, a Cherokee of the Deer Clan. Nanyehi gave birth to two children, Fivekiller and Catherine. At the Battle of Taliwa against the Creeks in 1755, Nanyehi aided her husband by chewing the lead bullets of his rifle to make them more jagged so they could inflict more damage on the enemy. When her husband was killed in battle, she armed herself with his weapon and led her people to victory. At the age of eighteen she was given the title Ghighau, Beloved Woman. Being Beloved Woman gave her a lifelong voice in tribal councils because it was a very powerful position. She headed the Women's Council and was part of the Council of Chiefs. He also had prominent power over prisoners. In the late 1750s, Nanyehi married Bryant Ward, an English trader who had fought in the French and Indian War and settled with the Cherokee. Bryant Ward already had a wife, but because the Cherokee did not view marriage as a permanent institution, it caused few problems. That's when Nanyehi took the name Nancy Ward and learned English. They had a daughter they named Betsy. Eventually, Bryant Ward returned to South Carolina, where he lived the rest of his life with his European wife and family, but visits continued between Bryant and Nancy throughout their lives. Many of the settlers who moved across the mountains into Cherokee Territory knew and respected Nancy Ward. Ward is credited with secretly warning John Sevier and the Watauga Association of an impending attack by the Cherokee in July 1776. Nancy Ward exerted considerable influence on both the Cherokee and the white settlers and actively participated in the treaty negotiations. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay During the 1790s, he watched the Cherokee Nation undergo changes. The Indians began to utilize the commercial agricultural lifestyle of nearby settlers. He failed to convince the tribe to reject pressure from white settlers to sell their remaining lands. She was forced to move after the sale of tribal lands north of the Hiwassee River in 1819. She moved south and settled on the Ocoee River where she operated an inn until her death in 1822. Her grave is located in Benton, Tennessee. Nancy Ward is remembered not only as an important figure for the Cherokee people, but also as an advocate for women in American politics.
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