13 Facts About Yonaguska

Yonaguska taught him Cherokee ways and, after Thomas became an attorney, he represented the tribe in negotiations with the federal government.

Yonaguska was born about 1759 in the Cherokee Lower Towns of present-day North Carolina and Georgia.

Yonaguska suffered from becoming addicted to alcohol as a young man.

In 1819 when he was 60 years old, Yonaguska became critically ill.

Yonaguska had a vision, which he told his people after recovering.

Yonaguska firmly resisted their efforts, declaring that the Cherokee were safer among their rocks and mountains, and belonged in their ancestral homeland.

At the time, Yonaguska was given 640 acres set aside in a bend of the river between Ela and Bryson City, including the ancient Mississippian culture site of Kituwa, which the Cherokee held sacred.

Yonaguska did not want to leave his homeland and face more removal pressure later.

Yonaguska insisted on hearing it read to him before allowing its circulation.

Yonaguska approved the distribution of the scriptures to his people.

In 1824 Yonaguska gathered the remaining Cherokee outside the new boundaries.

Shortly before his death in April 1839, Yonaguska was carried into the town house at Soco, where he gave a last talk to his people.

Yonaguska was buried beside Soco Creek, about a mile below the old Macedonia mission, with a mound of stones to mark the spot.