Peter Pitchlynn
Peter Perkins Pitchlynn | |
|---|---|
| Hatchootucknee | |
| Chief of the Choctaw Nation | |
| In office 1864–1866 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel Garland |
| Succeeded by | Allen Wright |
| Choctaw Delegate to the United States | |
| In office 1845–1861 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| In office 1867–1881 | |
| Preceded by | Vacant |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Smallwood |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Hatchootucknee January 30, 1806 Nakshobi, Choctaw Nation |
| Died | January 17, 1881 (aged 74) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Congressional Cemetery |
| Nationality | Choctaw |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | National Union (1864–1868) |
| Parent | John Pitchlynn |
| Relatives | Rhoda Pitchlynn Howell (sister) |
| Education | University of Nashville |
| Occupation |
|
| Known for | Defending Choctaw lands and monetary claims in Washington and promoting education of Choctaw youth |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Choctaw Nation |
| Branch/service | Lighthorse |
| Years of service | 1824–1881 |
| Rank | Colonel |
Peter Pitchlynn (Choctaw: Hatchootucknee, lit. 'Snapping Turtle') (January 30, 1806 – January 17, 1881) was a Choctaw military and political leader. A long-time diplomat between his tribe and the federal government, he served as principal chief of the Choctaw Republic from 1864 to 1866 and surrendered to the Union on behalf of the nation at the end of the Civil War.
Educated both in Choctaw culture and American schools, in 1825 Pitchlynn helped found the Choctaw Academy in Kentucky and later served as its superintendent. He also worked to reduce the sale of alcohol in their territory. After joining his people on the forced removal to Indian Territory in the 1830s, he was appointed by the National Council in 1845 as the Choctaw Delegate (akin to an ambassadorship) to Washington. At the time, the Nation was proposing to be recognized by the US Congress as a territory.
After the war, Pitchlynn returned to Washington, D.C., to represent Choctaw interests and work for concessions from the government for the Choctaw lands sold under pressure to the United States in 1830 during Indian removal. He died in Washington, D.C., and is buried there.