Sequoyah: Leader of the Cherokees

U.S. Landmark Books #65

by Alice Marriott

SEQUOYAH (c. 1770–1840), named in English 'George Gist' or 'George Guess', was a Cherokee silversmith. In 1821 he completed his independent creation of a Cherokee syllabary, making reading and in Cherokee possible. This was the only time in recorded history that a member of a non-literate people independently created an effective writing system. After seeing its worth, the people of the Cherokee Nation rapidly began to use his syllabary and officially adopted it in 1825. Thier literacy rate quickly surpassed that of surrounding European-American settlers. Sequoyah's heroic status has led to several competing accounts of his life that are speculative, contradictory, or fabricated. heir literacy rate quickly surpassed that of surrounding European-American settlers. Sequoyah's heroic status has led to several competing accounts of his life that are speculative, contradictory, or fabricated. His mother, Wut-teh, was known to be Cherokee, belonging to the Red Paint Clan. Mooney stated that she was the niece of a Cherokee chief. McKinney and Hall noted that she was a niece of chiefs who have been identified as the brothers Old Tassel and Doublehead. Since John Watts (also known as Young Tassel) was a nephew of the two chiefs, it is likely that Wut-teh and John Watts were siblings. Sources differ as to the identity of Sequoyah's father. Mooney and others suggested that he was possibly a fur trader, who would have been a man of some social status and financial backing Grant Foreman identified him as Nathaniel Gist, who later became a commissioned officer with the Continental Army associated withGeorge Washington. Josiah C. Nott claimed he was the "son of a Scotchman". In one Cherokee source, his father is said to be a half-blood and his grandfather a white man - Wikipedia....Fascinating and engrossing biography of this Cherokee leader, based on known accounts and written especially for young people. Text illustrations (some full page) by Bob Riger.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Biography

180 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1956

Reviews

[Bahman Bahman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sequoyah (c. 1770–1840), named in English 'George Gist' or 'George Guess', was a Cherokee silversmith. In 1821 he completed his independent creation of a Cherokee syllabary, making reading and in Cherokee possible. This was the only time in recorded history that a member of a non-literate people independently created an effective writing system. After seeing its worth, the people of the Cherokee Nation rapidly began to use his syllabary and officially adopted it in 1825. Thier literacy rate quickly surpassed that of surrounding European-American settlers. Sequoyah's heroic status has led to several competing accounts of his life that are speculative, contradictory, or fabricated. heir literacy rate quickly surpassed that of surrounding European-American settlers. Sequoyah's heroic status has led to several competing accounts of his life that are speculative, contradictory, or fabricated. His mother, Wut-teh, was known to be Cherokee, belonging to the Red Paint Clan. Mooney stated that she was the niece of a Cherokee chief. McKinney and Hall noted that she was a niece of chiefs who have been identified as the brothers Old Tassel and Doublehead. Since John Watts (also known as Young Tassel) was a nephew of the two chiefs, it is likely that Wut-teh and John Watts were siblings. Sources differ as to the identity of Sequoyah's father. Mooney and others suggested that he was possibly a fur trader, who would have been a man of some social status and financial backing Grant Foreman identified him as Nathaniel Gist, who later became a commissioned officer with the Continental Army associated withGeorge Washington. Josiah C. Nott claimed he was the "son of a Scotchman".

[Caleb Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an astounding tale of a man who pulled his illiterate language out of the air and put it on paper single-handedly. He was first awakened to this idea while fighting in the War of 1812 when he saw American soldiers reading letters from home on paper.

He again failed to provide for his family for years like Audabon, though, which led to his wife who did not value learning, to chase him out of the house. He eventually remarried, as did his wife. His daughter became the first Cherokee (himself excepted) to read. He predicted the Trail of Tears, and convinced his son to move out to Missouri with him before it happened.

[Lara Lleverino · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story of Sequoyah started off good then got really slow and then got good again. It almost seemed as if a different person wrote the middle section the style changed so much. The Story of Sequoyah was interesting if a bit tame after just having read about Osceala the Seminole War Chief. The Landmark series continues to be a great education in history I've never been exposed to in school.

[Jim D'Ambrosia · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better Landmark History books, about a person who should be more famous.

[Yaaresse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a bunch of the Landmark series books as a kid. Our school library had a huge collection of them, so I just made my way down the shelves. I remember enjoying them, but I was too young at the time to question the narrative or the quality of writing. I just liked reading biographies and histories, and there wasn't a lot of interesting non-fiction for kids at that time. Most of what did exist was either boring or more myth than fact. (And these do suffer from a bit of the latter.)

Would I read it to kids today? Nah. The whole "Great White Race has God-given right to take, kill, abuse, and exploit whatever and whoever in the name of making America Great" slant doesn't sit well. It never did; we just were too indoctrinated in it to know better 50+ years ago when these came out. I'm rating them on the memory of enjoyment alone, not on accuracy or how they would go over today. Fortunately, kids today have a lot better from which to choose.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of several heros of America books that I read growing up.
I ordered and read this specifically to review what went into how I got
to be me. Good for a balanced, non provocative view of history, insight
to individual points of view, a few bits of unusual word usage (non modern),
and an easy, enjoyable read done in one evening.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief introduction of the migration of native peoples to the north american continent. Then quickly moves to a biography of this man who created an alphabet and written for the Cherokees.

For a briefer version see the picture book by James Rumford, Sequoyah: The Cherokee Man Who Gave His People Writing.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really liked it!!