The Three Cherokees, come over from the head of the River Savanna to London, 1762.

Dateca. 1765

Publisher George Bickham (1684 - 1758)

MediumBlack and white line engraving

DimensionsOH: 10 3/8" x OW: 13 1/2"; Plate H: 9 3/8" x W: 11 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1958-484,A

DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "The Three Cherokees, came over from the head of the River Savanna to London, 1762./ 1 Their Interpreter that was Poisoned./ 2 Outacite or Man-killer, who Sets up the War Whoop, as,/ (Woach Woach ha ha hoch Woach) with his Wampum./ 3 Austenaco of King, a great Warrior who has his Calumet or Pipe,/ by taking a Whiff of which, is their most Sacred emblem of Peace./ 4 Uschesees y.e Great Hunter, or Scalper, as the Character of a Warrior/ depends on the Number of Scalps, he has them without Number./ Sold in Mays Buildings Covent Garden, according to Act, by G. Bickham."
Label TextIn November 1761, Henry Timberlake, an ensign from Virginia, led a diplomatic journey down the Holston and up the Little Tennessee Rivers to the towns of the Overhill Cherokees. The remarkably accurate map Timberlake compiled was the first printed map of any part of Tennessee taken from an actual survey.

After spending three months with the Cherokees, Timberlake traveled to Williamsburg, accompanied by about seventy-two Indians. One of them approached Governor Francis Fauquier about going to London to meet the king. Eventually it was decided that three of the Cherokees, an interpreter, and Timberlake would make the journey.
ProvenanceSee folder for information on their journey; other paintings of same; and our acquisition of this rare print.

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