Before Oglethorpe established Savannah, the coast of the Georgia area was the home of the Native American Tribe called the Yamacraws. They were led by the head of their tribe, Tomochichi. The moment Oglethorpe and English colonists came to the area in the month of February 1733 Tomochichi greeted the new settlers in a peaceful manner and allowed their establishment at Savannah and improve the trade and diplomatic relationship. The peace-loving interaction was a win for the settlers who relied heavily on the assistance of Tomochichi in getting on the land and familiarizing themselves with the region. The chief was able to accompany Oglethorpe in his return trips to England and was an intermediary for his people in the British elite. Together with Oglethorpe, he came up with his Articles of Friendship and Commerce which allowed the English settlement of the land and also established fair trade between the two populations.
A grave was commemorated by the “Pyramid of Stone”, a marker put in place following Tomochichi’s death in 1739. In 1883 Central Georgia Railroad destroyed his gravesite. The railroad built the monument of its founder William Gordon, directly above the grave. Gordon’s own daughter-in-law, Nellie Gordon, was unhappy and built a brand new monument to Tomochichi. A granite rock featuring copper plating was constructed in 1899 in a tribute. A marker was erected in Wright Square to give the chief’s lengthy list of accomplishments.
