Yamacraw Collection

Tomochichi and his son
Yamacraw chief Tomo-chichi Mico and his son. Hand-colored woodcut of an illustration

Oglethorpe and Tomo-chichi becoming friends in colonial Georgia
Tomo-chichi offering furs to James Olglethorpe, Georgia Colony. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

James Oglethorpe, accompanied by settlers, arrives in 1732, at Yamacraw Bluff, Savannah
2956616 James Oglethorpe, accompanied by settlers, arrives in 1732, at Yamacraw Bluff, Savannah, Georgia to establish a camp with the help of a local elderly Indian chief, Tomochichi

Yamacraw Indians meeting Georgia colonists, 1730s
James Olglethorpe and first English settlers landing in Georgia, greeted by Native Americans, 1733. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Oglethorpes interview with Tomochichi (litho)
3622393 Oglethorpes interview with Tomochichi (litho) by Snyder, W. P. (fl.1890); Private Collection; (add.info.: British General James Oglethorpes interview with Tomochichi)

Yamacraws welcome James Oglethorpe to Georgia
Oglethorpe meeting Native Americans in colonial Georgia, 1700s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Native American canoe in the Georgia wilderness
Savannah River at the time of James Oglethorpes first visit to Georgia, 1700s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

TOMO-CHICHI (1642-1739). Yamacraw Native American chief. Wood engraving, American, 1889

OGLETHORPE & NATIVE AMERICANS. James Oglethorpes first meeting with the Yamacraw Native Americans in 1733 at present-day Savannah, Georgia. Wood engraving, American, 19th century

CHIEF TOMO-CHICHI (1642-1739). Yamacraw chief Tomo-Chichi offers James Oglethorpe a bison skin painted with the head and feathers of an eagle at Savannah, Georgia, in 1733: wood engraving, American

PNAT2A-00029
Tomo-Chi-Chi, chief of the Yamacraw. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

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"Yamacraw: The Meeting of Cultures in Colonial Georgia" In the early 1730s, a significant encounter took place between the Yamacraw Indians and the Georgia colonists, led by James Oglethorpe. At the heart of this historic event was Tomochichi, a revered Yamacraw Native American chief, accompanied by his son Tooanahowl. Tomochichi and Oglethorpe formed an unlikely friendship amidst the wilderness of Georgia. Their initial meeting in present-day Savannah marked a pivotal moment in history as two vastly different cultures converged. The wood engravings from various eras depict Tomo-Chichi's dignified presence. His leadership and wisdom were evident as he welcomed Oglethorpe to their land with open arms. In one engraving, Tomo-Chichi offers Oglethorpe a bison skin adorned with an eagle's head and feathers—a symbol of respect and unity. The Yamacraw Indians showcased their rich heritage through their traditional canoes navigating the untouched landscapes of Georgia. These vessels served not only as means of transportation but also as symbols of their connection to nature. This meeting between the Yamacraws and colonists laid the foundation for future interactions that shaped colonial Georgia's history. It exemplified how understanding and mutual respect could bridge cultural divides. Today, we remember this extraordinary encounter as a testament to human connection beyond differences—where friendships blossomed against all odds on these very lands once inhabited by Chief Tomo-Chichi and his people.