Cherokee History   Chiefs of Cherokee Nation   History of Sequoyah

Cherokee Chiefs

Cherokee Nation Chiefs in Early Times (partial list)
These Chiefs served in the Cherokee Nation East. Historically, there were tribal town chiefs, and then Principal Chiefs whose jurisdiction encompassed all tribal towns and districts. The following were considered Principal Chiefs.

Moytoy, 1730 – 1760
Atakullakulla, 1760 – 1775
Oconostota, 1775 – 1780
Hanging Maw, 1780 – 1792
Little Turkey, 1792 – 1801
Black Fox, 1801 – 1811
Pathkiller, 1811 – 1827
Charles Renatus Hicks, 1827
William Hicks, 1827 – 1828
John Ross 1828 – 1839 (prior to being elected under the 1839 Constitution in Indian Territory)

Chiefs of the Cherokee Old Settlers

Col. John Bowles, 1795 – 1813
Takatoka, 1813 – 1818
Tahlonteskee, 1818 – 1819
John Jolly, 1819 – 1838
John Rogers, 1838 – 1839
John Looney, 1838 – April 22, 1839 and July 1839 – September 1839, when the Old Settler (Western) Cherokee signed an agreement with the Eastern Cherokee, and the Cherokee Nation’s 1839 Constitution was signed into agreement.

Civil War Era Chiefs

During the Civil War years, the Cherokee Nation divided into Northern and Southern factions. The National Council was dismissed and John Ross was in Philadelphia. Both sides attempted to conduct business when necessary. Temporary Chiefs were chosen to lead. For a time, Stand Watie assumed the title of Chief for the Southern Cherokees.

Union Chiefs:
Major Thomas Peggs, 1862 – 63
Smith Christie, 1863 Lewis Downing, 1864 – 66

Confederate Chiefs: John Spears
Samuel McDaniel Taylor

As voted by the Cherokee People under the Cherokee Nation constitutions.

John Ross, 1827 – 1866
William P. Ross, 1866 – 1867
Lewis Downing, 1867 – 1872
William P. Ross, 1872 – 1875
Charles Thompson, 1875 – 1879
Dennis Bushyhead, 1879 – 1888
Joel Bryan Mayes, 1888 – 1891
Colonel Johnson Harris, 1891 –1895
Samuel H. Mayes, 1895 – 1899
T.M. Buffington, 1899 – 1903
William C. Rogers, 1903 – 1907 (served until 1917 in various capacities)
W.W. Keeler, 1971-1975 (served since 1949, as named by U.S. Presidents. . . see "Chief for a Day" page)
Ross Swimmer, 1975-1985
Wilma Mankiller, 1985-1995
Joe Byrd, 1995-1999
Chadwick “Corntassel” Smith, current, elected 1999