Confusion about Indian leaders in the late 1700s to early 1800s

There have been many mysteries about individuals with similar names in the southeastern Indian community in this era. These men were often Mestizos, born of unions between Scottish traders and Native women. The combination of a white, English-speaking father and a Native mother was useful to both sides and offspring grew into powerful and influential men. Their power produced stories embellished just like the ones of outlaws in the Wild West. Often, separating  fact from fiction is difficult. One must also bear in mind that many native peoples gave a series of names to members of their clans depending on the age and importance of a person.   I will outline what I have found and give you my sources on two of them; John or Jack Kinnard and Timpoochee Bernard.

 First it appears that the man referred to as “Timpoochee Kinnard” would have been Jack or John Kinnard/Kinneird/Kennard/Canard (and other spelling variations), a Creek, “half-blood” not a Yuchi/Euchee native. This is substantiated in many letters and books.  Among them are Deerskins and Duffels: The Creek Indian Trade with Anglo-America, 1685-1815 By Kathryn E. Holland Braund and Papers of the War Department 1784-1800. (The latter may be found online http://wardepartmentpapers.org/index.php).

Kinnard’s lands were located in the area of Chehaw State Park in Albany, Georgia as well as other places along the Kinchafoonee Creek and Lower Flint River. As in the case of Bernard, there were several brothers who may have been referred to simply as Kinnard, but most of the documents refer to Jack or John Kinnard. James Seagrove, Indian Agent writes of this man as early as 1792, calling him Colonel. One of Benjamin Hawkin’s letters also refers to his home site as “Fowl Town.” I have not found where Kinnard was buried, nor have I been able to find a portrait or photo of him. If anyone knows of either, please email me at

Secondly, there was a Yuchi/Euchee warrior and important man. Timothy Bernard/Barnard/Barnett (whose son has been referred to as “Timpoochee or Timpoigee or Timpugee), was the assistant to Benjamin Hawkins, Agent for Indian Affairs in this era.

Both men lived on the lower Flint River with their native wives and children. (Creek country: the Creek Indians and their world By Robbie Franklyn Ethridge) On more than one occasion, Kinnard and Bernard (either father or son) have appeared in the same document, proving that Kinnard and Bernard are not the same man. See some examples below.

From the Digital Library of Georgia:

This is a letter dated November 3, 1814 from Timothy Barnard, an influential trader living among the Cusseta (Creek) Indians, to Colonel Benjamin Hawkins, U.S. Agent to the Creeks. Barnard tells Hawkins that his son, Timpuge (Timpoochee?), has just arrived and has reported that (John?) Kennard (also Kinnard) told him that a party of Red Stick Creeks was on its way. He remarks on the efforts of certain chiefs to distance themselves from the hostile party. This letter also discusses the influence of Perryman (probably Thomas Perryman) and an unidentified British officer in inciting the Red Sticks. 

Barnard, Timothy. "Unpublished Letters of Timothy Barnard 1784-1820." Compiled, copied, edited by Louise Frederick Hays. 1939. Typescript at the Georgia Dept. of Archives and History. Despite the title, many of these can also be found in the American State Papers. Indexed.

Date: 1814-02-15; Paper: New-England Palladium: From the Georgia Journal Extra, Copy of a letter from Brigadier General Floyd to Major General Pinckney, Camp Defiance, 48 miles west of Chatahoochie (sic), 27^th January, 1814, contains this quotation: “on this occasion Timpoochee Barnard, a half-breed, at the head of the Uchies, distinguished himself, and contributed to the retreat of the piquet guard . . .”

Date: 1818-05-20; Paper: Miller's Weekly Messenger reprinted an article from a Milledgeville, Georgia newspaper containing this quote:  “Kinnard and Timpoochee (or John) Barnett were conspicuous in this action; the latter evinced military talents which would have done credit to a greater man.”

Timpoochee Bernard is buried at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery. He died near there at about age 58. Use this link to see his gravesite on FindaGrave.com:  http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6813359

 

On the left is a photo of Timpoochee Barnard in his later years, taken at the Treaty of Indian Springs. This photo may be found in Volume 2, page 28 of McKenney and Hall’s “History of the Indian Tribes of North America” and on the Alabama Department of Archives and History. On the right is a portrait done in earlier years by the artist Charles Bird King, who was employed by the War Department to paint the Indian delegates visiting Washington D.C. It may also be found in a volume of McKenney and Hall’s “History of the Indian Tribes of North America” as well as on the Alabama Department of Archives and History.