Nancy Ward - Beloved Woman of the Cherokee
October 4th, 2010
The Cherokee were the first to inhabit the land now known as Banks County. They lived in villages along the rivers and streams. They had corn fields, hunted in the woodlands, and fished in the streams. They called the North Georgia area Enchanted Land.
In the 1700s the Creek Indians moved into the area and many battles were fought with the Cherokee over land. In 1755 there was a battle called Taliwa. Kingfisher was a great Cherokee warrior of the Deer Clan. His wife was a teenager named Nan´yehi. The English called her Nancy. Nancy was by her husband’s side as he fought. Kingfisher was killed in the battle. Nancy took his musket and sang a war song as she led the Cherokee to victory and drove the Creek out of their hunting grounds.
Nancy was rewarded with eternal protection for her village located in Northern Banks County. The village was called Nancytown in her honor. Her tribe made her a Holy Woman and called her Beloved. They gave her the power to choose life or death of captives. She was an ambassador and peacemaker. Nancy was a friend of the early settlers and is credited with warning them when Indian raids were being planned. She welcomed them into her village for protection. She is said to have provided food for American Revolutionary War soldiers.
Nancy was described as a person of remarkable beauty, poise “with a queenly and commanding presence.” She was a priestess, Indian Woman Chief, warrior, and was known as the wild rose of the Cherokee Nation. She was also a part of the history of Banks County.
The Cherokee were the first to inhabit the land now known as Banks County. They lived in villages along the rivers and streams. They had corn fields, hunted in the woodlands, and fished in the streams. They called the North Georgia area Enchanted Land.
In the 1700s the Creek Indians moved into the area and many battles were fought with the Cherokee over land. In 1755 there was a battle called Taliwa. Kingfisher was a great Cherokee warrior of the Deer Clan. His wife was a teenager named Nan´yehi. The English called her Nancy. Nancy was by her husband’s side as he fought. Kingfisher was killed in the battle. Nancy took his musket and sang a war song as she led the Cherokee to victory and drove the Creek out of their hunting grounds.
Nancy was rewarded with eternal protection for her village located in Northern Banks County. The village was called Nancytown in her honor. Her tribe made her a Holy Woman and called her Beloved. They gave her the power to choose life or death of captives. She was an ambassador and peacemaker. Nancy was a friend of the early settlers and is credited with warning them when Indian raids were being planned. She welcomed them into her village for protection. She is said to have provided food for American Revolutionary War soldiers.
Nancy was described as a person of remarkable beauty, poise “with a queenly and commanding presence.” She was a priestess, Indian Woman Chief, warrior, and was known as the wild rose of the Cherokee Nation. She was also a part of the history of Banks County.
