Andrew Montour
| Andrew Montour | |
|---|---|
| Sattelihu, Eghnisara | |
| Métis (Oneida and Algonkin/French) leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1720(?) Otstonwakin (near what developed as Montoursville, PA) |
| Died | January 20, 1772 |
| Spouse(s) | Sally Ainse |
| Children | John Montour, b. 1744; Nicholas |
| Parents | Madame Montour, Carondawanna |
| Known for | interpreter and negotiator, who spoke French, English, Delaware, Shawnee, and an Iroquois language |
| Nickname(s) | Henry, Andre |
Andrew Montour (c. 1720–1772), also known as Sattelihu, Eghnisara and Henry was an important Métis interpreter and negotiator in the Virginia and Pennsylvania backcountry in the latter half of the 18th century. He was of Oneida and Algonquin ancestry, with a French grandfather. Historian James Merrell estimated his birth year as 1720. Likely born in his mother's village of Otstonwakin (near current Montoursville, Pennsylvania), he later led the village in the 18th century before settling further west.
Montour was commissioned as a captain in 1754 by Pennsylvania officials during the French and Indian War. He also commanded raiding parties in Ohio in 1764 during Pontiac's Rebellion (1763-1766) at the behest of Sir William Johnson, British superintendent of Indian Affairs. His son John Montour later became recognized as an interpreter and negotiator, serving with rebel forces during the American Revolutionary War.
Montour was likely born in Otstawonkin, a native Lenape village located at the mouth of Loyalsock Creek on the West Branch Susquehanna River, about 1720. His native names were Sattelihu and Eghnisara. He was primarily of Native American ancestry, with a French grandfather. His father was Carondawanna, an Oneida war chief based in New York. He was killed in 1729, when Andrew was young, during a raid on a southern tribe.
His mother was known as Madame Montour and was a well-known, influential interpreter. British and German colonists considered her the leader of Otstawonkin. Although her identity is obscured in speculation and myth, she is believed to have been born in 1667 at Three Rivers, Canada. Her mother was Marie Miteoamegoukoué (Algonkin), and her father was Pierre Couc, a French colonist. The girl was taken captive in an Iroquois raid and adopted by a Mohawk family, growing up in their society in New York.
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