Mekinges Conner

Mekinges Elizabeth Conner (1785 – ca. 1861) was a Delaware Indian woman.

Little is known about Mekinges Conner considering her role in the history of Hamilton County, Indiana. Many articles have been written about her husband William Conner, a pioneer in the banks of the White River who worked side by side with the Delaware Indians establishing a trading post and fur trade. None of his prosperous business would have been possible without the help of Mekinges and her high status among the Delaware Indians. A princess, a daughter of an important Indian chief had the influence to favor her white husband's business affairs.

Mekinges Elizabeth Conner was born in what is now the city of Anderson in Madison County, Indiana, in 1785. Her Indian name was "Ma cun chis" (me king ees), meaning "last born". Her name was also spelled Mckinges; there is a street in Carmel, Indiana that bears her name: Mckinges Circle. Mrs. Conner was the daughter of the Delaware Indian chief William "Kik tha we nund", also known as Chief William Anderson (1740–1831), Head of the Turkey Clan of the Unami Delaware Indians. The town of Anderson was named after him. Her Mother was Mary “Ah Ke Ch Lung Un A Qua” from the Delaware Indians Turtle Clan. Her English name was Mary Anderson (1760–1825). Mrs. Conner lived with her parents until 1812 when she moved with her husband of 10 years four miles south of the town of Noblesville, Indiana, and east of the White River. The Delaware Indians, also known as Lenape, had a matrilineal line (the children belonged to the mother's clan) and it was common that married children lived in the same household as the mother.

In 1802 she married a white man named William Conner (1777–1855) who was a fur trader in central Indiana. William Conner was also an interpreter at the Treaty of St. Mary's, Ohio in 1818. On the day of the treaty Chief William Anderson, Mekinges Conner and her husband were present. The old chief put his trust in his son-in-law expecting the negotiations to favor the Delaware Indians. What happened was exactly the opposite. William Conner was the interpreter for Chief Anderson, but also persuaded and was an active participant for a profit. He was paid very well by the US Government with land and money. His explanation was that the removal of the Indians from Indiana was going to happen any way, so why not make money in the process.

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