Simon Girty

Simon Girty (November 14, 1741 – February 18, 1818) (Sometimes referred to as Katepacomen. However, this moniker may simply have been an American invention, as was often the case with early historical anecdotes, since no such name or term appears to exist in the most likely native languages -- i.e.: Shawnee, Wyandot, Lenape or Haudenosaunee). Girty was an American colonial of Scots-Irish birth who served as a liaison between the British and their Indian allies during the American Revolution. He was portrayed as a villain, called "the White Savage" in many early history texts of the United States, and was also featured this way in 19th and early 20th-century United States fiction.

As children, Girty and his brothers were taken captive in Pennsylvania in a Seneca raid and adopted by Indian families. He lived with the Seneca for seven years and became fully assimilated, preferring their culture. He was returned to his birth family but retained a sympathy for the Indians.

Simon Girty was born to Simon Girty the Elder and Mary Newton near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Simon Girty the Elder arrived in North America in 1730 from Ireland. The accepted spelling of Girty's name was most likely a “colonial derivation of McGearty, Gearty, Garrity, Garrarghty, Geraghty or Girtee”.

After establishing a trading post, Simon Girty the Elder and Mary Newton had four sons: Thomas, Simon, James, and George, in 1739–1746.

In May 1750, the Sheriff arrested the entire Girty family, along with other squatters, for building a home on Sherman's Creek on the Susquehanna River, before the British authorities allowed any settlers to build there. The British authorities—specifically, George Croghan—also burned down the Girty home, shed, barn, and corral. All squatters were forced to post bonds of £500 each, and were bound for trial at Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Court.

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