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| Memorial to Tomochichi -- Wright Square
The Memorial to Tomochichi consists of a granite fragment displaying an inscriptional bronze plaque. It was erected in 1899 by the Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America. The memorial was preceded by the gravesite of Tomochichi which formed a monumental mound in the center of Wright Square. The mound was destroyed in 1883 to make room for the erection of the Gordon Monument.
Tomochichi's grave had been located at the center of Wright Square since his death in 1739. Tomochichi, chief of the yamacraw Indian Tribe, reatly assisted Oglethorpe in establishing the British settlement in Georgia. He was buried in the center of Wright Square. In fact, the first monument in Savannah was erected on this site in memory of Tomochichi. This monument (no longer standing) was described as a pyramid of stone by Oglethorpe. Shortly after Tomochichi's death, the Yamacraw Tribe ornamentally placed ballast cobblestones upon his grave mound. In 1872, the "warwick Vase" was placed upon this site marking Tomochichi's grave. A bit of controversy was sparked from the proposal to locate the Gordon Monument on the Tomochichi grave mound, but not enough to halt plans.
The inscription reads: "In memory of Tom-o-chi-chi. The mico of the Yamacraws, The Companion of Oglethorpe, and the Friend and Ally of the Colony of Georgia."
The rough granite fragment represented Tomochichi's strong and rugged character. According to Stewart it is possible this is the only memorial erected for a Native American by descendants of European settlers. |