Who was Queen Aliquippa, and what did George Washington do to upset her?

The story of a Native American matriarch who ruled with influence and power.

Did you know that the largest city in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, was named after a powerful Native American female leader? Aliquippa is home to around 10,000 people, but before it was a town, Aliquippa was referred to as a leader of the Seneca Tribe, which was part of the Iroquois League.

The Iroquois League consisted of six separate nations united together under common goals and beliefs. The people of the Iroquois League held women in great esteem, and they often served as advisors to chiefs on political decisions. Aliquippa, one of these women, led around 30 families consisting of 150 to 200 people.

Early Life

Unfortunately, information regarding Queen Aliquippa’s early life is minimal. We know that she was born most likely in the 1680s near modern-day Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Her husband was from the Seneca tribe. She also had a son by the name of Canachquasy.

Records show that she moved west around 1700 because English colonizers decided that this land was theirs now. Typical.

Most of the documents mentioning her consisted of journal entries written by Englishmen Thomas Chalkley, Conrad Weiser, and George Washington. Ironically, the British gave her the title “Queen” due to her command over the Iroquois tribes.

Her Mark in History

Aliquippa and her tribes aided the British in the French and Indian War, and I came across a story that made me chuckle in amusement when researching her.

The British colonies grew to venerate Queen Aliquippa because she helped supply them with the workforce and resources required to combat the French troops. British generals would often make it a priority to pay their respects to Aliquippa, where she resided. One such major neglected to do this on his journey to negotiate with French troops.

Virginia’s Lt Governor Dinwiddie sent twenty-one-year-old Major George Washington to Logstown (modern-day Pittsburgh) from Virginia. His goal was to request that the French troops in the Ohio Valley leave the region. On his journey there, he failed to visit Queen Aliquippa, who was living near the mouth of the Youghiogheny (modern-day McKeesport, PA).

Later, he made a pitstop at her village on the way back and wrote in his journal about the encounter,

“…she expressed great concern that we passed her in going to the fort. I made her a Present of a Match Coat; & a Bottle of Rum, which was thought much the better present of the two.”

The fact that Washington didn’t come to visit her bother Aliquippa quite a bit. It’s custom that since they call her a Queen, she should be treated as such. All the other military officials did their part to pay respects, so why couldn’t Washington get with the program?

This story conjures up a great image of 70-year-old Aliquippa, completely annoyed that this child of a soldier forgot to visit her. It brings such joy into my heart.

Aliquippa died in 1754 at the age of around 74. Irish-born fur trader by the name of George Croghan reported this in his journal,

“Alequeapy, ye old quine is dead.”

Her Legacy

Although we do not know much about this female ruler, her story played an important role in early American history. I wish I knew more about her, but I’m fortunate that I came across a detail that made me laugh.