Elizabeth Topinabee Pokagon
Birth: unknown
Death: unknown
Burial: Sacred Heart Cemetery, Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan, USA
Memorial #: 99207296
Bio: Daughter of Chief Topinabee (born 1758 in on the St. Joseph River, MI and died in 29 July 1826 near Niles, MI). The Reverend Isaac McCoy records the death of Topinabee, one of the principal chiefs of the Potawatomis, on July 27, 1826 as follows: "The principal chief fell from his horse under influence of ardent spirits, and received an injury of which he died two days afterwards." Chief Topinabee died near present day Niles, Michigan. Chief Topinabee was the brother to Chief Chebaas and Kaukema (Cakimi) Burnett.
Chief Topinabee was known to have 4 biological children, three sons and one daughter: Topinabee Jr., Wab-Sai, Mah-Zhee, and Elizabeth. Elizabeth became the wife of Chief Leopold Pokagon. Chief Chebaas (Brother of Chief Topinabee), was the biological uncle to Elizabeth Topinabee Pokagon.
Affiliation with the Catholic Church was not only for religious reasons but also represented an important political alliance in the struggle to avoid removal. That same year, Elizabeth and her husband were baptized by the vicar general of the Detroit Diocese, Father Frederick Rese along with a host of fellow Pokagon band members. In August, 1830, Father Stephen Badin arrived to establish a mission to serve the Pokagon Potawatomi. By establishing this affiliation with the Catholic Church, the Potawatomi of the St. Joseph River Valley affirmed a new identity as Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.
Elizabeth and her husband "rest in eternal peace" beneath the very church he founded so long ago, the Silver Creek Township, Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church. They had at least one son named Chief Simon Pokagon #14687929).
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a Find A Grave volunteer lynda kaiser has reported a problem (10-19-12) with your photo request for Elizabeth Pokagon.
The general problem they reported is:
I searched the stated plot or section and could not find the grave
They also reported, specifically:
No headstone
I have on record a 1910 death date
The only on with a headstone is May Jane Pokagon.infant of Simon and Angelis.
They also reported, specifically:
There in on headstone for Elizabeth I have a death date of 1910 for Elizabeth. The only headston is for Mary Jane dau of Simon and Angelis infant. I have been working on the cemetery that is why I'am answering this fast.
Lynda
NOTE: YES, THERE IS ANOTHER ELIZABETH POKAGON (#94363670) IN THIS CEMETERY BUT HER DEATH DATE IS 1910 MAKING HER, I BELIEVE, A MUCH YOUNGER ELIZABETH THAN THE ONE WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN MARRIED TO CHIEF POKAGAN COMPARING THE BIRTH AND DEATH DATES OF HER FATHER AND ALSO OF HER HUSBAND....ANY IDEAS OF WHEN SHE LIVED? SHE MAY HAVE AN UNMARKED GRAVE??
Family Members
Parents
Topinabee He Who Sits Quietly 1758-1826
Spouse
Leopold Pokagon 1775-1841
Siblings
Wiomex Oquaka Shabonah 1778-1864
Madeleine Mona Monuta Nona Topinabee Bertrand 1779-1846
Children
Simon Pokagon 1830-1899
Originally Created by: Debra Polly (47666568)
Added: 19 Oct 2012
URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/99207296/elizabeth-pokagon
Citation: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 02 February 2021), memorial page for Elizabeth Topinabee Pokagon (unknown–unknown), Find a Grave Memorial no. 99207296, citing Sacred Heart Cemetery, Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan, USA ; Maintained by Find a Grave (contributor 8) .
