Person:Topinabee Topinabee (1)

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) .

Chief Topinabee He Who Sits Quietly
Birth: 1758 St. Joseph County, Michigan, USA
Death: 27 Jul 1826 (aged 67–68) Niles, Berrien County, Michigan, USA
Burial: Unknown

Memorial #: 126590802
Bio: There are many spelling of Chief Topinabee's name. In the Treaty of Green Ville in 1795, his name was written as "Thu-pe-ne-bu" Principal Chief of the (Potawatomi) Nation. His Indian name was "A Quiet Sitting Bear" or "He who sits quietly." His parents said he never cried as a child. He would sit quietly.

He was born at his father's village on the St. Joseph River, his father being Aniquiba and mother Katabwe.

Topinabee had five children with Nowegi. There were four daughters Mimikwe, Monuta, Mona or Nona, Sinegogua, and Angelique Keshewaquay, and one son Topinabee "The Younger."

Chief Topinabee was a main signer of all important treaties. The Native Indians were being influenced by the British as well as the American's. But the negotiating turned out to be in the favor of the white man, with the Indian giving up more and more land.

Chief Topinabee died a broken man. I'm sure he realized he couldn't keep what he considered the best for his people. And he started drinking whiskey. Whiskey was the undoing of his life.

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.

Monuta, Mona or Nona was his second daughter. She was baptized in the Catholic Church on August 13, 1818 and was given the Christian name of Madeleine.

Madeleine was my 3rd great grandmother.
Chief Topinabee was my 4th great grandfather.

If anyone has more or better information please contact me.
Family Members
Children
Elizabeth Topinabee Pokagon
Wiomex Oquaka Shabonah 1778-1864
Madeleine Mona Monuta Nona Topinabee Bertrand 1779-1846
Created by: Tena Kennedy Painter (47059355)
Added: 19 Mar 2014
URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/126590802/topinabee-he_who_sits_quietly
Citation: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 02 February 2021), memorial page for Chief Topinabee He Who Sits Quietly (1758–27 Jul 1826), Find a Grave Memorial no. 126590802, ; Maintained by Tena Kennedy Painter (contributor 47059355) Unknown.