Tamanend (also Tammany or Tammanend) the affable, who died in 1701, was Chief of a clan of the Lenni-Lenape nation in the Delaware Valley at the time Philadelphia was established. Tamanend is best known for his qualities of peace and friendship, and he was instrumental in forming beneficial relations among the Lenape and the English settlers led by William Penn.
“Tammany” was a popular figure in 18th century America, and he was even known as the “Patron Saint of America”, as he represented peace and amity.
From S. CON. RES. 39, 108th Congress, 1st Session:
“Supporting the goals and ideals of St. Tammany Day on May 1, 2003, as a national day of recognition for Tamanend and the values he represented. Whereas in 1810, President James Madison declared the Territory of West Florida to be a part of the Louisiana Purchase, and in 1811, William C.C. Claiborne, the first American territorial Governor of Louisiana, named the area north of Lake Pontchartrain as ‘St. Tammany Parish’ in honor of the saintly Amerindian Tamanend, who was a sachem of the Lenni Lenape;
Whereas Tamanend is admired and respected for his virtues of honesty, integrity, honor, fairness, justice, and equality for the common person; Whereas in colonial times, May 1st was celebrated in honor of Tamanend and the common person; and Whereas the St. Tammany Parish Council of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, has passed a resolution designating May 1, 2003, as St. Tammany Day, and urging the reinstatement of May 1st as a national day of recognition for Tamanend and the values he represented”
The values of honesty, integrity, honor, fairness, justice and equality for the common person are the historic foundations for this parish; all have a part to play in that.
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