THE LAND OF MISFIT QUEENS

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 referred to 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 journaled 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…