Chesheeahud was a Duwamish chief and guide to the lakes and rivers around what is now Seattle living between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. He led a village called hehs-KWEE-kweel (meaning Skate), at the south edge of the mouth of Union Bay onto Lake Washington. hehs-KWEE-kweel was near a vital portage used by the Duwamish between Lake Union and Lake Washington.
This image shows Chesheeahud and his wife Tleebuleetsa. Chesheeahud and Tleebuleetsa lived on a plot of land on Lake Union given to them by David Denny. They were the last Duwamish people to live on Lake Union as the city grew and displaced the Indigenous residents. Because of this, the settlers often called them the “last of the Lake Union Indians.” Chesheeahud and Tleebuleetsa were also known to the settlers as “John” and “Madeline.” After Tleebuleetsa died, Chesheeahud moved to the Suquamish reservation.
This photo was taken by Mabel Elizabeth Denny Thompson, daughter of Orion Denny.
Handwritten beneath image: Mandy & John - Mabel E. Thompson Handwritten on verso: Photographed by Mrs. Howard G. Thompson
Caption information source: “Chesheeahud,” , retrieved 10/26/2021.
Physical Description: 1 photographic print mounted on cardboard: b&w ; 19.25 x 15 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
