Young King

Who is Young King?

Young King or Koyengquahtah was a "Hoyaneh" or revered traditional chief of the Seneca nation. He was born in the village of Canandaigua, Seneca nation in 1760. He was a descendent of Old Smoke or Old King who was the a leader of the retaliatory war party of the Wyoming Massacre. Young King grew to adulthood during the tumultuous time of the American War of Independence. Fleeing to Fort Niagara with his mother during Sullivan's Campaign. He was elected war chief and was a renowned warrior, a wise counselor and was possessed of high social qualities among his own people and the Americans.

He was a delegate to and a reluctant signatory of the Treaty of Big Tree on September 15, 1797. The treaty was delayed, as his people would not commit to the treaty until Young King arrived. He apparently was at the funerals of his friend and cousin and had been delayed. He originally refused the terms of the treaty but was convinced by the Clan mothers and counsel to accept the treaty.

He moved to the reservation at Buffalo Creek. He took to drinking and dissipation, but eventually was relieved of this affliction. He converted to Christianity and died there in 1835.