Tshusick, an Ojibwe woman

Tshusick, an Ojibwe woman

Tshusick was an early nineteenth century Ojibwe woman. She made a remarkable journey to Washington, D.C., on foot during the winter of 1826-1827. She traveled to visit the first lady, Louisa Adams, wife of John Quincy Adams. To make the introduction, Tshusick claimed to be an acquaintance of Harriet Boyd, wife of the U.S. Indian Agent on Mackinac Island. She also alleged to have worked in Michigan Governor Lewis Cass’s home in Detroit, a position that helped propel her to the upper echelon of Washington, D.C., society. During her visit in Washington, Tshusick sat for the portrait on the right.

Alfred M. Hoffy

Appears in Thomas McKenney and James Hall's, History of the Indian tribes of North America, with biographical sketches and anecdotes of the principal chiefs.

1837

This image is in the public domain

Lewis 75