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Gelelemend | |
|---|---|
| Killbuck, John Killbuck Jr., William Henry | |
| Delaware (Lenape) leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1737/1741 Near the Lehigh River in Pennsylvania |
| Died | 1811 (aged 69–70) Goshen, Ohio |
| Relations | Grandson of Netawatwees |
| Parent | Bemino |
Gelelemend (c.1737 of 1741–1811) (Lenape), also known as Killbuck or John Killbuck Jr., was an important Delaware (Lenape) principle Chief during the American Revolutionary War.[1] He supported the rebel Americans, known as Patriots. His name signifies "a leader." He became principal chief of the Lenape in November 1778, following the death of White Eyes, a war chief and Speaker of the Delaware Head Council. Gelelemend succeeded his maternal grandfather Netawatwees.
Due to undifferentiated American attacks against the Lenape during the war, chiefs of other clans switched to ally with the British. After being pushed out as principal chief, Gelelemend led an American attack on a major Lenape town. He retreated to Fort Pitt. After the war, he converted to Christianity at the Moravians’s Salem, Ohio mission, where he took the Christian name of "William Henry."