Lappawinsoe

Lappawinsoe was a Lenape chief. His name signifies "gathering fruit" or "going away to gather food". Lappawinsoe sold the land of his tribe to Thomas Penn (1702–1775), and John Penn ("the American") (1700–1746), the sons of William Penn (1644–1718), the founder, with moderate Quaker philosophies of the Colony and Province of Pennsylvania in 1681 (later the American state – Commonwealth of Pennsylvania after 1776), through the controversial and disputed Walking Purchase treaty agreement of 1737. Three other Lenape-Delaware chiefs also signed the agreement: Tishecunk (sometimes referred to as Tishcohan, "tash-suk-amen" meaning "he never blackens himself"), Nutimus ("striker of fish with a spear") and Menakihikon ("a King of the Minissincks").

Portrait

It is documented that Lappawinsoe was the first Native American who was portrayed in an oil painting. Body tattoos are used to represent information about the person's character and their beliefs. William Penn's sons, Thomas Penn (1702–1775) and John Penn (1700–1746), convinced the Lenape that their father had already bought the land from them. Contrary to Lenape belief, the two brothers Thomas Penn, John Penn - ("the American") and provincial official James Logan had arranged and hired fast runners to run a prepared path which resulted in a scheme for a bigger landloss for the Lenape than they had ever imagined. Edward Marshall, one of the three walkers and the only one who completed the full walk, states in a testimony in 1751 that Lappawinsoe was living in the Indian town Hockendocqua (also referred to as Hociundoquen).

The Lenni Lenape had a longtime friendly relationship with William Penn, including several fair treaties they made with him.