Mekinges Conner

Mekinges Conner (after 1780 – c. 1861) was a Lenape woman.

Little is known about Mekinges Conner considering her role in the history of Hamilton County, Indiana. Many articles have been written about her husband William Conner, a pioneer on the banks of the White River who worked side by side with the Lenape, establishing a trading post and fur trade. Conner's marriage to Mekinges earned him a special status among—and perhaps the trust of—the Lenape, which would help to enable his business dealings as well as facilitate his role in the process of indigenous removal. Her name is a variation on the Lenape word "macunchis" meaning "last born" (i.e., "the youngest"). the head of the Turkey Clan of the Unami Lenape. Some sources dispute this claim, however; historian and writer C. A. Weslager introduces evidence that she was a member of the Ketchum family. Her mother was Ahkechelungunaqua, a woman from the Lenape Turtle Clan. Mekinges lived with her family until 1812, when she moved with her husband of ten years south of the town of Noblesville, Indiana, and east of the White River.

Marriage In 1802, Mekinges married a white fur trader named William Conner. Conner was actively involved in the settlement and development of central Indiana and also served as an interpreter for the Treaty of St. Mary's, signed in Ohio in 1818. Using his interpretive skills as well as his connections within the Lenape community to his advantage, Conner negotiated for the removal of the Lenape from Indiana.

Family Mekinges and William Conner had six children: John Conner (c. 1802 – c. 1872), James Conner (c. 1818 – 1877), Hamilton "Harry" Conner (c. 1805 – after 1863), Eliza Conner-Bullett (1812–1876), William Conner Jr., and Nancy Conner (1815–1834). They remained with her and the Lenape after she left Indiana. John and James became prominent Lenape chiefs.

Upon his death in 1855, William Conner left no last will and testament. His estate went to his white children. In 1861, his Lenape descendents brought a suit against them, but the claim was "quieted" against the plaintiffs by Judge Laceb B. Smith at the U. S. Circuit Court for the District of Indiana on January 6, 1863, leaving Mekinges' children with no part of William Conner's estate.

Later life After leaving Indiana, Mekinges and her children first went to southern Missouri, traveling along the West Fork of the White River until reaching the Wabash River. They forded the Wabash and crossed southern Illinois, camping at Fort Kaskaskia. Due to poor weather conditions, Mekinges and her family had to remain at the fort until spring. At that time, most of the Lenape migrants made their way to Nixa (about four miles south of Springfield, Missouri), where they remained until 1830.

Historical site The cabin William Conner built for his first wife Mekinges and the Federal-style home he built for his second wife Elizabeth Chapman are located in the original site at the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park. The Federal-style house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.