In this, a dynasty of Lenni Lenape chiefs and the events of their reigns are successively named, and from the first mention of their encounter with the warlike Tallegwi or Cherokee to the discovery of Columbus there is necessarily implied the passage of many centuries.  Even the time that has elapsed since the Tallegwi were overthrown by them is estimated as somewhat more than a thousand years, thus placing this defeat in the ninth century.  Professor Cyrus Thomas in “The Cherokees of Pre-Columbian Times” states that he thinks it would be more nearly correct to credit the event to the eleventh or twelfth century.  He quotes in support of his theory from the Walam-Olum as translated by Dr. Brinton, who giving the original in parallel pages, with the mnemonic signs, does not use in the English version the Indian names of the chiefs.

This record of the Walam-Olum is really very curious.  After passing the account of the Creation, the Flood, the Migrations, and entering upon the Chronicles, the Walam-Olum reads much like a Biblical genealogy, save that in lieu of scions of a parent tree these are military successors, war-captains.  The following quotations are from the version given by Squier: 

     47. Opekasit (East-looking) being next chief, was sad
     because of so much warfare.

     48.  Said let us go to the Sun-rising (Wapagishek) and
     many went east together.

     49.  The Great River (Messussipu) divided the land and
     being tired they tarried there.

     50. Yagawanend (Hut-Maker) was next sakimau, and then
     the Tallegwi were found possessing the east.

     51.  Followed Chitanitis (Strong Friend), who longed for
     the rich east land.

     52.  Some went to the east but the Tallegwi killed a
     portion.

     53.  Then all of one mind exclaimed war, war!

     54.  The Talamatan (Not-of-themselves) and the Nitilowan
     all united (to the war).

     55. Kinnehepend (Sharp-looking) was their leader, and
     they went over the river.

     56.  And they took all that was there and despoiled and
     slew the Tallegwi.

     57. Pimokhasuwi (Stirring About) was next chief, and
     then the Tallegwi were much too strong.

     58. Tenchekensit (Open Path) followed and many towns
     were given up to him.

     59. Paganchihilla was chief,—­and the Tallegwi all went
     southward.

After the earliest mention of the Tallegwi in verse 50 of the First Chronicle there are about fifty chieftains enumerated, and characterized with their successive reigns before the entrance of the white discoverers of the continent at the end of the Second Chronicle.  In this it is stated at verse—­

     56. Nenachipat was chief toward the sea.