Company K 1st Michigan Sharpshooters: Daniel Mwaw ke we maw / Mwakewenah

Mwaw-ke-we-naw was said to be born about 1817 in Pentwater, or possibly the Grand Traverse area.

Mwaw-ke-we-naw was baptized on 3 Jun 1843 by Rev. Peter Dougherty at Old Mission (Grand Traverse county) as Daniel Wells. Dougherty wrote Daniel's name as Muh su ah non, Mosuhenahnon, and Mo cuh e nah. His wife Quequeheahnoqua was baptized on 7 Jan 1844 as Phoebe Wells. Their daughter, Harriet, age 6 months, was baptized in Jul 1844. The couple was "kept back" from church services due to improper conduct in June 1846. Phoebe as listed as restored on 11 Jan 1852. [After Daniel's marriage to Catherine.]

Mwaw-ke-we-naw was married in December 1847/1848 at Old Mission to Catherine Ningasigekwe.

The Bear Creek "band was located on the southern side of Little Traverse Bay on the Bear River. The members of this band under Chief Daniel Mwaw-ke-we-naw appear to have moved to this area from the Grand Traverse region probably in the late 1840s or early 1850s. Earlier annuity payment rolls suggest these members were originally from Agosa and Aish quay gon abe’s bands. The 1853 annuity payment roll shows a population of 75 individuals which increased to 103 by 1855. Mwaw-ke-we-naw remained the chief of this band into the 1860s. The 1865 annuity payment roll shows Joseph Aw me quay bay as the chief of this band. He was still listed as chief on the 1872 payment roll." [From Larry Wyckoff]

Mwaw-ke-we-naw and members of his band purchased land in 1850 near the mouth of Bear River and the majority of this band took their allotments at the same location.

Mwaw-ke-we-naw was one of the signers of the treaty of 1855

1855 Land Allotment - Daniel Mwaw-ke-we-naw, W1/2 or the SW1/4 of section 10, township 34 north, range 6 west, 80 acres.

1857 Annuity roll - #1, Mwaw ke we naw, Chief, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, received $25.30

1858 Annuity roll - #1,Mwaw ke we naw, Chief, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, received $21.05

1859 Annuity roll - #1, Danl Mwaw ke we naw, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, received $19.88

1860 Federal Census - Bear Creek, Emmet, Michigan

Daniel Ma ke we now, 46, farmer, value of real estate $250, value of personal estate $300.
Mary, 45 [Catherine]
Joseph, 18, farm hand
Mary, 14

1861 Annuity Roll - #1m Mwaw ke we naw, Chief, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, received $18.48

Son John was born 15 Jan 1861

Son George was born 30 Apr 1863.

Daniel Mwaw-ke-we-naw enlisted on 15 Aug 1863 at Bear River (Petoskey), Emmet, Michigan for a period of three years. He was described as Five foot ten, black hair and eyes, dark complexion. He was mustered in 21 Oct 1863 at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Cook, Illinois where Company K guarded Confederate prisoners for seven months.

During the Battle of Spotsylvania in Virginia on 12 May 1864, Daniel was wounded in the face, right arm and left hand. Unable to load his rifle ne was taken first to an aid station, later to the division hospital. After emergency surgery he was taken to the depot hospital at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Daniel was transferred to the wharf at Belle Plain Landing, from where he was taken by steamer to Armory Square USA General Hospital in Washington, DC, admitted on 28 May 1864. Infection processed to his heart, caused Daniel's death on 5 Jun 1864.

His belonging were listed as one overcoat, one pair trousers, one pair shoes and one blanket.

Daniel was embalmed, placed in a coffin and sent on to Bear River, Michigan. Instead of being buried at Bear River, he was interred in lot 12, section 2-D of Brady Hill Cemetery in Saginaw.

Wife Catherine applied for a pension on 3 Dec. 1864. The pension was approved on 16 May 1865, retroactive to 5 Jun 1864. She received $8 a month until her remarriage.

1865 Annuity Roll - #21 Cath. Mwaw ke we naw, no men, 1 woman, 2 children, received $12, under chief Joseph Aw me quaw bay

Daniel's wife, Catherine, married Edward Noska on 13 Mar 1866.

Catherine died 18 Dec 1866.

Daughter Mary, married John Minakewand/Minakwas prior to 18 Jan 1868.

After Catherine's death Ann Rodd became guardian of minors John and George. Probate records dated 18 Jan 1868. [The probate records number 66 pages and continue until 1 Mar 1880.]