If you are like many people who have moved recently to North Fulton you probably have wondered about the odd name of one of our creeks, Foe Killer Creek. Or, if you have lived here a while, you may be convinced that the original name was Four Killer Creek, and that a Cherokee Indian by that name lived by the creek and may have killed four enemies. Here is the story behind the name.
Cherokee warriors were sometimes awarded ranks reflecting the number of enemies they killed in battle. These were honors awarded to outstanding warriors. One such warrior was Four Killer, or commonly Fourkiller, who lived with his family at the headwaters of the stream that lies between Alpharetta off Hopewell Road and Roswell where it joins today’s Big Creek. His Cherokee name was Nvgidlihi or Nunggihtehe or Nanketeehee. Nunggih means “four” and tehe signifies “killer.” Somehow over time the word Foe became a misnomer for Four (possibly slurred by White settlers). Modern road signs identifying the creek call it Foe Killer Creek.
Historian John Goff included an essay written in 1956 on the subject in his 2007 book “Placenames of Georgia.” He explained that a warrior’s name or rank would change as he vanquished more enemies: One Killer, Two Killer, Three Killer, Four Killer, Five Killer, Six Killer and possibly more elevated ranks were used. Anyone with “teehee or tehe” at the end his name, regardless of number slain, was a prominent individual. Further detailed information on Cherokee place names can be found at chenocetah.wordpress.com.
Sometimes “killer” was used with other than cardinal numbers. Path Killer was a warrior, statesman and Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1811–1827 and was a signer of the Treaty of Tellico in 1805. Tellico was the site where several treaties were negotiated whereby the Cherokees ceded…
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