A noted Delaware chief who was one of the signers of the deed to William Penn in 1683 for lands near Philadelphia. His name appears on the document as Tamanen, although the Indian form of the name was usually spelled Tamanend.
Tammany was held in high esteem among the Delaware of those days. Many legends surrounded him and his fame extended to the whites, who began to call him "Saint Tammany." As Patron Saint of America his name appeared on old calendars and Saint Tammany's Festival was celebrated on May 1 of each year. In 1786 a Saint Tammany Society was formed by veterans of the Revolutionary War. The society became so popular that it had thirteen state organizations.
In later years the Tammany Society continued to exist only as an eastern political organization.
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