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Forest Lake

Kecaton, Kiketan, Kikotan, Kicotan, Kicatan, Kicaton

Branches of the Tann Family
Discover Photos & Documents about the Tann Family history

Trace the powerful legacy of the Tann Family across the United States. This section of our Tann Family website provides in-depth information about where the Tann family settled—from Virginia to New York, North Carolina, Alabama, and beyond.

 

Each state includes detailed profiles of Tann ancestors, rare family photos, census records, and historical documents to guide you in your Tann genealogy journey. Whether you're beginning your research or expanding your family tree, this collection of state-by-state family branches is your key to uncovering generations of rich Tann heritage.

Bay

The Kecoughtan, a native nation who lived in Virginia prior to the establishment of Jamestown, Virginia. 
Opitchapam and his wife, Opechanough Kikotan, were born about 1524 to 1644. 

 

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Opechancanough.jpg

ALGONQUIN DIALECT

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​Yes and no... I can confirm what you've probably already learned, that "Kicotan" or "Kiketan" was given as the name of a tribal community and/or place name in colonial records. (The spelling variation was normal for that time period-- English didn't even have standardized spelling itself in those days, with a name like "Smith" being variously spelled "Smithe," "Smyth," etc.)
 
I can also add that surnames were not traditional in any of the tribes of Virginia, so it would have been very plausible for a Native American of Virginia to take his band name or a place name for a surname.
 
What I can't do, though, is confirm what language it comes from or what it means. The Virginia Algonquian language has not been spoken natively for centuries, and few records remain of it; there is even less material remaining from the Virginia Siouan language, so it's hard to guess which language a word like that originated from. Additionally, though the Virginia Algonquian language was indeed related to living Algonquian languages like Ojibwe and Cree which are spoken by our volunteers, the relationship is very distant== perhaps similar to how English and Russian are related languages, but most English speakers still cannot recognize more than a word or two of Russian.
 
I do have an old dictionary of the Powhatan language. Although there is no mention of this tribe or place name, there are a few dictionary entries which generally resemble the name: Kekutten, listed as meaning "to say," and Kecuttannowas, listed as meaning "lightning." However, it would be a long shot to guess that the tribe was named after the verb "to say" or part of the word for "lightning." More likely it was a place name that was never recorded in this rather small dictionary.

By Laura Redish
Native Languages of the Americas

Sea Bay

Brief Description of the History of the Shakers in the U.S.

The Shakers, officially known as the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, arrived in the United States from England in 1774, led by Mother Ann Lee. Seeking religious freedom, they settled in New York and later expanded into several states.

 

The Shakers believed in simplicity, celibacy, communal living, gender equality, and pacifism. Known for their dedication to hard work, innovation, and worship through ecstatic dance, they created orderly, self-sufficient communities. Their legacy includes advances in agriculture, architecture, and furniture design, as well as a unique spiritual philosophy centered on living a pure and humble life.

Austin Tann photo

Austin Tann

The Tann family is discovered living in Ohio, Indiana, and Ohio during the 17th Century. 

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Anthony Tann, born 1743, in Virginia, son of Anthony and Susannah (Jefferies) Tann. Anthony Tann married Margaret (Peggy) SWEAT


Their children were:

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  • Jacob Tann born in 1760

  • Barney Tann 1790 (?)

  • Austin Tann born in 1790 (?)

  • William Tann born in 1794

  • Polly Tann born 1797

  • Charlotte Tann born 1799

  • Ann Tann born 1800

  • George Tann born 1820. 

Anthony and Margaret (Sweat) Tann: A Shaker Family in Indiana

Anthony Tann and his wife, Margaret (Sweat) Tann, were part of a unique and spiritually driven chapter in American history as members of the Shaker community in Indiana. Seeking a life rooted in faith, equality, and communal living, Anthony and Margaret joined the Shakers—a religious sect known for their celibate, pacifist, and industrious lifestyle.

The couple brought with them their daughters, Charlotte Tann and Mary Tann, who were also embraced by the Shaker faith. The family became members of the Shaker Village in West Union, Indiana, a community that valued simplicity, shared labor, and spiritual devotion.

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The Tanns lived according to the Shaker principles of celibacy, communal ownership, gender equality, and worship through song and dance. Within the Shaker society, all members were considered brothers and sisters, and family ties were often redefined within the larger spiritual community. Anthony and Margaret’s commitment to this way of life reflected a deep spiritual conviction and a desire to live in harmony with others who shared similar values.

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Charlotte and Mary, raised in the Shaker tradition, would have taken on responsibilities within the community, learning skills such as farming, weaving, cooking, or schooling, depending on their talents. The Shaker emphasis on education, order, and innovation ensured that all members contributed meaningfully to the group.

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Though few descendants emerged from Shaker families due to their celibate lifestyle, the Tann family’s time among the Shakers is a testament to their dedication to faith and their place within the broader story of religious communities in 19th-century America. Today, their legacy lives on through historical records, community documents, and the continued interest in Shaker history and craftsmanship.

2021@Tann Family History              Designed by Dr. Guadalupe Vanderhorst Rodriguez, Family Historian
                           

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