John Pitchlynn served as the official U.S. Interpreter at the Choctaw Agency during the early federal period.
He was appointed by President George Washington after the United States achieved independence, and served through the administration of Andrew Jackson.
He was the son of Isaac, a Scots immigrant, and his wife Jemima Hickman Pitchlynn, who died young.
Under George Washington, he was appointed as an interpreter and head of the Choctaw Agency after approval by Benjamin Hawkins.
The senior Pitchlynn had ensured that his son Peter was educated in Anglo-American classical tradition, as well as in Choctaw culture.
[citation needed] His daughter, Rhoda Pitchlynn Howell became a rancher and community leader who played a role in developing the agricultural and educational infrastructure in Indian Territory.