The Founding of Tecumseh:The arrival of French families throughout the latter half of the 18th century impacted the growth of another Essex County community. In 1792, the land upon which present-day Tecumseh rests sheltered only three families. Back then, the community was known as Ryegate. The population soon expanded to include the descendents of the origional French habitants who settled in the Detroit area. In 1912, the name Ryegate was dropped in favor of "Tecumseh" after the heroic Shawnee chief.