Native American Archives – Page 55 of 341

Government of the Timucua Indians

The aristocratic nature of Timucua government is apparent from the statements of the French already referred to as well as from the information regarding their social organization recorded by Pareja. From Pareja’s Catechism it appears that chiefs were allowed to exact tribute and labor from their subjects, and that by way of punishment they sometimes had the arms of their laborers broken. From the same source We learn that just before assuming the chieftainship a man had a new fire lighted and maintained for six days in a small house or arbor which was closed up with laurels and “other … Read more

Burial Customs of Timucua Indians

The following regarding burial customs is from Laudonnière: When a king dieth, they bury him very solemnly, and, upon his grave they set the cup wherein he was wont to drink; and round about the said grave, they stick many arrows, and weep and fast three days together, without ceasing. All the kings which were his friends make the like mourning; and, in token of the love which they bear him, they cut off more than the one-half of their hair, as well men as women. During the space of six moons (so they reckon their months), there are certain … Read more

Ceremonies and Feasts of Timucua Indians

The skill displayed by these Indians in debate is testified to by Spark. Laudonnière and Le Moyne describe at considerable length their method of holding councils. Laudonnière says: They take no enterprise in hand, but first they assemble often times their council together, and they take very good advisement before they grow to a resolution. They meet together every morning in a great common house, whither their king repaireth, and setteth him down upon a seat, which is higher than the seats of the others; where all of them, one after another, come and salute him; and the most ancient … Read more

War Tactics of Florida Indians

The native institution with which the authorities which we depend upon had most to deal was, not unnaturally, war, and 10 of Le Moyne’s 42 sketches deal with it in one way or another. Some of these do not bring in native customs and need not be referred to, but the remainder give us our best information on the subject. Timucua weapons consisted of bows and arrows, darts, and clubs, the last of a type different from the Creek átåsa, if we may trust the illustrations. “A chief who declares war against his enemy,” says Le Moyne, “does not send … Read more

Timucua Religion

According to our French informants the sun and moon were the principal objects of adoration among these Indians, particularly the former. This probably means that their beliefs were substantially like those of the Creeks and Chickasaw. A side light on their cult is furnished in the following account of a ceremony by Le Moyne: The subjects of the Chief Outina were accustomed every year, a little before their spring – that is, in the end of February – to take the skin of the largest stag they could get, keeping the horns on it; to stuff it full of all … Read more

Calusa Indians in Florida

An early Spanish writer. Gov. Mendez de Canço, writing in 1598 or 1599, says that the Indians of southern Florida did not live in settled villages because they had no corn, but wandered about in search of fish and roots. Fontaneda, whose information dates from a very early period, has the following to say about the Indians of Calos (Calusa): These Indians possess neither gold nor silver, and still less clothing, for they go almost naked, wearing only a sort of apron. The dress of the men consists of braided palm loaves, and that of the women of moss, which … Read more

Ais Tribe of Florida

The ethnological information which this work contains applies almost entirely to the Indians of Hobe, Santa Lucia, and Ais – those called by Fontaneda Jeaga, Guacata, and Ais

Timicua Indians Food

The Florida Indians lived partly upon the natural products of the earth, but depended principally upon the chase, fishing, and agriculture, Laudonnière says: They make the string of their bow of the gut of the stag, or of a stag’s skin, which they know how to dress as well as any man in France, and with as different sorts of colors. They head their arrows with the teeth of fishes, which they work very finely and handsomely. Ribault states that the shafts of their arrows were of reed. Spark is considerably more detailed: In their warres they vse bowes and … Read more

Timucua Indians Homes

There are not many special descriptions of Timucua houses. Ribault says, in speaking of the dwellings of those Indians whom he met at the mouth of the river which he called the Seine and which was probably what is now known as the St. Marys: Their houses are made of wood, fitly and closely set up, and covered with reeds, the most part after the fashion of a pavilion. But there was one house among the rest very long and wide, with seats around about made of reeds nicely put together, which serve both for beds and seats, two feet … Read more

Timucua Indians Clothing

Ribault describes the Timucua as “of good stature, well shaped of body as any people in the world; very gentle, courteous, and good-natured, of tawny color, hawked nose, and of pleasant countenance.” They were good swimmers and could climb trees with agility. The only invariable article of apparel worn by males was the breechclout, which we are informed consisted of a painted deerskin. Le Moyne represents this as if it were in one piece, passed about the privates, and carried round and tied at the back. If his representation might be relied upon the Florida Indians would be set off … Read more

New Jersey Indians – B Surnames

Barrenach. Agreement, Dec., 1663. See Matanoo. Bawagtoons (a witness). Indian deed, May 19, 1671. See Assawakow. Beoppo. Indian deed, Oct. 23, 1758. See Egohohoun. Bomokan, I. Indian deed, January 10, 1658. With seven ether Indians, for land on the west side of the North river, from Wiehacken to Constable’s Hoeck. Bussabenaling. See Alpoongan.

New Jersey Indians – A Surnames

Abozaweramud, 66. Indian deed, Aug. 22, 1681. With eleven other “Indian proprietors,” for a tract on Mattawang or Millstone River, extending to Pametapake, opposite Staten Island. Acchipoor of Hoogkong. Indian deed, July 10, 1657. See Taghkospemo. Ackitoauw (Winfield gives his name as Kikitoauw) and Aiarotuv, Virginians, “inhabitants and joint owners,” for themselves and three other proprietors. Indian deed, Nov. 22, 1630, for Ahasimus and the peninsula Aressick (Jersey City). Winfield’s Hist. Hudson County, 15; N. Y. Col. Docs., XIII., 2; Indians of N. J., 102. Agnamapamund. Indian deed, Nov. 19, 1681. See Pawark. Ahtakkones, Nauhoosing, Okanickkon, Weskeakitt, Petheatus, Apperingues, Kekroppamant. … Read more

New Jersey Indians – C Surnames

Cacanakque, in Indian deed, 1667. See Wapamuck. Calkanicha. King of the Delawares. See History of New Sweden, by Thomas Campanius Holm, in Memoirs of Hist. Soc. of Penn., III., 135. In Smith’s History of N. J. the name is given as Ockanickon, and the other names mentioned in connection with his are given as Iakhursoe and Sheoppy. Campanius gives them as Jahkiosol and Schoppie. See Ockanickon. Camoins (Winfield gives it as Cauwins, which is improbable). Indian deed, Nov. 22, 1630. See Ackitoauw. Canackamack, Capatamin and Thingorawis. Indian deed, September 14, 1677, in the presence of Emerus, Sachem of Navesinks, Queramack, … Read more

New Jersey Indians – N Surnames

Naamucksha. Indian deed, June 20, 1703. See Nanhamman. Nachoenkquy. Indian deed, May I, 1701. See Tapgow. Nacholas, 141. Indian deed, Oct. 29, 1701. See Tallquapie. Nachpong. Indian deed, Dec. 31, 1701. See Tapehou. Nackoniakene. Indian deed, April 12, 1684. See Tallaca. Nackpunck, 97. Indian deed, Nov. 29, 1686. “Weighrerens (on behalf of Nackpunck),” and others. See Hanayahame. Nachpunk is the name of a swamp in the south-eastern portion of Wayne township, which is drained by the Nachpunk brook into the Singack River. In 1898 I was retained to draft an act of the Legislature, incorporating the Borough of Totowa, and … Read more

New Jersey Indians – M Surnames

Machcopoiken. Mentioned in Indian deed, Oct. 29, 1701. See Tallquapie. Machcopoikan, Ashanham, Meshocorrang, lareandy (or lauwandy), Nockapowicke, Vugahen, Wellocke, Indian Sackamackers. Indian deed, Nov. 10, 1701, to John Johnston, for lands in Somerset county, on the west side of the north branch of Raritan River on Rachaneak River. E. J. Deeds, Lib. H, P- 37- Machcote, alias Keneckome, A whips, Negacape and Pamascone. Indian deed, May 12, 1681, for lands on Raritan river and Raweighweros brook. Elizabethtown Bill in Chancery, 53. Macheses. Indian deed, June 8, 1677. See Mendawasey. Machierick Hitock, Tospecsmick, Wennaminck Keckquennen, Sachems of Hoppemense, 7. Indian deed, … Read more

New Jersey Indians – L Surnames

Lames. See Alpoongan. Lammusecon. Indian deed, March 30. 1688. See Hoham. Laparomza. Indian deed. Aug. 18, 1713. See Menaukahickon. Lapink. Indian deed, Oct. 23, 1758. See Egohohoun. Lappawinza. Indian deed, Aug. 18, 1713. See Menaukahickon. Lawicowighe. Indian deed, June i, 1701. See Hippoquonow. Lawykaman. Indian deed, Oct. 23, 1758. See Egohohoun. Loantique, Taphaow, Manshuen, “with divers others, the owners and proprietors,” etc. Indian deed, March. 1701-2, to the inhabitants of Newark, for lands at Pine Brook, etc. (the Horseneck purchase). This deed having been “lost in a fire in the house of Jonathan Pierson at Newark, providentially burned March 7, … Read more

New Jersey Indians – K Surnames

Kaanserein. Indian deed, May i, 1701. See Tapgow. Kagkennip, i. Indian deed, Jan. 10, 1658. See Bomokan. Kagno-Onnen. Indian deed, May i, 1701. See Tapgow. Kahaew. Indian deed, April 21, 1727. See Mowessawach. Kaharosse. Indian deed, June 8, 1677. See Mendawasey. Kanashalees. Indian deed, Oct. 23, 1758. See Egohohoun. Karstangh. See Carstangh. Kasamen. Indian deed, June 8, 1677. See Mendawasey. Katamas, Sekappie, Poanto alias Enequete, Rennowighwan, Jackickon. Indian deed, Sept. 10, 1677, to Thomas Olive, for lands from Rankokus Creek to Timber creek. W. J. Deeds, Lib. B, Part i, p. 4. Keekott, Robert. Power of attorney, Feb. 23, 1758. … Read more

New Jersey Indians – I Surnames

Iakhursoe. Brother s son of Ockanickon, and appointed by Ockanickon to succeed him as King. Smith’s N. J., 148. See Ockanickon. (Jakhursoe Achcolsoet. one who takes care of a thing, a preserver. Heckewelder’s Dictionary of the Delaware, etc., 383.) Iareandy, Iauwandy. Indian deed, Nov. 10, 1701. See Machcopoikan. Ichchepe, 66. Indian deed, Aug. 22, 1681. See Abozaweramud. Ipan Kickan. Indian chief, of Rancokeskill, N. J. With three other Chiefs, at a conference with Governor Andros, at New Castle, Del., May 13, 1675. N. Y. Col. Docs., XII., 523; N. J. Archives, I., 182. Ireoseke. Indian deed, May 3, 1677. See … Read more

New Jersey Indians – H Surnames

Hagkinsiek (witness), 17. Indian deed, May 19, 1671. See Assawakow. Haham. Indian deed, Nov. 28, 1701. See Wiequahila. Aug. 13, 1708. See Taphaow. Haharois. Indian deed, June 8, 1677. See Mendawasey. Hairish, in Indian deed, 1667. See Wapamuck. Hamahem, a Sakamaker of the Hackensacks, in 1678. Indians of N. J., 110. Hamakenon. Indian deed, June 8, 1677. See Mendawasey. Hamemohakun (signed Henemohokun). Indian deed, Aug. 13, 1708. See Taphaow. Hanrapen, in Indian deed, 1678. See Manschy. Hanyaham, Hanayaham, Hanayahame, 7. Indian deed, July 20, 1668. See Anaren. Hanyahanum, 18. Indian deed, Feb. 28, 1671-2. See Capatamine. P. 97. Indian deed, … Read more

New Jersey Indians – F & G Surnames

Feetee. Indian sachem, May 30, 1704. See Mahwtatt. Genemay Nemow. Indian deed, Nov. 18, 1709. See Sherikham. Ghonnojea and other “Indians and Sachems.” Indian deed, March 28, 1679, for Haquequenunck. Gnickap, 66. Indian deed, Aug. 22, 1681. See Abozaweramud. Gosque, 7. Indian deed, July 20, 1668. See Anaren. Gottawamerk (witness), 17. Indian deed, May 19, 1671. See Assawakow. Gwach (or Gwach, pachtan). Indian deed, Sept. 16, 1709. See Amegatha.