Weapemeoc Indians

Weapemeoc Tribe: Meaning unknown, but evidently a place name. Also called:

  • Yeopim, a shortened and more usual form.

Weapemeoc Connections. The Weapemeoc were almost certainly of the Algonquian linguistic family and related to the Powhatan Indians the north and the Chowan, Machapunga, and Pamlico to the south.

Weapemeoc Location. Most of the present Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank, and Perquimans Counties, and part of Chowan County north of Albemarle Sound.

Weapemeoc Subdivisions. In the same section in later times are given the following tribes which must be regarded as subdivisions of the Weapemeoc:

  • Pasquotank, on Pasquotank River.
  • Perquiman, on Perquimans River.
  • Poteskeet, location uncertain.
  • Yeopim, or Weapemeoc proper, on Yeopim River.

Weapemeoc Villages

  • Chepanoc, on Albemarle Sound in Perquimans County.
  • Mascoming, on the north shore of Albemarle Sound, in Chowan County.
  • Metachkwem, location unknown.
  • Pasquenock, perhaps identical with Pasquotank, on the north shore of Albemarle Sound, perhaps in Camden County.
  • Weapemeoc, probably in Pasquotank County.

Weapemeoc History. The Weapemeoc first appear in history in the narratives of the Raleigh colony of 1585-86. Later they are spoken of under the various subdivisional names. They parted with some of their land in 1662. In 1701, according to Lawson (1860), only 6 of the Yeopim survived though there were 40 warriors of the other subdivisions, including 10 Pasquotank and 30 Potekeet.

Weapemeoc Population. In the time of the Raleigh colony the Weapemeoc are said to have had between 700 and 800 warriors. They were estimated by Mooney (1928) at 800 in 1600. From their number as given by Lawson in 1701 Rights (1947) estimates 200 at that date.

Connection in which they have become noted. In the form Yeopim the name has been preserved in that of a railroad station in Perquimans County, N. C.


Collection:
Swanton, John R. The Indian Tribes of North America. Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 145. Washington DC: US Government Printing Office. 1953.

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1 thought on “Weapemeoc Indians”

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