Nasoni

The Nasoni Tribe and the Mission of San Jose

The Nasoni tribe was located near the Angelina River, accessible from both the Nabedache and Neche villages. In 1716, a mission was established for the Nasoni and Nadaco, noted to be roughly eight leagues east-southeast of the Hainai. Espinosa’s diaries provide evidence of the mission’s proximity to a stream with ample water, likely indicating its site was near Shawnee Creek in present-day Nacogdoches County. The mission remained active until its relocation in 1729 to San Antonio, maintaining proximity to the Nasoni settlement throughout the years.

Neches-Angelina Confederacy

The Neches-Angelina confederacy consisted of various tribes, primarily within the Neches-Angelina valleys. Key tribes included the Nabadacho, Neche, Nacogdoche, Nasoni, and others, with reports from explorers like De Leon and Francisco de Jesus Maria Casañas highlighting their governance and settlements in the late 17th century. While some tribes were consistently referenced, others, like the Ais, were seen as distinct and often hostile to the Hasinai. Overall, the configuration of the confederacy shifted over time, reflecting the loose political organization of the tribes.