Pedee

Pedee Indians

The Pedee Indians were a small tribe located along the Great Pee Dee River in South Carolina, identified notably in colonial records. Their language is thought to be a dialect of the Siouan family, though no words have survived. Struggling against external pressures, they faced decline in the 18th century after conflicts with neighboring tribes. By 1808, their representation diminished to a single half-breed woman. Despite this, places like the Great and Little Pee Dee Rivers preserve their legacy.

The Pedee, Waccamaw, And Winyaw; The Hooks and Backhooks Indians

The Hooks, Backhooks, Waccamaw, and Pedee tribes inhabited the regions along the lower Pedee River and its tributaries in South Carolina and North Carolina. Historical records provide limited knowledge about their languages and cultures. Documented in the early 18th century, the Hooks and Backhooks were noted as adversaries of the Santee. The Waccamaw and Pedee were first mentioned in the early 1700s, with the latter having a village by the Pedee River. Both tribes later merged with the Catawba for protection against enemies.

Pedee Tribe

The Pedee Indians, likely of Siouan origin, inhabited the middle course of the Pedee River in South Carolina. Their history is sparse, with a 1715 war map marking their village near present-day Cheraw. In 1744, they engaged in conflict with the Catawba, forcing their displacement into white settlements. By 1751, they were noted at the Albany conference, listed among smaller tribes integrated with the Catawba, although some Pedee remained in white settlements until at least 1755.