Rickohocken Topics – Access Genealogy

Who Really are the Cherokees?

1718 French Map of North America - Detail

In his dissertation, archaeologist Bennie Keel confronted pressures from North Carolina to claim Cherokees had been in the region for 1,000 years, yet he found limited evidence before 1720, suggesting a gap in their historical record. Earlier towns identified in North Carolina and Tennessee often carried Creek or other Indigenous names, indicating possible cultural connections. The historical narrative of the Cherokees’ presence before the 18th century remains elusive, with European maps and archaeological findings contradicting claims of their long-standing habitation in the region.

Sir William Berkeley and Native American Slavery

Flagmen of Lowestoft - Vice-Admiral Sir William Berkeley, 1639-66

Sir William Berkeley served as the governor of Virginia and was pivotal in the establishment of race-based slavery beginning in 1661. Prior to his governance, both Native Americans and Africans were regarded as indentured servants. Berkeley’s policies transformed them into lifelong chattel slaves, thereby institutionalizing a brutal system that persisted for generations. A controversial figure, he has been portrayed variably as a benevolent aristocrat or a self-serving royalist. Berkeley also played a significant role in exploiting Native American populations for labor, facilitating their removal from the Carolinas.

The Rickohockens

The Rickohockens were prominently featured on 17th-century British maps as the sole inhabitants of the Virginia and northwestern North Carolina mountains. Despite this, little academic attention has been given to them since John Swanton’s misidentification of their name as an alternative for the Yuchi. The term Rickohocken first appeared in Virginia colonial records in 1644 and was associated with territorial claims extending into Kentucky and Tennessee. By the early 1700s, references shifted to the Charaqui, with subsequent confusion linking the Rickohockens to the Creek and Cherokee communities.

Chronology of Early Virginia History 1607-1715

In the early history of Virginia, significant events unfolded from 1607 to 1715, marked by the establishment of Jamestown and the founding of New Amsterdam. Conflicts such as the Powhatan Wars and Bacon’s Rebellion showcased tensions between settlers and Indigenous tribes. The rise of the Dutch trading post near Albany and the development of plantations fueled the slave trade, impacting Virginia’s socio-economic landscape. Governor Berkeley’s controversial policies and the eventual banishment of freed African and Native American slaves shaped colonial relations, culminating in the Yamasee War in 1715.

Mysterious Cherokee Raiders

The Early History of Jackson County, GA outlines the existence of the Bohuron tribe, located northeast of modern Atlanta, and notes their Arabic-derived name meaning “Nobility.” In 1770, the Bohurons were defeated by the Talasee Creeks and, known for raiding Native American villages, were often mistakenly blamed for these attacks. Historical accounts highlight them as part of a broader pattern of predatory groups in the region. Additionally, Cherokee legends recall their role in sacking the capital of Apalache, revealing a turbulent history of conflict among tribes.

The Rickohockens’ Role in Native American Slavery

During the Third Powhatan War (1644-1646), the Rickohockens allied with Powhatan and launched severe attacks on white settlers, resulting in over 500 deaths. To mitigate future conflicts, Royal Governor William Berkeley negotiated trade contracts with the Rickohockens, including firearms for Native American slaves. The tribe’s slave raids devastated neighboring populations, particularly in the Shenandoah Valley, leading to significant demographic shifts. The Rickohockens’ aggressive tactics and involvement in the slave trade contributed to the decline of Indigenous groups, notably the Manahoac, between 1660 and 1676.