Virginia

Art of the Pamunkey Indians

In 1891 the writer was sent by the Smithsonian Institution to visit the Pamunkey Indians and make a collection of specimens of their arts. Few articles could be found which were distinctively Indian productions. Of their aboriginal arts none are now retained by them except that of making earthenware and “dug-out” canoes. Until recent years they engaged quite extensively in the making- of pottery which they sold to their white neighbors but since earthen ware has become so cheap they have abandoned its manufacture so that now only the oldest of the tribe retain the art and even these cannot … Read more

Characteristics of Pamunkey Indians

No member of the Pamunkey tribe is of full Indian blood. While the copper- colored skin and the straight, coarse hair of the aboriginal American show decidedly in some individuals, there are others whose Indian origin would not be detected by the ordinary observer. There has been considerable intermixture of white blood in the tribe, and not a little of that of the Negro, though the laws of the tribe now strictly prohibit marriage to persons of African descent. No one who visits the Pamunkey could fail to notice their race pride. Though they would probably acknowledge the whites as … Read more

Susquehanna Tribe

Susquehanna Indians. A town and a tribe of the Iroquoian stock, situated in 1608 on the lower portion of the Susquehanna river and its effluents. The original form of the name used by Capt. John Smith was Sasquesahannocks in his text and Sasquesahanough on his map. He first heard the name from Tockwock, Nanticoke, or Powhatan speakers of the Algonquian tongue, while exploring the waters of upper Chesapeake bay and its affluents, as the designation of a mighty people who dwelt on the Susquehanna two days journey “higher than our barge could pass for rocks.” Of this people Smith wrote: … Read more

Occaneechi Tribe

Occaneechi Indians. A small tribe of the eastern Siouan group formerly residing in south Virginia and northern North Carolina. Their history is closely interwoven with that of the Saponi and Tutelo

Cheraw Tribe

Cheraw Indians. An important tribe, very probably of Siouan stock, formerly ranging in central Carolina, east of the Blue ridge, from about the present Danville, Va., southward to the neighborhood of Cheraw, S. C., which takes its name from them. In numbers they may have stood next to the Tuscarora among the North Carolina tribes, but are less prominent in history by reason of their almost complete destruction before the white settlements had reached their territory. They are mentioned first in the De Soto narrative for 1540, under the name Xuala, a corruption of Suali, the name by which they … Read more

Shawnee Tribe

1710 Senex Map Portion

Formerly a leading tribe of South Carolina, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. By reason of the indefinite character of their name, their wandering habits, their connection with other tribes, and because of their interior position away from the traveled routes of early days, the Shawnee were long a stumbling block in the way of investigators.

Powhatan Tribe

Powhatan Indians: A confederacy of Virginian Algonquian tribes. Their territory included the tidewaters of Virginia, as well as possibly parts of Maryland.

Powhatan Indian Locations

The tribes, in the order of their location on Smith’s map, were as follows: Tauxenent, Fairfax county Potomac, Stafford and King George counties Cuttatawomen, King George county Pissasec, King George and Richmond counties Onawmanieut, Westmoreland counties Rappahannock, Richmond counties Moraughtacund, Lancaster and Richmond counties Secacawoni, Northumberland counties Wicocomoco, Northumberland counties Nantaughtacund, Essex and Caroline counties Mattapony, Mattapony rivers Mummapacune, York rivers (mentioned by Strachey); Pamunkey, King Williameo Werowocomoco, Gloucester counties; Fiankatank, Piankatank rivers; Pataunck (mentioned by Strachey) Youghtanund, Pamunkey rivers Chickahominy, Chickahominy rivers Powhatan, Henrico counties Arrohattoc, Henrico counties Weanoc, Charles City counties Paspahegh, Charles City and James City counties … Read more

Powhatan Indian Villages

The following were Powhatan villages: Accohanoc, Accomac, Acconoc, Accoqueck, Accossuwinck, Acquack, Anaskenoans, Appocant, Appomattoc, Arrohattoe, Askakep, Assaomeck, Assuweska, Attamtuck, Aubornesk, Aureuapeugh, Cantaunkack, Capahowasic, Cattachiptico, Cawwontoll, Chawopo, Checopissowo, Chesakawon, Chesapeak, Chiconessex, Chincoteague, Chiskiac, Cinquack, Cinquoteck, Cuttatawomen (1), Cuttatawomen (2), Gangasco, Kapawnich, Kerahocak, Kiequotank, Kupkipcock, Machapunga (1), Machapunga (2), Mamanahunt, Mamanassy, Mangoraca, Mantoughquemec, Martoughquaunk, Massawoteck, Matchopick, Matchut, Mathomauk, Matomkin, Mattacock, Mattacunt, Mattanock, Maysonec, Menapucunt, Menaskunt, Meyascosic, Mohominge, Mokete, Moraughtacund, Mouanast, Mutchut, Muttamussinsack, Myghtuck passu, Namassingakent, Nameroughquena, Nansemond, Nantapoyac, Nantaughtacund, Nawacaten, Nawnautough, Nechanicok, Nepawtacum, Onancock, Onawmanient, Opiscopank, Oquomock, Orapaks, Ottachugh, Ozatawomen, Ozenic, I’amacocac, Pamawauk, Paumncoroy, Pamunkey, Papiscone, Pasaughtacock, Paspahegh, Paspanegh, Passaunkack, Pastanza, Pawcocomac, … Read more

Powhatan Genealogy and History

Powhatan Indians (Southern Renape pawd’tan, ‘falls in a current’ of water.-Gerard). A confederacy of Virginian Algonquian tribes. Their territory included the tidewater section of Virginia from the Potomac south to the divide between James River and Albemarle sound, and extended into the interior as far as the falls of the principal rivers about Fredericksburg and Richmond. They also occupied the Virginia counties east of Chesapeake Bay and possibly included some tribes in lower Maryland. In the Piedmont region west of them were the hostile Monacan and Manahoac, while on the south were the Chowanoc, Nottoway, and Meherrin of Iroquoian stock. … Read more

Powhatan Tribe Divisions

Appomattoc. A tribe of the Powhatan confederacy formerly living on lower Appomattox River, Virginia. They had 60 warriors in 1608, and were of some importance as late as 1671, but were extinct by 1722. Their principal village, which bore the same name was on the site of Bermuda Hundred, Prince George County, was burned by the English in 1611.  Appomatox was also one of the terms applied to the Matchotic, a later combination of remnants of the same confederacy. Consult Further: Appomattoc Tribe Chickahominy (from K’chick-ahän-min’-nough, ‘course-pounded corn people.’ ‘hominy people’ Tooker; or from Tshi-kĕjämĕn, a place name meaning ‘swept,’ … Read more

Meherrin Tribe

Meherrin Indians.  An Iroquoian tribe formerly residing on the river of the same name on the Virginia-North Carolina border.  Jefferson confounded them with the Tutelo.  according to the official colonial documents they were a remnant of the Conestoga or Susquehanna of upper Maryland, dispersed by the Iroquois about 1675, but this also is incorrect, as they are found noted under the name “Menheyricks” in the census of Virginia Indians in 1669, at which time they numbered 50 bowmen, or approximately 180 souls . It is possible that the influx of refugee Conestoga a few years later may have so overwhelmed … Read more

Nottoway Tribe

Nottoway Indians. A Iroquoian tribe formerly residing on the river of the same name in south east Virginia.  They call themselves Cheroenhaka, and were known to the neighboring Algonquian tribes as Mangoac (Mengwe) and Nottoway, i.e., Nadowa, ‘adders,’ a common Algonquian name for the tribes of alien stock.  Although never prominent in history they kept up their organization long after the other tribes of the region were practically extinct. As late as 1825 they still numbered 47, with a “queen” on a reservation in Southampton County.  Linguistically they were closely cognate to Tuscarora.

Cherokee Tribe

1830 Map of Cherokee Territory in Georgia

“Cherokee Tribe – Access Genealogy” provides a comprehensive overview of the Cherokee people, including their history, language, and clans. The text explores their origins, their forced removal westward on the “Trail of Tears,” and the establishment of the Eastern Band of Cherokee. It also highlights notable figures like Sequoya, who developed a Cherokee syllabary, and William H. Thomas, who advocated for the Eastern Band’s right to remain in North Carolina. The website offers numerous links to additional resources for those seeking more in-depth information about the Cherokee.

Monacan Tribe

Monacan Indians (possibly from an Algonquian word signifying a digging stick or spade). A tribe and confederacy of Virginia in the 17th century. The confederacy occupied the upper waters of James river above the falls at Richmond. Their chief village was Rasawek. They were allies of the Manahoac and enemies of the Powhatan, and spoke a language different from that of either. They were finally incorporated with other remnants under the names of Saponi and Tutelo. The confederacy was composed of the Monacan proper, Massinacac, Mohemencho, Monahassano, Monasiccapano, and some other tribes. The Monacan proper had a chief settlement, known … Read more

Manahoac Tribe

Manahoac Indians (Algonquian: ‘they are very merry.’ – Tooker). A confederacy or group of small tribes or bands possibly Siouan, in north Virginia, in 1608, occupying the country from the falls of the rivers to the mountains and from the Potomac to North Anna river. They were at war with the Powhatan and Iroquois, and in alliance with the Monacan, but spoke a language different from any of their neighbors.  Among their tribes Smith mentions the Manahoac, Tanxnitania, Shackaconia, Ontponea, Tegninateo, Whonkenti, Stegaraki, and Hassinunga, and says there were others.  Jefferson confounded them with the Tuscarora.  Mahaskahod is the only … Read more

Accohanoc Tribe

Accohanoc Indians. A tribe of the Powhatan confederacy that formerly lived on the river of the same name, in Accomac and Northampton counties, Virginia. They had 40 warriors in 1608. Their principal village bore the name of the tribe. They became mixed with Negroes in later times, and the remnant was driven off at the time of the Nat Turner insurrection, about 1833. (J. M.)