Utah
The Indian Tribes of North America by John R. Swanton
Bannock. This tribe and the Shoshoni roamed over the northern
part of Utah as far as the Uintah Mountains, and beyond Great
Salt Lake. (See Idaho.)
Gosiute. The Gosiute were a small body of Indians inhabiting the
region about Great Salt Lake in northern Utah. They were long
supposed to be a mixture of Ute and Shoshoni but are now known
to have been connected only with the Shoshoni. They attracted
particular attention because of their wretched manner of life,
which reports frequently exaggerated unduly. (See Shoshoni,
Western, under Idaho.)
Navaho. This tribe occupied, at least at times, a small part of
the southeastern section of Utah as far as the San Juan River
(See New Mexico.)
Paiute, Southern. The Southern Paiute occupied the southwestern
part of Utah. (See Nevada.)
Shoshoni, Western. The Western Shoshoni extended into northern
Utah; they included the Gosiute, as above stated. (See Idaho.)
Ute. Significance unknown. Also called:
Grasshopper Indians, Pattie (1833).
Iata-go, Kiowa name.
Ietan, a form of their name used widely for Indians of the
Shoshonean stoek.
Mactcihgeha wain, Omaha and Ponca name, signifying "rabbit
skin robes.'
Moh-tau-hai'-ta-ni-o, Cheyenne name, signifying "the black
men."
Nasuia kwe, Zuni name, signifying "deer-hunting men."
No-oehi or Notch, own name.
Nota-a, Navaho name.
Quazula, seems to be the Jemez name for them.
Sapa wichasha, Dakota name, signifying "black people."
Ta'hana, Taos name .
Teingawuptuh, former Hopi name.
Waatenihts, Atsina name, signifying "black."
Connections.- The Ute belonged to the Shoshonean division of the
Uto-Aztecan linguistic stock and were related more closely to the
true Paiute, Kawaiisu, and Chemehuevi.
Location.- In central and western Colorado and all of eastern
Utah, including the eastern part of Salt Lake Valley and Utah
Valley and extending to the upper drainage area of the San Juan
River in New Mexico. (See also Nevada and Wyoming.)
Subdivisions
Capote, in the Tierra Amarilla and Chama River country,
northwestern New Mexico.
Elk Mountain Ute (perhaps the Sabuaguanos of Esoalante (1882) and
Tah-bah-was-chi of Beckwith (1882), especially if the initial
letter in one or the other case has been misread, in the Elk
Mountains of Colorado.
Kosunats, on Uintah Reservation in 1873.
Moache, in southwest Colorado and northwest New Mexico.
Pahvant, around the lower portion of Sevier Lake and River, Utah.
Pavogowunsin, on the upper course of the Sevier River, south of
the Salina River.
Pikakwanarats, on the Uinta Reservation in 1873.
Sampits or Sanpet, around Manti on San Pitch Creek but wintering
on Sevier River, Utah.
Seuvarits or Sheberetch, in the Castle Valley country and on
headwaters of San Rafael River, in east central Utah.
Tabeguache, in southwest Colorado, chiefly about Los Pinos.
Tumpanogots or Timpaiavats, about Utah Lake, Utah.
Uinta, in northeastern Utah.
Wiminuche, in southwest Colorado, chiefly in the valley of the
San Juan and its northern tributaries.
Yampa, on and about Green and Colorado Rivers in eastern Utah.
The Sogup, in or near New Mexico, and Yubuincariri, west of Green
River,
Utah, are also given as former bands, and a few others of
uncertain status also appear, such as the Kwiumpus, Nauwanatats,
and Unkapanukints. In later years the recognized divisions were
reduced to three: Tabeguache or Uncompahgre, Kaviawach or White
River, and Yoovte or Uinta.
History.- The Ute occupied the region above indicated when they
came to the knowledge of the Spaniards, who were the first
Europeans to encounter them. Their warlike disposition was early
accentuated by the introduction of horses among them. Our first
intimate knowledge of them is derived from the diary of Fray
Silvestre Velez de Escalante, who penetrated their country in
1776. For a brief period they were organized into a confederacy
under a chief named Tabby (Taiwi). The first treaty between the
United States Government and the Ute was concluded December 30,
1849. By Executive order of October 3, 1861, Uintah Valley was
set apart for the Uinta Band, while the remainder of the land
claimed by them was taken without formal purchase. By a treaty of
October 7, 1863, a reservation was assigned to the Tabeguache,
and the remainder of their land was taken without formal
purchase. On May 5, 1864, various reserves, established in 1856
and 1859 by Indian agents, were ordered vacated and sold. By a
treaty of March 2, 1868, a reservation was created in Colorado
for the Tabeguache, Moache, Capote, Wiminuche, Yampa, Grand
River, Uinta, and other bands, who relinquished the remainder of
their lands, but by an agreement of September 13, 1873, a part of
the reservation was ceded to the United States. When it was found
that a portion of this last cession was included in the
Uncompahgre Valley, the part so included was retroceded to the
Ute by Executive order of August 17, 1876. By Executive order of
November 22, 1875, the Ute Reservation was enlarged, but this
additional tract was restored to the public domain by an order of
August 4, 1882. By Act of June 18, 1878, a portion of the Act of
May 5, 1864, was repealed, and several tracts included in the
reservations thereunder established were restored to the public
domain. Under an agreement of November 9, 1878, the Moache,
Capote, and Wiminuche ceded their right to the confederated Ute
Reservation established by the 1868 treaty, the United States
agreeing to establish a reservation for them on San Juan River, a
promise which was finally fulfilled by Executive order of
February 7, 1879. On March 6, 1880, the Southern Ute and the
Uncompahgre acknowledged an agreement to settle respectively on
La Plata River and on the Grand River near the mouth of the
Gunnison, while the White River Ute agreed to move to the Uinta
Reservation in Utah. Sufficient agricultural land not being found
at the point designated as the future home of the Uncompahgre,
the President, by Executive order of January 5, 1882, established
a reserve for them in Utah, the boundaries of which were defined
by Executive order of the same date. By Act of May 24, 1888, a
part of the Uinta Reservation was restored to the public domain.
The tribe has since been allotted land in severalty.
Population.- Mooney (1928) estimates that there were 4,500 Ute in
1845, including the Gosiute. In 1870 there were supposed to be
4,000. The official reports give 3,391 in 1885 and 2,014 in 1909.
The census of 1910 returned 2,244; the United States Indian
Office in 1923, 1,922, including some Paiute; and the Indian
Office in 1937, 2,163.
Connections in which they have become noted.- The Ute shared with
the Shoshoni the reputation of being the strongest and most
warlike of the Plateau people. The State of Utah derives its name
from the Ute. Utah is also the name of a county and a lake in
this State. There is a place called Utahville in Clearfield
County, Pa., and localities called Ute in Montrose County, Colo.,
and Monona County, Iowa, and Ute Park in Colfax County, N. Mex.
Vermont
The Indian Tribes of North America by John R. Swanton
Abnaki. An Abnaki band known as the Missiassik was at one time
settled on Missisquoi River in Franklin County. (See Maine.)
Mahican. Bands of the Mahican hunted in the southwestern and
western parts of the State and made temporary settlements from
time to time. One Mahican village (Winooskeek) is thought to
have been located at the mouth of Winooski River.
(See New York.)
Pennacook. The eastern margins of Vermont were occupied by the
Pennacook, who must have hunted considerably within its borders.
(See New Hampshire.)
Pocomtuc. The northernmost bands of the Pocomtuc extended
into the southern parts of the State. (See Massachusetts.)
Virginia
The Indian Tribes of North America by John R. Swanton
Cherokee. This tribe claimed territory in the extreme
southwestern part of the State. If not actually occupied by them,
it at least formed part of their hunting territories. (See
Tennessee.)
Manahoac. Meaning "They are very merry," according to Tooker
(1895), but this seems improbable. Also called:
Mahocks, apparently a shortened form.
Connections.- The Manahoac belonged to the Siouan linguistic
family; their nearest connections were probably the Monacan,
Moneton, and Tutelo.
Location.- In northern Virginia between the falls of the rivers
and the mountains east and west and the Potomac and North Anna
Rivers north and south.
Subdivisions
Subtribes or tribes of the confederacy as far as known were the
following:
Hassinunga, on the headwaters of the Rappahannock River.
Manahoac proper, according to Jefferson (1801), in Stafford and
Spottsylvania Counties.
Ontponea, in Orange County.
Shackaconia, on the south bank of the Rappahannock River in
Spottsylvania County.
Stegaraki, on the Rapidan River in Orange County.
Tanxnitania, on the north side of the upper Rappahannock River in
Fauquier County.
Tegninateo, in Culpeper County, at the head of the Rappahannock
River.
Whonkentia, in Fauquier County, near the head of the
Rappahannock.
Villages
Mahaskahod, on the Rappahannock River, probably near
Fredericksburg, is the only town known by name.
History.- Traditional evidence points to an early home of the
Manahoac people in the Ohio Valley. In 1608 John Smith discovered
them in the location above given and learned that they were
allied with the Monacan but at war with the Powhatan Indians and
the Iroquois (or perhaps rather the Susquehanna). After this they
suddenly vanish from history under a certainly recognizable name,
but there is good reason to believe that they were one of those
tribes which settled near the falls of the James River in 1654 or
1656 and defeated a combined force of Whites and coast Indians
who had been sent against them. They seem to have been forced out
of their old country by the Susquehanna. Probably they remained
for a time in the neighborhood of the Monacan proper and were in
fact the Mahock encountered by Lederer (1912) in 1670 at a point
on James River which Bushnell seems to have identified with the
site of the old Massinacack town, the fact that a stream entering
the James at this point is called the Mohawk rendering his case
rather strong. Perhaps the old inhabitants had withdrawn to the
lower Monacan town, Mowhemencho. In 1700 the Stegaraki were
located by Governor Spotswood of Virginia at Fort Christanna, and
the Mepontsky, also placed there, may have been the Ontponea. We
hear of the former as late as 1723, and there is good reason to
believe that they united with the Tutelo and Saponi and followed
their fortunes, and that under these two names were included all
remnants of the Manahoac.
Population.- Mooney (1928) estimates that there were 1,500
Manahoac in 1600 but this is probably rather too high, since
their numbers and those of the Tutelo together seem to have been
600-700 in 1654. However, it is possible that these figures cover
only the Manahoac, while Mooney's include part of the Saponi and
Tutelo.
Meherrin. Meaning unknown.
Connections.- The Meherrin belonged to the Iroquoian linguistic
family, their closest connections probably being the Nottaway.
Location.- Along the river of the same name on the Virginia-North
Carolina border.
History.- The tribal name Meherrin first appears in the form
"Maharineck" in the account of an expedition by Edward Blande and
others to North Carolina in 1650, and next in an Indian census
taken in 1669. Later they seem to have adopted a body of
Conestoga or Susquehanna fleeing from Pennsylvania after their
dispersal by the Iroquois about 1675. This is the only way to
account for the fact that they are all said to have been refugee
Conestoga. They were living on Roanoke River in 1761 with the
southern bands of Tuscarora and Saponi, and the Machapunga, and
probably went north in the last Tuscarora removal in 1802. (For
information regarding another possible band of Meherrin see
"Nottaway")
Population.- Mooney (1928) estimates the Meherrin population at
700 in 1600. In 1669 they are said to have had 50 bowmen, or
approximately 180 souls. In 1755 they were said to be reduced to
7 or 8 fighting men, but in 1761 they are reported to have had
20.
Connection in which they have become noted.- Meherrin River, an
affluent of the Chowan, running through southern Virginia and
north-eastern North Carolina, and a Virginia town perpetuate the
name of the Meherrin.
Monacan. Possibly from an Algonquian word signifying "digging
stick," or "spade," but more likely from their own language. Also
called:
Rahowacah, by Archer, 1607, in Smith (1884).
Connections.- The Monacan belonged to the Siouan linguistic
stock. Their nearest connections were the Manahoac, Tutelo, and
Saponi.
Location.- On the upper waters of James River above the falls at
Richmond.
Villages
(Locations as determined by D. I. Bushnell, Jr.)
Massinacack, on the right bank of James River about the mouth of
Mohawk Creek, and a mile or more south of Goochland.
Mohemencho, later called Monacan Town, on the south bank of James
River and probably covering some of "the level area bordering the
stream in the extreme eastern part of the present Powhatan
County, between Bernards Creek on the east and Jones Creek on the
west."
Rassawek, at the confluence of the James and Rivanna Rivers and
probably "on the right bank of the Rivanna, within the angle
formed by the two streams."
Two other towns are sometimes added but and they afterward
appeared as wholly independent tribes, the Saponi and the Tutelo,
it is probable that their connection with the Monacan was never
very intimate. They seem to have been classed as Monacan largely
on the evidence furnished by Smith's map, in which they appear in
the country of the "Monacans" but Smith's topography, as Bushnell
has shown, was very much foreshortened toward the mountains and
the Saponi and Tutelo towns were farther away than he supposed.
Again, while Massinacack and Mohemencho are specifically referred
to as Monacan towns and Smith calls Rassawek "the chief
habitation" of the Monacan, there is no such characterization of
either of the others.
History.- Capt. John Smith learned of the Monacan in the course
of an exploratory trip which he made up James River in May 1607.
The people themselves were visited by Captain Newport the year
following, who discovered the two lower towns. The population
gradually declined and in 1699 some Huguenots took possession of
the land of Mowhemencho. The greater part of the Monacan had been
driven away some years before this by Colonel Bornn (Byrd?).
Those who escaped continued to camp in the region until after
1702, as we learn from a Swiss traveler named F. L. Michel
(1916). It is probable that the remnant finally united with their
relatives the Saponi and Tutelo when they were at Fort Christanna
and followed their fortunes, but we have no further information
as to their fate.
Population.- The number of the Monacan was estimated by Mooney
(1928) at 1,200 in 1600 including part of the Saponi and Tutelo,
but they can hardly have comprised over half as many. In 1669
there were still about 100 true Monacan as they were credited
with 30 bowmen.
Connection in which they have become noted.- The name Monacan is
perpetuated by a small place called Manakin on the north bank of
James River, in Goochland County, Va.
Nahyssan. A contraction of Monahassano or Monahassanugh,
remembered in later times as Yesan.
Connections,- The Nahyssan belonged to the Siouan linguistic
stock, their nearest relatives being the Tutelo, Saponi, and
probably the Monacan and Manahoac.
Location.- The oldest known location of the Nahyssan has been
identified by D. I. Bushnell, Jr. (1930), within very narrow
limits as "probably on the left bank of the James, about 1 1\2
miles up the stream from Wingina, in Nelson County."
History.- In 1650 Blande and his companions noted a site, 12
miles south-south vest of the present Petersburg, called "Manks
Nessoneicks" which was presumably occupied for a time by the
Nahyssan or a part of them, since "Manks" may be intended for
"Tanks," the Powhatan adjective signifying "little." In 1654 or
1666 this tribe and the Manahoac appeared at the falls of James
River having perhaps been driven from their former homes by the
Susquehanna. They defeated a force of colonials and Powhatan
Indians sent against them but did not advance further into the
settlements. In 1670 Lederer (1912) found two Indian towns on
Staunton River, one of which he calls Sapon and the other
Pintahae. Sapon was, of course, the town of the Saponi but it is
believed that Pintahae was the town of the Nahyssnn Indians,
though Lederer gives this name to both towns. Pintahae was
probably the Hanathaskie or Hanahaskie town of which Batts and
Fallam (1912) speak a year later. About 1675 the Nahyssan settled
on an island below the Occaneechi at the junction of the Staunton
and Dan Rivers. Before 1701 all of the Sionan tribes who had
settled in this neighborhood moved into North Carolina, and it is
thought that the Nahyssan followed the Saponi and Tutelo to the
headwaters of the Yadkin and that their subsequent fortunes were
identical with those of these two. (See Snponi and Tutelo.)
Population.- (See Saponi and Tutelo.)
Nottaway. Meaning "adders," in the language of their Algonquian
neighbors, a common designation for alien tribes by peoples of
that linguistic stock. Also called:
Cheroenhaka, their own name, probably signifying "fork of a
stream."
Mangoak, Mengwe, another Algonquian term, signifying
"stealthy," "treacherous."
Connections.- The Nottaway belonged to the Iroquoian linguistic
family, their closest connections probably being the Meherrin,
Tuscarora, and Susquchanna.
Location.- On the river of the same name in southeastern
Virginia.
History.- The Nottaway were found by the Virginia colonists in
the location given above. Though they were never prominent in
colonial history, they kept up their organization long after the
other tribes of thc region were practically extinct. In 1825 they
are mentioned as living on a reservation in Southampton County
and ruled over by a "queen." The name of this tribe was also
applied to a band of Indians which appeared on the northern
frontiers of South Carolina between 1748 and 1754. They may have
included those Susquehanna who are sometimes confounded with the
Meherrin, and are more likely to have included Meherrin than true
Nottaway although they retained the name of the latter (see
Swanton, 1946).
Population.- The number of Nottaway, exclusive of those last
mentioned, was estimated by Mooney (1928) at 1,500 in the year
1600. In 1709 Lawson reported one town with 30 fighting men, but
in 1827 Byrd estimated that there were 300 Nottaway in Virginia.
In 1825, 47 were reported. The band that made its appearance on
the frontiers of South Carolina was said to number about 300.
Connetion in which they have become noted.- The name of the
Nottaway is preserved by Nottoway River, Nottoway County, and two
towns, one the county seat of the above, the other in Sussex
county. There is a Nottawa in St. Joseph County, Mich.
Occaneechi. Meaning unknown.
The Botshcnins, or Patshenins, a band associated with the Saponi
and Tutelo in Ontario, were perhaps identical with this tribe.
Connections.- The Occaneechi belonged to the Siouan linguistic
stock; their closest connections were probably the Tutelo and
Saponi.
Location.- On the middle and largest island in Roanoke River,
just below the confluence of the Staunton and the Dan, near the
site of Clarksville, Mecklenburg County, Va. (See also North
Carolina.)
History.- Edward Blande and his companions heard of them in 1650.
When first met by Lederer in 1670 at the spot above mentioned,
the Occaneechi were noted throughout the region as traders, and
their language is said to have been the common speech both of
trade and religion over a considerable area (Lederer, 1912).
Between 1670 and 1676 the Occaneechi had been joined by the
Tutelo and Saponi, who settled upon two neighboring islands. In
the latter year the Conestoga sought refuge among them and were
hospitably received, but, attempting to dispossess their
benefactors, they were driven away. Later, harassed by the
Iroquois and English, the Occaneechi fled south and in 1701
Lawson (1860) found them on the Eno River, about the present
Hillsboro, Orange County, N. C. Later still they united with the
Tutelo and Saponi and followed their fortunes, having, according
to Byrd, taken the name of the Saponi.
Population.- Mooney (1928) estimates that there were 1,200
Occaneechi in the year 1600. There is no later estimate, but in
1709 this tribe along with the Shakori, Saponi, Tutelo, and
Keyauwee were about 750.
Connection in which they have become noted.- The name Occaneechi
is associated particularly with the Occaneechi Trail or Trading
Path, which extended southwest through North and South Carolina
from the neighborhood of Petersburg, Va.
Powhatan. Said by Gerard to signify "falls in a current of
water," and applied originally to one tribe but extended by the
English to its chief Wahunsonacock, and through him to the body
of tribes which came under his sway. Also called:
Sachdagugh-roonnw, Iroquois name.
Connections.- The Powhatan belonged to the Algonquian linguistic
stock, their nearest relatives probably being the Algonquian
tribes of Carolina and the Conoy.
Location.- In the tidewater section of Virginia from Potomac
River to the divide between James River and Albemarle Sound, and
the territory of the present eastern shore of Virginia. (See also
Maryland and District of Columbia.)
Subdivisions
Subtribes constituting this group are as follows:
Accohanoc, in Accomao and part of Northampton Counties, Va., and
probably extending slightly into Maryland.
Accomac, in the southern part of Northampton County, Va.
Appomattoc, in Chesterfield County.
Arrohattoc, in Henrico County.
Chesapeake, in Princess Anne County.
Chickahominy, on Chickahominy River.
Chiskiac, in York County.
Cuttatawomen, in King George County.
Kecoughtan, in Elizabeth City County.
Mattapony on Mattapony River.
Moraughtacund, in Lancaster and Richmond Counties.
Mummapacune, on York River.
Nansemond, in Nansemond County.
Nantaughtacund, in Essex and Caroline Counties.
Onawmanient, in Westmoreland County.
Pamunkey, in King William County.
Paspahegh, in Charles City and James City Counties.
Pataunck, on Pamunkey River.
Piankatank, on Piankatank River.
Pissasee, in King George and Westmoreland Counties.
Potomac, in Stafford and King George Counties.
Powhatan, in Henrico County.
Rappahannock, in Richmond County.
Secacawoni, in Northumberland County.
Tauxenent, in Fairfax County.
Warrasqueoc, in Isle of Wight County.
Weanoe, in Charles City County.
Werowcomoco, in Gloucester County.
Wicocomoco, in Northumberland County.
Youghtanund, on Pamunkey River.
Villages
Accohanoc, on the river of the same name in Accomac or
Northampton Counties.
Accomac, according to Jefferson (1801), about Cheriton, on
Cherrystone Inlet, Northampton County.
Acconoe, between Chickahominy and Pamunkey Rivers, in New Kent
County.
Accoqueck, on Rappahannock River, above Secobec, in Caroline
County.
Accossuwinck, on Pamunkey River, King William County.
Acquack, on the north bank of Rappahannock River, in Caroline
County.
Appamattoc, on the site of Bermuda Hundred, in Prince George
County.
Appocant, on the north bank of Chickahominy River, in New Kent
County.
Arrohattoc, in Henrico County on the James River, 12 miles below
the falls at Richmond.
Askakep, near Pamunkey River in New Kent County.
Assaomeck, near Alexandria.
Assuweska, on the north bank of the Rappahannock in King George
County.
Attamtuck, between the Chickahominy and Pamunkey Rivers in New
Kent County.
Aubomesk, on the north bank of the Rappahannock in Richmond
County.
Aureuapeugh, on Rappahannock River in Essex County.
Cantaunkack, on York River in Gloucester County.
Capahowasic, about Cappahosic in Gloucester County.
Cattachiptico, on Pamunkey River in King William County.
Cawwontoil, on the north bank of the Rappahannock River in
Richmond County.
Chawopo, at the mouth of Chipoak Creek, Surry County.
Checopissowo, on Rappahannock River above Tobacco Greek, in
Caroline County.
Chesakawon, above the mouth of Corotoman River, in Lancaster
County.
Chesapeake, according to Jefferson on Linnhaven River in Princess
Anne County a small stream flowing north into Chesapeake Bay.
Chiconessex, about Wiseville, in Accomac County.
Chincoteague, about Chincoteague Inlet, in Accomac County.
Chiskiac, on the south side of York River, about 10 miles below
the junction of the Mattapony and Pamunkey.
Cinquack, near Smiths Point on the Potomac, in Northumberland
County.
Cinquoteek, in the fork of Mattapony and Pamunkey Rivers, in King
William County.
Cuttatawomen, (1) on the Rappahannock River at Corotoman River in
Lancaster County; (2) about Lamb Creek on the Rappahannock, in
King George County.
Gangasco, near Eastville, in Northampton County.
Kapawnich, on the north bank of the Rappahannock, about Corotoman
River in Lancaster County.
Kerahocak, on the north bank of the Rappahannock River in King
George County.
Kiequotank, on the eastern shore of Accomac County, north of
Metomkin.
Kupkipcock, on Parnunkey River in King William County.
Machapunga, (l) in Northampton County; (2) on Potomac River.
Mamanahunt, on Chickahominy River, in Charles City County.
Mamanassy, at the junction of Pamunkey and Mattapony Rivers in
King and Queen County.
Mangoraca, on the north bank of the Rappahannock in Richmond
County.
Mantoughquemec, on Nansemond River, in Nansemond County.
Martoughquaunk, on Mattapony River in Caroline County.
Massawoteck, on the north bank of Rappahannock River in King
George County.
Matchopick, on the north bank of the Rappahannock River in
Richmond County.
Matchut, on Pamunkey River, in New Kent County.
Mathomauk, on the west bank of James River, in Isle of Wight
County.
Matomkin, about Metomkin Inlet in Accomac County.
Mattacock, on the north bank of York River in Gloucester County.
Mattacunt, on the south side of Potomac River in King George
County.
Mattanock, on the west side of Nansemond River, near its mouth,
in Nansemond County.
Maysonec, on the north bank of the Chickahominy in New Kent
County.
Menacupunt, on Pamunkey River, in King William County.
Menaskunt, on the north bank of Rappahannock River in Richmond
County.
Meyascosic, on the north side of James River in Charles City
County.
Mohominge, near the falls of James River, in Richmond County.
Mokete, on Warrasqueoc Creek, in Isle of Wight County.
Moraughtacund, near the mouth of Moratico River in Richmond
County.
Mouanast, on the north bank of Rappahannock River, in King George
County.
Mutchut, on the north bank of the Mattapony River in King and
Queen County.
Muttamussinsack, on the north bank of Rappahannock River in
Caroline County.
Myghtuckpassu, on the south bank of Mattapony River in King
William County.
Namassingakent, on the south bank of Potomac River in Fairfax
County.
Nameroughquena, on the south bank of the Potomac River in
Alexandria County, opposite Washington, D. C.
Nansemond, probably about Chuckatuck in Nansemond County.
Nantapoyac, on the south bank of James River in Surry County.
Nantaughtacund, on the south side of the Rappahannock River in
either Essex County or Caroline County.
Nawacaten, on the north bank of the Rappahannock River in
Richmond County.
Nawnautough, on the north bank of the Rappahannock River in
Richmond County.
Nechanicok, on the south bank of the Chickahominy in the lower
part of Henrico County.
Nepawtacum, on the north bank of the Rappahannock in Lancaster
County.
Onancock, near Onancock in Accomac County.
Onawrnanient, probably on Nominy Bay, in Westmoreland County.
Opiscopank, on the south bank of the Rappahannock River in
Middlesex County.
Oquomock, on the north bank of the Rappahannock River in Richmond
County.
Orapaks, in New Kent County, between the Chickahominy and
Pamunkey Rivers.
Ottachugh, on the north bank of the Rappahannock River in
Lancaster County.
Ozatawomen, on the south bank of the Potomac River in King George
County.
Ozenic, on Chickahominy River in New Kent County.
Pamawauk, perhaps identical with Pamunkey.
Pamuncoroy, on the south bank of Pamunkey River in New Kent
County.
Pamunkey, probably near West Point in King William County.
Papiscone, on the north bank of the Rappahannock in King George
County.
Pasaugtacock, on the north bank of York River in King and Queen
County.
Paspahegh, (1) on the south bank of Chickahominy River in Charles
City County; (2) on the north bank of James River in Charles City
County.
Passaunkack, on the south bank of Mattapony River in the
northwestern part of King William County.
Pastanza, on or near Potomac River, possibly on Aquia Creek, in
Stafford County.
Pawcocomac, on the north bank of Rappahannock River at the mouth
of the Corotoman in Lancaster County.
Pecearecamek, an Indian settlement reported on the southern
Virginia border, perhaps mythical.
Pemacocack, on the west bank of Potomac River in Prince William
County about 30 miles below Alexandria.
Piankatank, on Piankatank River in Middlesex County.
Pissacoac, On the north bank of Rappahannock River above
Leedstown in Westmoreland County.
Poruptanck, on the north bank of York River in Gloucester County.
Potaucac, in New Kent County between the Chickahominy and
Pamunkey Rivers.
Potomac, about 55 miles in a straight line from Chesapeake Bay,
on a peninsula in whnt is now Stafford County, formed by Potomac
River and Potomac Creek.
Powcomonet, on the north bank of Rappahannock River in Richmond
County.
Powhatan, on the north bank of James River at the falls on ground
now forming an eastern suburb of Richmond.
Poyektauk, on the north bank of Rappahannock River in Richmond
County.
Poykemkack, on the north bank of Rappahannock River in Richmond
County.
Pungoteque, in Accomac County, probably near Metomkin Inlet.
Quackcohowaon, on the south bank of the Mattapony in King William
County.
Quioucohanock, probably on an eminence now called Wharf Bluff
just east of Upper Chipoak Creek in Surry County.
Quiyough, on the south bank of Aquia Creek near its mouth, in
Stafford County.
Rappahannock, at the mouth of a creek on Rappahannock River in
Richmond County.
Rickahake, probably in Norfolk County.
Righkahauk, on the west bank of Chickahominy River in New Kent
County.
Ritanoe, probably Powhatan, in Virginia or North Carolina.
Roscows, in Elizabeth City County.
Secacawoni, at the mouth of Coan Creek on the south bank of the
Potomac in Northumberland County.
Secobeck, on the south bank of Rappahannock River in Caroline
County.
Shamnpa, on Pamunkey or York River.
Sockobeck, on the north bank of Rappahannock River in King George
County.
Tantucquask, on Rappahannock River in Richmond County.
Tauxenent, about Mount Vernon in Fairfax County.
Teracosick, on the west bank of Nansemond River in Nansemond
County.
Utenstank, on the north bank of Mattapony River in Caroline
County.
Uttamussac, on the north bank of Pamunkey River in King William
County.
Uttamussamacoma, on the south bank of Potomac River in
Westmoreland County.
Waconiask, on the north bank of Rappahannock River in King George
County.
Warrasqueoc, on the south bank of James River at the mouth of
Warrasqueoc Creek in Isle of Wight County.
Weanoc, below the mouth of Appamattox River at the present
Weyanoke in Prince George County.
Wecuppom, on the north bank of Rappahannock River in Richmond
County.
Werawahon, on the north bank of Chickahominy River in New Kent
County.
Werowacomoco, on the north bank of York River in Gloucester
County about opposite the mouth of Queen Creek.
Wicocomoco, at the mouth of Wicomico River in Northumberland
County.
Winsack, on the north bank of Rappahannock River in Richmond
County.
History.- The Powhatan were visited by some very early explorers,
including probably the Cabots in 1498. Their territory was well
known to the Spaniards in the latter part of the sixteenth
century and a Jesuit mission was established among them in 1570
though soon extinguished by the Indians. In 1607 the Virginia
colony was planted on James River and from that time on relations
between the Whites and Powhatans were of the most intimate
character, friendly at first, but later disturbed by the
exactions of the newcomers. Peace was restored for a lime by the
marriage of Powhatan's daughter Pocahontas to John Rolfe, and
lasted until Powhatan's death in 1618. In 1622 Powhatan's second
successor, Opechancanough, led an uprising against the colonists,
as a result of which all of the White settlements except those
immediately about Jamestown were destroyed. War continued until
1636 when exhaustion of both sides led to peace, but in 1644
Opechnncanough led another uprising as destructive as the first.
He was captured and was killed the same year. The tribes made
peace separately, and they were placed upon reservations, where
they gradually dwindled away. In 1654 or 1656 the Pamunkey
assisted the English in resisting an invasion of some inland
people, but the allied army was severely defeated (see Manahoac).
In 1675 these Indians were accused of having committed certain
depredations, really caused by the Conestoga, and several
unauthorized expeditions were led against them by Nathaniel
Bacon. In August 1676 a great body of them gathered in a fort
nenr Richmond which was carried by storm, and men, women, and
children indiscriminately massacred. Peace was made with the
survivors on condition that an annual tribute be paid by each
village. In 1722 in a treaty made at Albany between the English
nnd Iroquois, the latter agreed to cease their attacks upon the
Powhatan Indians, but the Powhatans already had been greatly
reduced and they continued to decline. Those on the eastern shore
of Virginia, who had become very much mixed with Negroes, were
driven away in 1831 during the excitement caused by the slave
rising under Nat Turner. In 1785 Jefferson reported the Powhatan
Indians reduced to two tribes, the Pnmunkey and Mattapony,
embracing only about 15 men, but he must have overlooked great
numbers of these Indians, for at the present time there are
several bands, including the Chickahominy, Nansemond, Pamunkey,
Mattapony, Upper Mattapony, Rappahannock, Wicocomoco, Potomac,
Powhatan, and Werowocomoco (Speck, 1925).
Population.- The Powhatan population was estimated by Mooney
(1928) as 9,000 in 1600; Smith (1884) allows them 2,400 warriors;
in 1669 a census gave 528 warriors or about 2,000 population, the
Wicocomoco being then the largest tribe. In 1705 the Pamunkey by
themselves numbered 150 souls. Jefferson in 1785 represented the
two tribes which he mentions as having but 15 men; Mooney,
however, believed that there must have been a population of
something like 1,000 because of the number of mixed-bloods still
surviving. The census of 1910 returned 115 Chickahominy and 85
Pamunkey. The United States Office of Indian Affairs Report for
1923 includes still other bands, giving in all a population of
822, and Speck (1925) gives the names of 10 bands aggregating
2,118 in 1923. The census of 1930 returned only 203 Indians from
Virginia but evidently missed nearly all except the Pamunkey.
Connection in which they have become noted.- The Powhatan
Confederacy is famous as embracing those Indians among whom the
first permanent English settlement in North America was made;
for the personal character of its chief, Powhatan, who had
conquered about 24 tribes, in addition to the 6 under him at his
accession, before the appearance of the Europeans; on account of
the dealings of the Whites with both Powhatan and his brother
Opechancanough, as well as the massacre of the settlers by the
latter in 1622 and again in 1644; and not least from the fame
attached to Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas. There are post
villages named Powhatan in Jefferson County, Ala.; Lawrence
County, Ark.; Natchitoches Parish, La.; McDowell County, W. Va.;
a county and county seat of the name in Virginia; Powhatan Point
in Belmont County, Ohio; and Powhattan in Brown County, Kans.
Saponi. Evidently a corruption of Monasiccapano or
Monasukapanough, which, as shown by Bushnell, is probably derived
in part from a native term "moni-seep" signifying "shallow
water." Paanese is a corruption and in no way connected with the
word "Pawnee."
Connections.- The Saponi belonged to the Siouan linguistic
family, their nearest relations being the Tutelo.
Location.- The earliest known location of the Saponi has been
identified by Bushnell (1930) with high probability with "an
extensive village site on the banks of the Rivanna, in Albemarle
County, directly north of the University of Virginia and about
one-half mile up the river from the bridge of the Southern
Railway." This was their location when, if ever, they formed a
part of the Monacan Confederacy. (See also North Carolina,
Pennsylvania, and New York.)
Villages
The principal Saponi settlement usually bore the same name as the
tribe or, at least, it has survived to us under that name. In
1670 Lederer reports another which he visited called Pintahae,
situated not far from the main Saponi town after it had been
removed to Otter Creek, southwest of the present Lynchburg
(Lederer, 1912), but this was probably the Nahyssan town.
History.- As first pointed out by Mooney (1895), the Saponi tribe
is identical with the Monasukapanough which appears on Smith's
map as though it were a town of the Monacan and may in fact have
been such. Before 1670, and probably between 1650 and 1660, they
moved to the southwest and probably settled on Otter Creek, as
above indicated. In 1670 they were visited by Lederer in their
new home and by Thomas Batts (1912) a year later. Not long
afterward they and the Tutelo moved to the junction of the
Staunton and Dan Rivers, where each occupied an island in Roanoke
River in Mecklenburg County. This movement was to enable them to
escape the attacks of the Iroquois, and for the same reason they
again moved south before 1701, when Lawson (1860) found them on
Yadkin River near the present site of Salisbury, N. C. Soon
afterward they left this place and gravitated toward the White
settlements in Virginia. They evidently crossed Roanoke River
before the Tuscarora War of 1711, establishing themselves a short
distance east of it and 15 miles west of the present Windsor,
Bertie County, N. C. A little later they, along with the Tutelo
and some other tribes, were placed by Governor Spotswood near
Fort Christanna, 10 miles north of Roanoke River about the
present Gholsonville, Brunswick County. The name of Sappony Creek
in Dinwiddie County, dating back to 1733 at least, indicates that
they sometimes extended their excursions north of Nottoway River.
By the treaty of Albany (1722) the Iroquois agreed to stop
incursions on the Virginia Indians and, probably about 1740, the
greater part of the Saponi and the Tutelo moved north stopping
for a time at Shamokin, Pa., about the site of Sunbury. One band,
however, remained in the south, in Granville County, N. C., until
at least 1756, when they comprised 14 men and 14 women. In 1753
the Cayuga Iroquois formally adopted this tribe and the Tutelo.
Some of them remained on the upper waters of the Susquehanna in
Pennsylvania until 1778, but in 1771 the principal section had
their village in the territory of the Cayuga, about 2 miles south
of Ithaca, N. Y. They are said to have separated from the Tutelo
in 1779 at Niagara, when the latter fled to Canada, and to have
become lost, but a portion, at least, were living with the Cayuga
on Seneca River in Seneca County, N. Y., in 1780. Besides the
Person County Indians, a band of Saponi Indians remained behind
in North Carolina which seems to have fused with the Tuscarora,
Meherrin, and Machapunga and gone north with them in 1802.
Population.- The Saponi and the Tutelo are identified by Mooney
(1928) as remnants of the Mannhoac and Monacan with an estimated
population of 2,700 in 1600. In 1716 the Huguenot Fontaine found
200 Saponi, Manaboac, and Tutelo at Fort Christanna. In 1765,
when they were living on the upper Susquehanna, the Saponi are
said to have had 30 warriors. The main North Carolina band
counted 20 warriors in 1761, and those in Person County, 14 men
and 14 women in 1755.
Connection in which they have become noted.- A small place called
Sapona, in Davidson County, N. C., east of the Yadkin River,
preserves the name of the Saponi.
Shakori. They seem to have lived in the State at one time. (See
North Carolina.)
Shawnee. Indians of this tribe were settled for a time in the
Shenandoah Valley. (See Tennessee.)
Tutelo. Significance unknown but used by the Iroquois, who seem
to have taken it from some southern tongue. Also called:
Kattera, another form of Tutelo.
Shateras, a third form of the name.
Connections.- The Tutelo belonged to the Siouan linguistic
family, their nearest connections being thc Saponi and probably
the Monacan.
Location.- The oldest known town site of the Tutelo was near
Salem, Va., though the Big Sandy River at one time bore their
name and may have been an earlier seat. (See also North Carolina,
New York, and Pennsylvania.)
History.- In 1671 Fallam and Batts (1912) visited the town above
mentioned. Some years later the Tutelo moved to an island in
Roanoke River just above the Occaneechi, but in 1701 Lawson found
them still farther southwest, probably about the headwaters of
the Yadkin (Lawson, 1860). From that time forward they
accompanied the Saponi until the latter tribe separated from
them at Niagara as above noted. In 1771 they were settled on the
east side of Cayuga Inlet about 3 miles from the south end of the
lake. This village was destroyed by Sullivan in 1779, but the
Tutelo continued to live among the Cayuga sufficiently apart to
retain their own language until 1898, when the last individual
who could speak it fluently died. A certain amount of Tutelo
blood flows in the veins of some of the Iroquois. (For further
information, see Swanton (1937).)
Population.- (See Saponi.) In 1701-9, according to Lawson (1860),
the Tutelo, Saponi, Keyauwee, Occaneechi, and Shakori numbered
together about 750. In 1715 Governor Spotswood reported that the
Indians at Fort Christanna, including the Tutelo, Saponi,
Occancechi, and Manahoac, numbered 300. In 1763 the Tutelo,
Saponi, Nanticoke, and Conoy had 200 men, probably less than
1,000 souls.
Connection in which they have become noted.- The Tutelo are note-
worthy chiefly as the principal body of Siouan Indians from
Virginia to retain their integrity and preserve a knowledge of
their language late enough for a permanent record of it to be
made.
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