Delaware Indian Bands, Gens and Clans

Many tribes have sub-tribes, bands, gens, clans and phratry.  Often very little information is known or they no longer exist.  We have included them here to provide more information about the tribes.

  • Assinapi (Chippewa: ŭsi′nāpä, ‘stone person’. W. J.). A people, mentioned in the Walam Olum (Brinton, Lenape, 190, 1885), with whom the Delawares fought during their migration toward the E.
  • Assunpink (at the stone stream) . A division of the Delawares formerly on Stony cr., on the Delaware, near Trenton. Probably from the Indian name of Stony cr. (J. M.)
  • Calcefar. A division of the New Jersey Delawares formerly living in the interior between Rancocas cr. and the present Trenton. In 1648 they were estimated at 150 men.
  • Hackensack (Ackkinkas-hacky, the stream that unites with another in low level ground. Heckewelder) .A former division of the Unami Delawares, occupying the territory designated by the Indians Ackkinkashacky, embracing the valleys of Hackensack and Passaic rs. in N. New Jersey. Their principal village was Gamoenapa, usually known as Communipaw. They took a prominent part in the events of 1643-44, but subsequently appear as mediators through their chief Oritany (Oratamy, Oratam, etc.), who enjoyed, to a ripe old age, the confidence of his people and the surrounding chieftaincies, as well as that of the whites. The lands of the tribe embraced Jersey City, Hoboken, a part of Staten island, Weehawken, Newark, Passaic, etc. Their number was estimated at 1,000 in 1643, of which 300 were warriors, probably an exaggeration (Ruttenber). (J. M. C. T. )
  • Haverstraw (Dutch: haverstroo, oat-straw ). The name applied by the Dutch to a small tribe or band (according to Ruttenber, a division) of the Unami Delawares, formerly living on the w. bank of the lower Hudson, in Rockland co, N. Y. The name they applied to them selves is lost, but it may have been Reweghnome or Rumachenanck.

Topics:
Delaware,

Collection:
Hodge, Frederick Webb, Compiler. The Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico. Bureau of American Ethnology, Government Printing Office. 1906.

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