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Tennessee
Indian Tribes
Catawba.
For a brief period in their later history the Catawba lived among the
Cherokee and they may have
occupied lands in Tennessee at that time. There are indications that they
may have been in eastern Tennessee at a more remote epoch. (See
South Carolina.)
Cherokee (See
Cherokee)
Chiaha. A part of this tribe
was encountered by De Soto in 1540, in the territory now forming this
State, probably, as shown by Mr. J. Y. Brame, on what is now Burns Island.
They are also mentioned in connection with the explorations of Juan Pardo
in 1567. (See Georgia.)
Chickasaw. In historic
times the Chickasaw claimed the greater part of western Tennessee, and
twice drove Shawnee
Indians from the Cumberland Valley, the first time with the assistance of
the Cherokee, according to
the claim of the latter. At an early date they had a settlement on the
lower Tennessee River but it is doubtful whether this was in Tennessee or
Kentucky. (See Mississippi.)
Kaskinampo. Meaning
unknown, though -nampo may be the Koasati word for "many."
Connections. The
Kaskinampo were probably closely related to the Koasati, and through them
to the Alabama, Choctaw,
and other Muskhogean
people.
Location. Their
best-known historic location was on the lower end of an island in the
Tennessee River, probably the one now called Pine Island. (See also
Arkansas.)
History. There is every
reason to believe that this tribe constituted the Casqui, Icasqui, or
Casquin "province" which De Soto entered immediately after crossing the
Mississippi River, and it was probably in what is now Phillips County,
Ark. We hear of the Kaskinampo next in connection with the expeditions of
Marquette and Joliet but do not learn of their exact location until 1701,
when they seem to have been on the lower end of the present Pine Island.
We are informed, however, by one of the French explorers that they had
previously lived upon Cumberland River, and there is evidence that, when
they first moved to the Tennessee, they may have settled for a short time
near its mouth. Both the Cumberland and the Tennessee were known by their
name, and it stuck persistently to the latter stream until well along in
the eighteenth century. After the early years of the eighteenth century we
hear little more of them, but there is reason to believe that they united
with the Koasati.
Population. Our only clue
to the population of the Kaskinampo is in an unpublished report of
Bienville, who estimates 150 men, or a total population of about 500.
Connection in which they have
become noted. The Kaskinampo are distinguished only for the prominent
part they played in the De Soto narratives and for the application of
their name for a time to Tennessee River.
Mosopelia. This tribe
probably established themselves on Cumberland River and at o e or two
points on the Tennessee shore of the Mississippi on their way from Ohio to
Mississippi. (See Ofo under Mississippi
and Ohio.)
Muskogee. Although we do
not have records of any settlement in Tennessee by the true Muskogee, it
is probable that some of them occupied part of its territory in
prehistoric times, and at a later date their war parties constantly
visited it. (See Alabama.)
Natchez.
After being driven from Mississippi and Louisiana, one band of Natchez
lived among the Cherokee. (See
Mississippi.) Ofo, see Mosopelia.
Shawnee (See
Shawnee)
Tali. A tribe met by De Soto
near the great bend of the Tennessee and found in the same region by the
earliest English and French explorers, living in what is now northern
Alabama and perhaps also in Tennessee. It is probable that they were a
part of the Creek.
Tuskegee. One band of
Tuskegee formed a settlement or settlements in the Cherokee Nation. (See
Cherokee, and Tuskegee under Alabama.)
Yuchi. The greater part of the Yuchi probably lived at one period
in and near the mountains of eastern Tennessee though one band of them was
on the Tennessee River just above Muscle Shoals and there is evidence for
an early occupation of the Hiwassee Valley. Some remained with the
Cherokee until a very late date. (See
Georgia.)
Additional Tennessee Indian Resources
Tennessee Indian Tribes Notes About the Book:
Source: The Indian Tribes of North America, by John R. Swanton, 1953, Bureau
of American Ethnology, Bulletin 145, US Government Printing Office, Washington
DC.
Online Publication: The manuscript was scanned and
then ocr'd. Minimal editing has been done, and readers can and should expect
some errors in the textual output.
This site includes some historical materials that may imply negative
stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place.
These items are presented as part of the historical record and should not be
interpreted to mean that the WebMasters in any way endorse the stereotypes
implied.
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