|
Meherrin Indian Tribe History
Meherrin. 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 (Neill, Virginia,
Carolorum, 326, 1886). It is possible that the influx of refugee Conestoga
a few years later may have so overwhelmed the remnant of the original
tribe as to give rise to the impression that they were all of Conestoga
blood. They were commonly regarded as under the jurisdiction of
Virginia, although their territory was claimed also by Carolina.
They were closely cognate with the Nottoway.
The books presented are for their
historical value only and are not the
opinions of the Webmasters of the site.
Handbook
of American Indians, 1906
Index of Tribes or Nations |
