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Yamasee Indian Tribe
History
Yamasee (a name of uncertain
etymology, and evidently an abbreviated form).
A former noted tribe of Muskhogean stock, best known in
connection with early South Carolina history, but apparently occupying
originally the coast region and islands of s. Georgia, and extending into
Florida. From their residence near Savannah river they have frequently
been confused with the "Savannahs," or Shawano, and the Yuchi. Missions
were established in their territory by the Spaniards about 1570, and they
lived under the jurisdiction of the Spanish government of Florida until
1687, when, in consequence of an attempt to transport a number of their
people as laborers to the West Indies, they revolted, attacked a number of
the mission settlements and peaceful Indians, and then fled north across
Savannah river to the English colony of South Carolina. They were allowed
to settle within the present limits of Beaufort county, where at a later
period they had several villages, the principal of which was Pocotaligo;
others were Tolemato and Topiqui (?). They aided against the
Tuscarora in 1712, but in
1715, in consequence of dissatisfaction with the traders, organized a
combination against the English which included all, or nearly all, the
tribes from Cape Fear to the Florida border. The traders were slaughtered
in the Indian towns and a general massacre of settlers took place along
the Carolina frontier. After several engagements the Yamasee were finally
defeated by Gov. Craven at Salkechuh (Saltketchers) on the Combahee and
driven across the Savannah. They retired in a body to Florida where they
were again received by the Spaniards and settled in villages near St
Augustine. From that time they were known as allies of the Spaniards and
enemies of the English, against whom they made frequent raids in company
with other Florida Indians. A small part of them also appear to have taken
refuge with the Catawba, where, according to Adair, they still retained
their separate identity in 1743. In 1727 their village near St Augustine
was attacked and destroyed by the English, and their Indian allies and
most of the inhabitants were killed. In 1761 the remnant was said to
number about 20 men, residing near St Augustine, and they seen also to
have had a small settlement near Pensacola. The tradition of their
destruction and enslavement by the Seminole is noted by several writers of
this and a later period. As late as 1812 a small band retained the name
among the Seminole, and some settled among the
Hitchiti, but they have now
completely disappeared. They were said to be darker than the Creeks, and
"flat-footed," and from their proficiency as canoe men gave name to a
particular method of rowing known as the " Yamasee stroke."
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