While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
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-roonaw, 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 Accomac 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.
Pissasec, 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.
Weanoc, in Charles City County.
Werowocomoco, 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 (18i,l), about Cheriton, on
Cherrystone Inlet,
Northampton County.
Acconoc, 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.
Cawwontoll, 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 Creek, 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. Cinquoteck, 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 Pamunkey River in King William County.
Machapunga,
(1) 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.
Onawmanient, 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.
Peccarecamek, 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 what 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.
Secobec, on the south bank of Rappahannock River in Caroline County.
Shamapa, 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 time 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
Opechancanough 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 near 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 and 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
Pamunkey and Mattapony, embracing only about 15 men, but be 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 like1,000
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 Powhatan in Brown County, Kans.
