Generally speaking, the European settlers in North
America coined
the phrase 'Indian' or 'Red Indian' to describe the
North American
tribes they found while they were settling what is now the
USA. To the
north of this vast collection of varying regions and climates were the
native settlements of what is now
Canada, while
to the south were the various peoples of modern
Mexico, most
especially the Aztecs.
The Chickahominy were located on the eastern seaboard in what is now the
states of Delaware and Maryland (eastern section). They were neighboured
by the Pamunkey to
the north, the Piankatank
and Werowocomoco
to the east, the Weanoc
and Paspahegh to the
south, and the Powhatan
(proper) and
Arrohattec to
the west.
For
much of its recorded existence the tribe was a somewhat reluctant constituent
part of the Powhatan confederacy, which was formed in the second half of
the sixteenth century. Wa-Hun-Sen-A-Cawh (Wahunsonacock), otherwise known
as Powhatan, took over the then-small Powhatan confederacy after his father's
death. He quickly expanded the confederacy, creating a union rather than
focusing merely on subjugating the other regional tribes. At its height
the confederacy consisted of at least thirty-two tribes. (More information
about the Powhatan confederacy is available via the compendium link,
right.)
The Chickahominy name is shown in a variety of ways in original records,
including Chickahominie or Chickahamanias. The tribe occupied both sides of
the Chickahominy River, from the mouth of the White Oak Swamp, where the
waters rise. They lived in what apparently was the most populated area of
the Powhatan lands, although they refused to be bullied by the great Chief
Powhatan himself. There are a few other points of distinction when comparing
to the main body of the Powhatan. For example, the fact that several
Pamunkey native tribal names were unknown amongst the Chickahominy. There
is also some evidence to suggest that the Chickahominy were about the most
conservative of the local tribes.
The sub-rulers or sub-kings of the Powhatan confederacy of the Virginia
coast and Chesapeake Bay region were known as weroances (the plural
form, or weroance, singular), an
Algonquian word
meaning leader or commander. Operating under the authority of a paramount
chief called Powhatan, a weroansqua was the female equivalent.
Spellings of both titles vary greatly thanks to the lack of standardised
spelling of the time. Each tribe of the Powhatan confederacy was led by
its own weroance, and like any titled lord in Europe's nobility
he would carry the tribe's name as his title. Pochins, weroance
of the Kecoughtan, would be
referred to as Weroance Kecoughtan, or simply 'Kecoughtan' (the Chickahominy
did things a little differently, as shown below). Most foreign writers
who came across a weroance did so only on a special occasion,
because a foreigner's presence was special, as would be any notable
visitor from outside the tribe. However, John Smith noted that there
were few differences between weroances and their subjects.
(Information by Mick Baker, from primary sources by John Smith (1607),
William Strachey (1616), The Virginia Census of 1669, and Robert Beverly
(1705) with additional information from James Mooney (1907), from Helen C
Rountree (information which forms the basis of the tribal locations map),
from Everyday Life of the North American Indian, Jon Manchip White
(1979), from The Encyclopaedia of North American Indian Tribes, Bill
Yenne (1986), from The Native Tribes of North America - A Concise
Encyclopaedia, Michael Johnson (1993), from the Atlas of Indians of
North America, Gilbert Legay (1995), and from External Links:
First Nations: Issues of Consequence, Lee Sultzman, and
Legends
of America, and
Historic Jamestowne, and
Colonial - A Study of Virginia Indians and Jamestown: The First Century.)
c.1530s - 1550
The
first chief of a new confederacy along the eastern seaboard is driven north to
the Virginia area by
Spanish
colonists in Florida and
surrounding regions. Once there, he takes over control of at least five
other Indian tribes in Virginia. Upon his death his son, the young Chief
Wahunsenacawh, inherits the duty of ruling over the six communities. He
gradually expands his rule to cover more than thirty groups that includes a
generous estimate of 15,000 people, although a more conservative calculation
based on primary sources would indicate the total to be nearer 8,500.
c.1550 - 1607
By the
end of the sixteenth century, Wahunsenacawh (more accurately known as
Wa-Hun-Sen-A-Cawh, and better known as Powhatan) is the paramount chieftain of
the Powhatan
confederacy, which includes most of the indigenous tribes in the Chesapeake
Bay region. The tribes in this region are linked by a common language,
Eastern Algonquian.
The Powhatan confederacy (the pale orange area) was formed towards
the end of the sixteenth century, and under its second paramount
chief it rapidly expanded to cover territory which is now
divided between the states of Delaware and Maryland (click
or tap on map to view full sized)
Powhatan
is mamanatowick, the chief of chiefs, and he lives amongst the
Pamunkey people,
but his power and authority varies from one part of the confederacy to
another. Peoples who are distant from his centre at
Werowocomoco on the north
bank of the York River are more politically independent than those who
are located within the core territory. The various tribes pay tribute
to him, and he rules by the threat of force but also by marriage
alliances and persuasion. Several sub-chiefs, or weroances, govern
specific regions or tribes under his authority and in his name. Some of
these, as might be expected in any ruling elite, are relatives of his,
although inheritance in Powhatan society is matrilineal.
The Chickahominy are a powerful tribe and, as such, do not take kindly to
Wahunsenacawh's high-handed attitude. They never fully assimilate within his
confederacy. They also refuse to allow him to choose their weroances.
Smith relates that the Chickahominy are governed by a group of priests and
eight elders, known as mungai. Their title for their head-man is
mangoap - possibly meaning 'great man' - as opposed to the Powhatan term
'weroance', probably meaning 'he is rich'. As Mooney puts it: 'The
powerful Chickahominy however, although accepting him [Powhatan] as overlord
maintained their own home rule, and took an opportunity to put themselves
under the protection of the English'. Strachey points out that the
Chickahominy are so alien from being Powhatan's subjects that they have
been thought of as his enemies.
fl 1600s?
Attossomunch
Mangoap
(?) of the Chickahominy.
Attossomunch is the war chief of the Chickahominy, one of the strongest
tribes in the Powhatan
confederacy. Although confirmed as a 'war chief' his position as mangoap
is not confirmed, even though certainly does govern through a peace chief and
a council of elders. Attossomunch achieves fame through the prowess he displays
in the war against the Monacan during his lifetime. He and his personal warriors
are the foundation of a group known as the 'Cult of the Tomahawk', of which
Attossomunch is the leader.
1601
By
this time, three distinctive native tribes of the Eastern Woodland dominate
the territory now known as Virginia. These tribes speak three different
languages - Algonquian,
Siouan and Iroquoian - and live in organised villages along the banks of the
coastal waterways, in woodlands and mountain valleys. When Europeans begin
arriving in the region, they meet Indian people of the coastal plain which
is inhabited by an Algonquin empire, today collectively known as
Powhatan. The
south-western coastal plain is occupied by Iroquois, Nottoway, and Meherrin.
The Chickahominy and Eastern Chickahominy occupy the Chickahominy River in
New Kent County. The Piedmont is home to two Sioux confederacies: the Monacan
and the Manahoac.
The Chickahominy meeting the English settlers during the early
1600s, with the elders of each group seated to converse and the
English arquebusiers clearly feeling a little nervous about
being around so many natives
1610 - 1618
The
Susquehannock attack the
Patawomeck villages
in northern Virginia despite additional protection provided by the settlements
of the British Colonies. Skirmishes
between the
English
and natives for food also occur during an exceptionally dry spell of weather
that lasts for seven years (according to dendrochronological samples taken
for the region). This forms part of the First Anglo-Powhatan War
(1609-1614).
In 1611, the war is given a dramatic push through some perceived disrespect
shown to Governor Dale by
Powhatan. George Percy is
despatched to wreak revenge on the
Paspahegh and their neighbours,
the Chickahominy, as they are settled in closest proximity to Jamestown.
Percy's men kill fifteen or sixteen tribesmen and capture the Paspahegh
queen (Wowinchopunk's wife) and her children. The children are thrown into
the river and are shot, whilst the queen is taken away and stabbed to death
despite the desire of some who wish her to be burned instead.
1622 - 1624
The
Province of Maine (the far north-eastern corner of the modern
USA) is founded
in 1622, its name perhaps originating from the
French
province of the same name in
New France. But it is not
all plain sailing for the settlers of the
British Colonies. The
Jamestown Massacre devastates the Jamestown Settlement and the Citie
of Henricus on Good Friday, 22 March 1622. Natives of the
Powhatan confederacy launch
a surprise attack which leaves a quarter of the colony's population dead
(347 people, although the
Patawomeck refuse to
participate in the massacre). They are led in this Second Anglo-Powhatan
War (1622-1644) by Opechancanough, younger brother of the great paramount
chieftain Powhatan and now himself paramount chieftain of the Powhatan
confederacy.
1644 - 1646
The
Second Battle of Virginia - sometimes referred to as the start of a Third
Anglo-Powhatan War - takes place in 1644, with the native
Powhatan confederacy
still under Opechancanough. This bookends the Second Anglo-Powhatan War
(1622-1644). The result is that the
English
completely crush the Powhatan and take control of eastern Virginia. The
Powhatan survivors leave Virginia. Being distracted by this war the colonists
have little time to concern themselves with the
Susquehannock. Unchallenged,
the Susquehannock extend their dominion south from the Susquehanna River to
the Potomac River where they claim the area between these two points as
hunting territory. They do not ask permission of those tribes that live
in this area.
1677
Queen
Cockacoeske of the
Pamunkey signs the
Middle Plantation Treaty, which brings the war to a close. By this treaty
all of the tribes submit to the
British Colonists, and are
confirmed in their tribal lands, subject to an annual peppercorn rent
of three arrows and a tribute of beaver skins. This is in payment for
reconnaissance and surveillance services, and supplying a quota of
warriors to serve against any enemy. Cockacoeske is recognised in certain
special dignities and although several tribes are reunited under her
authority, the Chickahominy and
Rappahannock
refuse to submit to her suzerainty (after a year of trying), having been
free of Powhatan dominance
since the death of Wa-Hun-Sen-A-Cawh (Powhatan) in 1618.
This recreated Powhatan Indian village at a Paspahegh site close
to the Jamestown settlement (and also close to the Chickahominy)
features reed-covered houses that have been created based on
written evidence and archaeological findings
fl 1699
Drammacho Mongy
Chief ruler of the
Chickahominy.
1700
By
this time there are only a handful of tiny
Algonquian-speaking
tribes remaining in the Virginia area, and one Iroquoian group. By the end
of the century only four Algonquin reservations (Gingaskin,
Mattaponi,
Nansemond, and
Pamunkey) and an
Iroquoian one (Nottoway) remain. Some of the tribes that lose their
reservations continue living together nearby, becoming ancestors of the
modern 'citizen' tribes (especially the Chickahominy, Upper Mattaponi, and
Rappahannock).
The others have generally dispersed into the west and into other tribes. In
the Piedmont, the tribes of the Sioux withdraw southwards, sometimes returning
and then leaving again. Non-Indians pour freely into their territory.
1722
Many
former member tribes of the
Powhatan confederacy are extinct
by 1722, having drifted away or merged with other remnant groups. The
Rappahannock
had already lost their reservation shortly after 1700, while the
Chickahominy had lost theirs in 1718. These groups and the
Nansemond fade
from public view in the
USA. Only
the Pamunkey,
Mattaponi, and an Eastern
Shore group keep reservations, although their land constantly shrinks in size.
