THE TALBOT INDIANS
Smithsonian Institute
published this bulletin on the Nanticoke Indians which inhabited
Talbot County along the Choptank River in the neighborhood of “The
Wilderness” of the Speer Estate where have been found many relics
of the Tribes.
This bulletin of the
Smithsonian is interesting because it gives authoritatively the
history of the Tribes.
NANTICOKE
Nanticoke, from Nentego,
of Delaware Unechtgo, Unalashtgo, “ Tidewater People”, and
important Algonquian Tribe who live on the Nanticoke River of
Maryland's Eastern Shore. Here is where Captain Smith located their
principal village in 1608.
Nanticoke were connected
linguistically and ethnically with the Delaware Conoy Tribe.
Traditional history is brief and affords but little aid in tracing
their movements in prehistoric times.
Tenth Verse of the 5th
Song of “The Walam Olum”, translated by Squier; “ The Nentego's
and the Shawants wnet to the South Lands”. Here the Shawnee and
the Nanticokes are brought together in this verse, it does not
necessarily indicate that each separated from the main tribe at the
same time and place. This separation appears to have occurred,
according to verse 1 “Walam Olum” , in Talega Land, which was
most likely now Ohio. Tradition indicates, by Beatty, location
South is sme point below the latitude of Pittsburg. Pemmsylvania ,
but not south of the Kanawha. Another account , given to Heckewelder
by old Chief White who said that they being better and great
hunters. trappers and fishers, separated from the Delaware League
when reaching the eastern seat, wandering on in search of better
hunting grounds.
In 1660 the Conoy Tribe
Chief informed the Maryland governor of a 'league that had existed
for 13 generations with an emperor of Nanticoke lineage embracing
all tribes of the province, also the Potomac and as they pretended,
even the Iroquoian Conestoga. The Tocwogh and Doag were possibly
identical with the Nanticoke.
The Maryland Colony
Settlement found the Nanticokes a thorn in their side and were
officially declared enemies as early as 1682 until a treaty was
composed in 1678. After 1689 reservations were established for them
and all was mostly peaceful. 1707 found at least seven villages 1722
the main village was Nanduge with some one hundred residents
including the empress. She ruled over all neighboring Indians of
near five hundred.
Soon the Nanticokes began
moving north, stopping at the Susquehanna and Juniata , then about
1748 the greater part of the tribe moved on up the Susquehanna
finally settling under Iroquois protection at Chenango, Chugum, and
Owego on the east branch of the Susquehanna in southern New York
state where they were about 500 in strength in 1765.
A few Nanticoke remained in
Maryland where they lived until 1840, a tribe of 30 or so. Others
went west , Ohio and Indiana , and the race disappeared as a
distinct tribe. A few, mixed bloods, live on the Indian River in
Delaware.
The Nanticoke were
distinguished from neighboring tribes by a darker color and peculiar
customs, were devoted to fishing and trapping as a means of
subsistence . Traditions have it the Nanticoke Tribe invented
poisonous substances, practiced witch craft.
The Nanticoke confederacy
appears to have included , beside the Naticocks proper, the Arscek,
Cuscarwaoe, Nause, Ozinies, and Sampinagh.
There were the following
villages; Askimimkansen, Byengehten, Chenago, Conedogwinit, Locust,
Necktown, Matchcouchtin, Matcheattochousie, Nanduge,
Natahquois, Peixtan, Pekoinoke, Pohecommeati, Teahquois,
Witichquasom.
STAR DEMOCRAT EASTON
MARYLAND 8 MARCH 1935:
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