Annamessex facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| extinct as a tribe | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Maryland | |
| Languages | |
| unattested Eastern Algonquian language | |
| Religion | |
| Indigenous | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Pocomoke people |
The Annamessex people were a Native American tribe that lived a long time ago. Their home was on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. This area is now part of Somerset County, Maryland.
The Annamessex were a smaller group, or "subtribe," of the Pocomoke people. Other Pocomoke subtribes included the Manokin, Nasswatox, and Aquintica. The Manokin lived just north of the Annamessex. The Morumsco lived just south. Other tribes lived nearby too. The Nanticoke and Choptank lived north of the Pocomoke. The Accomac people lived further south in Virginia.
Annamessex History
Early Encounters
In the 1580s, English settlers came to this region. These settlers were from the Roanoke Colony. Spanish explorers also traveled through the area. This was the first time these tribes met people from Europe.
Making Peace
In 1678, the leaders of the Annamessex tribe signed a peace treaty. This was an agreement to have peace with the English settlers. This treaty helped keep things calm between the groups for a while.
Protecting Their Land
On May 6, 1686, Annamessex leaders met with Maryland officials. These officials managed land for the colony. The meeting happened at Askiminokonson, where the Pocomoke people had their main village.
The Annamessex leaders told the officials about a problem. British settlers from Accomac Shire were moving onto their land. These settlers were called "squatters" because they did not have permission. The British settlers' cattle were also eating and destroying the tribes' crops.
To help solve this problem, the land office set aside a special area. This area was called a reservation. It was meant to be a protected home for the Annamessex and other Pocomoke tribes.
