Pocomoke people facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| extinct as a tribe | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Maryland | |
| Languages | |
| Eastern Algonquian | |
| Religion | |
| Indigenous | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Nanticoke, Assateague |
The Pocomoke people were a historic Native American tribe who lived a long time ago. Their home was around the Pocomoke River and other nearby waters in what is now Maryland. They lived near places like Chincoteague Bay and Pocomoke Sound. Their territory included the Great Annemessex, Little Annemessex, and Manokin rivers, as well as Monie and Chincoteague bays, and Pocomoke and Tangier sounds.
The Pocomoke People
A Look at Their Past
During the 1600s and 1700s, the number of Pocomoke people sadly became much smaller. This happened for several reasons. Many became sick from diseases brought by people from Europe. There were also conflicts with colonists from Virginia. The Pocomoke people were also forced to leave their lands. This was because new settlers were given many land grants and patents.
Around 1742, some Pocomoke families began to move north. They traveled along the Susquehanna River and settled in areas that are now Pennsylvania and Canada. Other Pocomoke families lived with the Assateague, Nanticoke, and Choptank tribes near Indian River.
Related Groups
The Pocomoke people had several related groups, sometimes called subtribes. These included:
- Acquintica (also spelled Aquintankec, Aquinteca)
- Annamessex (also Annamessick)
- Gingoteque (also Chingotegue, Gingateege, Gingo Teague, Yingoteague)
- Manokin (also Mannanokin, Monoakin)
- Morumsco
- Nasswatex (also Nuswattax)
- Quandanquan
Modern Connections
Today, there is a group called the Pocomoke Indian Nation. This group says they are descendants of the historic Pocomoke people. However, this group is not officially recognized as a tribe by the United States government or the State of Maryland. It was set up as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2014. So far, they have not asked for official recognition from the government.
