Surruque facts for kids

The Surruque people were a Native American group who lived along the Atlantic coast of Florida in the 1500s and 1600s. They lived near places like Cape Canaveral. They might have spoken a language similar to the Timucua language, and they were friends with the Ais.

The Surruque people worked with the Spanish government in St. Augustine. However, the Spanish were not able to set up their religious centers, called missions, in Surruque lands.

Where Did the Surruque Live?

The Surruque people lived around a place called Mosquito Lagoon. The Spanish used to call this area "Surruque Lagoon." Their land was near Cape Canaveral and stretched north along the Atlantic coast. It went up to a place called Ponce de Leon Inlet.

The northern edge of their land was near Turtle Mound. This mound was even called "Surruque" a long time ago. To the south of the Surruque lived the Ais people, along the Indian River. To their west, in the St. Johns River valley, lived the Mayaca and Jororo people.

Historians are not sure what language the Surruque spoke. Some think it was a type of Timucua language. Others believe it might have been related to the Ais language.

What Happened to the Surruque?

The French explorers, who briefly lived in northeastern Florida, heard about a place called Sorrochos or Serropé. They thought it was next to a big lake in southern Florida. However, it was likely one of the lagoons near Cape Canaveral.

In 1565, the Spanish took control of Florida from the French. They built the city of St. Augustine. For about 30 years, the Spanish mostly left the coastal people, including the Surruque, alone.

Spanish Relations with the Surruque

Around 1595, the Spanish wanted more control over the coast. The chief of the Surruque and the chief of the Ais traveled to St. Augustine. They agreed to let Spanish missionaries come to their lands. They also agreed to send workers to St. Augustine. Plus, they promised to report any non-Spanish ships or people they saw along the coast.

In 1597, there was a rebellion in another area called Guale. During this time, the Ais people would not let Spanish ships land. In response, Timucua Indians, who were friends with the Spanish, attacked the Surruque. They killed 60 Surruque people and took 54 men, women, and children as slaves to St. Augustine.

However, in 1600, a royal order from the Spanish king freed all Native American slaves. The freed Surruque people were then settled on an island near St. Augustine.

In 1599, a man named Juan Ramirez de Contreras, who spoke the Ais language, was sent to teach the Surruque and Ais. But the Surruque people killed him before he reached the Ais territory.

In 1605, a Spanish soldier named Alvaro Mexia stayed with the Surruque for eight days. He was waiting for permission to continue his trip to meet the Ais. Also in 1605, the Surruque and Ais sent men to help the Spanish fight off French raiders in Guale. It is believed that at least one Spanish mission might have been built near Surruque land. The Spanish also set up cattle farms along the coast as far south as Surruque territory.