Tockwogh facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Extinct as a tribe | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Maryland) |
|
| Languages | |
| Eastern Algonquian | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Susquehannock |
The Tockwogh were a Native American tribe. They were part of the Algonquian language group. The first time Europeans met them was in 1608. This meeting happened when Captain John Smith and his group explored the area. They learned about the Tockwogh from another tribe called the Massawomekes.
Who Were the Tockwogh?
The name Tockwogh comes from a plant called tuckahoe. This is a water plant with thick roots that the Tockwogh used for food. The tribe lived in what is now the state of Maryland in the USA. Sadly, the Tockwogh tribe no longer exists as a separate group today.
Meeting Captain John Smith
When Captain John Smith first met the Tockwogh, he noticed something special. They wore copper hatchets and beads. These items were important because the Tockwogh traded them with their friends, the Susquehannock. The Susquehannock were rivals of the Massawomekes.
The Tockwogh people were very welcoming to Smith's group. They held a big feast for them. This was a way to show friendship and hospitality.
Their Homes and Villages
Captain Smith also observed that the Tockwogh's homes were unique. Their wigwams were different from those of other Algonquian tribes. Tockwogh wigwams were longer and larger. They were covered with bark and shaped like ovals.
A typical Tockwogh village had about 20 of these homes. Around their villages, the Tockwogh grew many important crops. They had large fields of corn, squash, beans, and tobacco. These crops were a big part of their food supply.
Trade and Life
Before leaving the Tockwogh, Captain Smith traded with them. He gave them blue beads, bells, and hatchets. In return, the Tockwogh traded corn, pearls, meat, weapons, and animal hides. This trade shows how different groups shared goods and resources back then. The Tockwogh were skilled at living off the land and trading with others.
 | Georgia Louise Harris Brown |
 | Julian Abele |
 | Norma Merrick Sklarek |
 | William Sidney Pittman |
