Wanchese (Native American leader) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wanchese (Wan-Keece)
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| Born | Unknown Probably present-day Roanoke, North Carolina
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| Died | Unknown Probably present-day Roanoke, North Carolina
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| Organization | Tribe: Roanoke Native American, Algonquian peoples |
| Known for | The Lost Colony, travels to England, resistance to English settlement |
Wanchese was an important leader of the Roanoke Native American tribe in the late 1500s. He was one of the last known leaders of his people when English settlers arrived.
He traveled to London, England, in 1584 with another leader named Manteo. Their visit was a big event for the English court. Sir Walter Raleigh, a famous explorer, hosted them at his home. Wanchese and Manteo helped a scientist named Thomas Harriot learn their language, Carolina Algonquian.
Wanchese was different from Manteo. He did not want to learn English. He also did not become friends with his hosts. Wanchese remained suspicious of why the English were in the New World. After returning to Roanoke in 1586, Wanchese stopped being friendly with the English. This left Manteo as the only Native American ally for the colonists.
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About the Roanoke People
The Roanoke people were a Native American tribe. They spoke a language called Carolina Algonquian. Their land was in what is now Dare County, Roanoke Island, and part of the mainland. This was their home when the English first explored the area.
The Roanoke were one of many Carolina Algonquian tribes. There may have been 5,000 to 10,000 people in total in eastern North Carolina. This was around the time they first met the English. The smaller Croatan people might have been part of the Roanoke tribe. They also could have been a separate tribe allied with them.
The Roanoke may have had their main town on the western side of Croatan Sound. This town was called Dasamonguepeuk. English colonists in the 1500s noted it as an important town.
Journey to England
Wanchese was one of the first Native Americans to visit England. In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh sent his first group of explorers to Roanoke Island. Their goal was to explore and later settle the New World. Early meetings with the Native Americans were friendly.
Even with communication problems, the explorers convinced two "strong men," Wanchese and Manteo, to go with them. They traveled back to London to help describe the New World.
Arriving in London
Wanchese and Manteo arrived safely in England in September 1584. They quickly became very popular at the English court. Raleigh's main goal was to get information about his new land, Virginia. He limited who could meet the two Native Americans. He gave the scientist Thomas Harriot the job of learning their language. Harriot used a special system to write down the sounds of the Carolina Algonquian language.
Both Wanchese and Manteo stayed at Raleigh's home, Durham House. Wanchese was not interested in learning English. He did not become friends with his hosts. He remained suspicious of the English reasons for being in the New World. Wanchese soon felt like a prisoner, not a guest. By Christmas 1584, Harriot could speak Algonquian with them. Manteo was much more willing to talk than Wanchese.
Harriot wrote about how amazed the Native Americans were by European technology. He said: "Many things they saw with us... like math tools, sea compasses... and clocks that seemed to move by themselves. Many other things we had were so strange to them. They were so far beyond what they could understand. They thought these things were made by gods, not by men."
Wanchese and Manteo also helped Raleigh get money for his plans. They encouraged rich Britons to invest. Raleigh successfully raised money. A new expedition was ready to leave in 1585.
Returning to Roanoke
Manteo and Wanchese sailed back to the New World in April 1585. They were with Sir Richard Grenville's group on the ship The Tyger. They reached the warm waters of the Caribbean in just 21 days. During this trip, Wanchese and Manteo saw the English take goods from Spanish ships. They also saw them trade for supplies with the Spanish.
Much was lost on the way back to Roanoke's dangerous waters. The Tyger was saved, but most of its supplies were ruined by salt water.
On July 3, 1585, Grenville sent a group to tell Wingino at Roanocke about their arrival. Wanchese led this group. At this point, Wanchese secretly left the English. He went back to Dasamongueponke. He urged his people to fight against the newcomers. By July 6, Grenville was worried. He sent John Arundell with Manteo as a guide. They tried to get Wanchese back. But the people of Dasamongueponke would not give him up.
In April 1586, Wanchese finally ended his good relations with the English. This left Chief Manteo as the only Native American ally for the colonists.
Legacy and Recognition
The town of Wanchese, North Carolina is named after him. A character based on Wanchese appears in The Lost Colony theater play. He is also in the 1999 film The Legend of Two Path. Native Canadian actor Nathaniel Arcand plays the character.
