Weyanoke people facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| extinct | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Virginia, United States | |
| Languages | |
| unattested Eastern Algonquian language | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Powhatan Confederacy, Nottoway |
The Weyanoke people were a group of Native Americans who lived in what is now Virginia, United States. They were part of the larger Indigenous peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands. Sadly, this group is now considered extinct, meaning their distinct culture and community no longer exist as a separate tribe.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Weyanoke has been spelled in different ways over time. For example, the British explorer John Smith wrote it as "Weyanock" on his maps. Other spellings included Weanoc, Weanock, Winauh, Winauk, Wynauh, and Wynauk. The name might mean "at the bend" of a river. This idea comes from similar words in other Eastern Algonquian languages, like Eastern Niantic or Nipmuck language.
Where They Lived
The Weyanoke people lived along the James River in Virginia. Their lands were west of where the Appomattox River flows into the James River. This area is close to a place called Weyanoke, Virginia today. Their main village was at Weyanoke Point in Charles City County, Virginia. They also had another important settlement at the start of Powell's Creek in Prince George County, Virginia.
A Look at Their History
Early Encounters
In the early 1600s, when English colonists first arrived, the Weyanoke people traded with a powerful Native American leader named Wahunsenacawh. He was the chief of the Powhatan Confederacy, a group of many tribes. Some historians believe the Weyanoke were part of this large confederacy.
Population and Migration
Around 1608, there were about 500 Weyanoke people. Later in the 1600s, they faced attacks from the Iroquois Confederacy, another strong group of Native American tribes. Because of these attacks, the Weyanoke began to move away from their traditional lands.
Treaties and Mergers
In 1677, the Weyanoke signed an important agreement called the Treaty of Middle Plantation with the Virginia Colony. This treaty was meant to create peace between the Native American tribes and the English colonists.
By the early 1700s, some Weyanoke people, along with members of the Nansemond tribe, joined the Nottoway tribe. They lived together along the Nottoway River. By the end of the 1700s, the Weyanoke had fully merged with the Nottoway. This means they became part of the Nottoway community, and their distinct Weyanoke identity faded over time. Sometimes, family names like Wynoake and Wineoak would still appear on official papers, showing their Weyanoke heritage.
