Wicocomico facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Extinct as a tribe | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Northumberland County, Virginia | |
| Languages | |
| Algonquian | |
| Religion | |
| Native religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Pocomoke people |
The Wicocomico people, also known by names like Wiccocomoco or Wicomico, were an Algonquian-speaking tribe. They lived in what is now Northumberland County, Virginia. Their homes were near the top and slightly north of the Little Wicomico River.
These were the first Native Americans that Captain John Smith met on the mainland. This happened before his well-known meetings with the Pamunkee and Pocahontas of the Powhatan people. Over time, settlers and others caused problems for the tribe. There were also disagreements within the tribe about how to handle these issues.
Because of these problems, the tribe split apart. The colonial court in Virginia told them to join a smaller tribe. They were then renamed "Wicocomico" and given a flag. They also received a special area of land, called a reservation. This land was about 4,400 acres (18 km2) near Dividing Creek. It was located south of the Great Wicomico River.
The grandson of King Machywap Taptico had to sell the last piece of Wicocomico land. This happened after a big battle there. So many people died that the land was covered with bodies. It became a huge burial site and could no longer be used for farming. The tribe, which had already split, eventually disappeared from historical records. Some members joined the Powhatan Confederacy, while others blended into different groups.
Since the late 1900s, descendants of Chief Machywap Taptico have been working to get their tribe recognized by the U.S. government. They have gathered historical and family records. It's interesting that the very reasons the tribe disappeared long ago are now making it hard for them to be recognized today. The main problem is that they no longer have their own tribal land.
Contents
A Look at Their History
The Wicocomico people first met Captain John Smith in 1608. He was exploring Virginia at the time. Smith wrote that he saw a village with about 130 men. This village was on the south side of the mouth of the Patawomeke (Potomac) River.
Changes by the Court
By the mid-1600s, the Northumberland County Court started to get involved in how local tribes were run. Between 1652 and 1655, the Court told the Wicocomico and Chicacoan tribes to join together. They also had to move slightly south of the Great Wicomico River.
The combined tribes were given 4,400 acres (18 km2) of land near Dividing Creek. This was about 50 acres for each fighting man. The Lower Cuttatawomen tribe likely joined them between 1656 and 1659. The new, combined group took the name "Wicocomico." This was because the Wicocomico were the largest of the tribes.
New Leaders and Challenges
The Court chose Machywap to be the leader, or weroance, of the new combined tribes. Machywap had an English wife. The colonists thought he would be easy to control. But by 1659, the tribes were very frustrated. English colonists were taking more and more of their land.
Because of this, most of the Wicocomico tribes removed Machywap from power. They might have even used force. They replaced him with Pekwem. Pekwem was a supporter of the Powhatan Confederacy. He did not have close ties to the English colonists.
Losing Their Land
The Wicocomico people had ongoing problems with colonists taking their land. From 1660 to 1673, the Wicocomico often went to court to fight over land disputes. Most of the time, the court decided in favor of the Wicocomico. However, by 1719, they only had 1,700 acres (6.9 km2) left of their original 4,400-acre (18 km2) reservation.
In 1705, a writer named Robert Beverley, Jr. noted that the Wicocomico in Northumberland had only three men left. He wrote that they still kept their traditions and lived separately. After June 1719, William Taptico, the last Wicocomico weroance, died. The colonial government then took their remaining lands by force. The few remaining Wicocomico people scattered, and the tribe was considered to have died out.
Modern Efforts for Recognition
Since the late 20th century, descendants of Chief Taptico have been working hard. They are documenting their family history and the tribe's past. They are also trying to reorganize as a tribe called the Wicocomico Indian Nation. They have not yet been recognized by the state or federal government. However, they are preparing the necessary paperwork for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
