Winyaw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Winyaw |
|
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| Extinct as tribe | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Winyah Bay, Black River, and the lower course of the Pee Dee River. | |
| Languages | |
| Siouan, Catawban | |
| Religion | |
| Native American religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Pedee, Waccamaw |
The Winyaw were a group of Native American people who lived in what is now South Carolina. They lived near Winyah Bay, the Black River, and the lower part of the Pee Dee River. After 1720, the Winyaw people were no longer a separate group. It is believed they joined with the Waccamaw tribe.
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What Does the Name Winyaw Mean?
The exact meaning of the name Winyaw is not known today. Over time, the name has been spelled in different ways. Some of these spellings include Winyah, Weenee, and Wineaw.
A Look at Winyaw History
The Winyaw people might have been the "Yenyohol" mentioned in 1521. This mention came from Francisco de Chicora, a Native American who was captured by the Spanish. If they were the Yenyohol, some Winyaw people may have been taken away during an expedition led by Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón in that same year.
Early Contact with European Settlers
European colonists in South Carolina first wrote about the Winyaw after 1670. At first, the Winyaw tribe formed an alliance with the English colonists. These colonists had settled in a place called Charles Town. However, this friendship did not last long. In 1683, some European traders caused trouble. They started a conflict with the Winyaw. This was an excuse to capture people for forced labor.
Winyaw During Major Conflicts
During the Tuscarora War in 1711, a leader named John Barnwell led an expedition. He took 24 Winyaw people with him into North Carolina. But the Winyaw left him before they reached their destination. They refused to continue because they had no guns or ammunition.
In 1715, the Cheraw tribe tried to convince the Winyaw to join them. They wanted the Winyaw to fight against the English in the Yamasee War. But the Winyaw refused to join the war. They chose to remain friendly with the colonists.
Where the Winyaw Lived
Later in 1715, the Winyaw lived in one village. About 106 people lived there. By 1716, some of the Winyaw moved to the Santee River. After two years, these Winyaw returned to their original home. They wanted to be near a trading post run by Meredith Hughes. This trading post was at a place called Uauenee. People believe this name meant "Great Bluff."
When the Waccamaw tribe moved to the Black River in 1718, the Winyaw may have felt crowded. It seems they helped the English during the Waccamaw War in 1720. A map from 1722 shows the Winyaw living on the south side of the Pee Dee River.
After this time, not much more is known about the Winyaw. They stopped being a separate group. It is thought that they later joined with the Waccamaw tribe.
Winyaw Legacy Today
Even though the Winyaw tribe disappeared from history in the early 1700s, their name lives on. Winyah Bay in South Carolina is still named after them.
