Misplaced Pages

#271728

65-589: The Eastern Chickahominy split from the main tribe in 1983 and were recognized as a separate tribe by the state that year, and by the federal government in January 2018. They are based in New Kent County , about 25 miles (40 km) east of Richmond. Neither tribe has an Indian reservation , having been displaced from their land by colonial settlement in the 17th century, but they have purchased lands that they devote to communal purposes. Both tribes are among

130-604: A central office staff composed of one superintendent and five directors. As of 2018, the superintendent is Brian Nichols, and the assistant superintendent is Ed Smith. New Kent County received a new site for Rappahannock Community College in 2015, located at the renovated "historic" New Kent High School site. The site offers engineering, nursing, and basic college-level courses in New Kent. No passenger rail stations are in New Kent County. The nearest Amtrak service

195-571: A confederacy of 30 or so Algonquian -speaking tribes. Records found within The National Archives (TNA) at Kew, West London, indicate the Chickahominy tribe may have served in a "police" role, used by Powhatan to quell rivalries and bring an end to infighting amongst other confederacy tribes. In return, they enjoyed some benefits, such as trading with the confederacy tribes. As part of the alliance between Powhatan's confederacy and

260-534: A shorter timeframe to establish historical continuity. This has the potential of making it easier for tribes to establish recent historical continuity and gain recognition, as well as to speed up the Bureau's review of documentation. New Kent County, Virginia New Kent County is a county in the south eastern part the Commonwealth of Virginia . As of the 2020 United States Census , its population

325-548: A total area of 223 sq mi (580 km ), of which 210 sq mi (540 km ) are land and 14 square miles (36 km ) (6.23%) are covered by water. As of the 2010 United States Census , 18,429 people were living in the county; 81.7% were White , 13.5% African American , 1.1% Native American , 0.9% Asian , 0.5% of some other race, and 2.3% of two or more races . About 2.1% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). By ancestry, 15.2% were of English , 11.7% American , 10.6% German , and 9.4% Irish descent. At

390-518: A variety of trade goods related to the brief interaction of Native Americans and English in the early years of Jamestown. Around 1609, Wahunsenacawh shifted his capital from Werowocomoco to Orapakes , located in a swamp at the head of the Chickahominy River , near the modern-day interchange of Interstate 64 and Interstate 295 . Sometime between 1611 and 1614, he moved further north to Matchut , in present-day King William County on

455-1064: Is at stations in Williamsburg and Richmond . Two golf courses are available in New Kent County: The Colonial Downs horse racing track is located in rural New Kent County. No towns in New Kent County are incorporated. Unincorporated towns and communities include: New Kent County is traditionally Republican . In only one national election since 1972 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate. 37°31′N 77°00′W  /  37.51°N 77.00°W  / 37.51; -77.00 Powhatan Confederacy Orapakes (1609–1614) Tsenacommacah (pronounced / ˌ s ɛ n ə ˈ k ɒ m ə k ə / SEN -ə- KOM -ə-kə in English; also written Tscenocomoco , Tsenacomoco , Tenakomakah , Attanoughkomouck , and Attan-Akamik )

520-521: Is believed that Powhatans would make offerings and pray to the sun during sunrises. Tsenacommacah originally had two capitals. The main capital was the village of Werowocomoco , located in present-day Gloucester County. The second capital, the village of Powhatan was believed to be in the present-day Powhatan Hill section of the eastern part of Richmond, Virginia , or perhaps nearby in a location that became part of Tree Hill Farm. The English colonists described Werowocomoco as only 15 miles (24 km) as

585-585: Is located directly across from the tribal headquarters. The people of the Chickahominy Tribe Eastern Division shared a history with the Chickahominy until the late 20th century, when they decided to organize their own tribal government. As their community was based in New Kent County, some found it inconvenient always to travel to Charles City County for tribal meetings. Others say the split happened because of disagreements over religious practice and land use. Family ties have kept

650-571: Is the location of Werowocomoco. The site is on a farm bordering on Purtan Bay of the York River, about 12 nautical miles (22 km) from Jamestown. The more than 50 acres (200,000 m ) residential settlement extends up to 1,000 feet (300 m) back from the river. In 2004, researchers excavated two curving ditches of 200 feet (60 m) at the far edge, which were constructed about 1400 CE. In addition to extensive artifacts from hundreds of years of Indigenous settlement, researchers have found

715-702: Is the name given by the Powhatan people to their native homeland, the area encompassing all of Tidewater Virginia and parts of the Eastern Shore . More precisely, its boundaries spanned 100 miles (160 km) by 100 miles (160 km) from near the south side of the mouth of the James River all the way north to the south end of the Potomac River and from the Eastern Shore west to about

SECTION 10

#1732771984272

780-461: The 2000 United States Census , 13,462 people, 4,925 households and 3,895 families were residing in the county. The population density was 64.1 people per square mile (24.7 people/km ). The 5,203 housing units averaged 24.8 units per square mile (9.6 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 80.26% White, 16.20% African American, 1.29% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.54% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. About 1.31% of

845-760: The Anglo-Powhatan Wars of 1644–46, the tribe was forced to cede most of its land to gain a peace treaty. The tribe resettled on reservation land set aside by the treaty in the Pamunkey Neck area, alongside another Virginia Algonquian tribe, the Pamunkey , between the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers. They stayed there until 1661, when they moved again to the headwaters of the Mattaponi, but their reserved holdings continued to be encroached upon by

910-603: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Moran and others supported the congressional process in part because the Virginia tribes lost their continuity of records due to discriminatory actions of the state government that destroyed their records of Indian identity, under the changes resulting from the Racial Integrity Act of 1924 and the orders of Walter Plecker , the state registrar for the Bureau of Vital Statistics at

975-639: The Fall Line of the rivers. The term Tsenacommacah comes from the Powhatan language , and means “densely inhabited land.” The Powhatan were part of a powerful political network of Virginia Indian tribes known as the Powhatan Confederacy . Members spoke the Powhatan language . The paramount chief of the Powhatan people in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Wahunsenacawh , had originally controlled only six tribes, but throughout

1040-659: The Treaty of Middle Plantation . The treaty acknowledged her as leader of the Chickahominy and several other tribes. In the early 21st century, the Chickahominy tribe consists of about 840 people who live within a five-mile (8-km) radius of each other and the tribal center, in an area known as Chickahominy Ridge. Several hundred more live in other parts of the United States, including California, Florida, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Current tribal lands of about 110 acres (0.45 km) are in

1105-477: The 11 who have organized and been officially recognized by Virginia since 1983. Federal status was granted to the Chickahominy and Eastern Chickahominy tribes through passage of the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2017 on January 30, 2018. The Chickahominy ("The Coarse Ground Corn People") were among numerous independent Algonquian -speaking tribes who had long occupied

1170-590: The 1646 and 1677 treaties. As far as anyone knows, the tribes have not missed a "payment" in 331 years. Every year, on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, they go to the Virginia Governor's house in Richmond to make their yearly payment. A ceremony is held in which a deer, turkey, or fish and some pottery are presented to the governor. Before the ceremony a brunch is held where the tribes can converse with

1235-457: The 20th century, descendants of these people organized to form the current Eastern Chickahominy and Chickahominy tribes, respectively. The migrations happened before the end of the 18th century, and few records survive in this " burnt-over district ," disrupted by major wars, by which to establish their dates of migration. While independent, the Chickahominy were at times allied in the 17th century with Chief Powhatan , and his paramount chiefdom ,

1300-424: The Chickahominy, it appears they were to act as a buffer "warrior force" between the confederacy tribes and other less friendly or hostile tribes in the event of an attack, thus giving Powhatan's forces time to mobilize. Some 20th-century sources say the Chickahominy joined the Powhatan Confederacy in 1616. Others contend they did not become tributaries of the paramount chiefdom until 1677, when Cockacoeske signed

1365-607: The Commonwealth of Virginia in the administration of Governor Tim Kaine . Wayne Adkins is an assistant chief, along with Reggie Stewart. Most members of the Chickahominy Tribe are Christian ; many attend Samaria Baptist Church, formerly called Samaria Indian Church, in Charles City County. The church was built upon tribal grounds and once served as a school for the children of the tribe. The church

SECTION 20

#1732771984272

1430-746: The East, later called "barrens" by European colonists. The Powhatan also had rich fishing grounds. Bison had migrated to this area by the early 15th century. The Powhatan primarily used fires to heat their sleeping rooms. As a result, less bedding was needed, and bedding materials could be easily stored during daytime hours. Couples typically slept head to foot. Powhatan men were warriors and hunters, who traveled on foot through forests in pursuit of enemies or game. Women controlled agricultural fields and gardens. Women tended crops, and processed food, such as grinding cornmeal, and gathered wild plants, including nuts. The women also constructed hunting camps in advance of

1495-523: The English, and more fully acknowledged the Virginia tribes' subjection to the King of England. All of the reservations, save two, were lost over the next two centuries. Even so, many of the remaining tribes still live in or near their ancestral lands. The Pamunkey and Mattaponi are the only tribes that still maintain their reservations from the 17th century. As such, these two tribes still make their yearly tribute payments, of fish and game, as stipulated by

1560-587: The Pamunkey weroance , Totopotomoi , received 5,000 acres (20 km ) for his tribe along both sides of the upper Pamunkey River, and the Kiskiack weroance , Ossakican was reserved 5,000 acres (20 km ) on the Piankatank. In 1650, another treaty reserved land for the creation of Indian towns, where 50 acres (200,000 m ) of land was granted per warrior. These lands became smaller and smaller in

1625-834: The Peninsula Campaign of 1862. The Battle of New Market Heights in September 1864 proved a crucial victory as Federal forces pushed toward the capitol in the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign . A later courthouse, damaged during the Civil War, was replaced in 1909. During the state's Massive Resistance crisis in the 1960s, the United States Supreme Court decision in Green v. County School Board of New Kent County (1968) limited

1690-582: The Powhatan and English colonists. As a result, Wahunsenacawh moved his primary residence from Werowocomoco , off the York River, to Orapax (or Orapakes), located in a swamp at the head of the Chickahominy River . By 1614, Wahunsenacawh had again moved his primary residence, this time further northwest to a location on the north bank of the Pamunkey River known as Matchut, which was not far from where Wahunsenacawh's brother Opechancanough ruled at Youghtanund . Wahunsenacawh died in 1618, after which

1755-547: The Senate added the bill to its legislative calendar. This was the farthest the bill had gotten in the congressional process to that date. This effort was supported by the Commonwealth of Virginia, and executives of the Baptist Church, among other groups. The bill was opposed by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), who cited "jurisdictional concerns". The senator believed requests for tribal recognition should be processed through

1820-829: The Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2017. Once signed by then President Donald J Trump, the legislation granted federal recognition of the following six Virginia tribes: the Chickahominy, the Eastern Chickahominy, the Upper Mattaponi , the Rappahannock , the Monacan , and the Nansemond . Since the 1990s, the tribes had been seeking federal recognition through an act of Congress. The most recent unsuccessful effort

1885-514: The Tidewater area. They were led by mungai ("great men"), who were part of a council of elders and religious leaders. The Chickahominy's original territory consisted of the land along the Chickahominy River (named by the English after them), from the mouth of the river at its confluence with the James River , near Jamestown in present-day Charles City County , to what is now known as New Kent County, Virginia . They encountered settlers from

1950-428: The U.S. The northeast border of the county is defined by the meanderings of the Pamunkey River , and the southwest county border is similarly defined by the Chickahominy River . The county terrain consists of rolling hills, either wooded or devoted to agriculture, and carved by drainages. The terrain slopes to the east and south, with its highest point on the west border at 174 ft (53 m) ASL. The county has

2015-511: The Virginia Department of Education. At the high-school level, various honors and advanced-placement courses are available, along with dual enrollment through Rappahannock Community College. Gifted and enrichment programs are offered in all grades kindergarten through 12th grade. The roughly 430 employees include 220 licensed teachers, seven guidance counselors, four media specialists, four principals, five assistant principals, and

Chickahominy people - Misplaced Pages Continue

2080-548: The Weroance of Arrohattec (whose given name was Ashaquid) was often referred to simply as "Arrohattec", much as the Earl of Essex would be referred to just as "Essex" instead of a personal name. When the first English colonists arrived in Virginia, some of the weroances subject to the paramount chief Powhatan, or mamanatowick (Wahunsenacawh) were his own nearest male relatives: In Tsenacommacah, women could inherit power, because

2145-467: The chiefdom was ultimately passed to his younger brother Opechancanough , who led the Indian Massacre of 1622 as well as a second attack in 1644. Both attacks provoked retaliations from English colonists. A peace treaty, signed in 1646, brought an end to the conflicts between the Powhatan and the English. The treaty was signed by Opechancanough's successor Necotowance – Opechancanough himself

2210-555: The clerk's office and jail, so few colonial era non-religious records remain. However, a manual entitled "The Office and Authority of a Justice of Peace" published in 1736 by county court justice George Webb, the son of London merchant Conrad Webb and whose son Lewis Webb would briefly represent New Kent county in the House of Burgesses and later in the House of Delegates during the American Revolutionary War. Perhaps

2275-577: The conflict. As the result of arson confessed to by John Price Posey and Thomas Green, and allegedly involving "a negro boy belonging to W. Chamberlayne", many later county records were burned, making identifying relationships between family members difficult. Two first ladies – Martha Washington and Letitia Christian Tyler – were born in New Kent County. The church where George and Martha Washington are believed to have been wed, St. Peter's , still holds services today. Confederate and Union troops fought in as well as passed through New Kent County during

2340-622: The county's most noteworthy patriot during the conflict was James , an enslaved man who became a double agent, and whose reports to the Marquis de Lafayette helped secure victory during the Siege of Yorktown months after British troops led by Lt. Gen. Charles Cornwallis passed through the county seat (and raided local plantations) in June 1781. In addition to men who enlisted in the army, New Kent county also established an American military hospital during

2405-503: The county, with residents often commuting to the larger cities such as Newport News and Norfolk for work while enjoying the quieter, rural life that New Kent offers. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau, which considers both New Kent County and Hanover County part of the Richmond metropolitan area (although it also is considered part of the Hampton Roads Region), rated New Kent County among the top 100 fastest-growing counties in

2470-494: The crow flies from Jamestown, but they also described as 25 miles (40 km) downstream from present-day West Point , measurements which conflict with each other. In 2003, archaeologists initiated excavations at a site in Gloucester County that revealed an extensive Indigenous settlement from about 1200 CE (the late Woodland period) through the early contact period. Work since then has added to their belief that this

2535-555: The earliest settlers was Nicholas Gentry, who settled in New Kent in 1684. Parish registers of St. Peter's Parish show that Nicholas Gentry's daughter was baptized in the church in 1687. In 1719 the Virginia General Assembly split New Kent County, and what had been established St. Paul's Parish became Hanover County . New Kent county's first brick courthouse was built by 1695, but it and two successors were destroyed in 1753 and 1775. Another fire in 1783 destroyed

2600-419: The expanding English colony. In 1677, the Chickahominy were among the tribes signing a peace treaty with the King of England . The people lost title to the last part of their reservation lands in 1718, but continued to live in the area for some time. Those who did not merge with the Pamunkey and other tribes, slowly migrated back to New Kent County and Charles City County , closer to their original homeland. In

2665-414: The first permanent English settlement founded at Jamestown in 1607. The tribe helped the English survive during the first few winters by trading food for English goods, as the settlers were ill-prepared for farming and developing their frontier site. The Chickahominy taught the English how to grow and preserve crops in local conditions. By 1614, the tribe had signed a treaty with the colonists; it required

Chickahominy people - Misplaced Pages Continue

2730-477: The following years. Tracts were surveyed for the remaining tribes in the following decades, but these quickly shrank as they were either sold off or in some cases actually seized outright. Following Bacon's Rebellion , the Treaty of Middle Plantation was signed by many Virginia Indian leaders in 1677, limiting Tsenocommacah even further. The treaty set up six reservations, reinforced the annual tribute payment to

2795-516: The formation of Maryland . Claiborne had named the island for his birthplace in Kent , England. Chickahominy and Pamunkey Native Americans frequented this area, as well as nearby Charles City County and King William County , and both tribes remain well-established in this area. The county had two parishes in the colonial era, initially called Blisland (which also included the older James City County as well as York County) and St. Peter's . Among

2860-404: The governor. It has not always been easy for the Mattaponi and the Pamunkey to get the necessary items for their yearly payment, but they have made it a point of honor to uphold their end of the bargain. The population of Tsenacommacah was 14,000 to 21,000 people by 1607. The tribes shared mutually intelligible dialects of the Powhatan language. The language, however, died out by the 1790s after

2925-415: The inheritance of power was matrilineal . In A Map of Virginia John Smith of Jamestown explains: His [ Chief Powhatan 's] kingdome descendeth not to his sonnes nor children: but first to his brethren, whereof he hath 3 namely Opitchapan , Opechancanough , and Catataugh ; and after their decease to his sisters. First to the eldest sister, then to the rest: and after them to the heires male and female of

2990-781: The late 16th century, he added more tribes to his nation, through diplomacy or force. He added the Kecoughtan by 1598. By 1607, Wahunsenacawh controlled more than 30 tribes. The original six tribes under Wahunsenacawh were: the Powhatan (proper), the Arrohateck , the Appamattuck , the Pamunkey , the Mattaponi , and the Chiskiack . Other affiliated groups included the Rappahannocks , Weyanoak , Paspahegh , Warraskoyack , and Nansemond . Another closely related tribe of

3055-567: The men. Women were also likely barbers. They decorated homes and produced embellished clothing. The Powhatan domestic economy depended on the labor of both sexes. The original Powhatan religion was documented by Europeans. The Powhatans believed in two primary Gods. Ahone was the creator of life. Oke was the lesser twin god who accepted sacrifices and was prayed to for help. Beneath these two were many other spirits. The Powhatan tried to appease Oke with various offerings such as jewelry and tobacco. Religious leaders were advisors to tribal leaders. It

3120-404: The north bank of the Pamunkey River . Each tribe had its own name and chief ( werowance / weroance if male or weroansqua if female), and Tsenacommacah as a whole was ruled by a paramount chief ( mamanatowick ) named Wahunsenacawh, or more popularly Chief Powhatan . The Mamanatowick let their district and subordinate weroances make the final decision on how to handle hostile situations. This

3185-610: The payment of a yearly tribute to the English, as well as delineating a number of tribal land reservations. Among the surviving tribes of the now-dissolved confederacy, the Appomattocs , Nansemonds , and Weyanokes retreated to the south, becoming independent of Necotowance, as did the Powhites or Powhatan proper. The Pamunkey , Mattaponi , Chickahominy , Rappahannock , Kiskiack , Wiccocomico , Patawomeck , Morattico , Nanzatico , Sekakawon , and Onawmanient , occupying

3250-544: The peninsulas north of the York, were cut off from the southern tribes by the English colonial authorities. The Virginia Colony long respected its southern boundary established by this treaty, refusing to recognize settlements beyond it as late as 1705. However, the ban on settling north of the York River was lifted on September 1, 1649, and a wave of new immigrants quickly flooded the northern tribes, leaving them scattered and isolated on ever-shrinking patches of land. That year,

3315-582: The people switched to English. Much of the language has been forgotten, and is only known from two wordlists made by William Strachey and Captain John Smith . However, there have been attempts to reconstruct the language, particularly from linguists like Frank T. Siebert and Blair A. Rudes . The Powhatan lived in Tidewater Virginia . Their homes, called yehakins , were constructed by bending saplings and laying woven mats or bark over top of

SECTION 50

#1732771984272

3380-423: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 4,925 households, 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.60% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.90% were not families. About 16.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

3445-692: The same language group was the Chickahominy , but they managed to preserve their autonomy from the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom. The Accawmacke, located on the Eastern Shore across the Chesapeake Bay, were paid nominal tribute to the Powhatan Chiefdom, but enjoyed autonomy under their own Paramount Chief or "Emperor", Debedeavon (aka "The Laughing King"). By early 1609, relations had begun to sour between

3510-493: The saplings. All of Virginia's natives practiced slash-and-burn agriculture , and cultivated maize . A village became unusable as soil productivity gradually declined and local fish and game were depleted, so they periodically moved their villages from site to site. Villagers cleared the fields by felling, girdling , or firing trees at the base and then using fire to reduce the slash and stumps. The natives also used fire to maintain extensive areas of open game habitat throughout

3575-465: The time. The Pamunkey and Mattaponi , also state-recognized, gained recognition in separate processes, through the BIA's administrative process. They believed their continuing residency on and control of their reservations demonstrated their historical continuity as tribes. Working to improve its process, in 2013, the BIA announced proposed changes to regulations, which include allowing tribes to document

3640-541: The tribe to provide 300 warriors to fight the Spanish , which had an established colony in Florida and the lower East Coast. Over time, the English began to expand their settlements and crowded out the Chickahominy from their homeland. The peoples had earlier come into conflict over uses of land, as the Chickahominy expected to travel freely for hunting, and the English wanted to preserve some property as private. Following

3705-410: The tribe's traditional territory, present-day Charles City County. The tribal center on the land is the location of an annual Powwow and Fall Festival. The Chickahominy are led by a tribal council of 12 men and women, including a chief and two assistant chiefs. These positions are elected by members of the tribe, by vote. The current chief is Stephen Adkins. He served as Director of Human Resources for

3770-473: The two tribes intertwined. Today, the Eastern Chickahominy have about 132 members and own about 41 acres (17 ha) of land. Tribe members have served in the United States military since World War I . The tribe serves the needs of its community as a nontaxable organization. This is supported through contributions and from members who pay dues. The Chickahominy were recognized on January 11, 2018. U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner secured passage of

3835-474: The use of freedom of choice plans at publicly funded schools, where the actual operation of such plans delayed racial desegregation. The historical ties to Hampton Roads stem from its location and the shared history of Virginia's colonial past. The region, known for its military bases, shipyards, and as a commercial and cultural hub, influences the surrounding counties, including New Kent. The proximity to Hampton Roads has led to economic and demographic growth in

3900-594: Was $ 60,678. Males had a median income of $ 40,005 versus $ 28,894 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 22,893. About 4.90% of the population and 3.40% of families were below the poverty line. Of the people living in poverty, 7.40% were under the age of 18 and 7.00% were 65 or older. New Kent County has five schools within its school system. The three elementary schools are New Kent Elementary, Quinton Elementary, and George W. Watkins Elementary. The school system also includes New Kent Middle School and New Kent High School. All five schools are fully accredited by

3965-406: Was 2.65, and the average family size was 2.97. The county's age distribution was 25.00% under 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 32.00% from 25 to 44, 27.70% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who were 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.60 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 99.90 males. The median income for a household was $ 53,595, and for a family

SECTION 60

#1732771984272

4030-698: Was 22,945. Its county seat is New Kent . New Kent County is located east of the Greater Richmond Region and is part of the Richmond and the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Statistical Area . New Kent County was established in 1654, as the Virginia General Assembly with the governor's consent split York County . The county's name originated because several prominent inhabitants, including William Claiborne , recently had been forced from their settlement at Kent Island, Maryland , by Lord Baltimore upon

4095-407: Was captured by English colonists and killed by a settler assigned to guard him in 1646. As part of the treaty of 1646, the size of Tsenacommacah was reduced. The boundaries specified in the treaty separated Virginia Indian lands from those that were considered colonial territory, and restricted crossings to those on official business. Badges were required for all visitors. The treaty also established

4160-489: Was in March 2009, when Representative Jim Moran of Virginia sponsored a bill to grant federal recognition to these six Virginia Indian "landless" tribes. By June the bill had passed the House of Representatives. A day after it was voted on in the House, a companion bill was sent to the Senate. The Senate referred this bill to their Committee on Indian Affairs , which approved the bill on October 22, 2009. On December 23, 2009,

4225-623: Was made apparent with the events that took place in 1607 and the hostility with the newcomers (English colonists). Weroances and Priest were the only ones allowed to enter into religious temples. A weroance did not go to meet any visitor, visitors were escorted to see a weroance. The weroance, their wives, and councilors often dressed in the finest jewels, and tanned deer skin. Several of the weroances' personal names were known and some recorded by William Strachey and other sources. The names of their respective chieftaincies were also commonly used as titles, exactly analogous to European peerages, so that

#271728