There was a time when a squirrel could go from the Atlantic ocean to the Mississippi and never touch the ground. We were on the eastern shore of what was to become Maryland and Virginia to watch the squirrel's' journey begin. Those days "before contact" were mostly pleasant, though not always easy, days.

We would like to thank the Washington Post for permission to use this image on our web site. Waneshi!

Generally, it is considered that we are one of the neighbor tribes to our brothers, the Nanticoke, the Nause-Waiwash, the Assateaque, the Piscataway, and the Accohannock. Our ancestors lived along the banks of the Pocomoke river up to the area around present day Crisfield MD. The Pocomoke Indian People are an Algonquian-speaking tribe, some say a sub-tribe of  the Powhatan nation and others say we are more closely related to the Piscataway. The bands of the Pocomoke People were part of the  Accomac Confederation. We were the first watermen, hunters, farmers, and trappers on the Chesapeake Bay waters and wetlands.  We harvested food from the Chesapeake Bay and its many tributaries. We grew squash, maize (corn), and other  foods. We also were great hunters of waterfowl, deer, rabbit, squirrels, raccoons, bear and elk.  We settled villages along the "black water, deep water, abundant water" (Pocomoke) river at a place named Wighcocomoco (a pleasant place to live). Prior to arrival of the English, we were referred to by that name. We were the people that lived "at Wighcocomoco". As Marylanders become so by living in Maryland, we became Wighcocomoco by having our main village at that place.

Around 1000, the ability to grow maize (corn) finally made it to us. This made a significant difference in the way we lived. We began growing corn and continued growing beans and squash and found that by altering our fields that we could stay within close geographic areas. It was no longer necessary to move or to move as far to find food. We became settled, formed more delineated councils (matchacomico), both men's and women's (clan mothers) matchacomico. Our boys became men in the traditional huskanaw, a month long endurance test, and we were happy.

We were the people that lived "by the Pocomoke". As Marylanders become so by living in Maryland, we became Pocomoke by having our villages along the Pocomoke.

Detribalized in 1646, by the Treaty of Middle Plantation, rapid changes driven by colonial and federal policies of dispersion and assimilation, first weakened, then dismantled and prohibited the culture. The Chief and the government were forced to cede all authority and lands to the King of England and Colonial powers representing him. With the loss of its land, self-government and other aspects of the tribe were destroyed.

It was said of us that "They were a warm and civilized people", according to Howard Hudson's report to the Worcester County Historical Society. "They were a monogamous tribe and they lived by strict moral codes. they were a people who looked into life and saw beauty", as portrayed in the following attributed to them:
 
 

The Pocomoke People were in a confederation with five other tribes in the lower shore:

  Nanticokes Wighcocomocus Qqinticas Quandangums Nassawattox Ammemesses
   

Along with our Nanticoke brothers, the Pocomokes were the money makers including reddish shells and amber and brown bits of shell from the Pocomoke River to wampum. In addition, the Pocomokes traded with other tribes; bartering cypress and boats dug out of trees in trade for other goods. In 1608, there were 335 Pocomoke living on the eastern shore, mostly in clan villages of 4 to 6 families. We built our lodges, cleared the land, planted, fished, and traded with other tribes in the area and from Pennsylvania.  Then the Europeans arrived. At first things were not bad. We hunted, fished, farmed, and traded. But there were friction. Then, in 1659, the unexpected happened. Colonel Edmund Scarburgh, a wealthy man, gathered a band and attacked our village in what became known as the Seaside War. Those that were not in the village survived but those that were at home, did not. he and his friends slaughtered all but a small portion of the Pocomoke people. For this the General Court decreed  that he was suspended from "all offices as well as military and civil until by his future obedience an fidelity it shall please the Right Honorable Governor to restore him."

In 1678 we were party to a treaty along with our Assateaque brothers that established the five Askiminokonsoi (Indian Town) reservations along the Pocomoke river. Another treaty was signed by Chief Wassounge (Daniel) of our people and Chief Knosuk (M. Walker) of the Assateaque Maryland Governor, Charles Calvert. Unfortunately, in 1742 the relative peace was broken when rumor of an attack was heard of from either the Nanticoke or Shawnee. We and our brothers from Askiminokonsoi, wishing not to be caught in the middle, took to the surrounding swamps. As is common, Maryland punished all for the folly of the few and we again found ourselves hunted. By this time many had either been killed, died as a result of diseases brought by the Europeans, or had migrated north and became assimilated into the Delaware or Pennsylvania tribes. Some, however stayed and blended in with the colonist as farmers and fishermen. Of those that left, we know nothing. Those brothers and sisters are lost to us. Like so many of us from the lightly populated eastern shore, if they survived, they became adopted of other tribes. Of those few of us who stayed behind: We survived. Now, it our pleasure and honor to share our culture with others.

We are still very few. Most living on the eastern shore or close to our ancestors land. It always calls to us,  Though, according to law, it is no longer ours to care for.

Because of the way Indian people were treated, most "Indians" called themselves "white" and hid their true roots so that their children could go to a "white" schools. Many still deny their heritage. This saddens us but it is the choice of each one to choose as they desire. For those who look back through their families and see their roots, we welcome you.
 
 

Contact us at Information@Pocomoke-Indian-Nation.org

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