Congaree (tribe)
Encyclopedia
The Congaree were a group of Native American
s who lived in what is now central South Carolina
of the United States, along the Congaree River
. Although early European observers thought they were likely of the Siouan language family given their geographic location and characteristics of neighboring tribes, later scholars have suggested they were non-Siouan. Their language was a dialect distinct from Siouan language, and not intelligible to their immediate Siouan neighbours, the Wateree
.
In early 1715 the English colonist John Barnwell
took a census that listed the Congaree as living in one village and having a population of 22 men and 70 women and children. During the Yamasee War
of 1715, the Congaree joined in the fight against the colony of South Carolina. Over half were either killed or enslaved by the colonists and Cherokee.
In the subsequent decades, Congaree survivors merged with the larger Catawba
people. Different tribes lived in their own villages within the loose Catawba federation. The Congaree tribe was able to maintain their distinction until the late 18th century. The tribe is now considered extinct. Some members of the present-day Catawba and other tribes of the Carolinas may be genetically descended from the Congaree.
Southeastern tribes
Southeastern Woodlands peoples or Southeastern cultures are an ethnographic classification for Indigenous peoples that have traditionally inhabited the Southeastern United States and the northeastern border of Mexico, that share common cultural traits....
s who lived in what is now central South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
of the United States, along the Congaree River
Congaree River
The Congaree River is a short but wide river in South Carolina in the United States; It flows for only 47 miles . The river serves an important role as the final outlet channel for the entire Lower Saluda and Lower Broad watersheds, before merging with the Wateree River just north of Lake Marion to...
. Although early European observers thought they were likely of the Siouan language family given their geographic location and characteristics of neighboring tribes, later scholars have suggested they were non-Siouan. Their language was a dialect distinct from Siouan language, and not intelligible to their immediate Siouan neighbours, the Wateree
Wateree
The Wateree were one of the first groups of Native Americans in the interior of the East Coast to encounter Europeans. They were recorded in 1567, by Spanish captain Juan Pardo's scribe Bandera for his expeditions through the interior of the Carolinas. They were named the Guatari in Bandera's...
.
In early 1715 the English colonist John Barnwell
John Barnwell (colonist)
John Barnwell was a native of Ireland who emigrated to the Province of South Carolina in 1701. He led an army against the Tuscarora in 1711–1712. Later he served the colony as an official in talks with England in forming the government...
took a census that listed the Congaree as living in one village and having a population of 22 men and 70 women and children. During the Yamasee War
Yamasee War
The Yamasee War was a conflict between British settlers of colonial South Carolina and various Native American Indian tribes, including the Yamasee, Muscogee, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Catawba, Apalachee, Apalachicola, Yuchi, Savannah River Shawnee, Congaree, Waxhaw, Pee Dee, Cape Fear, Cheraw, and...
of 1715, the Congaree joined in the fight against the colony of South Carolina. Over half were either killed or enslaved by the colonists and Cherokee.
In the subsequent decades, Congaree survivors merged with the larger Catawba
Catawba (tribe)
The Catawba are a federally recognized tribe of Native Americans, known as the Catawba Indian Nation. They live in the Southeast United States, along the border between North and South Carolina near the city of Rock Hill...
people. Different tribes lived in their own villages within the loose Catawba federation. The Congaree tribe was able to maintain their distinction until the late 18th century. The tribe is now considered extinct. Some members of the present-day Catawba and other tribes of the Carolinas may be genetically descended from the Congaree.
External links
- http://sciway.net/hist/indians/congaree.html South Carolina Indians - Conagree
- http://sciway3.net/proctor/state/natam/congaree.html SCGenWeb - The Congaree