The Manahoac , also recorded as Mahock , were a Indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands , who lived in northern Virginia at the time of European contact. They spoke a Siouan language and numbered approximately 1,000.
47-904: They lived primarily along the Rappahannock River west of present-day Fredericksburg and the Fall Line , and east of the Blue Ridge Mountains . They merged with the Monacan , the Occaneechi , the Saponi and the Tutelo . They disappeared from the historical record after 1728. According to William W. Tooker, the name Manahoac is Algonquian for "they are very merry", but anthropologist John R. Swanton considered this dubious. After thousands of years of different Indigenous cultures in present-day Virginia,
94-401: A Blue Ridge minerality to come through. These oysters are known for being good to consume with wine. The nutritious oysters were eaten on a large scale in 19th-century Washington. They were served fresh, grilled, stewed, or as part of a pie. The name of the river comes from an Algonquian word, lappihanne (also recorded as toppehannock ), meaning "river of quick, rising water" or "where
141-547: A wind gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains a few miles southeast of Front Royal, Virginia , near the single point where Warren , Fauquier , and Rappahannock counties come together. (Source Coordinates 38°49'40.1"N 78°06'08.8"W.) It flows southeastward, past Remington , Kelly's Ford , and Richardsville , before it is joined from the right by the Rapidan River , its largest tributary . The Rappahannock passes through
188-466: A confederacy of tribes, or as a single tribe composed of several subtribes. These include the following: Colonists recorded the name of one village: Mahaskahod ; it was most likely located near modern Fredericksburg . The language of the Manahoac is not known, although John Smith stated that they spoke a language different from that of the Monacan . Anthropologist James Mooney in 1894 suggested that
235-457: A pie. The name of the river comes from an Algonquian word, lappihanne (also recorded as toppehannock ), meaning "river of quick, rising water" or "where the tide ebbs and flows," the name used by the local Rappahannock tribe . In 2018 it became one of the federally recognized tribes in Virginia. Although a few small hamlets developed along the lower Rappahannock during early colonial times,
282-598: A productive oyster and crab fishery. Above Fredericksburg, the Rappahannock provides fine opportunities for recreational canoeing and kayaking . Most of the rapids are Class I and Class II in difficulty, but, near Remington, there are some rapids that are considered to be Class III. The river's watershed is protected in various places as parcels of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge . The oysters that thrive in
329-622: A river from the sea. Spotswood encouraged settlement in a river valley other than that of the James. In 1714, he began recruiting Protestant immigrants from the Rhineland-Palatinate and Switzerland to homestead on lands he controlled near the confluence of the Rappahannock and the Rapidan. Known as the Germanna settlement(s), these villages were founded in order to exploit the iron ore deposits of
376-672: Is a river in eastern Virginia , in the United States, approximately 195 miles (314 km) in length. It traverses the entire northern part of the state, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west where it rises, across the Piedmont to the Fall Line , and onward through the coastal plain to flow into the Chesapeake Bay , south of the Potomac River . An important river in American history,
423-400: Is joined from the right by the Rapidan River , its largest tributary . The Rappahannock passes through the city of Fredericksburg . Southeast of Fredericksburg, the river begins to slow and widens into a brackish tidal estuary approximately 50 miles (80 km) long. It passes two small, important historic, river towns, Port Royal and Port Conway , which developed opposite each other,
470-464: The Blue Ridge Mountains in the west where it rises, across the Piedmont to the Fall Line , and onward through the coastal plain to flow into the Chesapeake Bay , south of the Potomac River . An important river in American history, the Rappahannock was long an area of occupation by indigenous peoples, including the Rappahannock Tribe . Similarly, during the colonial era, early settlements in
517-737: The Virginia Colony were formed along the river. During the American Civil War , due to the river's acting as a barrier to north–south troop movements, it effectively functioned as the boundary of the eastern theater of the war, between the "North" (the Union ) and the "South" (the Confederate States of America ). It was at the center of a major theater of battle where tens of thousands of troops fought against each other. In this period some 10,000 enslaved African Americans escaped to freedom across
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#1733086149312564-446: The "North" (the Union ) and the "South" (the Confederate States of America ). It was at the center of a major theater of battle where tens of thousands of troops fought against each other. In this period some 10,000 enslaved African Americans escaped to freedom across the river to Union lines, after the first Battle of Fredericksburg . The river drains an area of 2,848 square miles (7,380 km ), approximately 6% of Virginia. Much of
611-567: The Chesapeake Bay approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of the mouth of the Potomac River and approximately 60 miles (97 km) east of the state capital, Richmond . At the point where the river enters the bay, between Windmill Point, on the north, and Stingray Point , on the south, it is more than 3.5 miles (5.6 km) wide. This estuary , south of the Northern Neck peninsula, is
658-829: The English language. The other known Siouan-speaking tribes of Virginia were all represented by members at Fort Christanna. The anthropologist John Swanton believed that a group at Fort Christanna, called the Mepontsky, were perhaps the Ontponea subtribe of the Manahoac. The last mention of the Ontponea in historical records was in 1723. Scholars believe they joined with the Tutelo and Saponi and became absorbed into their tribes. In 1753, these two tribes were formally adopted in New York by their former enemies,
705-627: The Iroquois, specifically the Cayuga nation . In 1870, there was a report of Nikonha (Tutelo, c. 1765–1871), a "merry old man named Mosquito" living in Canada, who claimed to be "the last of the Manahoac" and the legal owner of much of northern Virginia . He still remembered how to speak the Tutelo language . Like the other Siouan-speaking tribes of Virginia's Piedmont region (i.e., the Monacan, Tutelo, and Saponi),
752-463: The James are the outlines of three oval houses at a site outside the town of Wingina in Nelson County, Virginia . Given the close relations of the Monacan and the Manahoac, scholars believe these aspects of their cultures were similar or identical. Many stone tools have been unearthed in areas which the Manahoac inhabited. They are usually made of the milky quartz common in the region. Their pottery
799-749: The Manahoac and other Piedmont tribes developed from the precontact Woodland cultures . Historically the Siouan-speaking tribes occupied more of the Piedmont area, and the Algonquian -speaking tribes inhabited the lowlands and Tidewater . The Manahoac were a confederacy of smaller bands. In 1608, the English explorer John Smith met with a sizable group of Manahoac above the falls of the Rappahannock River. He recorded that they lived in at least seven villages west of where he had met them. One of their villages
846-475: The Manahoac people lived in various independent villages. These tribes traded, intermarried, and shared cultural celebrations. Manahoac villages were usually along the upper Rappahannock River where the soil was most fertile. They practiced a mixture of hunting and gathering as well as farming. Along the upper James River , where the closely related Monacan tribe was located, archeologists have found remnants of corn and squash in cooking pits. Also found along
893-399: The Manahoac spoke a Siouan language , based on his speculation that the town called Monasickapanough was related to Saponi . He also claimed that the town Monahassanugh was the same as the name Nahyssan , Hanohaskie (a variant spelling of a Saponi town), and Yesaⁿ ( Yesaⁿ is the autonym of the Tutelo ). His argument was based on the assumption that the initial syllable Mo- , Ma-
940-406: The Rappahannock above the mouth of the Rapidan as "Cannon", and further upstream it was identified as "Hedgeman's River," named after Nathaniel Hedgeman, an early settler of the region. Rappahannock River The Rappahannock River is a river in eastern Virginia , in the United States, approximately 195 miles (314 km) in length. It traverses the entire northern part of the state, from
987-405: The Rappahannock was long an area of occupation by indigenous peoples, including the Rappahannock Tribe . Similarly, during the colonial era, early settlements in the Virginia Colony were formed along the river. During the American Civil War , due to the river's acting as a barrier to north–south troop movements, it effectively functioned as the boundary of the eastern theater of the war, between
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#17330861493121034-445: The ancestors of the Manahoac and other eastern Siouan-speaking groups. They are unique in that they contained hundreds to thousands of corpses. They are sometimes called "accretional mounds". The people added more soil to them as additional individuals were buried within. Most of the burial mounds have been either completely destroyed by plowing or significantly reduced in size by erosion and flooding. The Manahoac are sometimes viewed as
1081-423: The city of Fredericksburg . Southeast of Fredericksburg, the river begins to slow and widens into a brackish tidal estuary approximately 50 miles (80 km) long. It passes two small, important historic, river towns, Port Royal and Port Conway , which developed opposite each other, the former on the south bank, the latter on the north. The last navigable points for ocean-going ships, they were early ports for
1128-550: The city reached for their futures, crossing the river to gain freedom behind Union lines. This exodus and its "Trail of Freedom" was commemorated in 2010 by installation of historical markers on both sides of the river, in Fredericksburg and in Stafford County. The exodus to freedom is now celebrated in an annual re-enactment starting in Fredericksburg. In some 18th- and 19th-century documents, including some Civil War records,
1175-501: The confluence of the Rappahannock and the Rapidan. Known as the Germanna settlement(s), these villages were founded in order to exploit the iron ore deposits of the region. During the War of 1812 , the Battle of Rappahannock River was fought on the river. Seventeen British boats filled with hundreds of marines and sailors captured four American privateers . During the American Civil War ,
1222-484: The estuary of the Rappahannock River are the least salty oysters of the East Coast. They are renowned for their sweet and smooth flavor, described as almost buttery. The low salinity allows a Blue Ridge minerality to come through. These oysters are known for being good to consume with wine. The nutritious oysters were eaten on a large scale in 19th-century Washington. They were served fresh, grilled, stewed, or as part of
1269-450: The export of tobacco, the major commodity crop. As it flows past Tappahannock on its southern bank, the river is well over a mile wide. The last settlements of any size before it reaches the Chesapeake Bay are Irvington , Urbanna , Stingray Point , and White Stone Beach . The broad river enters the Chesapeake Bay approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of the mouth of the Potomac River and approximately 60 miles (97 km) east of
1316-437: The former on the south bank, the latter on the north. The last navigable points for ocean-going ships, they were early ports for the export of tobacco, the major commodity crop. As it flows past Tappahannock on its southern bank, the river is well over a mile wide. The last settlements of any size before it reaches the Chesapeake Bay are Irvington , Urbanna , Stingray Point , and White Stone Beach . The broad river enters
1363-532: The north during the Beaver Wars and probably infectious disease from European contact, the Manahoac were reduced to only 50 bowmen in their former area. Their surviving people apparently joined their Monacan allies to the south immediately afterward. John Lederer recorded the "Mahock" along the James River in 1670. In 1671 Lederer passed through their former territory but made no mention of any inhabitants. Around
1410-431: The point where, geologically, continental bedrock of the Piedmont meets the sedimentary rocks and alluvial soils of the coastal plain. It is usually the last navigable portion of a river from the sea. Spotswood encouraged settlement in a river valley other than that of the James. In 1714, he began recruiting Protestant immigrants from the Rhineland-Palatinate and Switzerland to homestead on lands he controlled near
1457-479: The rapids are Class I and Class II in difficulty, but, near Remington, there are some rapids that are considered to be Class III. The river's watershed is protected in various places as parcels of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge . The oysters that thrive in the estuary of the Rappahannock River are the least salty oysters of the East Coast. They are renowned for their sweet and smooth flavor, described as almost buttery. The low salinity allows
Manahoac - Misplaced Pages Continue
1504-422: The region. During the War of 1812 , the Battle of Rappahannock River was fought on the river. Seventeen British boats filled with hundreds of marines and sailors captured four American privateers . During the American Civil War , the river, with few convenient fords and fewer bridges, provided a barrier and defensive line behind which movements of troops could be accomplished with little fear of attack from
1551-561: The river changed hands many times during the course of the war. Significant battles fought along the river include the Battle of Fredericksburg and two Battles of Rappahannock Station . The defensive line at the river was finally circumvented by General Ulysses S. Grant in the Wilderness (or Overland) Campaign of 1864, ending in the ultimate Union victory. During and after the first battle at Fredericksburg in late December 1862, about 10,000 enslaved African Americans from area plantations and
1598-403: The river to Union lines, after the first Battle of Fredericksburg . The river drains an area of 2,848 square miles (7,380 km ), approximately 6% of Virginia. Much of the watershed is rural and forested. Development in the area has increased since the late 20th century with the southward expansion of the metropolitan Washington, D.C. suburbs. The Rappahannock River rises at Chester Gap ,
1645-427: The river was finally circumvented by General Ulysses S. Grant in the Wilderness (or Overland) Campaign of 1864, ending in the ultimate Union victory. During and after the first battle at Fredericksburg in late December 1862, about 10,000 enslaved African Americans from area plantations and the city reached for their futures, crossing the river to gain freedom behind Union lines. This exodus and its "Trail of Freedom"
1692-423: The river, with few convenient fords and fewer bridges, provided a barrier and defensive line behind which movements of troops could be accomplished with little fear of attack from the river-side flank. It was an especially difficult barrier for Union troops to overcome in their attempts to thrust into southern Virginia, as they were vulnerable to attack while trying to cross the river on temporary bridges. Control of
1739-454: The river-side flank. It was an especially difficult barrier for Union troops to overcome in their attempts to thrust into southern Virginia, as they were vulnerable to attack while trying to cross the river on temporary bridges. Control of the river changed hands many times during the course of the war. Significant battles fought along the river include the Battle of Fredericksburg and two Battles of Rappahannock Station . The defensive line at
1786-729: The same time, the Seneca people of the Haudenosaunee began to claim the land as their hunting grounds by right of conquest , though they did not occupy it. In 1714, Lt. Governor of Virginia Alexander Spotswood recorded that the Stegaraki subtribe of the Manahoac was present at Fort Christanna in Brunswick County . The fort was created by Spotswood and sponsored by the College of William and Mary to convert natives to Christianity and teach them
1833-410: The settlement of the Rappahannock River valley began in earnest during the first years of the eighteenth century, at the urging of Governor Alexander Spotswood . The James River had been surveyed up to its fall line , the point where, geologically, continental bedrock of the Piedmont meets the sedimentary rocks and alluvial soils of the coastal plain. It is usually the last navigable portion of
1880-419: The state capital, Richmond . At the point where the river enters the bay, between Windmill Point, on the north, and Stingray Point , on the south, it is more than 3.5 miles (5.6 km) wide. This estuary , south of the Northern Neck peninsula, is a productive oyster and crab fishery. Above Fredericksburg, the Rappahannock provides fine opportunities for recreational canoeing and kayaking . Most of
1927-470: The tide ebbs and flows," the name used by the local Rappahannock tribe . In 2018 it became one of the federally recognized tribes in Virginia. Although a few small hamlets developed along the lower Rappahannock during early colonial times, the settlement of the Rappahannock River valley began in earnest during the first years of the eighteenth century, at the urging of Governor Alexander Spotswood . The James River had been surveyed up to its fall line ,
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1974-514: The tribes he listed spoke the same language, Mooney assumed Lederer's Managog was a misspelled Monahoac , and that Monahoac and Saponi must be the two tribes with a common language. The common language may, in fact, be Virginia Siouan , which was used as a lingua franca spoken by both Siouan and Iroquoian peoples. Thus, Mooney's interpretation is not supported by the primary sources. The Manahoac likely spoke multiple languages for trade reasons. Rappahannock River The Rappahannock River
2021-551: The watershed is rural and forested. Development in the area has increased since the late 20th century with the southward expansion of the metropolitan Washington, D.C. suburbs. The Rappahannock River rises at Chester Gap , a wind gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains a few miles southeast of Front Royal, Virginia , near the single point where Warren , Fauquier , and Rappahannock counties come together. (Source Coordinates 38°49'40.1"N 78°06'08.8"W.) It flows southeastward, past Remington , Kelly's Ford , and Richardsville , before it
2068-401: Was commemorated in 2010 by installation of historical markers on both sides of the river, in Fredericksburg and in Stafford County. The exodus to freedom is now celebrated in an annual re-enactment starting in Fredericksburg. In some 18th- and 19th-century documents, including some Civil War records, the Rappahannock River was referred to as "Hedgeman's River". A 1736–1737 survey labeled
2115-532: Was named Mahaskahod. Smith also noted that they were at war with the Powhatan and Haudenosaunee but were allied with the Monacan . As the Beaver Wars upset the balance of power, some Manahoac settled in Virginia near the Powhatans. In 1656, these Manahoac fended off an attack by English and Pamunkey , resulting in the Battle of Bloody Run (1656) . By the 1669 census, because of raids by Haudenosaunee tribes from
2162-480: Was supposedly a Virginia Siouan morpheme meaning, "place, earth, country". More recently, Ives Goddard has pointed to problems with Mooney's claimed evidence and argued that it is more probable that these town names are from the Virginia Algonquian language, which was the language of John Smith's guides. Additionally one town appears to be from Algonquian pidgin . Because John Lederer stated that two of
2209-404: Was tempered with quartz and sand; it often featured fabric, net, or cord motifs as decoration. Archaeological evidence shows that an earthen mound burial culture existed in the Piedmont from AD 950 to the time of European contact. It spanned the so-called Late Woodland Period . These burial mounds, some of them reaching heights of at least 6 meters (20 ft), are believed to have been made by
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