Robert Beverley, The History and Present State of Virginia, 1705
Robert Beverley’s History and Present State of Virginia (1705) supplies some of the earliest data on the decline of Native American numbers in eastern Virginia over the course of the 17th century.
The Indians of Virginia are almost wasted, but such Towns, or People as retain their Names, and live in Bodies, are hereunder set down; All which together can’t raise five hundred fighting men. They live poorly, and much in fear of the Neighbouring Indians. Each Town, by the Articles of Peace in 1677, pays 3 Indian Arrows for their Land, and 20 Beaver Skins for protection every year.
In Accomack are 8 Towns, viz.
Matomkin is much decreased of late by the Small Pox, that was carried thither.
Gingoteque. The few remains of this Town are joyn’d with a Nation of the Maryland Indians.
Kiequotank, is reduc’d to very few Men.
Matchopungo, has a small number yet living.
Occahanock, has a small number yet living.
Pungoteque. Govern’d by a Queen, but a small Nation.
Oanancock, has but four or five Families.
Chiconessex, has very few, who just keep the name.
Nanduye. A Seat of the Empress. Not above 20 Families, but she hath all the Nations of this Shore under Tribute.
In Northampton. Gangascoe, which is almost as numerous as all the foregoing Nations put together.
In Prince George. Wyanoke, is almost wasted, and now gone to live among other Indians.
In Charles City. Appamattox. These Live in Collonel Byrd’s Pasture, not being above seven Families.
In Surry. Nottawayes, which are about a hundred Bow men, of late a thriving and increasing People.
By Nansamond. Menheering, has about thirty Bow-men, who keep at a stand.
Nansamond. About thirty Bow-men: They have increased much of late.
In King Williams County, 2. Pamunkie, has about forty Bow-men, who decrease.
Chickahomonie, which had about sixteen Bow-men, but lately increas’d.
In Essex. Rapppahannock, is reduc’d to a few Families, and live scatter’d upon the English Seats.
In Richmond. Port-Tabago, has [a]bout five Bow-men, but Wasting.
In Northumberland. Wiccocomoco, has but three men living, which yet keep up their Kingdom, and retain their Fashion; they live by themselves, separate from all other Indians, and from the English.
Thus I have given a succinct account of the Indians; happy, I think, in their simple State of Nature, and in their enjoyment of Plenty, without the Curse of Labour. They have on several accounts reason to lament the arrival of the Europeans, by whose means they seem to have lost their Felicity, as well as their Innocence. The English have taken away great part of their Country, and consequently made every thing less plenty amongst them. They have introduc’d Drunkenness and Luxury amongst them, which have multiply’d their Wants, and put them upon desiring a thousand things, they never dreamt of before. I have been the more concise iln my account of this harmless people, because I have inserted several Figures, which I hope have both supplied the defect of Words, and render’d the Descriptions more clear. I shall in the next place proceed to treat of Virginia, as it is now improv’d, (I should rather say alter’d,) by the English; and of its present Constitution and Settlement.
The End of the Third Book.
From: Beverley, Robert. The History and Present State of Virginia, 1705. Louis B. Wright, ed. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1947.
Questions:
What is the general trend regarding the population sizes of Indian tribes in Virginia by 1705?
What does Beverly say about the day-to-day lives of the remaining Indians?
How does Beverly view Indians in general? Do you think most other Virginians agreed with Beverly? Why or why not?
According to Beverly, how did the arrival of the English affect the Indians?