Beaver Creek Indians
Encyclopedia
The Beaver Creek Indians are a unrecognized tribe located in South Carolina
(USA) which achieved state recognition on January 27, 2006. It is seeking federal recognition. The tribe was formed as a non-profit organization in 1998.
Their traditional historical lands are between the two forks of the Edisto River
in Orangeburg County, and especially along Beaver Creek
. Historical accounts document the tribe in this area since the 18th century. Most of the tribe members live in the area. They have traditionally farmed (it is a rural area) or held jobs within the local community.
The tribe's historical language family was Siouan, one of the major languages connecting them to such tribes as Cheraw
and Catawba
. Today all members speak English. Common family names within the tribe are: Chavis, Hutto, Williams, Barr, Bolin, Jackson, Huffman and Gleaton.
.
. Documentation of his life in numerous sources enabled the tribe to achieve state recognition in the 2ist century, because records showed he identified as Indian. This provided proof that the people had a continuity of cultural and ethnic identity after the American Revolutionary War
and through times of change.
Though Chavis lived during a time when Native Americans were treated poorly, leading many to deny or hide their ethnicity, he identified openly as Indian, and was so recorded in numerous legal documents. Records indicate he served in the American Revolutionary War
and received a pension
for the military service. He is also listed in the first U.S. Federal Census of 1790 and every census after that through 1830.
Because his Native American ethnicity is documented through multiple and unrelated sources, his life demonstrated continuity of identity through early colonial and republican history. Such documentation was critical for the tribe's achieving state recognition in the 2ist century. As Chavis was the foundation of the tribe's legal existence, he has come to define the extent and limits of its ancestry. Today he is defined as the common ancestor for all the members of the tribe. To be a member of the tribe, an individual must demonstrate direct descent from Chavis.
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...
(USA) which achieved state recognition on January 27, 2006. It is seeking federal recognition. The tribe was formed as a non-profit organization in 1998.
Their traditional historical lands are between the two forks of the Edisto River
Edisto River
The Edisto River is the longest completely undammed / unleveed blackwater river in North America, flowing 206 meandering miles from its sources in Saluda and Edgefield counties, to its Atlantic Ocean mouth at Edisto Beach, SC...
in Orangeburg County, and especially along Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek
- Places :United States*Beaver Creek, Colorado*Beaver Creek, Maryland*Beaver Creek, Minnesota*Beaver Creek, Montana*Beaver Creek Township, Michigan*Beaver Creek Township, MinnesotaCanada*Beaver Creek, Yukon, a town in the western Yukon...
. Historical accounts document the tribe in this area since the 18th century. Most of the tribe members live in the area. They have traditionally farmed (it is a rural area) or held jobs within the local community.
The tribe's historical language family was Siouan, one of the major languages connecting them to such tribes as Cheraw
Cheraw
-Peoples:* Cheraw , a tribe of Siouan-speakng Amerindians who historically lived in Virginia and North Carolina, in the future southeastern United States...
and Catawba
Catawba
Catawba may refer to several things:*Catawba , a Native American tribe*Catawban languages-Botany:*Catalpa, a genus of trees, based on the name used by the Catawba and other Native American tribes*Catawba , a variety of grape...
. Today all members speak English. Common family names within the tribe are: Chavis, Hutto, Williams, Barr, Bolin, Jackson, Huffman and Gleaton.
Government
The tribe is governed by a Chief (Louie Chavis) and a Vice Chief (Kenneth Adams), and a Tribal Council of nine members, and an Elders Council of five members. The tribe's current headquarters is in the town of Salley, South CarolinaSalley, South Carolina
Salley is a town in Aiken County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 410 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area...
.
Lazarus Chavis
Lazarus Chavis (b. 1767 - d. after 1830) has been identified as the tribe's earliest known ancestor. He and his descendants are the central figures in the tribe's history, identity, and genealogyGenealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
. Documentation of his life in numerous sources enabled the tribe to achieve state recognition in the 2ist century, because records showed he identified as Indian. This provided proof that the people had a continuity of cultural and ethnic identity after the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
and through times of change.
Though Chavis lived during a time when Native Americans were treated poorly, leading many to deny or hide their ethnicity, he identified openly as Indian, and was so recorded in numerous legal documents. Records indicate he served in the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
and received a pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
for the military service. He is also listed in the first U.S. Federal Census of 1790 and every census after that through 1830.
Because his Native American ethnicity is documented through multiple and unrelated sources, his life demonstrated continuity of identity through early colonial and republican history. Such documentation was critical for the tribe's achieving state recognition in the 2ist century. As Chavis was the foundation of the tribe's legal existence, he has come to define the extent and limits of its ancestry. Today he is defined as the common ancestor for all the members of the tribe. To be a member of the tribe, an individual must demonstrate direct descent from Chavis.
See also
- Pee DeePee Dee (tribe)The Pee Dee tribe are a nation of Native Americans of the southeast United States, especially the Low Country of present-day South Carolina. Several tribes are recognized by the state, although none has federal recognition. The Pee Dee River and the Pee Dee region of South Carolina were named for...
- Catawba Indian Nation, a federally recognized tribe in South Carolina