Wateree
Encyclopedia
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 journal, as was the village which they occupied. Bandera described them as ruled by two female chiefs.
From what little is known, scholars believe the Wateree were a Siouan-language tribe, an outlier of the much larger language group of peoples whose territories were centered on the Great Plains
. They were believed to have spoken Siouan–Catawban languages. The name Wateree may come from Catawba
n wateran, "to float on the water."
The Spaniards noted the Wateree at Guatari were far from the coast. The settlement is believed to have been in present-day Rowan County, North Carolina
. Later English colonists and explorers mentioned the Wateree as inhabiting the area of the upper Yadkin River
in 1670, to the northwest of their later habitat. By 1700 when observed by an English group headed by John Lawson, they had migrated south to settle near present-day Camden, South Carolina
.
The Siouan–Catawban languages were distinct from the unique dialect of nearby speakers of Congaree
, although the latter were at one time believed to have been in the Siouan language family of peoples, "given its location and intimate relation with known Siouan tribes, especially the Catawba." More recent scholars suggest that the Congaree were probably non-Siouan.
The Europeans observed that the chiefs of the Wateree had a higher degree of power than the other Indian tribes of the region.
Originally a large tribe, the Wateree power was broken during the Yamasee
War. The Wateree became allies in a tribal confederation dominated by the Catawba. The latter tribe absorbed remnant bands of many other tribes of the region from the chaos of intertribal fighting.
The Wateree appeared to have been able to maintain their culture and distinct language as late as 1744. A record of land sale noted that Wateree Indians sold to a white man. The tribe as a group culture is extinct, but some present-day Catawba are likely genetic descendants of the Wateree.
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
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 journal, as was the village which they occupied. Bandera described them as ruled by two female chiefs.
From what little is known, scholars believe the Wateree were a Siouan-language tribe, an outlier of the much larger language group of peoples whose territories were centered on the Great Plains
Great Plains
The Great Plains are a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, which lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. This area covers parts of the U.S...
. They were believed to have spoken Siouan–Catawban languages. The name Wateree may come from 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...
n wateran, "to float on the water."
The Spaniards noted the Wateree at Guatari were far from the coast. The settlement is believed to have been in present-day Rowan County, North Carolina
Rowan County, North Carolina
-Demographics and economics:As of the census of 2010, there were 138,428 people, 53,140 households, and 37,058 families residing in the county. The population density was 270.7 people per square mile . There were 60,211 housing units at an average density of 117.7 per square mile...
. Later English colonists and explorers mentioned the Wateree as inhabiting the area of the upper Yadkin River
Yadkin River
The Yadkin River is one of the longest rivers in North Carolina, flowing . It rises in the northwestern portion of the state near the Blue Ridge Parkway's Thunder Hill Overlook. Several parts of the river are impounded by dams for water, power, and flood control. The river becomes the Pee Dee...
in 1670, to the northwest of their later habitat. By 1700 when observed by an English group headed by John Lawson, they had migrated south to settle near present-day Camden, South Carolina
Camden, South Carolina
Camden is the fourth oldest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina and is also the county seat of Kershaw County, South Carolina, United States. The population was an estimated 7,103 in 2009...
.
The Siouan–Catawban languages were distinct from the unique dialect of nearby speakers of Congaree
Congaree
Congaree may refer to:*the Congaree River, South Carolina, United States*Congaree National Park, South Carolina*the Congaree of Native Americans who lived in South Carolina*Congaree , American thoroughbred racehorse...
, although the latter were at one time believed to have been in the Siouan language family of peoples, "given its location and intimate relation with known Siouan tribes, especially the Catawba." More recent scholars suggest that the Congaree were probably non-Siouan.
The Europeans observed that the chiefs of the Wateree had a higher degree of power than the other Indian tribes of the region.
Originally a large tribe, the Wateree power was broken during the Yamasee
Yamasee
The Yamasee were a multiethnic confederation of Native Americans that lived in the coastal region of present-day northern coastal Georgia near the Savannah River and later in northeastern Florida.-History:...
War. The Wateree became allies in a tribal confederation dominated by the Catawba. The latter tribe absorbed remnant bands of many other tribes of the region from the chaos of intertribal fighting.
- "James Adair heard more than twenty different languages spoken by the Indians in the Catawba River settlements when he trade there between 1736 and 1743. This included Eno, Cheraw, Wateree, Congaree, Natchez, Yamasee, Coosah, and others. He could probably have added Saponi, Waccamaw, Pedee, Santee and others to his list. The groups varied in size. If large enough, each language tribe tended to create its own village and appoint its own leaders."
The Wateree appeared to have been able to maintain their culture and distinct language as late as 1744. A record of land sale noted that Wateree Indians sold to a white man. The tribe as a group culture is extinct, but some present-day Catawba are likely genetic descendants of the Wateree.