Kiskiack
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 40–50 warriors (150–200 people) Assimilated into local population of York County and merged with local Pamunkey & Chickahominy tribes | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
Rappahannock, and other Powhatan Algonquian peoples |
Kiskiack (or Chisiack or Chiskiack) is a
Later English colonists adopted the name for their own village in that area. The site was later developed for the US Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in York County.[1] The settlement was 11 miles (18 km) from Werowocomoco, capital of the Powhatan Confederacy.
History
In the mid-16th and early 17th century, the Algonquian-speaking Kiskiack tribe, part of the large
The Kiskiack were one of the original four tribes of the
Kiskiack was about 15 miles (24 km) from Jamestown, to the north across the Peninsula and located along the York River. This area did not receive as many English colonists as did the waterfront along the
The Kiskiack took part in the
By 1649, the Kiskiack had settled along the
English settlement and the palisade
At a meeting held at Jamestown on October 8, 1630, Sir John Harvey, the Governor, and his Council ordered the granting of lands in this area, noting:
"for the securing and taking in a tract of land called the forest, bordering upon the cheife residence of ye Pamunkey King, the most dangerous head of ye Indyan enemy," did "after much consultation thereof had, decree and sett down several proportions of land for such commanders, and 50 acres (200,000 m2) per poll for all other persons who ye first yeare and five and 20 acres (81,000 m2) who the second yeare, should adventure or be adventured to seate and inhabit on the southern side of Pamunkey River, now called York, and formerly known by the Indyan name of Chiskiack, as a reward and encouragement for their undertaking."[3]
Under this order, colonists built houses on both sides of King's Creek. New ones were added along the south side of York River. The colony decided to fortify the area. In 1634, they erected a palisade across the Peninsula from Martin's Hundred to Kiskiack to protect the lower (eastern) area from Indian attacks. Middle Plantation, near the center of the palisade, was the first inland settlement. It was established by an Act of Assembly of the House of Burgesses in 1632. In 1699 Middle Plantation was renamed Williamsburg after being designated the capital of the Colony.
Current uses
The former site of Kiskiack was developed and occupied by the U.S. Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. The original Algonquian name, often mispronounced, was the origin of the names of "Cheesecake Road" and "Cheesecake Cemetery", now part of Navy lands in this same area.
The southern end of Cheesecake Road left the federal property and crossed
See also
References
- ^ "'Kiskiack' is an Indian tribe", Daily Press
- ^ Helen Rountree, Pocahontas's People, p. 116-17
- ^ "Old Capital", James City, VA History, Rootsweb, US GenWeb
External links
- Kiskiack, Naval Mine Depot, State Route 238 vicinity, Yorktown, York County, VA: 52 photos, 2 color transparencies, 8 measured drawings, 153 data pages, and 6 photo caption pages at Historic American Buildings Survey