Piscataway – Conoy Indians

Archaeologists have found evidence of the Piscataway tribe living in St. Mary’s County which date back to 9,000 B.C.. The Piscataway are believed to be the earliest inhabitants of the Southern Maryland area. Which the European colonists arrived in 1607, it is believed their population was around 2,500. The tribe lived in as many as thirty villages throughout the area. The main village was “Pascatoe” on the Piscataway Creek in Prince Georges’ County. Other villages included Yaocomoco, Potapaco (Port Tobacco), Patuxent, Matapanient (Mattapony), Mattawoman, and Nacochtank (Ancostia, D.C.). Each village had it’s own chief or “Tayac” and they were ruled by the “High Chief” or Emperor who lived in the Piscataway village. The tribe was matrilineal, tracing the family line through the mother’s side of the family.

Their culture is was similar to other Eastern Woodland tribes, such as the Delaware, Nanticoke and Powhatan Indians. Their language was part of the Algonquian linguistic family. They lived in oval wigwams of poles covered in and mats. Their villages were surrounded with stockade fences for defense against attacks by other competing tribes, such as the Iroquois, Susquehannocks and Sencas. They farmed corn, pumpkins and tobacco. They also hunted for their meat. Their dress was made from deer skins, breechcloth for men and short aprons for women. Trails between the villages indicate trading activities between the villages. The men made dugout canoes from trees and the women made baskets and pottery. Their villages and the presence of baskets and pottery indicate they lived in permanent settlements and were not nomadic.

Maryland was started as a safe haven for Roman Catholics, so it is not surprising that Catholic missionaries, especially the Jesuits worked to convert the tribe to Christianity. The tribe was receptive to Christianity and the High Chief, Tayac Kittamaquindi and his family were bapitized by Father Andrew White in 1640. Their original belief system included a belief in good and bad spirits and allowed them to convert to Christianity, which also has a belief in good and evil.

When the European colonists arrived they were friendly with the newcomers. In fact, the settlers learned how to better grow corn and tobacco from the tribe. However, disputes over land use and ownership did create some problems. The colonists’ hogs and cattle also destroyed much of the farming activities of the Piscataway. In 1662 they petitioned the Maryland colonial government for land to be set aside for their exclusive use. That same year reservations were created, they were ruled by local representation of the Tayac, who in turn answered to the tribal “emperor”. The idea of “emperor” was a European concept. Each village paid a token tribute of a bow and two arrows to the Maryland Assembly. Unfortunately, encroachment of Piscataway lands continued by the colonial settlers.

The Piscataway also suffered from the conflicts the colonists had with other Indian tribes. They fought on the side of the colonists against the Susquehannocks 1642-52 and the Seneca 1664-66. The colonists also brought the disease, smallpox to their Maryland settlements. The disease had a devastating effect on the population of the Piscataway tribe. Trade with the Europeans also introduced rum into their culture, with similar devastating effects.

By 1697 their population had been reduced to an estimated 120 people. At this time, their principal chiefs and tribal members, negotiated with the Iroquois for their protection and they migrated North. Some settled in Pennsylvania after signing a treaty with William Penn. Others moved further North, to New York state. 1793 is the last time the tribal appears in colonial records as a distinct group. This was at a tribal council in Detroit.

Today, their descendants are working to preserve their cultural heritage. They have opened local museums to teach their children and other non-Indians about their arts, songs (oral history) and dances. The matrilineal lineage has allowed them to maintain their heritage and cultural identity. Currently, they are working to achieve state and federal recognition as a tribe. Mrs. Mervin A. Savoy is the Tribal Chairwoman of the Piscataway Conoy Confederacy and Subtribes of Maryland. Billy “Redwing” Tayac is the leader of the Piscatawy Indian Nation.