Indians in Pocahontas County

 Indians in Pocahontas County West Virginia

Pocahontas County, West Virginia has a rich history involving Native American presence and interactions, though there were no permanent Indian settlements in the area at the time of European arrival. Here are the key points about Indians in Pocahontas County:

1. Early Native American presence:
While there were no permanent settlements when Europeans arrived, Native Americans had used the area for hunting grounds[2]. The region was part of the territory reserved by the Iroquois Confederacy as a hunting ground, which they had claimed by conquering other tribes in the area[1].

2. First European encounters:
When Andrew Lewis came to survey the area in 1751, he found two European settlers, Jacob Marlin and Stephen Sewell, already living there. These are considered to be the first European settlers in the region[1].

3. Conflict and resistance:
As European settlers began to encroach on Indian lands, it sparked raids and massacres between the groups. A 1758 treaty by Great Britain confirmed the land west of the Allegheny Mountains to the Indians and forbade British subjects from settling or hunting there. However, white settlers continued to move into the area, leading to ongoing conflicts[1].

4. Tribes associated with the region:
While not specifically tied to Pocahontas County, several Native American tribes are associated with the broader West Virginia area. These include:

- Cherokee
- Conoy
- Delaware
- Honniasont
- Moneton
- Shawnee
- Susquehanna[3]

5. Archaeological evidence:
There are indications of Native American burials in the area. Older residents reported that several Indians had been buried in the region, suggesting a longer history of Native American presence[2].

6. Post-Revolutionary period:
After the American Revolution, conflicts with Native Americans in the area decreased, and European settlers' land claims were secured more systematically[1].

7. Naming of the county:
Interestingly, Pocahontas County itself is named after Pocahontas, the daughter of the Powhatan chief who famously interacted with English settlers in Jamestown, Virginia. This naming reflects the broader cultural impact of Native American history on the region, even though Pocahontas herself was not from this specific area[1].

It's important to note that while Native Americans played a significant role in the early history of what became Pocahontas County, their presence was largely displaced by European settlement by the time the county was officially established in 1821[4]. The history of Native Americans in this region is part of the broader story of displacement and conflict that characterized much of the European settlement of North America.

Citations:
[1] Pocahontas County, West Virginia - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocahontas_County,_West_Virginia
[2] Knapp's Creek - West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History https://archive.wvculture.org/history/agrext/knappsck.html
[3] West Virginia Indigenous Peoples - FamilySearch https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/West_Virginia_Indigenous_Peoples
[4] Pocahontas County - e-WV https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1876
[5] Pocahontas County, West Virginia https://wvexplorer.com/communities/counties/pocahontas-county-west-virginia/
[6] Pocahontas County Historical Society - Home Page http://www.pocahontashistorical.org
[7] Pocahontas County,West Virginia Genealogy Trails History of ... http://genealogytrails.com/wva/pocahontas/history.htm
[8] Historical Sketches Pocahontas County, West Virginia https://www.okielegacy.net/journal/tabloid/?ID=7367&iss=27&vol=16
[9] 200 years of Pocahontas History: Past, Present, and ... - WVNS https://www.wvnstv.com/top-stories/200-years-of-pocahontas-history-past-present-and-celebratory-future/
[10] In Pocahontas County, Deep Divisions and a Gruesome Discovery https://longreads.com/2020/01/21/in-pocahontas-county-deep-divisions-and-a-gruesome-discovery/
[11] Exploring West Virginia's Native American History https://wvpublic.org/wild-wondering-west-virginia-exploring-west-virginias-native-american-history/
How did the Indian attacks during the French and Indian War impact the early settlers of Pocahontas County

The Indian attacks during the French and Indian War had a significant impact on the early settlers of Pocahontas County, West Virginia:

1. The attacks drove most early settlers out of the Greenbrier Valley, which includes parts of present-day Pocahontas County, in the 1750s[1].

2. Settlement in the area was severely disrupted and slowed down due to the ongoing conflicts between Native Americans and European settlers[1][4].

3. The migration of German settlers to the backcountry of the region, which likely included parts of Pocahontas County, was halted during this period[4].

4. The conflicts damaged relations between Anglo settlers and Cherokee tribes, who had previously been allies but became hostile during the war[4].

5. Many settlers were forced to abandon their homes and newly established farms, retreating to more secure areas further east.

6. The attacks created a climate of fear and instability, making it difficult for permanent settlements to take hold in the region during the war years.

7. The conflicts likely delayed the official establishment of Pocahontas County, which didn't occur until much later in 1821.

These impacts demonstrate how the French and Indian War significantly disrupted early settlement attempts in the area that would become Pocahontas County, forcing many pioneers to flee and temporarily halting westward expansion into this region of the Appalachian frontier.

Citations:
[1] The Impact of the French and Indian War on Settlement West of the ... http://www.virginiaplaces.org/settleland/settlewest.html
[2] French and Indian War · George Washington's Mount Vernon https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/french-and-indian-war/
[3] French and Indian War - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_and_Indian_War
[4] French and Indian War - NCpedia https://www.ncpedia.org/french-and-indian-war
[5] Incidents leading up to the French and Indian War, 1753–54 https://history.state.gov/milestones/1750-1775/incidents

 Before the Revolutionary War, the British authorities erected, at intervals along the Ohio river, below Fort Duquesne, built by the French at Pittsburg, a number of forts or stockades for the purpose of holding the very desirable valley of the Ohio from the French, as well as for places of refuge in event of Indian forays against the settlers. Among these was a fort at Wheeling, constructed under the direction of Lord Dunmore, Royal Governor of Virginia, by John Caldwell, (son of James Caldwell, the elder), and Ebenezer Zane, the elder, the fortification being laid out by John Caldwell. The west and south sides thereof were pro¬ tected by precipitous gravel banks which would expose any assailing party to the view and fire from the port. It was first called Fort Fincastle, but when the Revolution broke out the name was changed to Fort Henry in honor of Patrick Henry, the Rebel Governor of Virginia.

John Caldwell was always fond of the woods, and was a great hunter and Indian fighter. He was badly wounded in the leg on the west slope of Wheeling Hill, when scouting, during one of the Indian attacks upon Fort Henry, and this wound caused him to limp slightly for the balance of his life.

The query contains some inaccuracies and mixes historical events. Let's clarify the key points:

Fort Duquesne was indeed built by the French at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers (present-day Pittsburgh) in 1754[1]. However, it was captured and destroyed by the British in 1758 during the French and Indian War, not the Revolutionary War[1][3].

After capturing Fort Duquesne, the British built Fort Pitt in its place[1]. The British did not construct a series of forts along the Ohio River below Fort Duquesne as described in the query.

Fort Henry in Wheeling was built in 1774, but not directly by British authorities. It was constructed under the direction of Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor of Virginia, as part of his preparations for Lord Dunmore's War against the Native Americans[4]. The fort was initially named Fort Fincastle and later renamed Fort Henry during the American Revolution.

The information about John Caldwell and Ebenezer Zane's involvement in the fort's construction, as well as John Caldwell's injury during an Indian attack, cannot be verified from the given search results.

It's important to note that the events described span two different conflicts: the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). The query seems to conflate these separate historical periods.

Citations:
[1] Fort Duquesne · George Washington's Mount Vernon https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/fort-duquesne/
[2] Incidents leading up to the French and Indian War, 1753–54 https://history.state.gov/milestones/1750-1775/incidents
[3] Fort Duquesne - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Duquesne
[4] Defending the Continent: Fortifications of the French and Indian War https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/fortifications-french-and-indian-war
[5] Fort Sackville: Britain yields possesion - National Park Service https://www.nps.gov/gero/learn/historyculture/fortsackville.htm

What were the main diseases that affected Native Americans in Pocahontas County during the Civil War era

Based on the search results provided, there is no specific information about diseases affecting Native Americans in Pocahontas County during the Civil War era. However, we can infer some general information about diseases that affected Native American populations during that time period:

1. Smallpox was a major threat to Native American communities throughout the 19th century, including during the Civil War era[2][4].

2. Cholera was another significant disease that impacted Native American populations, particularly in the mid-19th century. It spread westward with American migration after the Mexican-American War[2].

3. Measles and tuberculosis were also devastating to Native American populations during this time period[2].

4. The spread of these diseases was often exacerbated by factors such as limited access to clean water, poor healthcare infrastructure, and the disruption of traditional lifestyles[2][4].

5. While not specific to Pocahontas County, the search results indicate that Native American populations across the United States were severely impacted by these diseases, with some tribes losing significant portions of their population[2][4].

It's important to note that by the time of the Civil War, the Native American population in Pocahontas County had already been largely displaced through disease and conflict[1]. Therefore, the impact of diseases during the Civil War era in this specific county may have been limited due to the reduced Native American presence.

Citations:
[1] [PDF] Heritage Resources - Forest Service https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm9_011068.pdf
[2] Pandemics on the Plains - National Park youService https://www.nps.gov/foun/learn/historyculture/pandemics-on-the-plains.htm
[3] Historical Sketches Pocahontas County, West Virginia https://www.okielegacy.net/journal/tabloid/?ID=7367&iss=27&vol=16
[4] Native American disease and epidemics - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_disease_and_epidemics
[5] Pocahontas County,West Virginia Genealogy Trails History of ... http://genealogytrails.com/wva/pocahontas/history.htm
How did the Civil War era diseases affect the daily life and traditions of Native Americans in Pocahontas County



1. By the time of the Civil War, the Native American population in Pocahontas County had already been largely displaced through disease and conflict[1]. This suggests that the impact of Civil War era diseases on Native Americans in the county was likely minimal due to their reduced presence.

2. Diseases like smallpox, cholera, measles, and tuberculosis devastated Native American populations across the United States during this period[2]. These diseases disrupted traditional lifestyles and social structures.

3. When tribes recognized an epidemic was present, they often abandoned communal living and fled in small groups to outlying areas as a form of social distancing[2]. This practice would have disrupted traditional gatherings and ceremonies.

4. The spread of diseases contributed to the decline of Native American populations and their traditional ways of life. For example, the Comanches, who numbered around 20,000 in the late 1700s, were reduced to 2,000 by the end of the 1800s due to diseases and other factors[2].

5. The presence of Army medicine and fort infirmaries in the region was not necessarily beneficial for Native Americans, as many avoided Western medical care, preferring traditional tribal remedies[2].

While these points provide a general understanding of how diseases affected Native American populations during this era, it's important to note that the specific impact on Native Americans in Pocahontas County is not clearly documented in the provided search results.

Citations:
[1] [PDF] Heritage Resources - Forest Service https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm9_011068.pdf
[2] Pandemics on the Plains - National Park Service https://www.nps.gov/foun/learn/historyculture/pandemics-on-the-plains.htm
[3] Historical Sketches Pocahontas County, West Virginia https://www.okielegacy.net/journal/tabloid/?ID=7367&iss=27&vol=16
[4] 200 years of Pocahontas History: Past, Present, and ... - WVNS https://www.wvnstv.com/top-stories/200-years-of-pocahontas-history-past-present-and-celebratory-future/
[5] Pocahontas County,West Virginia Genealogy Trails History of ... http://genealogytrails.com/wva/pocahontas/history.htm