Stories of American Indian Life
American Indians, Native Americans, and/or Indigenous peoples were a regular and frequent presence in 18th-century Williamsburg. There were local "tributary" tribes, who were considered subjects of Great Britain by the 18th century, such as the Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Chickahominy. There were “foreign” Indian tribes who had a nation-to-nation relationship with Great Britain, such as the Shawnee and Cherokee, who would come to Williamsburg to discuss treaties with the royal government of Virginia. These diverse Native nations had an influence on American culture, democracy, and its struggle for independence. The explorations of these American Indian nations and their role in our collective story then and now is essential in understanding modern American life.
Stories of Sacrifice
Abigail Briggs
An Indigenous Woman in a White Court
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Stories of Students
The Brafferton Indian School
The Brafferton School was not the first Indian school in North America, and it was not the last. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, hundreds of Indian boarding schools spread across the nation. Today, remaining as one of the oldest standing structures in Virginia, the Brafferton School is a monument to the flawed ambition of English colonization and the resilience of Native cultures and nations, many of which continue to live in Virginia today.
Meet Logan
Logan was a leader among the Mingo people, who were ancestors of today’s Seneca-Cayuga Nation. He and his family had long helped to maintain peaceful relations between white colonists and American Indian nations in the Ohio Valley. In his time, Logan was one of the most famous Indigenous people in North America. Today, we’re not certain what his full name was.
The Shawnee-Dunmore War
Learn more about the Shawnee-Dunmore War, the war Dunmore waged against allied Shawnee and Mingo people in the Ohio River Valley.
American Indian Visitors in Williamsburg
In the 18th century, America Indian delegations were a regular sight in Virginia’s colonial capitol of Williamsburg. During their stay, many of the accommodations, such as an encampment or the expenses incurred at a tavern, would be paid for by the local colonial government. At a time when southeastern and northeastern woodland tribes maintained military, political, and economic dominion over themselves and others, early colonial empires sought to set them against their old-world enemies and vice versa.
Encampments in the City
Tribes encamped in Williamsburg were courted the same as any other foreign ambassadors. The American Indian delegation’s encampment at Colonial Williamsburg provides a dedicated space focused on what many of these interactions looked like. Located at the corner of Botetourt and Nicholson Streets, the American Indian delegation can be easily mistaken for a military encampment. With a spread of canvas wedge and marquee tents it would be hard to assume anything different. However, many encampments erected in Williamsburg would be provided by the city at minimal expense.
Maintaining Relationships
To accompany these encampments, local foods and entertainments would be provided during their stay. Delegations from throughout various woodland communities would, at times, include entire families. One Cherokee delegation, for example, numbered over one hundred men, women, and children lodged on palace green. The purpose of Williamsburg receiving these political delegations was a way to create, maintain, or rebuild strained relationships with western nations.
Politics and Negotiations
With early colonial powers at odds with one another throughout the Americas, nations like the Shawnee, Creek, members of the Iroquoian Confederacy, and Cherokee would quickly become active players in the politics and conflicts of colonial governments. Many of these tribes not only maintained their sovereignty throughout colonial settlement, but also used European treaties to benefit the needs of their communities. Agreements of land acquisition, boundaries, trade, legal jurisdictions, military alliances, and more would be negotiated and signed in cities like Williamsburg.
Gift giving
After these discussions and negotiations were finished, it was customary for quantities of gifts including textiles, clothes, weapons, tools, and the like would be distributed by the royal governor. Gift giving is a historically and culturally integral part of tribal discourse, one that European nations were quick to adopt in their pursuit of alliances with certain tribes. In the encampments, it would not be uncommon to see temporary residents enjoying the spoils of their trip. Gaming, cooking, gift exchanges, and political discussion would be regular sights in these temporary communities. Some delegates also enjoyed balls, taverns, theater, and refreshments at Charlton’s coffeehouse during their stay.
American Indian Encampment Site
Explore the lives of American Indians, who came to Williamsburg with regularity in the 18th century to discuss matters of trade, warfare, and diplomacy.
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Want to keep up with the American Indian Initiative at Colonial Williamsburg? Join our group on Facebook. From behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, to updates on current projects, follow along and be in the know.
Support Our Mission
The American Indian Initiative helps the Foundation tell a fuller, more inclusive history of Williamsburg and Colonial America by exploring and sharing the lives and viewpoints of American Indian people. By expanding its staffing, programming, visibility and impact, community connections and outreach, the Initiative will ensure that American Indians and their stories are fully woven into the complex tapestry of 18th-century Williamsburg.
To find out how you can support contact campaign@cwf.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our American Indian programming focuses on telling the story of the many different tribes who lived in the Tidewater region of Virginia during European arrival, or the sovereign tribes who sent political delegations to Williamsburg during the colonial period. Here are the top 5 questions we receive.
Watch & Learn More
For clarity and consistency, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has been using the term American Indian since the establishment of the American Indian Initiative program in 2003.
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Additional Resources
Learn even more about women by exploring these resources from both our museum and other trusted institutions.
