Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Language
Dar-Sun-Ke (Tongue)
Transcribed By: Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown, Tribal Historian
Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County, VA
The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County, Virginia’s Language (Dar-sun-ke), is recorded in a “Manuscript” obtained from the American Philosophical Society, 105 South Fifth Street, Philadelphia, Philadelphia.
The vocabulary and /or tongue (Dar-sun-ke) of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indians is a compilation of lists and source materials dating back to March 4th, 1820. Former President Thomas Jefferson’s hand written letter to Peter S. DuPonceau, on July 7, 1820, states that the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian vocabulary was obtained on March 4th, 1820 from a woman by the name of Edie Turner, styled as their “Queen” and that he had procured a copy of the vocabulary from John Woods, a former Professor of Mathematics at the College of William & Mary. Jefferson also infers in his letter of July 7, 1820, that at the time of the recording of the vocabulary, members of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County Virginia, was still living on seven thousands acres of tribal reservation land, west of the Nottoway River, two miles from Jerusalem [Courtland…WDB] in Southampton County Virginia.
Lewis R. Benford, University of California, Los Angeles, in his manuscript, title “An Ethno-history of the Nottoway, Meherrin and Weanock Indians of Southeastern Virginia” writes that Jefferson forwarded the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Vocabulary to Peter S. DuPonceau of Philadelphia, a student of Indian Languages, particularly the Iroquoian tongues (Gallatin 1836:81) and that DuPonceau recognized the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian language as belonging to the Iroquoian family of languages. Prior to the analysis by DuPonceau it was assumed that the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indians spoke an Algonkian (Algonquian) language related to their northern neighbors, the Powhatan tribes and / or Lenape Nation.
Albert Gallatin, “Transactions and Collections of the American Antiquarian Society, Volume II, pages 81-82,” states that “the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe had preserved their independence and their numbers later than the Powhatans, and that, at the end of the seventeenth century, they still had one hundred and thirty warriors and they had not migrated from their original seat in Southampton County Virginia. It is noted that between 1831 and 1836 a second recording of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian language was obtained and recorded by the Honorable James Tresevant (Trezevant), one of the original judges on the infamous Southampton County Nat Turner Insurrection Trial. The vocabulary obtained by the Honorable James Tresevant corresponds with that of John Wood, and from which we learn that the true name of the tribe is Cheroenhaka sometimes spelled Cherohakah.
In his references notes, Lewis Binford writes that in accordance with Mook (1944:185-195), Swanton (1952:218), Mooney (1894:29), and Hewitt (Hodge 1907:71) that the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) were also named by the Algonkian(Algonquian) speakers as Mangoake (Mandoags, Mandoaks, Mandoages, Maongoack) a term apparently meaning “rattlesnakes. In 1650 per the diary entries of Bland we were called “Na-da-wa” by the Algonkian (Algonquian) speakers.
The following is the language /vocabulary – “DAR-SUN-KE” of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe as obtained / recorded phonically by John Woods on March 4th 1820 and the Honorable James Tresevant, 1831-1836 and as analyzed by Peter S. DuPonceau and documented in letters between he and Thomas Jefferson between July 1820 and September 1820:
Vocabulary Of The Language Of The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indians of Southampton County, Virginia Obtain By John Wood (1775-1822) From An Old Indian Woman by The Name of Edie Turner aka Wane’ Roonseraw, The 4th Of March 1820 – As Communicated By Thomas Jefferson to Peter DuPonceau (1760-1844) :
Nouns of the Universe
The Sun – A-hee-ta
The Stars – Dee-shu
Thunder – Ha-he-nu
Air – Yau-tat-ch
Devil – Ot-kum
Snow – Kan-kaus
Fire – Au-teur
A Great River – Onos-chi-oke
A Mountain – Yenun-Te-nunte
Rocks – Orun-tag
Darkness – A-sun-ta
Land – O-ter
Silver – Wa-nee
Iron – Owe-na
Yes – Ho-Keh
My – Set (Singular)
My – Ses (Plural – more than one)
The Moon – Teth-ra-ke
The Clouds – Ura-se-que
Lighting – Towat-gehe-terise
God – Quaker-Hunte
Rain – Yount-out-ch
Ice – O-wees
A River – Jo-ke
The Ocean – Owan-tet-cho-ta
The Woods – Ora-racoon
Light – You-han-hu
Swamp – Kee-nu
Gold or Copper – Geek-quan
Heaven/Sky – Quaker-win-tika
I – EE
No – Roh
Your – Get (Singular)
Your – Ges (Plural )
Verbs
To Walk – Iā
To Fly – Get-ya
To Drink – Arar-her
To Throw – Esung-wis-a-tae
To Sleep – Ker-tus
To Wound – Yah-te-rund
To Hear – Thra-hun-ta
To Smell – Sa-hu-ran-too
To Speak – Was-we-kr
To Fish – Wat-hu-nund
To Hate – Do-taut-che
To Stab – Unte-qua-ra
To Break – Wayet-che-ro-sag
To Hang – Wa-ha-ree
To Shoot – Unta-te-hag
To Wash – Ga-ku-har
To Leap – Dehun-ti-ras-rag
To Ride – Unk-sa-ta
To Swim – Ore-run-te
To Eat – Unt-cho-re
To Cry – Tehe-su-hard
To Fight – Wan-tre-hu
To Kill – Urta-tree-you
To See – Was-ke-hee
To Touch – Swa-ro-re
To Hunt – Ku-nun
To Love – Tat-cha-da-nuste
To Pray – Dur-tan-hura
To Cut – Un-ta-ter
To Drown – Untor-ees-weg
To Strike – Unta-teu-hee-rug
To Listen – Satun-ta-tag
To Run – Sari-oka
Of The Human Species
Man – Eni-ha
A Young Man – Aqua-tio
A Woman – Eke-ning
A Young Woman – Chewas-ri-sha
A Dead Body – Wahe-hun
Marriage – Gol-yag
Mother – Ena
A Wife – De-kes
A Daughter – Eru-ha
The Belly – Un-ke
The Hand or Finger – Nun-ke
Your Belly – Get-Un-ke
Right Hand – Pa-nun-kee
The Thigh – Otit-chag
The Leg – Fran-seke
The Hair – How-erac
The Mouth – Eska-harant
The Tongue – Dar-sun-ke
The Neck – Hee-reke
The Lips – O-arag
The Toes – See-ke
The Skin – Oho-nag
Nails – Ye-tunke
The Cheeks – Ekuns-quare
The Eye Brows – Eskar-unte
An Old Man – Aku-hor
A Boy – Aqueianha
An Old Woman – Aquas-ri-sha
Death – Ansee-he
The Head – Seta-ra-ke
Husband – Gotya-kum
Father – Ah-roh
A Son – Wa-ka-ton-ta
A King – Tir-er
My Belly – Set-Un-ke
My Hand – Ses Nun-ke
Your Hand – Ges-Nun-ke
Left Hand – Mata-Pa-nun-kee
The Knee – Sn-she-ke
The Foot – Sa-see-ke
The Eyes – Un-ko-harac
The Ears – Sun-tun-ke
The Teeth – Oto-sag
The Nose – Oteu-sag
The Chin – O-chag
The Blood – Gat-kum
Flesh – Skes-hun-ke
Heart – Sun-ke
The Breath – Un-tu-res
A Shoemaker – Yunta-qua-ankum
Of Animals
A Cow – Tos-he-rung
A Hog – Was-kar-row
A Boar – Garsu-sung
A Mouse – Kos-quen-na
A Bull Frog – Dra-kon
Shad or Herring – Ko-han
A Crag – So-sune
A Bird – Chee-ta
A Hen – Taw-ret-tig
A Wolf – Huse
A Rabbit – Que-ru
A Bee – Ro-nu-quam
A Deer Skin – Aquia-ohorag
A Feather – A-wenk-rag
The Tail – Orwis-ag
A Dog – Cheer
A Cat – To-se
A Deer – Aquia
A Rat – Oyen-tu
Fish – Kain-tu
An Eel – Kun-te
A Snake – An-ta-tum
A Turkey – Ka-num
A Fox – Ske-yu
A Squirrel – O-sarst
A House Fly – De-es-rere
A Shell – Oder-sag
A Wing – Ohu-wis-tag
Wool – Os-to-harag
Horns – Oshe-rag
The Vegetable Kingdom
A Tree – Ge-ree
A Cypress – Ras-so
Grass – Ohe-rag
Ashes – O-quag
Potatoes – Anten
Cherries – Ra-tung
Strawberries – Wees-runt
A Leaf – Ohar-rak
A Pine – Oho-tee
A Red Oak – Co-ree
Fire Wood – Geka
Bread – Gota-tera
Peaches – Ra-shee
Apples – Qua-har-rag
Briars – Oster
Division of Time
A Year – Waken-hu
The New Moon – Dot-ra-tung
Summer – Gen-heke
Winter – Gos-hera
Daytime – Ant-ye-ke
Evening – Gen-sake
The New Year – Unksawa-waken-hu
Spring – Shan-taros-wache
Autumn – Bas-heke
Morning – Sun-te-tung
Mid-day – Ante-nee-kal
Night Time – Asun-ta
Domestic Articles
A House – Onu-shag
A Chimney – Ode-shag
A Stick – Oche-ru-ra
A Bed – Sat-ta-ak
Spirits – Anu-qua
Smoke – Okyer
Stockings – Oris-rag
Linen – Nikan-ra-ra
Lean Meat – Oha-rag
A Bottle – Che-wak
A Door – Os-to-torag
A Knife – Osa-ken-ta
A Gun – Ata
Milk – Can-tu
Clothes – Aquast
Shoe – Otag-wag
Leather – To-tier-hia
Fat Meat – Oska-ha-rag
A Fiddle – Erus-karin-tita
Paper – Ori-rag
Adjectives
White – Owher-ya-kun
Red – Ga-nunt-quare
Song – Ewis
Great – Tat-chana-wihie
Deep – Tat-chanu-wiras
Round – Tato-we-rente
Rough – Genua-quast
Strong – Wa-koste
Dry – Your-ha
Ugly – Yesaxa
Good – Wa-quast
Hot – Tari-ha
Angry – That-cha-rore
Unhappy – Dodoit-che-wake-rak-sa
Young – Osae
Black – Ga-hun-tee
Green – Seka-te-quan-tian
Short -Ne-wisha
Little – Ne-wisha
Sharp – Wat-choka
Smooth – Chu-watee
Hard – Wa-koste
Weak – Genu-heha
Wet – Ya-ora
Beautiful – Ye-sa-quast
Bad – Was-sa
Cold – Wa-torae
Happy – That-cha-nunte
Old – Ona-hahe
Numerals
One – Hun-te
Two – Deka-nee
Three – Ar-sa
Four – Hen-tag
Five – Wisk
Six – Oyag
Seven – Oha-tag
Eight – Dek-ra
Nine – Dehee-runk
Ten – Washa
Eleven – urtes-ka-hr
Twelve – Deka-nes-kahr
Fourteen – Hentags-kahr
Fifteen – Whis-kahr
Sixteen – Oyags-kahr
Seventeen – Ohatags-kahr
Eighteen – Dekars-hahr
Nineteen – Dehee-runks-hahr
Twenty – Dewartha-untes-kahr
Thirty – Arse-nee-warsa
Forty – Hentag-nee-warsa
Fifty – Wiska-nee-warsa
Sixty – Oyag-nee-warsa
Seventy – Getaga-nee-warsa
Eighty – Dekranee-warsa
Ninety – Deheerunk-nee-wasa
A Hundred – Kahars-three
A Thousand – Unte-yoas-three
Letter Sent by Thomas Jefferson To Peter S. DuPonceau, Esq.
Germane To The Vocabulary of The Nottoway Tribe Of Indians
Transcribed by Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown of the
Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County Virginia
Dear Sir Monticello July 7th 1820
I have lately had an opportunity of procuring a copy of the vocabulary of the Nottoway [Cheroenhaka…WDB] tribe of Indians. These with the Pamunkies and Mattaponies were component parts of the great Powhatan Confederacy which covered all the lower part of this State, and probably spoke the general language of the Powhatans. This vocabulary was taken by Mr. John Woods, formerly professor of mathematics in William & Mary College. I do not know whether vocabularies of these Tribes or of some of them might not have been among those I formerly sent you, in that case this may still be of service by collecting their orthographies. I tender you constant assurances of my friendship & respect.
(signed by)
Thomas Jefferson
Peter S. DuPonceau, Esq.
(News paper Extract enclosed)
Petersburg VA March 17, 1820
The Nottoway [Cheroenhaka….WDB] Indians
The only remains in the State of Virginia of the formidable tribes which once composed the Powhatan confederacy, are the Pamunkeys & Nottoways [Cheroenhaka….WDB] with a few Mattoponies.
The Nottoway Indians in number about Twenty Seven, including men, women & children, occupy a tract of Seven thousand acres of excellent land upon the West side of Nottoway river, two miles from Jerusalem, [now Courtland Virginia…WDB] in the county of Southampton.
The principal character among them is a woman, who is styled their Queen. Her name is Edie Turner. She is nearly sixty years of age, and extremely intelligent, for although illiterate, [She could not read nor write…WDB], she converses and communicates her ideas with greater facility and perspicuity than women among the lower order of society [slaves….WDB]. She has a comfortable cottage well furnished, several horses and cows, and keeps her portion of the settlement in good state of cultivation.
The ancient Nottoway [Cheroenhaka….WDB] or Powhatan language is only known to the queen and two other old Indians. This language is evidently of Celtic origin; and appears equally harmonious and expressive as either the Erse, Irish, or Welch. It has two genders, masculine and feminine; three degrees of comparison, and two articles; but the verbs are extremely irregular.
[NOTE: Peter S. DuPonceau’s reply to Thomas Jefferson on 12th July, 1820, wrote: “I did not expect to find, in what you consider as a branch of the general language of the Powhatans, an Iroquoian Dialect, & yet nothing is clearer nor more incontrovertible, than that this Nottoway Language is essentially Iroquois, & is compounded of the different dialects of the Six Nations …..Virginia has been inhabited by nations of two great stocks, the Lenape & Iroquois… WDB]
Letter Of Reply To Thomas Jefferson From Peter S. DuPonceau
Germane To The Vocabulary Of The Nottoway Tribe Of Indians
Transcribed by Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County, Virginia
Thomas Jefferson, Esq Philadelphia 12th July 1820
Dear Sir
I have received the letter you have done me the honor to write to me dated the 7th July 1820 enclosing a vocabulary of the language of the Nottoway [ Cheroenhaka…WDB] tribe of Indians, which I shall not fail to lay before the Historical Committee at their next meeting, & in the mean while I am free to anticipate their cordial thanks for your unwearied & effectual exertions in promoting the great cause of American literature as well as committee’s special objects. They will always be proud & happy to acknowledge the great obligations which you have laid them under, & which men truly devoted to the pursuit of Science can but appreciate.
I am at no loss to determine on the true character of this language. The moment I cast my eyes on this vocabulary, I was struck as well as astonished at its decided Iroquois physiognomy, which habit has taught me easily to discriminate. I say I was astonished, because from the names of Rivers and places in Virginia, which in general are to be traced to the great & widely extended Lenni Lenape, of Delaware idiom, and also from the words of the Virginia Indians quoted by Capt Smith, which are all in close affinity with the Lenape, I did not expect to find, in what you consider as a branch of the general language of the Powhatans, an Iroquois Dialect, & yet nothing is cleared nor more incontrovertible than that this Nottoway language is essentially Iroquois, & is compounded of the different dialects of the Six Nations, in which the Tuscarora seems to predominate. I have yet found but one word in which there appears some affinity to the Lenape, it is “Deeshu” (a star) which appears derived from the Delaware “Gischur” (the sun). The Nottoway word “Aheeta,” which in the vocabulary signifies the great luminary, is evidently Tuscarora “Heita,” which has the same meaning. I shall take the liberty some time hence of sending you full proofs of the assertion which I have made; in the mean time I enclose the Nottoway numerals from one to ten, compared with the Onandago & Mohawks, the two principal Iroquois Dialects. I regret, I have not the Tuscarora numerals as a further means of comparison, you will be thus convinced of the great affinity which exist between those languages.
Whether the Nottoway is a mother tongue from which the Iroquois Dialects have branched out, or whether it is itself a derivative mixture, I dare not undertake to pronounce , but this much appears to me certain, that Virginia has been enhabited by nations of the two great stocks which filled the Northern parts of this country, the Lenape & the Iroquois, or five and afterward Six nations. Of these last the Tuscarora are the least known having joined the confederacy at a late period. It would be perhaps hazarding too much to say that their original stock is found in the Nottoways. I content myself with stating facts. Leaving it to those who are better informed than I am to draw inference from them.
Among the vocabularies which you have heretofore had the goodness to send to the Historical committee, there is none of the language, nor of any connected with it. They are all various idioms of the Lenape & Floridian Stocks. There is not a single one at all in affinity with the Iroquois or any of its Dialects. The Iroquois language appears to have been more extended in its branches than was imagined before Zeisberger & Pyrlous. I have found considerable affinity to it in the Osage.
If more vocabularies could be procured of the Idioms of the Virginia Indians, it would be easy to tract them to their respective stocks, for I have no doubt they were all in affinity with one or other of the two great families, the Lenape & the Iroquois, & that the settlements of the Floridian Indians did not begin farther to the Northward than North Carolina. Yet I may be mistaken. I offer a conjecture in which I think I am warranted by all that I have hitherto seen of the languages of the Northern Indians.
I have the honor to be – with the greatest respect
(signed by)
Peter S. DuPonceau