12 BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY. 



The Pamunkey Indians are temperate, moral, and peaceable. Ill 

 feeling between the tribe and tbeir neighbors is almost unknown. 

 They are exceeding proud of their lineage, and love to tell how bravely 

 and stubbornly their forefathers resisted the encroachment of the 

 w^hites. Opechancauougli is their hero. They take special delight in 

 relating tlie familiar story of how this noted chief, when old and infirm, 

 was cairied on a litter to battle, that his presence might inspire his 

 men to deeds of bravery. 



It may not be amiss to give here a tradition concerning this tribe, 

 which is related as explanatory of the name of a certain ferry that crosses 

 Panuinkey river about ten miles above the reservation. The name of 

 the ferry is Pipe-in-tree, now spelled Pipingtree. The tradition runs 

 thus : On one occasion the Pamunkey braves met a committee of white 

 settlers at this place and negotiated a treaty. When all the terms 

 had been agreed to, the consummation of the treaty was solemnized in 

 usual Indian fashion by handing around the same pipe to the repre- 

 sentatives of both nations, each taking a i)uff as indicative of friendship 

 and good faith. The pipe was then deposited in a hollow tree near by, 

 and ever afterward, when the colonists disregarded their agreement, 

 the poor Indians would remind them of " pii^e-in-tree." 



Aside from their mode of subsistence there is nothing peculiar in the 

 manners and customs of these people, except, perhaps, an inclination 

 to the excessive use of gaudy colors in their attire. Their hcmies are com- 

 fortable and well kept. The houses are weatherboarded, and are, as a 

 rule, (Uiestory-and-a-half high, and consist of from one to four rooms. 

 The best structure on tlie reservation is their church building, wliere 

 services are held ev^ery Sabbath. The church receiv^es the hearty su])- 

 port of the whole tribe, the membership of the church and that of the 

 tribe being almost coextensive. As to their creed, they are all of one 

 mind in adhering to the tenets of the P>aptist denomination. 



LANGUAGE. 



One visiting Indiantown at the present day would not find a vestige 

 of tlie Pamunkey language, even in the names of persons or things. 

 In 1844 Rev. E. A. Dalrymple collected the following seventeen 

 words,* which, so far as the Avriter can ascertain, are all that remain 

 of the language of the Pamunkey Indians proper: 



Tonshee, son. Nikkut, one. 



Nucksee, daughter. Orijak, two. 



Petucka, cat. Kiketock, thre«\ 



Kayyo, thankfulness. Mitture, four. 



O-ma-yah, O my Lord. Nahnkitty, five. 



Kenaanee, friendvship. Vomtally, six. 



Baskonee, thank you. Talliko, seven. 



Eeskut, go out, dog. Tingdum, eight. 



Yantay, ten. 



* Historical Magazine (New York), first series. 1858. Vol. ii. j). 182. 



