For the Men on the Ground : An Examination of the Tuscaroras-Colonial Relations in North Carolina before and during the Tuscarora War

Abstract

Despite constant interactions with potential benefits to both Tuscaroras and colonial cultures, and knowledge of the issues plaguing local tribes, John Lawson, Baron Christopher Von Graffenreid, and other colonial leaders failed to keep an increasingly fragile peace. As a result, the Tuscarora War erupted in 1711. This thesis examines the role of interactions between the Tuscarora Indians and the colonists of North Carolina before, during, and after the assault on New Bern in 1711 - the opening act of the Tuscarora War. These interactions are represented by available, and mostly colonial, records of the men on the ground during this time period. Even though some of the best possible representatives of colonists and Native Americans existed and interacted during early efforts at diplomacy, the war between these two distinct peoples in North Carolina occurred. This is a story of community told through the eyes of specific individuals in the surrounding area of New Bern. Regardless of their high stature, seemingly above the level of the common individual, they stand as men on the ground level of the conflict that developed from rising tensions between the colonists and the Tuscaroras. Even those of note in the periphery, including a Virginia lieutenant governor and a South Carolina colonel, are brought to the conflict through their actions and observations. The end result of this thesis is to present, through specific chapters focusing on these men on the ground, along with a historiography incorporating reflections of relations between the Tuscaroras and the colonists, an image of Tuscarora-colonial relations in this time period building to the beginning of the Tuscarora War in North Carolina. This thesis is an attempt to contribute and expand the historiography of Tuscarora-colonist relations in Carolina. By avoiding the generalities of previous histories, and focusing instead primarily on the pre-Tuscarora War period from the perspectives of both the colonists and the Tuscaroras, a fuller view of this important time period in North Carolina history can finally be fully presented. The primary method of my work will consist of document investigation and examination. Another method will consist of in-person and electronic interviews with people with knowledge of the topic and time period. A historiographical examination of written works on the Tuscaroras will contribute to this examination of attitudes. Finally, I intend to close the thesis with an epilogue concerning my own personal history with my research into the Tuscaroras.