NANTICOKE, an'tI-kOk (Nentigo, °tide water people))), a former American Indian tribe of the Algonquian family residing, when first discovered by the whites, on the east shore of the Nanticoke River, where according to Smith their principal village, also called Nanti coke, was situated in 1608. Their language was very closely related to that of the Delaware. They were great fishers, trappers and hunters and according to tradition they had, at an earlier period in their history, gone southward in search of game, when their old hunting grounds had become too densely populated for a no madic race. Tradition also says that a league ex isted between the Nanticoke and other tribes covering a large extent of territory, for many generations. Already in 1642 the Nanticoke had been declared enemies of the Maryland colony; but in 1678 a treaty was made with them; and 20 years later reservations were set apart for them. About 1725 they began to move north ward gradually, going up the Susquehanna and finally settling at Oswego, Chenango and Chug nut in the State of New York. A part of the
tribe, however, under the name of Wiwash, re mained behind in Maryland. Some of those in New York State amalgamated with the Iro quois; but most of them, feeling the pressure of civilization, went west into Ohio and Indiana and there joined the Delawares about 1784.
Among all the neighboring tribes the Nanti coke Indians had the reputation of being great magicians; and they were greatly feared on this account. A head chief ruled over all the vil !ages, thus binding together the interests of the tribe or tribes composing the Nanticoke people. Apparently this chief was sometimes a woman. They fortified their towns against the enemy. In the Confederacy)) were included the Nanticoke proper, Arseek, Cuscarawaoc, Nause and Sarapinagh and perhaps Ozinies and other sub-tribes, In southern Delaware there are still numerous half-breed Nanticoke..