The Ababco were an Eastern Algonquian tribe or sub-tribe who, during the early contact period with Europeans, inhabited the lands along the Choptank River in what is now the state of Maryland. Their story is one of initial encounters, treaties, dwindling populations, and eventual assimilation, leaving behind a faint but significant footprint in the history of the Chesapeake Bay region. Understanding the Ababco Tribe requires delving into fragmented historical records, archaeological evidence, and the broader context of Algonquian peoples in the Eastern Woodlands.
Nomenclature and Alternate Spellings
The name "Ababco" itself has seen variations in historical documents, reflecting the challenges of phonetic transcription and linguistic differences between the Algonquian language spoken by the tribe and the languages of the European colonists. Alternate spellings include Ababeves, Abapco, Abaco, Babcoe, and Abanvo. These variations underscore the importance of considering multiple sources when researching the Ababco Tribe and their history.
Early Encounters and Geographical Location
The first documented mention of the Ababco appears in Thomas Bacon’s "Laws of Maryland," published in 1765. Bacon identified them as a distinct tribe connected with the Hutsawap and Tequassimoe. However, earlier accounts, such as those of Captain John Smith’s exploration of the Chesapeake Bay in the early 1600s, do not specifically mention the Ababco. This absence could suggest that they were either a smaller, less prominent group at that time or that they were considered part of a larger tribal entity.
Later historical interpretations often considered the Ababco, Hutsawap, and Tequassimoe as divisions or bands within the larger Choptank tribe. Their territory centered on the Choptank River, a significant waterway that provided sustenance through fishing and hunting, as well as a means of transportation and communication. The river served as a vital artery for the tribe’s economy and social life.
Specifically, the area inhabited by the Ababco Tribe under their chief, also named Ababco, extended from Sandy Hill Point (west of present-day Cambridge, Maryland) to El Don (now Bonnie Brook), encompassing the land upon which the town of Cambridge would later be established. This territory was acquired by the English colonists in exchange for 40 matchcoats, a type of woolen cloth traded extensively with Native American tribes.
Leadership and Governance
The Ababco, like many Algonquian tribes, were led by a chief, or werowance. In the case of the Ababco, their chief’s name, Ababco, became synonymous with the tribe itself and even their village, which was referred to as "King Ababco’s Town" by the English settlers. This practice highlights the significance of the chief’s role in the tribe’s identity and governance.
The chief was not an absolute ruler but rather a leader who consulted with tribal elders and other important members of the community. Decisions were often made through consensus, reflecting the egalitarian nature of Algonquian societies. The chief was responsible for maintaining order, negotiating with other tribes and, later, with the European colonists, and leading the tribe in times of war.
Treaties and Interactions with Colonists
The Ababco Tribe played a role in the treaties and agreements made between the Choptank Indians and the English colonists. In 1669, Chief Ababco, along with the chiefs of the Hatsawap and Tequissino, signed the first treaty with the settlers. Two years later, in 1671, they signed the act granting the Choptank Reservation, a designated area of land set aside for the exclusive use of the Choptank Indians.
In 1676, Chief Ababco, alongside Hatsawap and Tequissino, acted as mediators between the English and the Nanticoke "emperor," Unnacokasimmon. This indicates the respect and influence the Choptank chiefs held within the region, as they were trusted to facilitate communication and negotiation between different groups.
However, the establishment of the Choptank Reservation did not guarantee the tribe’s long-term security or prosperity. The colonists continued to encroach upon their lands, and the tribe gradually lost control of their territory through sales and other transactions.
External Threats and Internal Conflicts
The Ababco and the Choptank tribe faced threats from both internal and external sources. They were often at odds with other Native American tribes, such as the Delawares (Minquas) and the Senecas (Northern Indians). The Senecas, in particular, were a formidable enemy who would capture Choptank individuals, possibly for adoption into their own tribe. In 1683, the English interceded to secure the release of fourteen Choptanks who had been taken prisoner.
In 1681, Chief Ababco was approached by the Nanticoke tyac (chief) to join in a war against the English. However, Ababco declined the offer, demonstrating a willingness to maintain peaceful relations with the colonists, even in the face of potential conflict.
Decline and Assimilation
After the death of Chief Ababco, his son, Netgughwoughton, and Chief Tequissino were consulted by the English regarding the election of an emperor of the Nanticokes. This indicates the continued, albeit diminishing, influence of the Choptank leadership in regional affairs.
By the early 18th century, the Choptank tribe, including the Ababco, began to experience significant challenges. Their chief in 1701 was Winicaco, and after his death around 1720, dissatisfaction grew within the reservation. Many members of the tribe began to move away, seeking new homes in more remote areas with better hunting grounds, further away from the increasing influence of the European colonists.
As the Choptanks were confined to their reservation, distinctions between the different bands, including the Ababco, Hutsawap, and Tequissino, gradually disappeared. The Tequissino are no longer mentioned as a separate group after 1722, and the Hatsawap are not mentioned after 1727. In a deed from November 1726, the Ababco and Hatsawap were collectively referred to as "the 2 nations."
The Role of Betty Cacoe and the Loss of Land
After the death of her father, Chief Winicaco, Betty Cacoe became the "queen" of the Choptank. Her name appears on a deed dated 1722, and she was still queen in April 1727 when her name was recorded as Betty Carco. Sadly, she is remembered as the leader who oversaw the sale of much of the remaining Choptank Indian Reservation.
From 1692 to 1720, a significant portion of the reservation had already been sold off in fourteen separate deals. In 1719, an Indian named Tom Bishop complained to the Maryland Assembly on behalf of the Choptank Indians, stating that the English "encroached greatly upon the lands of his people, so that they are now driven into a small narrow neck called Locust Neck."
Disease, Malnutrition, and Alcoholism
The decline of the Choptank tribe, including the Ababco Tribe, was accelerated by a number of factors, including diseases introduced by the Europeans, to which the Native Americans had little or no immunity. Tuberculosis, smallpox, and venereal diseases took a heavy toll on the population. Additionally, the loss of land and traditional hunting grounds led to malnutrition, which further weakened the tribe’s resistance to disease. Chronic alcoholism, also introduced by the Europeans, contributed to the tribe’s demise.
Final Remnants and Disappearance
By 1755, the Choptanks were described as being "reduced to a small number, chiefly old, crippled, or sickly." When their neighbors, the Nanticokes, left for the north in 1744, some of the Choptanks may have joined them, but most appear to have remained in the area.
In 1792, William Vans Murray submitted ethnological notes and a vocabulary collected at Locust Neck Town to Thomas Jefferson. He reported that the tribe had dwindled to nine individuals living in four old wigwams covered with cedar bark. They were governed by a queen, Mrs. Mulberry. Winicaco, Chief Ababco’s son and their last chief, had died approximately 75 or 80 years earlier, and his body was preserved in a mortuary house.
In 1801, Mary Mulberry died, and her 20 acres of land were sold by the state. In 1856, a Maryland act declared that the land set aside for the Choptanks in 1799 "has long since been deserted by them, and the race has become extinct."
The land was described as being "in an unimproved and dilapidated condition" and was subsequently sold. A small remnant was retained by the State and sold to the Dorchester County Board of Education on April 7, 1870, for use by the public schools.
Legacy
The story of the Ababco Tribe is a poignant reminder of the complex and often tragic interactions between Native American tribes and European colonists in North America. While the tribe as a distinct entity has disappeared, their legacy remains in the place names, historical records, and the collective memory of the region. Further research, including archaeological investigations and the study of Algonquian languages and cultures, may shed additional light on the history and contributions of the Ababco and other Native American tribes of the Chesapeake Bay. The story of the Ababco Tribe remains a vital piece of Maryland’s and America’s history.