Chisca


The Chisca were a tribe of Native Americans living in present-day eastern Tennessee and southwestern Virginia in the 16th century. After merging with the larger Shawnee, they became extinct as a tribe during the 18th century.

Known history

The Chisca were recorded as encountered by both the Hernando de Soto Expedition in 1542 and the Juan Pardo Expedition in 1568, as the Spanish explored the interior of North America. De Soto sent out a small exploration party in the vicinity of the upper Tennessee River, who were attacked and defeated by Chisca warriors. As a result, de Soto to limited explorations in Chisca territory.
Captain Pardo also sent an exploration party that fought with the Chisca. His men destroyed their settlement at Maniatique, thought to be at present-day Saltville, Virginia. The name Chisca seldom appeared in Spanish colonial records after the 16th century.
In 1683 the French explorer La Salle found a Cisca village between the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. He persuaded them and the Shawnee north of the Cumberland to relocate to Fort St. Louis in Illinois and live under French protection.
Around this time, these Chisca seem to have joined with the Shawnee under the name Chaskepe. They followed the Shawnee's later migrations through Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and finally Ohio. La Salle reported that the Chisca had originally lived in the Appalachians east of where he found them, until their town was burnt down by colonists from Florida.. The Chisca appeared to have become extinct as a tribe by the 18th century.