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Biographical Description

The Susquehannock, or "People of the Muddy River" are an Iroquoian nation that traditionally resided along the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. By the 1670s, the Susquehannock had moved south into Maryland, where they established themselves at a fort along the Potomac River. A Maryland militia unit besieged the fort, killing several Susquehannock chiefs when they exited the fort under a flag of truce. The remaining Susquehannock scattered, with some moving north to present-day Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where they became known as the Conestoga. Another group of Susquehannock moved south, integrating with the Occaneechi in southern Virginia and North Carolina along the Roanoke River. When Virginian colonists also met the Susquehannock with violence, many of the remaining members of the tribe moved further south, possibly integrating with the Meherrin.

Today the Conestoga-Susquehannock Tribe represents the Susquehannock people and, as of 2024, is still fighting for federal recognition.

For more information and links to resources, please see our editorial statement on American Indian terminology.

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