John Smith's Nanticoke voyages are topic of Nov. 15 presentation at Lewes Historical Society
The Archaeological Society of Delaware, Sussex Chapter, invites the public to its Speaker Series. Daniel R. Griffith, MA, will present "Captain John Smith on the Nanticoke" from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 15, at the schoolhouse in the Lewes Historical Society Complex.
The upper Nanticoke River watershed in Delaware is significantly associated with the exploration voyages of Captain John Smith and their effect on the Indian people of the watershed. This area is illustrative of the 17th century natural environment of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Research by Griffith, project principal Investigator, indicates that Smith’s voyage up the Nanticoke River in June 1608 reached into what is now Delaware, as far as Seaford and/or Laurel. In addition, the research sets forth a reasonable argument for the location of the Nanticoke Indian emperor’s town of Kuskarawoak. These findings are a challenge to other researchers who stated that Smith did not personally reach what is now Delaware and that the emperor’s town was on what is now the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Griffith has 35 years' experience in the study of American Indian history and archaeology of Delaware and nearby regions. He served as the Delaware state archaeologist and state historic preservation officer for 16 years until his retirement in 2005 and actively participates in and advises others on field work and research on regional American Indian sites. More recently, his experience encompasses 18th century shipwreck archaeology; he served for two years as the director of the Roosevelt Inlet Shipwreck Project in Lewes and 17th century colonial settlement archaeology in Delaware. He is project director for the Archaeological Society of Delaware/Avery’s Rest Project (1675-82). He has 10 years of teaching experience in archaeology and Native American history as an adjunct professor to the Department of History at Wesley College in Dover.
The public is welcome. The ASD is an open group, and the society invites new membership. For more information, go to www.delawarearchaeology.org.
