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meaning of "Delaware"

From: MaryEllen Flynn         mebflynn@comcast.net
Date: 3/5/2003
Time: 12:59:18 AM
Remote Name: 68.45.172.200

Comments

In 1610, Sir Thomas West, Royal Gov. of the Virginia Colony, sent Capt. Samuel Argall to sail North along the Atlantic seaboard to look for land available to expand the land area of the Colony. Argall sailed into the large bay and river which the Lenape called "Lenapewihituck" (river of the people). Argall re-named the river to honor Sir Thomas"s title: Lord de la Warr. this soon became slurred to "delaware" Within a short while Sir Thomas returned to England. He never met the Lenape, never saw the river re-named in his honor, and never returned to N. America. A recently published book says that the Lenape took the name to honor Sir Thomas. Wrong!!!!! The Lenape would never have done that because:1.The word Lenapewihituck was a good descriptive word, 2. they had never heard of Sir Thomas , and 3. there is no letter "R" in their language. The English began to call the Lenape bands around the river and bay "IIndians on the De la Warre River" This was soon shortened to Delaware Indians. Most today identify themselves as Delaware, altho use of the title "Lenape is being used by present-day descendants.... Reference:Dr Kraft's new book "The Lenape-Delaware Indian Heritage" , Chapter 1, page 8... I hope this helps answer the questions of Avril and Ken. WANISHI ! hom

Last changed: March 05, 2003