A number of scholars have theorized that the Virginia Doeg were a dispossessed people that migrated into the Potomac River valley, set up residence in abandoned Algonquian villages, and then adapted to an Algonquian way of life, including making Potomac Creek pottery. Linguist Blair Rudes believes they came from a town in the Appalachian Mountains west of Joara. All three of the following Indian names could have evolved into Doeg/Dogue.
In 1566, Spanish Conquistador Juan Pardo left Parris Island, SC, to explore the interior. About five miles north of Morgantown, NC, he established Fort San Juan, which is the oldest known European settlement in the interior of the United States. The following year, Pardo continued his exploration of Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. On October 1, 1567, he "arrived with his company at a place which is over the top … of the ridge [of mountains] and which is called TocaE …"
In 1670, Englishman John Lederer set out to explore the Virginia Piedmont and the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was the first European to do so. He was looking for a passage across the mountains. In his writings, he talks about a place at the foot of the Appalachians. "These parts were formerly possessed by the Tacci, alias Dogi; but they are extinct; and the Indians now seated here, are distinguished into several Nations of Mohoc, Nuntaneuch, … &c."
Rudes believes that the (Tacci) ~ (Dogi) were the same people as the residents of TocaE. However, while the Doeg may have come from this place, that tells us nothing about their ethnic affiliation.
One scholar believes he has evidence that "Doeg" was a generic word to describe a people whose "polities had been destroyed." (His book on the subject will be published in 2008.) Another source has heard of a "remnant family" somewhere in central Virginia that calls itself Doeg Shawnee.
An old Scottish family calls itself the "Dogs [Doeg] of Menteith." An ancient French breed of dog is called Dogue de Bordeaux. The expression "Mad as a dog" is reputed to have been used by the Colonists. The reference, of course, was to the Doeg. One Algonquian scholar today pronounces Doeg "dog." Could "Doeg" be a term of contempt applied to these people by the English? If so, would this support the notion that they were dispossessed? Did the English know that they weren't Algonquian and just called them dogs? They did treat them like dogs.
These are all intriguing possibilities. Maybe someday we will have answers.
Meanwhile, there is the further question as to why John Smith called their main Virginia village Tauxenent. Stay tuned.
Shirley
For more on the Doeg, check out my website.
