[vance hawkins]

In the NW corner of South Carolina is a river called the Oconee.

When I was researching a “possible” connextion wiht the Gibson surname — as Nevil Wayland’s wife was Keziah and there are hints sh might be a Gibson, but not proof.

I asked someone else what it meant and was toild it is Seminole word meaning a small stream or Creek. well Seminole speak the Muscogee (Creek) language. So it is more that like of Creek origin rather than Seminole because of it’s location in NW corner of South Carolina. well some Gibson’s moved here — those that I “might” be related to in fact. And I remembered the Oconechee (sp?) people mentioned on this website and I was wondering what people here might think about a river by this name. Do yall also agree it is of Creek origin? I am just curious.

sincerely

vance

[Linda]

I know that the Great Trading Path of the Occoneechee stretched from Petersburg to Cheraw, SC, which I believe is in the NE corner of SC. Check an atlas and see how close that stream is to that town. Actually, why would the Seminole be naming a creek in northern SC? They never ranged that far, did they? I need to re-check some old territory maps, but I believe the Piedmont Siouan (aka generic Saponi) territory gave way to the Catawba in that vicinity.

[Tom]

Hello Vance, nice to see you here! The southern GA tribes Oconee included moved into southern Creek territory and joined the Timucua, Creek, calusa and others making up the Seminole and the Mikasuli people. The Oconee creek that you mention may have something to do with the Oconee tribe, or a shortened version of Oconeechi, but I’d look into the states place names reference materials before going any farther…. it may not have anything to do with either group, it could be a words from the Cherokees or catawbas. best of luck Tom

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