Yamasee
A former noted tribe of Muskogean Family, they were best known in connection with early South Carolina history, but apparently, originally occupied the coast region and islands of southern Georgia and extending into Florida. Due to their location near the Savannah River, they were frequently confused with the Shawnee and and Yuchi tribes. Missions were established in their territory by the Spaniards about 1570, and they lived under the jurisdiction of the Spanish government of Florida until 1687. At that time, an attempt was made by the Spaniards to transport a number of their people as laborers to the West Indies and, naturally, they revolted, attacking a number of the mission settlements and peaceful Indian tribes, before fleeing north across Savannah River to the English colony of South Carolina. They were allowed to settle there, in what is present-day he Beaufort County, where they would eventually establish several villages. They aided in the fight against the Tuscarora tribe in 1712, but in 1715, when they became dissatisfied with the the traders, organized with other tribes, including nearly all of the tribes from Cape Fear to the Florida border, to fight against the English. Numerous traders traders were slaughtered and a general massacre of settlers took place along the Carolina frontier.
After several engagements, the Yamasee were finally defeated by Governor Craven at Salkechuh on the Combahee River and driven across the Savannah River. They retired to Florida where they were again received by the Spaniards and settled in villages near St Augustine. From that time, they were known as allies of the Spaniards and enemies of the English, against whom they made frequent raids with other Florida tribes. In 1727, their village near St Augustine was attacked and destroyed by the English, and their Indian allies and most of the inhabitants were killed. In 1761, what was left of the Yamasee numbered only about 20 men, in camps near St Augustine and Pensacola. Later, the tribe was virtually destroyed by the Seminole tribe and those that survived were enslaved. As late as 1812 a small band retained the name among the Seminole, and some settled among the Hitchiti, but by the turn of the century, they had completely disappeared.