WESTCO INDIANS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

THIS TRIBE MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE YUCHI BAND. THEY ARE EXTINCT, THEY LIVED ALONG THE CENTRAL SAVANNAH RIVER. SMALL BANDS MOVED TO SOUTH CAROLINA DURING THE 1960'S AND BEGAN RAIDING THE CUSABO TRIBES. BY 1674 THE WESTCO SIGNED A TRADE AGREEMENT WITH COLONISTS AND REMAINED IN GOOD FAVOR FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THEY MAY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE YAMASEE WAR DURING 1715. THEY WERE DRIVEN FROM THE AREA ALONG WITH THE YAMASEE AND OTHER TRIBES AFTERWARD. THAT TRIBE WAS NOT MENTIONED IN COLONIAL HISTORIC DOCUMENTS AFTER THE EARLY 1700'S. THEIR STRUCTURES WERE COVERED WITH BARK, CLAY AND WOVEN MATS. THEY BUILT THEIR VILLAGES ALONG THE STREAMS. THEIR HOMES WERE GROUPED AROUND A CENTRAL SQUARE WHERE CEREMONIES AND SOCIAL DRINKING.

THEY FARMED MAINLY CORN, BEANS AND SQUASH. THEY CAUGHT FRESHWATER FISH, AND HUNTED DEER AND SMALL GAME.

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