Croatan

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The Croatan, also known as Hatteras, were a small Native American ethnic group living in the coastal areas of what is now North Carolina. They might have been a branch of the larger Roanoke people or allied with them. The Croatan lived in current Dare County, an area encompassing the Alligator River, Croatan Sound, Roanoke Island, Ocracoke Island, and parts of the Outer Banks, including Hatteras Island. Their leaders, called Werowances ("he who is rich"), each controlled up to 18 towns. The greatest were able to muster 700 or 800 fighting men. Weroances and their families were held in great status and received respect, but they were not all-powerful. To pursue a collective goal, Weroances had to convince their followers that the action would be in the nation's best interest. The Weroance was responsible for spreading wealth, and, if unable to do so, he received less respect. Phillip W. Evans, a linguist, suggested the word Croatan means "council town" or "talk town", which likely indicates the residence of an important leader and a place where councils were held. The state-recognized tribes claiming descent from the Croatan people have members who live predominantly in Cumberland, Sampson, and Harnett counties.