According to the book " South carolina Indians and Indian Traders " the word captain was a title in use with referrence to leaders in the American Indian communities by the time the English settlers arrived in S. C. These title's , instead of Chief and Headman , ( Captian, General, Colonel ) were used in the earliest cessions of lands by the Indians. ============================================= just typing what one referrence book had to say about the title ......pat ShiningWindStar Holoce Hotvle Kococumpv NATIVE AMERICAN HOME FIRES New members by acceptance only! www.yahoogroups.com/group/NativeAmericanHomeFires --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.384 / Virus Database: 216 - Release Date: 8/21/2002