Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-23
= LocArING PLANTS.
Tho Mime, of Oar Rivers.

To he Editor Of ne D7SDdch;
In the last Sundays issue Of your paper
vour correspondent W." in correcting
Mr.. Thomas Nelson Pages statement that
-four rivers in Virginia were named after
Queen Annette Rlyanna, the North and
South Anna. and the Rapid Anna "-con-
cludes with, There are other rivers
within the boundaries of old virginia end
ING IN an or CnnG. as the fluyanna:
Awanna, Susquehanua. and Lackawanna.
To these | would add the Occoquan, the
Klttochau. the Chowan, the Pocatan, and
the Powhatan.
IL strikes one az a singular coincidence
that 50 many rivers, comprised IN almost
group, should bear names with the same
Termination of az or anna. Inc inference
would naturally be that these are Indian
words of a peculiar significance az thus
applied. and thereby was suggested TO me
years ago-a curious fact which may posi-
Div serve as an explanation.
In examining q map OF the opposite AT
lantic coasts of Europe and the united
States | was struck with the singular re-
semblance and often identity or the names
of rivers OF both continents; In Europe
we find the I've. the lay, and the ar, the
Dan. Don. and Dee, the Matt, and turtner
south the Pc. literally repeated IN the IN
dian nomenclature of our coast rivers,
while these and others, such as wye, III,
Ar. and An, are frequently found lncorpo-
rated IN apparently compound names OF
the rivers of both continents. mus we
have the Wydndohe. WyGn0ke. Potomdc,
POconOke, and numerous others. with the
Virginia group ending IN an and anna;
The simplicity OF these monosyllaoi
words would be an argument for their
origin in primitive language, and we
find upon inquiry that they are all Celtic
words. or notifications of the Celtic, sig
nifying ,rdieT. They are found abundantly
| in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
countries originally peopled by the Celtic
race. An is a purely Celtic word, and more
| frequently met with than the Others here
mentioned. When twice repeated, as IN
Amman and Anandale. IN Scotland, and
Annamoe, in the Vale of Ayoca. IN Ireland,
II signifies two waters" or the meeting
of two streams, which seems q farther
proof of its belonging TO primitive Ian.
| euage. And in this connection would II
| appear too extravagaut suggestion thai
the Indian name Of the North and South
| Anna was originally AMMAN, 1.-THE two
rivers.n to which the English settlers. re
tanning generally the aboriginal names
gave the distinguishing titles OF North anc
South!
Other Celtic words we observe in oul
Indian nomenclature. Knock or mock.
mountain. is common in the British Isles
and we have it here IN KRockdgee ans
MonddnOck, which can scarcely be called ;
coincidence. DIR. Powell. the translator o
Caradoc. tells Us that the first white mel
ON our more southern coast found head
land called by the Indians Pen J,cyn, whIcl
is pure Cymrlc for "WhAe-ReGd," and I
the name of whitish rocky headland o
! promoutory in Wales. Also, ! remembe
TO have read Of party OF northwestern
explorers meeting with tribe OF Indian
who had never before seen white man
but who was easily understood by one of th
psrty-an Irishman, who spoke his nstiy
Lrse.
How Is this remarkable coincidence Q
language to be accounted forg II Is surel
too marked to be referred to chance or n
gayded Is mere coincidence a,A We