Granganimeo

John White image of an Algonquian burial house, 1585

Library of Congress

Quick Facts

Significance:

Algonquian weroance, one of the first Algonquian to greet the English explorers

Place of Birth:

Unknown

Date of Birth:

Unknown

Place of Death:

Ossomococuk (Outer Banks)

Date of Death:

Winter/Spring, 1585-1586

Place of Burial:

Unknown

Granganimeo was one of the first Carolina Algonquian leaders to encounter the English in the Outer Banks. He invited them to Roanoke Island, giving them the location of their future colony and was a staunch supporter of the English among the Algonquian leaders. His death from disease in the winter of 1585-1586 was a severe blow to the relationship between the Algonquian and English and led to the downfall of the colony at Roanoke Island.

Granganimeo was born in Ossomocomuck sometime during the 1500s and was a brother to Wingina. Both Granganimeo and Wingina would be werowances, or chiefs, for the Roanoke and Croatoan people, with Wingina referred to by the English as the "King". While little is known about Granganimeo's early life, when the English arrived in 1584 with Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe, Granganimeo was one of the first Algonquian leaders to greet them. He began trading with them and even invited them to travel north to his home on Roanoke Island. There, the trading and learning continued with many furs and goods trading hands. Seeing the English goods, such as metal pots and pans, Granganimeo likely saw the English as a source of wealth and power for his people and thought a strong relationship with them would lead to prosperity.

While Granganimeo was the main point of contact for the Algonquian during 1584, he was acting in place of his brother, Wingina, who was the head werowance over the Secotan, Roanoke, and Croatoan. After six weeks of hosting the English, Granganimeo worked to include two Algonquian men in their return voyage to England. He likely worked with Wingina to select Manteo and Wanchese to accompany the English across the ocean, as well as receive two Englishmen who would stay in Ossomocomuck. Granganimeo likely relayed his experiences, as well as the trade goods he received from the English, to his brother Wingina. They would anticipate the English return and the return of Manteo and Wanchese, who would be able to tell them much about the English homeland. 

When the English ships appear off the coast of Roanoke Island in 1585, Granganimeo ventures out to meet them. He reunites with Manteo, who serves as the translator, having learned English during his time in England. Granganimeo, likely following instructions from Wingina, offered to allow the English a location on Roanoke Island to build a colony and fort. This spot would become the location of Fort Raleigh NHS. Granganimeo served as a constant voice in support of the English, in opposition to Wanchese, who warned of the dangers they presented. 

Granganimeo's support of the English persisted through the fall of 1585. During the winter, though, he fell ill with an unknown disease, likely brought from Europe by the English. When he dies, the English lost one of their most ardent Algonquian supporters and the first person to host them at Roanoke Island. Wingina loses his brother and one of his most trusted leaders. Shortly afterwards, Wingina changed his name to Pemisapan, and the relationship between the Algonquian and English worsened. Granganimeo was the glue who brought the English to the shores of Roanoke Island, and without him, the two sides fell apart and descended into jealousy, fear, and fighting, resulting in neither side coming out on top.