 In 1608, the first European to explore in the vicinity, Captain John Smith, reported that the Whonkentia (a subgroup of the Siouan-speaking Manahoac tribe) inhabited the area.The Manahoac were forced out around 1670 by the Iroquois (Seneca), who did not resettle the area.The Conoy camped briefly near The Plains, from 1697 to 1699.