Wampum

or Wompan, an Indian word meaning ‘‘ strings of white beads.” Wampum was used as money, according to tradition, first by hk e the Narragansett Indians and was afterward generally adopted by the Indians along the eastern coast as a medium of exchange. It was also used as money by the colonists of New England and the Middle States, being deemed a legal-tender from 1627 to 1661. Wampum was manufactured from beads made from the stems of periwinkle shells, common along the coast. These shells were both white and black, and the value of the latter as a medium of exchange was twice that of the former. The beads were strung together and sewn upon belts, and were also worn as necklaces and wristlets. The black beads were called ‘‘ Suck an hock.”’ Wampum was also known under the Dutch name ‘‘ Sewon,” or ‘‘ Zeewand.’’ Payments were made by stripping off individual beads, or by cutting off portions of the embroidered belts. 351