Credo Sachem
Credo Sachems are members of wealthy Noncredan families characterized by a highly discreet and inconspicuous life style. Based in and around Credo, they form an integral part of the historic core of the Noncredan establishment. They are associated with the distinctive Credo Sachem accent, and with the University of Regina.
Characteristics
The term Sachem originally referred to a tribal chief from the North American continent on Old Terra. On Regina it came to apply to the whole upper crust of Credan society that were extremely influential in the development and leadership of arts, culture, science, politics, trade, and academia. The term was certainly applied partly in jest to characterize the often condescending and pretentious manners of the Credo elite to outsiders. The nature of the Sachems is summarized in the doggerel "Credo Toast" by University of Regina alumnus Jordi Isaiah Matthews:
"And this is good old Credo,
The home of the Crown and the Sword,
Where the Iudas see only Menetrys,
And the Menetrys see only the Lord."
Credo's "Sachem elite" developed a semi-aristocratic value system by the 180s. Cultivated, urbane, and dignified, a Credo Sachem was the very essence of enlightened aristocracy. The ideal Sachem was not only wealthy, but displayed suitable personal virtues and character traits. The term was coined in 161 by Roland Watson Sr. The Sachem was expected to cultivate the arts, support charities such as hospitals and colleges, and assume the role of community leader. Although the ideal called on him to transcend commonplace business values, in practice many found the thrill of economic success quite attractive. The Sachems warned each other against "avarice" and insisted upon "personal responsibility". Scandal and divorce were unacceptable. The total system was buttressed by the strong extended family ties present in Credo society. Young people attended the same prep schools and colleges and married within the group. Family not only served as an economic asset, but also as a means of moral restraint. Most belong to the New Catholic faith and later the Church of Regina, although some were Assemblists or Practicants. Politically they tended towards moderate Conservatism. They were marked by their manners and distinctive elocution, the Credo Sachem accent, version of the Reginan Anglic accent.
Sachem families
Originally, the rich homesteaders who left Credo to establish ownership of huge tracts of land were excluded from the Credo high society, being regarded as crude and uncultured, as evidenced by their turning their backs on the refined life in the capital. As infrastructure improved and trips to Credo became a matter of hours, the elite from the rest of the continent came to participate in Credan social life almost as much as those living in Credo itself, and eventually grew to belong equally to the Sachems.
Many of the Sachem families traced their ancestry back to the original founders of Credo while others entered Noncredan aristocratic society during the Golden Age with their profits from commerce and trade or by marrying into established Sachem families like the Valentines and the Walkers.
The period after the Civil War saw a high turnover among the high society families; few of the original families survive today. But the families that replaced them still speak with the accent and are still referred to as Sachems.
A few families are listed here.
Ashley family
* Kerwin Ashley, Firstcomer, part owner of the _Mark_
** Lucky Ashley, explorer and prolific namer of geographical features
Foster family
* Susan Foster, Firstcomer, part owner of the _John_, bought Titus Walker's share too
* Mala Foster, 6th Mayor of Credo, suppressed the Knights Regnant
Gordon family
* Jaye Gordon, Firstcomer, part owner of the _Mark_
** Ezekiel Gordon, 8th Mayor of Credo - established the Pomona Cove Exile Settlement.
** Gabriel Gordon, explorer and surveyor.
Harris family
* Susannah Harris, Firstcomer, part owner of the _Luke_
** Philemon Harris, 5th Mayor of Credo
*** Potiphara Harris, 15th Mayor of Credo - reconciled the Pious and the Irreverent
Iuda family
* Tabitha Iuda, Firstcomer, part owner of the _Luke_
** Debora Iuda, 7th Mayor of Credo (152-168)
*** Raybon Iuda, 1st Marquis of Regina
**** Michah Iuda, 1st count of Regina
***** Charles Iuda, Co-founder of the Gordon's Bay Company
****** Niven Iuda, Xth and last Count of Regina (died 622)
Menetry family
* Veron Choald Menetry (19–100), Firstcomer, part owner of the Luke and 1st
Mayor of Credo
** Dravon Menetry (43-121), Firstcomer, First CEO of Luke Consortium.
***Jekolja Menetry (79–170), granddaughter of Veron and 2nd Mayor of Credo.
**** Rachel Menetry (119-200), 10th Mayor of Credo (180-185)
**** Tirza Menetry (128-207), 12th Mayor of Credo (196-200)
***** Joshuine Menetry (171-251), 17th Mayor of Credo (224-236)
****** Isaac Menetry (226-310), 1st King of Regina
******* Haladan Menetry (593-639), 7th and last King of Regina
The main branch of the Menetrys fled Regina in the aftermath of the Civil War when Crown Prince Malcom was assassinated in 639 before he could be crowned king, but several collatteral branches are still extant today.
Rumson family
* Ireland Rumson, Firstcomer, part owner of the _Luke_
Turner family
* Edgar Turner, Firstcomer, part owner of the _Mark_, founder of the Turner Seminary
* Absalom Turner, first and only grandmaster of the Knights Regnant
Walker family
* Titus Walker, Firstcomer, eponymous founder of Walker County
** Baronet Howard Baxter Walker - "The Richest Man on Regina"
Grant family
Tailor family
Conroy family
Sumner family
Gibson family
Prince family
Sweet family
Shaw family
Valentine family