Abenaki

Indian Wars of New England

Indian Wars of New England

This post discusses the historiography of early Indian conflicts in New England, highlighting the contributions of William Hubbard, Church, Belknap, and Palfrey. It critiques Hubbard’s narrative as tedious and emphasizes Palfrey’s general overview, noting the limited focus on Indian-hostilities. The text outlines the periods of peace and subsequent violence, particularly referencing the impact of French and Indian alliances on English settlers from 1688 onward. It suggests the narrative is intended to offer a comprehensive account of these tumultuous interactions, from the Pequod Wars through French incursions.

Pequawket Tribe

The Pequawket Indians, a member of the Abnaki confederacy, inhabited the headwaters of the Saco River in New Hampshire and Maine. Their main village, Pequawket, was near present-day Fryeburg, Maine. The tribe is notable for a significant battle in 1725 against English forces led by Capt. Lovewell, resulting in heavy losses on both sides and a subsequent decline in their population. The Pequawket later relocated to the Connecticut River area and were still present there during the American Revolution.

Arosaguntacook Tribe

The Arosaguntacook Indians were part of the Abnaki confederacy, residing along the Androscoggin River in present-day Maine. Their village shared the same name and faced significant hardships due to conflicts with early English settlers. The tribe, engaged in various wars from 1675 until their relocation to Canada, saw their village destroyed in 1690. They eventually merged with other tribes and relocated to St. Francis, Canada, where they remained significant, with their dialect becoming predominant among the inhabitants.

Aucocisco

Aucocisco refers to the territory around Casco Bay and the Presumpscot River in present-day Cumberland County, Maine, and was also associated with the Abnaki Indians inhabiting the area. As European settlers arrived, the term fell out of use concerning the indigenous population, evolving into “Casco.” The name, derived from the Abnaki word Uh-kos-is-co, means crane or heron, a nod to the local wildlife that continues to inhabit the bay. It is noted to have also designated Falmouth (Portland), Maine.

Penobscot Tribe

The Penobscot, a tribe of the Abnaki confederacy, are indigenous to the Penobscot River and Bay region. Their name, linked to local geography, signifies “plenty stones” or “rock land.” Historically, they were significant within the Abnaki, particularly notable in the 17th century under chief Bashaba. The tribe engaged actively in New England conflicts until a peace treaty in 1749. Today, they reside mainly in Oldtown, Maine, and are among the last significant Native American populations in New England, numbering about 410.

Squando

An Abnaki sachem of the Sokoki, known generally as the “Sagamore of Saco” He was credited with seeing visions and was called by Mather “a strange, enthusiastical sagamore.” His wife and child had been insulted by the English, and he took part in the war of 1675-76 and in the burning of Saco.  He signed the treaty of Cocheco.

Chief Joseph Orono

Carved portrait of Chief Orono

A biography of Chief Joseph Orono as compiled from several different sources. Joseph was also known as the “Blue Eyed Chief.”

Abenaki Chiefs and Leaders

The Abenaki Tribe’s history is marked by numerous notable leaders and chiefs, each contributing to their legacy. Key figures include Abbigadasset, Aspenquid, Assacumbuit, Moxus, Orono, Pierre Paul Osunkhirhine, and Squando. This compilation from various manuscripts highlights their significance and underscores the importance of preserving their stories for future generations.

Abenaki Indians

During the early English settlements in New England, several prominent Indigenous groups, including the Pokanokets, Narragansetts, Pequot-Algonquins, and Pennacook, had established governance under various chiefs. Relations with the colonists were initially managed through treaties acknowledging Indigenous land rights while asserting English sovereignty. Tensions escalated with the Pequot War and related conflicts, resulting in violent confrontations, particularly in the Merrimack region. Key figures like Passaconaway of the Pennacook sought to maintain peace but ultimately faced displacement due to ongoing aggression. Jesuit missionary Sebastian Rasle’s efforts among the Abinakies heightened colonial fears, leading to tragic confrontations that culminated in his death and the destruction of Norridgewock.

Algonquian Sign Language among the North American Indians

The document features various contributions regarding the sign languages of North American Indian tribes. It includes letters and observations from individuals such as H.L. Masta and Lieut. H.B. Lemly, detailing signs from the Abnaki, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Ojibwa, and Sac and Fox tribes. These accounts, compiled between 1846 and the early 1880s, reflect a diverse collection of linguistic expressions used for communication within these tribes, highlighting the rich cultural tapestry of Algonquian Sign Language.

Abenaki Tribes in the Merrimac Valley

During the early English settlements in New England, major Indian powers included the Pokanokets, Narragansetts, Pequot-Algonquins, and Pennacook tribes in the Merrimack Valley, led by Passaconaway. These tribes maintained a loose hierarchy, obeying their chiefs in community matters. Tensions between the colonists and Native Americans escalated due to encroachments and disputes over land, leading to violence and warfare, including the Pequot War. The Abenaqui tribe also played a significant role, influenced by Jesuit missionary Sebastian Rasle, but faced conflict as colonial expansion progressed.

Abenaki Tribe

The Abenaki Tribe, part of an Algonquian confederacy, was primarily located in present-day Maine and included various subgroups such as the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy. Their history, noted since Verrazano’s visit in 1524, involves interactions with European settlers and conflicts with other tribes. Culturally, they lived in wigwams and practiced agriculture alongside fishing. Their societal structure included war and civil chiefs, and they held beliefs in a dualistic spiritual world. Over time, Abenaki populations diminished, leading many to relocate to Canada.