Chickens Warrups facts for kids

Chickens Warrups, sometimes called Chicken Warrups or Sam Mohawk, was a Native American leader. He lived in southwestern Connecticut in the late 1600s and early 1700s. This was a time when European settlers were starting new towns, churches, and farms in the area. Warrups' name is found on many official papers where land was given to these settlers.

Early Life and Moving to Connecticut

Some stories say that Chickens Warrups was the son of a Mohawk leader named Ky-ne. When he was young, Warrups had a conflict with a member of the Onondaga tribe. Because of this, he had to leave his home among the Mohawk people.

He moved to the area between Connecticut and New York. There, he met a leader named Katonah. Warrups is thought to have married Katonah's daughter and then moved to Fairfield, Connecticut. Later, he moved several miles north to land that would become part of Redding, Connecticut. In Redding, Warrups helped create a village for Native Americans who had lost their homes from other tribes.

Land Deals with Settlers

As more settlers arrived, they looked for new farmland north of Fairfield. In the late 1600s, colonial leaders began giving out land in this area. Settlers started moving into the region where Warrups' village was located in the early 1700s.

The official town seal of Redding, from 1714, shows the town's founder, John Read, buying land from Chickens Warrups. Another settler and a Native American are also shown. John Read is believed to have started his home near Warrups' village around 1711. He is known for beginning the process that led to the creation of the town of Redding.

Historian Charles Burr Todd wrote that Chickens Warrups often had disagreements with settlers about the land deals he made. Todd found three requests from Warrups in old records. In these, Warrups complained that he was treated unfairly in his land dealings with the settlers.

Around 1748 or 1749, Warrups gave up his claims to 100 acres of land in the Redding area. In return, he received 200 acres of land in the Scattacook area, which is in New Milford, Connecticut. In 1762, Warrups became ill. He sold 30 acres of his land to pay off debts and cover his living costs. Historian John W. De Forest wrote that Warrups died "not many years after." Different sources say he died between 1765 and 1769.

Family and What He Left Behind

It can be tricky to understand all the stories about Chickens Warrups. This is because some records also mention his son, Thomas Chickens Warrups. His son is thought to have died around the same time as the elder Warrups. Some old writings don't clearly separate what each man did.

During the American Revolutionary War, Chickens Warrups' grandson, Tom Warrups, became an important guide, scout, and messenger. He worked for the Continental Army under Major General Israel Putnam. Tom Warrups was included as a character in My Brother Sam Is Dead, a historical fiction novel for young adults.

Today, there is a farm in Redding called Warrup's Farm. Its owners trace their land ownership back through marriage to John Read, the founder of Redding.