Hendrick Aupaumut facts for kids
Hendrick Aupaumut (1757-1830) was an important leader and historian of the Mohican people. He was born in Massachusetts, United States, among the Stockbridge Indians. His family originally came from the Hudson River Valley. He learned from the Moravians, a Christian group, and became a Protestant. When the American Revolutionary War began, Aupaumut became a soldier. He fought for the American side as a captain of Mohican warriors.
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A Leader for His People
Hendrick Aupaumut was a skilled leader who helped his people. He was also a diplomat, which means he helped different groups talk to each other and make agreements. He worked hard to protect the Mohican way of life.
Joining the Fight
When the American Revolutionary War started, Aupaumut believed that Native American tribes should join the Americans. He traveled to the Ohio Country to speak with other tribes. He asked the Stockbridge, Delaware, and Shawnee peoples to "rise up against the Red Coats." This was a way of saying they should fight the British soldiers. He wanted them to stop the British from doing whatever they wanted on the land.
He joined the Stockbridge Militia, a group of soldiers from his community. He fought in important battles like the Battle of Oriskany and the Saratoga campaign. Because of his bravery and leadership, he became a captain.
Working for Peace and His People
After the Revolutionary War, Hendrick Aupaumut continued to work for his people. He was worried about how their culture was changing. He wanted to find ways for Native American communities to live peacefully in the new United States. He also tried to help his people learn some European ways to adapt to the new world.
Speaking for the Mohican People
Aupaumut wrote down the history of the Mohican people. He also wrote a letter to President Thomas Jefferson to defend his people's rights. He worked with the United States government to talk with tribes further west. He hoped to make peace between everyone. However, he was not always successful because new settlers wanted more land.
Moving Westward
To avoid more fighting with settlers, Hendrick Aupaumut and other Stockbridge Indians moved west. They eventually settled in what is now the Stockbridge-Munsee Community in Wisconsin. He wrote a book about his trips and efforts to make peace with the Western Indians.
