Podunk people facts for kids

The Podunk were a group of Native American people. They spoke a language called Algonquian, specifically the Quiripi dialect. They lived mostly in what is now Hartford County, Connecticut, in the United States. English settlers later used a word from the Nipmuc language to describe the Podunk's land.

The Podunk Way of Life

The word Podunk comes from the Algonquian language. It means "where you sink in mire" or a "boggy place." This describes a wet, muddy area. The Podunk people had their own name for their home: Nowashe. This means "between rivers." Their land was near where the Park River meets the Connecticut River. The Dutch, who were early European visitors, called these rivers the Little River and Great River. An old map from the 1600s shows their land as Nowass, which was probably the Dutch way of writing Nowashe.

Daily Life and Traditions

Like other Woodland peoples, the Podunk built their summer homes near the river. They were skilled at fishing for shad, salmon, and lampreys when these fish were plentiful. The men hunted animals like deer and bear, as well as smaller game. The women grew and prepared different kinds of maize (corn) and beans. They also dried meats and prepared animal skins.

The Podunk used furs from animals like otter, mink, and beaver to make clothing. They used other animal hides to cover their wigwams, which were their homes. In winter, they moved to camps further inland. Their winter diet included dried venison (deer meat) and bear meat. Many tools and other items from their past have been found along the rivers and in the higher lands. These discoveries help us learn about their history.

Podunk History with European Settlers

English settlers arrived in the Connecticut River valley around 1631. This area was already home to several Native American groups, which the English called the River Tribes. After the English began to settle, the government set aside much of the land for the Podunk people. In the winter of 1635, the Podunk helped the new settlers in Hartford. The settlers were not ready for winter, and the Podunk gave them gifts of "malt, and acorns, and grains." During this time, the Podunk were led by two important chiefs, called sachems: Waginacut and Arramamet.

Living Alongside Colonists

For a while, the Podunk seemed to have a peaceful relationship with the English settlers. They lived close to each other until about 1675. However, the English placed many rules on the Podunk. For example, blacksmiths were not allowed to work for the Podunk. Only special traders could buy their corn, beaver furs, venison, or timber. The English also banned trading weapons, horses, dogs, or boats with the Podunk. They also forbade trading "dangerous" supplies like cider or alcohol.

The Podunk were not allowed to enter English houses or touch the settlers' weapons. They also could not bring their own guns into the towns. If a Podunk person was found in an English settlement at night, they could be arrested or even shot if there was a conflict. The Podunk were also not allowed to hide outsiders in their villages. In 1653, the English even ordered them to give up their weapons to show their loyalty.

Conflicts and Changes

In 1657, a disagreement between the Podunks and both the Mohegans and Tunxis tribes led to a war. This conflict was about the death of a Connecticut leader. The Podunks were helped by the Pocumtucks in this war against Uncas, the Mohegan sachem.

In 1659, a man named Thomas Burnham bought land that is now the towns of South Windsor and East Hartford. "Fort Hill" was likely a fort where a chief named Tantinomo went during a disagreement with chiefs Oncas and Sequassen in 1665. The English tried to help solve this dispute but were not successful.

In 1675, the Podunks fought against the English during King Philip's War. This was a major conflict between Native American tribes and English colonists.

The End of the Podunk Tribe

The Podunk people suffered greatly from new diseases brought by the colonists. These diseases, along with the pressures from colonial settlement, caused their numbers to drop sharply. By 1736, the remaining Podunk people joined with other groups to form the Schaghticoke tribe. After this, the Podunk tribe as a separate group disappeared from historical records. They are now considered to be extinct as a tribe.

Today, the land where the Podunk once lived includes towns like East Hartford, East Windsor, South Windsor, Manchester, parts of Ellington, Vernon, Bolton, Marlborough, and Glastonbury. In colonial times, the area north of the Hockanum River was generally known as Podunk, while the area south of the river was called Hockanum.