Potatuck facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Extinct as a tribe (merged into the Schaghticoke) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Connecticut) |
|
| Languages | |
| an Eastern Algonquian language | |
| Religion | |
| Indigenous religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Algonquian peoples |
The Potatuck were a group of Native American people. They lived in what is now Connecticut. They were connected to the Paugussett people. The Potatuck lived in western Connecticut before and during the time of the first European settlers.
Their homes were in areas that are now Newtown, Woodbury, and Southbury. They also lived along the Housatonic River. This area included where the Schaghticoke tribe lived. One of their old living places, the Little Pootatuck Brook Archeological Site, is now a protected historical spot.
Sadly, many Potatuck people were lost due to sickness and fighting. In the early 1700s, the remaining Potatuck joined with other Native American groups. They formed the Schaghticoke tribe.
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Potatuck Names
The Potatuck people were known by a few different names. In old writings, you might see them called Poodatook, Pootatook, Potatuck, Pudaduc, or Pudatuck. These different spellings all refer to the same group.
How the Potatuck Lived
Like other tribes nearby, the Potatuck were skilled at farming and fishing. They grew much of their own food.
Farming and Gathering
The women of the tribe were in charge of farming. They grew important crops like corn, squash, and beans. They also grew tobacco, which was used for special ceremonies. Besides farming, they collected wild berries, nuts, and other plants from nature.
Hunting and Fishing
The men spent much of the year fishing in freshwater rivers and streams. They also hunted animals like deer and small game. Sometimes, they might have traveled to the coast of Long Island Sound. There, they could fish in the saltwater during the summer months.
Potatuck History After European Arrival
After European settlers arrived, the Potatuck faced many challenges. Sicknesses brought by Europeans caused many deaths. There were also conflicts and wars.
Joining Other Tribes
Many Potatuck survivors joined with other Native American groups. These included parts of the Weantinock and Mohegan tribes. Together, they formed the Schaghticoke tribe. This new tribe lived in western Connecticut and eastern New York.
The Schaghticoke Reservation
In 1736, the Connecticut colony gave the Schaghticoke tribe a special area of land. This was a 2,500-acre reservation along the Housatonic River. Over time, much of this land was sold off by state-appointed agents. By the 1800s and early 1900s, the reservation was much smaller. It became about 400 acres on the west side of the river.
Potatuck Descendants Today
The descendants of the Potatuck are now part of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. This group is recognized as a tribe by the state of Connecticut. However, the United States government does not officially recognize them as a Native American tribe.
In 2011, a state court officially recognized the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. The court said they are the rightful leaders and legal successors of the historic tribe.
