Rumachenanck facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| extinct as a tribe | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| formerly New Jersey and New York | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Lenape people |
The Rumanchenank were a group of Lenape people. They lived in the area around the Palisades in what is now New York and New Jersey. This was happening when European settlers first arrived in the 1600s. Dutch settlers called them the Haverstroo, which meant oat straw. This name later became Haverstraw in English. This name is still used for part of their old territory.
Contents
Who Were the Rumanchenank?
The Rumanchenank were part of the larger Lenape nation. They were similar to the Tappan people, whose lands were nearby. Like all Lenape tribes, they were divided into special family groups called clans. The Rumanchenank had Wolf, Turkey, and Turtle clans. They spoke the Munsee dialect of the Lenape language.
Their Way of Life
The Rumanchenank moved with the seasons. They were skilled at farming, hunting, fishing, and trapping animals. They used a method called companion planting to grow their crops. This means they planted different crops together to help each other grow.
River Indians
Many tribes living near the Hudson River were known as the River Indians. This group included the Rumanchenank, Hackensack, Raritan, Wappinger, and Canarsee tribes. Other groups living in the nearby highlands and valley are now known as the Munsee. Sometimes, they are also called the Esopus.
Important Historical Events
The Rumanchenank had early contact with Europeans. In 1609, the explorer Verrazzano and his crew on the ship Half Moon had some trouble with the Haverstraws. This happened when their ship was anchored near Stony Point.
Peace and Land Deals
On March 6, 1660, a leader from the Rumanchenank tribe signed a peace treaty. This treaty was with the settlers in New Amsterdam, which was the capital of the Dutch colony.
Later, between 1666 and 1685, the Haverstraws were involved in several land deals. These deals showed that their territory was in an area that was disputed. This area was part of a long argument over the border between New York and New Jersey. This argument, called the New York-New Jersey Line War, was not fully settled until the 1700s.
Joining the Tappans
In 1664, the English took control from the Dutch. After this, the Rumanchenank people became part of the Tappan tribe.
