Tunxis facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Extinct as a tribe | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Connecticut) |
|
| Languages | |
| an Eastern Algonquian language | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional tribal religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Algonquian peoples |
The Tunxis were a group of Native Americans who lived in what is now Connecticut. They spoke a language called Quiripi. We mostly know about them from their interactions with English settlers who came to New England. The Tunxis were part of a larger group called the Eastern Algonquian-speaking peoples. These groups lived in northeastern North America and shared similar languages and cultures. The Tunxis also shared many traditions with other Native communities in the lower Connecticut River Valley.
Contents
The Tunxis People and Their History
Early Days and Challenges
A New Sickness Arrives
In 1634, English colonists from the Massachusetts Bay Colony began moving into the area. Around the same time, a terrible sickness called smallpox spread through the region. This disease killed many Native Americans, including members of the Tunxis tribe.
Selling Land to Settlers
When the English started settling, the main Tunxis village was on the Farmington River. This river is a bit upstream from where it meets the Connecticut River. In 1640, the Tunxis sold their farming lands to the governor of the Connecticut Colony. He was buying the land for a group of settlers from nearby Hartford. These settlers then created a new town called Farmington.
The Tunxis kept a special area next to the Farmington River. This place became known as "Indian Neck." The sale of their land was confirmed again in 1650.
Living Alongside New Neighbors
Life in the Mid-1600s
In the 1640s, the Tunxis community likely had between 100 and 150 people. Living near the colonists was often difficult. The Tunxis also had many meetings and sometimes small fights with other Native tribes.
Because of these tensions, in 1658, the General Court ordered the Tunxis to move their village. They had to move from the east side of the Farmington River, which was very close to the English settlement. They moved to a higher area on the west side, which became known as "Fort Hill."
Land Agreements and Peace
In 1673, the Tunxis and the Farmington settlers disagreed about the exact borders of the land that had been sold earlier. To fix this, a new agreement was made. This agreement set aside 200 acres of land for the Tunxis. It also confirmed that they still owned the land at Indian Neck.
Perhaps because of this friendly agreement, the Tunxis did not leave their homes during King Philip's War (1675-1676). They also did not join other Native groups in fighting the colonists. In fact, some Tunxis even helped the colonists as scouts during the war. In 1688, the Tunxis showed their friendship by letting a local Englishman suggest who their sachem (leader) should be, and they accepted his choice.
Challenges in the 1700s
Losing More Land
Over time, English colonists started taking over more of the Tunxis land. This led the Tunxis to complain to the Connecticut General Assembly at least twice in the 1700s.
In 1738, they sent a request saying that most of Indian Neck had been taken by non-Native neighbors. However, nothing was done to help them. In 1768, a Tunxis man named James Wauwus, along with others, sent another request. They stated that the English had taken all of Indian Neck.
A group from the government looked into the issue. They found that only a few of the land sales had been properly approved by the government. But then, they suggested that many of the other sales should be recognized anyway. Wauwus and others protested this idea. The General Assembly rejected the report, but it's not clear what happened next.
Moving On
A New Home
As time passed, many Tunxis people became Christian. They also sold parts of their remaining land to pay off debts. More and more European settlers moved into Farmington. The idea of moving away to find more land and be with more people like themselves became appealing.
In 1774, the Tunxis decided to sell their remaining lands. They planned to use the money to move to the Brothertown settlement. This settlement was in the Oneida territory in New York. A few Tunxis families stayed behind in Farmington. In 1785, a man named Samson Occom counted eight Tunxis people still living there. Some members of these families remained in the town until the late 1800s.
