Wonalancet (sachem) facts for kids

Wonalancet (c.1619—1697) was an important leader, called a sachem or sagamore, of the Pennacook Native American people. He was the son of another famous leader, Passaconaway. Wonalancet's name is also spelled Wannalancet or Wannalancit.

Wonalancet's Early Life and Family

Wonalancet was born around 1619. This was after a terrible sickness had greatly reduced the number of Native American people in New England. He was likely born near Pawtucket Falls, in what is now Lowell, Massachusetts. His father, Passaconaway, was working to bring peace and stability among different Native American groups.

Wonalancet was probably the second son of Passaconaway. His father led the Pennacook group, which was allied with the Pawtucket people. These groups were often attacked by the Micmac people from Maine. Passaconaway became a very important leader, known as a "bashaba" or "chief of chiefs."

While Wonalancet's brothers and sisters married into other important Native American families, it's not clear who Wonalancet married. Evidence suggests his wife came from the Abenaki tribes to the north. Wonalancet loved Wickasauke Island near Pawtucket Falls and often lived there.

Challenges and Diplomacy with English Settlers

In 1637, English settlers attacked the Pequot people. Fearing more conflict, the English tried to arrest Passaconaway. They found Wonalancet instead and arrested him, his wife, and children. Wonalancet escaped, but his family was held until the Pennacook gave up their firearms.

In 1653, a missionary named John Eliot was allowed to create a "praying town" for the Pawtucket and Pennacook people at Wamesit. This is now Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Wonalancet became good friends with Daniel Gookin, an English leader who managed missions. Because of Gookin, we know a lot about Wonalancet and his family.

By 1660, Passaconaway was very old. He gave his leadership of the Pennacook to Wonalancet. Wonalancet continued to work peacefully with the English. In the early 1660s, Wonalancet and his family asked for land between what is now Groton and Nashua. They wanted to create a barrier between English settlements and the Pennacook homeland.

Wickasauke Island was very important to Wonalancet and his people. It had been traded to the English to free an older leader. Wonalancet worked hard to get the island back. He eventually gave up his land grant near Groton to get Wickasauke Island returned.

King Philip's War and Its Impact

In 1674, Wonalancet was baptized. This was a sign that he and his people did not want to take sides in King Philip's War. However, English settlers continued to bother them. In 1675, Wonalancet had to move his people north to Pennacook, which is now Concord, New Hampshire.

An English captain named Mosely followed Wonalancet. Mosely burned the Pennacook village and all their winter food. This left Wonalancet's people to suffer from hunger and cold. Mosely was seen as a hero by the English.

When other Christian Native Americans from Wamesit also had to flee north, their leader, Nobhow, left a note for the English. It said, "We go towards the French, we go where Wanalansit is." Many of these people died on the journey because of the harsh winter. Wonalancet had likely gone to his wife's people, the Abenaki, for safety.

Wonalancet as a Peacemaker

In 1676, Wonalancet returned as an important peacemaker. He gathered northern tribes to show their loyalty to the English. He met with Captain Richard Waldron in Cocheco with 400 leaders. However, Waldron broke their peace agreement and took them all prisoner.

Waldron eventually let Wonalancet and half of his group go free. But 200 of the leaders were enslaved for life and sent to Barbados. This group included Wenepaweekin, Wonalancet's brother-in-law.

In 1677, Wonalancet faced more trouble from English neighbors and their Mohawk allies. He moved north to Pennacook with the last 50 survivors of the Wamesit mission. In 1685, he sold Wickasauke Island. By this time, he had given his leadership to his nephew, Kankamagus.

Kankamagus became a war chief and sought revenge against Captain Waldron for his broken promises. In 1689, Kankamagus and his allies attacked Cocheco. They killed 23 people and captured 29 others, including Waldron's daughter. Waldron himself was killed. This war continued into the 1700s. Kankamagus was eventually forced to sign a peace treaty and moved his people north to the protection of the French.

Wonalancet's Final Years

In 1692, Wonalancet and another old leader, Wattanummon, traveled to Dunstable (now Nashua) to seek peace with the English. Instead, they were immediately arrested. Jonathan Tyng, an English friend, stepped in to help Wonalancet. Tyng took care of Wonalancet in his old age, keeping him under "house arrest" instead of being sent to slavery.

Tyng supported Wonalancet and buried him in 1697. Wonalancet was likely buried on Tyng's land or on Wonalancet's beloved Wickasauke Island. Many of Wonalancet's descendants later moved to the White Mountains and then to French-controlled areas.

The Pennacook and Pawtucket people, led by Passaconaway and Wonalancet, were often peaceful towards the English. However, they faced many betrayals. Wonalancet's story is not one of defeat. His legacy shows how Native American communities found ways to survive against great odds.

Misinformation About Wonalancet

There is a lot of incorrect information about Native American history, including about Passaconaway and Wonalancet. Many old town histories are more like stories than accurate historical accounts. They are often repeated, spreading wrong information.

English writers liked to tell stories about Passaconaway and Wonalancet as "peaceful" chiefs who never fought the English. But the real story of their betrayals, arrests, and enslavement by the English is rarely told. It's also wrong to say that Wonalancet's sister, Bess, foolishly sold land for a small amount of goods. This story ignores the difficult situations Native Americans faced.

Wonalancet's Legacy

The name "Wonalancet" means "Pleasant Breathing." His name is remembered in several places:

• Wonalancet, New Hampshire, a small village in Tamworth
• The Wonalancet River, which flows through the village
• Mount Wonalancet, a mountain in the Sandwich Range, overlooking the village

His name is also used for a mill, a street, a lodge, and some U.S. Navy ships. You can find more details here.