- Passaconaway
Passaconaway, a name which translates to "Child of the Bear", was a chieftain in the
Pennacook tribe.One of the key native figures in the colonial history of
New Hampshire , Passaconaway was born between1550 and1570 and died more than 100 years later in1679 , and was revered by both Native Americans and white settlers. He became chief of the Pennacook near the end of the 16th century, but it is not known whether he became chief by election or heredity.Legend has it that Passaconaway was a giant, a genius and possessed magical powers such as making water burn and making the trees dance. According to folklore, he could make dried up leaves turn green and make living snakes out of dead snake skin. European history records that Passaconaway lived at the top of the
Pawtucket Falls inLowell, Massachusetts ; a marker was placed there in 1935. He later moved north, possibly toMerrimack, New Hampshire , near present-day Horseshoe Pond. It is suggested he may have died inMaine .Passaconaway was one of the first native chieftains to lease land to English settlers in
New England . His sonWonalancet was alsosachem of the Pennacook. He too lived at the Pawtucket Falls, but was later exiled.The present day
Kancamagus Highway , a scenic route through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, bears the name of Passaconaway's grandson,Kancamagus . The two-lane highway passes the former village of Passaconaway, now a historic site maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. The site, shown as a village ontopographic map s from 1931 and 1958, consists of an antique home used by former homesteaders, a second-growth forest with a trail that leads to a river, and a smallcemetery with unique features. The former settlement is located in the incorporated town ofAlbany, New Hampshire . The public may visit the site, for a small daily fee.A mountain summit in the White Mountains bears Passaconaway's name.
See also
*
Penacook, New Hampshire
*Wonalancet, New Hampshire
*Defunct placenames of New Hampshire External links
* [http://www.quiltersmuse.com/travel_new_hampshire.htm Photos of Passaconaway U.S. Forest Service site]
* [http://www.johnjhenderson.com/Notables/Biographies/passaconaway.htm Bio at "New Hampshire Individuals of Note"]
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