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 between 1550 and 1570 and died more than 100 years later in 1679, 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 in Lowell, Massachusetts. He later moved north, possibly to Merrimack, New Hampshire, near present-day Horseshoe Pond. It is suggested he may have died in Maine.
Passaconaway was one of the first native chieftains to lease land to English settlers in New England. His son Wonalancet was also sachem of the Pennacook. He too lived at the Pawtucket Falls, but was later exiled.
A mountain summit in the White Mountains bears Passaconaway's name, as did a village in the Albany Intervale area (as shown on the 1958 and 1931 topographic maps).

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External links

See also

★ Penacook, New Hampshire

★ Wonalancet, New Hampshire

★ Defunct placenames of New Hampshire

External links

★ Bio at "New Hampshire Individuals of Note"