The name Connecticut comes from an Indian word Quinnehtukqut which means “long tidal river”. Originally, there were many small Native American tribes in Connecticut such as the Mohegan, Niantic, Pequot, Nipmuc, Mattabesic, Paugusett, Schaghticoke, and many others. They spoke related languages and had similar cultures but they had their own territory and leadership. However, European warfare and epidemics destroyed the Connecticut tribes. The survivors merged with each other for survival and soon there were no clear distinctions between each tribe. Today, Native Americans in Connecticut have a legacy from their original tribes no matter what tribe they originally belonged. Their languages were lost but Native Indians continue to maintain and protect their cultural heritage today.
The Early Native Americans in Connecticut
History of Connecticut
Before the arrival of the first settlers to Connecticut, Robins lived there together with the Native American tribes. They hunt in the woodlands and fish in the streams. They made trails permit them to go between communities to trade. The Native Americans in Connecticut gave the Connecticut its name and were commonly used since the early 1600s.
The first Europeans who landed on Connecticut shores were the Dutch traders who sailed to Connecticut River on 1614 and landed close to Hartford. In 1633, they purchased land from the Pequot tribe to make a permanent settlement. The next year, many English settlers from Massachusetts explored the Connecticut Valley area. English settlers were impressed by the beauty of the place and decided to settle. They planted their first crop in the township of Wethersfield.
The English settlers gave the name “Robin” to the natives of the place because of their red breasts which reminded them of “Robin Redbreast”, a character in their stories, songs, and poems.
In 1636, the Reverend Thomas Hooker, one of the famous early settlers in Connecticut, traveled from Massachusetts with his group of colonists. They established Hartford town which became a center of trade and government. Most settlers acquired land along Connecticut River and each year, new villages and settlements were developed.
In 1637, the conflict started between the settlers and the tribe of Pequot Indians. The Pequots wanted to get their land that they acquired from the Mohegans. In the same year, Capt. John Mason headed the colonists and they succeeded against the Pequots.
The colonists created a plan for a new type of government that they wanted. Roger Ludlow, John Haynes, and Thomas Hooker created a document which was known as the first written constitution. This document indicated the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. Historians said that it was the basis of the U.S. Constitution. Freeman, Windsor, and Wethersfield adopted the document in 1639, the same time when John Haynes was chosen as the first governor.
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