The Abenaki were a woodland hunter/ farmer confederacy who’s tradition states that they migrated from the Southwest. They ranged throughout southwestern Maine into Vermont and New Hampshire. Early contact was with the British, but the tribe was missionized and allied with the French. They ranged throughout southwestern Maine into Vermont and New Hampshire. Early contact was with the British, but the tribe was missionized and allied with the French.
A large Abenaki Confederation was formed as early as 1679 as a military organization resulting in the tribe participating in numerous conflicts on both the side of the French and British and suffering great losses over the years. The only recognized Abenaki reside in Quebec though most of the tribe live in Vermont.
A large Abenaki Confedereation was formed as early as 1679 as a military organization resulting in the tribe participating in numerous conflicts on both sides of the French and British wars and suffering great losses over the years.
The only recognized Abenaki tribe resides in Quebec, Canada though most of the tribe live in Vermont state in the United States today.
| Year | History |
| 1497 | European fishing boats soon began fishing at Grand Bank off of the coast of Maine soon after the visit of Sebastian Cabot |
| 1524 | Giovanni da Verrazano also explored the area |
| 1607 | Unsuccessful attempt by the Plymouth Company to establish a colony on the Kennebec River |
| 1614 | Captain James Smith met Abenaki when he explored and mapped the coast of northern New England |
| 1616 | Epidemic |
| 1619 | Epidemic (75% depopulation over two epidemics) |
| 1628 | Mohawk attacked Western Abenaki |
| 1633 | Smallpox epidemic |
| 1637 | Abenaki received first firearms |
| 1646 | Beginning of French trading missions to the Abenaki |
| 1647 | Eastern Abenaki attacked by Mohawk |
| 1650 | Mohawk once again began attacking Western Abenaki and other Algonquian tribes |
| 1675 | Few Abenaki participated in King Philip’s War |
| 1676 | Many Abenaki retreated to Quebec |
| 1679 | Abenaki returned to Maine |
| 1688 | Outbreak of war between Britain and France; Abenaki turned on New England colonists |
| 1699 | Abenaki promised to remain neutral by treaty |
| 1701 | Queen Ann’s War; Abenaki raids resumed |
| 1726 | War in Maine ended with defeat of Eastern Abenaki and a peace treaty; Canadian Abenaki at Wolinak and St. Francois to agreed to peace with New England |
| 1727 | Grey Lock was absent from the treaty signed at Montreal but a long peace soon ensued |
| 1730 | Smallpox epidemic forced the abandonment of Missisquoi |
| 1731 | Missisquoi reoccupied |
| 1744 | King George’s War (1744-48) between Britain and France, peace ended, Abenaki and Sokoki supported the French, the Cowasuck and Eastern Abenaki removed toward Canada, a few St. Francois and Pigwacket found refuge near Boston with the English |
| 1746 | At least 35 Abenaki and Sokoki war parties attacked the frontier |
| 1748 | Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle; complete peace took two or more years |
| 1750 | Pigwacket disappear from record |
| 1754 | The murder of two of Abenaki hunters by New Englanders brought retaliatory raids against the New England |
| 1755 | French and Indian War (1755-63) |
| 1757 | Abenaki and Sokoki warriors participated in Montcalm’s campaign in northern New York |
| 1759 | Rangers commanded by Major Robert Rogers attacked and burned St. Francois, 30 probably killed though 200 claimed |
| 1761 | Abenaki scattered in small groups as settlers claimed their land |
| 1776 | St. Francois were divided but some helped the Americans attack Boston and provided guides for Benedict Arnold’s failed expedition against Quebec |
| 1781 | Some Abenaki served with the British and raided Maine’s Androscoggin Valley |
| 1812 | War of 1812, last conflict participated in by the Abenaki on British side |