Abenaki Timeline

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Last Updated: 10 years

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