Historic Long Island History and Genealogy
Ancient Long Island HE Indians whom the first white men found dwelling on Long Island belonged to the Mohegan nation, but were split into a dozen tribes. The most numerous and powerful tribe in the westward reaches of the island were the Canarsies, who were also the first Ameri- cans to greet Henry Hudson and his men. The for- mer tells us in his journal that when he came to anchor in Gravesend Bay on the 4th of September, 1609, the Canarsies hastened to board his vessel and give him welcome. They were clad in deer-skins, and brought with them green tobacco, which they exchanged for knives and beads. Hudson further records that when they visited him on the second day some wore "mantles of feathers," and others "divers sorts of good furs"; and he adds that they had great store of maize or Indian corn, "whereof they make good bread," and currant's, some of which, dried, his men brought to him from the land, and which, he says, were "sweet and good." A party from Hudson's ship landed on the second day in what is now the town of Gravesend, where they found "great store of men, women and children," dwelling in a country full of tall oaks. he lands were as pleasant with grass, and flowers, and goodly trees as ever they had seen, and very sweet smells came from them." But another landing on the third day of some of Hudson's crew had tragic issue. John Colman, an Englishman, in some manner gave mortal offense to the Indians, and in the fight that followed he was killed by an arrow shot in the throat, while two of his comrades were wounded.
[Show full text]