Elnu Abenaki Tribe

Escumbuit (Coming Soon!)

Abenaki Warrior: The Life and Times of Chief Escumbuit by Alfred E. Kayworth

Graylock (c.1670-1750) was a Western Abenaki Missisquoi chief of Woronoco/Pocomtuc ancestry, born near Westfield (MA). Continued English settlement onto Abenaki lands erupted into a new conflict in 1722. While the French, New York colonists, and Iroquois looked on, Abenakis from coastal Maine to Lake Champlain focused raids on the Massachusetts Colony in the conflict known variously as Dummer's War, Three Years War, Lovewell's War, The War with the Eastern Indian or Father Rasle's War. Gray Lock distinguished himself by conducting guerrilla raids into Vermont and western Massachusetts. He consistently eluded his pursuers, and acquired the name Wawanolet (also Wawanolewat, Wawanotewat), meaning "he who fools the others, or puts someone off the track." Eastern Abenaki groups made peace with Massachusetts in 1725 and 1726, and Abenakis from Canada agreed to peace terms in 1727, but Gray Lock refused to. Although it is not clear whether he was ever personally associated with the mountain, perhaps in tribute to his notoriety the mountain came to bear his name."  Excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Greylock

Louis Cook (1737-1814) was chief and warrior of the Seven Nations.  He  was the son of a "coloured man & his mother an Indian woman of the Abaniquis tribe."   He served in the Revolutionary War.  By the time of the War of  1812, he was too old to fight however his name and reputation carried a lot of weight with the Natives.  For more information visit: http://www.wampumchronicles.com/colonellouis.html

Molly Ockette (Abt. 1725-1744 - 1816) was known as an "Indian doctress" in the woods of New England because she healed her neighbors and delievered babies. She was also a talented weaver.

Peter Sabbattis ( Abt. 1751-1859) was more commonly referred to as Captain Peter, earned his title during his service in the Revolutionary War.  He was a well-known hunter and trapper.  Capt. Peter died at the age of 108. 

Mitchel Sabbattis (1823- ?) was a well noted Indian Guide born at St. Francis, who figured intensively into the history of that area.  He was well known for his hunting, survival skills and as well as his knowledge of the forest.  In the days when moose were plentiful, he killed 20 of them.  The last one was hunted in 1854.  Mitchel Sabbattis has been written up in many histories of the Adirondacks.

Frank Longtoe (1871-1949) was "The Masked Marvel,"  a well dressed Pocket Billiards Player, who always wore a mask and was never photographed without his mask.  The masked Marvel accepted all challenges including Ralph Greenleaf.  In 1931, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, features him as "The Best Player in the World," winning 1500 out of 1512 games over a three years period.  The masked marvel was known to keep company with Kid Sheehan. Frank later changed his last name to Lanctan.

Frank "Kid" Sheehan (1885-1952) was a Bantam, weight Prizefighter.  His boxed in 409 bouts from 1900-1925, winning many if not most of his fights in Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, Nova Scotia and Quebec, often accepting matches as a way to visit his Abenaki relatives. 

Robert Tessier (1933-1990) served as a Paratrooper in the Korean War earning a Silver Star and Purple Heart.  Making his film debut in 1967 in movie "Glory Stompers," he was well known throughout his career, as a burly villain with a shaved head and scowl.  Robert Tessier quite often played Native American characters role on both television and Film.   Some of the movies he is remembered for are:  "The Deep,"   "The Last of the Mohegans," "The Times" with Charles Bronson, The "Longest Yard with Burt Reynolds."   He was as talented an Actor as a Stunt Man and even founded a Stunt Troupe.  

Homer St. Francis (? -2001) "was willing to stand up for Abenaki people, land, ancestors, and local recognition at a time when most Vermonters, and many others, refused to acknowledge that the Abenaki even existed. Homer was especially important in forcing his neighbors to recognize the numbers of Abenaki people still living in our traditional, original Abenaki homelands in New England, particularly in Swanton, VT. Many people still mistakenly believe the only remaining Abenakis are those living at the Canadian reserve  called Odanak or St. Francs."  Excerpt from "Remembering Chief Homer St. Francis" By Margaret Bruchac. http://www.dciamerica.com/articles/homerstfrancis.html)

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