Incidents of Violence
Cochecho Massacre (Pennacook)
Town line between Dover and Durham, New Hampshire
The Cochecho Massacre is an infamous time in the
past of the Penacook tribe that led to the death of many, but it was not the Penacook that suffered. June 27th was the day of the
Cochecho Massacre, which was something that Chief Kancamagus was glad to see
take place. This was a raid perpetrated
by the Penacooks on the people of Dover.
The way this massacre was carried out was similar to the way the Trojans
used the Trojan Horse to defeat the Greeks.
Garrison houses had been set up recently, because of the increasing
tensions between the European Settlers and the Penacooks. Some of the Penacook women on this day sought
shelter at these garrison houses, which was common during a time of peace, so
they were allowed shelter and were shown how to enter and exit the garrison
houses. That night while the people of Dover slept the Penacook women who were in these garrison houses opened up the doors and let in Penacook warriors who then began their attack. The occupants of these garrison houses were killed and some of the women and children were taken and brought to Canada. The garrison houses were then burned down, or attempted to be burned down by the Penacooks, and the violence spilled into surrounding areas. To learn more about the Cochecho Massacre follow the link that appears below.
Oyster River Massacre (Abenaki)
Plaque in Durham, New Hampshire to remember the massacre
The Abenaki were involved in a massacre that was similar to the Cochecho Massacre, because both are violent attacks carried out by the Native Americans on the European Settlers. The Oyster River Massacre took place in the present day town of Durham, New Hampshire which like Dover is located in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire. The attack took place on the morning of July 18th, 1864. The attacking party consisted of 250 Abenaki warriors who were able kill or capture 94, destroyed 13 houses and captured 3 Garrisons. To find more information click the link below.