Waramaug

Waramaug, alternatively spelled Wehanonaug, was a sachem of the Potatuck Native American tribe, folded into the current Schaghticoke tribe, who lived along the length of the Housatonic River, until his death in 1735.^[1] He succeeded Squantz in 1725, and in turn was succeeded as sachemship of the Potatuck after his death by one of Chief Squantz's sons, Mauwehu.

Chief Waramaug depicted on a postcard created for the 1907 New Milford Bicentennial

According to Tomaino citing Smith, he ruled in a time when the Wepawaugs, Pequannocks, Paugassetts, and Pootatucks were reblending into a single tribe.^[1][2]

According to Tomaino citing Orcutt, "That Waramaug was 'the most potent prince of that or any other day in this colony,' is probably a very correct judgment, and would have been demonstrated had there been any occasion for Indian Wars, since he could have called into the field all the warriors of Western Connecticut."^[1][3]

Legacy

A monument to Waramaug was erected after his death in 1735, near the gorge to the northeast of Falls Mountain.^[1][3]

Lake Waramaug is named after him. Lake Lillinonah is named for his daughter.^[4]

Further reading

• Epstein, Ruth (September 26, 1982). "Yale student researching Schaghticoke tribe history". The News-Times (Danbury).
• Giddings, Allie Hungerford (1978). A History of Sherman. Sherman, Connecticut: Sherman Historical Society.
• Raacke, Peg (April 28, 1977). "Town History: Housatonic Valley Indians". Citizen News (New Fairfield).
• Silverberg, J. (June 1979). The History of Squantz Pond State Park, New Fairfield, CT. New Fairfield, Connecticut: manuscript from New Fairfield Free Public Library.
• Simon, Irving B. (1975). Our Town: The History of New Fairfield. New Fairfield, Connecticut: New Fairfield Bicentennial Commission. p. 5.