From Holland's 1768 Map (1)
Abenaki couple. 18th-century watercolor by an unknown artist (3)
| Before there was a town of Coventry, there was a vast land of forests, rivers and lakes which was the homeland of the Abenaki people. The Abenaki trace their heritage in this area back for many thousands of years.The surrounding area including Charleston, Barton and especially Lake Memphremagog has a well documented history of Abenaki travel, usage, and settlement. |
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From Holland's 1768 Map (1) |
| The lake was a major transportation link for Native American travelers between the western St. Lawrence river and Champlain valley water systems and the Connecticut river valley in the east. It facilitated trade and cultural contacts between the various tribes as well as with the European settlers. There is historical documentation of white settlers travelling the Black River through Coventry to trade with the Abenekis at Lake Memphremagog.(2) |
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Abenaki couple. 18th-century watercolor by an unknown artist (3) |
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The Black River was known to the natives, who formerly inhabited this part of the country
by the name of Elligo-Sigo Zadock Thompson, A Gazetteer of the State of Vermont |
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References: 1. Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA 2. Gazetteer of Lamoille and Orleans Counties, VT.; 1883-1884, Compiled and Published by Hamilton Child; May 1887, Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers, 1887 3. City of Montreal Records Management and Archives - A Gazetteer of the State of Vermont:, Zadock Thompson, 1824, Montpelier, VT - A History of Barton Vermont, Darlene Young, 1998 Crystal Lake Falls Historical Association, Barton, VT |