Niantic, Western

Western Niantic Tribe

Variant Names         

Nehantic, Nayantaquit, the Seaside Indians

Meaning                    

People of the “point of land on a tidal river” (Trumbull, Indian Place Names, 36)

Location

Between the Thames and Connecticut Rivers, mostly at the mouth of the Connecticut River, around Niantic Bay and Niantic River, and in parts of modern East Lyme and Waterford, Connecticut

Language

Algonquin. Y-dialect similar to the Pequot, Mohegan, Narragansett, and Montauk

Traditional Villages

Niantic, Old Lyme, and Oswegatchie

Inter-Tribal Affiliations

Mohegan, Wangunk, Quinnipiac

General Assembly, May Session 1849

The Joint Standing Committee on Sale of Lands to whom was referred the petition of Lureanett Dick and others, Niantic Indians, praying for leave to sell lands, respectfully report that the Petitioners have leave to withdraw.

All which is respectfully submitted and signed per order,                              

D. R. Wright, Chairman

To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut

Thomas, Mercy (1849)

Mercy Thomas was a member of the Wisconsin Brothertown community and a descendant of Anna Sobuck, a Western Niantic.  She was the second wife of Joseph Johnson.  In 1849, Mercy with others unsuccessfully petitioned the Connecticut General Assembly for permission to sell their ancestors' lands in Connecticut.  Love, Samson Occom, 350

Sobuck, Anna, - 1813

Anna Sobuck was a member of the Western Niantic community of East Lyme, Connecticut.  At her death in 1813, she resided in East Haddam, Connecticut.  She left at least one heir, Mercy Thomas Johnson.  Brown and Rose, Black Roots, 389.

An Act Authorizing the Sale of Indian Lands

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened

General Assembly, May Session 1856

The Joint Standing Committee on Sale of Lands to whom was referred the petition of the Niantic Indians of East Lyme for leave to sell certain land belonging to said tribe beg leave to report

That they have had the same under consideration and are of opinion that the prayer thereof ought to be granted and therefore recommend the passage of the accompanying Bill in form.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

Charles R. Ingersoll, Chairman

To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut to be holden at New London in said State on the first Wednesday in May next1