Philena, - 1848

While her surname or age are not presently known, Philena was an Eastern Pequot woman who first appears in the documentary record suffering from a mental disability.  Over the course of twenty years, she received boarding and care from a number of people.  It is possible that Philena managed on her own during the times she was not being boarded out, at least earlier in her life.

Betsy Wheeler, a Mashantucket, provided those services during the winter of 1828/1829.  From January 23 to February 13, 1834 and sometime before, it was Jesse Champlin, a Black man from Stonington, Connecticut.  In December 1838, the tribal overseer paid George Ayer for boarding Philena.  From 1840 to 1841, Captain Isaac Williams and his wife Susan boarded Philena for several months, and in the following year they shared that responsibility with Able Main and his wife.  In 1845, George Shirley and his wife took over, with the Williamses returning later in the year. During the winter of 1845 continuing through the early part of 1846, Philena boarded with John Randall and Horace Niles, returning to Shirley's house later that year.  She removes to Colonel Stanton Hewitt's household in 1847.

Philena's last remove was to Benjamin Park, Esq.,'s residence, where he took care of her in her final days.  On April 3, 1848, the tribe paid for her coffin and grave clothes, Jack Randall delivered the coffin, and Park provided assistance in the burial.  After her death, a Black woman billed the overseer for $3.75 for keeping Philena when she was disturbed.