As they labored against swirling currents and the late afternoon tide an area containing a broad plain was visible on the northern shore, excellent grounds for planting, cultivating or grazing. The valley surrounding the river looked fertile and beyond the next bend a fresh stream emptied into the river. Here the historic landing was made. It was an ideal spot of open land near the edge of the river surrounded by tall and stately oaks and pine trees. To the west the river could be viewed almost as far as the eye could see before sweeping broadly in a southwesterly direction. Northward a thick forest guarded the stream up a gradual incline to higher ground. Across the river to the south more forest filled the land with wildlife and birds peculiar to New England. Here at this place on a knoll, the first shelter was built of logs and rough hewn-timber.

The waterway served as a boundary between regional Indian tribes and was called Monomack from the words “mona” an island, and “auke” a place, meaning the island place. Other lore calls it “merruh” and ”auke” meaning place of strong currents. Still others claimed the name was derived from the large presence of sturgeon in the river. Whichever is accurate the Pennacook Tribe occupied these lands for generations and a local village had once resided near the mouth of the Little River tributary. Pestilence had taken its toll and driven any permanent indigenous tribes from the area to the point where no wigwams remained. None-the-less Indians still hunted and fished here and laid claim to the place they called Pentucket, which in the native language meant “at the crooked river.”

The Sachem, Passaconnaway ruled over a confederacy of tribes throughout the region including Agawam, Wamesit, Nashua, Souhegan, Amoskeag, Pennacook, and Winnipesaukee. Legend claimed he possessed magical powers. According to folklore, he could turn dried up leaves to green and make living snakes out of dead snakeskins. One story claimed he visited Plymouth Colony and attempted to use his magic skills to force the English away. Whether fact or fiction there were no major conflicts with the colonists and Passaconnaway took no part in King Phillip’s War.

Wonalancet was a young Pennacook brave and he fished along the banks of the great river and hunted in the nearby meadows. He had traveled the path from Massapaug (Great Pond) to Pentucket many times and considered this tribal land. He must have watched the English encroachment with apprehension and bewilderment. As a nation their numbers had been depleted over the years by small pox and other causes. His father Chief Passaconnaway had chosen peace over war and decreed that they should not to disturb the white settlers. It was a time of uneasy change for the young Pennacook.