User:Cm363/John Konapot

In 1734, John Konapot made the summation “Since my remembrance, there were ten Indians where there is now one. But the Christians greatly increase and multiply, and spread over the land; let us, therefore, leave our former course and become Christians” (3).  Konapot was observant of the everchanging times, and some believe that he thought that the Christian faith was possibly more powerful than his own. In an effort to save his tribe, and ensure that they would have land to live on, he persuaded his tribe to accept the help of Christian missionaries in exchange for land in Stockbridge, Massachusetts near the Hudson River. This led to the 1735 arrival of Reverend John Sergeant, who helped to establish the missionary town and teach the 8 families the Christian faith (3). The Mohicans were the first recorded tribe to voluntarily adopt a new religion and attempt to live like the Europeans.

By 1738, John Sergeant had established the missionary town which was attracting other small tribes from the area. The Wappingers, the Niantics, Brothertons, Tunxis, Pequot, Mohawk, Narragansetts and Oneidas joined the Mohicans and the group became known as the Stockbridge Indians (7).

The origins of the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe can be traced back to a conglomerate of tribes from the Hudson River valley, New England and the mid-Atlantic regions. The Mohicans were the first tribe to move to Stockbridge following a summation made by John Konapot, a respected leader within the tribe. “Since my remembrance, there were ten Indians where there is now one. But the Christians greatly increase and multiply, and spread over the land; let us, therefore, leave our former course and become Christians” (3). This summation made in 1734 was made to Reverend John Sergeant, at Yale University (3). Following the meeting, Sergeant moved to Stockbridge as a missionary to live among the Mohicans in 1738. The Mohicans were the first recorded tribe to voluntarily adopt a new religion and adopt the lifestyle of Europeans. The early success Sergeant had with the 8 Mohican families(3) attracted other tribes from the region, such as the Wappingers, the Niantics, Brothertons, Tunxis, Pequot, Mohawk, Narragansetts and Oneidas (7).

John Konapot, born Pophnehonawoh, is said to have been born around the year 1690. He was a key figure within his community, and regarded as a forward thinker. Much of the Mohican tribe’s longevity is because of Konapot’s choices and diplomacy with colonists. As part of the deal made to preserve the Mohican tribe, Konapot was granted the first recorded land deed of Berkshire in 1724 (5). Throughout his life, Konapot served as a counselor and negotiated land deals for his people and he served as a Captain in King George’s War of 1744 (5). His time of death is estimated to be between 1744-45, and his cause of death is unknown, but most likely war related.