The River Indians: Mohicans Making History

Shirley Dunn s new book presents a stirring look at historic events in which the Mohicans (called River Indians) participated: Leaders among the native nations on the Hudson, Mohicans welcomed Henry Hudson, who visited them for 13 days. They initiated the upriver fur trade and continued it for a century. Mohicans were close friends with the Dutch leader, Arent Van Curler, and helped save the farms of Rensselaerswyck. They fought beside English soldiers in wars against Canada from 1690 to 1765, protected Albany from attack from Canada, and enlisted in the Revolution on the American side. Dunn emphasizes the importance of the Mohicans to the history of New York colony and state. Today, many of us live on land from Dutchess County to Lake Champlain that once was theirs.