Cooper, Karen Coody. They Have Seized Upon Our Country: The Wangunk of Wethersfield. n.d.
Although Cooper does not specifically discuss the Massacoe, she shares a history of the Connecticut River Valley natives. The author’s most relevant points deal with disease at the time of native-settler contact, and its toll on the native population. Cooper finds her information from letters, journals, reports, etc.
Cooper, Karen Coody. “Connecticut Indians: Early and Now.” The New England Social Studies Bulletin, 1986.
Cooper provides a general history of the settlement of the Connecticut River Valley. Along with providing information on first contact between natives and settlers, Cooper also helps to differentiate between the different tribes. Important historical context is provided that helps understanding the movements happening not far from Simsbury.
Bradshaw, Harold Clayont. The Indians of Connecticut: The Effect of English Colonization and of Missionary Activity on Indian Life in Connecticut. Deep River, CT: New Era Press 1935.
Bradshaw writes extensively of most tribes that could have been found in Connecticut and how English settlement affected them. What is most intriguing in this work is Bradshaw’s estimate on population for the Podunks, Wangunks, and Windsor and Hartford tribes.
Trumbull, James Hammond. Indian Names of Places, etc., in and on the Borders of Connecticut. Hartford, CT: Brown & Gross, 1881
Trumbull provides a lengthy list of native place names used within Connecticut. The author includes place names such as Congamuch, Massaco, Tunxis, Wheataug and several others whose use he claims was by natives of the Farmington Valley.
Huden, John Charles. Indian Place Names of New England. New York, Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, 1962.
In his work, John Huden compiles an extensive list of native place names that he was able to collect within New England. Huden additionally provides English translations or extensive explanations of the terms, along with general modern day location and what tribe most likely used the term. Included in this list are place names, such as Massaco, Manahanoose, Tunxis, Wepansock, Pautonk and many more.
Melgrave, Claudine. Indian Herbal Remedies. 1968.
Melgrave, the editor, provides examples given by natives themselves of plants found in New England that could be used medicinally. The examples provide explanations of what the plant is good for, and how to prepare the plant. Some examples include pine, wild raspberries, maple trees and tobacco.
Lyon, William S. Encyclopedia of Native American Healing. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC CLIO, Inc., 1996.
Lyon’s work gives information about various types of ceremonies, medicines and individuals who had an impact on Native American societies across the United States and Canada. Although Lyon’s work is limited when concerning Connecticut, he does provide some important explanations for certain ceremonies, practices and individuals who played a role in healing.
Carter, W. H. North American Indian Medical Practices and Burial Customs. London: Namind Printers & Publishers, 1973
Carter’s compilation contains explanations of multiple plants and customs. Although the author does not list or explain many plants of customs as very specific to Connecticut, he does give an important explanation on tobacco. Tobacco, despite having been of a different variety, grew since before the time of native-settler contact. The plant became an important to both settlers and natives.
Morgan, Forrest. Connecticut as a Colony and as a State, or One of the Original Thirteen. Hartford, CT: Publishing Society of Connecticut, 1904.
Morgan unfortunately does not mention Simsbury or the Massacoes in his history. What is written about is a general history of Connecticut, with important facts such as native population in Farmington and Connecticut, and the relationship western tribes had with the Iroquois.
Lavin, Lucianne. Connecticut’s Indigenous Peoples: What Archaeology, History, and Oral Traditions teach Us About Their Communities and Cultures. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2013.
Dr. Lavin provides an important source of ancient Native American history based largely on archaeological finds. Although Simsbury is not specifically mentioned, Lavin discusses in length about finds in Farmington, Windsor, South Windsor and other surrounding towns that give clues to what life must have been like for the indigenous peoples over the course of thousands of years up until contact. Specific finds, such as food and tools, suggest what the natives in the Farmington Valley ate, and how the acquisition of complex tools through development and trade led to an evolving lifestyle.