American Indian Place Names In Rhode Island, Page 5

[41] Huden mentions another source indicating Namquit as a possible contraction for Quinnemquit ("high spring").

[42] See Sonanoxet.

[43] Probably "Nanaquaket" Pond, Neck and Road in Tiverton, RI.

[44] Now called Goat Island.

[45] Many variant spellings exist for this place name and tribal name; for sample of historical spellings, see Trigger (1978, pp. 160-178), LaFantasie (1988) and Bartlett (RI Col. Records, Vol I). A capsule summary of Narragansett Tribe is from Swanton (1952):

The Narragansett occupied the greater part of Rhode Island west of Narragansett Bay, between Providence and Pawcatuck Rivers. At one time they dominated the Coweset (see Nipmuc) north of them and the Eastern Niantic, and they drove the Wampanoag from the island which gives its name to the State of Rhode Island and the Pequot from some territory they held in the west.

[46] Narragansett Bay extends N[orth]. 28 miles into the State of Rhode Island. Its climate is mild, as compared with the rest of New England; and it has many attractions in its numerous shore resorts, valuable fisheries, and points of historical interest. It receives the Providence, Pawtuxet, Warren, Taunton, and Apponaug Rivers; the last two through their estuaries, Mount Hope Bay and Greenwich, or Cowesett, Bay. The islands of Rhode Island [Aquidneck Island, commonly] and Canonicut [Jamestown] divide it at its mouth; forming three passages for vessels, known as the E[ast]., W[est]., and Middle Passages. The E[ast]. passage is also called Seaconnet [Sakonnet] River. ["King's Pocket-book of Providence, R.I." Moses King, Cambridge, Mass., 1882 Tibbitts, Shaw & Co., Providence, RI]

[47] Here is an abbreviated listing (summarized from Brinley, 1900) of the names of some 17^th century Narragansett Sachems [Chiefs] (prior to King Philip's war, 1675-1676) seen in the records of the early English; not all variant spellings are given:

The first Narragansett sachem encountered by the English in the 1600s was Tashtassuck.
Canonicus [1565-1647], the eldest of four sons of Tashtassuck, was the first Grand Sachem of the Narragansetts appearing prominently in the original records of the Colonists.
Maxanno, the son of Canonicus, married Quaiapen, Ninegret's sister. Ninegret was the sachem of the Niantics, or the Westerly Tribe, and since the division of that town, now the Charlestown Tribe.
Mecksa, son of Canonicus, married Mattantuck ("The Old Queen" alias "Magnus") and together had sons Scuttop and Quequaquenuit (alias Gideon)
Mascus was a brother of Canonicus.
Canonicus had a sister (name?) who had a son Niniclad (and same-named son) and daughter Quinemique (Quineque)
Miantenomi (or Miantomy or Miantonomi &c) was nephew of Canonicus and son of his brother Mascus. Other nephews of Canonicus were Cussucquunsh (alias Pessicus and Maussup or Mosep) and Cajanaquond. Quonepin was the son of Cajanaquond. Pessecus [Pessicus], the brother of Miantenomi, was admitted sachem with Canonicus. He was put to death by the Mohawks, in 1676. In the war between the Narragansetts and Mohegans, in 1643, Miantenomi was captured by Uncas, the sachem of the Mohegans, and executed.
Canonchet, the son of Miantenomi, was the last sachem of the race up to 1676, the year native peoples were "conquered". He commanded the Indians at the Great Swamp Fight, in 1675. [He was executed by the English.]

See Bartlett's RI Colonial Records (especially Vols. I through III) for other personages.

[48] Also Pond in Crompton & East Greenwich, and Hill & Post Office in Crompton

[49] Rider (p. 207) lists many variant spellings (about 65).

[50] Known more commonly as "Hill".

[51] Tribal groups (Eastern & Western Niantic) in southwestern RI in Charlestown and Westerly. For other spellings see Trigger (1978), p. 174. Swanton’s summary:

The Eastern and the Western Niantic were parts of one original tribe split in two perhaps by the Pequot; the nearest relatives of both were probably the Narragansett.

[52] A tribe in northwestern corner of RI and into Connecticut whose name has been spelled variously Nopnats, Nipnots, Neepnucks, Neepmoogs, Neepmucks, Nipnets, etc. Swanton’s summary:

The Nipmuc occupied the central plateau of Massachusetts, particularly the southern part of Worcester County, but they extended into northern Rhode Island and Connecticut.

[53] Ancient name for Woonsocket, RI.

[54] See LaFantasie, Glenn W. (1988).

[55] Parsons (1861) believes this name is from Quacut.

[56] Many historic spelling variants.

[57] Does not mean "whiskey pond" at some suppose.

Name	Historical & Geographical Information	Translation
Naaomuck	Neck, Washington County	Narrows fishing place
Nachick	Hill, Kent County, Warwick	My house
Naddock	See Natick
Nahantic, Nahantick	See Niantic	At the point?
Nahett	Peninsula or Point, Bristol County, Barrington/Warren	At the point
Nahigansett	River (Westerly) & Bay (Narragansett Bay)	See Narragansett
Nahigonset, Nahigonsett	Island, Washington County	At the small point
Namacoke	See Namcook
Namaock	See Namcook
Namcock	See Namcook
Namcook	NECK, or Namacoke or Noomuck. It signifies bank in Indian. The English name is Boston neck. It extends from Anaquatucket south to Potter's factory, in North and South Kingstown.	At the fishing place
Namcutt	See Nonquit
Namecock	See Namcook
Namecockeneke	See Namcook
Nameoke	See Namcook
Namkook	See Namcook
Namococke	See Namcook
Nampsic	Pond, Providence County, North Smithfield	Fishing place
Namquit [41]	Point, Warwick (historic)	See Nonequit
Namquoxet	Shore, Providence County, Wickford	At the little beach; at the small fishing stand
Namyak	TRACT, or Namyake, on the west side of Pawcatuck. It was the country of the Pequots. Cassasiminum, or mon, was appointed Governor by the Commissioners, 1655.	Fishing place
Namyake	See Namyak
Nanaquonset	Island (Fox Is.[42]), Narragansett Bay	Above the confluence of two streams?; narrow strait or long beach; long dry shore?
Nanequoxet	See Nanaquonset
Nanhiganset, Nanhigansett	See Narragansett
Nanhiggonsick	See Narragansett
Nanhygansett	See Narragansett
Nanigonset	See Narragansett
Nanipsic	See Nampsic
Naniquoxet	See Nanaquonset
Nannaquaket	Point, Neck & Hill, Tiverton	See Nanquacket
Nannaquokset, Nannaquoksett	See Nonequasset
Nannequaket	See Quacut or Nonequasset
Nannihiggonisk	See Narragansett
Nanquacket [43]	POND or COVE, within a mile of the Stone bridge, Tiverton. Sold for Israel angell's soldiers, for revolutionary services.	Swamp dries up
Nanquit	See Nonquit
Nantiganset	BAY, at the termination of Pawcatuck river, and bounded on the S. W. side by Tower Hill. It is the same as Narragansett, BAY. The name is derived from an island west of Wakefield, between Pettaquamscot and Misquamacook. "The original meaning of the word unknown," says [Roger] Williams.	At the small point; at the place where the river is no longer narrow (see Narragansett)
Nantusinunk [44]	ISLAND, called also Nomsusmuck. It is Goat Island in Newport Harbor [in Narragansett Bay], less than a quarter of a mile from the end of Long wharf.	Narrow ford or strait
Nantusunuk	See Nantusiunk
Nantuzenunk	See Nantusiunk
Naomcuck	See Namcook
Naomuck	See Namcook
Napatree	Beach & Point, Mystic & Watch Hill	Indian name?
Nariganset	See Narragansett
Narraganset [45], Narragansett	Tribe, Indian Reservation & Church, [Hotel, formerly], Beach, Lake, Bay, Electric Co., Ferry, School & many other references throughout State and region	At the small narrow point
Narragansett	Bay [46]
Narragansett	Tribe [47]
Nasauket	Kent County, Warwick	At the neck of land; land between rivers
Nashanticut	TRACT, Cranston, about the present place of the Friends' Meeting house.	See Mashanticut
Nassawket	SHORE, from Apponaug to Warwick neck, Green's point and Buttonwoods occupy a part of it.	See Nasauket
Natakonkanet	See Neutaconcanut
Natchick	See Nachick
Natick	FALLS and VILLAGE [48], or Natchick, HILL, S. W. of Providence, 8 miles [in East Greenwich]	My land, home, my house; the place I seek?
Nauquit	See Nonquit
Nausaucat	See Nausauket
Nausauket	Village, Kent County. East Greenwich	At the second outlet; between outlets
Nayanticut	See Nianticut
Nayatt	POINT [& other places], in Barrington, eight miles south of Providence [in Bristol] ; has a lighthouse.	At the point
Nayhantic	See Niantic
Nayot, Nayott	See Nayatt
Neantick	See Niantic
Neanticoet	See Nianticut
Neanticot	See Nianticut
Neastoquaheaganuck, Neastoquaheagannuck	See Easterig
Neataconcanitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neataconconitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neataconkonitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neautoconconet	See Neutaconcanut
Nedconconit	See Neutaconcanut
Neekequaw	See Neekequawsee
Neekequawsee, Nekeequoweese	POND, probably Quonaquontaug, in Charlestown; also called Narragansett pond. [see Pespataug as alternative name of pond, according to Trumbull, 1881]	My home place, house; double pond?
Neequoweere	See Neekequawsee
Neetmock	River, Kent County	Fresh water place
Nekeequoweewe	See Neekequawsee
Nennecraft	See Ninecraft
Neotaconckanett	See Neutaconcanut
Neotaconckett	See Neutaconcanut
Neotaconckonett	See Neutaconcanut
Neotaconconitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neotaconkanett	See Neutaconcanut
Neotaconkenitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neotaconkinitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neotaconkitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neotaconquonitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neotakonconitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neotakonconitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neotakonkanitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neotakonkonitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neoterconkenitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neoterkernitt	See Neutaconcanut
Neotoconenutt	See Neutaconcanut
Neshunganes	See Neshunganset
Neshunganset	BROOK. [See Potter, page 65.] Near the junction of Ashawake with Pawcatuck river [in Hopkinton].	In the middle of the fishing place
Nesquaheague	See Easterig
Netaconkitt	See Neutaconcanut
Netmocke	See Nipmuck
Netop		My friend
Neudaconkonet	See Neutaconcanut
Neusneck	See Nooseneck
Neutaconanut	See Neutaconcanut
Neutaconcanut [49]	MOUNTAIN [50] [& Hill, Park], two or three miles S. W. from Providence. A river or brook near its base has the same name, near which is Antaghantic neck.	At the short (scant) boundary mark
Neutaconenutt	See Neutaconcanut
Neutaconkanut	See Neutaconcanut
Neutaconkanut	See Neutaconcanut
Neutaqunkanet	See Neutaconcanut
Neutoconenutt	See Neutaconcanut
Neutoconkenett	See Neutaconcanut
Newdaconanet	See Neutaconcanut
Newdaconkett	See Neutaconcanut
Newdaconkonett	See Neutaconcanut
Newtaconconut	See Neutaconcanut
Newtakonkanut	See Neutaconcanut
Newtaquenkanet	See Neutaconcanut
Newtaqunkanit	See Neutaconcanut
Newteconcanitt	See Neutaconcanut
Niantic [51]	Washington County, Point Judith	Point of land at the tidal estuary
Niantick	See Niantic
Nianticot	See Niantic
Nianticut	or Neanticot, or Nyantic, COUNTRY of Ninigret, bounded by Wecapaug brook on the west [in Point Judith].	At the tidal creek (or estuary) near the point
Ninecraft	Narragansett Sachem or Chief
Niniclad	Narragansett Sachem or Chief	See Narragansett Tribe
Ninigrat	See Ninigret
Ninigret	Park, Inn , Pond, Statue in Charlestown, Beach in Carolina, Wildlife Refuge in Quonochontaug and Watch Hill	A Sachem of Niantic tribe
Ninigrett	See Ninigret
Nipchoosuck	See Nippsatchuck
Nipmuc	River, Chepatchet and Hill, Coventry	See Nipmuck
Nipmuck	HILL, a ledge a few miles N.W. of Washington village.	See alternative entry
Nipmuck [52]	COUNTRY, from Blackstone river westwardly, to the Connecticut, including north part of Smithfield and Burrillville, and probably Douglas and Thompson, but the chief headquarters was at Oxford.	Fresh water place; Fresh water fishing- place
Nippsatchuck	HILL, or Sachuck N. E. two miles from Greenville, in [North] Smithfield, probably Wolf's hill.	Water near the hill
Nipsachet	SWAMP, joins the S. E. corner of Burrillville.	See Nippsatchuck?
Nipsachook	See Nippsatchuck
Nipsachuck	Hill and Swamp, Georgiaville	See Nippsatchuck
Nisquitianxet	See Nisquitianxet
Nisquitianxet, Nisquitianxset	TRACT, east side of Misquamicut [in Westerly], and extending into Charlestown; bounded southerly by the sea, westerly by Wecapaug and Misquamacut, easterly by land bought by Smith and called Seepooke, and northerly by Machaquamaganset and Bapetaushat, a tract sold to William Vaughan, of Newport.	Defiled or unclean place?
Niswosaket	See Niswosakit
Niswosakit [53]	TRACT, near Greenville, in Smithfield. [See page 163, Potter. Roger Williams's letter [54].]	Water broken up as it goes rapidly downward; two brooks place?
Niswosket	See Niswosakit
Noadaconqunat	See Neutaconcanut
Nockum	Hill, East Providence	Land can be seen far off; sandy?
Nomquid	Cove	See Nonequit
Nomsusmuck	Goat Island, Narragansett Bay	White beach place; infertile mud?; place of little heaps? (See Nantusiunk)
Nomsussmuc	See Nomsusmuck
Nonequacket	or quasset, SHORE, same as Homoganset. The shore between Sowanoxet, or Fox Island, and Wickford and Anaquatucket river.	Dry land place (shore)
Nonequasset	Washington County	Narrow swamp place?; above confluence of two rivers (see Nanaquonset)
Nonequit	or Namquit, POND, near Tiverton Four Corners & Newport.	Dry land (see Nonquit)
Nonequoxet	See Nanaquonset
Nonganeck	See Nonequit
Nonnequaket	See Quacut
Nonnequid	See Nonequit
Nonniquatuc [55]	See Nonequit
Nonquamquit	See Nonequit
Nonquid	See Nonequit & Nonquit
Nonquit	or quamquit Cove or NECK [& Pond, Dam and School], south of Stone bridge, in Tiverton, and half-way to Seaconnet, and adjacent to the late Judge Durfee's residence, one mile south of four corners.	Fishing place
Nonquit	POINT, or Namquit, Gaspee point, or near it. [Judge Staples, page 229.]	See Nonequit
Noomuck	See Namcook
Nooseneck	Hill and Post Office, Kent County, Hope Valley and River, Slocum	Beaver place/pond
Noosup neck	See Nooseneck
Nootas	See Nootash
Nootash	Hill, Newport County, Tiverton	Carry loads on your back (i.e., baskets)
Noozapoge	See Nooseneck
Notacomanet	See Neutaconcanut
Notaconckanet	See Neutaconcanut
Notaconeanit	See Neutaconcanut
Notaconkonott	See Neutaconcanut
Notacunckanet	See Neutaconcanut
Notakonanit	See Neutaconcanut
Notakunkanet	See Neutaconcanut
Notakunkanit	See Neutaconcanut
Notakunkanut	See Neutaconcanut
Notaquoncanot	See Neutaconcanut
Notaquoncanutt	See Neutaconcanut
Notaquonckanet	See Neutaconcanut
Notaquonckanet	See Neutaconcanut
Noteconkenett	See Neutaconcanut
Notoconkanet	See Neutaconcanut
Notoconkenett	See Neutaconcanut
Notquonckanet	See Neutaconcanut
Nowesit	NECK, formed by Kickamuit, on the west side, and Montop or Mount Hope, on the east.	Little middle place
Nowpaug	TRACT, joined the latter. [See page 64.] Cashawasset was, at the same time, appointed Governor of the Pequots, at Pawcatuck and Wecapaug.	Dry pond ?;Beaver pond?
Nudaconanet	See Neutaconcanut
Nudaconanett	See Neutaconcanut
Nudaconanit	See Neutaconcanut
Nudaconganat	See Neutaconcanut
Nudaconganet	See Neutaconcanut
Nudaconkenett	See Neutaconcanut
Nukkekummees	Newport County, Little Compton	Sought for place; desired home; small shelter?
Nummastaquyt	See Nunnaquahgat
Nunnaquahgat	Neck, Newport County	Dry meadow
Nutaconquenitt	See Neutaconcanut
Nutconkenut	See Neutaconcanut
Nuteconkenett	See Neutaconcanut
Nyantaquit	See Nianticut
Nyantecutt	See Nianticut
Nyantic	See Nianticut
Nyatt	Hall, Bristol	See Nayatt

Name	Historical & Geographical Information	Translation
Occupaspawtuet	Cove, Washington County (see Occupasspatucket)	Near the cove on the shallow tidal creek
Occupaspawtuxet	See Occupasspatucket
Occupasspatucket	COVE or uxet, near Gov. Francis's Warwick. It is printed in Walling's map, "Occu Pas Pawtuxet Cove."	Near the cove on the shallow tidal creek
Occupasstuxet	Road, Kent County, East Greenwich	Small cove on tidal creek; cove on small tidal creek
Occupassuatuxet	See Copassanatuxet
Occupessatuxet	Cove, East Greenwich	See Occupessuatuxet
Occupessuatuxet	Kent County, Warwick	Small cove on tidewater
Occupesuatutuxit	See Occupasspatucket
Ohasset	See Pocasset
Ohomauke	See Ohomawauke
Ohomawauke	SWAMP, or Cappacommuck, place of concealment, near Owlshead [in Charlestown]	At the abode of owls; place of refuge or concealment
Ok-wa-nesset	Camp, Kent County, East Greenwich	At the small island?
Oosamequen	See Osamequin
Opponauge	See Apponaug
Opponegansett	See Ponaganset
Opponenaubock	See Apponaug
Opponenauhock	See Apponaug
Opuitowaxet	Washington County, Wickford	Fording place at the end of the portage; ford at the wading place
Orkatucket	See Anaquatucket
Osamekin	See Osamequin
Osamequin [56]	Nature Trails & Bird Sanctuary, East Providence	Yellow Feather, Indian name of the Massasoit, the Grand Sachem of the Wampanoag Nation
Osquepaug [57]	River, Washington County, Kingston	At the end of the pond (see Usquepaug)
Ossamequin	See Osamequin
Ossapimsuck	See Assapumsik
Ossapmsuck	See Assapumsic
Ossopimsuck	See Assapumsik
Ouchamanunkanet	MEADOW. S. W. from Pawtuxet, and near it.	Cultivated plantation at the halfway place
Ousa Mequin	See Osamequin
Ousamequen	See Osamequin
Ousamequin	See Osamequin
Owsamequin	See Osamequin
Owsamequine	See Osamequin