The Pennacook or Pawtucket are an American Indian group who once had villages in the Merrimack River valley in southern and central New Hampshire, northeastern Massachusetts, and southern Maine. The name comes from "penakuk" which means "at the bottom of the hill" in Abenaki.

Their history is broadly similar to that of the Abenaki, with whom they are usually classified. They were forced to leave their lands after 1676 because of interaction with settlers, smallpox and the effect of various wars. They were defeated in 1676 at the end of King Philip's War and those remaining moved to Canada, where they united with the Abenakis at St Francis, Quebec and with the Sokokis at Saint-François-du-Lac.

A large number of the Abenaki Indians living in Vermont and New Hampshire undoubtedly have Pennacook ancestry. [Source: Wikipedia]

Passaconaway

Passaconaway, a name which translates to "Child of the Bear", was a chieftain in the Pennacook tribe.

One of the key native figures in the colonial history of New Hampshire, Passaconaway was born between 1550 and 1570 and died more than 100 years later in 1679, and was revered by both native americans and white settlers. He became chief of the Pennacook near the end of the 16th century, but it is not known whether he became chief by election or heredity.

Legend has it that Passaconaway was a giant, a genius, and possessed magical powers such as making water burn and making the trees dance. Legend has it that he could make dried up leaves turn green and make living snakes out of dead snake skin. Living somewhere near current day Merrimack, New Hampshire, probably near current day Horseshoe Pond, Passaconaway was one of the first native chieftains to lease land to English Settlers in New England. His son Wonalancet was also sachem of the Pennacook.

[Source: Wikipedia]