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Native Americans heading
bow and arrows
Not much is known about the Native Americans of the area. Most had died as a result of disease and famine prior to the Europeans' arrival. Those that survived were later associated with the Penacook or Pawtucket Tribes. The Chief was Passaconnaway, a firm friend of the settlers.

Later, as more land was taken by the settlers, the relationship between the Native Americans and the settlers broke down. The Chief never disturbed the settlers, but his son, Wonolancet, made war on them until 1669. Even in 1722, what is now Andover, was still repairing blockhouses houses protecting the fields in Shawsheen (South Lawrence) from raids.

The falls and the shores of the Spicket and Merrimack RiversRivers were favorite fishing places. The riversrivers swarmed with salmon, which they used for food and fertilizing corn.

The Native Americans used Tower Hill as a signal station to send messages by smoke in war time.

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