There are times in life when love interrupted results in nothing but a sad and tragic conclusion. Carefree days of early romance where there is nothing but years of wedded bliss and anticipation of a long life together. Sometimes this is indeed the case, but there are times when love is not allowed to flourish and grow naturally.
It was over three centuries ago that we find a child born in our very own town, she was born to the loved and respected Sagamore, chief of the Penacook Native Americans, Passaconaway. This beautiful baby girl was born and quickly named Wanuchus, allegedly meaning “sweet heart” in the Wampanoag language. Young Wanuchus spent her early years in the area now known as Concord.
She played with the other young children of the Penacook along the sandy shores of the Merrimack River. She was very loved and cherished by her parents and constantly looked over and protected by her brave father Passaconaway. As the years progress, we find Wanuchus growing into a beautiful young lady much respected by her peers for her beauty and stature among the Penacook Native Americans.
In due time a decision was made by the elders regarding the future for this young woman. Word spread across the north that the daughter of Passaconaway would marry and suitors soon arrived in anticipation of a courtship.
A visiting Sagamore named Montowampate from a settlement between Nahant and Cape Ann arrived at the settlement in Concord and met with Chief Passaconaway and his daughter. Montowampate spent time with Wanuchus and a mutual love developed soon, followed by Montowampate asking Passaconaway for permission to marry his daughter. A festive marriage followed quickly and concluded with the departure of Wanuchus and Montowampate, destined to return back to the area where Montowampate resided.
Her story was passed down, with some embellishment, in the poem “The Bridal of Penacook” by John Whittier, who changed her name to Weetamoo and her husband’s to Winnepurkit. His verses say that the courtship ended and they settled into a new routine as established husband and wife.
Days passed, then months and years.
Wanuchus missed her family along the banks of the Merrimack River and spoke to her husband about returning to see her mother and father soon. Montowampate held compassion within his heart and wanted to support his loving wife. He supported her decision to return advising Passaconaway via a messenger that his wife would return to spend time with her parents soon. He further advised that Wanuchus would not travel alone, she would be escorted by a guide to provide her safe return to the village in Concord. Passaconaway was very pleased with his son-in-law’s message and appreciated the concern for the safety of his daughter.
Upon arriving at Concord safely, Wanuchus settled with her parents as the guide returned to Montowampate.
A celebration was held and festivities were enjoyed with old friends. Wanuchus was very pleased to visit with her parents and anticipated wintering in Concord with plans to return to her husband when the warmth of spring arrived.
Absence truly does make the heart grow even fonder for Wanuchus told her parents that she dearly missed her husband and wished to return to him soon. Passaconaway sent a messenger advising his son-in-law that his wife wished to return to him soon, please have your trusted guide return to escort her back to your home.
After a period of days, a lone messenger arrived, it was not the trusted guide that had once escorted Wanuchus to Concord, simply a messenger with a message from Montowampate to Passaconaway. The message informed Passaconnaway that his son-in-law felt the escort should be provided by the Penacook Native Americans not from Montowampate and his people.
Passaconnaway was deeply insulted and immediately sent the messenger back to Montowampate telling him of his great disappointment, stating further that his daughter would not be provided an escort by his people, the escort must be provided by her husband, Montowampate.
More messengers were sent back and forth through the forest in the coming weeks without common ground being found.
Whittier’s poem continues that as the cold New Hampshire winter continued, Wanuchus grew concerned and missed her loving husband desperately. She was angered by the stubbornness between her father and her husband and soon developed her own plans to depart, escort or no escort.
As the sun set Wanuchus packed her supplies and walked to the icy shore of the Merrimack River. She found a bark canoe nearby and loaded her few belongings for the trip that would send her south and back to the husband she loved. Before Passaconnaway realized his daughter was missing she vanished into the cold river traveling south with the current. She passed quickly into the darkness of the forest riding the strong current. Passaconnaway sent some of his men to search throughout the day but no sign of his beloved daughter was found. A messenger was sent to Montowampate advising him that his wife was traveling back to him without her escort.
Wanuchus never arrived, according to the verses of Whittier, and men were again dispatched by both Passaconnaway and Montowampate to search for the wife and daughter that they so missed. It was the stubbornness of the two men that loved Wanuchus the most that resulted in her demise.
Within a week a hunter in the forest reported to Passaconnaway that he found the empty and broken bark canoe that Wanuchus navigated the Merrimack River in. The canoe had crashed on the rocks at Amoskeag and been damaged heavily.
Yes, this great love between Wanuchus and Montowampate was interrupted with tragic consequences.