The site of the ancient Indian village in this town can still be traced upon the projecting rocks, directly opposite the residence of Benjamin M. Brown, Esq. This spot was well suited to the habits of the aborigines, who subsisted one-half of the year at least upon the fish caught in these waters. It must also be borne in mind, that all the Indian villages on the sea board were noted for the manufacture of seawant, the materials for which were found here in great abundance.*^

The beautiful scenery of the bay, and adjoining necks, must have had peculiar attractions for these roving nomads and hunters, as they appear always to have selected such places for their summer residencs. Early Connecticut coins have been discovered on the site of these habitations. The remains of several Ina De Laet's New World, chap. viii.

b N. Y. Hist. Soc. New Ser. vol. i. 296-307. '

• O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. 302.

d Tliere were two kinds of seawant, wampum or Indian money, viz. wampum, (white,) and suckaubock, (black.) The white was manufactured from the Meheaubock Periwinkle. The black of the Quahaug.

284 HISTORY OF THE

dians were found a few years since, in repairing the road opposite Mr. Monmouth Lyons' store. Some of the skeletons were nearly entire. They have been since interred in the rear of Dr. Stanley's residence. Upon the Shubal Lyon property, north-east of the village, is situated the Indian burying ground. Remains of extensive Indian works exist on the elevated ground, north of ]\Ir. Benjamin Brown's residence, called Nelson's Hill. They consist of four circular pits in the form of a square, having a small mound upon the soutli, " The use of these excavations it is impossible to imagine, unless we suppose them to have been iised by the aborigines in defence, an idea that is rather favored by the circular mound on the south, as if made purposely to receive the palisade." The site of other Indian habitations are very apparent on the west side of Heathcote Hill.