There were three clans in the Lenni Lenape tribe: the Turtle, Turkey and Wolf clans. (Photo provided)
Sussex County is home to many people these days.
During the past couple hundred years, many people - mainly Europeans - came as immigrants, looking for a better life.
Lately, migration to the county is people coming from the more urban areas of New Jersey and New York City.
The first inhabitants of the land were here maybe as far back as 10,000 years or so. These have been called by several names and may be called First People of our county.
Current thought about our past is that some 20,000 years ago, during the last Ice Age, people from Asia crossed the land and ice bridge from Asia to North America. During many years, these people worked their way down the West Coast and further south. They also came toward the Midwest.
It is here that stories originated that have been told through many generations. They speak of the First People having come from there, the Midwest and Plains, a long time ago.
There are variations of names and subdivisions, but let me take a reasonable generalization of many groups over centuries and scattered regions.
That is, the Algonquin nation covered many tribes; among them was the Lenni Lenape. There were three clans in the Lenni Lenape tribe: the Turtle, Turkey and Wolf clans.
Women were always from the same clan; that is, the lineage of each clan can be traced through mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers and so forth.
Men looking for a wife would go to another clan, which makes sense to avoid in-breeding. Subclans also existed. The subclan would appear just as many of us have today: some aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews living together in a small enclave.
The settlement might be seasonal and perhaps along a stream or river or other good area for hunting, gathering fruits and vegetables, and providing a good home.
In winter, they may go to warmer places, perhaps to the Shore, where they could fish and gather shells for trinkets.
Much of this is conjecture because there is little evidence that remains.
The Lenni Lenape had a great influence to the land on which we live. Many stone artifacts have been found in farmers’ fields: rolling pins, pestles and lots of arrowheads.
Many of the place names are of the Lenape origins: Hopatcong, Musconetcong and Kittatinny to name some.
An ancient wooden canoe was found in a local lake and is now in the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton.
Looking for more information about our predecessors in Sussex County?
A trip to Space Farms is a fabulous way to see artifacts, and Waterloo Village has had a nicely displayed settlement. The local libraries have great resources.
And you can go explore in the many woodlands of Sussex County and experience the environment where the Lenni Lenape found a home.
Bill Truran, Sussex County Historian