Esopus Wars

Background

Before European colonization, the Esopus people, a Lenape tribe, inhabited the Kingston area, with an estimated population of around 10,000 by 1600. Henry Hudson's 1609 exploration led to first contact. Dutch settlers built a trading post in 1614, which the Esopus destroyed. After a failed 1652 settlement, colonists returned in 1658, built a stockade at Wiltwijck, and eventually secured the land through grants after ongoing skirmishes.

First Esopus War

The First Esopus War lasted from September 20, 1659, to July 15, 1660. It began when Dutch settlers fired on Esopus celebrating with brandy given as payment.

Esopus reinforcements raided outside settlements, destroying crops and livestock, then besieged Wiltwijck. Outnumbered colonists held out, burned Native fields, and received reinforcements from New Amsterdam. The war ended when the Natives traded land for food, though tensions remained.

Second Esopus War

On June 5, 1663, colonial emissaries sought a treaty with the Esopus. The Esopus said peace talks required being unarmed and in the open, so the settlers left Wiltwijck's gates open. On June 7, many Esopus entered, some claiming to sell produce, as scouts. Meanwhile, Esopus warriors destroyed the village of Nieu Dorp.

The scouts attacked inside Wiltwijck, surprising settlers, burning houses, and kidnapping women before being driven out. On June 16, Dutch soldiers transporting ammunition were attacked from Rondout Creek but repelled the Esopus. Throughout July, colonial forces reconnoitered the Esopus Kill. Unable to distinguish tribes, they captured Wappinger traders; one agreed to help, providing information and guiding.

Despite this, colonists could not make solid contact with the Esopus, who used guerrilla tactics. Their heavy equipment slowed progress, so they burned fields to starve the enemy. In early September, a colonial force engaged the Esopus, killing Chief Papequanaehen and others. The Esopus fled; Captain Martin Cregier's men pillaged the fort, taking supplies and prisoners, effectively ending the war.

Outcome

Dutch settlers remained suspicious of all Natives, including the Wappingers and Mohawks who had helped them. Colonial prisoners taken in the Second Esopus War described unexplored lands to authorities, who later surveyed them; some land was sold to French Huguenot refugees, founding New Paltz. In September 1664, the Dutch ceded New Netherland to the English.

The English redrew Native boundaries, paid for settlement lands, and forbade further settlement without payment and agreement. A new treaty declared past injuries buried, promised equal punishment for murder, and paid respects to sachems. Over two decades, Esopus lands were bought, and the Natives moved peacefully to the Mohawks north of the Shawangunk mountains.