John Konkapot
John Konkapot was a prominent chief of the Mahican tribe, who initially inhabited lands near Albany, New York, before being displaced by the Mohawks in 1664. The Mahicans then relocated to the Housatonic Valley in western Massachusetts. In 1724, Konkapot ceded his territory to the British while maintaining a cooperative relationship with them, notably aiding British forces during the French and Indian Wars. In recognition of his leadership, he was commissioned as a captain in 1734.
During the 1730s, efforts to Christianize the Mahican people began, led by Yale missionary John Sergeant, with Konkapot adopting the Christian name John and supporting the missionary initiatives. His relationship with subsequent religious leaders, such as Jonathan Edwards, further solidified his role within the community. Konkapot passed away just before the American Revolution, marking a significant transitional period for his people. Following his death, the Mahicans, under the guidance of leaders like Samson Occom and John W. Quinney, migrated to Oneida, New York, in 1786, and later to Wisconsin in 1822, where they ultimately merged with the Munsee band of Lenni Lenapes.
John Konkapot
- Born: c. 1700
- Birthplace: Housatonic River valley, Massachusetts
- Died: c. 1775
- Place of death: Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Category: Chief
Tribal affiliation: Mahican
Significance: Christianized John Konkapot aided Calvinist missionaries among his band of Mahicans
After the powerful Mohawks forced the Mahicans to abandon their ancestral lands near Albany, New York, in 1664, the band moved to the Housatonic Valley of western Massachusetts. In 1724, tribal chief Konkapot ceded his land to the British. He remained friendly with the British, aiding them during the French and Indian Wars. Konkapot was commissioned a captain in 1734.
In 1736, Yale missionary John Sergeant founded the Stockbridge mission among the Mahicans, who then became known as the Stockbridge. Konkapot was soon Christianized, adopting the name John, and assisted Sergeant in his mission. When Massachusetts congregational minister Jonathan Edwards succeeded Sergeant in 1750, he befriended Konkapot. Konkapot died on the eve of the American Revolution. His band, under Samson Occom, migrated to Oneida, New York, in 1786, then again, under John W. Quinney, to Wisconsin in 1822, where they merged with the Munsee band of Lenni Lenapes (Delawares).