Pomperaug

Pomperaug ( 16391662) was a sachem of the Potatuck in western Connecticut. He was a significant leader during early colonial settlement of the area around Woodbury, Connecticut. He is the namesake of the Pomperaug River.

Biography It not known when Pomperaug became sachem of the Potatucks. At the date of the settlement Milford and Stratford, Connecticut in 1639, he was chief of note among the western clans, his tribe at that time being the most considerable of them. The hill at the south end of Woodbury, across the river, west, was called Castle Rock, from the fact that Pomperaug, the last sachem before the advent of the whites, had there his principal wigwam, or castle.

Gravesite

Although the principal seat of this tribe was at the Pootatuck Village, on the east side of the Housatonic River, about two miles above Bennetts Bridge, yet, from some cause, he chose to be buried by large rock, on the west side of the main street in Woodbury. In the 19th century, school children in their leisure hours often climbed the ledge to enjoy the view of the river valley and Castle Rock. They recalled the grave mounds which were side by side at the base of the rock. which runs through the Pomperaug Valley. Pomperaug High School subsequently bears his name.

There was also a village called Pomperaug, and was so called from its having been the location of the cabin of Pomperaug, living there long after the settlement of whites in the area.