First published 2010
Janet Lisle chronicles the transformation of Sakonnet into Little Compton, Rhode Island across 160 years of colonial history. Her narrative follows the Sakonnet Indians and their leader Awashonks as European settlers arrive in their territory. Benjamin Church and Elizabeth Alden Pabodie emerge as key figures in the colonial settlement that reshapes the landscape. Lisle weaves together indigenous and colonial perspectives to show how a Native American homeland becomes a New England farming community. Historic images from the Little Compton Historical Society combine with 23 new artworks by local artists to illustrate the story. The book captures both the loss of Native sovereignty and the gradual building of colonial society through individual lives and community changes.
Genres: historical-fiction, non-fiction, native-american, american-history
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, indigenous-perspective
Setting: Little Compton, Rhode Island, Sakonnet
Period: 1660-1820
200 pages · Hardcover · Little Compton Historical Society
Content warnings: colonialism