Based on the maps on https://native-land.ca/, here are the territories that span this area around Haverhill Massachusetts. I was not surprised to find how the communities worked with nature to grow food and catch seafood, tapping into all the rich resources of our area.
Pentucket Territory (https://native-land.ca/maps/territories/pentucket/). “Land of the Winding River” This is a small area clustered around the NH/MA northeast border, including Haverhill. It was the custom of the Native Americans to refer to themselves by the area in which they lived, rather than being part of a tribe. Territorial boundaries generally were defined by rivers and creeks. This article delves into how they lived (even if the languaging is not current for referring to the indigenous peoples): (https://hwlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/01-Indians.pdf).
Pennacook Territory (https://native-land.ca/maps/territories/pennacook-2/) “At the bottom of the hill” Also called Merrimac, they were not a united tribe but a network of politically and culturally allied communities. David Stewart-Smith (1998:19) estimated that the Merrimack Valley had 8,000–25,000 people before the epidemics, with a median of around 16,500 for the central area around Pennacook. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennacook). Covering parts of southern NH/VT/ME, also northeastern MA including Haverhill.
N’dakina (Abenaki), “homeland”, https://native-land.ca/maps/territories/abenaki-abenaquis/. This area covers Vermont, NH, Maine, part of southern Canada, and dips into Massachusetts/Havehill.
Wabanaki, (“people of the dawn”) https://native-land.ca/maps/territories/wabanaki-confederacy/ Covering Nova Scotia, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, this territory also dips into Massachusetts including Haverhill. Wabanaki includes Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik, Abenaki, Penobscot and Passamaquoddy. The online site https://www.wabanakicollection.com/about/ indicates that traditions continue to be passed along.
Pawtucket (https://native-land.ca/maps/territories/pawtucket/). This area covers southern NH and eastern MA (including Haverhill) down to a little South of Boston. Pawtucket is a branch of the Pennacook community. This site has some fascinating history/details: https://capeannhistory.org/
I’m glad that I dove deeper into learning about my area, and hope that I have presented the information respectfully without making it sound like a book report. I continue to learn, and commit to contributing to supporting these communities.