Firsting and Lasting: Writing Indians Out of Existence in New England

In Firsting and Lasting: Writing Indians Out of Existence in New England, historian Jean M. O'Brien examines local histories from New England towns written between 1820-1880. The book focuses on how these historical narratives constructed and reinforced myths about the disappearance of Indigenous peoples. O'Brien analyzes town records, anniversary celebrations, and other local texts to show how writers documented "first" events by white settlers while simultaneously declaring Indigenous peoples as "last" of their tribes. Her research spans multiple New England localities and draws from hundreds of primary sources. The work challenges fundamental assumptions about Native American extinction narratives in nineteenth-century New England. Through careful documentation, O'Brien demonstrates how local histories shaped broader cultural beliefs about Indigenous peoples' place in American society. This study raises questions about historical memory, power, and the ways communities construct their origin stories. The book contributes to ongoing discussions about Indigenous erasure and survival in American historical writing.

Readers appreciate O'Brien's detailed research and documentation of how New England towns systematically erased Native American history through local histories and monuments. Several reviewers noted the book's clear examples of how colonists used "firsting" claims to establish ownership rights. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear documentation of primary sources - Specific town-by-town analysis - Connection to modern Indigenous issues - Thorough examination of historical records Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Repetitive examples and arguments - Limited geographic scope - Could be shorter Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 ratings) One reviewer on Goodreads noted: "Important content but difficult to get through the academic prose." An Amazon reviewer stated: "O'Brien effectively demonstrates how local histories were manipulated to support colonial narratives." Multiple academic reviewers cited the book's value for Indigenous studies programs while acknowledging its challenging reading level for general audiences.

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🔎 Author Jean M. O'Brien is a member of the White Earth Ojibwe Nation and serves as Distinguished McKnight University Professor of History at the University of Minnesota. 📚 The book examines over 600 local histories published between 1820 and 1880, revealing how New England towns systematically erased Native American presence while simultaneously preserving certain Indian stories. 🏛️ The term "firsting" refers to the practice of claiming various "firsts" for white settlers (first birth, first house, etc.) while ignoring the centuries of Native American history that preceded colonization. 🗺️ The book focuses on four Massachusetts towns—Natick, Northampton, Deerfield, and Plymouth—using them as case studies to demonstrate broader patterns of historical erasure throughout New England. 📖 Despite claims of Indian "extinction" in these local histories, Native Americans in New England were actually writing their own histories, petitioning governments, and maintaining their communities throughout the 19th century.