Why Choose Paumonok Harbor for a Name?
We are based on Long Island and Paumonok connects us with the history of place and a literary tradition reaching back to our most notable local writer and publisher, Walt Whitman. Native American tribes used the term Paumonok to describe Long Island. Whitman picked up the word and also used it when referring to Long Island. While known for his poetry, Whitman also published a newspaper here, The Long Islander, which still publishes today.
The Native American Origins
Long before European settlers arrived, long before the sprawling suburbs and bustling beaches, Long Island was known by several names to its original inhabitants. Among these was Paumonok – a term rich with meaning and history.
Derived from an Algonquian language, Paumonok first appeared in written records on May 3, 1639, in a deed between Lion Gardiner and “Yovawan, Sachem of Pommanocc.” While spellings varied (you might see Paumanok or Paumonok), the essence remained the same. Translated roughly as “land of tribute,” or “the island that pays tribute,” this name speaks volumes about the island’s significance to indigenous peoples.
But why “land of tribute”? Well, Long Island wasn’t just any old chunk of land jutting out into the Atlantic. It was a treasure trove of resources, particularly known for its abundance of quahog clams. These weren’t just tasty seafood; their shells were the source of wampum beads – a form of currency and a symbol of prestige among many Native American cultures. So valuable were these resources that other tribes would pay tribute to access them, hence the island’s moniker.
Enter Walt Whitman: Paumonok Reborn
Fast forward a couple of centuries, and we meet a figure who would breathe new life into this ancient name: Walt Whitman. Born in West Hills, Long Island, in 1819, Whitman grew up with a deep connection to his homeland. It’s no wonder, then, that Paumonok found its way into his poetry, most notably in “Starting from Paumanok,” the opening poem of his magnum opus, “Leaves of Grass.”
But Whitman didn’t just use Paumonok as a quaint reference to his birthplace. Oh no, in true Whitman fashion, he transformed it into something much more. Consider these lines from “Starting from Paumanok”
“Starting from fish-shape Paumanok where I was born, Well-begotten, and rais’d by a perfect mother…”
Here, Paumonok isn’t just a place; it’s the fertile ground from which the poet himself springs. It’s the starting point of a journey that will encompass all of America, all of humanity even. Whitman takes this ancient name and infuses it with new life, making it relevant not just to Long Islanders, but to anyone seeking to understand the American experience.
Bridging Past and Present
We named our publishing company Paumonok Harbor House to pay tribute to those before us and recognize our roots. Because we are located on the water of Huntington Harbor, we also wanted to recognize our surroundings. And we want the harbor to signify not the safety of the harbor, but the starting point for a great adventure.