The Chocorua Legend

The Chocorua Legend

The Legend of Chief Chocorua is based in Albany, NH

Chocorua’s legend states that the Indian Chief Chocorua refused to flee from conflict with the white man. He stood his ground to fight for his land.

Chief Chocorua befriended one of the colonial settlers, a man by the name of Cornelius Campbell. Chief Chocorua left his son Tuamba in the care of Cornelius Campbell’s family while he went north to celebrate a powwow. In the absence of Chief Chocorua, his son Tuamba ate some poison that was meant to kill marauding wolves. When Chocorua returned, Cornelius Campbell was away. Chief Chocorua was so angry over the death of his son that he killed Cornelius’s wife and son. When Cornelius returned home, he found his family dead, he knew it was the doings of Chief Chocorua and hunted down the Indian Chief for revenge. Chief Chocorua fled to the top of the highest nearby mountain (Mt. Chocorua), knowing he would die. When Chief Chocorua reached the peak of the Mount Chocorua, he raised his arms to the sky and shouted “Evil spirits breathe death upon the cattle of the white man! Wind and fire destroy your dwellings! Panthers and wolves howl and grow fat on your bones. Chocorua goes now to the Great Spirit!” and then leaped to his death.

Two years later, Cornelius was found dead on Mt. Chocorua, partially eaten by wolves.

Other mysteries and legends in the Mt. Chocorua area all blame Chief Chocorua for the curse he put on the land and the people.

Mount Chocorua Hiking Information