The area now known as Wilmington was
settled by the Lenape (or Delaware Indian) band led by Sachem (Chief) Mattahorn
just before Henry Hudson sailed up the Len-api Hanna ("People Like Me
River," present Delaware River) in 1609. The area was called
"Maax-waas Unk" or "Bear Place" after the Maax-waas Hanna
(Bear River) that flowed by (present Christina River). It was called the Bear
River because it flowed west to the "Bear People," who are now known
as the People of Conestoga or the Susquehannocks). The Dutch heard and spelled
the river and the place as "Minguannan." When settlers and traders
from
