Long before whalers and yeomen of European descent came to New Jersey’s lower cape peninsula, Native Americans lived on its sandy shores. He recently gave a fireside lecture on the history of Native Americans in the county, held at the Museum of Cape May County.

As a tribal legend keeper, Chief Robert Redfeather Stevenson, of Townbank, has spent decades sharing the oral history of his tribe and Native American culture throughout the area. His tribal affiliation is with that of his mother, the Montaukett. His father’s people were Lenni Lenape.

Honored for his work in preserving the Native American history, Redfeather holds his audiences spellbound with stories that explain the history of Native Americans.

“In order to belong to a land,” stated Redfeather, “the roots of the tree of your life must grasp the rocks and soil.”

According to Redfeather, the history of Native Americans in Cape May County is a fascinating one that has never been explained. “There are remnants of the Lenni Lenape people still here in the county today,” Redfeather, an octogenarian, said. “The Creator saw fit to leave some of us.”

Photos and historical information appear courtesy of the Museum of Cape May County