Drink, Drugs and Indulgence
Prior to the arrival of the Europeans there was no knowledge of alcohol among the Indians of the New England area. Once introduced, however, it became a popular item of trade, and Indians learned how to produce it for themselves.128
The Wampanoags and their neighbors, however, did smoke the native American variety of tobacco, Nicotiana rustica.129 This strong variety of tobacco would not be appealing to modern American tastes. The only place where it is used commercially today is in the USSR. In one instance at least—where the writer characterized the tobacco as weak—it is likely that some was mixed with other plant material preparatory to smoking.130 Tobacco leaves were picked green, dried, crushed, and smoked in pipes.131
Tobacco was used frequently.132 Smoking was a pleasant diversion. When friends met on the trail they would stop, smoke together, and talk.133 Tobacco apparently also was used by women.134 Besides being a refreshing indulgence, taking tobacco was thought to be a helpful remedy “... against the rheume, which causeth the toothake....”135