The Nantucket IndiansDouglas-Lithgow, R. A. (Robert Alexander)
History
The Nantucket Indians
Douglas-Lithgow, R. A. (Robert Alexander)
Indians of North America -- Massachusetts; Nantucket Island (Mass.) -- History
NICKANOOSE, + (his mark.)
NANAHUMA, ✕ (his mark.)
Witness hereunto:
Mr. Harry,
John Coleman,
Thomas Macy,
Tristram Coffin.
I shall refer more particularly to this deed presently.
As an example of further deeds the following may be quoted.
January 5th, 1660, Nickanoose out of free voluntary love for Edward
Starbuck gave him “Coretue”, which was reassigned by Edward Starbuck,
August 30th, 1668.
May 10th, 1660, Wanackmamack and Nicornoose, Head Sachems of Nantucket,
sold unto the first purchasers between west end of island and pond
called by the Indians Waqutuquat (Waquittaquah)—then on a straight
line to pond by Monomoy harbour; also half of remainder of meadows and
marshes on all other parts of the island.
Witnessed by Peter Folger, Edward Starbuck and Felix Kuttashamaquat.
June 22d, 1662, Wanackmamack signed a deed conveying a neck of land
in the eastern section of the island known as Pocomo Neck. This was
witnessed by the younger Wauwinet, son of Nickanoose and by Peter
Folger. The purchase was made by Tristram Coffin and Thomas Macy.
February 20th, 1661, Wanackmamack, Head Sachem, sold the west half of
Nantucket.[9]
[9] See note 13 page 22.
November 18th, 1671, shows that Tristram Coffin bought of Wanackmamack
and Nicornoose from Monomoy to Waquittaquage pond, Nanahumack Neck, and
all from Wesco to the West end of Nantucket.
June 20th, 1682, Deed of Nicornoose, Sachem, to James Coffin, William
Worth and John Swain—the grass and herbage of all his lands from Indian
harvest to first of May.
And thus the land sales go on, until 1774, when the sachems and Indians
had virtually sold every spot in their possession to the English.
As Mr. H. B. Worth aptly points out, “Nickanoose signed deeds only
of territory belonging to some other sachem; the fact is true of
Wanackmamack. Neither signed a deed of any portion of the territory
under his direct control. The Sachem Attapehat (Autopscot), as far as
has been found never signed any deed.”
I can only account for these facts, by assuming that these Chief
Sachems thought it beneath their dignity to sign deeds conveying their
own property, while, at the same time they permitted no deeds to be
signed without their approval and attestation. This may appear a lame
suggestion, but it is the best I can offer.
The Provincial Governor of New York in 1671, (Lord Lovelace), thought
it desirable to obtain a new deed from the Sachems, attesting the
legality of the land sales, and an assurance that the stipulated terms
had been duly complied with, before issuing a new patent. The necessary
proofs were furnished in that year by Wanackmamack the Chief Sachem.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account