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Title: The Nantucket Indians
Author: Robert Alexander Douglas-Lithgow
Release Date: April 2, 2023 [eBook #70447]
Language: English
Produced by: Robert Tonsing and The Online Distributed Proofreading Team
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NANTUCKET INDIANS ***
The
Nantucket
Indians
By R. A. Douglas-Lithgow, M. D., L. L. D.
[Illustration]
NANTUCKET:
INQUIRER AND MIRROR PRESS.
1911.
FOREWORD
The concensus of modern scientific opinion favors the belief that the
so-called American-Indian race represents the autochthonous people or
aborigines of the great American Continent. Referring to the origin
of the American Indians, Professor Pritchard says: “The era of their
existence as a distinct and insulated race must probably be dated as
far back as that time which separated into nations the inhabitants
of the Old World, and gave to each branch of the human family its
primitive language and individuality.” The origin of the Amerinds of
America has still to be sought amid the sources of the various races of
mankind from primeval times.
The Indian tribes of New England belonged to the great Algonquian
Confederacy—the most widely extended of all the North American
Indians—their territory stretching along the Atlantic coast from
Labrador to Pamlico sound, and westward, from Newfoundland to the Rocky
Mountains.
The three principal Massachusetts tribes were the Massachusetts or
Naticks, the Nipmucks, and the Wampanoags, the latter under the
dominance of Massasoit when the Pilgrims arrived, and, at that time,
the third greatest nation in New England.
With regard to the primeval discovery of the island of Nantucket by the
Indians the following legend is interesting, (as all legends are), and
it was related by the aborigines to the early English settlers, soon
after their arrival.
In former times, a good many moons ago, a bird, extraordinary for its
size, used often to visit the south shore of Cape Cod, and carry from
thence in its talons a vast number of small children. Maushope, who
was an Indian giant, as fame reports, resided in these parts. Enraged
at the havoc among the children, he, on a certain time, waded into the
sea in pursuit of the bird, till he had crossed the sound, and reached
Nantucket. Before Maushope forded the sound, the island was unknown to
the red men. Maushope found the bones of the children in a heap under a
large tree. He, then, wishing to smoke his pipe, ransacked the island
for tobacco; but finding none, he filled his pipe with poke—a weed
which the Indians sometimes used as a substitute.
“Ever since this memorable event, fogs have been frequent on the Cape.
In allusion to this tradition, when the aborigines observed a fog
rising, they would say, ‘There comes old Maushope’s smoke.’”[1] (Here
the legend unfortunately ends.)
[1] Col. Mass. Hist. Soc. Vol. V. First Series, page 57.
The island of Nantucket, when first settled by the whites, was occupied
by two tribes whose names have not been preserved. One occupied the
west end of the island, and was supposed to have come from the mainland
by way of Martha’s Vineyard. The other lived at the east end, and
is said to have come direct from the mainland. The two tribes were
independent and were, at a time, hostile to each other. The tribe which
came from Martha’s Vineyard was subject to the Wampanoags.[2]
[2] “Hand-Book of American Indians,” Vol. II, p. 26.
When the original discovery of the island of Nantucket was made by
foreigners is still a moot point, many writers alleging that two hardy
Norsemen, Bjorne Herjulfson, in A. D. 986, and Leif Ericsson, in A. D.
1000, during their respective voyages, had both sighted the New England
coast, and that Leif had visited Nantucket, and bestowed upon it the
name of Nauticon. If this is probable, it is equally probable that the
name Nauticon was merely a Norse approximation to the original Indian
name of the island, viz: =Natocket=[3]. It is now generally believed,
however, that neither of these navigators got nearer to the New England
coast than Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, although there is much to be
said on both sides of the question.
[3] H. B. Worth: Nantucket Hist. Asso., Vol. 11, Bull. 6, p. 290.
With regard to “Vinland”, which Leif Ericsson is said to have visited
on his way to Greenland, a circumstantial account of his voyaging is
given in the Norse saga—the =Flateyarbok and the Hauksbok=. These
accounts were subsequently confirmed by Adam of Bremen, in his =History
of the Bremen Church, etc.=, and in the MSS. of numerous historians,
from the eleventh to the fifteenth century; but the conjecture is not
adequately substantiated by facts to warrant a conclusion, and it seems
impossible in this age to divest the ancient story from the cloud of
myth and mystery which surrounds it.
It seems strange, nevertheless, that the name Nautican is that applied
to Nantucket island by Sir Ferdinand Gorges (=circa= 1630), and
Nantican in Hough’s book, under the date 1641.
John Cabot, the navigator—of Italian birth—settled in Bristol, England,
in the time of Henry VII., and he obtained a patent from the King “for
the purpose of discovering unknown lands in the eastern, western and
northern seas.” His son Sebastian accompanied him, and in 1497–1498,
they cruised along the coast of America from Florida to Labrador. =The
claim of the English Government to Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and the
Elizabeth Islands was based upon these voyages of the Cabots.=
Nantucket, however, looms out of mythland and into genuine history,
when, in June or July, 1602, Bartholomew Gosnold, an English mariner,
landed upon its shore at Sankaty Head, when he, and some thirty
sailors, were =en route= for Virginia, seeking a new plantation.
In May, 1605, Captain Weymouth is said to have “become entangled among
the Nantucket Shoals”[4], and in 1620 Captain Dermer certainly visited
the island.
[4] Drake’s =Nooks and Corners of New England=, p. 324.
In approaching the consideration of the =Nantucket= Indians, the
following beautiful legend[5] cannot be passed over in silence, as it
reveals the fact that self-sacrifice and the tender passion are not
limited in their influence to any race or color, but are the hallowed
heritage of mankind. Such a record deserves a foremost place in any
associated local history. The incident referred to is supposed to have
occurred about 1630, or, as Dr. Ewer suggested, about thirty years
before the arrival of the white men.
[5] A worthy poetic setting of this legend was published by “The
Inquirer and Mirror” nearly forty years ago, from the pen of Miss
Charlotte P. Baxter. It was republished in the “Inquirer” of January
21st, 1911, and the poetic quotations in this preface have been taken
from it.
Wauwinet was the sage and beloved Sachem of the Northeastern section of
the Island. He had one daughter, Wonoma,—
“The loveliest and the gentlest,”
and they were devoted to each other.
“Well she knew the art of healing;
Skilled was she in all the uses
Of the herbs that grew around them.
And whenever from the waters
Spoke the voice of the Great Spirit,
She could tell unto her people
What the words were, and the meaning.”
Fever had broken out among the natives of the south-western section of
the island, which was under the dominance of the Chief Autopscot, and
he feared that his people would be swept away by the rapid spread of
the pestilence. In his extremity he thought of the fair and graceful
Wonoma, Wauwinet’s daughter, and knowing she possessed the knowledge of
a great medicine-man, he despatched one of his maidens, named Wosoka,
to speed to Wonoma,—
“Praying her to come and save them,
From the cruel, blasting Fever.”
Wonoma, always delighting to do good, accompanied the little maid back
to her stricken people, and, in a little time, the plague was stayed,
and she healed and comforted those who would have died but for her
skilful and kindly help. By her skill, her winsomeness and her sympathy
she won the hearts of all the natives, and, when the time of her
departure came, they begged her to remain with them, so that they might
show their gratitude.
“For the boon of Life She gave them.”
Then the brave Autopscot pleaded, not only for his people, but for
himself, that she should not go from them, and he ended by eloquently
and fervently declaring his love for her; and Wonoma, deeply touched,
smilingly replied:—
“That because She loved his people
But more truly loved their leader,
She would come again among them,—
Come again to go not from them.”
Later, the friendly and fraternal feeling which had long existed
between the tribes of Wauwinet and Autopscot gradually changed to
feelings of anger and hatred in consequence of some petty differences
as to the dividing line between their respective territories. A feud
was generated and bloodshed was threatened between the contending
parties. Wauwinet and his braves, in solemn council, had agreed upon a
subtle plan for overcoming their enemies; but Wonoma had overheard the
deliberations of the war-council, and resolved to save her lover at
all hazards. When her people were asleep she stole out of her wigwam,
and, securing a canoe, rowed through the darkness, with a prayer in
her heart to the Father of all mercies that she might be enabled to
save him who was now dearer to her than even her own people. Over sea
and land she hurried on, her feet bleeding and weary, and when she
arrived at her destination, she was completely exhausted. When she had
found him whom her heart desired, she told him what she had heard, and
leaving her in charge of some of the maidens to rest, Autopscot called
his people together, and bade them to be prepared to receive the enemy
on the morrow.
When, next day, Wauwinet and his braves proceeded to attack the enemy
unawares, and found them armed and ready to receive them, instead of
unprepared as he had expected, he simply turned around, and, with his
warriors retraced his footsteps to his own possessions.
On the following evening, as Wauwinet stood in deep thought at the
door of his wigwam, an oncoming footstep aroused him, and, bending
courteously, Autopscot stood before him, and thus addressed the father
of his love:
Oh, my father! Oh, most noble!
Dark have been the days about us,
And still darker have the nights been;—
In our hearts the darkest hatred;
Hear me speak, Oh mighty father!
For the love I bear Wonoma,—
For the sake of both our people,
May there not be peace between us?
Wauwinet’s brow was clouded with anger as Autopscot spoke, but
gradually the frown relaxed, and when the brave young chief had
finished, the elder was silent for a time, and thus replied in tones of
friendly feeling:—
********“Oh, my son, Autopscot,
Great has been the lesson taught me,
That I, myself, am not almighty,—
That there is a power beyond me,
Unto which I have to yield me.
Great the love I bear Wonoma,
And if she so truly loves you,
There should only be between us
Words and thoughts that are most friendly.”
When Wauwinet had thus spoken, the two chiefs grasped each other by
the hand in mutual affection, and, before they parted, they amicably
arranged between them the land which had caused their dispute, and
while pledging themselves to enduring peace, Wauwinet gladly sanctioned
the union of Wonoma and Autopscot. From that day to this Peace has
reigned over and blest the island of Nantucket.
The Settlement and the Natives
The story of the transfer of the Island of Nantucket from the English
Government to Thomas Mayhew, and from him and the Indians to the white
settlers, has so often been told that a mere summary is all that is
required here, in order to preserve the continuity of the narrative.
Nantucket was included in the Royal grant to Plymouth Company in 1621,
and Lord Stirling and Sir Ferdinand Gorges were the Commissioners
deputed to promote the colonization of the territory, including the
islands south of Cape Cod.
Lord Stirling appointed James Forrett as his agent in New York for
the sale or other disposal of the Colony, and Forrett sold the island
of Nantucket, in 1641, (when it was under the jurisdiction of the
Province of New York), to Thomas Mayhew, an Englishman, who emigrated
to New England in 1631, and who first settled at Watertown. Mayhew not
only purchased Nantucket, and the adjacent islands, but became a part
proprietor of Martha’s Vineyard and Governor of that island. He is said
to have been a good colonizer—always a friend to the Indians—and was
the means of preventing them from engaging in Philip’s war. He founded
Edgartown in 1647, and from him were descended numerous missionaries to
the Indians, amongst whom they had much influence, and spoke the Indian
language fluently.
The islands remained in the possession of the Mayhews (father and son),
until 1659, when they were transferred to ten purchasers, including
Mayhew himself, (as he reserved to himself and his heirs one-twentieth
part of the property for his own use.)
From a reliable genealogy of the Coffin family[6] it appears that in
the spring of 1659 “Tristram Coffin proceeded upon a voyage of inquiry
and observation—first to Martha’s Vineyard where he secured Peter
Folger, the grandfather of Benjamin Franklin, as an interpreter of the
Indian language; and thence to Nantucket, his object being to ascertain
the temper and disposition of the Indians, and the capabilities of
the island, so that he might report to the citizens of Salisbury what
inducements for emigration thither were offered.”
[6] =Vide= Godfrey’s =Island of Nantucket=, p. 169.
He was evidently impressed favorably by what he saw and heard, for,
when he returned to Salisbury, Mass., a company was formed, and the
purchase of the island determined. In the autumn of 1659 Thomas Macy,
Edward Starbuck, James Coffin, Isaac Coleman and some of their wives
and children sailed in an open boat for Nantucket, where they arrived
safely, and spent the winter of 1659–60 on the island.
In July, 1660, Starbuck returned to Salisbury and Amesbury, and induced
a number of families to accompany him back to Nantucket, and as time
went on the little colony received numerous additions.[7]
[7] Most, if not all, of the English settlers came from Salisbury,
Mass., and its neighborhood.
Each of the original colonists was permitted to name an associate,
so that the island was primarily divided into twenty shares, and as
these were anxious to add to their number, and to induce artisans
and mechanics to come among them, the number of shares was ultimately
increased to twenty-seven, these including the entire island, with the
exception of the “common” land, and that reserved by Mr. Mayhew for his
own use.[8]
[8] For copies of Mr. Mayhew’s deeds =Vide= Macy’s =History of
Nantucket=.
During the next hundred years—say from 1664 to 1774—the records contain
the many transfers of lots of land deeded by the Indians to the
English, until, indeed, the entire island became the property of the
white settlers.
Before the legal purchase of the island could be ratified, it was
necessary to secure the sanction of the representative Indian chiefs
and this was duly obtained as appears from the following deed, dated
May 10th, 1660:—
SACHEMS’ DEED OF NANTUCKET.
These presents witness, May the tenth, sixteen hundred and sixty,
that we, Wanackmamack and Nickanoose, head Sachems of Nantucket
island, do give, grant, bargain, and sell unto Mr. Thomas Mayhew
of Marthas Vineyard, Tristram Coffin, Senior, Thomas Macy,
Christopher Hussey, Richard Swain, Peter Coffin, Stephen Greenleaf,
Thomas Barnard, John Swain and William Pile, all the Land,
Meadow, Marshes, Timber and Wood, and all appurtenances thereunto
belonging, and being and lying from the west end of the island of
Nantucket, unto the Pond, called by the Indians, Waqutuquab, and
from the head of that Pond, upon a straight line, unto the Pond
situated by Monomoy Harbor or Creek, now called Wheeler’s Creek,
and so from the northeast corner of the said Pond to the sea, that
is to say, all the right that we, the aforesaid Sachems have in the
said tract of land, provided that none of the Indian Inhabitants,
in or about the woodland, or whatsoever Indians, within the last
purchase of land, from the head of the Pond to Monomoy Harbor,
shall be removed without full satisfaction. And we, the aforesaid
Sachems, do give, grant, bargain and sell, the one-half of the
remainder of the meadows and marshes upon all other parts of the
Island. And also that the English people shall have what grass
they shall need for to mow, out of the remainder of the meadows
and marshes on the Island, so long as the English remain upon the
Island, and also free liberty for timber and wood upon any part of
the Island within the jurisdiction. And also, we, the aforesaid
Sachems, do full grant free liberty to the English for the feeding
all sorts of cattle on any part of the Island, after Indian Harvest
is ended until planting time, or until the first day of May, from
year to year forever, for and in consideration of twelve pounds
already paid, and fourteen pounds to be paid within three months
after the date hereof.
To have and to hold the aforesaid purchase of land, and other
appurtenances, as aforementioned, to them, Mr. Thomas Macy,
Tristram Coffin, Thomas Mayhew, and the rest aforementioned, and
their heirs and assigns forever.
In witness whereof, we the said Sachems, have hereunto set our
hands and seals, the day and year above written.
The sign of Wanackmamack [S]
The sign of Nickanoose [S]
Signed, sealed and delivered, in the presence of us
Peter Folger,
Felix Kuttashamaquat,
Edward Starbuck.
I do witness this deed to be a true deed, according to the
interpretation of Felix the interpreter; also I heard Wanackmamack,
but two weeks ago, say that the sale made by Nickanoose and he
should be good, and that they would do so, whatever comes of it.
Witness my hand, this 17th day of first month, 1664.
PETER FOLGER.
Witness: Mary Starbuck.
The mark of John (I. C.) Coffin.
Wanackmamack and Nickanoose acknowledge the above written to be
their act and deed, in the presence of the General Court, this 12th
of June, 1667, as attest.
MATTHEW MAYHEW,
Secretary to the General Court.
It is rather curious that this deed, although duly witnessed on May
10th, 1660, was not confirmed by Peter Folger until January first,
1664, and did not receive official attestation by the Secretary of the
General Court until the 12th of June, 1677.
This deed purchased the island from the original patentee and a greater
part of it from the Indians, and the English are said to have paid £26
for it. Almost a year before the execution of the above deed, however,
what is known as “The First Indian Deed” was executed by Nickanoose and
Nanahuma on June 20th, 1659. It is as follows:
“This doth witness that we Nickanoose of Nantucket, Sachem, and
Nanahuma of Nantucket, Sachem, have sold unto Thomas Mayhew of the
Vineyard the plain at the west end of Nantucket that is according
to the figure under written, to him and his heirs and assigns
forever. In consideration whereof we have received by earnest of
the said Thomas Mayhew the sum of twelve pounds. Also the said
Sachems have sold the said Mayhew of the Vineyard the use of the
meadow and to take wood for the use of him, the said Mayhew, his
heirs and assigns forever.”
“In witness hereof, we the Sachems aforesaid have hereunto set our
hands this 20th of June, 1659.”
“The said Acamy lyeth north and by east, and south by west or near
it.”
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.
It may be stated here that Mr. Thomas Mayhew,—the original purchaser
of the island, had acquired a good knowledge of the Indian language in
association with the Indians of the more western island; and that Peter
Folger who also resided at Martha’s Vineyard, was, in 1663, engaged
by Tristram Coffin as interpreter, and to officiate in Nantucket, as
miller, weaver and surveyor.
What has been written thus far will, it is hoped, serve to illustrate
the conditions under which the white settlers became established on
Nantucket, and I now propose to deal briefly with the Indians whom they
found there on their arrival. It may be noted that the names of many of
the original white settlers are perpetuated in teeming numbers among
the inhabitants of Nantucket until the present day.
With regard to the number of Indians occupying the island when the
whites arrived the statements vary considerably, some writers alleging
3000, others 1500, and some still less. There is some difficulty in
forming a correct estimate, but it is known as a fact that they only
numbered about 360 before they became victims to the epidemic which
destroyed so many of them.
When Nantucket was purchased by the colonists in 1659, there were
two Chief Sachems Wanackmamack and Nicornoose (acting probably for
Wauwinet), and at least two other Sachems, Autopscot (or Attapehat)
and Potconet—besides a few petty Sachems—governing all the Indians on
Nantucket and Tuckernuck. It may be assumed that at this time Wauwinet
was old and feeble, and that his eldest son, known as Nicornoose, acted
as his deputy, inasmuch as among several of the earliest deeds we
find Nicornoose signing as Sachem, and there are no signatures by his
father. Mr. Zaccheus Macy, in his valuable letter to the Massachusetts
Historical Society, dated October 2d, 1792[10] mentions Wauwinet as
living when the settlers arrived, but alludes to him as “the old
Sachem.”
[10] =Vide Macy’s History of Nantucket=.
Among the Indian tribes there were generally one or two Sachems
who controlled all the others. These were known as Chief or Head
Sachems, and they exercised absolute control. Such in Nantucket were
Wanackmamack and Wauwinet or his son and successor, Nicornoose.
According to Zaccheus Macy, Wanackmamack’s territory represented the
southeast of the island and was bounded by a line running from Toupchue
pond in the south, northward, roughly to Gibbs’ pond, and so over
toward Podpis swamp, and then eastward to Sesacacha pond.[11]
[11] These, and the boundaries of the other Sachems’ property are
clearly delineated on Dr. Ewer’s map of Nantucket.
=Wanackmamack= had one son, Saucoauso or Jeptha, who married Eastor.
Saucoauso had two sons, Cain and Abel.
Cain had one daughter, Jemima, who married James Shay, Shea or Shaa.
Abel had two sons, Ben Abel and Eben Abel.
Wanackmamack died before June 9th, 1682, because his son, Saucoauso,
on this date, “having understood that his father Wanackmamack =now
deceased=, had granted (to) English pasturage on east end of island,
also sells same.”
Wauwinet’s boundary-line adjoined that of Wanackmamack on the north,
extending due north to Coatue and Nauma, westward to Wesco (now
Nantucket), and hence, almost due south to Weeweder pond.
=Wauwinet= had two sons, Isaac or Nicornoose, (also known as
Nickanoose) and Waupordongga, and one daughter, Wonoma, who married
Autopscot.
Nicornoose had two sons, Joshua and Isaac Wauwinet, and one daughter,
Askommopoo, by his wife. Askommopoo married Spoospotswa, known as
“Spotso.”
Nicornoose forsook his wife and, by another woman, had two sons, Wat
and Paul Noose.
Joshua Nicornoose was so disgusted by his father’s leaving his mother
that he left home altogether, and did not return until after an absence
of over 50 years, when he claimed his inheritance and after some delay,
it was restored to him.
Autopscot’s jurisdiction extended over the southwest of the island
from Weeweder pond northerly to Monomoy, and then westward to the
Popsquatchet hills and to Hummock pond.
=Autopscot= had a son, Harry Poritain, or Beretan, by Wonoma, his wife,
who was the daughter of Wauwinet.
Harry Poritain had a son named Isaac Masauquet.
Masauquet had a son named Peter.
Peter had a son known as Lame Isaac, who ceded the last rights of his
sachemdom.
Autopscot had also grandchildren named Tashama, of whom more anon.
Potconet’s (or Pottacohannet’s) dominions are uncertain, and there
is some doubt as to their limitations. It is at least certain that
he was Sachem of the adjacent island of Tuckernuck, but Zaccheus
Macy, in his well known letter, states that his bounds extended from
Madaket down eastward to Wesko and Capaum pond, thus lying north of
Autopscot’s possessions, and that they also included the western coast.
Moreover, Dr. Ewer’s map,—probably based upon the information supplied
by Macy—delineates the northwestern section of the island as having
belonged to Potconet; but no proof is in evidence, and although it
seems reasonable to suppose that some sachem must have represented this
section of the island, no deed has been found to cover it. Macy also
asserts that Potconet sold all his rights to the English settlers, save
those reserved and secured to some of the old natives, known as the
Hoights and Jafets—in the neighborhood of Wannacomet or Capaum pond.
Be this as it may, from a foot-note to Hough’s =Nantucket Papers=,
it appears that, on February 20th, 1661, Wanackmamack, Head-Chief of
Nantucket, sold to Tristram Coffin, Sr., Peter Coffin, Tristram Coffin,
Jr., and James Coffin, for £10, half of the island of Tuckernuck—one
half down, and the other, when Thomas Mayhew decides =who is the proper
owner=.
=Potconet, or Pottacohannet= had two sons, Akeamong, or Ahkeiman, and
Jacob.
Why did neither of these sons claim his rights until 1672—a period of
11 years? Was Potconet living in 1661? These questions have still to be
answered, although I have unsuccessfully sought in every direction for
a satisfactory reply.
In the Registry of Nantucket Deeds, under date June 20, 1672, is the
following entry: “Ahkeiman laying claim to part of Tuckanuck his claim
thereto is found no other but as he was a =duke or principal man upon
Nantucket=; the Nantucket Sachems, =together with his father=, having
sold =Tuckanuck=, it is ordered that he shall have such a part or
portion of land for his use at Nantucket of the present Sachems as will
become one of such quality, and a portion of the whales.”
On page 211 of the Book of Town Records, dated March, 1681, there is a
record of a bargain between James Coffin, Peter Coffin, John Coffin,
and Stephen Coffin, and Ackeamong and Jacob, sons of Pottacohannet
(Potconet), concerning Tuckanuckett, said Ackeamong and Jacob claiming
half of it. The said Coffins having delivered them 40 acres arable
land on Nantucket and £5, and disclaiming any right to any whale, the
said Ackeamong and Jacob renounce any claim to any part of Tuckernuck,
reserving liberty to save their whale that may come ashore.
To this is affixed the marks of Ackeamong and Jacob, James Coffin and
Stephen Coffin, 6th of March, 1681.
Witnessed by William Worth and Richard Pincom (Pinkham), and
acknowledged on the same date before William Worth, magistrate.
It does not appear, however, why the order of the Court made in 1672,
was not carried out until 1681—a period of nine years.
Potconet must therefore, have died before March 6th, 1681, or his sons
could not have made the above agreement; if, indeed, he was not dead
before 1672, when Akeamong made his first claim.
Some confusion has arisen as to the standing of Nanahuma, who signed
the first Indian deed with Nickanoose. Mr. H. Barnard Worth[12] says:
... “They (the English) obtained a deed, dated June 20th, 1659, from
the Sachems Nickanoose and Nanahuma, of a tract comprising the
section of Nantucket west of Hummock Pond.[13] George Nanahuma was
the sachem of the Indians that lived in this section but =Nickanoose
held some sway over him=, and joined in the conveyance.” With this
I am in perfect accord, with the exception of Mr. Worth’s using the
definite instead of the indefinite article, as indicated in boldface in
the above quotation. I believe that it should read thus: “Comprising
a section of Nantucket west of Hummock Pond”; and further, “George
Nanahuma was a sachem of the Indians, etc.” The force of this will be
seen presently.
[12] Bulletin 3. Vol. II, p. 112. =Nantucket Historical Association’s
Publications=.
[13] The western half of Nantucket was sold by Wanackmamack, February
20th, 1661.
There is no deed to prove who was the legitimate sachem, if any
existed, of the Western section of Nantucket, but a section west of
Hummock pond apparently belonged to Nanahuma, viz: the neck which bears
his name, part of the woods to the north of it, and he possibly may
have had a proprietary interest in the =large plain= further west. I
think this view is borne out in the “first Indian Deed.”
In this deed “the plain” is evidently immediately west of Nanahuma’s
Neck from the use of the word Acamy in the deed (“on the other side of
the water”), and its locality is further fixed by the description of
its position, which agrees almost mathematically with its exact actual
position.[14] I am sorry to differ from Mr. Worth when he says: “the
deed of Nanahuma indicates that at the time he was sachem over the west
end of Nantucket.” It might as truly be said that the co-signer was
sachem over the west end of Nantucket, which we know he never was.
[14] =Vide= Ewer’s Map.
I believe that Nanahuma was a subsidiary or petty local sachem,
tributary to Nickanoose, and that all the property he owned as a sachem
was restricted within the limitations already indicated. This is
confirmed by his only subsequent deed, dated June 24th, 1678, by which
he disposes of “all his interest in the West plains, and to the Neck or
long woods” to the English. Besides, according to the delimitation of
the other Sachems as already given, none of them interfered with those
just mentioned as belonging to Nanahuma.
Indeed, it is doubtful whether Nanahuma at this time owned the Neck
which bore his name, for, on July 4th, 1664, “all the fields belonging
to the Neck” were sold to the English by Pakapanessa, Jonas Kimmo and
Harry, son of Wapakowet, who were probably residents of the identical
“plain” which was sold by Nanahuma in 1659. Moreover, in 1667, we find
Nanahuma associated with “Mr. Larry Ahkeramo” and Obadiah in a plea to
the Court that “whereas the sachems had sold the ground they formerly
lived on to the English, the said sachems would not entertain them on
the land unsold.” Curiously enough, in 1678, we find George Nanahuma,
alias Cowpohanet, selling to the English “all his interest in the West
plains, and to the Neck or long woods.” There, verily, seems to have
been a joint stock company in these lands!
If Potconet had no jurisdiction over the northwest section of
Nantucket, and if no evidence is in existence as to any other sachem
holding predominant rights over it, may it not be suggested that
it was mainly divided up into reallotments for the Indians who
were dispossessed by the requirements of the whites, and over whom
subsidiary sachems or sagamores were appointed, of whom there were
several? Of course, this is a mere suggestion.
We talk glibly and deprecatingly of the poor Indians as “mere
savages”, but the annals of American history afford but few instances
of really nobler men than Massassoit, Passaconaway, Samoset, and
Wanackmamack, the controlling Head Sachem of Nantucket. Had it not been
for the high personal qualities of such men New England might not have
occupied today the proud position which she now holds among the United
States.
The venerable Chief Wanackmamack was not only the pride and glory
of his insular braves, but the tried, true, and loyal friend of the
English immigrants. He was as kind-hearted and judicious as he was
courageous and high principled, and he governed his home-land so ably
and satisfactorily as to justify his memory in history as an exemplary
ruler.
Of Wauwinet little is known but that he was very old and much respected
when the settlers arrived, and nothing, so far as I have been able to
ascertain, has been said against him.
Nicornoose, his eldest son and successor, has not a good record, as he
deserted his wife and children, and had two children by another woman.
Beyond the fact that Autopscot was called “a great warrior and got his
land by his bow”, and that he permanently established peace throughout
the island, little further is recorded of him. Nor does history mention
anything concerning Potconet, the sachem ruling the proximate western
islands, with the exception of a record of the sale of his lands to the
settlers, in 1659. Such were the rulers of Nantucket when the settlers
arrived.
What a revelation the incoming of the whites must have been to the red
men, who had lived on the island, probably from a very early age, among
their own people, under their own laws, perpetuating their own habits
and customs—living close to Nature—for the most part in peace and
amity—simple in their lives, and knowing nothing, caring nothing for
the external world beyond them!
Yet, on the arrival of the new people who had come to supplant them,
they received them amicably, treated them justly, and as they treated
one another, relying upon what they recognized as the instinctive and
inalienable principles of humanity to govern their relationships and to
promote the mutual good and harmony of all. I cannot stop to inquire
who first took advantage of the racial differences which distinguished
these two peoples, or how the greater intellectuality and experience of
the one eventually overcame the other, but Time tells the story; and
today, while the whites glory in the beauties of, and the opportunities
afforded by their island home, where are the poor Indians, the
aborigines? All gone—melted away like dew-drops in the sun, and not
even one remains to tell the story of their past history!
The number of settlers who had arrived from Salisbury in 1660 and 1661
soon began to make themselves comfortable in their new and strange
environment, while the Indians could not but admire the novel type of
dwelling houses which the new-comers had set up in strange contrast
with the humble wigwams of the aborigines; indeed the new procedure
which was being introduced in many directions must have caused them
much surprise.
For a time the English and the Indians—the civilized and the
uncivilized—worked together amicably for the agricultural development
of the island. Together they cleared and tilled the land (for the most
part existing as a primeval wilderness), settling the allotments,
cutting down the timber, which is said to have almost covered the
island, and mutually performing the numerous farming operations
involved in the reclamation and cultivation of the soil. In addition to
farming they engaged also in fishing, in which art the natives were
expert. Much time was also devoted to the raising of sheep, and thus
while mutual forbearance was exercised, mutual trust was generated, and
while the settlers acted faithfully and justly with the Indians, the
latter were equally loyal in the discharge of their duties in their new
relationships.
When King Philip visited the island in 1665 and tried to induce
the natives to join in his contemplated war with the English, they
emphatically refused to do so, expressing themselves as perfectly
satisfied and desiring to be at peace with the whites. Indeed, at a
town meeting, on October 10th, 1665, Attaychat (Autopscot) “signified
that himself with all the Tomokommoth Indians subject to the English
Government in Nantucket, acknowledge subjection to King Charles II.
This was done in the presence of Metacomet, alias Philip, Sachem of
Mount Hop.”
Unfortunately, civilization has too often brought in its wake habits
and customs which have ever proved degenerative, if not destructive to
the uncivilized races of the earth, and so they proved to the Indians,
who were sober, industrious, and happy before the settlers introduced
among them the iniquitous “fire-water,” to the abuse of which they
fell a prey. Acting under its pernicious influence their primitive
instincts were aroused within them, and never afterwards were they the
same people. Discontent soon spread among them, and litigation in the
Courts—to which they had equal access with the whites—became so very
frequent that the records extend from 1673 to 1754.
I do not say that alcohol was at the bottom of all these cases, but
that it made the natives excitable, litigious and dissatisfied I avow,
without any reference to the misconduct and crime which it often
prompted, and which frequently resulted from its influence. In many
cases they found that the Courts decided against them, and they became
discouraged. Moreover, they were astounded at the fastly-increasing
number of whites on the island (so that offensive measures were out
of the question), and as a matter of fact they never could be made to
understand that the execution of a sale-deed of their property involved
its absolute surrender to the purchaser, however many attempts they
made to regain their land.
Mr. Thomas Macy wrote a forceful letter to the Governor, in May, 1676,
as to the pernicious effects of drink upon the natives, but every
effort made to mitigate the evil by legislative measures failed; the
natives who craved for it would sacrifice all they possessed, and one
way and another, they generally found means of obtaining it. Fines and
whipping were the modes inflicted for drunkenness and misdemeanors,
but the death-penalty was never exacted except in cases of deliberate
murder. It is recorded that, between 1704 and 1769, ten natives were
executed for capital crimes.[15]
On the other hand it has been stated that Quibby—who murdered Harry
Gardner—was the first and only Indian executed in Nantucket since
its settlement by the whites. Macy’s instances, however, seem well
substantiated.[16]
[15] Obed Macy; =opus cit.=
[16] “Miriam Coffin.”
In thus alluding to the misconduct of the natives I am merely
mentioning facts which I should have preferred to pass over, but in
justice to their memory it must be said that perhaps the majority of
them were exemplary in their lives—many of them pious—and good steady
husbandmen and craftsmen. As a race they have been much misrepresented,
and if revengeful, it was only when their subduers had treated them
cruelly or unjustly.
Spirited efforts had been made to introduce Christianity among the
natives, and the results on Nantucket were probably more successful
than in any other section of New England. Thus, Barber (in his
=Historical Collections=, page 448) says: “Soon after the English had
settled on the island, attempts were made to convert the Indians to
the faith of the Gospel, and, in course of years, all of them became
nominal Christians.”
Soon after 1680, all the old Sachems, who were alive when the English
arrived had passed away, and their successors reigned in their stead.
As Macy says: “The Indians were instructed in the mode of fishing
practised by the whites, and, in return, the whites were assisted by
the Indians in pursuing the business.” Another writer says: “There
is no doubt that the Natick Indians hunted the whale in canoes, in a
manner somewhat similar to that practised today by the Bow-Meaders
of the north coast of Siberia.” Moreover, I have been personally
informed by a gentleman of much culture and experience who knows as
much about the Nantucket Whaling industry as any man now alive, that
“hunting the whale was well-known and long practised by the Nantucket
Indians.” If any further evidence is deemed necessary it may be found
in the following quotation from =Weymouth’s Voyage=: “One especial
thing in their manner of killing a whale which they (the Indians) call
=powdawe=, and will describe his form, how he bloweth up the water,
and that he is twelve fathoms long, and that they go in company with
their King, with a multitude of their boats, and strike him with a
bone made in the fashion of a harping iron, fastened to a rope, which
they make great and strong of the bark of trees which they veer out
after him; that all their boats come about him, and as he riseth above
water, with their arrows they shoot him to death. When they have
killed him and dragged him to shore, they call all their chief lords
together, and sing a song of joy, and these chief lords, whom they call
sagamores, divide the spoil and give to every man a share; which pieces
so distributed they hang up about their houses for provision, and when
they boil them they blow off the fat, and put in their pease, maize and
other pulse which they eat.”
There can be no doubt that the Nantucket Indians joined gladly in the
chase of whales, and that they were fully as dexterous as the whites,
not only in securing, but in dealing with the carcasses afterwards.
The year 1763–4 was, indeed, a sad one for the Indians of Nantucket,
inasmuch as, from August in the former year to February in the latter,
they suffered from a malignant form of epidemic which, even yet, has
not been identified, although the probability is that it was either
typhus or typhoid fever, small-pox or yellow fever. Curiously enough,
of the English who visited them daily, caring for and nursing the
afflicted natives, not one was affected by the pestilence, which ceased
suddenly, without previous abatement, on the 16th of February, 1764.
Before the epidemic broke out there were 358 Indians on the island, of
whom 222 perished, leaving only 136 natives to represent the race.[17]
[17] Obed, Macy; =opus cit.=
In 1791 there were but four male Indians and sixteen females left on
the island, and in 1809 there were only three or four persons of pure
blood and a few of mixed race.
From 1664 to 1774 the records consist mainly of land-sales from the
Indians to the English; of complaints of one Indian against another,
or others in relation to landsales, and of controversies about their
respective claims to whales. Within this period also one repeatedly
notices the names of the successors of the old sachems, for several
generations; but, concurrently with these, up to 1754, are the records
of many attempts on the part of some of the Indians to regain their
lands.
The perusal of these is very interesting, but I can only refer those
who may desire to obtain a full knowledge of such matters to the ample
and careful reports given by Mr. Henry B. Worth in the Bulletins of the
Nantucket Historical Association.[18]
[18] =Vide= Vol II. Bulletin 3.
In 1693 the island of Nantucket, ceded from the Provincial Government
of New York, was incorporated in the State of Massachusetts.
=Names of Some of the Nantucket Indians Occurring in the
Registry of Deeds, Petitions, Etc.=
Wanackmamack, Head Sachem of Nantucket in 1659.
Wauwinet, aged Head Sachem of Northeastern section.
Nicornoose, successor to Wauwinet.
Autopscot (Attapechat or Attaychat), Sachem of Southwestern section.
Potconet (or Pottacohannet), Sachem of Tuckernuck, etc.
Nanahuma, probably a petty Sachem.
Harry, a witness, son of Wapakowet.
Wauwinnesit, or Amos, second son of Nicornoose.
Saucoauso, alias Jeptha, son of Wanackmamack.
Joshua Jethro, eldest son of Nicornoose.
Wat Noose, bastard son of Nicornoose.
Paul Noose, bastard son of Nicornoose.
Masauquet, son of Autopscot.
Harry Poritain, alias Beretan, son of Masauquet.
Isaac Masauquet, son of Harry Poritain.
Askommopoo, daughter of Nicornoose and wife of Spotso or Spoospotswa.
Felix Kuttashamaquah, an interpreter.
Cain, son of Saucoauso or Jeptha.
Abel, son of Saucoauso or Jeptha.
Ben Abel, son of Abel.
Eben Abel, son of Abel.
Jemima, daughter of Cain, and wife of James Shea.
Pakapanessa, Indian associated with Nanahuma.
Jonas Kimmo, Indian associated with Nanahuma.
Tequamomany, sold lands to English in 1604.
Mekowakim, sold lands to English in 1604.
Peteson, a complainer, 1667.
Larry Akkeramo, a complainer, 1667.
Obadiah, a complainer, 1667.
Wequakesuk, a sachem, 1673.
Isaac Wauwinet, son of Nicornoose, successor of father.
Heattohanen, another name for one of Nicornoose’s sons.
Wohwaninwot, another name for one of Nicornoose’s sons.
Cowpohanet, another name of Nanahuma.
Spotso, son-in-law of Nicornoose, signed also as Spoospotswa.
Sasapana Will, sold land to the English, 1687.
Henry Britten, Sachem, 1701.
Eastor, wife of Saucoauso, 1709.
Joshiah or Josiah, son of Spotso.
James Shay, Shea, or Shaa, husband of Jemima.
Esau Cook, an Indian who sold land, 1742.
Isaac Woosco, an Indian who sold land, 1745.
Samuel Chegin, an Indian who sold land, 1747.
Titus Zekey, an Indian who sold land, 1762.
John Jethro, a descendant of Nicornoose.
Abigail Jethro, a descendant of Joshua Jethro, son of Nicornoose.
Jacob, son of Potconet, 1672.
Ahkeiman, son of Potconet, 1676.
Desire, or Desiah, a partner of Washaman, in whales, 1676.
Waquaheso, related to Nicornoose.
Wakeikman, Sessanuquis, Wienakisoo, three associated Indians, 1678.
Nautakagin, a companion of Nanahuma, 1678.
Quench, an Indian who divorced his wife, 1677.
Mequash, an Indian with whaling rights, 1678.
Machoogen, an Indian burglar, 1677.
Debdekcoat, a fraudulent creditor, 1677.
Shaakerune, an anti-prohibitionist, 1677.
Seikinow, a complainer, 1699–1700.
Titus Mamack, Joshua Mamack, John Mamack, descendants of Wanackmamack.
Jouab, descendant of Wanackmamack.
John Jouab, a disgruntled complainer.
Jonathan, a disgruntled complainer.
James Asab, a disgruntled complainer.
John Tashime (Tashama), a descendant of Autopscot.
John Jethro, a petitioner.
Paul Jouab, a petitioner.
Richard Napanah, a petitioner.
Solomon Zachariah, a petitioner.
Naubgrachas, a petitioner.
Abel Nanahoo, a petitioner.
John Asab, a petitioner.
Barnabas Spotso, Sachem.
James Papamoo, son of Barnabas Spotso.
John Quass, the choice of Lakedon Indians for Sachem, when they
repudiated Ben Abel, the legitimate chief.
Sanchimaish, a witness to Isaac Wauwinett’s will.
Abram Tashama, son of John Tashama, 1741.
Old Hannah, a witness.
Ben Jouab, grandson of Pampason, 1752.
Memfopooh, a messenger, 1752.
Oowamassen, a witness to Isaac Wauwinnett’s will, 1670.
Joshua of Chappoquiddick, same as Joshua Jethro, eldest son of
Nicornoose, 1706.
Talagamomos, Keostahhan, Wumoanohquin, Quaquahchoonit, witnesses to
Nicornoose’s will, 1668.
Ben Joab Pampushom, a claimant to Sachemdom of Occawa, 1745.
Peter Tuphouse, witness to Pampushom’s petition.
Peleg Tuphouse, witness to Pampushom’s petition.
David Pompasson, said to have been a grandson of Nicornoose.
Samuel Humbrey, a witness to John Jouab’s petition, 1752.
* * * * *
Petty crimes and misdemeanors on the part of the Indians—too often
caused by “fire-water”—frequently resulted in producing considerable
trouble and annoyance to the proprietors, and when they found that the
imposition of fines and the infliction of whipping in graver cases
were inadequate to permanently restrain them, they at length appointed
a superior Indian to undertake the office of superintendent and local
magistrate, and with considerable success. The officer appointed was
James Shouel, better known as Korduda and he soon became a terror to
evil-doers, his usual procedure being, when one Indian complained of
another, to order both the complainant and the defendant to be well
whipped. This subsequently became known as “Korduda’s law,” and in
many, if not in most cases, it was found very effective. He was also in
the habit of having delinquents whipped for neglecting the cultivation
of their corn, for drunkenness, etc.
A few other special Indians are referred to in Zaccheus Macy’s
well-known letter, viz.: “Old Aesop,” the weaver, who was also a
schoolmaster; “Old Saul,” “a stern-looking old man;” Richard Nominash
and his brother Sampson and little Jethro, who are described as “very
substantial and very trusty men;” Zacchary Hoite, a minister who told
his hearers “they must do as he said, but not as he did!” There were
also some members of the old Hoight and Jafet families, and Benjamin
Tashama, an Indian of strong individuality, to whom I shall now refer
in detail.
Benjamin Tashama, or Tashima, was, perhaps, the most noted Indian
within the bounds of Autopscot. He was a grandson of Sachem Autopscot,
and was distinguished as a good and worthy man, an esteemed preacher,
and a successful schoolmaster. “A portion of the industrious life of
Tashima,” says the author of “Miriam Coffin,” “had been devoted to
study; and he had succeeded, with infinite labour, in adapting his
literary acquirements to the language and capacity of his tribe. He
had nourished the vain hope of preserving the nation without a cross
in its blood, and the language of his people in its pristine purity.
It was a magnificent conception! The design was worthy of the last, as
he was the greatest, chief of his tribe. He was the last, because none
succeeded him; he was the greatest, for he was the most benevolent.”
While few details of his life are known it is attested that he latterly
lived on the eastern boundary of Gibbs’ swamp, about forty rods
northeast of the fifth milestone on the ’Sconset road. Here, some years
ago, the cellar of his dwelling still remained, and the large stone
which formed the entrance may now be seen in the rooms of the Nantucket
Historical Association.
Here Tashama, often called “the last Sachem of Nantucket,” dwelt with
his son Isaac and his daughter Sarah. Benjamin Tashama died in 1770.
His brother, John Tashama, was alive in 1754, when he signed a petition
to the court. John had one son, Abram, mentioned by John Coffin and
Abishai Folger in a report dated May 25th, 1743.
Sarah Tashama married Isaac Earop, and on April 27th, 1776, a daughter
was born to them. She was named Dorcas Honorable. When this child grew
up she became a domestic in the family of Mr. John Cartwright, where
she lived for many years, and she died in 1822.[19]
[19] For these facts I am indebted to a statement made by Mr. Franklin
Folger in May, 1743. =Vide= “Inquirer and Mirror”, October 29, 1910.
=She was a full-blooded Indian, and the very last of her race on
Nantucket=; and thus, little more than two centuries from the discovery
of the island, passed away the only remaining one of the aboriginal
people who had dominated it from time immemorial.
Abram Api Quady or Quary, a half-breed, who lived in a hut at Shimmo
for many years, died in 1855 at the age of 83, respected by all who
knew him. He was the son of the notorious Quibby, already referred
to, and of Judith Quary—a half-breed fortune-teller well-known on the
island at one time. Abram, for obvious reasons, chose to assume his
mother’s name. A fine portrait in oil of this dignified old man may be
seen in the Nantucket Atheneum.
It may seem strange that no burial place of the Indians has been
discovered on the island of Nantucket, so far as I am aware. Skeletal
remains and a few bones have been discovered at one time and another,
and in various places, but I believe no regular place of Indian burial
has ever been found. This may be thus accounted for, viz.:
Island Indians usually buried their dead contiguous to the coast-line,
and the progressive erosion of the coast during two centuries may
have possibly washed such remains into the ocean. This is merely a
suggestion, and as I have but few proofs to offer, I am subject to
correction. It is probable, however, that the Indians buried their
dead in the neighborhood of Shawkemo, Pocomo, Folger’s Hill on the
Polpis road, at Quaise, beyond the present water-works, and at or near
Miacomet. It is recorded that there was a circular burying-ground for
one of the tribes near the head-waters of Lake Miacomet, and that
Benjamin Tashama was buried there.
An opinion too generally shared, which regards the American Indian race
as consisting of mere savages, almost inhuman in their ferocity and
cruelty, and without a redeeming feature of any kind, is as untrue as
it is unjust. They naturally possessed those characteristics shared by
all unenlightened races of men who have been deprived of the elevating
influences of civilization and a high code of ethics, but a careful
study of their lives and history shows that, according to their
enlightenment, they were actuated by many virtues which, in superior
races, count for dignified manhood and nobility of mind. In personal
bravery and courage they had few equals and yet they accepted conquest
or punishment with a sublime fortitude and stoicism which scorned to
ask for either life or pardon. Equality, freedom, and independence
constituted the very atmosphere of their being and, in their dealings
with their own race, the rights of each individual, and his personal
freedom, were universally acknowledged. Judged from our modern standard
the principles of morality which governed their lives, if of a lower
order, were yet in keeping with their instincts and their environment,
and they believed that “the crimes of the vicious were punished by the
disgrace, contempt and danger they ensured for transgressors.”
When all that can be said against the Indians has been spoken it must
be conceded that they embodied a pure and lofty patriotism, for which
they fought and died like men and true patriots, and although they had
to gradually yield up their possessions and their homes in the land
they loved, and to recede and disappear before the advancing wave of
civilization, yet, as De Forest says: “We may drop a tear over the
grave of the race which has perished, and regret that civilization and
Christianity have ever accomplished so little for its amelioration.”
In the somewhat severe words of Obed Macy, “Their only misfortune was
their connection with Christians, and their only crime the imitation of
their manners.”
In conclusion, I venture to make two suggestions, one a minor and the
other a major one. Would it not be expedient and appropriate on the
part of the Nantucketers to erect a tablet over the grave of “Dorcas,”
the last of the aborigines? The residents of “the little purple
island,” I think, owe so much to the memories associated with her
vanished race.
Or, now that Nantucket is becoming, increasingly, year by year, a
fashionable ocean-bound sea-resort, would it not be possible to carry
out the suggestion made by an off-islander, as far back as 1881 at the
Commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the death of Tristram Coffin,
to erect by public subscription “a towering statue in dusky bronze,
representing the venerable Indian Sachem, Wanackmamack, the tried and
true friend of the original purchasers of the island?” The island
certainly owes this illustrious Chief a debt of gratitude, for it was
almost entirely due to his benign influences that the “silent people
of the forest” and the strangers lived in peace and amity together,
and thus expedited the dawn of civilization without an obstacle within
its boundaries. I have spoken, and I leave these suggestions to the
islanders for reflection, with every fond wish for their prosperity and
success.
[Illustration]
Transcriber’s Notes:
- Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
- Text enclosed by equals is in bold font (=bold=).
- Blank pages have been removed.
- Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.
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