#mattakeeset

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Josiah Wampatucks marke

Wampatuck, or Josiah or Josias Wampatuck, or Josiah or Josias Chickataubut. Massachusett. Sachem at Mattakeesett, in areas near and around the places today called “Scituate, Massachusetts,” “Hingham, Massachusetts,” “Marshfield, Massachusetts,” etc. and south of so-called “Boston, Massachusetts.”

Wampatuck’s kin: Son of Chickataubut (or Obtakiest), nephew to Cutshamekin. 

This document addresses land at present day “Scituate, Massachusetts,” bounded by the mouth of the North River, to Accord pond. The original is dated to 1653.

A copy of the original, seen at the Newberry Library.

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The marke of Josiah ye Sachem (Josias Chikatabut).

Also known as Josias Wampatuck and Josias Sagamore. Massachusett sachem at Mattakeesett, land at and near the place today called Quincy, Massachusetts. In this document, dated June 14, 1667, Josias Chikatabut is identified as “Sachem of the Massachusets Indians” and asks that the town of Dorchester “would give him a deed of gift, of that six thousand acres at punkopauog [sic] which the town gave to the Indians.”

Josias Chickatabut’s kin: father, Obtakiest or Chickatabut; children called Jeremy, Abigail, and Charles Wampatuck.

Translated from the Algonquian, Wompatuck may mean white deer, or snow goose. Chickataubut may mean thankful fire. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Seen at the Massachusetts State Archives.

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Charles Josiah Wompatuck. Charles Josias. Signum.

Massachusett, with ties to Mattakeeset, Neponset and Wessagusset communities, in the areas south of the place today called “Boston, Massachusetts.” Sachem by 1671. Died after 1695. The mark seen here made on a deed for land from so-called Boston, south to present day Roxbury, Massachusetts, and included Deer Island. 

Kin: his father, Josiah Wompatuck, Sachem at Mattakeesett. Grandfather, Chicatabut, Sachem at Wessagusset. Great-uncle, Cutshamequin, Sachem at Neponset.

Translated from the Algonquian, wompatuck means “white deer” in English. 

This document is referred to as a quitclaim deed for the peninsula of Boston, Massachusetts. Signed March 19, 1684. Seen at the Massachusetts Historical Society.