_Chickataubut_, was a sachem of considerable note among the
_Massachusetts_ tribe, and one of those who, in 1621, acknowledged
themselves the subjects of King James. He was Sachem of Passonagesit
(Weymouth,) where his mother was buried. In Drake’s Indian Biography
the following is related from Thomas Morton’s New Canaan. In the
first settling of Plymouth, some of the company in wandering about
upon discovery, came upon an Indian grave, which was of the mother of
Chickataubut. Over the body a stake was set in the ground, and two huge
bear skins sewed together spread over it; these the English took away.
When this came to the knowledge of Chickataubut, he complained to his
people and demanded immediate vengeance. When they were assembled, he
thus harangued them: ‘When last the glorious light of all the sky was
underneath the globe and birds grew silent, I began to settle as my
custom is to take repose; before mine eyes were fast closed, me thought
I saw a vision, at which my spirit was much troubled, and trembling at
that doleful sight cried aloud; Behold! my son, whom I have cherished,
see the paps that gave thee suck, the hands that clasped thee warm, and
fed thee oft, canst thou forget to take revenge on those wild people
that hath my monument defaced in a despiteful manner; disdaining our
ancient antiquities, and honorable customs. See now the Sachem’s grave
lies, like unto the common people of ignoble race, defaced. Thy mother
doth complain, implores thy aid against this thievish people newly
come hither; if this be suffered I shall not rest in quiet within my
everlasting habitation.’ Battle was the unanimous resolve, and the
English were watched and followed from place to place, until at length
as some were going ashore in a boat, they fell upon them, but gained
little advantage. After maintaining the fight for some time, and being
driven from tree to tree, the chief captain was wounded in the arm and
the whole took to flight. This action caused the natives about Plymouth
to look upon the English as invincible, and was the reason that peace was
maintained so long after.
When Boston was settled _Chickataubut_ visited Governor _Winthrop_, and
presented him with a hogshead of corn. Many of his ‘sanops and squaws’
came with him, but were most of them sent away after they had all dined,
Chickataubut probably fearing they would be burdensome, although it
thundered and rained and the Governor urged their stay. At this time
he wore English clothes, and sat at the Governor’s table, where he
behaved himself soberly, &c. as an Englishman. “Not long after he called
on Governor Winthrop and desired to buy of him a suit of clothes for
himself, the governor informed him that ‘English Sagamores did not use
to truck;’ but he called his tailor and gave him orders to make him a
suit of clothes, whereupon he gave the governor two large skins of coat
beaver. The clothes being ready, the governor put him into a very good
new suit from head to foot, and after, he set meat before them; but he
would not eat till the governor had given thanks, and after meat he
desired him to do the like, and so departed.”