Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

110 GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAIMILIES.
Paupmunnacke,* Keecomsett,
these Indians proposed, viz :
Watanamatucke and Nanquidnumacke, Kanoonus and Mocrust,
to have the chief inspection and managcraent thereof,
with the help and advice of the said Richard Bourne, as the
matter may require ; and that one of the aforesaid Indians
be by the rest instated to act as a constable amongst them,
it being always provided, notwithstanding, that what homage
accustomed legally due to any superior Sachem be not hereby
infringed.— [Colony Records, Vol. 4, page 80.]
April 2, 1667, Mr. Richard Bourne, William Bassett
and James Skiffe, Senior, with the commissioned officers of
Sandwich, were appointed on the Council of War. He was
also on the Council in 1676. June 24, 1670, he and seven
others agreed to purchase all the tar made within the Colony
for the two years next ensuing at 8 shillings per small bar-
rel, and 12 shillings per large barrel, the same to be delivered
at the water-side in each town.
Nearly all the purchases of land of the Indians made in
Sandwich or vicinity during the life-time of Mr. Bourne,
were referred to him, a fact which shows that the English
and the Indians had confidence in him as a man of integrity.
At the solicitation of Mr. Bourne, the tract of land at
South Sea, containing about 10,500 acres, and known as the
plantation of Marshpee, was reserved by grant from the
Colony to the South Sea Indians. The late Rev. Mr. Hawly
of Marshpee, says, "Mr. Bourne was a man of that discernment
that he considered it as vain to propagate Christian
knowledge among any people without a territory where
they might remain in peace, from generation to generation,
and not be ousted." The first deed of the Marshpee lands
is dated Dec. 11, 1665, signed by Tookenchosen and Weepquish,
and confirmed unto them bj^ Quachateset, Sachem of
Manomett. In 1685, the lands conveyed by said deed were
by the Old Colony Court "confirmed to them and secured
to said South Sea Indians and their children forever, so as
* Paupmunnacke was the sachem of the Indi.ans in the westerly part
of Barnstable, at Scorton, and perhaps of Marshpee. Keencumsett was
sachem of the Mattakesits. His house stood a little distance north of
the present Capt. Thomas Percival's. He was constable. The residences
of the other sachems named I cannot define. These facts show that as
early as 1665 an orderly form of government was established among the
Indians. They held coui'ts of their own, tried criminals, passed judgments,
etc. Mr. Bourne and Gov. Hinckley frequently attended these
Indian courts and aided the Indian magistrates in difficult cases.