Askamaboo
Wampanoag sachem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Askamaboo also spelled Askamapoo or Askommopoo was a female Wampanoag sachem (also known as a paramount chief), whose territory was on the island Nantucket.[1][3] She acted as sachem during the late 17th century.[4]
Life
The Wampanoag were semisedentary and lived between fixed sites, moving seasonally within eastern Massachusetts and the islands.[5] Askamaboo was one of several women to earn the title of sachem, typically achieved through matrilineal property amassed or as a widow to a deceased sachem.[6] Askamaboo's family had amassed a large amount of land on Nantucket.[1]
Askamaboo was the daughter of the Sachem Nickanoose and his first, highest ranking wife.[2][1] Nickanoose gave her hand in marriage to Nantucket sachem Spotso with whom she had her son Daniel.[1] Nickanoose transferred all of his property to his daughter, an exchange with lasting legal documents and witnessed by the Chappaquiddick sachem Pakeponessoo, and a second Wampanoag named Papumahchohoo. The written will was dated to August 18, 1660 by the Nantucket Historical Association.[4]
Though she recognized the importance of literacy, she herself was not literate–the Massachusetts Historical Society has a letter transferring her power of attorney to her son, Daniel Spatssoo, which she needed to have transcribed.[2] Her son would go on to become another sachem after her.[1]
