Simon his mark
Nipmuc. Identified in this document as the son of Wullumahchein or Black James. Wullumachein Black James is identified here as “Sachem of the Nipmug Countrey.”**
This document describes lands at Wombemesisecock, or the places now called, in English, Palmer and Ware, Massachusetts. Wombemessisecock, near Quaboag, was bounded to the east by a pond, called Sasagookapaug, on the north and west by a river, Nenameseck, and to the north by a place called Wequaes (place names are described in this deed and spelled here as seen in the document).
Simon’s kin: Father, Wullumachein (aka Black James) pauwau at Chaubunagungamaug. A brother, James.
This deed signed on December 27, 1686. Seen at the Massachusetts Historical Society.
**Wullumachein/Black James was a powerful spiritual leader at Chaubunagungamaug before King Philip’s War. However, our research asks us to consider whether the title of “Sachem of the Nipmug Countrey” in this post-1676 document, Wullumachein’s appointment as Constable at Chaubunagungamaug by white settler Daniel Gookin in 1675, and the privilege and power Colonizers believed it to bestow, was an honorific given to Wullumachein/Black James by colonizers, rather than Nipmucs.
