**Content Warning: Racist/Misogynistic Slur**
Squaw Sachem. Squaw Sachem of Mistick. Saunkskwa of Missitekw. Skosachoms mark.
Her homelands spreading across the areas of present day Charlestown to Concord, MA. and across Massachusett, Nipmuc and Pawtucket territories. This land deed for a tract of land from so-called Charlestown and Cambridge, Massachusetts, “against the ponds at Misticke” to Jotham Gibbons. Marked on the 13th of November, 1636. Leader across several Massachusett and Pawtucket communities before, during and after the death of her first partner, Nanepashemet (d. 1619). She died in 1667.
Her Kin: Nanepashemet, a partner. Their sons, Wonohaquaham (or Sagamore John), Montowampate (or Sagamore James), and Wenepoykin (or Sagamore George). Wompachowet or Webcowit, a partner. Their daughter, Yawata (or Sarah).
This post offers an opportunity for reflection and discussion around the appropriation and derogatory meaning the Algonquian word (and once honorific term) “squaw” or “sonksqua” now holds. This document also calls to attention the lack of documentation of this leader’s Massachusett name. Despite her mark appearing on many ‘legal’ documents in the 17th century, her given name was never recorded. Perhaps Saunskskwa/Sonksqua was her chosen identity; perhaps colonizers weren’t concerned enough to record her other name(s).
Land deed, 13 November, 1636, recorded 1656. Seen @ Massachusetts Historical Society