One aspect of the history of Pelham that has never been documented is the identities and backgrounds of the various Native Americans who signed the so-called "Indian Deed" by which Thomas Pell, on June 27, 1654, acquired from local Native Americans the lands that became the Manor of Pelham. Recently, however, I have begun a research initiative to document what can be found regarding the lives of these men. See, e.g., Fri., Jun. 15, 2018: Who Was Shawanórõckquot, a Native American Sachem Who Signed the Pell Indian Deed on June 27, 1654?
One of the Native Americans who signed the portion of the Pell Indian Deed denoted as the "articles of agreement" (via his mark) was referenced in the document as "Cockho." Interestingly, Cockho frequently appeared with, and signed documents also signed by, "Shawanórõckquot," the noted Wiechquaeskeck sachem. Today's Historic Pelham Blog article documents research regarding Cockho.
The Pell Indian Deed
The Pell Indian Deed, of which an image appears below and a transcription appears at the end of today's Historic Pelham Blog article, consisted of two parts: the deed and a section entitled "articles of agreement." The deed, of course, conveyed to Pell much of today's Bronx and lower Westchester Counties. Each of the two parts of the document was signed by a different group of Native Americans. Those who signed the "articles of agreement" as "Indyan Wittnesses" included Cockho, Kamaque, and Cockinsecawa.
17th Century Copy of the Pell Indian Deed Signed by Thomas Pell and
Native Americans on June 27, 1654 (Believed to be In Thomas Pell's
Handwriting). The Whereabouts of the Original Deed Are Unknown.
This Copy is on Display in the Thompson-Pell Research Center
Located near Fort Ticonderoga National Historic Landmark
in Ticonderoga, New York. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
Spelling Variants of the Name of the Native American Referenced as "Cockho"
Scholars who have worked to understand so-called "Indian Deeds" addressing lands in the region of Westchester County and the Bronx have documented references to some of the Native Americans who appear on such deeds including the Native American who signed (via his mark) Pell's Indian Deed named Cockho.
Spelling variants of the name "Cockho" seem to include at least those listed below, distilled from a variety of references:
Cockho (See Pell Indian Deed)
Cokeo (Baird, Chronicle of a Border Town, p. 502 n.2; Bolton, 1881, Vol. II, pp. 150-51)
Cokoe (Baird, Chronicle of a Border Town, pp. 11-12, 13-16; Bolton, 1881, Vol. II, pp. 150-53; Bolton, NYC in Indian Possession, pp. 253, 323)
Cokow (Baird, Chronicle of a Border Town, pp. 10-11; Bolton, NYC in Indian Possession, pp. 251-52, 325)
Couko (Baird, Chronicle of a Border Town, pp. 56-57)
Cowwows (Baird, Chronicle of a Border Town, p. 58; Bolton, 1881, Vol. II, pp. 134-36)
Who Was "Cockho" Who Signed the Pell Indian Deed Via His Mark?
So far research has not revealed to this author any references to Cockho prior to his name appearing on the Pell Indian Deed signed on June 27, 1654. Within only a few years thereafter, between 1660 and 1666, Cockho was involved with Shawanórõckquot and other Native Americans in a fascinating series of so-called "Indian Deeds" that transferred massive tracts that included roughly the areas covered by the towns of Rye and Harrison, portions of the towns of North Castle and Bedford, portions of Greenwich, Connecticut, among other lands. Most significantly, a number of the other Native American signers of various of these deeds also signed the Pell Indian Deed.
For example, on June 29, 1660, a Native American referenced as "Cokow" was among a group of Native Americans who executed a deed selling Manussing Island (today's Manursing Island off the coast of Rye) to a group of Greenwich residents. Significantly, it appears that several of the Native Americans who signed the Pell Indian Deed with Cockho (i.e., Cokow) also signed the June 29, 1660 Manussing deed. Below is a list with the names as they appeared on the Pell Indian Deed on the left and the phonetically similar names as they appeared on the June 29, 1660 Manussing deed on the right:
Shawanórõckquot Shanarockwell
Cockho Cokow
Cockinsecawa Cokinseco
Kamaque Quaraiko
Mehúmõw Maowbert
Nearly a year later, on May 22, 1661, four Native Americans executed an acknowledgement confirming that "Cokoe and Marrmeukhong and Affawauwone and Nahtiweman and Shocoke and Wauwhowarnt" had sold land between the Blind Brook and the Byram River north of lands previously sold to a group of New Englanders. The document was executed by only some of the named Native Americans: "Marrmeukhong, Affawauwone, Nahtimeman, and Cokoe." The Native American referenced as "Shocoke" in the document likely was Shawanórõckquot.
Thereafter, on November 8, 1661, a Native American referenced as "Cokeo" and other Native Americans executed a deed selling to John Budd, Sr. of Southold lands part of today's Rye bounded on the east by Blind Brook and on the west by Stony Brook (or Beaver Meadow Brook) and extending "northward as far as Westchester Path, and southward to the sea." Several of the Native Americans who signed the Pell Indian Deed with Shawanórõckquot (i.e., Shanarocke) also signed this November 8, 1661 deed. Below is a list with the names as they appeared on the Pell Indian Deed on the left and the phonetically similar names as they appeared on the November 8, 1661 Rye deed on the right:
Shawanórõckquot Shanarocke
Cockho Cokeo
Kamaque Rawmaquaie
Cockinsecawa Cockenseco
Thereafter, on April 29, 1666, a group of Native Americans including one referenced as "Cokoe" executed an Indian Deed purporting to reaffirm the earlier November 8, 1661 Indian Deed. This time the deed confirmed an earlier grant of land that extended northward into the country sixteen miles from Westchester Path. Once again, it appears that several of the Native Americans who signed the Pell Indian Deed with Shawanórõckquot (i.e., Shonarocke and Shanarocke) also signed this April 29, 1666 confirmation of the earlier November 8, 1661 deed. Below is a list with the names as they appeared on the Pell Indian Deed on the left and the phonetically similar names as they appeared on the November 8, 1661 Rye deed on the right:
Shawanórõckquot Shonarocke and Shanarocke
Cockho Cokoe
Kamaque Romackqua
Poquõrúm Pathung
On September 4, 1680, a Native American referenced as "Couko" signed as a witness on the so-called Indian Deed by which a Native American named "Maramaking" (also known as "Will" and "Lame Will") sold a large tract in the region of today's Rye near Blind Brook. About a year later, on October 8, 1681, Maramaking executed a second "deed' confirming the earlier sale of the tract. This second document was witnessed by Native Americans including one referenced as "Cowwows." This is the latest document yet revealed by research that seems to make reference to the Native American referred to in the Pell Indian Deed as "Cockho."
What may we surmise about Cockho from an analysis of these so-called "Indian Deeds" and the overlapping signers of these deeds?
First, it seems from the various Indian Deeds he signed that Cockho was active in the region for nearly thirty years, between about 1654 and 1681. So far, the earliest Indian Deed he seems to have signed was the Pell Indian Deed on June 27, 1654. The last seems to have been signed on October 8, 1681.
Second, it seems that in every instance, Cockho was not represented in the deed as an owner or proprietor of the lands being sold. Rather, in each and every instance he seems to have signed the relevant deed solely as a witness. Indeed, in the case of the Pell Indian Deed, Cockho was listed as among three "Indyan Wittnesses" to the "articles of agreement." This might suggest that although Cockho was not of sufficent prominence to be a designated owner / proprietor of any of the lands being sold, he was sufficiently respected and deemed sufficiently responsible to serve as a witness and signer (by his mark) of these various Indian Deeds.
Third, as seems to have been the case with Shawanórõckquot, research suggests that Cockho's involvement with such Indian Deeds was limited to lands along the coastal area between today's Northeast Bronx and Pelham northeast to approximately Rye and Harrison near the Connecticut border.
Fourth, the Indian Deeds signed by Cockho (using his mark) are evidence that Cockho had repeated interactions with such Native Americans who signed the Pell Indian Deed as the Wiechquaeskeck sachem Shawanórõckquot, Cockinsecawa, Kamaque, and Mehúmõw. Given that it is indisputable that Shawanórõckquot was a Wiechquaeskeck -- not a supposed "Siwanoy" -- it seems likely that Cockho was a Wiechquaeskeck. It should be noted in this regard that any suggestion there was a band, clan, tribe, or grouping of Native Americans that understood (or referenced) themselves to be "Wiechquaeskecks" would be misleading. The Dutch and English referenced Native Americans northeast of today's Manhattan in areas we now know as the Bronx, Pelham, and portions of Westchester County as associated with a physical location described, using various spellings, as "Wijckerscreek." The term, widely referenced today as Wiechquaeskeck, was applied by Dutch and English (using a wide variety of spellings) to the Native Americans in the region as a shorthand reference.
Clearly on June 27, 1654 when, according to the Pell Indian Deed, "A great multitude off Indyans & many English" gathered for a ceremonial and formal signing of that deed, one of those present was a Native American referenced in the deed as Cockho. Today's Historic Pelham Blog Article has been an effort to document a little of the life of that man.
* * * * *
TEXT OF THOMAS PELL’S COPY OF THE SO-CALLED "PELL INDIAN DEED" WHICH, ACCORDING TO TRADITION, WAS SIGNED BENEATH THE TREATY OAK THAT ONCE STOOD ON THE GROUNDS OF TODAY'S BARTOW-PELL MANSION MUSEUM
(Transcribed from High Resolution Image of the Original by Blake A. Bell)
“Know all men by this present yt we Shawanarockqúot: poquorum: Anhõõke: Wawhãmkus: Mehumõw: Beinge ye true owners & ye only Lawffull Heyres & proprietors off a piece of land Bounded by ye Sea to ye South wth yt Tract off land Called by ye English Longe Island; to ye west & west & by South wth ye bay & River & River Diawockinge Acqueonunge (Chemaqūanaock to ye East) wth all ye Islands yt are in ye salt water to ye South South East & South West Against yt Tract off Land wch is Beffore expresd; wh all trees medowes & all Land wh in ye tract off Land wch is Beffore Expressed: doo sell & deliver to Thos Pell now inhabitinge in Fayrffield his heyres & assignse to hould injoy improove plant as hee shall see cause to his Best to be improved ffor & to him & his heyres fforever wh out any molestation on our pt And doo herby ingage our Selves to make good our selves against all Claymes intayled either by Dutch or Indyans wt ever & doo deliver it into ye posession off ye sayd Thos Pell & his Assignes: markinge ye bounds to ye mayne Land wch is & shalbe ye present bounds to ye mayne Land: only Liberty is ffreely graunt ffor ffeedinge offe cattle & Cuttinge off timber beyound those Bounds; & wee doo Acknowledge to have Reseved in full for it ye trou valew & just Satisfaction Accordinge to our Estimate to wch we sett our hands beffore these wittnesses off English & Indyans this twenty seaventh off June 1654.
English Wittnesses Saggamores (Markes)
Richard Crabb Magistrate +Shawanórõckquot
Thomas Lawrence +Poquõrúm
John Ffinch +Anhõõke
+Wawhamkus
+Mehúmõw
Articles of Agreement
We also as lovinge neighbours & ffriends doo mutually ingage our Selves to send too men off Each yr one Day in ye Springe every yeare to marke ye Bounds of ye Land yt a Right Knowledge may be kept wh out injury to Either side yt Mutuall peace & love may be mayntayned 2nd Wee allso doo promise Each to other if any plotts on either Side yt may be to hurt off Either yt we Seasonably Discover ym as Lovinge Neighbours & friends yt peace & love may be mutually preserved
Indyan Wittnesses
+Marke Cockho
+Mark Kamaque
+Marke Cockinsecawa
This wrightinge was signed & wittnessed Beffore A great multitude off Indyans & many English we who are under written do testify
mark
Henry + Accorly This is A True Coppy off ye
William Newman originall written Thos Pell”
* * * * *
Native American References that May be Relevant to Cockho, the Native American Who Used His Mark to Sign the Pell Indian Deed on June 27, 1654
"This First Purchase on Peningo Neck comprised the lower part of the present town of Rye, on the east side of Blind Brook. From the extreme end of the peninsula proper, or Brown's Point, as it has long been called, this territory extended north as far as the present village of Port Chester. A line of marked trees from east to west was the boundary of this tract, beginning a little below Park's Mill, where a branch of Blind Brook empties into that stream, and running in a southeasterly direction to Byram River.
Nearly six months elapsed before any further step was taken by our planters. They had no intention of settling, as yet, on the land thus acquired upon the main. But east of Peningo Neck, separated from it only by a narrow channel, lay an island about a mile in length, called by the Indians Manussing. This island appears not to have been included in the first purchase. It offered manifest advantages for the commencement of the plantation. On the twenty-ninth day of June, 1660, Peter Disbrow, with John Coe and Thomas Stedwell, concluded a treaty with the Indian proprietors for the purchase of this islande. The deed is as follows: --
'Be it knowen vnto all men whom it may concern both Indians and English that we Shanarockwell sagamore, Maowhobo and Cokensekoo have sold unto Peter Disbro, John Coo, Thomas Studwell, all living at the present at Grenwige, to say a certain parcel of land the parcel of land which these Indians above mentioned have sold is called in the Indian name Peningo. This said island we above mentioned doe here by virtue of this bill doe sell all our right and title unto John Coo, Peter Disbro, Thomas Studwell, quietly to injoy from any molestation of us or any other Indians to them and to their heirs, assigns and executors for ever, and farther we have given unto Peter Disbro John Coo and Thomas Studwell feed for their cattle upon the main called by the Indians Peningo and what timbers or trees that is for their use and not to be molested by us or other Indians: and we doe hereby acknowledge to have received full satisfaction for this purchase of land above mentioned to saya we have received full satisfaction for this purchase of land above mentioned to say we have received eight cotes and seven shirts fiftene fathom of wompone which is the full satisfaction for the parcel of land above mentioned and for the witness we have hereto set our hands.
[Right Column]
SHANAROCKWELL
ARANAQUE
COKOW
WAWATANMAN
COKINSECO
MAOWBERT
QUARAIKO.'
[Left Column]
IPAWAHUN
ARAMAPOE
WONANAO
TOPOGONE
MATISHES
RICHARD
Source: Baird, Charles W., Chronicle of a Border Town -- History of Rye Westchester County, New York 1660-1870 Including Harrison and the White Plains Till 1788, pp. 10-11 (NY, NY: Anson D. F. Randolph and Company, 1871).
"By these two treaties, our settlers acquired the lower half of the present territory of the town, between Blind Brook and the Sound or Byram River; together with the adjoining island of Manussing. Nearly a year after, they bought the land lying farther north, between the same streams. This included considerably more than the present territory of the town. The deed of the purchase is dated May 22, 1661: --
'Be it known to all men whom it may concern both English and Indians that I Cokoe and Marrmeukhong and Affawauwone and Nahtimenman and Shocoke and Wauwhowarnt do acknowledge to have sold to Peter Disbrow, his heirs and assigns, a certain tract of land lying between Byram River and the Blind Brook, which tract of land is bounded as followeth, viz., with the river called in English Byram River beginning at the mouth of the above said river on the east and the bounds of Hsting on the south and southwest to the marked trees, and northward up to the marked trees; which may contain six or seven miles from the sea along the said Byram River side northward, and so from the said river cross the neck northwest and west to the river called the Blind Brook, bounded northward with marked trees whjich leads down to a little brook which runs into the Blind Brook. The which tract of land I Cokoe and the above said Indians our fellows, heirs and assigns, do here promise and make good to the said Peter Disbrow, his heirs or assigns, peaceable and quiet possession for ever without any molestation either from Dutch, Indians or English. We the above said Indians have also sold this tract of land above mentioned with all the trees, grass, springs and minerals, with feed range and timber northward twenty English miles above the said purchase of land; and do acknowledge to have received full satisfaction for the said land. In witness hereof we the above said Indians have set to our hands this present day and date above written.
MARRMEUKHONG his mark
AFFAWAUWONE his mark
NAHTINMEMAN his mark
COKOE his mark'"
Source: Baird, Charles W., Chronicle of a Border Town -- History of Rye Westchester County, New York 1660-1870 Including Harrison and the White Plains Till 1788, pp. 11-12 (NY, NY: Anson D. F. Randolph and Company, 1871).
"The lands west of the Blind brook, called by the Indians Apawamis, are to be distinguished from the rest of the township of Rye as constituting a distinct Patent, called Budd's Neck Patent. This territory, which was 'bounded on the east by Blind brook, on the west by the little stream whose Indian name was Pockcotessewake, since known as Stony brook, or Beaver Meadow brook, and extending northward as far as Westchester Path, and southward to the sea,' was purchased of the native sachem Shanarocke and other Indians by John Budd, of Southhold, Long Island, who now takes the lead instead of Peter Disbrow, the first English grantee, under the sachems of Poningoe.
INDIAN DEED OF APAWAMIS.
To all Christian people, Ingains [i.e., Indians] and others whom it may concern, that we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, living upon Hudson's river, in America, that we, Shanarocke, sagamore, and Rackceate, Napockheast, Tawwheare, Nanderwhere, Tomepawcon, Rawmaquaie, Pawaytahem, Mawmawytom, Howhoranes, Cockkeneco, Tawwayco, Attoemacke, Heattomeas, all Ingains, for divers good causes and considerations us hereunto moving, have fully and absolutely bargained, and doe for ever sell unto John Budd, senior, of Southhole, his heires, executors, &c., all our real right, tittell and interest we or eather of us have in one track of land lying on the mayn, called Apawammeis, buted and bounded on the east with Mockquams river, and on the south with the sea against Long Island, and on the west with Pockcotessec river, and at the north up to the marke trees nyeer Westchester Path, all the lands, trees to fell at his pleasure, with all the grounds, and meadow grounds and planting grounds, moynes and mineraals, springs and rivers, or what else lying or being within the said track of land, and also range, feeding and grasse for cattell, twenty English miles northward into the country, and trees to fell at his or their pleasure, and to their proper use and improvements of the said John Budd, his heirs, executors, &c., for ever to enjoy, possess and keep as their real right, as also peaceably to inherite the sayd track of land with all thereon, and we, the before named Ingains, doe acknowledge and confesse to have received in hand of the said John Budd, the juste sum of eightie pounds sterling in full satisfaction for the aforesaid land with all the limits, bounds and privileges with hegrece and regrece, without lett or molesttion of any one. Now for the more true and reall enjoyment and possession of the said John Budd, his heirs, &c., we doe jointly and severally, us and either of us, or any by and under us, for ever assign and make over by virtue of this, our deed and bill of sale, disclayme any further right in the sayd tract of land from the day of the date hereof, and all and each of us do promise to put the said John Budd or his into quiet, peaceable possession, and him to keep and defend and mayntaine against all person or persons whatsoever that shall directly or indirectly lay any clayme or former grant, or shall trouble or molest the said John Budd or his, be they English or Dutch, or Ingains, or whatsoever. We the aforenamed Ingains doe engage ourselves, heirs, executors, &c., to make good this our obligations as aforesaid. I Shanarocke, Rackeate, Mepockheast, Tawwaheare, Nanderwhere, Tomepawcon, Rawmaquaie, Pawwaytahem, Mawmawytom, Howhoranes, Cockkeneco, Tawwayen, Attoemacke, Heattomees, have hereunto set our hands at tine and ties, and we doe approve of each of our hands to this deed to be good and firm. Witness this our hands this day being the 8th of November, 1661.
Signed, sealed and delivered,
THOMAS REVELL,
JOHN COE,
THOMAS CLOSE,
HUMPHREY HUGES,
The mark of
SHANOROCKE,
NANDERWHERE,
MEPOCKHEAST,
HOWHORANES,
RAWMAQUAIE,
RACKEATE,
PAWWAYTAHEM,
COCKENSECO
Know all men, English and Ingains, that whereas Shanorock sold John Budd all the land from the sea to Westchester path, I Shenorock marked trees by Penning path do hereby give and grant and acknowledge that I have received full satisfaction of him, and according to the true intent of these bounds, he the sayd John Budd is to have and enjoy all the land by the Blind brook to Westchester path, witness my hand.
Witness the mark of [mark] COKEO.
PETER DISBROW.
THE MARK OF SHANOROCKE,
The mark of REMAQUAIE.
Bolton, Robert, The History of the Several Towns, Manors, and Patents of the County of Westchester, from its First Settlement to the Present Time Carefully Revised by its Author, Vol. II, pp. 150-51 (NY, NY: Chas. F. Roper, 1881). See also Baird, Charles W., Chronicle of a Border Town -- History of Rye Westchester County, New York 1660-1870 Including Harrison and the White Plains Till 1788, p. 502 n.2 (NY, NY: Anson D. F. Randolph and Company, 1871).
"The next year John Budd obtains a confirmation of the Indian grant of November 8th 1661, of a tract of land extending northward into the country sixteen miles from Westchester Path from the Indian Sachems Shanarocke, Romackqua and Pathung:
SECOND INDIAN DEED OF APAWAMIS.
To all Christian people, Indians and others whom it may concern that wee who's names are hereunto subscribed living upon Hudson's River in America, Shonarocke Sagemore, and Romackqua and Pathung, whereas wee have formerly sold a tract of land unto Mr. John Budd, senior, bounded on the sea by the South, on the North by Westchester path and the name of the tract of land is commonly call Apauamiss, and whereas wee have sold unto the sayd Mr. John Budd twenty English miles northwards from the above said tract, which is called by Apauamis the above said twenty English miles wee doe acknowledge that wee have sold unto Mr. John Budd for range, for feed, for timber, for grasing, to him and his heirs forever, and now wee doe acknowledge that wee have bargained, sold and delivered, wee and every one of us from our Heirs, Executors or Assigns a tract of land lying within the compass of the above sayd twenty English miles bounded on the south by Westchester path and on the East by the Blind Brook and on the West by Mamaraneck River and the north bounds is sixteen miles (English miles) from Westchester path up into the country, for which land we have received already in hand a certaine sume to the value of twenty pounds sterling for the above sayd track of land, for which land we are fully satisfied by the sayd John Budd for the above sayd track of land for the which wee doe acknowledge wee have bargained, sold and delivered unto John Budd and His Heirs forever with warrantie against all men, English, Dutch, and Indians and doe give him full possession and promise so to keep him to the which bargaine and agreement wee have hereunto set our hands this day, being the 29th of April, 1666.
Witness, JOSEPH HORTON,
Witness, JOHN RAWLS,
The mark of COKOE the Indian,
The mark of SHANAROCKE,
The mark of ROMACKQUA,
a sachems Son,
The mark of PATHUNG.
Recorded May 10, 1673, in the public records of ye book ffol 32, pme, Jno. Allyn, secretary [Footnote a: "a Baird's Hist. of Rye, p. 15."] A true copie compared by Edward Colier. [Footnote b: "b New York Col. MSS. Land papers, 1642-1681, vol. I. p. 10, Col. Rec. of Conn., vol. (MS.) p. 324."]"
Source: Bolton, Robert, The History of the Several Towns, Manors, and Patents of the County of Westchester, from its First Settlement to the Present Time Carefully Revised by its Author, Vol. II, pp. 150-51 (NY, NY: Chas. F. Roper, 1881). See also Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New York, Vol. XIII Old Series & Vol. II, New Series, pp. 402-03 (Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1881); Baird, Charles W., Chronicle of a Border Town -- History of Rye Westchester County, New York 1660-1870 Including Harrison and the White Plains Till 1788, pp. 13-16 (NY, NY: Anson D. F. Randolph and Company, 1871).
"In the fall of the year 1680, Robert Bloomer and others, in behalf of the Proprietors of Peningo Neck, bought of Maramaking or Lame Will a certain tract of land 'called by the Indians Eaukecaupacuson and by the English name the Hogg penn ridge.' [Footnote 2: "2 Town Records, vol. B p. xiii."]
'To all Christian peopelle to whom these shall com greeting know yee that I Marramaking Commonly called by the English Will have for a valuabelle consideration by me allradi Recaifed of Robart blomer haccaliah Brown and thomas merit alinated and sould unto them the said Rob t blomer, Haccaliah brown and thomas merit them their heirs executars administratars or asignes a certain trackt of Land Lyeing by a brooke commonly called blind brook which tract of Land is called by the Indians Eauketaupacuson bounded as followeth beginning at the southermost end which is betwene the above said brook and a branch thereof and from thence to the great swomp at the oulld marked tree which is now new marked with these Letters R B H T M and from thence by marked trees to a small Runn which Runs into the above said brook and there is marked with a mark the which tract of Land is called by the English name the hoggpenn Ridge to have and to howlld the above said trackt of land for ever and I the said Maramaking alice Will doe bind by sellfe my heires execators and administratars firmly by these presents to warrant and make good the above said salle unto the above said Robart blomer, Brown and merit their heirs exceutars administrators or asignes without any Lett hindrance molistation or trouble from or by any person or persons whatsoever that shall from or after the date hereof make or lay any claim or claims theare unto In witnes here of I have set to my hand this 4th Day of september in the yere 1680.
Witnes the mark of COUKO
The mark of MARAMAKING alis WILL
the mark of OWROWWOAHAK
JOHN OGDEN
JOHN STOKHAN
'Maramaking alise Will hath acknliged this bill of salle before me in Rye this 28 of november 1680.
JOSEPH HORTON Commissoner
'Know all men by these presents that wee Robert Blomer, Hacaliah Brown and thomas merit doe asigne over all our Right titel and Intrust of this within written bill of salle to the propriatars of peningo neck. as witness our hnds this second day of march in the year sixtene hundred eight one wee three above said Reserving our equall portions with the other propriatars above said.
Delivered in presence Of us JOHN GEE
His marke JOSEPH GALLPEN
ROBART BLOMER
HACKALIAH BROWN
THOMAS MERIT.'
Lame Will's Purchase commenced at a point where the 'branch' of Blind Brook joins the main stream. From thence the southern boundary ran eastward to 'the old marked trees' at 'the Great Swamp.' [Footnote 1: "The Great Swamp extended over a considerable part of the region bounded on the east by King Street and on the west by the Ridge Road, north of the present Roman Catholic Cemetery. In 1705, Deliverance Brown sold to George Kniffin four or five acres of swamp land, bounded west or northwesterly 'by a branch of Blind Brook that runs out of the great Swamp commonly so called.' (Town Records, vol. C. p. 275.)"] Northward, it extended along Blind Brook to certain other marked trees, where the line now divides the town of Rye from that of North Castle. [Footnote 2: "In the papers relating to the patent of the town of Rye in 1720, it appears that the territory for which that patent was sought and granted, was coextensive with Will's Purchase."] This was Lame Will's tract, and a very valuable one it wsa. But either the old Indian flew again from his bargain, or he was anxious to effect a more extensive sale of lands under his sway. For a few weeks later, November 28, 1680, we find the town appointing Peter Disbrow, together with the three men previously sent, 'for to go with the Indians to view some land lying between the Blind brook and Byram river, and to make a thorow bargain with them if they shall see it best.' [Footnote 3: "3 Rye Records, Vol. A. Bolton's History of Westchester County, ii. 24."] Nearly a year elapsed before the contract was concluded. The second purchase from Maramaking was effected on the 8th of October, 1681. For the valuable consideration of 'three coats received,' Lame Will sold to the inhabitants of Rye a tract of land 'between Byram river and the Blind brook' or 'Houge;' [Footnote 4: "4 Town Records, vol. B. p. xv. The name Houge may have been applied to the upper part of Blind Brook, or to the branch alreaday referred to. The Indians, it is well known, often had various names for the same stream."] apparently lying north of the prceding purchase, and within the present limits of North Castle.
'Know all Christian People to whom these shall com greting know ye that I maramaking Comanly called by the english will have for a valuabell Consideration by the inhabitance of the towne of Rye allradi Resaived namely, three cotse In hand of the inhabitants of Rye by me Resaived I Maramaking doe acknolidg that I have aLinated covinanted soulld and deLivired unto them the inhabitants of Rye to them theare heirs Execetars administratars or asignes a sartain tract of Land Liing betwene Biram river and the blind brooke or honge: acording as it is allradi marked by the Indians and bounded : : to have and holld the above said trackt of Land for ever : and I the said maramaking or else Will doe bind my sellfe my heires execetars and administratars firmly by these presents to warant and make good the above said salle unto the above named Inhabitants of Rye to them thaire heires execetars asignes or administratars without any Let hindrance moListation or trouble from or by any person or persons what so ever that shall from or after the date here of make or Lay any claim or claims theare unto In witness here of I have set to my hand this 8th of Octobar in the yere 1681
The marke of MARAMAKING or elce WILL
Witness the mark of WESSACONOW
the mark of COWWOWS
the mark of PUMMetum
JOSHUA KNOAP
JACOB PAIRS
'Maramaking or else will hath acknowliged this bill of salle before me in Rye this 8 of october 1681
JOSEPH HORTON Commissioner."
Source: Baird, Charles W., Chronicle of a Border Town -- History of Rye Westchester County, New York 1660-1870 Including Harrison and the White Plains Till 1788, pp. 56-58 (NY, NY: Anson D. F. Randolph and Company, 1871). See also Bolton, Robert, The History of the Several Towns, Manors, and Patents of the County of Westchester, from its First Settlement to the Present Time Carefully Revised by its Author, Vol. II, pp. 134-36 (NY, NY: Chas. F. Roper, 1881).
* * * * *
Other Secondary Source Native American References that May be Relevant to Cockho, the Native American Who Used His Mark to Sign the Pell Indian Deed on June 27, 1654
The Following References to “Cokoe,” Cokeo, and “Cocow” May Be Significant:
“The next Siwanoy sale was of far-reaching character, and it was also of importance in linking the evidences of Siwanoy ownership. It comprised the township of Mamaroneck which was sold to John Richbell in 1666 by Wompoqueum, Cokoe, and others. Cokoe, or ‘The Owl,’ was the Poningo brave who had taken part in the sale of Rye in 1660 and Harrison in 1661, and thus connects the tribal ownership of the two tracts.” Bolton, Reginald Pelham, New York City in Indian Possession in INDIAN NOTES AND MONOGRAPHS, Vol. II, No. 7, pp. 219, 253 (NY, NY: Museum of The American Indian Heye Foundation 1920) (One of A Series of Publications Relating to the American Aborignes).
“COKOE (probably meaning ‘The Owl’).—A Siwanoy of Rye, who took part in a number of sales of territory, connecting the relations of the Shore natives with those of the interior. Thus he appears with chief Shonarocke in the sale of Rye and Manursing island, with Lame Will in the deeds for the Harrison tracts, and as Cokee the Indian he was witness to a confirmatory deed in 1666 in the presence of his old chief as well as chief Patthunk, and the same year with Wompoquem in the sale of Mamaroneck with its interior territory.” Bolton, Reginald Pelham, New York City in Indian Possession in INDIAN NOTES AND MONOGRAPHS, Vol. II, No. 7, pp. 219, 323 (NY, NY: Museum of The American Indian Heye Foundation 1920) (One of A Series of Publications Relating to the American Aborignes).
“Siwanoy Sales.—In 1660, Shonarocke, the sachem of Poningo (the present Rye [29]) sold the island of Manursing and the shorefront between Byram river and Blind river, and the following year disposed of the promontory between Blind river and Mamaroneck river, the latter including the inland territory for sixteen miles. These sales covered not only the townships of Rye and part of Harrison, but extended far into the possessions of other chieftains in North Castle and even into New Castle. The authority of Shonarock was extensive, as we find by his appearance in the sale of West Farms in 1663. In these sales he was joined by other Indians named Cokow and Aranaque, and in an additional deed of 1661 the former was associated with Maramaking, or Lame Will, a sachem who controlled the upland territory in Harrison.” Bolton, Reginald Pelham, New York City in Indian Possession in INDIAN NOTES AND MONOGRAPHS, Vol. II, No. 7, pp. 219, 251-52 (NY, NY: Museum of The American Indian Heye Foundation 1920) (One of A Series of Publications Relating to the American Aborignes).
“OWROWWOAHAK.—A party, in 1680, to the deed for Eucataupucuson (Harrison), with Lame Will and Cokoe.” “Siwanoy Sales.—In 1660, Shonarocke, the sachem of Poningo (the present Rye [29]) sold the island of Manursing and the shorefront between Byram river and Blind river, and the following year disposed of the promontory between Blind river and Mamaroneck river, the latter including the inland territory for sixteen miles. These sales covered not only the townships of Rye and part of Harrison, but extended far into the possessions of other chieftains in North Castle and even into New Castle. The authority of Shonarock was extensive, as we find by his appearance in the sale of West Farms in 1663. In these sales he was joined by other Indians named Cokow and Aranaque, and in an additional deed of 1661 the former was associated with Maramaking, or Lame Will, a sachem who controlled the upland territory in Harrison.” Bolton, Reginald Pelham, New York City in Indian Possession in INDIAN NOTES AND MONOGRAPHS, Vol. II, No. 7, pp. 219, 325 (NY, NY: Museum of The American Indian Heye Foundation 1920) (One of A Series of Publications Relating to the American Aborignes).
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