Wampanoag sachem
Askamaboo also spelled Askamapoo or Askommopoo was a female Wampanoag sachem (also known as a paramount chief), whose territory was on the island Nantucket. She acted as sachem during the late 17th century.
Life.
The Wampanoag were semisedentary and lived between fixed sites, moving seasonally within eastern Massachusetts and the islands. 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. Askamaboo's family had amassed a large amount of land on Nantucket.
Askamaboo was the daughter of the Sachem Nickanoose and his first, highest ranking wife. Nickanoose gave her hand in marriage to Nantucket sachem Spotso with whom she had her son Daniel. 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.
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. Her son would go on to become another sachem after her.
References.
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