Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
The female Wabanaki leader Warrabitta, also known as Joane or Jane, belonged to a web of leadership families on the Maine coast. English settlers were often unsettled by Wabanaki female governance.
In 1666, Warrabitta and Nannatconett signed a deed allowing George Munjoy to settle land “on the other side of Amancongan River at the great Falls the upper part of them called Sacarabigg” (Saccarappa Falls in Westbrook) where there was another planting ground, “and so down the River Side unto the lowermost planting Ground,” a considerable tract on the Presumpscot River.
Early deeds were often the result of longer councils and negotiations, but unlike later treaties, which included long speeches by Wabanaki leaders, here, only the deed survives. It is important to note that deeds like this one do not represent a relinquishment of vital planting grounds and fishing falls, but an agreement to share space, and to allow a settler like Munjoy to also inhabit this space.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: Deed from Warrabitta and Nanateonett to George Munjoy, 1666
- Creator: Warrabitta
- Creation Date: 1666-06-04
- Subject Date: 1666-06-04
- Location: Kennebec County, ME
- Media: Ink on paper
- Local Code: Coll. 34, Box 1/1
- Collection: Samuel Waldo papers
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Indian deeds
- Indians of North America--Maine--History--17th century--Manuscripts
- Landowners--Maine--17th century
- Manuscripts
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.
Please post your comment below to share with others. If you'd like to privately share a comment or correction with MMN staff, please send us a message with this link.
