Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 3)

Introduction: In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry continues her series on the genealogy of the Wampanoag Tribe, the Indians who were in first contact with the Mayflower Pilgrims, focusing on the Attaquin family. Melissa is a genealogist who has a blog, AnceStory Archives, and a Facebook group, New England Family Genealogy and History.

Today I continue with my “Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe” series.

To recap: My recent series on the Mayflower lines of Katie Crocker of Barnstable, Massachusetts, has featured a rare account book connected to the business of Zenas Crocker (1761-1807) and his descendants.

The Crocker account book (1790 through 1843) contains residents of the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribe. (Note: there are two federally recognized tribes of Wampanoag people in Massachusetts: the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Mashpee on Cape Cod, and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head on Martha’s Vineyard.)

The Cahoon Museum in Cotuit, Massachusetts, has given me permission to share the account book’s pages and do further research. You can view this book on Americana-Archives.org.

The Attiquin/Attaquin family held a high position in Mashpee. I found Deacon Ebenezer Attaquin (1786-1850), a Mashpee Wampanoag, in the Crocker account book.

There is another interesting page dated Dec. 1807 where Attiquin was paid cash from Ebenezer Crocker, Esq., for his work on the ship Industry, George Burnell, master.

Deacon Ebenezer Attaquin was the son of Solomon Attaguin, the Elder and Desire Mingo. The early records of this family were recorded by Rev. Gideon Hawley in his missionary journals. Also, births, deaths, and marriages of the family can be found in the Mayflower Descendant issues.

Solomon the Elder’s grandson, Captain Solomon Attaquin, was a very interesting and industrious fellow. He was the son of Ezra Attaquin and Sarah “Sally” Jones. According to sources, Solomon was magnificent in personal appearance, frank, and honest, with wide knowledge of the world. Having been a sailor and whaler for years, he was a most delightful and entertaining companion.

I found this newsclip about a local maritime ship that Solomon skippered.

This article reports:

Farwell to the Birch Canoe. – The Indians of Marshpee [later changed to Mashpee] have recently built and launched at Popponessett Harbor, a sloop, intended for a packet and wood-coaster between Marshpee and Nantucket. The Barnstable Patriot says she is of a good model and well constructed. The timber of which she is built grew upon the plantation [reservation]. She is called the “Native of Marshpee,” and is commanded by Capt. Solomon Attaquin, an intelligent and active native.

Read more about Solomon and other Mashpee Indians’ life at sea, compiled by the National Park Service at: Americana-Archives.com

Solomon died in 1895 and his obituary, published in the Boston Journal, reveals a rich history.

This article reports:

Solomon Attaquin, the oldest resident of Mashpee, and widely known, whose ancestors were counted in the number of Christian Indians, is dead. He was born in Mashpee 87 years ago [Note: date of birth is 27 January 1810 in town records], and early in life acquired the rudiments of reading and writing. When a young man he followed the sea, and afterward assisted in municipal affairs. He was elected the first selectman of Mashpee, serving for two years, and for 16 years was town treasurer.

Fifty-five years ago he established the hostelry known as the Hotel Attaquin, which became a noted resort for sportsmen. Daniel Webster was frequently entertained at his house, and in his honor a room was named after him, which has since been occupied by President Cleveland, Gov. Russell, and other dignitaries. [Read more: Cape Cod Magazine.] Mr. Attaquin was the first postmaster in the town and was an active member of the Baptist Church. He leaves a widow [Cynthia Conet Attaquin, daughter of John Conet and Elizabeth Lindsley].

Solomon and Cynthia left descendants; more on the family in future stories.

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Note on the header image: members of the Wampanoag Nation who gathered for the three-day powwow of their tribes at Mashpee, Massachusetts, in 1929. Left to right: Chief Standing Rock of the Herring Pond Tribe; Chief Red Shell of the Wampanoags; Chief Small Bear of the Mashpee Tribe; and Chief High Eagle, medicine man of the Wampanoags. Credit: Boston Public Library Digital Commonwealth.

Related Articles:

• Mayflower Descendants: Who’s Who, Part 35 (part 9)
• Mayflower Descendants: Who’s Who, Part 35 (part 10)
• Mayflower Descendants: Who’s Who, Part 35 (part 11)
• Mayflower Descendants: Who’s Who, Part 35 (part 12)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 1)
• Mayflower Descendants & the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (part 2)