Historian's Message: In Reference to the Meadowlands Deed . . .
from the booklet, Historical Society of the Massapequas
Celebrates the Anniversaries: 140th Grace Church, 325th Meadowlands (1984)
Celebrates the Anniversaries: 140th Grace Church, 325th Meadowlands (1984)
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Massapequa, in the language of the Algonquin First Americans who inhabited this area, means "Great Water Land." Warraketuck denotes "The End of the Creek" [and was the Algonquin name for what] we call Carmen River. Arraquongue, our Seaford Creek, means "Marshy Water." Takapoosha, according to John H. Morice's The Indians of Long Island, was the wily Sachem of the Massapeaques. He was chosen Sachem of Sachems and was a notable exception among his neighbors who abandoned their native dress and sold their tribal land for a few trinkets.
Most Native Americans were friendly and helpful to the Europeans who brought them gun powder, intoxicating liquor, and disease that quickly lessened their numbers. [They received] this, in exchange for the peaceful way of life they lived for centuries here on Long Island, our fish-shaped Sewanhacky, Island of Shells. The variety of natural resources here made it a haven for our First Americans. The thirteen tribes often exchanged use of land enabling all to benefit. |
When the European settlers traded with the Native Americans and land title was transferred, the Native Americans did not understand why they were no longer permitted to hunt, fish, and live upon the land. Takapoosha tried to rectify this misunderstanding, but in the end . . . lost his Great Water Land.
Daniel Denton wrote in 1670 that thirty-five years after the first European settlers arrived, [only] a few Native Americans were left on the Island. "Where the English came to settle, a Divine hand makes way for them by removing or cutting off the Indians." In Munsell's History, Takapoosha is further acknowledged . "There is something heroic in this Chief of the Massapeaques. Clothed in furs, disdaining gew-gaws, and tempting finery offered by the whites, standing as a barrier against their encroachments. And, as far as he could, holding his possessions intact until death took him to The Happy Hunting Ground." There was much pride in our heritage. |
- Lillian Bryson -
(1984)
