Poggatacut, Sachem of the Manhassets of Shelter Island

Introduction

Poggatacut (ca. 1568 – 1653) was the 17th century sachem of the Manhassets of Shelter Island and elder brother to Montaukett Sachem Wyandanch.

He signed his name “Sachem of Paumonoc” and was also referred to as Youghco, Yoco, and Yovowan.¹

In 1648 he was known as Sachem of Shelter Island, and Yokee or Youghco in 1651. His residence was on Sachem’s Neck.²

Family

Poggatacut was the elder brother to Sachem Wyandanch of the Montaukett, and sibling to Sachem Nowedonah of the Shinnecock. Poggatacut also has a wife named Aswaw.³

History

1568

Birth of Poggatacut

1639

As Long Island’s East End Indian communities were arranging to have closer ties to the English, led by Wyandanch; it was Sachem Poggatacut and his wife Aswaw who signed the deed to Lion Gardiner for Gardiner’s Island in 1639.³

1644

Four long Island tribes band together under Poggatacut, the Sachem before Wyandance.⁴

1651

Paggatacut (Pogfatacut) was Grand Sachem before Wyandance, and was his elder brother. He was also the Sachem of Curchaug.⁴

1651-1653

Death of Poggatacut.

1. Faren R. Siminoff, Crossing the Sound, 2004, pp. 172[↩]
2. W.W.Munsell, History of Suffolk County, New York, 1882, pp 19[↩]
3. Faren R. Siminoff, Crossing The Sound, 2004, pp. 74[↩][↩]
4. David Bunn Martine, Long Island Native Master History Timeline, 2010[↩][↩]