Wyandanch

Introduction

Wyandanch was Sachem of the Montauketts during the 17th century, known for his alliance with English colonist and commander at Fort Saybrook Lion Gardiner. Wyandanch played a major role in Indian affairs throughout Long Island, serving as a mediator between the native and European cultures.

Family

Wyandanch was married to Wuch-i-kit-taw-but. They had a son named Wyancombone, and a daughter named Quashawam.

After Wyandanch’s death, the English appointed Wyancombone as the heir to the title of “Grand Sachem.”¹

Wyandanch’s grandson, Poniute, took the name of his grandfather Wyandanch and led negotiations for the Montaukett tribe relating to the theft of their land in Montauk.

History

1620

Wyandanch is born ca 1602. ²

1637 – Pequot Massacre and Alliance with English of CT

In spring of 1637, the English waged a devastating war against the Pequots in present-day Mastic, Connecticut, nearly destroying them. Nearly seven hundred men, women and children were massacred that day.

Shortly after the Pequot Massacre, Wyandanch, a young Montaukett sachem, came to Fort Saybrook to negotiate an alliance with the English.³ They reached an agreement and Wyandanch joined the English campaign to hunt down the Pequots who were still in arms against the English.

One of the reasons that Wyandanch wanted an alliance with the English was because he knew that Ninigret, the Niantic sachem, wanted to bring the former Pequot tributaries on Long island under his control.⁴

1639

Wyandance’s son Wyandanbone was born.⁵

1649

Wyandanch receives tributary status from Mandush of Shinnecock while negotiating the outcome of the murder of Phoebe Halsey.⁶

1659

Wyandanch death – Lion Gardener says he was poisoned.⁷

1. John Strong, America’s Early Whalemen, pp 41[↩]
2.  https://www.geni.com/people/Wyandanch-Grand-Sachem-of-Montaukett/5424717289970058750[↩]
3. Gardiner, 1980, 137-38[↩]
4. John Strong, Wyandanch, Sachem of the Montaukets, 1998 Lecture Transcript pp. 1[↩]
5. David Bunn Martine, Long Island Native Master Timeline, pp 2[↩]
6. John Strong, The Algonquian Peoples of Long Island from Earliest Times to 1700 1997, pp. 197-198[↩]
7. David Martine, Shinnecock Timeline pp. 7[↩]