Chickatawbut

[4] Chickatawbut maintained a base at a small hill known as Moswetuset Hummock, located on Quincy Bay in Boston Harbor.

[5][6] According to colonist Thomas Morton, "Chickatawbut's mother was buried at Passonagessit, and that the Plymouth people, on one of their visits, incurred his enmity by despoiling her grave of its bear skins.

"[7] Chickatawbut did not get caught by Standish and his forces, although his warrior, Pecksuot, was killed in the hostilities at the Wessagusset Colony in March, 1623.

In 1650, five Massachusett Indians testified to the tribal bounds over which Chickatawbut had reigned:Pecunke, Ahivmpum, Catscimah, Webacowett, and Masbanomett doe all afferme, that Chickatawbutt his bounds did extend from Nishamagoquanett, near Duxbery mill [near present-day Cow Tent Hill Preserve off Tremont Street in Duxbury], to Teghtacutt, neare Taunton [Titicut], and to Nunckatatesett, and from thence in a straight linne to Wanamampuke, which is the head of Charles Riuer ; this they doe all solomly afferme, saing, God knoweth it to bee true, and knoweth theire harts.

There is little evidence that this sachem, his grandfather Chickatawbut or any of their people ever inhabited the peninsula, however the lack of formal legal documents involving Indians during the Blaxton sale encouraged the creation of a backdated deed (termed a "quitclaim") which Josias signed on 19 March 1684 (see document at right, and its transcription).