by Dr. Radut

Unkechaug [Patchogue] Indian Nation

 Unkechaug [Patchogue] Indian Nation

             Note:  Poospatuck is the name of the Reservation  in Mastic, NY. 
                         The nation is also known as the Patchogue or Patachogue.

            See also  Classic L.I. Histories and Document Collections  web page
            See also  L.I. Indians (Prehistory and History) web page
            See also  Montauk[ett] Indian Nation (Metouac)  web page
            See also  Patchogue - Prehistory and Indian History  web page
            See also  Shinnecock Indian Nation  web page

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---  PML Vertical File Sampler: 

  • [23:118:  Minutes of a Meeting with Unchechaug Indians Concerning Fishing Rights, May 23-24, 1676.]  In  The Andros Papers, 1674-1676:  Files of the Provincial Secretary of New York During the Administration of Governor Sir Edmund Andros, 1674-1680, vol. 1, ed by Peter R. Christoph and Florence A. Christoph, with translations from the Dutch by Charles T. Gehring.  Syracuse, NY:  Syracuse University Press, 1989-1991:  p. 373.
  • [25:119a:  Order Granting the Above Fishing Rights, May24, 1676.]  In  The Andros Papers, 1674-1676:  Files of the Provincial Secretary of New York During the Administration of Governor Sir Edmund Andros, 1674-1680, vol. 1, ed by Peter R. Christoph and Florence A. Christoph, with translations from the Dutch by Charles T. Gehring.  Syracuse, NY:  Syracuse University Press, 1989-1991:  p. 374.
  • "Vocabulary of Unquachog or Puspatuck Collected by Thomas Jefferson at Brookhaven, Long Island, on June 13, 1791."  In  Languages and Lore of the Long Island Indians (Readings in Long Island Archaeology and Ethnohistory, v.4), ed. by Gaynell Stone Levine.  Stony Brook, NY; Lexington, MA:  Printed for Suffolk County Archaeological Association; by Ginn Custom Publishing, 1980:  pp. 17-18.
  • "The Poospatuck Indians, Story of an Almost Unknown Long Island Tribe.  Life on Their Reservation.  Chief Ward Hale and Hearty at Eighty.  Peculiarities of His People -- Queen Martha and Something About Her.  How the Poospatucks Came by Their Lands -- Not a State Reservation -- The Bucks Like Firewater."  Brooklyn Eagle, November 24, 1895:  p. 8.
  • "Converting the Poospatucks."  Brooklyn Eagle, March 12, 1896:  p. 5.  -- This article, like the previous one, specializes in the typically offensive, condescending language of its time. 
  • "June Meeting Day:  Celebrated by an Annual Gathering of the Remnant of the Poospatucks."  Brooklyn Eagle,June 9, 1900:  p. 16.
  • "New York's Indian Tribes.  They Form a Population of 5,317 and Live on Six Reservations.  Their Present Condition.  General Improvement Indicated in Agent Farin's Report, but There is Room for More."  Brooklyn Eagle, May 26, 1900:  p. 3.
  • "In Long Island Churches.  Convocation of the Poospatuck Indians to Be Held at June Meeting Day To-morrow."  Brooklyn Eagle, June 7, 1902:  p. 7.
  • "Department of Public Instruction."  Brooklyn Eagle, August 26, 1902:  p. 16.  -- NYS expenditures for schoolhouses on reservations
  • "4,451 Indians in New York.  Census Shows Decrease of 609 During Last Ten Years."  New York Times, July 21, 1915:  p. 20. -- 4th paragraph concerns Poospatuck, of whom only 18 are recorded in Suffolk County, and say that they are not certain of their citizenship, though politicians say they are tacitly considered not to be citizens, "although most of them are more negro than indian."  Jim Crow, applied in double-dealing.
  • "Indian Found Dead on Side of Highway."  Patchogue Advance, June 12, 1928:  p. 1.
  • "Indian Aunt Martha Passes 94th Birthday."  Patchogue Advance, June 12, 1928:  p. 15.
  • "Indians' June Meeting."  Patchogue Advance, June 18, 1929:  p. 7.
  • "She's Oldest Indian, Says Hannah Smith."  Patchogue Advance, May 20, 1930:  p. 1.
  • "Indian Service on Sunday."  Patchogue Advance, June 6, 1930:  p. 1.
  • "Census Gain of 45% Shown in Suffolk:  Total in 10 Townships and 2 Indian Reservations is 160,810, Against 110,246 in 1920."  New York Times, July 30, 1930:  p. 27. 
  • "Aunt Martha Dies, Last Old Indian."  Patchogue Advance, July 7, 1933:  p. 1.
  • "'Aunt Martha' Mayne, Indian, Dies at 98."  Patchogue Advance, July 7, 1933:  p. 3.
  • "Indian, 98, Dies; Last of Her Tribe:  Aunt Martha Mayne, Only Full-Blooded Poosepatuck, Took White Man's Faith.  Taught It to Her People:  In Her Lifetime  Wild Shore of Great South Bay Became a Populous Region." New York Times, July 8, 1933:  p. 13. -- And, of course, we all know that there was only one white man's faith
  • "Indian Matriarch Buried by Tribe:  Aunt Martha Mayne, 98, Last Full-Blooded Poospatuck, has Methodist Ritual.  Rain Drenches Mourners.  Chief Ward Pays Tribute to Her Religious Life in Rustic Church Near Mastic, L.I."  New York Times, July 10, 1933:  p. 13.
  • "'Indians' ' Status is Argued Again."  Patchogue Advance, April 12, 1935:  p. 1.  -- Dispossession as 9/10ths of the law?
  • "Poosepatuck Pupils to Go to Moriches."  Patchogue Advance, May 10, 1935:  p. 7.  
  • "State Rules Out Poosepatuck Aid."  Patchogue Advance, May 10, 1935:  p. 9.
  • "The Poosepatuck Pupils Will Go to Moriches P.S."  Patchogue Advance, May 10, 1935:  p. 1.
  • "The Poosepatucks Appeal to Town for Legal Fight."  Patchogue Advance, June 14, 1935:  p. 1.
  • "Poosepatuck Indians Win in School Fight:  State Education Board Reverses Ruling on Aid for Pupils at Mastic Reservation."  New York Times, August 11, 1935:  p. N4.
  • "Eells Urges Town to Help Indians."  Patchogue Advance, October 11, 1935:  p. 7.
  • "Atty. General to Aid Poosepatuck People in Fight for Land."  Patchogue Advance, October 25, 1935:  p. 1.
  • "Martha T. Smith Dies at St. George Manor."  Patchogue Advance, December 27, 1935:  p. 3.
  • "Indian Eviction Halted.  Long Island Court Holds Poosepatucks Have Right to Homes."  New York Times,March 10, 1936:  p. 25.
  • "The Poospatuck Tenure is Upheld:  Judge Hawkins Rejects Dana Removal Petition; Blood Kinship of Indian Descendants Cited -- Decision Goes into Interesting History of Mastic Settlement." Patchogue Advance, March 13, 1936:  pp. 1, 4.
  • "Colored Folks have Immersion Ceremony by Woman Preacher."  Patchogue Advance, September 11, 1936:  p. 7. 
  • "33 Homeless Indians Housed at County Home."  Patchogue Advance, September 30, 1938:  p. 12.  -- Result of severe damage caused by the Hurricane of '38
  • "Historical Tour of Mastic Scenes."  Patchogue Advance, May 31, 1940:  p. 9.
  • "Lo, the Poor Indian."  Patchogue Advance, June 28, 1940:  p. 12.
  • "Poosepatuck Indians to Hold Spring Meeting."  Patchogue Advance, June 6, 1941:  p. 14.
  • "Many Enjoy June Meeting at Church in Poosepatuck."  Patchogue Advance, June 13, 1941:  p. 10.
  • "Floyd Estate Sells Long Island Tract:  Attorney Buys 1,200 Acres Held in Family Since Colonial Days."  New York Times, May 4, 1942:  p. 30.  -- The article claims that the 52 acres of the Poospatuck Reservation were included in the deal, and that owner, John B. Dawson, plans to "dispose" of what acreage he can't personally use, mainly for hunting 
  • "One Man is Shot, Another Jailed After Song Fest."  Patchogue Advance, August 31, 1944:  p. 1.
  • "One Shot, One Jailed in Poosepatuck Brawl."  Patchogue Advance, August 31, 1944:  p. 5.
  • "Poosepatuck School Closes."  Patchogue Advance, September 21, 1944:  p. 13.
  • "Town Asks Ruling on Tax Liability for Poosepatuck."  Patchogue Advance, April 19, 1945:  p. 10.
  • "Whaling Once Popular in Town."  Patchogue Advance, November 13, 1947:  p. 17.
  • "Pa-qua-tuck Means Open Creek, Rotary Told."  Patchogue Advance, August 5, 1948:  p. 9.
  • "Rev. Cuffee, Indian Preacher."  Patchogue Advance, October 20, 1949:  p. 28.
  • "Poosepatuck Tribe of Mastic."  Patchogue Advance, April 20,  1950:  p. 18.
  • "Mastic Tribe to Install Chief:  Public to View Unique Ceremony."  Patchogue Advance, June 1, 1950:  p. 6.
  • "Poospatuck Tribe Will Hear Indian Lecturer at Fete."  Patchogue Advance, June 8, 1950:  p. 2.
  • Kobus, Ann.  "Poospatuck Indian Tribe Gets New Chief in Colorful Ritual."  Patchogue Advance, June 15, 1950:  p. 6.  -- Chief Flying Eagle's cereminial installation
  • "New Poospatuck Chief" [captioned photo].  Patchogue Advance, June 15, 1950:  p. 6.
  • Cummings, John.  "Chief Rising Sun Playing Santa to the Poospatucks."  Patchogue Advance, December 14, 1950:  p. 2.
  • "Have No Problems" (Letters from the Poeple).  Patchogue Advance, January 4, 1951:  p. 18.
  • "They Have Problems!" (Letters from the People).  Patchogue Advance, January 18, 1951:  p. 22.
  • "Chief Rising Sunm Will Lecture Here Tonight."  Patchogue Advance, May 10, 1951:  p. 8.
  • "Lectures Given by Chief Rising Sun."  Patchogue Advance, May 17, 1951:  p. 3.
  • "Mother of 8 Killed; Quiz Spouse." Newsday, June 15, 1954:  p. 18.
  • "Edwards -- Charlotte, Age 34" (Death Notices).  Newsday, June 17, 1954:  p. 117. 
  • "Records Reveal Early Life."  Patchogue Advance, August 5, 1954:  p. 5.
  • "Clear Indian in Death of Mother of 8."  Newsday, June 16, 1954:  p. 42.
  • "No School Bias for Indians."  Newday, September 25, 1954:  p. 16.
  • "Whalers were Smugglers."  Patchogue Advance, September 30, 1954:  p. 5.
  • "Indian Land Bought."  Patchogue Advance, June 30, 1955:  p. 23.
  • "Crowds Heard Rev. Cuffee."  Patchogue Advance, September 26, 1957:  p. 7.
  • "1,000 See Indian Powwow."  Newsday, July 13, 1959:  p. 16.
  • Markowitz, Sam.  "Suffolk Indians Need Housing, Get Barracks."  Newsday, July 23, 1959:  p.
  • "Nassau Man Offers Help to Indians."  Newday, July 24, 1959:  p. 13.
  • "Indian Givers -- Girl Scouts and Brownies from Babylon Town Visited the Poosepatuck Reservation in Mastic Recently to Present Chief Red Fox with Toys, Clothes and Food...."  Patchogue Advance, December 17, 1959:  p. 25.
  • "No Whoop as Poospatucks Finally Move Lab Barracks."  Patchogue Advance, January 28, 1960:  [n.p.]
  • "Poospatucks Plan to Stay Neutral in Political Wars."  Patchogue Advance, February 11, 1960:  [n.p.]
  • "Round Up Time at Camp Edey was by About 1,000 Girl Scouts and Friends.  Pictured, Left to Right in Back Row are Princess Lone Star of Unchechock Tribe of Poosepatuck...."  Patchogue Advance. April 28, 1960:  p. 5.
  • Markowitz, Sam and Bernie Bookbinder.  "LI Indians See Red, Voice Reservations About Chief."  Newsday,May 6, 1960:  p. 4.  -- Red Fox (Edward Treadwell)
  • "Indian Tribe on L.I. at War Over a Chief."  New York Times, May 7, 1960:  p. 48. -- Red Fox's dispute with Reservation Trustees, after his brother's resignation
  • Markowitz, Sam and Arnold Brophy.  "LI Indian Chief Quits After Meeting."  Newsday, May 19, 1960:  p. 20.  -- Red Fox (Edward Treadwell)
  • Davin, Irma.  "Poospatucks' Powwow Viewed by Thousands."  Patchogue Advance, July 28, 1960:  [n.p.].
  • "Indian Place Names Here."  Patchogue Advance, November 3, 1960:  p. 30.
  • Aronson, Harvey.  "LI's Indians:  A Lost Heritage, Second of Three Parts." Newday, November 19, 1960:  p. 1C.
  • "Poospatcuk Say Cherokee Scram."  Newsday, July 8, 1963:  p. 21.
  • "Court to Decide Indian Skirmish."  Newsday, July 11, 1963:  p. 15.
  • Clines, Francis X.  "L.I. Indians, Limited by Pride, Quietly Seek Antipoverty Aid." New York Times, March 9,1966:  p. 43.
  • [Captioned map, showing general location of the reservation.]  New York Times, March 9, 1966:  p. 43.
  • Beltrone, Art.  "Need Persuades Indians to Seek Suffolk's Help."  Newsday, March 11, 1966:  p. 15.
  • "Indians Get U.S. Aid."  Newsday, May 6, 1969:  p. 28.
  • Toedtman, Jim and Patrick Brasley.  "The Indians of LI:  Poverty with a Heritage."  Newsday, September 20,1969:  p. 13W.
  • "Princess Silver Moon, 84, a Descendant of Wyandanch" [obit.].  Newsday, December 5, 1969:  p. 90. -- a/k/a Maude Treadwell
  • "LI Indians Get Funds for Center."  Newsday, May 28, 1970:  p. 20.
  • "Poospatuck Powwow" (What's Going on This Weekend).  Newsday, August 5, 1971:  p. 2A.
  • "Poospatuck Pride Turns to Wampum."  Newsday, August 9, 1971:  p. 16.
  • "Hearings on Indians Slated."  Newsday, September 2, 1971:  p. 32.
  • Kerins, Annabelle.  "Powwow with the Poospatucks." Newsday, October 18, 1971:  p. 26.
  • Hildebrand, John.  "Indians on LI Wary of New Offers by U.S."  Newsday, January 13, 1972:  p. 16.
  • Incantalupo, Tom.  "LI Indians Win a Place on the Map."  Newsday, July 7, 1972:  p. 19.
  • Keler, Bob.  "Tom Toms and Tribes Revive Indian Memories."  Newsday, August 14, 1972:  p. 17.
  • Wacker, Bob.  "Far from Wounded Knee."  Newsday, May 7, 1973:  p. 3.
  • "Poospatuck Land Question:  Indians Must Prove Title:  Barraud."  Long Island Advance, August 16, 1973:  p. 2.
  • Treadwell, Howard.  "The True Indian" (Letters).  Newsday, August 21, 1973:  p. 57. 
  • Warrick, Pamela.  "A Rain Dance in Memory of Better Times."  Newsday, August 31, 1973:  p. 17.
  • Kennedy, William L.  "The Poospatucks Today."  Long Island Forum, 37(3) March 1974:  pp. 46-47.
  • Delatiner, Barbara.  "Poospatuck Indians on Reservation in Mastic Seeking to Regain Their Heritage."  New York Times, September 1, 1974:  [n.p.]
  • Cohn, Al.  "People:  This Week:  Thanksgiving with LI Indians."  Newsday, November 24, 1974:  p. 2 LI.
  • Cohn, Al.  "They Refuse to Vanish:  Proud of Their Heritage, Long Island's Indians Insist on Surviving as a People While Living in the White Man's World."  Newsday, February 9, 1975:  p. E7. 
  • MacDonald, John.  "Call Those Poospatucks Unkechaugs."  Newsday, August 23, 1975:  p. 6.
  • "Unkechaugs." (Albany Actions on Bills in the Past Week; Passed by Both Houses).  Newsday, March 27,1978:  p. 29. -- Reservation voting requirements and strictures
  • Mason, Bill.  "Indians' Legal War."  Newsday, April 9, 1977:  p. 10.
  • Treadwell, Mary.  "Home on the ReservationWe Need Help (The Way I See It).  Newsday, April 29, 1977:  p. 74.
  • Levy, Lawrence C.  "Samuel D. Buck, Indian Genealogist"  (Obituaries).  Newsday, November 12, 1977:  p. 19.
  • Wacker, Bob.  "Treasury Duns Indian Tribe for Errant $720."  Newsday, April 21, 1978:  p. 27. 
  • "A Smoking Peace Pipe."  Newsday, April 5, 1978:  p. 21 Q.
  • Treadwell, Mary.  "...Recall America's Natives."  Newsday, November 22, 1978:  p. 70.
  • Handi-Camporee.  "Local Notes:  Unkechaugs Undertake Census."  L.I. Advance, June 14, 1979:  [n.p.]
  • Sundstrom, Bill.  "Indian Tribe Trying to Identify Members."  Newsday, July 20, 1979:  p. 28.
  • Cassese, Sid.  "Debate Over Possible Indian Burial Site."  Newsday, June 19, 1981:  p. 23.
  • Freedman, Mitchell.  "Judge Rules on Tribe Dispute."  Newsday, March 10, 1982:  p. 7.  -- includes map, showing reservation's general location
  • Mireles, Jan.  "Walter C. Treadwell, of Poospatuck Tribe" (Obituaries).  Newsday, August 26, 1982:  p. 35.
  • "Montauk Spot Called Burial Site."  Newsday, March 29, 1983:  p. 21.-- Fort Hill development halted, archeology to determine nature of site
  • "Walter Treadwell, Ex-Deputy Sheriff"  (Obituaries).  Newsday, April 17, 1983:  p. 26.
  • Gatewood, Dallas.  "Ruling Sets Vote for Indian Tribe."  Newsday, May 24, 1983:  p. 23 A.
  • Barron, James.  "L.I. Indians Ask Courts to Settle a Tribal Feud."  New York Times, July 30, 1983:  p. 23.
  • Wacker, Bob.  "Legal Limbo Ends as Tribe Elects Leaders."  Newsday, August 2, 1983:  p. 6.
  • Gonzalez, Ellice B.  "Tri-Racial Isolates in a Bi-Racial Society:  Poospatuck Ambiguity and Conflict."  In Strategies for Survival:  American Indians in the Eastern United States, Frank W. Porter, III, ed.   Westport, CT; London, England:  Greenwood Press, 1986:  pp. 113-137. 
  • Saslow, Linda.  "Indian Reservation to Get Clean Water:  Water Due for Tribe."  New York Times, January 3,1988:  pp. LI 1, 4.
  • Ain, Stewart.  "State Warns Indians on Cigarette Tax:  The Levy Affects Non-Indians Making Purchases on the Reservation."  New York Times, April 7, 1996:  p. LI 1. 
  • Reinholz, Mary.  "Indian Nations Wary of Restrictions on Tobacco."  New York Times, April 19, 1998:  p. LI 1.
  • Reinholz, Mary.  "Indian Territorial Ambitions, Part II."  New York Times, November 21, 1999:  p. 56.
  • Reinholz, Mary.  "Arson Adds a Dash of Intrigue to Indian Smoke-Shop Trade."  New York Times, July 30,2000:  p. LI 7. 
  • Reinholz, Mary.  "Smokes Fan the Flames:  Tax-Free Tobacco Means Money, and Conflict, on Reservation." New York Times, July 8, 2001:  p.  LI 1.
  • Reeves, Hope.  "Read Their Lips:  No Taxes (Period):  Smokers Flocking to Reservations to Buy Cigarettes, Cheap; Read Their Lips:  No Cigarette Taxes on Indian Reservations.  New York Times, July 8, 2002:  p. B1.
  • Reinjolz, Mary.  "U.S. Charges Owner of Indian Smoke Shop."  New York Times, August 15, 2005:  p. LI 10.
  • Reinholz, Mary.  "Mastic:  Hearing Pushed Back for Tobacco Dealer."  New York Times, November 27, 2005:  p. N2.
  • Reinholz, Mary.  "6 Arrested in Probe of Cigarette Sales."  New York Times, December 18, 2005:  p. LI 2.
  • Reinholz, Mary.  "Smoke Shops Upset with Surveillance."  New York Times, January 1, 2006:  p. LI 5.
  • Reinholz, Mary.  "In Brief:  Grocery Chain Sues Over Cigarette Sales."  New York Times, March 26, 2006:  p. B1.
  • Finn, Robin.  "Public Lives:  He's Grateful Criminals Like to Blab to Each Other."  New York Times, August 11, 2006:  p. B2.
  • "Shop Owner Convicted of Selling Contraband."  New York Times, May 2, 2008:  p. B5.
  • Saul, Stephanie.  "Suits Claim Wide Reach of Cigarettes from Tribes."  New York Times, October 2, 2008:  p. B1.
  • Kilgannon, Corey.  "Tribes Fear Cigarette Tax Law Could Destroy Their Prosperity."  New York Times,November 6, 2006:  p. B1.
  • Kessler, Robert E.  "Poospatuck Bootleg Cigarette Murder Goes to Jury."  Newsday, April 1, 2008  
  • Kilgannon, Corey.  "Chief Leads Fight to Keep Selling Those Camels and Kools."  New York Times, December 14, 2008:  p. 47.
  • Reinholz, Mary.  "Suffolk to Sue Tribal Smoke Shops Over Taxes."  New York Times, December 21, 2008:  p. LI 2.
  • Kessler, Robert E.  "Judge:  Cigarette Magnate Ordered Robbery of Rival."  Newsday, January 8, 2010
  • Riley, John.  "Judge Rules LI Tribe Can't Sell Cigs to Non-Indians."  Newsday, August 26, 2009
  • "Harrington, Mark.  "Ruling May Smooth Path to LI Tribe's Federal Recognition."  Newsday, November 8, 2009
  • "Judge:  Unkechaug Meets Tribal Sovereignty, Immunity Criteria."  Indian Country Today, December 28, 2009
  • Kessler, Robert E.  "Judge Poospatuck Cigarette Magnate had Rival Murdered."  Newsday, January 30, 2010
  • "Proposal Supports Cultural Genocide."  Indian Country Today, August 4, 2010
  • Hernandez, Javier C. and Fernanda Santos.  "Untaxed Cigarettes are Sold on Reservation, Mayor Says."  New York Times, September 17, 2010:  p. A 22.

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