Taphow
Taphance | |
|---|---|
| Also known as Tapgow | |
| Munsee leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse | Awowas (Wawowus) |
| Relations | Brothers, Onox(the older) and Owenoke. |
| Children | Quatowquechuck |
| Parent(s) | Father, Ponus. Son, Quatowquechuck. Nephews, Katonah and Powahay. |
| Nickname(s) | Also spelled Tapphow, Tapehow, Tapehome, Topgow, Tephgan and Taphaow |
Taphance, also known as Tapgow, was a Native American Munsee sachem in Connecticut, was the son of Ponus and the uncle to Katonah. Tapgow, known as the "Sakimore and Commander in Chief of all those Indians inhabiting in northern New Jersey, signed many land deeds "in the lands of Tapgow and his relations" including the Ramapo Tract in 1700, the Kakiat Patent in 1701 and witnessed the sale of the Wawayanda Patent.[1] Tapgow's wife, Awowas (Wawowus), and son Quatowquechuck also signed on some land deeds.[2] Because the Dutch used phonetic spelling to write his name, it appears on deeds in a variety of ways, including Tapphow, Tapehow, Tapehome, Topgow, Tephgan and Taphaow.[1] Tapgow was accused of murder in Connecticut but was acquitted for lack of evidence.[3]
References
- ^ a b References of Robert S. Grumet (1991). Orr, David G.; Campana, Douglas V. (eds.). The People of Minisink: Papers from the 1989 Delaware Water Gap Symposium. Philadelphia: National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Region. pp. 221–222.
- ^ Orcutt, Samuel (1880). The History of the Old Town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880. Press of Springfield Printing Company.
In the second deed Patucko's name stands first and Atumtucko's second; then Taphow, then Wawowus. This fourth name sounds like a new one, but making due allowance for inaccurate hearing and spelling on the part of the early scribes, it may be easily identified with Alwaush in the former list. The rest of the signers are new; Judas (another English name), Mantow, Momantow's squaw, Mercy (Sepuses's squaw) and Quatowquechuck, who is described as Taphow's son.
- ^ Selleck, Rev. Charles M. (1896). Norwalk. pp. 37–38.
Taphance, his second son, lived under a cloud, he was charged with murder, albeit, in justice to his memory it ought to be stated that the Court dismissed his case on the ground of insufficient evidence.