Mohican Place Names

It has been thought that few Mohican place names were known.  Upon listing these place names, one can see that this is not the case.  The names do exist if someone cares to find them.  Further, the recorded names attest to the Mohican people as the original holders of the land. 

The majority of this information comes from “Appendix A:  Recorded Land Transactions” and “Appendix B:  Names, Locations, Relationships” in Shirley Dunn’s book The Mohicans and Their Land 1609-1730, Fleischmanns, N.Y.:  Purple Mountain Press Ltd., 1994.  Other information has been gleaned from additional sources. 

Corresponding present day locations are noted in red.

Mohican Name	English Name or Description	Mohican Owner
Achkoockpeek	Lake in southern Columbia Co., N.Y.
Achneganick	The second of four flats along the Housatonic River, Litchfield Co., Conn. or Berkshire Co., Mass. (see Kenachkehantick, Awaankaniss, Taashammik)
Amissohaendiek	The land named in the Saratoga Patent
Assiskowachkok	The fourth of five large flats at Leeds, Greene Co., N.Y.
Awaankaniss	The third of four flats along the Housatonic River, Litchfield Co., Conn. or Berkshire Co., Mass. (see Kenachkehantick, Achenganik, Taashammik)
Cachtanaquick	Lower Schodack Island, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.
Canasenix	Kill in Greene Co., N.Y. (see Pesquanachqua)
Caniskek	Tract of land along the Murderer’s Creek near Athens, Greene Co., N.Y.
Chawtiekignank/Chawtishegnack	Creek in Schoharie Co., N.Y.
Cickhekawick	Land at the mouth of the Kinderhook Creek
Escotak	Schodack, N.Y.
Gastanek	Albany, Albany, Co., N.Y.
Gawamick	Tract of land on the Murderer’s creek near Athens, Greene Co., N.Y.
Gokameko	Ancram, Columbia Co., N.Y.
Hapamewaisck	Largest of three islands opposite Menands, Albany Co., N.Y.	Passenehennewou, Cawichtack
Hiethoock	Lake in northern Columbia Co., N.Y.
Hoseke	Hoosick, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.
Kaghkamekack	Location in Columbia Co., N.Y.
Kaphack/Kapakagh (probably)	Northernmost of two flats on the west side of the Housatonic River in Berkshire Co., Mass. (see Machachquichkak)
Kaunameek	Indian village near Brainard, N.Y.
Kehantick	Field (maize land) in North Greenbush, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.
Kenachkehantick	Falls in the Housatonic River, Litchfield Co., Conn. or Berkshire Co., Mass.
Kewaghteqak	The creek “running into the great Kinderhook hill,” Columbia Co., N.Y.
Kichpa	One of three flats in southern Columbia Co., N.Y. (see Nickan hoek and Wichquaskaha)
Kokohamok	Lake in the Town of Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.
Kyskitam meetshe	Tract of land on the north side of the Katterskill, near Kiskatom, Greene Co., N.Y.
Koxhackhung	Coxsackie, Greene Co., N.Y.	Sioketa, Sachamoes
Mathahenaack	Land at Half Moon, Saratoga Co., N.Y.
Machachquichkak	Southernmost of two flats on the west side of the Housatonic River, Berkshire Co., Mass. (see Kaphack)
Machaktehank	Location in Litchfield Co., Conn.
Machemene Pakak	The fourth and northernmost of four flats along the Housatonic River, Litchfield Co., Conn. or Berkshire Co., Mass. (see Pacachkook, Soquawaen, Nanachquak, Taasham)
Mackawameek	Barents’ or Barren Island
Maghtequack	Lower Schodack Island, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.
Mahaskekook	A cripple bush in southern Columbia Co., N.Y.
Mannanpenokcon	Brook in Berkshire Co., Mass.
Manskuseehoank	Rattlesnake Mountain, Town of Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., Mass.
Mawauaemkaeck	Brook in Washington Co., N.Y.
Maquamsasick	One of two plains on the Catskill Creek, Town of Cairo, Greene Co., N.Y. (see Taghpokight)
Maroomskaak	Creek in Washington Co., N.Y. flowing into the Hoosick River
Mathahenaack	Foremost of the land called Halfe Moone
Mawanaqasick	Woodland and high woods in Columbia Co., N.Y.
Muhheconnetuck	Hudson River, New York State
Nabdskoock	Bears Island
Nachawinasick	Land surrounding and including the Cohoes Falls, N.Y.
Nachawithquaack	Location on the Hoosick River, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.
Nachtemack	Half Moon, Saratoga Co., N.Y.
Makemekassick	Kline Kill, a small creek emptying into the Kinderhook Creek Columbia Co., N.Y.
Nanachquak	The second of four flats along the Housatonic River, Litchfield Co., Conn. and Berkshire Co., Mass. (see Pacachkook, Soquawaen, Taasham, Maachemene Pakak)
Nanoseck	Small island near Papscanee Island, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.  Also called Little Coopers Island	Syme, Capachick, Nachonan
Nehanenesick	Green Island, Albany Co., N.Y.
Nickan hooke	One of three flats in southern Columbia Co., N.Y. (see Kichpa and Wichquaskaha)
Noten Hoeck	Nutten Hook
Owseetumac	Housatonic River, Berkshire Co., Mass. And Connecticut
Paanpack	Troy, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.	Peyhaunet, Skiwias (Aepjen)
Pacachkook	The area containing four flats aong the Housatonic River, Litchfield Co., Conn. and Berkshire Co., Mass. (see Soquawaen, Nanachquak, Taasham, and Maachemene Pakak)
Pachgatgoch	Location 40 miles downstream from Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., Mass.
Pachanhanit	Green Island, Albany Co., N.Y.
Pachkanesecq	Kill in Columbia Co., N.Y.
Pachonakelick	An island one half mile above Castleton, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.  Also called Ghonankenigh Island	Maghsapeet (Machack niemanauw), Sansewaneuwe, Paneensenn, Nipapoa
Pachquyak	Third of five large flats at Leeds, Greene Co., N.Y.
Packwack/Pachwack	Falls in Housatonic River, Berkshire Co., Mass.
Palipapaenpemock	Creek in Columbia Co., N.Y.
Pamshenakasick	Woodland in North Greenbush, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.
Panamesick	Flat land in Columbia Co., N.Y.
Panhooseck	Land from the Hudson River to the Poestenkill and between the two rivers, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.
Paponicuck	Muitzeskill Creek	Wanemenhett, Askantha
Papsickene	Papscanee Island, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.	Casehot, Onhaseme, Kamkebock, Sickewope, Nosenack, Ochkock
Paptaneck	Location in Columbia Co., N.Y.
Pasanthkack	Kinderhook Creek, Columbia Co., N.Y.
Paskoecq	Kill near Leeds, Greene Co., N.Y.
Patkook	One of ten flats along the river and kill beyond the Claverack Creek (see Potamhasik and Stichsooch)	Keesieway (Pamitapiet)
Patschachticoke, meaning where the rivers or streams fork	Near Claverack, on Claverack Creek
Pawachtuek	Falls in the Housatonic River, Litchfield Co., Conn. or Berkshire Co., Mass.
Pegtels	Small island, Albany Co., N.Y.
Pesquanachqua	Tract of land in Greene Co., N.Y. along the Katterskill Creek
Pittanoock	Creek in northern Columbia Co., N.Y.
Pompenick	Land above Kinderhook, Columbia Co., N.Y., on the east side of the Kinderhook Creek
Ponsumpie	Ore Hill (Ancram, Ancramdale?)
Popgassick	Woodland in Lansingburgh, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.
Potakuk	Location 20 miles downstream from Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., Mass.
Potamhasik	One of ten flats along the river and kill beyond the  Claverack Creek (see Patkook and Stichsooch)	Keesieway (Pamitapiet)
Potik	The fifth of five large flats at Leeds, Greene Co., N.Y.
Potschotack	Land in Columbia Co., N.Y.
Preeuwen hoeck	Tract of land from the second cliff to the little kill along the  Claverack Creek
Puttanhenck	Small waterfall in Columbia Co., N.Y.
Quachanock	Tract of land in Greene Co., N.Y. near the Katterskill Creek
Quahemesicos	Van Schaick Island, part of Cohoes, Albany Co., N.Y.
Quatawichnaak	A fall on the Katterskill Creek
Quequictenhoecke	Falls on the Hoosic River
Querapogatt	Location in Litchfield Co., Conn.
Quisichkook	Jansens Kill near Tachkanick
Sanchaiek/Sanckhaik	Three flats of land along the western part of the Hoosic River Also, a tract of land in Washington Co., N.Y.
Sankhasick	Island opposite Bethlehem, Albany Co., N.Y.	Wickepe, Wawwanhusqua, Osquasin, Seepsin, Kanochgape, Kachackpa, Manhachsepite wewan
Sanckhenak	Land at the mouth of the Roelof Jansen Kill, southern Columbia Co., N.Y.
Sapgtnack/Saptanok/Sassgtonack	Falls in Housatonic River, Berkshire Co., Mass. (also called Tapgtonak)
Sasskahampka	Location in southern Columbia Co., N.Y.
Schaahkook	Schaghticoke, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.
Semesseeck	Tract of land on the east bank of the Hudon River between Rensselaer and Castleton, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.
Sepewechkaseck	Tract of land in Columbia Co., N.Y.
Shekomeko	Shekomeko, Dutchess Co., N.Y.
Siekatom	Hill at Coeymans, N.Y.
Soquawaen	The first of four plains along the Housatonic River, Litchfield Co., Conn. and Berkshire Co., Mass. (see Pacachkook, Nanachquak, Taasham, Machemene Pakak)
Squampamuck	Ghent, Columbia Co., N.Y.
Squegkanekaneck	Location in Berkshire Co., Mass. Or Columbia Co., N.Y.
Squoghantkaneek	Location in Berkshire Co., Mass. Or Columbia Co., N.Y.
Stichsooch	One of ten flats along the river and kill beyond the Claverack Creek (see Potamhasick and Patkook)	Keesieway (Pamitapiet)
Stichtekook	High woods in Greene Co., N.Y.
Styffsink	Hill to the west of the Nutten Hook, N.Y.
Taasham	The third of four flats along the Housatonic River, Litchfield Co., Conn. and Berkshire Co., Mass. (see Pacachkook, Soquawaen, Nanaachquak, Maachemene Pakak)
Taashammik	The fourth of four flats along the Housatonic River, Litchfield Co., Conn. and Berkshire Co., Mass. (see Kenachkehantick, Achneganick, Awaankaniss)
Tachkanak/Tachkanik/Taconic/ Taghkanic	Town, village and mountain range in Columbia Co., N.Y.
Taghpokight	One of two plains on the Catskill Creek, Town of Cairo, Greene Co., N.Y. (see Maquamsasick)
Tapgtonak/Sapgtnack	Falls in Housatonic River, Berkshire Co., Mass.
Taphaes kotassick	One of two flats along the Kinderhook Creek, Columbia Co., N.Y.
Taskichenock	Wet meadows in North Greenbush, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.
Twastawekaksipus, meaning “creek flowing from sweet springs”	Claverack Creek, Columbia Co., N.Y.
Waantinuuk	River in Litchfield Co., Conn.
Wachachkeek	Leeds Flat, one of five flats at Leeds, Greene Co., N.Y.
Wachanekasseck	Small creek opposite Catskill, Columbia Co., N.Y.
Waen Naemka	Tract of land along the Murderer’s Creek near Athens, Greene Co., N.Y.
Wampanicksepoot	Green River in Columbia Co., N.Y. and Berkshire Co., Mass.
Wapakosick	River in Columbia Co., N.Y.
Wappennakvias	Sweet River
Wata Pickkaak	Creek in southern Berkshire Co., Mass. Or northern Litchfield Co., Conn.
Wawanaquasick	Location in Town of Livingston, Columbia Co., N.Y.
Weatogue/Weatock	Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.
Wechquatnach	50 mi. downstream from Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., Mass.
Weeatauwashoke	Hill in the Town of Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.
Weeputting	Mountain in Litchfield Co., Conn.
Wichguanachtikak	Second of five large flats at Leeds, Greene Co., N.Y.
Wichquaskaha	One of three flats in southern Columbia Co., N.Y. (see Nickan hooke and Kichpa)
Wimpeting	Location seven miles south of Sharon, Litchfield Co., Conn.
Wishshiag	Wassaic, Dutchess Co., N.Y.
Wogaskewackook	Lake in northern Columbia Co., N.Y.
Womunting	Location in Dutchess Co., N.Y.

Mohican Men in Capt. Enoch Noble’s Militia Company

Colleague Linus Leavens informed me of this military pay roll he found in Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary War 1775 to 1783, compiled by John E. Goodrich, published in 1904.  As you can see, the company was formed in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, probably October 19, 1780.  The company was on active duty for a total of 16 days.  The troops were discharged 4 November 1780.  It’s interesting to note that Captain Noble presented the pay roll to Major Goodrich so the troops could be paid on 18 April 1781. Payment was given 22 June 1781, over seven months after service.

The men whose names are in bold face were Native American.  The names whose names are also italicized were definitely Mohican.  Benjamin Ephraim was probably Native because he’s grouped with the other Native men, but confirmation needs to be made. 

There are two important points to be made.  This company was part of the Continental Army, under the command of Captain Enoch Noble.  Therefore, Mohican men fought in the Continental Army in a company completely different from the Indian Company, also called the Stockbridge Regiment, formed by Abraham Nimham in 1777.  David Naunauneek, A Concopatts, Isaac Wnaupeh were probably David Naunauneck, Abraham Konkapot and Isaac Wnaumpey who served in Nimham’s company and survived the disastrous battle in the Bronx.  

Capt. Enoch Noble’s Company, under command of Major Wm. Goodrich

A Pay Roll for the Continental Establishment for Capt. Enoch Noble’s Company of Militia from the county of Berkshire [Mass.], who marched to Bennington in the State of Vermont under the command of Maj. Wm Goodrich, to defend the frontiers on Oct. 23, 1780.

Names and Rank

Capt. Enoch Noble Lt. Wm Ashley Lt. Danl. Johnson Sergt. John Huggins Sergt. Baley Austin Sergt. John Cowles Sergt. Joseph French

Corpl. John Nichols Corpl. Asa Rood Corpl. Thos. Tilden Corpl. Thos. Tilden Corpl. Isaac Collins Drmr. Phineas Royce

Thaddeus Root Wm. Walker Francis Hase Timoy Cowles Noble Smith Alexr Gunn Nathl. Austin. Gilbert Olds Martin Marble Roger Holcomb Uriah  Harmon John Harmon Jos. Churchel Roswell Barnes Asa Barnes Moses Barnes Umph Negro Jona. Holcomb Ebenr Barker Lot Fuller Roger Savage Moses Bush Gideon King

Ebenr Stevens Solomon Ransford Wm Manley, Jr. Phineas Royce Moses Royce John Concopatts A Concopatts Moses Thangokeheek Benj. Pye Hendh Seekheek David Naunauneek Benj. Ephraim Jos. Usesulo Isaac Neham Isaac Wnaupeh Peter Tawpanpeet Jona Attoksin David Nesanankhuk Jacob Naunaupetonky Trias Charp Cornelius Hukmuk Cornelius Whenuppansuk

Archaeological Treasure

I've liked to read about archaeological digs ever since I could read.  My favorite magazines National Geographic and Smithsonian are famous for them.  I also enjoy archaeological documentaries such as Time Team and its American copycat program Time Team America.  

It's not uncommon for archaeologists in Europe to come across a cache of valuable items.  Sometimes these items have been broken in some way to make them unusable.  The experts always speculate why they're in such a condition.  One reason I don't remember them expressing, burying the family valuables so they aren't stolen by the enemy.   Or are they trying to avoid the stereotypical but valid assumption of "buried treasure?" 

Europe and the British Isles was invaded time and time again, and had their own revolutions and civil wars.  Why don't the experts express the idea that someone may have buried the valuables so that some invading enemy doesn't find them?  How would people in 400 A.D. safeguard their valuables?  If the objects are destroyed in some way to make them unusable, the enemy soldiers are less likely to steal them.  Coming back the owners could either repair or recycle them.  

Icenaen torques discovered in Northeastern Britain.  The Icenae were a British tribe.

These caches may still exist because the owner was never able to recover them.  He or she probably did not tell many people, if at all.  The owner and other people s/he have told may have been killed during the enemy's invasion.  S/he may have been enslaved and never able to return. S/he may have died some other way, illness maybe.  S/he may never had the resources to come back again.  It may never have been safe enough to return.  Then the owner's wealth would have been left unknown in the ground to be disturbed ages later for others to ponder over.

Family Atlas

I recently purchased Family Atlas from RootsMagic.  I love maps and I've wanted this software for a long time.  Unfortunately, I can't use it right away.  I have to clean up my place names in RootsMagic first.  That was a disappointment.  I wanted to play with it the first night.  

Here's a sample image the company offers:

Now I know why someone on the list said he was cleaning up his place names.  When I first began using RootsMagic I didn't use the person fields correctly, putting the place details in the place field.  I've discovered the hard way why that's not a good thing!  I also made it difficult to use the automatic population of the place detail field.  RootsMagic is designed so that when you begin entering a place detail, it comes up automatically if it's already been entered.  Chances are you won't want to use the entry "Noble Township, Auglaize Co., OH, USA with cousin Emma Sunderland and husband Albert Bowsher" again.

I decided to begin correcting the entries with the earliest reference numbers, thinking I would find the most number of corrections there.  Some have been made already.  However, the list doesn't seem to stay sorted in RootsMagic V4 and that's annoying, but workable.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do about European place names from the 17th century. 


I wonder why a place name has to read "Albany, Albany, NY."  Why not "Albany, Albany Co., NY?"  There must be some company somewhere that determined it was dropping the "Co." and all other companies followed suit.  For nitpickers this is not a good thing.  Many times I've come across a designation such as Baltimore, MD, when it meant the county, not the city.  Back in the 1700s there was a big difference between the city of Baltimore and the county.  It also makes a difference now when you need to know if you're looking for city or county records.  I wonder if this place name convention will lead to future confusion in my RootsMagic reports.  

So when am I going to clean up the place names?  Good question.  Working on this would probably be good for those times when I'm too hungry to think while I'm waiting for supper to cook, or when I'm too tired and fidgety to concentrate on television or when I have  trouble sleeping. 

I know how I can play with Family Atlas now!  I've done research for other people and the place names should be correct.