Memorial of Isaiah Johnson and Other Chappaquiddick Indians to the Governor and Council of Massachusetts

This is a report of the refusal of Chappaquiddick women to abide by the law of 1789 of the Commonwealth of MA, requiring Wampanoag’s to allow Guardians to oversee Wampanoag land and maintenance of divisional fences.  “A few of the heads of several families being women, who openly avowed from time to time that they would not be governed by the regulations of the Guardians in the division of the Lands for improvement.” In this matriarchal society Wampanoag women held positions of authority amongst tribal members and management of the land. This documents Wampanoag women rebelling as an act of self-preservation against white settler’s laws and preventing other tribal members from abiding to land laws as well.