Wompatuck State Park in Hingham in Plymouth County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Chief Wompatuck
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett
1. Chief Wompatuck Marker
Josiah Wompatuck was born in 1627. He was the son of Chief Chikataubut of the Massachusetts tribe. In 1633, Chief Chikataubut died of smallpox and Wompatuck was taken in and raised by his uncle, a member of the Wampanoag tribe. Wompatuck became accepting of the English settlers and learned about their language, culture, and religion. Eventually, he became the sachem of his Massachusetts tribe, a position of great authority. In 1653 Josiah Wompatuck deeded to the settlers the land that is now the towns of Cohasset, Norwell and Scituate, and later deeded the land that is now Hingham. Chief Wompatuck died in 1669.
Erected by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1627.
Location. 42° 13.193′ N, 70° 51.59′ W. Marker is in Hingham, Massachusetts, in Plymouth County. It is in Wompatuck State Park. It is on Healthy Heart Trail 0.3 miles east of Union Street, on the right when traveling
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the South Shore. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: US Military History (approx. Ό mile away); General History (approx. Ό mile away); The Mill at Triphammer Pond (approx. 0.4 miles
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett
2. Chief Wompatuck Marker
Regarding Chief Wompatuck. Josiah Wompatuck's uncle Cutshamekin died in 1654, which is when Josiah Wompatuck would have assumed the role of Sagamore or Chief of the Massachusetts Indians.
Josiah Wompatuck was slain in current day Fonda, NY in an Algonquin tribal coalition assault repelled by the Mohawks. The repelled attack is memorialized on the Caughnawaga marker near the Fonda Town Hall.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Wompatuck - Wikipedia.
Wompatuck (ca. 1627 - 1669), also spelled Wampatuck, was sachem, or paramount chief, of the Mattakeesett band of Massachusett Indians. Wompatuck was also known as Wampatuck, Josias Wampatuck, and Josiah Sagamore.(Submitted on March 21, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
2. Wompatuck Park Maps.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, March 12, 2026
3. Deed of the township of Hingham
The deed referenced on this marker containing Josiah Wompatuck mark & signature is on display in the first floor lobby of the Hingham Town Hall.
Here you can find several different maps to help you better navigate & enjoy your time in the park.(Submitted on March 21, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
3. History of Hingham - Pg. n243, Pg 204. <blockquote>The following is a literal copy of the deed of the township of Hingham, given by the Indians in 1665: -- Whereas divers Englishmen did formerly come to inhabit in the days of Chickatabut our father...
...Josiah Wompatuck, Squmuck, Ahahden Indians apeared p'sonally the 19th of may 1668 and acknowledged this instrum't of writing to be theyr act and deed freely and voluntary without compulsion, acknowledged before Jno. Leverett [Leavitt], Ast. (Submitted on March 21, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
4. Sachem Wampatuck Josias Chickatabutt - Find-a-Grave.
The Mohawk tribe had attacked Praying Indians near Boston in 1665, Josiah Chickatabutt led a retaliatory attack on the Mohawk village of Caughnawaga, in New York, in 1669, which failed, and the Massachusetts warriors retreated, leaving a large number of their dead upon the different battlefields.(Submitted on April 12, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, December 21, 2025
4. The Wompatuck Boulder at the park entrance often has memorial stones stacked atop.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 68 times since then. Last updated on April 13, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 21, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
