Tackapousha, Sachem of Massapequa

Jared Handspicker says Tackpousha was son of Meehowdt (Mechoswodt, Mecohgawodt). Other sources call him son of Monqulucksee.

He was a "Massapequa sachem, who became the most influential Indian leader in seventeenth-century western Long Island." He fl. 1643-97. [Grumet, 118.] He succeeded Penhawitz (fl. 1636-43), "the first sachem known to exercise widespread influence in central and western Long Island. [Grumet, 125.] "Tackapousha maintained his own authority by appointing kinsfolk as sachems of particular communities. One of his brothers, Chopeyconnaws, became the chief of Secataugue. Other sons apparently inherited the sachemships of Canarsee (Waumitompack, fl. 1655-84), Rockaway (Mongaumy, fl. 1655-81), and Merrick (Pomwaukon, fl. 1643-81)." [Grumet, 125-26.]