Total Number Of Pages: 1
Source: Scanned from the original photograph which is 10 inches in width and 8 inches in height.
Language: English
Coverage: Unknown
Creators:
Red Thunder Cloud [Cromwell Ashbie Hawkins West]
Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions
Description: The reverse reads:
"The Freetown Band of the Montauks and the Eastville Band of Montauks could never sit down together on matters of tribal concern. The rivalry that built up over the years was caused by an old tribal law. When the tribe lived at the Indian Field reservation, they passed a law stating that anyone who moved off of Montauk to reside elsewhere, would forfeit their rights to tribal membership and privileges. The Pharoah's, Fowler's and Joseph's lived on the reservation up until the time it was taken from them in 1879. These families were then moved to Freetown in East Hampton. The Eastville Band of Montauks represented those whose ancestors had moved off Montauk many years ago, and in the eyes of the Freetown Band, these people had no rights or authority to conduct elections. Wyandank Pharoah, though he lived on Montauk until he was 14, spent the remainder of his life in Sag Harbor. He was the legal King of the Montauk tribe and was so recognized by law. His authority was constantly challenged by the Eastville Band who elected James E. Waters of Little Neck as Sachem of the Montauks.
Shown in this photo are Mrs. Nell Cuffee Brown, the daughter of Louisa Cotton Cuffee, Narragansett and Cuffee Cuffee, Montauk of the Eastville Band. Standing is Chief Buckskin (Charles Butler), son of Princess Olive Fowler Butler, Montauk who married Captain Samuel Butler, either a Mohegan or Wampoag. Charles Butler was the last Montauk man to wear shoulder length hair.
Thus we have a rare photo of two Montauks of the rival bands but, both of whom were close friends and regretted the tribal division. It is the only known one of a Cuffee and a Butler together. Both were friends of the author. Photo taken around 1942."
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