Metallak (born c. 1727–1847) was a member of the band of
Native Americans known as the
Androscoggin, Cowasuck or, more properly, the Arosaguntacook.
The band, part of the
Abenaki nation, inhabited the upper
Androscoggin and
Magalloway rivers along the northern border of
New Hampshire and
Maine. They also lived in the village of
St. Francis in the Canadian province of
Quebec. Metallak was, by at least one account, the youngest son of Piel, chief of the tribe.
[
Metallak was well known by early European settlers in the area and was on friendly terms with most of them. Blinded by accidents in his later years, Metallak died a pauper in February 1847 at the reputed age of 120.][ His name survives in place names such as Metallak Island in Umbagog Lake and Richardson Lake, Metallak Pond, Metallak Brook, and also two different Metallak Mountains, one in Maine and one in New Hampshire. A ]locomotive
A locomotive or engine is a rail transport vehicle that provides the Power (physics), motive power for a train. If a locomotive is capable of carrying a payload, it is usually rather referred to as a multiple unit, Motor coach (rail), motor ...
at the Mount Washington Cog Railway is also named after him. He was a friend of Governor Enoch Lincoln.
Metallak is buried in Stewartstown, New Hampshire
Stewartstown is a town in Coös County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 813 at the 2020 census, down from 1,004 at the 2010 census. It includes the village of West Stewartstown and is part of the Berlin, NH– VT Micropoli ...
. On the gravestone is written "last of the Coashaukes". Along Route 145, a New Hampshire historical marker ( number 47) notes his nearby gravesite. It reads:
:"Hunter, trapper, fisherman and guide, well and favorably known by the region's early settlers. 'The Lone Indian of the Magalloway' was the last survivor of a band of Abnaki inhabiting the Upper Androscoggin. Blinded by accidents, Metallak died a town charge in 1847 at the reputed age of 120. He is buried in the North Hill Cemetery on road to the east."
References
Further reading
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External links
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Year of birth unknown
1847 deaths
Native American leaders
Native American history of Maine
Native American history of New Hampshire
People from Coös County, New Hampshire
Abenaki people
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