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Cockenoe (also known asCockeno,Cockenow,Chachaneu,Cheekanoo, Cockenoe, Chickino, Chekkonnow, Cockoo) (born before 1630 and died after 1687) was an earlyNative American translator fromLong Island in New York where he was a member of theMontaukett. He helped to translate the earliest parts of theEliot Indian Bible, the first Bible published in America.[1]
In 1637 Cockenoe was captured during thePequot War by a Massachusetts militia unit.[2] After being captured and brought back to Massachusetts, Cockenoe became a servant toRichard Callicot, a fur trader, inDorchester, Massachusetts.[3]John Sassamon, a prominent Native American translator, also grew up as a servant in Callicot's household in Dorchester.[4] Similarly, Cockenoe became an early American translator and interpreter, and one of the first people who mastered English and severalAlgonquian languages, including theMassachusett language. Cockenoe helped translate theEliot Indian Bible, the first Bible printed in America.John Eliot stated that Cockenoe assisted Eliot in translating "the Commandments, the Lords Prayer, and many Texts of Scripture: also I compiled both exhortations and prayers by his help."[5] At some point between 1646 and 1649, shortly after Eliot began preaching, Cockenoe returned to the Long Island area where he served as an interpreter for many land transactions between local tribes and colonists.[6] In 1667 he married "“Sunksquaw” of theShinnecock; "a female Sachem, the sister of Nowedonah" or possibly "Wyandanch."[7] Cockenoe died after 1687 when his name last appears in the records in a Montauk deed.[8]
There is currently a Cockenoe Island (pronounced "kuh-KEE-nee") near the Connecticut shore in theNorwalk Islands of Long Island Sound named after him.[9]