Taphance

Who is Taphance?

Taphance, also known as Tapgow, was a Native American Munsee sachem in Connecticut, was the son of Ponus and the uncle to Katonah. Tapgow, known as the "Sakimore and Commander in Chief of all those Indians inhabiting in northern New Jersey, signed many land deeds "in the lands of Tapgow and his relations" including the Ramapo Tract in 1700, the Kakiat Patent in 1701 and witnessed the sale of the Wawayanda Patent. Tapgow's wife, Awowas, and son Quatowquechuck also signed on some land deeds. Because the Dutch used phonetic spelling to write his name, it appears on deeds in a variety of ways, including Tapphow, Tapehow, Tapehome, Topgow, Tephgan and Taphaow. Tapgow was accused of murder in Connecticut but was acquitted for lack of evidence.