American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Seated portrait of Mauwee posed holding papers in one of her hands, with her arms crossed The mat from the original image is visible around the edges. (Focus a bit soft to lower half of subject, some surface imperfections; glass plates sealed together.) Housed in a pressed paper case (some separation to spine, wear throughout). 

The granddaughter of Chief Gideon Mauwee, a Schaghticoke sachem who was baptized by Moravians in 1743. Though Eunice's family had adopted some Euroamerican customs, she maintained many aspects of her cultural heritage, including making a living as a basket maker. Reaching old age, Eunice decided to join the Congregational Church, and to tell the stories of her life and culture. She gave an interview of New York historian Benson Lossing in 1859, when she was over 100 years of age. An obituary remembering Mauwee reported that she had married twice and given birth to 9 children, all of whom she outlived.

A hand-colored drawing of Eunice Mauwee (not included in this lot) posed in the same clothing and position, bears ink inscription reading "From a Daguerreotype by Lawrence[?]."