Molly Ockett

Molly Ockett (also "Mollyockett", "Mollocket" and "Molly Occut") (born circa 1725-1744, Saco, Maine, died August 2, 1816, Andover, Maine), was a Native American woman of the Abenaki nation who lived in the regions of northern New Hampshire and Maine during colonial times. Her Abenaki name meant "Singing Bird", but she was also baptized and given the name Mary Agatha. This was most likely pronounced as "Molly Agat" or "Molly Ockett" by Abenaki speakers.

Biography

She was born sometime between 1725 and 1744 and was said to be a daughter of the chief of the Pequaket tribe.

She was said to have married a minute man in the Revolutionary War by the name of Edward Marden. They had a child who was named Edward E. Marden Jr., and this is theorized because of the photo of her grandsons Nathaniel Richmond Marden and Chapin Kidder Marden. Nathaniel and Chapin looked to have a lot of physical features a Native American would have. They were both tall, (Nathaniel being 6 ft and 1 in), and having curly hair. This is not confirmed, and may not be true.

Molly was reputed to be a skilled healer[1] and wise woman with a singular sense of humor. She is reputed to have saved the life of future Vice President of the United States Hannibal Hamlin when he was an infant. She was well known by European settlers in the area and her name is still attached to numerous locales in the Androscoggin River valley and surrounding territory.[2]

Molly Ockett was skilled in traditional Abenaki crafts[3]

Her date of death is given as August 2, 1816. She is buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Andover. [4] She was reputed to be the last living member of the Pequaket tribe.

Legacy

Molly Ockett Middle School in Fryeburg, Maine, is named after her,[5] and Bethel, Maine, hosts an annual summer festival titled 'MollyOckett Days'.[6]

Molly Ockett day is celebrated in Bethel, Maine annually in July.

References
  1. "Who Was MollyOckett?". MollyOckett Day. Bethel, Maine: Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  2. "Molly Ockett and Her World". Bethel Historical Society. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  3. "Molly Ockett and Her World". www.bethelhistorical.org. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  4. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22930542/molly-ockett
  5. "Mona Polacca - North America at Evergreen". Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  6. "MollyOckett Days". Retrieved June 8, 2014.


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