SCATCHAMISSE (Scratchemisse, Scatchamissey, Atchamissey, Catchamisse), Indian captain known to HBC; d. 1712.

Scatchamisse is first referred to by name in the Albany account books for 1702–3, as captain of the Sagamy (Sockemy, Southagames, Sagomy, Susagamis) Indians of Moose River; he had previously been sent presents inviting him to visit Albany. Each year from 1704 to 1712, apart from the season 1706–7 when he was too sick to come, Scatchamisse brought groups of Indians to trade at Albany. If made in the spring the trip was perilous because ice lay along the shore. Strong on-shore winds drove the fragile canoes on the ice; strong off-shore winds drove the canoes out into the bay. At any season of the year, the lack of provisions, the shallow water, and the vagaries of wind and tide made the trip arduous and dangerous.

In 1712 Scatchamisse made the trip with 18 to 20 canoes; his men were so starved for food that they broiled their beaver skins. On the return trip to Moose River, his canoe was driven out to sea and he drowned. His death prevented Governor Beale sending him inland to encourage the upland Indians to trade at Albany as directed in the 1712 annual letter from London. In 1727 Joseph Myatt in his efforts to persuade the London committee to found a post at Moose River quoted the sad fate of Scatchamisse as a reason for the reluctance of Moose River Indians to travel to Albany.

G. E. Thorman

HBC Arch. A.6/3 (letters outward, 23 May 1712); B3/a/1 (Albany journals for 1705–6, entry for 22 May 1706); B.3/d/11, 13–15, 17–20 (Albany account books between 1699 and 1712). HBRS, XXV (Davies and Johnson).