Yark-shup 'Abraham' Meacham (aka Meachem Yarkshup)

Abraham was a Makah man

Makah (pronounced muh-KAW or Mah-KAH). The Makah people called themselves Qwiqwidicciat or Kwih-dich-chuh-ahtx (pronounced kwee-DITCH-cha-uck), meaning “people who live by the rocks and seagulls,” referring to their lands along the rocky coastline. The name Makah was mistakenly applied to the tribe during treaty negotiations with the U.S. government. Officials misunderstood the Salish names other tribes called them—ones which meant “cape dwellers” (they lived on Cape Flattery) or “people generous with food.” In the eighteenth century they were known as the people of Tatootche, or Tutusi (“Thundering”), one of three thunderbird brothers and a powerful chief. Makah has been spelled many ways including Ma-caw, Macau, Mak-kah, Mi-caw, and Maccaw.

Makah territory (light red, c. 1855) overlayed with current reservation lands (dark red)
The Makah depended on the sea for their livelihood and were expert hunters of whales and seals. They survived the invasion of their homeland by white settlers and at the end of the twentieth century were the only Native American tribe with the legal right to hunt whales.

There were no Makah chiefs. The men who had the most influence in a Makah village—usually the fur seal hunters or the harpoon throwers who captured whales—were called headmen. Members of Makah families were ranked in the society according to their relationship to the headman of the village—the closer the relationship, the more important the person. Traditionally each Makah family owned a certain section of beach along Makah territory; they also had rights to any items that floated ashore on their property. Each family had its own section of the ocean for fishing, and the area passed from father to son.

Makah Tribal Whale Hunt

As the number of white settlers grew in the first half of the nineteenth century, the tribe concentrated on producing oil from whale, seal, candlefish, and dogfish to be used as machine oil in European and American factories.

Archaeological research suggests that Makah people have inhabited the area now known as Neah Bay for more than 3,800 years. Traditionally, the Makah lived in villages consisting of large longhouses made from western red cedar.

A Makah settlement, c. 1900

Isaac Ingalls Stevens (1818–1862) was the governor of Washington Territory and superintendent of Indian Affairs in the mid-1800s. He considered the Native tribes of the Northwest an “impediment to civilization,” meaning they stood in the way of white advancement. Stevens believed strongly in manifest destiny. According to this nineteenth-century philosophy, white nations—especially the United States—were meant to dominate the entire Western Hemisphere. Beginning in 1854, Stevens attempted to establish treaties with nearly every tribe in his territory (what would become the state of Washington and some surrounding areas). In an attempt to take over as much land as possible for white settlers, he set out to abolish Native land titles, place tribes on reservations, and persuade the Native Americans to adopt the white way of life.

U.S. government agents and Christian missionaries tried to turn the Makah, who were expert whalers and fishers, into farmers—on land that was completely unsuitable for agriculture. For the most part, the Makah ignored these efforts and continued to fish.

the nearby Tulalip Mission School students in apple orchard, Tulalip, ca. 1887 Courtesy Hibulb Cultural Center
The Makah did not escape the boarding school experience. Helma Ward (1918–2002), a former Makah student, recalls an incident from her years at one of these boarding school.
"Two of our girls ran away … but they got caught. They tied their legs up, tied their hands behind their backs, put them in the middle of the hallway so that if they fell, fell asleep or something, the matron would hear them and she’d get out there and whip them and make them stand up again."
Source 1: "Makah ." U*X*L Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes. . Encyclopedia.com. 14 Mar. 2024 <https://www.encyclopedia.com>.
Source 2: Wikipedia contributors. "Makah." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2 Jan. 2024. Web. 16 Mar. 2024.
Source 3: “Makah Tribe History from the Makah Tribe.” Makah Tribe, 31 Jan. 2019, makah.com/makah-tribal-info/about-history/.
Source 4: Miller, Emilie. “Tulalip Boarding School Opens in Snohomish County on January 23, 1905.” Www.historylink.org, 8 Dec. 2023, www.historylink.org/File/22863.

Biography:
Born c. 1860 of an unknown father and a makah mother named Che-pee (c. 1825), Abraham initially used his Indian name Yark-shup, transitioning first to Meachem Yarkshup, then to Abraham Meachem. He was married twice and had children with each wife, first to Bella who died c. 1904, then to Ellen whom he married shortly thereafter in 1905. Ellen died in 1912 which may have contributed to a downward spiral that led Abraham to the Canton Asylum. But the diagnosis made, if any, when Abraham was committed to the asylum has not yet been found.

According to Carla Joinson in her book Vanished in Hiawatha, Abraham was first admitted to the Canton Asylum on September 7, 1920, but was discharged on June 6. 1922, and then readmitted August 7, 1922 (from Dr. Culp's cemetery list), and per the letter dated February 17, 1934, Dr. L.L. Culp to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, died at the Canton Asylum on November 7, 1922, and was buried in the Hiawatha Cemetery tier 2 plot 54.

After he was discharged he was shown in a 1922 Jun 30 census living with his granddaughter Belle, daughter of Louella Meachem Thomas. When he was readmitted, his granddaughter was apparently taken in by the family of Frank Smith and NOT taken in by her mother who was still alive at the time and had remarried.

His profile is part of the The Canton Asylum One Place Study.

Research Notes:
-Abraham is shown both at the Canton Asylum and in Indian census reports in 1921 and 1922. While it was not uncommon for agents to list those away, and annotate the census with "at Canton", that was not done in Abrahams's case.
-It is not clear who fathered granddaughter Belle Gray, but she appears to have retained her maiden name, Meachem.
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Sources:

1889 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll283unit/page/n333/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 334/681, line 139 (age 26, Bell age 21, daughter age 6 mo), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Wash Ter

1891 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll283unit/page/n383/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 334/681, line 139 (age 26, Bell age 21, daughter age 6 mo), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1892 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll283unit/page/n417/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 418/681, line 139 (age 28, Bell age 24, Cora 3, son age 1), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1893 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll283unit/page/n446/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 447/681, line 139 (age 28, Bell age 24, Cora 3, son age 1), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1894 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll283unit/page/n478/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 447/681, line 139 (age 28, Bell age 24, Cora 3, son age 1), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1895 Jun 20 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll283unit/page/n512/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 513/681, line 143, census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1896 Jun 20 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll283unit/page/n563/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 564/681, line 135 (as Meachem Yarkshup age 32, Belle 28, Cora 8, Ernest 6, Stella 5, Yarkshup becomes surnane), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1897 Aug 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll283unit/page/n586/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 587/681, line 143, census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1898 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll283unit/page/n639/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 640/681, line 150, census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1899 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll283unit/page/n675/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 676/681, line 140, census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1900 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll284unit/page/n22/mode/1.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 20/405, line 131 (age 38), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1901 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll284unit/page/n35/mode/1.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 36/405, line 136 (age 39), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1902 Jul 1 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7WH8-79W2 : Sun Mar 10 06:53:39 UTC 2024), Entry for Abraham Meacham, 1902, pg. 65/407, line 141 (first marriage, native names), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1903 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll284unit/page/n97/mode/1.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 98/405, line 357 (age 41), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency

1904 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll284unit/page/n124/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 125/405, line 356 (age 42, wife Belle disappears)), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency

1905 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll284unit/page/n147/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 148/405, line 357 (age 43), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency

1906 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll284unit/page/n176/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 177/405, line 354 (age 44), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency

1907 Jul - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7WCB-3R2M : Fri Mar 08 09:54:11 UTC 2024), Entry for Abraham Meacham, 1907, pg. 199/407, line 250, census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1908 Jul - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll284unit/page/n224/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 225/405, line 250 (age 46, Ellen not there), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1909 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll284unit/page/n246/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 247/405, line 258 (age 46, Ellen is back), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1910 Apr 22 - "United States Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MGJW-NYZ : Fri Mar 08 08:39:18 UTC 2024), Entry for Abraham Meacham and Ella Meacham, 1910, pg. 803/1233, line 18, census of Neah Bay, Clallam, Washington, United States

1911 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll284unit/page/n303/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 304/405, line 251 (age 49), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1912 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll284unit/page/n338/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 339/405, line 249 (age 50, widower), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1913 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll284unit/page/n378/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 379/405, line 259 (age 51, widower), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1914 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP39-MTH8 : Sat Mar 09 15:33:18 UTC 2024), Entry for Abraham Moacham, pg. 58/616, line 254 (Widower), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Wash.

1915 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll285unit/page/n56/mode/1.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 57/614, line 254 (age 53, widower), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1916 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:74VL-16ZM : Sun Mar 10 13:27:20 UTC 2024), Entry for Abraham Meacham, pg. 91/616, line 256 (b. 1862, age 54, widower) census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Wash.

1917 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll285unit/page/n126/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 127/614, line 251 (age 55, widower), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1918 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll285unit/page/n164/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 165/614, line 248 (age 56, widower), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1919 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll285unit/page/n203/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 204/614, line 243 (age 56, widower), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1920 Jan 7 - "United States Census, 1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHNN-1SG : Sat Mar 09 17:36:28 UTC 2024), Entry for Abraham Meacham, 1920, pg. 736/1195, line 53, census of the Makah Indian Reservation, Neah Bay Precinct, Clallam County, Washington

1920 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll285unit/page/n250/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 251/614, line 244 (age 57, widower), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1921 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll285unit/page/n270/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 271/614, line 247 (widower living with granddaughter), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1921 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:688C-J4XH : Sat Mar 09 01:14:18 UTC 2024), Entry for Abraham Meachem, 1921, pg. 508/522, line 24, Canton Asylum census June 30, 1921

1922 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGCN-8FG7 : Sat Mar 09 22:31:15 UTC 2024), Entry for Abraham Meachem, pg. 312/616, line 247, census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Wash.

1922 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll285unit/page/n270/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 311/614, line 245 (widower living with granddaughter), census of the Makah Indians, Neah Bay Agency, Washington

1923 Jun 30 - Abraham Meachem is NOT in the 1923 Makah Indian census, dying after June 30, 1922 and before June 30, 1923

1922 Nov 10 - Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14493898/abraham-meacherm: accessed March 15, 2024), memorial page for Abraham Meacherm (unknown–10 Nov 1922), Find a Grave Memorial ID 14493898, citing Hiawatha Asylum Cemetery, Canton, Lincoln County, South Dakota, USA; Maintained by Graveaddiction (contributor 46528400). (Curator Note: this is the burial date and the name is misspelled)

1922 Nov 7 - Hilton, M. (Ed.). (2023, July 10). Hiawatha Asylum for Insane Indians Historical Marker. Historical Marker. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=183486 Photo by Ruth VanSteenwyk, July 10, 2023, courtesy of HMdb.org

James Blackeye 5-6-22 · Abraham Meachern 11-10-22 · Aloysious Moore 5-12-23
(Curator Note: this is the burial date and the name is misspelled)