DCHP-1 Online
captain 
1 n. Hist. an Indian chief or band leader.
- 1691 (1929) This day still waiting for a post wch came in ye afternoon from ye Capt : of the Mountain Poets Named Washa so ye Substance of their news was yt he desired we would met him when we pitcht again so I told ym I would.
- 1795 (1911) Here also we met a Northern Indian leader, or Captain, called Keelshies, and a small party. . . .
- 1941 Captain. A term applied to the chief man in a band of Indians in the early years.
2 n. the leader and spokesman of a band of Indians trading at a fur post, often appointed by the factor and rewarded with a captain's coat.
See also: chief Indian captain leader (def. 1)
- 1723 (1923) [He] was Imploy'd to make Peace with: the Northern Nation for wch. he was made a Capn; and Expects Greater Privileges Still than I can well afford him. . . .
- 1785 (1954) Six Canoes of uplanders came in, seemingly well Gooded, made the Principal of them a Captain.
- 1958 . . . the Indian bands under "captains" made their way down the rivers each summer, often from far inland.
3 n. Hist. See war chief 1856 quote.
See also: war captain war chief
- 1960 Both Hurons and Iroquois . . . made the raising of levies . . . a matter for individual "captains," who bought the services of volunteers with presents, outlined the objective and plan of attack, and, as far as they possessed the authority, disposed of any prisoners that were taken.
- 1691 (1929) This day still waiting for a post wch came in ye afternoon from ye Capt : of the Mountain Poets Named Washa so ye Substance of their news was yt he desired we would met him when we pitcht again so I told ym I would.