Indian Preacher

Written By Dino DiPietro

Here’s a comprehensive overview of Reverend Paul Cuffee, a prominent Native American (Shinnecock) preacher and missionary on Long Island:

🧑‍🌾 Early Life & Background

  • Birth & Heritage
    Born March 4, 1757 in Brookhaven (Suffolk County), New York, Paul Cuffee was the second of seven sons of Peter Cuffee, a Shinnecock man, and Jane Peters John, of African and Native descent

  • Indenture & Spiritual Awakening
    In his youth, Cuffee was indentured to a farm in Wading River, where he lived until his early twenties. Around 1778–1779, he experienced a profound Christian conversion that led him toward ministry

📖 Ministry & Ordination

  • Becoming a Preacher
    After his spiritual transformation, Cuffee undertook itinerant preaching across Long Island's Native communities—such as Poosepatuck, Canoe Place, Montauk, and Islip. Despite lacking formal education, his eloquence and mental acuity drew shared acclaim

  • Ordination (1790)
    He was ordained at the Poosepatuck Reservation by a council of Connecticut ministers in 1790. By 1791–1792, Cuffee had become the first Native American minister admitted to the Strict Congregational Convention of Long Island

  • Support & Church Building
    In 1791, with funds from local trustees, he oversaw a Congregational church's construction between Good Ground and Canoe Place to serve his Shinnecock community

🤝 Missionary Work & Advocacy

  • New-York Missionary Society (1798–1812)
    From 1798 until his death, Cuffee worked under the New-York Missionary Society, advocating for and supporting the survival and spiritual life of Long Island's dwindling Native communities

  • Community Leadership
    Known as “Priest Paul,” he established meeting grounds for safe religious dialogue and worship—precursors to the Shinnecock “June Meeting” tradition that still occurs

  • Social Justice & Anti-Slavery
    Cuffee also actively spoke against slavery. His work earned mention in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, highlighting his influence beyond local Native circles

📍 Legacy & Memorial

  • Burial Site
    Reverend Cuffee passed away on March 7, 1812, at Canoe Place. He was buried at what used to be the old Indian church site

  • Gravestone & Marker
    His simple marble grave marker—maintained within a small fenced area—was placed by the New-York Missionary Society. The marker praises his relentless labor and joyful completion of his ministerial mission at age 55

  • Historic Recognition
    A state historical marker on East Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays commemorates Cuffee as a “Grave of Rev. Paul Cuffee of the Shinnecock Tribe (1790–1812)” and notes his lineage as the grandson and successor of the Shinnecock preachers Peter John and Samson Occum

⏳ Timeline Summary

1757 Born in Brookhaven, Long Island — second son of Peter Cuffee & Jane Peters John

~1778–79 Conversion to Christianity; began itinerant preaching

1778 Released from indenture at age 21

1790 Ordained at Poosepatuck Reservation

1791–92 Built Congregational church for Shinnecock people

1798Commissioned by New-York Missionary Society

1812 Died on March 7; buried at Canoe Place

Reverend Paul Cuffee's enduring legacy lies in his pivotal role in integrating Christian ministry within Indigenous Long Island communities, advocating for Native survival, promoting unity through spiritual congregations, opposing slavery, and maintaining a unique place in both Native and Christian heritage.

Dino DiPietro