sagamore

noun

1. (US, historical)Synonym of sachem.

   “[A] Sagamore with a Humberd in his eare for a pendant, a black havvke on his occiput for his plume, Movvhackees for his gold chaine, good ſtore of VVampompeage begirting his loynes, his bovv in his hand, his quiver at his back, vvith ſix naked Indian ſplatterlaſhes at his heeles for his guard, thinkes himſelfe little inferiour to the great Cham; hee vvill not ſtick to ſay, hee is all one vvith King Charles.”

   “An Indian Soggamore is not in his full Pomp and Bravery without one of theſe Birds in his Ear for a Pendant.”

   “Once we slept where we could hear the salt lake speak in its anger. Then we were rulers and Sagamores over the land.”

   “Now we are ready, I think for any assault of the Indians; / Let them come, if they like, and the sooner they try it the better,— / Let them come if they like, be it sagamore, sachem, or pow-wow, / Aspinet, Samoset, Corbitant, Squanto, or Tokamahamon!”

2. (US, archaic, historical, informal)Synonym of sachem.
3. (US, historical)A high-ranking officer of the Tammany Hall political organization responsible for taking care of its property.

   “The society elects annually thirteen sachems, which represent the original thirteen States. […] The other officers of the society are a Secretary, Treasurer, Sagamore, and Wiskinkie. The duty of the Sagamore is to take care of the property of the society; that of the Wiskinkie, to act as doorkeeper.”