John Sassamon
Encyclopedia
John Sassamon, the shortened and Anglicized version of his actual name, Wassausmon, was born circa 1600 in or about the Blue Hills area, current Canton MA. He was a praying Indian
whose intelligence in the service of the Puritans sparked the conflict known as King Philip's War
.
as well as learning to speak English. Also very likely that he met and was mentored by the Christian missionary, John Eliot during this timeframe. During the Pequot War
(a Colonial-Indian incursion to minimise the Native People of Conneckticut) which began in 1637, Sassamon functioned as an interpreter, and fought on the side of the colonists alongside Richard Callicot in the service of Captain John Underhill. In 1651, John Eliot
established a communities of natives who had converted to Christianity and were willing to live a in a more traditional "English" lifestyle, i.e. permanent agricultural settlements. Eliot recruited Sassamon to be 1 of 2 schoolmasters to teach both English and Christianity to the citizens. Sassamon was probably one of the Natick / Ponkapoag elite, a group of natives that had won the respect of English colonists through their acceptance of Christianity and English law.
in 1653, two years before a special "Indian" Harvard was established. It is not known how long he stayed at Harvard, but doubtedly, he was educated for a short time alongside young Puritan elites, e.g. Increase Mather, Samuel Bradstreet, and John Eliot Jr.
society and re-entered Indian life. He served as a translator and secretary to several of the Pokanoket
chiefs most importantly King Philip
with whom he was very influential. Christian leaders hoped that through Sassamon King Philip
could be converted to Christianity; however, ultimately no such conversion was made. Several years later, Sassamon returned to Puritan
society. He did not sever ties with the Indians but it is not clear why he left. Back in Christian society, he became a minister in the Plymouth colony
.
, Josiah Winslow
, about an impending Indian attack orchestrated by King Philip
. The Puritans however took no regard of this warning. Soon after this incident, Sassamon was reported missing and in January or February of 1675 his body was discovered in Assawompset Pond
. At first, the Puritans who found the body thought that he had drowned; however, soon the Plymouth settlers began to think that he was murdered. They were convinced when another Indian, Patuckson, claimed he had seen three of King Philip’s men kill Sassamon and put him in the frozen pond. The Puritans were convinced of Philip’s involvement in Sassamon’s death, although it is not clear what his motive may have been. Some historians believe it was because of Sassamon’s apparent betrayal of Philip by reporting to Winslow of the future Indian attack while others believe it was because of Sassamon’s Christianity and his continuing efforts to convert Philip and other Indians. In June 1675, three Pokanoket Indians were put on trial for his murder in Plymouth colony
. This trial was the first in Plymouth to include a mixed jury of whites and Indians. This jury found the three men guilty of murdering John Sassmon, and they were subsequently executed for their involvement. According to The Light and Glory by Peter Marshall and David Manuel, a strange turn of events during the execution seemed to verify the guilt of the three men: "..as the trap door beneath the last of the three Indians was sprung, the rope broke! The Indian fell to the ground, and in the terror of the moment, chose to talk. He confessed that all three of them had done exactly what they had been convicted of, and although he maintained that he only watched while the other two had done the actual killing, he was re-hanged, and this time the rope did not break." (p. 225). To the Puritans the guilt of the three Indians implied that Philip had been involved and they were outraged at this thought. The Pokanoket
Indians who maintained the innocence of the three men were in turn incensed at the actions of the Puritans. Both sides were becoming increasingly distrustful and frustrated at the other.
s. The early years of the war were difficult for the English, and the worst defeat for them was a battle called Bloody Brook in which over sixty Englishmen were killed. However, a large blow came to Philip’s forces in 1676 when they began to be attacked by other Indian tribes such as the Mohawks. After Philip’s death that same year, Indian forces were weakened beyond any hope, and victory came to the English. This war was incredibly devastating to both the Indians in Southeastern New England
and well as the English. In fact, more English died in this war proportionate to population than any other war in American history. The English triumph ensured that Indians would and could never launch that large of an attack against the English again. For the English, their society was badly destroyed and their confidence was diminished from the war.
, he served as a crucial link between them and the Puritans. He worked as an interpreter, and he helped to represent them to the New Englanders in dealings. However, ultimately, he came to embody the fundamental discord between the Pokanoket
and the Puritans. He could never be accepted by either society which hinted at the underlying irreconcilable differences and distrust between the two. Once the tenuous relationship between the two had been broken, King Philip's War
broke out.
Praying Indian
Praying Indian is a 17th century term referring to Native Americans of New England who converted to Christianity. While many groups are referred to by this term, it is more commonly used for tribes that were organized into villages, known as praying towns by Puritan leader John Eliot.In 1646, the...
whose intelligence in the service of the Puritans sparked the conflict known as King Philip's War
King Philip's War
King Philip's War, sometimes called Metacom's War, Metacomet's War, or Metacom's Rebellion, was an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day southern New England and English colonists and their Native American allies in 1675–76. The war is named after the main leader of the...
.
Early Biography
He was Massachuseuk Indian. His family perished along with many others during the smallpox epidemic of 1633. It is very likely that he was subsequently adopted / indentured to the family of Richard Callicot. It was during his early teen years that he was exposed to ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
as well as learning to speak English. Also very likely that he met and was mentored by the Christian missionary, John Eliot during this timeframe. During the Pequot War
Pequot War
The Pequot War was an armed conflict between 1634–1638 between the Pequot tribe against an alliance of the Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies who were aided by their Native American allies . Hundreds were killed; hundreds more were captured and sold into slavery to the West Indies. ...
(a Colonial-Indian incursion to minimise the Native People of Conneckticut) which began in 1637, Sassamon functioned as an interpreter, and fought on the side of the colonists alongside Richard Callicot in the service of Captain John Underhill. In 1651, John Eliot
John Eliot (missionary)
John Eliot was a Puritan missionary to the American Indians. His efforts earned him the designation “the Indian apostle.”-English education and Massachusetts ministry:...
established a communities of natives who had converted to Christianity and were willing to live a in a more traditional "English" lifestyle, i.e. permanent agricultural settlements. Eliot recruited Sassamon to be 1 of 2 schoolmasters to teach both English and Christianity to the citizens. Sassamon was probably one of the Natick / Ponkapoag elite, a group of natives that had won the respect of English colonists through their acceptance of Christianity and English law.
Education
The ability to speak English combined with apparent intelligence gave him the opportunity to attend Harvard CollegeHarvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
in 1653, two years before a special "Indian" Harvard was established. It is not known how long he stayed at Harvard, but doubtedly, he was educated for a short time alongside young Puritan elites, e.g. Increase Mather, Samuel Bradstreet, and John Eliot Jr.
Middle Years
After his return from Harvard, Sassamon drifted away from PuritanPuritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
society and re-entered Indian life. He served as a translator and secretary to several of the Pokanoket
Pokanoket
The Pokanoket tribe is the headship tribe of the many tribes that make up the Wampanoag Nation, which was at times referred to as the Pokanoket Nation or the Pokanoket Confederacy or known as the Pokanoket Country...
chiefs most importantly King Philip
Metacomet
Metacomet , also known as King Philip or Metacom, or occasionally Pometacom, was a war chief or sachem of the Wampanoag Indians and their leader in King Philip's War, a widespread Native American uprising against English colonists in New England.-Biography:Metacomet was the second son of Massasoit...
with whom he was very influential. Christian leaders hoped that through Sassamon King Philip
Metacomet
Metacomet , also known as King Philip or Metacom, or occasionally Pometacom, was a war chief or sachem of the Wampanoag Indians and their leader in King Philip's War, a widespread Native American uprising against English colonists in New England.-Biography:Metacomet was the second son of Massasoit...
could be converted to Christianity; however, ultimately no such conversion was made. Several years later, Sassamon returned to Puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
society. He did not sever ties with the Indians but it is not clear why he left. Back in Christian society, he became a minister in the Plymouth colony
Plymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony was an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 to 1691. The first settlement of the Plymouth Colony was at New Plymouth, a location previously surveyed and named by Captain John Smith. The settlement, which served as the capital of the colony, is today the modern town...
.
Position in Society
John Sassmon filled a position in 17th century New England society that very few maintained. He was an Indian who could speak and read English. He had close relations with both Puritans and Indians and was considered elite in both societies. He was powerful in each settlement where he held important positions such as teacher and secretary. However, he was never fully trusted by either side due to his intimate knowledge and relations with the other society. From his dual position he ceased to be fully accepted by either community. First he was a Massachuseuk Indian who spoke the language of the invaders, secondly there were ill feelings between the Pokanoket and the Massachuseuk. Phillip's father, Massasoit caused the murder of Peksuit and Wittawamit, Massachuseuk leaders in the Weymouth area. He also caused the death of Yanough the Nauset chief another Massachuseuk whose area was initially invaded by the Pilgrims. Massasoit (Yellow Feather) did these things to solidify his power and influence in the area. So the murder of Sassamon was just a continuation of that friction.Death
In December 1674, Sassamon warned the governor of the Plymouth ColonyPlymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony was an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 to 1691. The first settlement of the Plymouth Colony was at New Plymouth, a location previously surveyed and named by Captain John Smith. The settlement, which served as the capital of the colony, is today the modern town...
, Josiah Winslow
Josiah Winslow
Josiah Winslow was an American Pilgrim leader. He served as governor of Plymouth Colony from 1673 to 1680.Born in Plymouth Colony , he was son of Edward Winslow and Susanna White. In 1651 in London, with his father, he married Penelope Pelham, daughter of Herbert Pelham, the first treasurer of...
, about an impending Indian attack orchestrated by King Philip
Metacomet
Metacomet , also known as King Philip or Metacom, or occasionally Pometacom, was a war chief or sachem of the Wampanoag Indians and their leader in King Philip's War, a widespread Native American uprising against English colonists in New England.-Biography:Metacomet was the second son of Massasoit...
. The Puritans however took no regard of this warning. Soon after this incident, Sassamon was reported missing and in January or February of 1675 his body was discovered in Assawompset Pond
Assawompset Pond
Assawompset Pond is a reservoir/pond within the towns of Lakeville and Middleboro, in southeastern Massachusetts. It shares its waters with Long Pond and openly-connected with Pocksha Pond. These lakes provides a source of drinking water to the city of New Bedford, the largest city in southeastern...
. At first, the Puritans who found the body thought that he had drowned; however, soon the Plymouth settlers began to think that he was murdered. They were convinced when another Indian, Patuckson, claimed he had seen three of King Philip’s men kill Sassamon and put him in the frozen pond. The Puritans were convinced of Philip’s involvement in Sassamon’s death, although it is not clear what his motive may have been. Some historians believe it was because of Sassamon’s apparent betrayal of Philip by reporting to Winslow of the future Indian attack while others believe it was because of Sassamon’s Christianity and his continuing efforts to convert Philip and other Indians. In June 1675, three Pokanoket Indians were put on trial for his murder in Plymouth colony
Plymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony was an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 to 1691. The first settlement of the Plymouth Colony was at New Plymouth, a location previously surveyed and named by Captain John Smith. The settlement, which served as the capital of the colony, is today the modern town...
. This trial was the first in Plymouth to include a mixed jury of whites and Indians. This jury found the three men guilty of murdering John Sassmon, and they were subsequently executed for their involvement. According to The Light and Glory by Peter Marshall and David Manuel, a strange turn of events during the execution seemed to verify the guilt of the three men: "..as the trap door beneath the last of the three Indians was sprung, the rope broke! The Indian fell to the ground, and in the terror of the moment, chose to talk. He confessed that all three of them had done exactly what they had been convicted of, and although he maintained that he only watched while the other two had done the actual killing, he was re-hanged, and this time the rope did not break." (p. 225). To the Puritans the guilt of the three Indians implied that Philip had been involved and they were outraged at this thought. The Pokanoket
Pokanoket
The Pokanoket tribe is the headship tribe of the many tribes that make up the Wampanoag Nation, which was at times referred to as the Pokanoket Nation or the Pokanoket Confederacy or known as the Pokanoket Country...
Indians who maintained the innocence of the three men were in turn incensed at the actions of the Puritans. Both sides were becoming increasingly distrustful and frustrated at the other.
King Philip's War
After the trial and executions, tensions between the Indians and the Puritans were at a high. In June 1675, some Indians attacked English houses and four days later war officially broke out between the Puritans and the Indians. As the war continued, many of the Puritan settlements got involved as well as more Indians beyond just the PokanoketPokanoket
The Pokanoket tribe is the headship tribe of the many tribes that make up the Wampanoag Nation, which was at times referred to as the Pokanoket Nation or the Pokanoket Confederacy or known as the Pokanoket Country...
s. The early years of the war were difficult for the English, and the worst defeat for them was a battle called Bloody Brook in which over sixty Englishmen were killed. However, a large blow came to Philip’s forces in 1676 when they began to be attacked by other Indian tribes such as the Mohawks. After Philip’s death that same year, Indian forces were weakened beyond any hope, and victory came to the English. This war was incredibly devastating to both the Indians in Southeastern New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
and well as the English. In fact, more English died in this war proportionate to population than any other war in American history. The English triumph ensured that Indians would and could never launch that large of an attack against the English again. For the English, their society was badly destroyed and their confidence was diminished from the war.
Significance
John Sassamon filled a unique role in New England during the 17th century. Due to his ability to speak and read English and Massachuseuk language, he was a valuable asset to both Puritan and Indian society. To the Puritans, he embodied the success of their conversion efforts and assimilation of Indians into English society. For the PokanoketPokanoket
The Pokanoket tribe is the headship tribe of the many tribes that make up the Wampanoag Nation, which was at times referred to as the Pokanoket Nation or the Pokanoket Confederacy or known as the Pokanoket Country...
, he served as a crucial link between them and the Puritans. He worked as an interpreter, and he helped to represent them to the New Englanders in dealings. However, ultimately, he came to embody the fundamental discord between the Pokanoket
Pokanoket
The Pokanoket tribe is the headship tribe of the many tribes that make up the Wampanoag Nation, which was at times referred to as the Pokanoket Nation or the Pokanoket Confederacy or known as the Pokanoket Country...
and the Puritans. He could never be accepted by either society which hinted at the underlying irreconcilable differences and distrust between the two. Once the tenuous relationship between the two had been broken, King Philip's War
King Philip's War
King Philip's War, sometimes called Metacom's War, Metacomet's War, or Metacom's Rebellion, was an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day southern New England and English colonists and their Native American allies in 1675–76. The war is named after the main leader of the...
broke out.