Wamsutta
Encyclopedia
Wamsutta also known as Alexander Pokanoket, as he was called by New England
colonists, was the eldest son of Massasoit
and a sachem
of the Wampanoag native American
tribe
. His sale of Wampanoag lands to colonists other than those of the Plymouth Colony
brought the Wampanoag considerable power, but aroused the suspicions of the Plymouth colonists. He was imprisoned for three days at Plymouth; he died shortly after release, causing tribal suspicion of the colonists. His death contributed to King Philip's War
of 1675. Wamsutta's name is memorialized in and around New Bedford, Massachusetts
in various ways. He was honored in the naming of a United States Navy steamer
in commission during the American Civil War
between 1863 and 1865.
, leader of the Wampanoag. Wamsutta and his brother Metacomet
studied at Harvard College. Wamsutta married Weetamoo
. After their father, Massasoit, died in 1661, the two sons commemorated the life-changing event by officially changing their names. Wamsutta took the name of "Alexander" and Metacomet took the name of "Philip". Having later stated that he was more important than the leaders of the English colonies, he acquired the nickname "King Philip".
After Massasoit's death, Wamsutta assumed leadership of the Wampanoag, becoming leader of all the Native American
tribes between the Charles River
in Massachusetts
and Narraganset Bay in Rhode Island
, including the tribes in eastern Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts. As a result of a collapse of the fur trade
, he substantially increased the power of the Wampanoag by selling land to colonists. In 1662 he was summoned to and seized by the Plymouth
Court. After being questioned, Wamsutta became ill and soon died.
The cause of death was disputed, and Wamsutta's brother Metacomet (who succeeded Wamsutta in leadership of the Wampanoag) suspected that he had been poisoned. Wamsutta's death was one of the factors that would eventually lead to the 1675 King Philip's War
, also known as Metacom's Rebellion.
Some historians believe Wamsutta was poisoned or tortured by Governor Josiah Winslow
, who saw him as a threat. But considering Winslow's father, Edward Winslow
and Governor William Bradford (both of whom had died before this), and their previous peaceful relations with Wamsutta's father, Massasoit, their devout Christian character, and their having treated the Indians with respect, such speculation is open to question. Nan Apashamen, a Wampanoag historian at Plymouth Plantation
, suggests Wamsutta's name had changed to Moanam and that he was Phillips' father, not brother.
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...
colonists, was the eldest son of Massasoit
Massasoit
Massasoit Sachem or Ousamequin ,was the sachem, or leader, of the Pokanoket, and "Massasoit" of the Wampanoag Confederacy. The term Massasoit means Great Sachem.-Early years:...
and a sachem
Sachem
A sachem[p] or sagamore is a paramount chief among the Algonquians or other northeast American tribes. The two words are anglicizations of cognate terms from different Eastern Algonquian languages...
of the Wampanoag native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribe
Tribe
A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
. His sale of Wampanoag lands to colonists other than those of 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...
brought the Wampanoag considerable power, but aroused the suspicions of the Plymouth colonists. He was imprisoned for three days at Plymouth; he died shortly after release, causing tribal suspicion of the colonists. His death contributed to 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...
of 1675. Wamsutta's name is memorialized in and around New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
in various ways. He was honored in the naming of a United States Navy steamer
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
in commission during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
between 1863 and 1865.
Life
Wamsutta was born in circa 1634 as the eldest son of MassasoitMassasoit
Massasoit Sachem or Ousamequin ,was the sachem, or leader, of the Pokanoket, and "Massasoit" of the Wampanoag Confederacy. The term Massasoit means Great Sachem.-Early years:...
, leader of the Wampanoag. Wamsutta and his brother Metacomet
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...
studied at Harvard College. Wamsutta married Weetamoo
Weetamoo
Weetamoo , also referred to as Weetamoe, was a Pocasset Wampanoag Native American noblewoman who was born in the Mattapoiset village of the Pokanoket and died at Taunton River. Her father was Corbitant, sachem of the Pocasset tribe in present day North Tiverton, Rhode Island, c. 1618–1630...
. After their father, Massasoit, died in 1661, the two sons commemorated the life-changing event by officially changing their names. Wamsutta took the name of "Alexander" and Metacomet took the name of "Philip". Having later stated that he was more important than the leaders of the English colonies, he acquired the nickname "King Philip".
After Massasoit's death, Wamsutta assumed leadership of the Wampanoag, becoming leader of all the Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribes between the Charles River
Charles River
The Charles River is an long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern Massachusetts, USA. From its source in Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Boston...
in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and Narraganset Bay in Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, including the tribes in eastern Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts. As a result of a collapse of the fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
, he substantially increased the power of the Wampanoag by selling land to colonists. In 1662 he was summoned to and seized by the Plymouth
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...
Court. After being questioned, Wamsutta became ill and soon died.
The cause of death was disputed, and Wamsutta's brother Metacomet (who succeeded Wamsutta in leadership of the Wampanoag) suspected that he had been poisoned. Wamsutta's death was one of the factors that would eventually lead to the 1675 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...
, also known as Metacom's Rebellion.
Some historians believe Wamsutta was poisoned or tortured by Governor 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...
, who saw him as a threat. But considering Winslow's father, Edward Winslow
Edward Winslow
Edward Winslow was an English Pilgrim leader on the Mayflower. He served as the governor of Plymouth Colony in 1633, 1636, and finally in 1644...
and Governor William Bradford (both of whom had died before this), and their previous peaceful relations with Wamsutta's father, Massasoit, their devout Christian character, and their having treated the Indians with respect, such speculation is open to question. Nan Apashamen, a Wampanoag historian at Plymouth Plantation
Plimoth Plantation
Plimoth Plantation is a living museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts that shows the original settlement of the Plymouth Colony established in the 17th century by English colonists, some of whom later became known as Pilgrims. They were among the first people who emigrated to America to avoid religious...
, suggests Wamsutta's name had changed to Moanam and that he was Phillips' father, not brother.
Legacy
Wamsutta has been the namesake of businesses and places:- In 1846, the Wamsutta CompanyWamsutta CompanyWamsutta Company, also known as Wamsutta Mills, was located in New Bedford, Massachusetts, a port known for its whaling ships. The company was named for Wamsutta, the son of an Native American chief who negotiated an early alliance with the English settlers of the Plymouth Colony in the 17th...
's textileTextileA textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
mill opened in New BedfordNew Bedford, MassachusettsNew Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
. - In 1861, 20-year-old Henry H. RogersHenry H. RogersHenry Huttleston Rogers was a United States capitalist, businessman, industrialist, financier, and philanthropist. He made his fortune in the oil refinery business, becoming a leader at Standard Oil....
and his partner Charles Ellis of Massachusetts named their tiny venture near Oil City, PennsylvaniaOil City, PennsylvaniaOil City is a city in Venango County, Pennsylvania that is known in the initial exploration and development of the petroleum industry. After the first oil wells were drilled nearby in the 1850s, Oil City became central in the petroleum industry while hosting headquarters for the Pennzoil, Quaker...
the Wamsutta Oil RefineryWamsutta Oil RefineryWamsutta Oil Refinery was established around 1861 in McClintocksville in Venango County near Oil City, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It was the first business enterprise of Henry Huttleston Rogers , who became a famous capitalist, businessman, industrialist, financier, and philanthropist.-...
. Rogers later became a principal in John D. RockefellerJohn D. RockefellerJohn Davison Rockefeller was an American oil industrialist, investor, and philanthropist. He was the founder of the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry and was the first great U.S. business trust. Rockefeller revolutionized the petroleum industry and defined the structure of...
's Standard OilStandard OilStandard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational...
empire. - USS WamsuttaUSS Wamsutta (1853)USS Wamsutta was a steamer constructed for service with the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a gunboat in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate waterways....
was the name of a United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
steamerSteamboatA steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
in commission from 1863 to 1865. - In 1866, the Wamsutta ClubWamsutta ClubThe Wamsutta Club is a private social club in New Bedford, Massachusetts, founded in 1866. It was a club for the affluent members of New Bedford's community, which at the time was supported by the flagging whaling industry as well as the up-and-coming textiles....
was founded in New Bedford. It was a club for the affluent residents, who had generally made their money from the flagging whalingWhalingWhaling is the hunting of whales mainly for meat and oil. Its earliest forms date to at least 3000 BC. Various coastal communities have long histories of sustenance whaling and harvesting beached whales...
industry, as well as the up-and-coming textiles, for which the club was named. - In 1997, the Wamsutta Middle School was built in Attleboro, MassachusettsAttleboro, MassachusettsAttleboro is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States and is immediately north of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Once known as "The Jewelry Capital of the World" for its many jewelry manufacturers, Attleboro had a population of 42,068 at the 2000 census, and a population of 43,645 as of...
. - In modern times, Wamsutta is a brand name of textile products marketed by Springs Industries, Inc.