King Philip's War - Major Players
Posted August 12th, 2012 at 06:39 AM by Baltis
Tags king philip, metacomet
AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBES DURING KING PHILIP'S WAR
THE HOSTILE TRIBES:
Algonkian - (Algonquian) All of the New England tribes were part of the overall group known as Algonkian Indians. They lived to the east of the Mountains while the Algonquin tribes (six nations) lived to the west of the Mountains. In King Philip's War, the power of the Algonkian tribes was mostly broken as they fell into decline.
Wampanoag - King Philip's Tribe. The specific village people were called the Pokanoket. They lived primarily on the Mount Hope Peninsula sticking out into Narragansett Bay. Also spent time on Aquidneck Island in the bay itself. There were other tribes in the area that are related and also subservient to Metacom (King Philip). Two particularly well-known groups were led by women. Wateemoo and Awashonks had their own people but owed allegiance to Philip. Wateemoo and the Pocasset tribe played a prominent role in assisting Philip with his escape from Mount Hope into the Nipmuc country. The Wampanoag were active in starting the war and they were active near the end as they attempted a return to their traditional territory. The Wampanoag and their subservient allies ranged from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island to Plymouth. Because of their position on the coast and in southern Massachusetts (then the Plymouth Colony) they had extensive contact with the colonists from early on. Many of the tribe had accepted Christianity and become 'praying Christians'. The tribe's position on the Bay provided the raw materials to make wampum. They used this to great advantage for several decades but were then hit very hard in the wampum devaluation of the 1660s. The Wampanoag had engaged in a substantial number of land deals with the Pylmouth Colony and were beginning to feel the pinch of disappearing lands.
Narragansett - Officially the head Sachem of the Narragansett was Quinnapin who was actually married to the Wampanoag, Weetamoo. Which may account in part for their decision to join Philip in war even though they agreed to peace very early on. Unfortunately, the English overreached and required the Narragansett to work actively against the Wampanoag. This was very difficult for them. For decades, the two tribes had dominated the beaver pelt and wampum trade with the English. The Narragansett specialty had been trading with the interior tribes for pelts while maintaining contact with the English for trading. Like the Wampanoag, different villages or groups of Narragansett could often decide to go their own way and show considerable independence. As such, the southern Narragansett tribe under Sachem Ninigret remained allied to the colonists throughout King Philip's War. Canonchet was also a prominent leader of the tribe. Leach described him as a sturdy young warrior-sachem with a proud fighting heart. At his later execution, the English were incredibly impressed by his regal and dignified manner. The famous Great Swamp Fight took place in Narragansett country where they had built what may be the most European style fort ever used by Native Americans in the struggle for North America.
Nipmuc - (also spelled, Nipmucks) - Old Matoonas, Monoco (One-Eyed John), and Shoshanim (Sagamore Sam) were the most prominent war leaders of the Nimpuc. They lived west of Boston in the areas between East Massachusetts and West Massachusetts (Upper Connecticut River Valley). Because of their location between the English areas, the Nipmuc had as much to fear from English land policies than any other tribe of the time. Once King Philip brought war to New England and fled from his home territory around Narragansett Bay, the Wampanoag moved north into Nipmuc country where they could remain farther away and hidden from the English. Once war came to Massachusetts the Nipmuc tribe were responsible for many of the famous raids on the various communities of rural Massachusetts. Some of the more famous events involving the Nipmuc took place at Brookfield, Deerfield, Bloody Brook, Hatfield, and Springfield. Nipmuc were responsible for the kidnapping of Mary Rowlandson. During the war many were captured and many others surrendered as the war ended. Many of the captured Nipmuc died of disease or starvation on Deer Island. Others were sent to the West Indies to be sold as slaves. They did not work well and made poor slaves. As a result, the Caribbean planters rejected further Indian slaves. A few ended up in a colony in Africa. The Nipmuc had been the same tribe who first brought maize to the Pilgrims thereby credited with having saved the Plymouth colony.
Abenaki - the Abenaki lived further north and bordered with colonists in Maine and New Hampshire. During King Philip's War they took advantage of the hostilities and raided in Maine and outlying areas.
Mohawk - The Iroquois tribe to the immediate west of Algonquian territory. They were extremely fierce and probably the strongest of the five Iroquois tribes. In King Philip's War, the Mohawk may have attacked Philip and his people while they remained deep in Nipmuc country. The Mohawk were not allied to the English nor encouraged to join in by Gov Andros of New York. However, they may have inadvertently assisted the colonists by dealing a strong blow to Philip at the very time Indian strength in New England was at its peak.
TRIBES ALLIED TO THE ENGLISH:
Mohegan - The most famous Sachem of the Mohegan tribe was Uncas. By the time of King Philip's War, Uncas already had a long standing policy of loyalty to the English. The tribe lived primarily in western Connecticut and served with that colony during the war. They made significant contributions during the invasion of Narragansett country at the Great Swamp Fight.
Pequot - The same tribe defeated so badly in the Pequot War of the 1630s. They also came from southern Connecticut but on the eastern side of the Connecticut River. The Pequot were long enemies of the Mohegan and, even though both groups were allied to the English, they maintained rivalry during the war. Pequot warriors also accompanied the Connecticut army in the Narragansett invasion causing a bit of small concern over dividing plunder with the Mohegan.
Christian Indians ("Praying Indians) - Christian Indians turns out to pretty much mean exactly what you might think it means. The Puritans expressly set about to Christianize the native population in a direct attempt to assimilate them into the colonist society. The 1660 statutes provided land grants to all Indians who "be brought to civility, and shall come among the English to Inhabit in any of their plantations and shall there live civily and orderly." The law promised full and equal rights for all Indians who converted to Puritanism. In fact, whenever a 'competent number' of Christian Indians were together they were entitled to form a township of their own and "shall have grant of lands undisposed of, for a plantation as the English have." The grant of land and full rights of citizenship greatly appealed to many of the natives and a large number of people from the various tribes converted. At the time of King Philip's War there were at least 12 communities of Christian Indians. During the war they mostly remained loyal to the English although there are a couple of examples where entire communities of Christian Indians returned to their old ways and attacked their prior neighbors. At times the Christian Indians were rounded up and treated as captives although, closer to the end of the war, many joined with Benjamin Church in his campaigns to finish off Wampanoag, Naragansett, and Nipmuc power in New England. They came from all the tribes and not from any single tribe although villages of Christian Indians would generally all come from the same tribe.
The English:
Benjamin Church
Plymouth Colony - The original Pilgrim colony located in southern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. By 1675 both Massachusetts Bay Colony and Connecticut had larger populations. In search of a deep sea port, it was the Plymouth Colony that started the 1671 Swansea settlement just outside of Philip's Mount Hope peninsula. Josiah Winslow became governor in 1673 and also the military commander of the United Colonies in 1675. He was the son of Plymouth's first governor and had been the military leader in Plymouth colony since the late 1650s. Unfortunately, Winslow did not have a good relationship with Philip. Military leaders from Plymouth included Benjamin Church.
John Leverett
Massachusetts Bay Colony - Settled by the Puritans later than Plymouth, the Colony included Boston and quickly outgrew the older Plymouth Colony. By 1675 the Massachusetts Bay Colony had settlements along the coast north all the way to Maine. They had also expanded inland with settlements growing in a semicircle outward from Boston. In addition, people had begun to settle in the land beyond the Nipmuc Country centered in the Upper Connecticut River Valley. John Leverett was the governor at the time of King Philip's War. A young Indian Trader named Ephraim Curtis showed great courage in battle for the Bay Colony.
John Winslow (the Younger)
Connecticut - The second most populated colony of New England at the time of King Philip's War. They had an unfortunate border dispute ongoing with the New York Colony and Governor Andros. In the 1670s they were slow to respond to the Indian problems due to having actual military actions ongoing with New York. Governor of Connecticut was John Winslow (the Younger) who was the son of John Winslow among the founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Major Treat led the troops from Connecticut in the Great Swamp Fight and also in the Upper Connecticut River Valley.
United Colonies - An association between the three Puritan Colonies for mutual support during times of war. They met to discuss Indian relations and to organize militia companies and provide defense to the colonies. The group was formed in 1643 after the Pequot War demonstrated the need for coordination during crisis times. Being the hated Quakers, Rhode Island was not included in the United Colonies.
Roger Williams
Rhode Island - The rogue Quaker colony founded by Roger Williams. They were despised and hated by the Puritans who literally made it criminal for a Quaker to live within their colonies. In spite of this, there were certain times during King Philip's War in which some level of military cooperation did exist. The Rhode Islanders had boats on Narragansett Bay that were made available during the early days of the war. There were also instances of Rhode Islanders giving aid to soldiers from the other colonies.
THE HOSTILE TRIBES:
Algonkian - (Algonquian) All of the New England tribes were part of the overall group known as Algonkian Indians. They lived to the east of the Mountains while the Algonquin tribes (six nations) lived to the west of the Mountains. In King Philip's War, the power of the Algonkian tribes was mostly broken as they fell into decline.
Wampanoag - King Philip's Tribe. The specific village people were called the Pokanoket. They lived primarily on the Mount Hope Peninsula sticking out into Narragansett Bay. Also spent time on Aquidneck Island in the bay itself. There were other tribes in the area that are related and also subservient to Metacom (King Philip). Two particularly well-known groups were led by women. Wateemoo and Awashonks had their own people but owed allegiance to Philip. Wateemoo and the Pocasset tribe played a prominent role in assisting Philip with his escape from Mount Hope into the Nipmuc country. The Wampanoag were active in starting the war and they were active near the end as they attempted a return to their traditional territory. The Wampanoag and their subservient allies ranged from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island to Plymouth. Because of their position on the coast and in southern Massachusetts (then the Plymouth Colony) they had extensive contact with the colonists from early on. Many of the tribe had accepted Christianity and become 'praying Christians'. The tribe's position on the Bay provided the raw materials to make wampum. They used this to great advantage for several decades but were then hit very hard in the wampum devaluation of the 1660s. The Wampanoag had engaged in a substantial number of land deals with the Pylmouth Colony and were beginning to feel the pinch of disappearing lands.
Narragansett - Officially the head Sachem of the Narragansett was Quinnapin who was actually married to the Wampanoag, Weetamoo. Which may account in part for their decision to join Philip in war even though they agreed to peace very early on. Unfortunately, the English overreached and required the Narragansett to work actively against the Wampanoag. This was very difficult for them. For decades, the two tribes had dominated the beaver pelt and wampum trade with the English. The Narragansett specialty had been trading with the interior tribes for pelts while maintaining contact with the English for trading. Like the Wampanoag, different villages or groups of Narragansett could often decide to go their own way and show considerable independence. As such, the southern Narragansett tribe under Sachem Ninigret remained allied to the colonists throughout King Philip's War. Canonchet was also a prominent leader of the tribe. Leach described him as a sturdy young warrior-sachem with a proud fighting heart. At his later execution, the English were incredibly impressed by his regal and dignified manner. The famous Great Swamp Fight took place in Narragansett country where they had built what may be the most European style fort ever used by Native Americans in the struggle for North America.
Nipmuc - (also spelled, Nipmucks) - Old Matoonas, Monoco (One-Eyed John), and Shoshanim (Sagamore Sam) were the most prominent war leaders of the Nimpuc. They lived west of Boston in the areas between East Massachusetts and West Massachusetts (Upper Connecticut River Valley). Because of their location between the English areas, the Nipmuc had as much to fear from English land policies than any other tribe of the time. Once King Philip brought war to New England and fled from his home territory around Narragansett Bay, the Wampanoag moved north into Nipmuc country where they could remain farther away and hidden from the English. Once war came to Massachusetts the Nipmuc tribe were responsible for many of the famous raids on the various communities of rural Massachusetts. Some of the more famous events involving the Nipmuc took place at Brookfield, Deerfield, Bloody Brook, Hatfield, and Springfield. Nipmuc were responsible for the kidnapping of Mary Rowlandson. During the war many were captured and many others surrendered as the war ended. Many of the captured Nipmuc died of disease or starvation on Deer Island. Others were sent to the West Indies to be sold as slaves. They did not work well and made poor slaves. As a result, the Caribbean planters rejected further Indian slaves. A few ended up in a colony in Africa. The Nipmuc had been the same tribe who first brought maize to the Pilgrims thereby credited with having saved the Plymouth colony.
Abenaki - the Abenaki lived further north and bordered with colonists in Maine and New Hampshire. During King Philip's War they took advantage of the hostilities and raided in Maine and outlying areas.
Mohawk - The Iroquois tribe to the immediate west of Algonquian territory. They were extremely fierce and probably the strongest of the five Iroquois tribes. In King Philip's War, the Mohawk may have attacked Philip and his people while they remained deep in Nipmuc country. The Mohawk were not allied to the English nor encouraged to join in by Gov Andros of New York. However, they may have inadvertently assisted the colonists by dealing a strong blow to Philip at the very time Indian strength in New England was at its peak.
TRIBES ALLIED TO THE ENGLISH:
Mohegan - The most famous Sachem of the Mohegan tribe was Uncas. By the time of King Philip's War, Uncas already had a long standing policy of loyalty to the English. The tribe lived primarily in western Connecticut and served with that colony during the war. They made significant contributions during the invasion of Narragansett country at the Great Swamp Fight.
Pequot - The same tribe defeated so badly in the Pequot War of the 1630s. They also came from southern Connecticut but on the eastern side of the Connecticut River. The Pequot were long enemies of the Mohegan and, even though both groups were allied to the English, they maintained rivalry during the war. Pequot warriors also accompanied the Connecticut army in the Narragansett invasion causing a bit of small concern over dividing plunder with the Mohegan.
Christian Indians ("Praying Indians) - Christian Indians turns out to pretty much mean exactly what you might think it means. The Puritans expressly set about to Christianize the native population in a direct attempt to assimilate them into the colonist society. The 1660 statutes provided land grants to all Indians who "be brought to civility, and shall come among the English to Inhabit in any of their plantations and shall there live civily and orderly." The law promised full and equal rights for all Indians who converted to Puritanism. In fact, whenever a 'competent number' of Christian Indians were together they were entitled to form a township of their own and "shall have grant of lands undisposed of, for a plantation as the English have." The grant of land and full rights of citizenship greatly appealed to many of the natives and a large number of people from the various tribes converted. At the time of King Philip's War there were at least 12 communities of Christian Indians. During the war they mostly remained loyal to the English although there are a couple of examples where entire communities of Christian Indians returned to their old ways and attacked their prior neighbors. At times the Christian Indians were rounded up and treated as captives although, closer to the end of the war, many joined with Benjamin Church in his campaigns to finish off Wampanoag, Naragansett, and Nipmuc power in New England. They came from all the tribes and not from any single tribe although villages of Christian Indians would generally all come from the same tribe.
The English:
Benjamin Church
Plymouth Colony - The original Pilgrim colony located in southern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. By 1675 both Massachusetts Bay Colony and Connecticut had larger populations. In search of a deep sea port, it was the Plymouth Colony that started the 1671 Swansea settlement just outside of Philip's Mount Hope peninsula. Josiah Winslow became governor in 1673 and also the military commander of the United Colonies in 1675. He was the son of Plymouth's first governor and had been the military leader in Plymouth colony since the late 1650s. Unfortunately, Winslow did not have a good relationship with Philip. Military leaders from Plymouth included Benjamin Church.
John Leverett
Massachusetts Bay Colony - Settled by the Puritans later than Plymouth, the Colony included Boston and quickly outgrew the older Plymouth Colony. By 1675 the Massachusetts Bay Colony had settlements along the coast north all the way to Maine. They had also expanded inland with settlements growing in a semicircle outward from Boston. In addition, people had begun to settle in the land beyond the Nipmuc Country centered in the Upper Connecticut River Valley. John Leverett was the governor at the time of King Philip's War. A young Indian Trader named Ephraim Curtis showed great courage in battle for the Bay Colony.
John Winslow (the Younger)
Connecticut - The second most populated colony of New England at the time of King Philip's War. They had an unfortunate border dispute ongoing with the New York Colony and Governor Andros. In the 1670s they were slow to respond to the Indian problems due to having actual military actions ongoing with New York. Governor of Connecticut was John Winslow (the Younger) who was the son of John Winslow among the founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Major Treat led the troops from Connecticut in the Great Swamp Fight and also in the Upper Connecticut River Valley.
United Colonies - An association between the three Puritan Colonies for mutual support during times of war. They met to discuss Indian relations and to organize militia companies and provide defense to the colonies. The group was formed in 1643 after the Pequot War demonstrated the need for coordination during crisis times. Being the hated Quakers, Rhode Island was not included in the United Colonies.
Roger Williams
Rhode Island - The rogue Quaker colony founded by Roger Williams. They were despised and hated by the Puritans who literally made it criminal for a Quaker to live within their colonies. In spite of this, there were certain times during King Philip's War in which some level of military cooperation did exist. The Rhode Islanders had boats on Narragansett Bay that were made available during the early days of the war. There were also instances of Rhode Islanders giving aid to soldiers from the other colonies.
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