Wamsutta

Wamsutta (b. c. 1634 - d. 1662), also Alexander Pokanoket as he was called by New England colonists, was a sachem of the Wampanoag native American tribe.

Family

Wamsutta was the eldest son of Massasoit and brother of Metacomet. He married Weetamoo. He received the name "Alexander" from English settlers in 1656.

Leadership and death

In 1660, Massasoit died and 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 other colonies. In 1662 this resulted in his being 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 now assumed leadership of the Wampanoag) suspected that he was poisoned. Wamsutta's death was one of the factors that would eventually lead to the 1675 King Philip's War.

Some historians believe Wamsutta was poisoned or tortured by Governor Bradford,who saw him as a threat. But considering Bradford's previous peaceful relations with Wamsutta's father, Massasoit, his devout Christian character, and the Pilgrim's nature to treat the Indians with respect, such speculation is open to question. Nevertheless, Bradford must have had cause for concern, as Wamsutta was summoned at gunpoint by Bradford and died shortly after being held involuntarily for three days. Nan Apashamen, Wampanoag historian at Plymouth Plantation, suggests Wamsutta's name had changed to "Moanam" and that the frequently referred to "Moanam" was in fact Phillips' father, not brother.

Wamsutta and Pometacom (Alexander and Phillip, respectively) both studied at the newly established Harvard College.

Legacy

The name Wamsutta has been used in a number of areas:

• In 1846, the Wamsutta Company's textile mill opened in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
• In 1861, 20 year old Henry H. Rogers and his partner Charles Ellis of Massachusetts named their tiny venture near Oil City, Pennsylvania the Wamsutta Oil Refinery. Rogers later became a principal in John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil empire.
• USS Wamsutta was the name of a United States Navy steamer in commission from 1863 to 1865.
• In 1866, the Wamsutta Club was founded in New Bedford. 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 for which the club was named.
• In 1997, the Wamsutta Middle School was built in Attleboro, Massachusetts for Attleboro Public Schools.
• In modern times, Wamsutta is a brand name of textile products marketed by Springs Industries, Inc.

References

• This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here. (See ship namesake section)