#miantonomo

Jano his mark.

Narragansett. A signatory here on a deed also signed by Miantonomo, Pumham and Totanoman (all marks we have shared previously).

The deed describes “one parcel of lands…lyinge uppon the west syde of that part of the sea called Sowhanes Bay, from Copassanatuxett, over against a little island in the sayd bay, being the north bounds, and the outmost point that neck of land called Shawhomet.” This area is now referred to as “Warwick, Rhode Island.”

Pessicus marke

Narragansett Sachem. After the death of his brother, Miantonomo, Pessicus shared tribal leadership with his uncle, Canonicus, until Canonicus died in 1647. In his time, Pessicus was known by several other names, including Mosomp, Quissucquansh, Sucquans and Wemosit.  Just a month after Pessicus, Canonicus and others signed a document acknowledging tribal submission to King Charles I, Pessicus’s mark appears on this document in response to a summons by the General Court of Massachusetts. 

In the letter to the general court of Massachusetts, both Pessicus and Canonicus ask the court to provide reason for their need to travel to Boston, as they are currently mourning the loss of Miantononmo. The letter references their upset at the fact that Miantonomo was killed, that they would like answers from the English about why they should not avenge Miantonomo’s death,  and that in light of English advisement against justice for Miantonomo the Narragansetts will not travel. They write, “being we take you for a wise people, to let us know your reasons why you seem to advise us as you do, not to go out against our so inhuman and cruel adversary, who took so great a ransom to release him, and his life also, when that was done. Our brother was willing to stir much abroad to converse with men, and we see a sad event at the last thereupon. Take it not ill, therefore, though we resolve to keep at home.”

Further in the letter they write: “...we have subjected ourselves, our lands and possessions, with all the rights and inheritances of us and our people, either by conquest, voluntary subjection or otherwise, unto that famous and honorable government of that Royal King, Charles…” And here again, they seem frustrated by settler entitlement. Essentially, they say, they have already given so much, and will not be bothering themselves to travel to Boston unless a messenger is sent to them providing good enough reason to do so. 

These signatures and submissions connect to the complicated relationships between colonizers and tribal nations in so-called New England, following the Pequot War, the murder of Pessicus’s brother Miantonomo by Uncas (Mohegan), and Pessicus’s own plans for the survival of his Nation. 

Pessicus’s kin: Father Mascus; brother Miantonomo; uncle Canonicus. 

Miantonomo, Miantonomoh, Myantonomy. His Mark. (repost from 12.27.22)

Nahaganset (Narragansett). His home along the western shores of Narragansett Bay, in so-called Rhode Island, and into so-called eastern Connecticut. Sachem. In 1640s, appealed to sister tribes to create an alliance against colonizers. Brought to Mass. Bay Colony in 1640 on charges of conspiracy against settlers.  Executed in Mohegan territory in 1643 following tensions with Mohegan sachem, Uncas and the English.

Place names mentioned in this deed, for so-called “Warwick, RI,” signed January 1642, include:  “Sowhanes Bay,” “Copassanatuxett,” “Shawhomet” (spelled as they appear in the document).

His kin: Son of Mascus; nephew to Canonicus; brother to Pessicus; father of Canonchet. His partner: Wawaloam. 

The marke of Miantunomu.

Miantonomo. Nahaganset (Narragansett). His home along the western shores of Narragansett Bay, in so-called Rhode Island, and into so-called eastern Connecticut. Sachem. In 1640s, appealed to sister tribes to create an alliance against colonizers. Brought to Mass. Bay Colony in 1640 on charges of conspiracy against settlers. Executed in Mohegan territory in 1643 following tensions with Mohegan sachem, Uncas.

This is the second time we’ve shared an image of the pictograph used by Miantonomo (the earlier mark from a 1642 deed.

This deed describes land on the island of “Acquidneck” and north to “Kitackamuckqutt,” but excludes “Chibachuwesa” or present-day Prudence Island.

The islands of Aquidneck, and the areas of Kickemuit and “the grass upon the rivers and coves about Kitackamuckqutt” and to Paupausquatch were exchanged for “40 fathom of white beads” plus ten coats and twenty hoes. Narragansett inhabitants of the island were then also told to “remove themselves” before the next winter.

His kin: Son of Mascus; nephew to Canonicus; brother to Pessicus; father of Canonchet. His partner: Wawaloam.

Pumham. Sachem of Showhomett Pumhomm. 

Sachem at Shawomet, or so-called “Warwick, Rhode Island,” Pumham had an interesting and well documented relationship with both English colonizers and Narragansett relatives. Settlers in Warwick tried to arrest Pumham for an insurrection attempt in 1659 and later moved to expel Pumham from Shawomet altogether, in 1667. Pumham refused to leave and would remain in Shawomet until he was killed by settlers in July of 1676 while fighting with Pometacom in King Philip’s War.

In this document, Pomham signs as witness to a transfer of land “lyinge uppon the west syde of that part of the sea called Sowhanes Bay, from Copassanatuxett, over against a little island in the sayd bay, being the north bounds, and the outmost point that neck of land called Shawhomet…” signed by Miantonomo.

Their kin: at least two sons, one named Cheesechamut.

Canonicus. The mark of Caunonicus.

Sachem of the Nahaganset (Narragansett). His home along the shores of Narragansett Bay, in so-called Rhode Island, and into so-called eastern Connecticut. Born about 1565, died June 4, 1647. Initially a dubious opponent of colonizer settlement upon the arrival of the Pilgrims, Canonicus later signed a peace treaty with colonizers in 1644 - presumably in the pursuit of the survival of his nation. 

This deed describes land on the island of “Acquidneck” and north to “Kitackamuckqutt,” but excludes “Chibachuwesa” or present-day Prudence Island.  

The islands of Aquidneck, and the areas of Kickemuit and “the grass upon the rivers and coves about Kitackamuckqutt” and to Paupausquatch were exchanged for “40 fathom of white beads” plus ten coats and twenty hoes. Narragansett inhabitants of the island were then also told to “remove themselves” before the next winter.  

Canonicus’ kin: a descendant of Tasshasuck. A brother, Mascus. Nephews Miantonomo and Pessicus. A son, Mixan (Mixan’s partner was Quaiapen). 

Nahaganset (Narragansett). His home along the western shores of Narragansett Bay, in so-called Rhode Island, and into so-called eastern Connecticut. Sachem. In 1640s, appealed to sister tribes to create an alliance against colonizers. Brought to Mass. Bay Colony in 1640 on charges of conspiracy against settlers.  Executed in Mohegan territory in 1643 following tensions with Mohegan sachem, Uncas and the English.

Place names mentioned in this deed, for so-called “Warwick, RI,” signed January 1642, include:  “Sowhanes Bay,” “Copassanatuxett,” “Shawhomet” (spelled as they appear in the document).

His kin: Son of Mascus; nephew to Canonicus; brother to Pessicus; father of Canonchet. His partner: Wawaloam.