#nahaganset

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.

The marke of Moihanuae [Mixan] Cannonitus his son.

Mixan or Mixanno, Narragansett. His home along the shores of Narragansett Bay, in so-called Rhode Island, and into so-called eastern Connecticut. Son of Canonicus. This document appears to show yet another recorded version of Mixan’s name.

This deed describes land on the island of Acquidneck and north to Kitackamuckqutt, but excludes Chibachuwesa or present-day Prudence Island (place names spelled as they appear in the document).

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.

Mixan’s kin: Father, Canonicus. Cousin, Pessicus. Partner, Quaiapen (sister of Ninigret), and their children, Scuttup Quequakanewett, and Quenimiquit.

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).