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.
[Indian deed of Warwick, Rhode Island], 1642. Seen @ John Carter Brown Library.
