Mount Hope, Sacred Land of the Pokanokets
The Pokanoket are the First People of the land of Sowams, better known today as the Rhode Island towns of Bristol, Warren, Barrington, and East Providence. The Pokanoket played a very important role in the Indigenous and Colonial history of America. During the first contact with Europeans settlers, the Pokanoket was the headship tribe of a Nation to whom more than 60 tribes, bands, and clans throughout New England gave allegiance.
Under the inherited leadership of Massasoit or “great leader” Ousamequin, the Pokanoket welcomed the English at Plymouth, Massachusetts. Massasoit Ousamequin saw that the new settlers were struggling and decided to help them acclimate to the land. The two groups negotiated a mutual defense agreement in 1621, and the relationship between them grew stronger. Brought about by Massasoit's kindness and willingness to help the English settlers, it was said that the first Thanksgiving between the English and the Natives occurred that same year.
In winter 1636, Massasoit Ousamequin welcomed Roger Williams to Pokanoket lands and granted permission for him to settle. However, as the English population continued to grow in Plymouth and Massachusetts colonies, the Pokanoket and other Indigenous nations came under increasing pressure. After the death of Massasoit Ousamequin, these pressures became too much for the new leadership. This eventually led to King Philip’s War.
Massasoit Ousamequin, the great leader of the Pokanoket, had two sons. After his death in 1661, his eldest son, Wamsutta, assumed leadership of the Pokanokets and other local tribes. Wamsutta had only ruled for a year when, in 1662, he was summoned by the English to appear before the Plymouth court. On the journey to return home after this meeting, he fell ill and died. Suspicions arose within the tribe that he had been poisoned by the English during this meeting. Following Wamsutta’s death, leadership passed to his brother, Metacomet. Metacomet, who was also known by the English as King Philip. He ruled for more than a decade after his brother's death.
During Metacomet’s rule, many agreements and treaties made during his father's rule withered away. Treaties over land were disregarded or ignored by the English. And as the English encroached on Native territory, trust between the Natives and the English decreased and tensions grew. Metacomet found himself with his back against the wall. He came to the decision that a more aggressive approach was needed. These actions marked the beginning of what came to be known as "King Philip's War.”
King Philip’s War took place from 1675 to 1676, as King Philip led the 14-month bloody rebellion against the English settlers. He governed from Metacomet’s Seat, also known as King Philip’s Chair, which is on land that was once part of Mount Hope Farm. From this vantage point, Metacomet and tribal leaders could oversee and protect their vast territories, including parts of southeastern Massachusetts.
King Philip’s war was one of the most horrifying and gruesome wars in New England history. Villages were sacked and burned to the ground, and innocent lives were taken. The beginning of the end of the war was marked with the death of King Philip. On August 20, 1676, an English-Indian soldier named John Alderman shot and killed King Philip. A stone marker designating where he was assassinated is located on property adjacent to the Farm.
Skirmishes between the Native tribes and the English continued until the Treaty of Casco was signed in 1678. Yet, even after the war, there was no going back to normality. All ties had been completely and forever lost. In the end, the English won and continued their expansion over all of New England. The Pokanoket people and their allies became the first victims of one of the largest genocides on American soil to this day.
Many Natives captured during the war were sold into slavery or killed for fear that they would seek revenge. Tensions were so high for many years after the war that Natives identified as Pokanoket were murdered on the spot. This helped to push the Pokanoket name out of history.
Today, the Pokanoket people still rightfully cherish the lands here, holding tribal rituals and ceremonies. Mount Hope Farm values a close relationship with their community. The Pokanokets of today still gather and hold events here on the farm. To learn more about Pokanoket Tribe we invite you to download this booklet.
