Metacomet (c. 1638 in Massachusetts – August 12, 1676), also known as Pometacom, Metacom, and by his adopted English name King Philip, was sachem (elected chief) to the Wampanoag people from 1662–1676, and the second son of the sachem Massasoit. Metacomet became sachem after Massasoit's death. Metacomet was killed on August 12, 1676, near Mount Hope, Rhode Island. Scholars say his death marked the end of King Phillip's War (1675–1678).

Metacomet's initial goal was to live in peace with the colonists. His main responsibility was trade with the colonists. This peace changed later on after consistent negative interactions with the colonists. King Phillip's War occurred between the Wampanoag people and English colonists for the sake of preserving Wampanoag land as the colonies continued to expand. Metacomet was killed during the war in 1676.

Family

Metacomet's older brother Wamsutta (also known as King Alexander) briefly became sachem after their father's death in 1661. Metacomet believed their father was poisoned due to English hatred of Native Americans. However, Wamsutta also died shortly thereafter. This led to Metacomet becoming sachem in 1662.

Wamsutta's widow, Weetamoo, female sachem of the Pocasset, became Metacomet's ally and lifelong friend. He married her younger sister, Wootonekanuske.

Following the defeat of the Native Americans in King Philip's War, Wootonekanuske and their only son were imprisoned. Phillip's only son was sold into slavery in the West Indies. It is unclear how many other children Metacomet had or what ultimately happened to them, but scholars note that Metacomet only had one son.

Name change

In the spring of 1660, Metacom's brother Wamsutta appeared before the court of Plymouth to request that he and his brother be given English names in accordance with Wampanoag custom, in which new names marked significant moments in time (such as, in this case, Wamsutta's father's death). The court agreed, and Wamsutta had his name changed to Alexander, and Metacom's was changed to Philip.

Author Nathaniel Philbrick has suggested that the Wampanoag may have taken action at the urging of Wamsutta's interpreter, the Christian neophyte John Sassamon. Metacom was later called "King Philip" by the English, though king was not a word which could be directly translated into Wampanoag. Historians theorize that sachem is the closest in meaning. Alderman was given Philip's right hand as a trophy.

Remaining Native Americans that weren't killed during the war relocated to join other tribes or reservations, while many Native American leaders were sold into slavery.

Representations

  • Mary Rowlandson, who was taken captive during a raid on Lancaster, Massachusetts, later wrote a memoir about her captivity, and described meeting with Metacom while she was held by his followers.
  • Washington Irving relates a romanticized but sympathetic version of Metacom's life in the 1820 sketch "Philip of Pokanoket," published in his collected stories, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (1820).
  • Another notable representation of Metacomet is in John Augustus Stone's tragedy play, Metamora; or, the Last of the Wampanoags (1829). The play was very popular during the 1830s and 1840s, with significance during this time given the greater political context of Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Act. Edwin Forrest played the role of Metacomet. In real life, King Philip is not thought to have spoken during his death. However, this play gave King Philip the last word before his death.
  • King Philip Mountain, a peak on Talcott Mountain, near Hartford, Connecticut
  • King Philip's Hill, on the western bank of the Connecticut River in Northfield, Massachusetts
  • King Phillip's Nose, a rock island in the Connecticut River, south of Northfield, Massachusetts
  • King Philip's Rock, a historic site situated on a trail in Sharon, Massachusetts
  • King Philip Avenue/Road/Street or Drive in East Providence and Bristol, Rhode Island; Fall River, Longmeadow, Raynham, Somerset, Worcester, and South Deerfield, Massachusetts; and in West Hartford, Connecticut
  • King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham, Massachusetts.

There are also multiple places named Metamora, paying homage to the heroic depiction of Metacomet in John Augustus Stone's play: Metamora, Ohio, Metamora Township, Michigan, Metamora, Indiana, and Metamora, Illinois.

One insect species is named after Metacomet: Tipula metacomet, a species of large crane fly with a type locality in Amherst, Massachusetts

See also

  • Rev William Apess, claimed descent from Metacomet
  • List of early settlers of Rhode Island
  • Eulogy on King Phillip by William Apess, 1836

Footnotes

References

  • Bourne, Russel (1990). The Red King's Rebellion. .
  • Philbrick, Nathaniel, Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War. New York: Viking Penguin. .
  • Tilton, Rev. George Henry. (1918) "A History of Rehoboth, Massachusetts: Its History for 275 Years, 1648–1918." Boston, MA: Published by the author.
  • The Royal Gazette article: The struggle to honour Bermuda's Native American heritage.
  • Rootsweb: New England Indians. Bermuda Reconnection Festival 2002 Photo Album.
  • Rootsweb: Edward Randolph on the Causes of the King Philip's War (1685).
  • Rootsweb: St. David's (Bermuda) Indian Committee.
  • Pokanoket/Wampanoag Constitution. With History.
  • US History.com: King Philip's War, 1675–76.
  • King Philip's Biography