King Phillip of the Wampanoag Tribe
Metacomet, more famously known as King Philip, stands as a significant figure in the history of the Wampanoag people and the tumultuous early years of colonial America. Born around 1639, he inherited a complex legacy shaped by increasing tensions between his people and the burgeoning English settlements. This account delves into the life and times of this pivotal leader, exploring his rise to power, the events that led to King Philip’s War, and the tragic consequences that followed.
Metacomet’s story begins with his father, Massasoit, a sagacious sachem (chief) who forged an initial alliance with the Pilgrims arriving at Plymouth in 1620. This alliance, crucial for the survival of the fledgling colony, ensured a period of relative peace and cooperation. Metacomet, believed to have been born in Sowans, Rhode Island, grew up in a world where the traditions and territories of his people were increasingly encroached upon by the ever-expanding English presence. He witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of European diseases on the Wampanoag population and the gradual erosion of their ancestral lands through treaties and purchases that were often unfair or misunderstood.
The death of Massasoit in 1661 marked a turning point. His eldest son, Wamsutta (also known as Alexander), briefly succeeded him but died mysteriously the following year, adding to the growing suspicion and distrust between the Wampanoags and the colonists. In 1662, Metacomet ascended to the position of sachem, inheriting the weighty responsibility of leading his people through increasingly perilous times. He took on the English name "Philip," perhaps as a gesture of diplomacy or a recognition of the changing landscape. He married Wootonekanuske and resided at Mount Hope, Rhode Island.
As the new sachem, King Philip faced an impossible dilemma. The relentless demand for land by the colonists, coupled with their disregard for Wampanoag customs and sovereignty, created a volatile atmosphere. The Wampanoags, once a powerful and independent nation, found themselves increasingly marginalized and vulnerable. Metacomet initially attempted to maintain peaceful relations, but the escalating injustices and the realization that his people were being systematically dispossessed fueled his growing resentment.
King Philip witnessed the legal system, heavily biased towards the colonists, consistently favoring English interests over those of the Wampanoags. The sale of alcohol to Native Americans, often used as a tool for exploitation, further destabilized communities and undermined their traditional way of life. The encroachment on hunting grounds and sacred sites added insult to injury, intensifying the sense of grievance and desperation among the Wampanoags.
The breaking point came with the trial and execution of three Wampanoag men in 1675. They were accused of murdering John Sassamon, a Native American who had converted to Christianity and served as an interpreter for the English. Sassamon had warned the Plymouth authorities that King Philip was planning a war against them. While the truth of Sassamon’s accusations and the guilt of the accused men remain subjects of debate, the Wampanoags viewed the trial as a blatant act of injustice and a clear signal that their rights would not be respected.
Fueled by a sense of betrayal and a determination to protect his people’s remaining lands and way of life, King Philip began to forge alliances with other Native American tribes in the region, including the Nipmuc and Narragansett. He recognized that a united front was the only hope of resisting the relentless advance of the colonists. His goal was not simply to win battles but to drive the English out of New England altogether, reclaiming the land that had been taken from his ancestors.
On June 24, 1675, simmering tensions erupted into open warfare. The first shots of King Philip’s War were fired in the town of Swansea, Plymouth, Massachusetts. Wampanoag warriors attacked the settlement, marking the beginning of a brutal and devastating conflict that would engulf much of New England. The war quickly spread as other tribes joined the Wampanoags, launching raids on English settlements throughout the region.
The initial months of the war saw considerable success for the Native American forces. They were familiar with the terrain, adept at guerrilla warfare, and highly motivated to defend their homelands. Many English settlements were attacked, burned, and abandoned. The colonists, unprepared for the ferocity and scale of the conflict, suffered heavy losses. The war exposed the vulnerability of the colonial frontier and shattered the illusion of peaceful coexistence.
However, the tide began to turn as the colonists mobilized their forces and adopted more aggressive tactics. The English, better equipped and with greater resources, gradually gained the upper hand. Internal divisions and dwindling supplies began to weaken the Native American alliance. As winter approached, food became scarce, and many warriors were forced to return to their villages to provide for their families.
By the summer of 1676, the war was drawing to a close. Many of King Philip’s key allies had been killed or captured. The Narragansett tribe, one of the most powerful in the region, had been decimated in a brutal battle known as the Great Swamp Fight. With his forces dwindling and his options limited, King Philip and his remaining followers retreated to their ancestral home at Mount Hope.
Hunted relentlessly by colonial forces, led by Captain Benjamin Church, King Philip was eventually betrayed by one of his own men, a "praying Indian" named John Alderman. On August 12, 1676, Alderman led the English to Philip’s hiding place in the Miery Swamp near Mount Hope. In the ensuing ambush, King Philip was shot and killed.
The aftermath of King Philip’s death was gruesome and symbolic of the colonists’ desire to crush Native American resistance. His body was beheaded, and his head was displayed on a pole at Fort Plymouth for 25 years, a stark warning to any who might contemplate rebellion. His body was quartered and hung in trees, further desecrating his remains. Alderman was rewarded with Philip’s right hand, a grim trophy of war.
The consequences of King Philip’s War were devastating for the Native American population of New England. The war resulted in the deaths of thousands of colonists and Native Americans alike. Many Native American villages were destroyed, and entire tribes were decimated. Survivors were often sold into slavery in the West Indies or forced to flee to other tribes for refuge. The Wampanoag tribe, once a proud and powerful nation, was shattered.
King Philip’s War marked a turning point in the relationship between Native Americans and European colonists in North America. It effectively ended the era of peaceful coexistence and ushered in a period of increased conflict and displacement. While King Philip’s War was a military defeat for the Native Americans, it also served as a testament to their resilience and their determination to defend their homelands and way of life. The legacy of King Philip continues to resonate today, reminding us of the complex and often tragic history of Native American-European relations in the United States. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of colonization and the importance of understanding and respecting diverse cultures and perspectives.