11 Facts About Massasoit

Massasoit's people had been seriously weakened by a series of epidemics and were vulnerable to attacks by the Narragansetts, and he formed an alliance with the colonists at Plymouth Colony for defense against them.

Massasoit lived in Sowams, a village at Pokanoket in Warren, Rhode Island.

Outbreaks of an unidentified disease had devastated the Pokanokets, and Massasoit sought an alliance with the colonies of New England against the neighboring Narragansetts who controlled an area west of Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island.

Massasoit sent him to approach the colonists to find out whether their intentions were peaceful.

Massasoit had learned that a group of influential Massachusett warriors intended to destroy both the Wessagusset and Plymouth colonies, and he warned the Pilgrims in time.

Massasoit sold a tract of land 14 miles square to Myles Standish and others of Duxbury in 1649 to alleviate tension and maintain the peace.

Massasoit had five children: son Wamsutta, who was born between 1621 and 1625; son Pometecomet, Metacomet, or Metacom; son Sonkanuchoo; and daughters Amie and Sarah.

Massasoit died within a year, and his brother Metacom succeeded him in 1662.

Massasoit was humane and honest, kept his word, and endeavored to imbue his people with a love for peace.

Massasoit kept the Pilgrims advised of any warlike designs toward them by other tribes.

Massasoit believed that Wamsutta had been murdered at the hands of the Colonists, and this was one of the factors that led to King Philip's War, one of the bloodiest wars in Colonial American history.