Bio #1: Massasoit

Born in a Polanoket village called Montaup, (today, Warren and Bristol, RI), Massasoit negotiated a treaty with the Englishmen. The treaty guaranteed the English security and safety, in exchange for their union against the Naragansett. Some of his other names included Woosamequine, Oosamenquen, Osamekin, Owsamequine, and Ussamequen. English sources tell that Massasoit saved the Plymouth colony from inevitable starvation and failure. An alliance Massasoit made with the colonial leaders John Carver, Edward Winslow, and William Bradford ensured that the Wampanoag tribe remained neutral throughout the Pequot War of 1636. Massasoit had five children, going by the names of: Moanam, Pometecomet, Metacomet, Sonkanuchoo; and two daughters, Amie, and another whose name wasn’t recorded. Tension rose between the colonists and Massasoit when the colonists refused to hand over Squanto, who was believed to be a traitor. Edward Winslow visited Massasoit when he fell ill in March of 1763, and resolved the issue. The date of Massasoit’s death is unknown, but when he died, the peace treaty between the Wampanoag tribe and the colonists grew tenuous. Massasoit was an honest man, who never betrayed a fellow man, and never went back on his word. When he made a promise, he kept it, regardless of the consequences. The peace alliance between them and the colonsists he had worked so hard to achieve collapsed soon after his death. His son and successor, Wamsutta, created an alliance with the Conneticut colony as a response to the increasing invasions into Wampanoag territory, by the allied colonists. Massasoit was a honest, trustworthy man who dedicated his life to keeping the peace, and helping the first colonists at Plymouth survive.

Works Cited: "Massasoit -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 06 Dec. 2009. .