Bio #4: Metacom

Metacom was best known for his role as a war leader of the Wampanoag Indians in King Philip’s War. Massasoit was Metacom’s father, and became chief in 1662 when Wamsutta (his brother) died. Metacom despised the Christian religion, and refused to convert, thinking that it would make him a negligent leader. Metacom lived in peace with the colonists, bought his clothes in Boston, and even adopted an English name, Philip. However, the colonists were expanding westward, pushing unfriendly tribes east, and invading his territory. In 1671, leaders of Plymouth colony forced a compromise in which the tribe gave up their ammunition and agreed to the English terms. Conflict broke out again in 1675, resulting in King Philip’s War. When the war soon turned against him, he hid in Assowamset Swamp with his family and other followers. The Swamp was located in Southern Rhode Island. Eventually, a group of hunters found them, and Metacom was shot by John Alderman on August 12, 1676. Metacom died from this fatal injury, and his wife and kids were shipped off to Bermuda and sold as slaves. On a more gruesome note, Metacom’s head was mounted on a stick near the entrance of the Plymouth Fort, where it stayed for more than 20 years. Metacom was not a well liked person by the Plymouth colony, mainly due to his involvement in King Philip’s War.

Works Cited: "Metacomet -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 07 Dec. 2009. .