Wampanoag Native American Chief. He was Chief (Sachem) of the Wampanoag people that welcomed the Mayflower landing party at Plymouth in 1620. Also known as Ousamequin ("Yellow Feather"), he had two sons, Metacomet (aka "King Phillip") and Wamsutta (aka "Alexander"). He was born in the village of Pokanoket, near present-day Bristol, Rhode Island. By signing a treaty with the Pilgrim settlers of Plymouth in 1621, and by faithfully observing its provisions, Massasoit guaranteed that the fledgling colony of Massachusetts Bay would survive. Luckily for the Pilgrims, that treaty kept the Wampanoags neutral during the Pequot War of 1636. Plymouth founding father, Edward Winslow, and Roger Williams (founder of Providence, Rhode Island), were among Massasoit's friends and admirers. Until his death in 1661, Massasoit remained a friend and ally of the Pilgrims.
Wampanoag Native American Chief. He was Chief (Sachem) of the Wampanoag people that welcomed the Mayflower landing party at Plymouth in 1620. Also known as Ousamequin ("Yellow Feather"), he had two sons, Metacomet (aka "King Phillip") and Wamsutta (aka "Alexander"). He was born in the village of Pokanoket, near present-day Bristol, Rhode Island. By signing a treaty with the Pilgrim settlers of Plymouth in 1621, and by faithfully observing its provisions, Massasoit guaranteed that the fledgling colony of Massachusetts Bay would survive. Luckily for the Pilgrims, that treaty kept the Wampanoags neutral during the Pequot War of 1636. Plymouth founding father, Edward Winslow, and Roger Williams (founder of Providence, Rhode Island), were among Massasoit's friends and admirers. Until his death in 1661, Massasoit remained a friend and ally of the Pilgrims.
