Massasoit (l. c. 1581-1661) was the sachem (chief) of the Wampanoag Confederacy of modern-day New England, USA. Massasoit (also given as Massasoyt) is a title meaning Great Sachem; his given name was Ousamequin of the Pokanoket tribe of modern-day Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
More about: MassasoitServer Costs Fundraiser 2024
Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate and contribute to covering our server costs in 2024. With your support, millions of people learn about history entirely for free every month.
$3926 / $18000
Definition
Timeline
-
c. 1581 - 1661Life of Massasoit, Chief of the Wampanoag Confederacy, whose efforts saved the Plymouth Colony.
-
22 Mar 1621Massasoit and governor John Carver sign the peace treaty which will bind Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag Confederacy together until after Massasoit's death.
-
1623Edward Winslow saves Massasoit's life when the chief falls ill, further bonding colonists and Native Americans together.
-
1661Massasoit dies and is succeeded by his eldest son, Wamsutta.
-
1662Wamsutta dies under suspicious circumstances; his brother, Metacom becomes chief and claims he was poisoned by colonists.
-
1675 - 1678King Philip's War in which thousands are killed as the Native Americans try to defend their land and way of life from increasing European colonization of the Americas.
