Montowampate
Montowampate | |
|---|---|
| File:SaugusSeal.png Montowampate depicted on Saugus town seal | |
| Pawtucket leader | |
| Preceded by | Nanepashemet |
| Succeeded by | Wenepoykin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1609 |
| Died | 1633 |
| Cause of death | Smallpox |
| Spouse | Wenunchus |
| Parent(s) | Nanepashemet and "Squaw Sachem" |
| Known for | Pawtucket leader (called Sachem of Saugus) |
| Nickname | Sagamore James |
Montowampate (1609–1633) also known as Sagamore James was a Pawtucket leader who was the Sachem of Saugus when English began to settle in the area.
Early life
Montowampate was born in 1609 to Nanepashemet, the Great Sachem of the Pawtucket Confederation, and his wife, the Squaw Sachem.[1] Nanepashemet's territory was divided following his death in 1619 and Montowampate was given control over the area consisting over present-day Swampscott, Nahant, Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Reading, Saugus, and Wakefield.[1][2] Montowampate resided on Sagamore Hill in Lynn, a high bluff located near the head of Long Beach.[3]
Personal life
Montowampate was married to Wenunchus, daughter of Passaconaway. The two married about 1629 in Pennacook (now known as Concord, New Hampshire). Their marriage ceremony was followed by a large banquet.[4] Not long after their marriage, Wenunchus, escorted by a number of Montowampate's men, returned to her father's territory for a visit. Once she arrived safely, Montowampate's men returned home. When Wenunchus was ready to return to Montowampate, Passaconaway sent messengers to Montowampate to tell him that his wife was ready to return and that he should send a convoy to get her. Montowampate felt that Passaconaway should be responsible for the convoy, as Montowampate's men had already escorted her there, and that sending an convoy would make him and his people appear subservient to Passaconaway. Passaconaway felt that he deserved more respect from the young Sachem and told Montowampate that if he wanted Wenunchus' company he would have to send for her. Montowampate still refused and told Passaconaway that he could either send her with his own convoy or keep her. Wenunchus eventually returned to Montowampate, but it is unknown how the dispute was resolved.[1][5]
Relationship with other tribes
In 1631, Montowampate and his brother Wonohaquaham (also known as Sagamore John) met with Chief Masconomet in Agawam (present day Ipswich). Masconomet may have been seeking their assistance in his conflict with the Tarrantines. On the night of August 8, 1631, 100 Tarrantine warriors attacked Agawam. Masconomet, Montowampate, and Wonohaquaham, were all wounded and Montowampate's wife was taken captive.[6] She was ransomed by Abraham Shurd, a colonist from Pemaquid (now Bristol, Maine), and returned home on September 17, 1631.[6]
Relationship with colonists
Montowampate was described by Governor Thomas Dudley as being "of a far worse disposition" than his brother Wonohaquaham.[1][3][5] On March 26, 1631, Montowampate went to Governor John Winthrop for assistance after he was defrauded of twenty beaver pelts by a colonist named Watts, who soon returned to England. Winthrop gave him a letter of introduction to give to Emanuel Downing, a London attorney. It is believed that Montowampate may have made the trip to England to receive remuneration.[1][6] In 1632, Montowampate purchased muskets, powder, and shot from a settler named Richard Hopkins.[1] By 1633, friction had emerged between the Pawtucket and colonists over the boundaries between the two. However, before the issue could be resolved, the tribe was hit by an outbreak of smallpox.[6][7]
Death
In 1633, most of the Pawtucket died during a smallpox outbreak. Montowampate himself succumbed to the disease in December 1633, around the same time as Wonohaquaham. They were succeeded by their younger brother Wenepoykin, also known as Winnepurkett, Sagamore George, George Rumney Marsh, and George No Nose.[8]
Legacy
Montowampate was included on Saugus' town seal. He is depicted holding a bow and arrow in front of Round Hill and the rising sun.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Duane Hamilton Hurd, ed. (1888). History of Essex County, Massachusetts: With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Volume 1. J. W. Lewis & Company. p. 414.
- ^ a b Nicastro, Dom (October 13, 2011). "Saugus Round Hill park approved". Saugus Advertiser.
- ^ a b Wheildon, William Willder (1842). Letters from Nahant. Bunker-Hill Aurora.
- ^ Beals, Charles Edward (1916). Passaconaway in the White Mountains.
- ^ a b Lewis, Alonzo; Newhall, James R. (1865). The History of Lynn. John L. Shorey.
- ^ a b c d Drake, Samuel G. (1842). Biography and History of the Indians of North America, From Its First Discovery. Benjamin B. Mussey & Co.
- ^ Williams, H. L. (1880). The Aboriginal Races of North America. Hurst & Company.
- ^ Corey, Deloraine Pendre (1880). The History of Malden, Massachusetts, 1633–1785. Deloraine Pendre Corey.