Chronology of American Indian History

P

entry for 1662) allows some of his warriors to pa-
rade fully armed through the town of Swansea as a
warning to the Massachusetts colonists. English offi-
cials react by summoning Metacom and demanding
that he relinquish his tribe’s weapons. Left with no
choice, Metacom agrees and turns over 70 guns at the
meeting as a show of faith, although later he refuses
to give up any more. The incident humiliates Meta-
com and convinces him of the impossibility of solving
the Wampanoag’s disagreements with the English
through peaceful means. Soon after, the leader will
begin gathering support for large-scale Indian resis-
tance (see entry for June 1675).

1675

The Spanish put four Pueblo leaders to death.
Spanish authorities in Santa Fe order the arrest of 47
Pueblo leaders. The men are charged with sorcery,
but the Spanish are actually intent on punishing their
failure to recruit an adequate number of Christian
converts from their followers. Following their trial,
four Pueblos are sentenced to death by hanging,
and the rest are whipped. Among those whipped are
Popé, who five years later will lead the Pueblo in a
successful rebellion against their Spanish tormentors
(see entry for AUGUST 10, 1680).

June 8

The English execute three Wampanoag
for murder.
In December 1674, John Sassamon, a Christian In-
dian who was educated at Harvard, informs English
officials at Plymouth that the Wampanoag leader
Metacom (see entry for 1671) is planning to attack
their settlements. A month later Sassamon’s body,
with its neck snapped, is discovered in a frozen pond.
Acting on the information from a supposed
Indian witness, the English arrest and try three
Wampanoag for the crime. Aside from the tes-
timony of the witness, who may owe a gambling
debt to one of the accused, there is no real evidence
of their guilt. Nevertheless, the English court sen-
tences them to death by hanging.

Their execution infuriates the Wampanoag. In

the past, crimes committed by Indians against In-

dians were dealt with by tribes. The interference of

the English in what the Wampanoag see as a tribal

matter brings the tension between the colonists and

Indians to the boiling point.

Late June

King Philip’s War breaks out in

New England.

Terrified that an Indian uprising is imminent, Mas-

sachusetts settlers in the town of Swansea flee to

safety in Plymouth. Wampanoag warriors, enraged

by the execution of three Indian men by the English

(see entry for JUNE 8, 1675), surround the town and

begin looting the abandoned homes. After one of the

frightened colonists kills a Wampanoag, the warriors

attack the town. The assault marks the beginning of

King Philip’s War, the bloodiest conflict between In-

dians and settlers in the 17th century.

“The English who came first to

this country were but a hand-

ful of people, forlorn, poor and

distressed.... [They] flour-

ished and increased. By various

means they got possession of a

great part of [my father’s] terri-

tory. But he still remained their

friend till he died.... Soon after

I became sachem they disarmed

my people... [and] their land

was taken. But a small part of

the domination of my ancestors

remains. I am determined not to

live until I have no country.”

—Metacom in a speech to English

authorities at the beginning of

King Philip’s War