Metacomet

Metacomet (?-1676), also known as King Philip or Metacom, waswar chief or sachem ofWampanoag Indianstheir leaderKing Philip's War. Metacomet wassecond sonMassasoit,chief who had befriendedPilgrims1621. He became chief1662 when his brother Wamsutta (or King Alexander) died.

At first he soughtlive withcolonists. Assachem, he tookleadmuchhis tribes trade withcolonies. He adoptedEuropean namePhilip,bought his clothesBoston. Butcolonies continuedexpand. Towest,Iroquois Confederation continuedpush hostile tribes that encroached on his territory.

Finally,1671colonial leaders ofPlymouth Colony forced major concesions from him. He surrendered muchhis tribe's armamentammunition,agreed thatwere subjectEnglish law. The encroachment continued until actual hostilities broke out1675. Metacomet hurriedcath uphis warriors,lead them inuprising that bore his name, King Philip's War.

Whenwar eventually turned against him, he took refuge ingreat Assowamset Swampsouthern Rhode Island. Here he held out fortime,his familyremsaining followers. He was fatally shot by another Indian, on August 12, 1676. His attacker was reportedhave been paid byEnglish colonists. After his death, his wifeeight year old son were captured,sold as slaves inCaribbean.