Pumham

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Pumham (died 1676) (also known as Pomham) was one of Metacomet's chief advisors during King Phillip's War. He was sachem of Shawomet. [1] He was described as "one of the stoutest and most valiant sachems that belonged to the Narragansett." [2] He was friends with English settlers, but aligned himself with Metacomet when war broke out. [2]

Contents

Early life

Pumham was allied with the Massachusetts Bay colony, who claimed the lands of Shawomet, today Warwick, Rhode Island. [3] The colony forbid anyone to live there without permission, and built a fort there to protect the area, the remains of which were still visible in 2000. [2] [4] [lower-alpha 1] This fort was built on the site of Pumham's village. [4]

King Phillip's War

As tensions mounted, Pumham began encouraging defiance, and not peace, with the colonists. [5] During the war, Pumham used the fort Shawomet. [4]

On July 4, 1675, Governor John Leverett sent Edward Hutchinson to sign a treaty with the Narragansets whereby they would agree not to harbor any of Metacomet's people. [6] Hutchinson decided "to treat with the Narragansets sword in hand," [6] and forced Pumham to sign on July 15. [7] Pumham and his people ignored the treaty as soon as the colonists left. [6]

Pumham was captured in Dedham, Massachusetts on July 25, 1676. [7] [1] [2] [8] [9] [4] [lower-alpha 2] Several Christian Indians had seen his band in the woods, including his son and other family members, nearly starved to death. [4] [9] Captain Samuel Hunting [lower-alpha 3] led 36 men from Dedham and Medfield and joined 90 Indians on a hunt to find them. [9] A total of 15 of the Ponham's band were killed and 35 were captured. [9] [4] [8] Pumham, with a bullet in his back and so wounded he could not stand, hid in the bushes with this hatchet. [4] [9] He grabbed hold of an English soldier and would have killed him had one of the settler's compatriots not come to his rescue. [9] [4] Pumham died in the fight. [9] [2] [7]

Notes

  1. A marker designating the site was erected, but has since been stolen. [2]
  2. Ellis and Morris have the date as July 27. [4]
  3. The son of John Hunting. [9]

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References

  1. 1 2 Bedini, Silvio A. (2003). "The History Corner: Joshua Fisher (1621-1672) Colonial Inn-keeper and Surveyor, Part 1". Professional Surveyor Magazine (September). Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Schultz & Tougias 2000, p. 250.
  3. Ellis & Morris 1906, p. 158.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Ellis & Morris 1906, p. 258.
  5. Ellis & Morris 1906, p. 196.
  6. 1 2 3 Church 1999, p. 36.
  7. 1 2 3 Church 1999, p. 56.
  8. 1 2 Schultz & Tougias 2000, p. 66.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hanson 1976, p. 96.

Works cited