Wamsutta, known also by the British-bestowed name of Alexander, (from Alexander the Great), succeeded his legendary father, Massasoit, as sachem of the Wampanoag in 1662. Wamsutta's goal was to maintain friendly relations with the English, but in doing he found the allegiance of his own people split. Suspected by Colonists of plotting an uprising, Wamsutta was summoned to Plymouth, Massachusetts to answer charges. It was a long and arduous trip in severe heat, and Wamsutta fell mortally ill. He never reached Plymouth, and upon his death, a forty year peace was broken.
Even Massasoit fell in with the adoption of English customs and before his death in 1661, petitioned the General Court at Plymouth to give English names to his two sons. The eldest Wamsutta was renamed Alexander, and his younger brother Metacomet became Philip. Married to Queen Weetamoo of Pocasset, Alexander became grand sachem of the Wampanoag upon the death of his father. The English were not pleased with his independent attitude, and invited him to Plymouth for "talks." After eating a meal in Duxbury, Alexander became violently ill and died. The Wampanoag were told he died of a fever, but the records from the Plymouth Council at the time make note of an expense for poison "to rid ourselves of a pest." |