- Wamsutta
Wamsutta (b. c. 1634 - d. 1662), also "Alexander Pokanoket" as he was called by
New England colonists, was a leader (sachem ) of theWampanoag native American tribe. He was the son ofMassasoit , and brother ofMetacomet who would succeed him. He marriedWeetamoo .Leadership and death
In 1660, Massasoit died and Wamsutta assumed leadership of the Wampanoag. He substantially increased the power of the Wampanoag by selling land to other colonies (as a result of a collapse of the
fur trade ), and in 1662 this resulted in his being summoned to and seized by the Plymouth Court. After being questioned Wamsutta became ill and died. The cause of death was disputed, and his brother Metacomet (who now assumed leadership of the Wampanoag) suspected that he was poisoned.Wamsutta's death was one of the factors that would eventually lead to the 1675
King Philip's War .Legacy
The name, Wamsutta, has been used in a number of areas:
*In 1846, theWamsutta Company 'stextile mill opened inNew Bedford, Massachusetts .
*In 1861, 20 year oldHenry H. Rogers and his partner Charles Ellis of Massachusetts named their tiny venture nearOil City, Pennsylvania theWamsutta Oil Refinery . Rogers later became a principal inJohn D. Rockefeller 'sStandard Oil empire.
*In 1866, theWamsutta Club was founded in New Bedford. It was a club for the affluent members of New Bedford's community, which at the time was supported by the flaggingwhaling industry as well as the up-and-coming textiles for which the club was named.
*In 1997, the Wamsutta Middle School was built inAttleboro, Massachusetts forAttleboro Public Schools.
*In modern times, Wamsutta is a brand name of textile products marketed by Springs Industries, Inc.
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