Double Feature: Maintonomoh and Canonchet of the Narrangansett

These two Narragansett Sachems, father and son, both came tragic ends because of conflicts which weren't the fault of their own nation, but through the actions of others.  Maintonomoh, 1600-1643, was the son of Narragansett Sachem Canonicus, likely an English corruption of his real name.  Maintonomoh shared with his father in leading the Narragansett and later succeeded as Sachem in 1636.  Though the Narragansett were on friendly terms with Colonists in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, Maintonomoh himself was distrusted by the Settlers as somehow being treacherous.

At risk to his own personal liberty and safety, Maintonomoh traveled to Boston to convince Colonial authorities that his intentions were peaceful.  During the Pequot War of 1636-1638, he allowed the Settlers to march their army through his territory in a punitive strike on the Pequot, who were decimated as tribe due to the conflict.  In 1638, he was a signatory of a treaty with the English and Mohegan leaders to divide up Pequot land and captives.  Conflict developed between all three parties as to control of the former Pequot land.  Fed up, Maintonomoh approached other tribes to form a confederacy against the English.  Instead, in 1643, an outright war developed between the Mohegan and the Narragansett.  Maintonomoh led 1,000 warriors against the Mohegan in battle, but was capture by Uncas of the Mohegan.  When Maintonomoh broached to Uncas the idea of uniting against the English, Uncas turned Maintonomoh over to Colonial authorities at Hartford, Connecticut. 

Maintonomoh was tried in Boston for rebellion against Colonial authority.  His defense was that he had marched against the Mohegan on the orders of the Settlers, which was true.  He was found guilty and returned to the Mohegan for punishment.  They returned him to Norwich, where he was ritually clubbed to death with a tomahawk by Uncas' brother, Wewagua.  His daughter Minnetinka, was taken in by a Dutch family.  His son, Canonchet, succeeded Maintonomoh as Sachem of the Narragansett.  The place of his execution in Norwich is now a state park.  Four U.S. Navy ships have born his name.  Streets in Middletown, Rhode Island, bear his name and that of his father, Canonicus. 

Maintnomoh's son was able to restore some peace between the Narragansett and the Colonists.  The Narragansett tried to stay out of King Phillip's War, 1675, but did take some Wampanoag refugees, including members of Phillip's extended family, into their village near South Kingston, Rhode Island.  This led to an attack by the Colonists in the Great Swamp Fight in December, 1675.  The following year, 1676, he was captured by the Colonists and offered his life in exchange for a peace treaty with the English.  Canonchet refused and was instead sentenced to death.  Informed of his fate, he replied, "I like it well.  I shall die before my heart is soft, and before I speak any words unworthy of myself."