NARRAGANSETTS, tribe of Indians that inhabited Rhode Island and the west ern shore of Narragansett bay; after whom the latter was named. They were originally a part of, and spoke the dialect of the Algouquins. They were friendly towards the colonists, their wars being waged against other Indian tribes. Canonicus, their chief sachem, warmly befriended Roger Williams, and gave him a large tract of land. In 1636 king Philip, chief of the Pequots, sought alliance with the Narragansetts, which Roger Williams prevented by appearing, at the risk of his life, in the camp of the latter while the Pequots were there. Canonicus died in 1647. In 1675 the Pequots scut their women and children to the Narragansetts for protection, while they attacked the people of Swanzey. The people of Boston and Plymouth at this time extorted a treaty of peace from Canonchet, the last chief of the powerful Narragansetts. King
Philip, having spread havoc through the valley of the Connecticut, returned to Rhode Island, when the Narragansetts joined him, violating their treaty. The colonists, to punish the Indians for their treachery, attacked them in an immense swamp in the southern part of Rhode Island, where several tribes, the Narragansetts, had built their wigwams and gathered together their families and suppliesfor the winter, their fort being on an island in the swamp. The whites burned 500 of their wigwams, and their provisions', Inen, women, and children perishing in the flames. Canonchet was made prisoner and killed. After this war only a few of the Nai'ragansetts were left; these intermarried with the colonists, and became civilized. A few of the tribe still remain in the region of Charlestown, R. I.