MASSASOIT, m5s'a-soit, American Indiana chief, sachem of the Wampanoags: h. Massa chusetts, 1580; d. 1661. His dominion extended over nearly all the southern part of Massachu setts, from Cape Cod to Narragansett Bay; but his tribe, once estimated at 30,000 in number, had shortly before the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth been reduced by a disease, sup posed to have been yellow fever, to barely 300. On 22 March 1621, a little more than three months after the founding of Plymouth, he appeared before the infant settlement with 60 of his warriors, armed and painted, for the purpose of forming a friendly league with the white men. Although the tribe were reputed to be cruel and treacherous, the open and friendly greeting of Massasoit so favorably impressed Governor Carver, that after the necessary for malities were concluded, he formed in behalf of the colony a treaty of peace and mutual protection with the Wampanoags, which for 50 years was sacredly kept hy both parties. The friendly disposition of Massasoit toward the colonists never relaxed. He lived within the
limits of what is now the town of Warren, R. I., near an abundant spring which yet hears his name, where he often entertained wander ing pilgrims or administered to their necessi ties. Roger Williams, while on his way to Providence, was for several weeks his guest at this place. Massasoit was just, humane and honest, never violating his word and constantly endeavoring to imbue his people with a love of peace. In person, Morton says, in his 'Memorial,) he was ea portly man in his best years, grave of countenance, spare of speech.b His second son, Pometacom, called by the col onists King Philip, who ultimately became sachem of the Wampanoags, was of a less plac able disposition, and allowed the encroachments of the colonists to hurry him into the bloody contest known as King Philip's War. Consult Baker, Virginia, (Massasoits' Town Sowanis in Pokanoket) (Warren, R. I., 1904).