Massasoit

Massasoit was the title, Great Sachem, of Ousamequin, leader of the Pokanoket and the Wampanoag tribes. He was born in Montaup, the village of the Pokanoket bands. He held the allegiance of seven lesser Wampanoag sachems. He visited Plymouth in 1621 and negotiated a treaty guaranteeing the settlers their security in exchange for their alliance against the Narragansett, an alliance needed by Massasoit because the Wampanoag had been so decimated by European disease brought by English settlers.

He forged important personal ties with English settlers such as Stephen Hopkins, Edward Winslow and William Bradford that helped maintain good relations during his lifetime.

Massasoit's oldest son, Wamsutta, became sachem of the Pokanoket on the death of his father. Wamsutta began using an English name for himself ("Alexander"). His brother, Metacomet, followed suit and adopted the English name of "Philip." After the death of Wamsutta, Metacomet succeeded him in 1662.

The only child of Massasoit to survive King Philip's War was his daughter, AMIE, wife of Tispaquin.