Miantonomo
Miantonomo was a prominent figure in the early 17th century, serving as the principal chief of the Narragansett tribe around 1632. He was the nephew of Chief Canonicus and played a crucial role in maintaining relationships between the Narragansetts and English colonists, particularly with the Massachusetts Bay Colony and Roger Williams' Providence Plantations. Miantonomo's interactions with colonists included attending church services, indicating a level of cooperation and engagement. However, tensions arose as Miantonomo was suspected of inciting hostility against the New England colonies, largely due to accusations from Uncas, the Mohegan leader. His brief imprisonment by Puritan authorities in 1642 did not deter him; instead, he sought to forge an alliance against colonial power. Unfortunately, this move led to his betrayal by Uncas, resulting in Miantonomo's capture and execution in 1643. His story reflects the complex dynamics between Indigenous leaders and European settlers during a turbulent period in colonial America.
Subject Terms
Miantonomo
- Born: c. 1600
- Birthplace: Unknown
- Died: September 1, 1643
- Place of death: Unknown
Tribal affiliation: Narragansett
Significance: Miantonomo attempted to build an anticolonial alliance
A nephew of Chief Canonicus, Miantonomo became the Narragansetts’ principal chief about 1632. He maintained alliances with the colonists of Massachusetts Bay and with Roger Williams’ new colony at Providence Plantations, later Rhode Island, begun in 1635 with Narragansett aid. Miantonomo even attended church with some of the colonists.
Despite these signs of friendship, Miantonomo was suspected of provoking Indian hostility toward the New England colonies, largely because of statements by Uncas, the founder of the Mohegan tribe who made a specialty of betraying “hostile” Indians to the Puritan authorities. In 1642, Miantonomo was imprisoned briefly by the Puritans, who scolded and then released him. After that incident, Miantonomo attempted to build an anticolonial alliance. When word of the attempt got to Uncas, he turned Miantonomo over to the English, who sentenced him to die at the hands of Uncas’ brother Wawequa in September, 1643.