Pomham

Pumham

Pumham

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Pumham (died 1676) (also known as Pomham) was one of Metacomet's chief advisors during King Phillip's War. He was sachem of Shawomet.[1] He was described as "one of the stoutest and most valiant sachems that belonged to the Narragansett."[2] He was friends with English settlers, but aligned himself with Metacomet when war broke out.[2]

Early life

Pumham was allied with the Massachusetts Bay colony, who claimed the lands of Shawomet, today Warwick, Rhode Island.[3] The colony forbid anyone to live there without permission, and built a fort there to protect the area, the remains of which were still visible in 2000.[2][4][lower-alpha 1] This fort was built on the site of Pumham's village.[4]

King Phillip's War

Main article: King Phillip's War

As tensions mounted, Pumham began encouraging defiance, and not peace, with the colonists.[5] During the war, Pumham used the fort Shawomet.[4]

On July 4, 1675, Governor John Leverett sent Edward Hutchinson to sign a treaty with the Narragansets whereby they would agree not to harbor any of Metacomet's people.[6] Hutchinson decided "to treat with the Narragansets sword in hand,"[6] and forced Pumham to sign on July 15.[7] Pumham and his people ignored the treaty as soon as the colonists left.[6]

Pumham was captured in Dedham, Massachusetts on July 25, 1676.[7][1][2][8][9][4][lower-alpha 2] Several Christian Indians had seen his band in the woods, including his son and other family members, nearly starved to death.[4][9] Captain Samuel Hunting[lower-alpha 3] led 36 men from Dedham and Medfield and joined 90 Indians on a hunt to find them.[9] A total of 15 of the Ponham's band were killed and 35 were captured.[9][4][8] Pumham, with a bullet in his back and so wounded he could not stand, hid in the bushes with this hatchet.[4][9] He grabbed hold of an English soldier and would have killed him had one of the settler's compatriots not come to his rescue.[9][4] Pumham died in the fight.[9][2][7]

Notes

  1. A marker designating the site was erected, but has since been stolen.[2]
  2. Ellis and Morris have the date as July 27.[4]
  3. The son of John Hunting.[9]

References

  1. [1]
    Bedini, Silvio A. (2003). "The History Corner: Joshua Fisher (1621-1672) Colonial Inn-keeper and Surveyor, Part 1". Professional Surveyor Magazine (September). Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  2. [2]
    Schultz & Tougias 2000, p. 250.
  3. [3]
    Ellis & Morris 1906, p. 158.
  4. [4]
    Ellis & Morris 1906, p. 258.
  5. [5]
    Ellis & Morris 1906, p. 196.
  6. [6]
    Church 1999, p. 36.
  7. [7]
    Church 1999, p. 56.
  8. [8]
    Schultz & Tougias 2000, p. 66.
  9. [9]
    Hanson 1976, p. 96.

Works cited
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