Massasoit's Town Sowams in Pokanoket, Its History Legends and Traditions

ITS HISTORY LEGENDS
AND TRADITIONS
Author of
The History of Warren, R. I. in the War of the Revolution
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR Warren, R. I. 1904
“Warren! where first beside the cradled nation,
The old chief stood, we love thy storied past,
‘Sowams is pleasant for a habitation’—
’Twas thy first history—may it be thy last.”
—Hezekiah Butterworth.
Copyright 1904 by Virginia Baker
A peculiar interest centres about everything pertaining to the great Wampanoag sachem Massasoit. Massasoit has always, and justly, been regarded as one of the most remarkable of that group of illustrious aboriginal chieftains with whom the early white settlers of New England were associated. But while the student of history is familiar with the story of the Indian king’s life-long allegiance to our forefathers, while he admires in the untutored savage virtues few Christian monarchs have possessed, he knows comparatively little of the environments that helped to mould a character of so unique a stamp. The ancient chroniclers often allude to Massasoit’s place of residence, and the questions that naturally present themselves are: Where was this place? Why did Massasoit select it for his abode? What is its history? To answer these questions, in part at least, is the object of this sketch.