Indian chief, head of the Pokanokets or Wampanoags, born in Massachusetts. His control extended from Cape Cod to Narragansett Bay. In March, 1621, an Indian, whom the whites called Samoset, appeared three months after the founding of Plymouth, and called, in broken English taught him by some fishermen, “Welcome, Englishmen.” He said he came from the great sachem, Massasoit. After some parleying, the chief appeared in person, was received with deference, and a treaty of amity was concluded with his tribe and their confederates and honorably kept for fifty-four years—beyond the lifetime of Massasoit. His residence was in what is now Warren, RI, near a remarkable spring, which still bears his name, and here he was visited frequently by commissioners from the neighboring settlements. When Roger Williams was banished from Massachusetts and went on his way to Providence, he was entertained by Massasoit for several weeks. Massasoit lived and died a sincere friend to the white settlers. His sons were Alexander and King Philip.
