Matoonas
Matoonas (? - died 1676 in Boston) (also spelled Matonas) was a sachem of the Nipmuc Indians in the middle of 17th century. He played a significant role in the Native American uprising known as King Philip's War.
Early life
Matoonas had originally converted to Christianity and became a
Shortly after the raid on Mendon, together with another Nipmuc sachem, Muttawmp, Matoonas successfully ambushed a party of colonial soldiers in what became known as Wheeler's Surprise at Brookfield.[4]
Execution
Matoonas was betrayed and turned over to the English in Boston in autumn 1676 by another Nipmuc sachem. Most colonial sources list the name of the one who gave betrayed him as "Sagamore John,"
References
- ^ a b c d Drake, pg. 79
- ^ a b Hanson, Robert Brand (1976). Dedham, Massachusetts, 1635-1890. Dedham Historical Society. pp. 89–90.
- ^ a b Bonfanti, pg. 26
- ^ Bonfanti, pg. 27
- ^ Diary of Samuel Sewall, entries July 17, 1676 and Sept. 26, 1676 , p 15, 22 (accessible on google books)
- ^ Rev. Thomas Cobbett, of Ipswich, "A Narrative of New England's Deliverances," (written in 1677 to Increase Mather) New England Historical Genealogical Register, (Volume 7, 1853), p. 209 https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/New_England_Historical_Genealogical_Register_Online
- ^ Samuel Gardner Drake, Indian Biography, p. 137 accessible on google books
- ^ Moynihan, pg. 28
- ^ Schultz and Tougias, pg. 69
- ^ Cogley, pg. 161
7. p. 462
Works cited
- Eric B. Schultz, Michael J. Tougias, "King Philip's War. The History and Legacy of America's Forgotten Conflict", Countryman Press, 1999.
- Leo Bonfanti, "Biographies and Legends of the New England Indians", New England Historical Series, Pride Publications, 1981.
- Samuel Gardner Drake, "The book of the Indians, or, Biography and history of the Indians of North America, from its first discovery to the year 1841", Benjamin B. Mussey, 1845.
- Richard W. Cogley, "John Eliot's mission to the Indians before King Philip's War", Harvard University Press, 1999.
- "New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume XXII", David Clapp & Sons, 1868.