Wamsutta
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2008-01-29T22:16:42Z
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'''Wamsutta''' (b. c. [[1634]] - d. [[1662]]), also ''Alexander Pokanoket'' as he was called by [[New England]] colonists, was a leader ([[sachem]]) of the [[Wampanoag]] [[Native Americans in the United States|native American]] tribe. He was the son of [[Massasoit]], and brother of [[Metacomet]] who would succeed him. He married [[Weetamoo]].
== Leadership and death ==
In [[1660]], Massasoit died and Wamsutta assumed leadership of the Wampanoag. He substantially increased the power of the Wampanoag by selling land to other colonies (as a result of a collapse of the [[fur trade]]), and in [[1662]] this resulted in his being summoned to and seized by the [[Plymouth Colony|Plymouth]] Court. After being questioned Wamsutta became ill and died. The cause of death was disputed, and his brother Metacomet (who now assumed leadership of the Wampanoag) suspected that he was poisoned.
Wamsutta's death was one of the factors that would eventually lead to the [[1675]] [[King Philip's War]].
== Legacy ==
The name, Wamsutta, has been used in a number of areas:
*In [[1846]], the [[Wamsutta Company]]'s [[textile]] mill opened in [[New Bedford, Massachusetts]].
*In [[1861]], 20 year old [[Henry H. Rogers]] and his partner Charles Ellis of Massachusetts named their tiny venture near [[Oil City, Pennsylvania]] the [[Wamsutta Oil Refinery]]. Rogers later became a principal in [[John D. Rockefeller]]'s [[Standard Oil]] empire.
*In [[1866]], the [[Wamsutta Club]] was founded in New Bedford. It was a club for the affluent members of New Bedford's community, which at the time, was supported by the flagging [[whaling]] industry as well as the up-and-coming textiles for which the club was named.
*In [[1997]], the Wamsutta Middle School was built in [[Attleboro, Massachusetts]] for [[Attleboro Public Schools.]]
*In modern times, Wamsutta is a brand name of textile products marketed by Springs Industries, Inc.
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[[Category:1630s births]]
[[Category:1662 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Native American leaders]]
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[[ja:ワムスッタ]]