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Narragansett Native North Americans whose language belongs to the Algonquian branch of the Algonquian-Wakashan linguistic stock. In the early 17th cent. they occupied most of Rhode Island, from Narragansett Bay on the east to the Pawcatuck River on the west. They were the largest and strongest chiefdom in New England. The Narragansett escaped the great pestilence of 1617 that swept through S New England, and the remnants of tribes who had suffered joined them for protection, making the Narragansett a powerful tribe. In 1636, Canonicus, the Narragansett chief, sold Roger Williams land on which to settle. Williams gained great influence over the Narragansett, inducing them to become the allies of the Massachusetts colonists in the Pequot War (1637). The Narragansett in 1674 numbered some 5,000. The next year witnessed the outbreak of King Philip's War, which destroyed Native American power in S New England. The Narragansett shared the common fate. Their fort near the site of Kingston, R.I., was attacked (1675) by a colonial force under Josiah Winslow, and in that engagement, known as the Great Swamp Fight, the Narragansett under Canonchet lost almost a thousand men. The survivors migrated to the north and to the west, and a few joined the Mahican and the Abnaki; but a number of them returned and settled among the Niantic near Charlestown, R.I., the combined group taking the Narragansett name. Their numbers steadily declined, and by 1832 there were 80 left. The Narragansett were of the Eastern Woodlands culture. Canonicus
 c.1565-1647, Native North American chief, who ruled the Narragansett when the Pilgrims landed in New England. He granted (1636) Rhode Island to Roger Williams and because of William's influence remained friendly to the settlers, despite their aggressive ways. Miantonomo d. 1643, Chief of the Narragansett; nephew of another chief, Canonicus. In 1637 he aided the English colonists in the Pequot War. The following year he was induced to make a treaty of peace with the English and with his ancient enemy, Uncas. Miantonomo was friendly with the settlers of Rhode Island, particularly with Roger Williams, but was viewed with suspicion in Massachusetts and accused of instigating plots against the English. He defended himself (1640) in Boston, where he was ill-treated. In 1643 he was captured by Uncas and delivered to the English at Hartford, but was returned by them to Uncas, who killed him. See H. M. Chapin, Sachems of the Narragansetts (1931).
A Brief History of The Pequot War - http://beatl.barnard.columbia.edu/texts/masons_narrative.htm
John Mason's 1736 account of this colonial conflict, which involved the Narragansett.
Casino Controversy Moves to West Warwick - http://www.netspace.org/herald/issues/040699/casino.f.html
1998 newspaper article about the Narragansett tribe and casino gambling interests.
Indians and Colonists - http://www.providenceri.com/narragansettbay/indians_and_colonists.html
An account of the original Narragansett tribe and some early accounts of Europeans meeting them.
Life Along The Bay - http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/G_Bay/sekatau.html
History and ethnography of the Rhode Island tribe by two native historians.
Narragansett - http://encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?ti=02F67000
Encarta Encyclopedia article.
Narragansett History - http://www.dickshovel.com/Narra.html
Compact tribal history from contact to present. Emphasis on King Philip's War.
Narragansett Indian Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org/
Their official homepage which has tribal history, current community programs, a newsletter and calendar, and other links and contact information.
Narragansett Literature - http://www.indigenouspeople.org/natlit/narrang.htm
One quote from Cannonchet, a warrior executed.
Narrangansett Indians' Teepee - http://hometown.aol.com/MaryARoots/Indians.index.html
Eclectic collection of comments purportedly by or about the Narragansett, presented by a white genealogy hobbyist.
People of the Small Point - http://www.newigwam.com/hnarragansett.html
Brief historical overview and links to books about the tribe for sale.
Relating to Public Property and Works, Narragansett Indian Federal Tribal - http://www.state.ri.us/99session/billtext/99H5837.htm
Act introduced into Rhode Island General Assembly in 1999 recognizing the Narragansett as an official tribe.
The Narragansett Indian Tribe - http://mimi.essortment.com/narragansettind_rios.htm
Article from PageWise on the history, culture, and current status of this Indian tribe.
The Narragansett Indian Tribe - http://lcweb.loc.gov/bicentennial/propage/RI/ri-2_h_weygand5.html
Brief article on the tribe from the state of Rhode Island.
The Narrangansett - http://www.lclark.edu/~neighorn/IA/narrangansett.html
Historical and present-day information about the tribe, including their interests in the gaming business.
The Rise and Fall of the Narragansett Indians - http://www.bridgew.edu/depts/maxwell/msthesis/ms287.htm
This is a citation of a thesis held by the Bridgewater State College library, not the actual text.
The Significance of Wampum to Seventeenth Century Indians in NewEngland - http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/41/037.html
Included in this essay are the Narragansett.
Introduction to the Narragansett Language - http://www.library.upenn.edu/special/gallery/kislak/print/will1.html
1643 text written by Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island. |
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Native American Nations
