Pumham (died 1676) (also known as Pomham) was one of Metacomet's chief advisors during King Phillip's War. He was sachem of Shawomet.[1] He was described as "one of the stoutest and most valiant sachems that belonged to the Narragansett."[2] He was friends with English settlers, but aligned himself with Metacomet when war broke out.[2]
Pumham was allied with the Massachusetts Bay colony, who claimed the lands of Shawomet, today Warwick, Rhode Island.[3] The colony forbid anyone to live there without permission, and built a fort there to protect the area, the remains of which were still visible in 2000.[2][4][a] This fort was built on the site of Pumham's village.[4]
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Main article: King Phillip's War |
As tensions mounted, Pumham began encouraging defiance, and not peace, with the colonists.[5] During the war, Pumham used the fort Shawomet.[4]
On July 4, 1675, Governor John Leverett sent Edward Hutchinson to sign a treaty with the Narragansets whereby they would agree not to harbor any of Metacomet's people.[6] Hutchinson decided "to treat with the Narragansets sword in hand,"[6] and forced Pumham to sign on July 15.[7] Pumham and his people ignored the treaty as soon as the colonists left.[6]
Pumham was captured in Dedham, Massachusetts on July 25, 1676.[7][1][2][8][9][4][b] Several Christian Indians had seen his band in the woods, including his son and other family members, nearly starved to death.[4][9] Captain Samuel Hunting[c] led 36 men from Dedham and Medfield and joined 90 Indians on a hunt to find them.[9] A total of 15 of the Ponham's band were killed and 35 were captured.[9][4][8] Pumham, with a bullet in his back and so wounded he could not stand, hid in the bushes with this hatchet.[4][9] He grabbed hold of an English soldier and would have killed him had one of the settler's compatriots not come to his rescue.[9][4] Pumham died in the fight.[9][2][7]