Massasoit

Massasoit (1580?-1661), Native American chief of the Wampanoag who governed the greater part of what is now Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Shortly after the arrival of the Pilgrims in America, Massasoit and Governor John Carver of Plymouth Colony signed the earliest recorded treaty in New England. The treaty established a mutual peace between Massasoit's people and the Pilgrims. In 1621 the Pilgrims invited Massasoit and some of his people to a thanksgiving celebration. The traditional American Thanksgiving holiday traces its roots to this occasion.

Massasoit's eldest son, Wamsutta, became sachem, or chief, upon his father's death in 1661. Peace with the Pilgrims lasted until Wamsutta was succeeded by his brother Philip, also called Metacomet. Philip formally renewed the treaties established by his father, but in 1675, after the Pilgrims had made increasing demands for Native American land, Philip led an uprising against the settlers in a conflict now referred to as King Philip's War.