Canonicus
Chief of the Narragansett
Succeeded byMiantonomoh
Personal details
Bornc. 1565
DiedJune 4, 1647(1647-06-04) (aged 81–82)
RelationsMiantonomoh (nephew)
Canonicus' mark as seen on the 1638 deed of Providence to Roger Williams
The original 1636 deed to Providence, signed by Chief Canonicus

Canonicus (c. 1565 – June 4, 1647) was a chief of the Narragansett people. He was wary of the colonial settlers, but he ultimately befriended Roger Williams and other settlers.

Biography

Canonicus was born around 1565,[1] but nothing is known of his early life. He was chief of the Narragansett tribe when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, and one of the first with whom they had dealings. In the words of historian Benjamin Lossing, he "regarded the advent of the white men with a jealous fear", and he challenged the Plymouth colony in 1622 in front of a force of about 5,000 men.[1] He sent a bundle of arrows in a leather wrap tied with a snake skin to Plymouth governor William Bradford,[1] so Bradford filled the wrap with gunpowder and lead round shot and returned it to Canonicus.[1] This first exposure to explosive powder and metal was met with "superstitious awe," in the words of Lossing:

They were sent from village to village, and excited so much alarm, that the sachem sued for peace, and made a treaty of friendship; which he never violated, notwithstanding, he often received provocations that would have justified him in scattering all compacts to the winds.[1]

The peace that resulted between the Narragansetts and the colonists extended beyond Canonicus's death in 1647.[1]

Roger Williams was driven from Massachusetts Bay Colony and sought refuge with the Narragansett tribe, and Canonicus made him welcome.[2] In 1636, he gave Williams a large tract of land on which to establish Providence Plantations, the nucleus which became the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. In 1637, Canonicus was largely responsible for the Narragansetts' decision to side with the colonists during the Pequot War.

Canonicus was initially succeeded by his nephew Miantonomoh, but Miantonomoh was killed in 1643 and Canonicus resumed leadership.[3] He made a formal treaty on April 19, 1644, acknowledging the sovereignty of King Charles. The influence of his counsels lasted for many years after his death, and the Narragansett tribe maintained peaceful relations with the colonists until King Philip's War in 1675.[2] Canonicus's nephew Pessicus (1623-1676) changed his name to Canonicus to honor his uncle.[4][5] Canonicus's son Mixan (or Mexanno) died in 1657, but Mixan’s wife, Quaiapen, was the last Narragansett leader killed in King Philip's War.

Descendants of note

  • Jim Thorpe (1887-1953), James "Jim" Francis Thorpe (baptized as Jacobus Franciscus Thorpe) was an Olympic champion called the "world's greatest athlete"

Legacy

See also

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Benjamin J. Lossing, Eminent Americans, Comprising Brief Biographies of Leading Statesmen, Patriots, Orators and Others, Men and Women, Who Have Made American History. New York: John B. Alden, 1886; pg. 15.
  2. 1 2 Wilson, J. G.; Fiske, J., eds. (1900). "Canonicus" . Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton.
  3. ↑ An American Biographical and Historical Dictionary: Containing an Account of the Lives, Characters, and Writings of the Most Eminent Persons in North America from Its First Settlement, and a Summary of the History of the Several Colonies and of the United States By William Allen, Edition: 2, Published by W. Hyde & Co., 1832
  4. ↑ King Philip's War: The Conflict Over New England By Daniel R. Mandell, pg. 55
  5. ↑ Pessicus, 1623 - 1676 https://yipp.yale.edu/bio/bibliography/pessicus-1623-1676
  6. ↑ "Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame: Miantonomi and Canonicus (Satchems), Inducted 1997".
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