King Philip. Metacom. Metacomet. Connecticut.
A Native American, Son of Chief Massasoit.
Not a European Monarch
A Native American, Son of Chief Massasoit.
Not a European Monarch
I. Old War - Indian v. Colonist
II. New War - Developer and big interests v. Ordinary folk hiking about who want their way of life
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I. Old War - Metacomet, King Philip
New England and King Philip's War in the time of the Pilgrims, the Colonies.
At issue were the rights of indigenous people against the invaders. That is a topic as old as time. See Studying Wars: Myth and Indigenous Peoples, King Philip.
King Philip is the English name for the Indian whose birth name was Metacom or Metacomet, son of Massasoit. Massasoit was the Indian at Plymouth, who assisted the Pilgrims in their first years. Think of Thanksgiving, as the legend has it; then learn more.
New England and King Philip's War in the time of the Pilgrims, the Colonies.
At issue were the rights of indigenous people against the invaders. That is a topic as old as time. See Studying Wars: Myth and Indigenous Peoples, King Philip.
King Philip is the English name for the Indian whose birth name was Metacom or Metacomet, son of Massasoit. Massasoit was the Indian at Plymouth, who assisted the Pilgrims in their first years. Think of Thanksgiving, as the legend has it; then learn more.
Wetlands, Metacomet Trail, near Hartford CTHow to piece together a verifiable history, when powerful interests prevail in communicating their view. Start with a visit to the Indian Trail, the Metacomet, that traverses much of southern New England. Here it is in the Connecticut area, see http://www.ctxguide.com/ctxguide_232.htm
Move the scroll bar east and south until the West Hartford Reservoir #6 shows.
Woods, Metacomet Trail, Avon Mountain, West Hartford CTOur photos are from the West Hartford side of Avon Mountain, along the Metacomet. The Avon side is not far behind. The trail covers some 51 miles, blue-blazed. It links to the Monadknock in Massachusetts to the north, and to the Mattabesett to the south.
The Native American for whom the Trail is named is the hero or the demon of King Philip's War, depending on your side.
King Philip's War.
The War began in 1675, see http://www.pilgrimhall.org/philipwar.htm/ It was short in time, but devastating in loss of life. It lasted a year, perhaps two, triggered by the killing of an Indian named John Sassomon, who was a literate Christian convert. His death occurred under circumstances that then each side interpreted to get what it wanted. Some said he had been working with the Colonists, and so was killed by Indians. Who knows.
The Indians who were then accused of murder were executed. But the colonists were not after justice, as seen in their eyes, because far more was at stake. They wanted land, expansion, resources.
And the Indians wanted their way of life, and got in the way of white expansion, so the incursions accelerated.
The result: Destruction of communities, deaths of thousands and thousands, and finally the defeat of the Indians led to their enslavement, many taken abroad as slaves, others killed outright or forced into servitude for the colonists.
The Indians never recovered their strength, but did retain a sense of community and identity. Some early tribes now run Casinos on their land in Connecticut, see Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, if you must
Tally: Three thousand Indians dead; thirteen colonial towns burned, including Deerfield MA, Brookfield, Northfield MA Farms burned, and an enormous debt for military support incurred. Philip, bold and strong agrees this site, at http://www.usahistory.info/NewEngland/King-Philips-War.html/ King Philip's Cave is said to be in an easily visible cavern in the ridge rock of Avon Mountain - just a long ridge, really, not a "mountain".
USA History site.
We found this slanted. Not objective. Propaganda. Use that site only for chronology. It is full of white supremacist language, spun and berating the "savage" for not standing and fighting - but see how successful the guerrilla tactic, terrorism, was. Considering muskets, what else could they do? Ongoing issues of who has the righteous cause, what is a fair fight, and does that matter when you are against the wall. Better site: http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/horsemusket/kingphilip/default.aspx
King Philip was finally hunted down in Rhode Island and shot.
II. New wars
Development Wars. See again powerful interests against those of us who just live around here loomed.
Developers coming, Metacomet Trail, Avon Mountain, West Hartford CT But they were never really fought. Power and money win; and ordinary people can't undertake guerrilla warfare etc. Folks lose. Colonial America and the colonizing goes on, is that so? Developers take over the trail area.
To the east, back sides of megahouses. To the west, mostly sparse, but For Sale signs going up and large tracts of land are up for homes.
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