Corbitant facts for kids

Corbitant was an important leader, known as a sachem or sagamore, of the Wampanoag people. He served under the powerful leader Massasoit. Corbitant was the sachem of the Pocasset tribe. This tribe lived in an area that is now North Tiverton, Rhode Island. He lived there around the years 1618 to 1630. His home was in a place called Mattapuyst, which is now part of Swansea, Massachusetts.

Corbitant: A Wampanoag Leader

Corbitant was a respected leader among his people. A sachem was like a chief or a governor for a Native American tribe. Corbitant was known for being strong and for protecting his people's way of life. He was also an ally of Massasoit, the Great Sachem of the Pokanoket Wampanoag. This meant they worked together on important matters.

Standing Up to the English

In the summer of 1621, Corbitant had a disagreement with the Plymouth Colony settlers. This involved Tisquantum, also known as Squanto, and his friend Hobomok. Squanto and Hobomok had become very close with the English settlers. Corbitant felt that this closeness was a danger to his people. He worried about the influence of the new settlers.

Corbitant threatened Squanto and Hobomok because of their ties to the English. Hobomok managed to escape and quickly returned to Plymouth. There, he told the Pilgrims what had happened. Miles Standish, a military leader in Plymouth, gathered ten armed men. Their goal was to rescue Squanto from Corbitant.

They marched to the Wampanoag village at Nemasket. However, by the time they arrived, Corbitant had already released Squanto. Corbitant and his men had left the area. Even though Corbitant was described as an "enemy of the English," he later signed a peace treaty with them in 1621. This showed his willingness to find a way to coexist. He was officially under the leadership of Massasoit, the main Wampanoag leader.

Wampanoag Lands and Neighbors

The Wampanoag people had large hunting grounds and villages. These lands stretched across many areas in what is now Massachusetts. Some of these places included Cape Cod, Plymouth, and Taunton. They also lived in Attleboro, Middleboro, and Hanson. Other Wampanoag lands were in Duxbury, Freetown, and Somerset. Their territory also included Swansea, Mattapoisett, Wareham, and Fall River.

Their lands also extended into present-day Rhode Island. This included Tiverton, Aquidneck Island (where Newport is today), and Canonicut Island (Jamestown). They also lived in Little Compton, Bristol, and Warren. Their territory went west all the way to the Providence River. Around 1622, the Narragansett Federation, led by Canonicus, took over Canonicut Island from Massasoit. This shows how different Native American groups interacted and sometimes competed for land.