John Sassamon facts for kids

John Sassamon, also known as Wussausmon, was a Native American man from the Massachusett tribe. He lived in New England during the 1600s, a time when European colonists were settling the area. John Sassamon became a Christian and worked as an interpreter, helping to bridge the gap between Native Americans and the colonists.

In January 1675, John Sassamon was killed. Three Wampanoag men were found guilty of his murder by a jury of both colonists and Native American elders. These events were a major cause of King Philip's War. This war was a big conflict where the New England Colonies fought against the Wampanoag people. The war ended with the colonists winning and Native American resistance in southeastern New England coming to an end.

Early Life and Learning

John Sassamon was born around 1620 into the Massachusett tribe. His parents were from the Punkapoag area. When he was young, he likely lived with a colonist named Richard Callicot. There, he probably learned English and about Christianity.

As a teenager, John Sassamon met John Eliot, a Christian missionary. Eliot taught him more about Christianity. Sassamon and Eliot worked together for many years, possibly up to 40 years.

Becoming an Interpreter

By 1637, John Sassamon was very good at speaking English. He worked as an interpreter during the Pequot War. This war was fought by colonists and their Native American allies against the Pequot tribe in what is now Connecticut. Sassamon helped the colonists by translating for them.

After the war, Sassamon taught John Eliot the Native American language. In return, Eliot taught Sassamon more English and about the Christian way of life.

Life in Praying Towns

In 1651, John Eliot created the first "praying town" called Natick. These towns were special places for Native Americans who had become Christians. They agreed to live in settlements and follow European customs, like farming.

Eliot chose John Sassamon to be one of two schoolmasters in Natick. Sassamon taught both English and Christianity to the people living there.

Studying at Harvard

Because John Sassamon was so smart and could speak English well, John Eliot arranged for him to attend Harvard College. This was in 1653. He studied there for about a year. He may have studied with important Puritan men like Increase Mather. Harvard later opened a special "Indian College" for Native American students.

What Happened Next

After the trial for John Sassamon's murder, tensions grew between the colonists and the Native Americans. Both sides became very suspicious of each other. The colonists worried about Metacomet, the Wampanoag leader, and his plans. The Wampanoags, however, believed the three men found guilty were innocent. They were very angry that the colonists had put them on trial. Metacomet especially did not trust the colonists' legal decisions about Native Americans.

Even before the trial's decision, both the Massachusetts Bay Colony and Metacomet's tribe were getting ready for war. Fighting began in June when the Wampanoags attacked colonists in the town of Swansea, starting King Philip's War.

Why John Sassamon Was Important

John Sassamon played a very special role in 17th-century New England. He was a Massachusett man who could speak and write English. This made him unique. He had close connections with both the Puritan colonists and Native American tribes.

He was respected in both communities. As a teacher, his position was highly valued. To the Puritans, Sassamon showed that their efforts to convert Native Americans were working. The Wampanoags relied on him as a key link to the Puritans.

Ultimately, John Sassamon came to represent the deep disagreements between the Wampanoags and the Puritans. His position, living between both societies, showed the basic differences and distrust that existed between them.