Quaiapen facts for kids
Quaiapen (born around 1603 – died July 2, 1676), also known as Magnus, Matantuck, Old Queen, or Watowswokotaus, was a powerful Native American leader. She was a female sachem (pronounced SAY-chem), which means a chief or leader, of the Narragansett and Niantic tribes. Quaiapen was the last sachem to be captured or killed during a major conflict called King Philip’s War.
Early Life and Family Leadership
Quaiapen was the sister of important leaders named Ninigret and Wepitanock. In 1630, she married Mixan (also known as Mriksah or Mexanno). He was the oldest son of her uncle, Canonicus, who was also a well-known sachem.
After Mixan passed away in 1657, Quaiapen took over the leadership of his lands. These lands were located around an area called Cocumscussoc. Quaiapen and Mixan had at least three children: a daughter named Quinimiquet, and two sons, Quequakanewett and Scuttup. Quaiapen also had another daughter, Mary Oskoosooduck. This daughter later married Ninigret II, who was the eldest son of Quaiapen's brother, Ninigret.
In 1667, Quaiapen and Ninigret worked together to oppose another leader named Metacom. Metacom wanted to form an alliance between the Wampanoag and Nipmuck tribes. Quaiapen even sent her warriors to fight against the Quinnatisset Nipmuck people. A missionary named John Eliot tried to help settle a disagreement between the Quantisset Nipmucs and Quaiapen over a payment.
Role in King Philip's War
In June 1675, Quaiapen and other Narragansett leaders, including Ninigret, Quinnapin, and Quaunochu, made an agreement. They met at Worden Pond with the colonial authorities. They promised not to join forces with the Wampanoag leader King Philip. They also agreed to hand him over to the English if he sought safety with the Narragansetts.
Despite this agreement, a war broke out. After a major battle called the Great Swamp Fight in December 1675, many Narragansetts, including Quaiapen, moved to southern swamps. They also went to the Connecticut River valley for safety. Quaiapen likely spent time at Queen's Fort, a stone fort where she had lived before. This fort was located on what is now the border between Exeter and North Kingstown.
The Final Battle and Death
In the summer of 1676, Quaiapen traveled with about one hundred Narragansett people. They went to northern Rhode Island to find hidden stores of corn for planting. While they were there, a group of soldiers attacked them. This group included three hundred colonial troops from Connecticut and one hundred Mohegan and Pequot soldiers.
This attack happened during the Second Battle of Nipsachuck. It took place in what is now North Smithfield. Quaiapen, her advisor Stonewall John, and many others were killed. They were trying to find safety in a swamp when Major John Talcott's forces attacked them.
A history book from 1676 mentioned her death. It stated that in June, Major Talcott "flew and took Captive Four and Twenty of the Enemies in one Weeks Time, and also killed the Old Queen of Narraganset." Major Talcott himself wrote a letter on July 4, 1676. He reported that his forces surrounded a large swamp at "Nipachooke" where "that ould piece of venum, Sunck squaw Magnus was slaine." This confirmed the death of Quaiapen, also known as Sunck squaw Magnus.
