Stonewall John facts for kids
Stonewall John was a strong leader of the Narragansett people in the 1600s. He was also known by other names like Nawham, Nawwhun, John Wall-Maker, and Stonelayer John. He was very skilled at building with stone, like a stone mason, and he was also a blacksmith. People remember him for building strong stone walls and forts, including parts of Queen's Fort in Exeter and Stony Fort, and blockhouses at the Great Swamp Fort. He died on July 2, 1676.
A Talented Builder and Blacksmith
When he was younger, Stonewall John might have worked for a man named Richard Smith. Smith had a trading post in what is now Wickford, Rhode Island. Stonewall John was also thought to be a close advisor to Queen Quaiapen.
He was known for building strong stone walls. He connected large rocks at Queen's Fort to make defenses. He did this around the time King Philip's War started in the 1670s. He also built stone structures at a place called Stony Fort. Some people thought he might have been English because of his building skills. But most sources say he was Narragansett. Building with stone was actually common among the Narragansett people. They were known as "active, hardworking, and clever people." They often built stone fences for the English settlers. Besides being a stone mason, Stonewall John was also a "skilled blacksmith." He even built a forge inside the Narragansetts' Great Swamp village.
Role in King Philip's War
On December 15, 1675, Stonewall John tried to make peace. This was just before a big battle called the Great Swamp Fight. He tried to talk with the militia forces. But the militia leaders thought he might be spying or trying to distract them. They asked to speak to higher leaders instead. Soon after he left, Native American warriors attacked the militia from behind a stone wall. Four days later, the Great Swamp Fight happened nearby.
Stonewall John managed to escape the Great Swamp fort. This was after it was destroyed in December 1675. However, his blacksmith forge was ruined. He later took part in attacks on the towns of Rehoboth and Providence in March 1676.
While people were leaving Providence, Roger Williams met a group of Narragansett warriors. They were about to raid the settlement. Stonewall John was among them. On April 1, 1676, a letter, often said to be from Williams, described this meeting. It mentioned "Nawham Mr R. Smiths John Wall Maker an Ingenious Fellow and peaseable." Stonewall John told Williams that the English had broken agreements, not the Narragansett. He said they tried hard to return prisoners. But their people were spread out and divided, so they couldn't do it. He also said, "You have driven us out of our own Countrie...and we are Forced to live upon you."
A history book from 1676 called Stonewall John "an arch Villain." It said he was "famously known by the name of Stone-wall, or Stone-Layer John." This was because he was "an active and ingenious Fellow." He had learned the mason's trade. He was very helpful to the Native Americans in building their forts.
On July 2, 1676, Stonewall John was killed. This happened during the Second Battle of Nipsachuck Battlefield. Native American soldiers from the Connecticut militia, led by John Talcott, killed him. Queen Quaiapen and many others also died in this battle. It took place in a swamp in what is now North Smithfield, Rhode Island.
