Wequash Cooke facts for kids

Wequash Cooke (also known as Wequash Cook or Weekwash) was an important Native American leader. He lived in the 1600s and died in 1642. Wequash was a sagamore, which is a leader or chief among some Native American tribes. He played a big part in the 1637 Pequot War in New England. He is also known for being one of the first Native Americans to become a Christian.

Who Was Wequash Cooke?

Wequash lived near the mouth of the Connecticut River. His home was in a place called Pasquishunk. He was the oldest son of Wepitanock, who was a sagamore of the Niantic people. Many historians believe Wequash's mother was a Pequot woman. Wequash was also the nephew of a powerful chief named Ninigret.

Wequash's Role in the Pequot War

In 1637, Wequash and another leader named Uncas joined forces. They teamed up with the English colonists from New England. Their leader was Captain John Mason. Together, they fought against the Pequot tribe in the Pequot War.

Wequash saw the destruction of the Pequot fort. This happened during the Mystic massacre in Mystic, Connecticut. After the war, Wequash married several powerful Pequot women. This was a way to make his own leadership stronger.

In 1641, Wequash made an important agreement. He gave land for a new English settlement. This settlement became Guilford, Connecticut. The land was given to Henry Whitfield. The agreement mentioned "Weeksosh of Pasquishunk" giving land. This land had been given to him by the "Sachem Squaw of Quillipiag."

Wequash's Christian Faith

After the Pequot War, Wequash was very impressed by the English. He started to wonder about the English God. This led him to become a Christian. He then began sharing his new faith with other Native Americans. Some people did not like this and treated him badly.

Wequash's tombstone in Lyme, Connecticut says he was New England's first Native American to become a Christian. Many important English leaders wrote about Wequash's conversion. One was Governor John Winthrop. A book called New England's First Fruits was published in 1643. It described Wequash's experience. This story was used to explain why the Massachusetts Bay Colony was there. They believed their purpose was to teach Christianity to Native Americans.

Roger Williams wrote about Wequash in his book A Key into the Language of America. Williams was a bit unsure about Wequash's conversion. He said that Wequash thanked him for explaining Christianity. This happened when Wequash was very sick and close to death.

Wequash's Final Days

Wequash died in 1642. He passed away at the home of Colonel George Fenwick. Fenwick was one of the people who started the Saybrook Colony. Some people thought Wequash might have been poisoned. This was because of his close ties with the English.

He was buried in a Christian Native American burial ground. This place was on the west side of the bay. It was near the mouth of the Niantic River. Before he died, Wequash asked for his son, Wenamoag, to be raised by English settlers. Wenamoag went to live with Colonel George Fenwick. He stayed at the Saybrook Fort. However, we do not know what happened to Wenamoag after 1645. That is when Fenwick's wife died and Fenwick went back to England.

Wequash's younger brother was Harman Garrett (also known as Cashawashett). For a while, he took the name "Wequash Cooke II." He tried to take over his brother's leadership role after Wequash died.