Canonicus Narragansett (abt. 1565 - 1647)

Born about 1565 in Narragansett Nation

Ancestors

Died 4 Jun 1647 at about age 82 in Barnstable, Plymouth Colony

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Kathie Forbes [send private message] and Native Americans Project WikiTree [send private message]

Canonicus was Narragansett. Join: Native Americans Project Discuss: native_americans

Biography

Canonicus was the leader or sachem of the Narragansetts when the Pilgrims arrived in New England. He was a descendant of Tashassuck. His birthdate is unknown, but some accounts say that he was 85 when he died in 1647. He was opposed to the English settlement and sent a bundle of arrows to the colonists as a threat in 1622 after they allied with the Wampanoag who were enemies of the Narragansett. ^[1] After Roger Williams was exiled from Massachusetts Canonicus granted him land in what is now Rhode Island. Canonicus supported the English in the Pequot war in 1637. By 1638, Canonicus was sharing power with his nephew Miantonomo, the son of Mascus, and both of them signed the deeds to Providence and Aquidneck. ^[2] In 1644 Canonicus acknowledged the rule of the English. ^[3] Canonicus called for Roger Williams as he lay dying and asked for Williams' assurance that the English could be trusted. He also asked that Williams attend his funeral and that he be buried in the cloth Williams gave him. He died on June 4, 1647 leaving one known child, his son Mixan. ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Winslow, Edward. Good newes from New-England : or, A true relation of things very remarkable at the plantation of Plimoth in New-England ... Together with a relation of such religious and civill lawes and customes, as are in practise amongst the Indians London, 1624. p. 2 digitized at archive.org arrows
2. ↑ National Park Service, Roger Williams National Memorial. Image of deed at deed
3. ↑ Submission of the Chief Sachem of the Narragansett to Charles I, digitized at submission
4. ↑ National Park Service, Roger Williams site

• See also:
• Native Northeast Portal, biography of Canonicus
• Campbell, Paul and LaFantasie, Glenn. Sachems and sanaps: A genealogical investigation of the Narragansett Indians in early Rhode Island, 1524-1676, 1978.
• John Winthrop's Journal, "History of New England," 1630-1649, Hosmer edition 1909. Digitized at Archive.org