Canonchet

Canonchet (c. 1638 – April 3, 1676) was a sachem of the Narragansett people during King Philip's War. He was the son of Miantonomoh, a prominent sachem who had previously sought peaceful relations with the English colonists. Canonchet, however, inherited a more distrustful view of the colonists.

He became a key leader of the Narragansett resistance to the English. While initially attempting to remain neutral in the escalating tensions between Metacomet (King Philip) of the Wampanoag and the colonists, pressure and events led the Narragansett to eventually join the conflict. Canonchet provided refuge to Wampanoag warriors and participated in attacks against colonial settlements.

His leadership was crucial in the early stages of King Philip's War, coordinating attacks and bolstering the morale of the native forces. He famously rebuffed colonial attempts to negotiate his surrender, declaring that he would fight to the last man. His defiance and military prowess made him a significant figure in the Native American resistance.

Canonchet was eventually captured in April 1676 near present-day Cumberland, Rhode Island. He was offered his life if he surrendered and pledged allegiance to the English, but he refused. The colonists condemned him to death, and he was executed by a firing squad composed of Mohegan and Pequot warriors, who were allied with the English. His death marked a turning point in the war, contributing to the eventual decline of Native American resistance and the ultimate victory of the English colonists. Canonchet remains a symbol of Native American resistance and a figure of historical significance in southern New England.