Wamsutta (b. ? - d. 1662), also Alexander as he was called by New England colonists, was a leader (sachem) of the Wampanoag native American tribe. He was the son of Massasoit, and brother of Metacomet who would succeed him.

Leadership and death

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In 1660, Massasoit died and Wamsutta assumed leadership of the Wampanoag. He substantially increased the power of the Wampanoag by selling land to other colonies (as a result of a collapse of the fur trade), and in 1662 this resulted in his being summoned to and seized by the Plymouth Court. After being questioned Wamsutta became ill and died. The cause of death was disputed, and his brother Metacomet (who now assumed leadership of the Wampanoag) suspected that he was poisoned.

Wamsutta's death was one of the factors that would eventually lead to the 1675 King Philip's War.

Uses of the name

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The name, Wamsutta, has been used in a number of areas:

• In 1846, the Wamsutta Company's textile mill opened in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
• In 1861, 20 year old Henry H. Rogers and his partner Charles Ellis of Massachusetts named their tiny venture near Oil City, Pennsylvania the Wamsutta Oil Refinery. Rogers later became a principal in John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil empire.
• In 1866, the Wamsutta Club was founded in New Bedford. It was a club for the affluent members of New Bedford's community, which at the time, was supported by the flagging whaling industry as well as the up-and-coming textiles for which the club was named.
• In modern times, Wamsutta is a brand name of textile products marketed by Springs Industries, Inc.

1662 deaths | History of Massachusetts | Native American leaders

Wamsutta