A noted chief of the Narraganset Indians who aided the English colonists against the Pequot. After Miantonomo had signed a three way treaty between the English of Connecticut, the Narranganset, and the Mohegan, his tribe and the Mohegan became involved in a bitter war. Miantonomo was defeated and Chief Uncas of the Mohegan delivered him to the English, who tried him and condemned him to death.
Uncas was selected to kill Miantonomo. But Uncas did not choose to take the chief's life, as he did not believe he had conspired against the English, as charged. So Uncas' brother executed him.
Miantonomo was buried a mile east of Norwich, Connecticut, on the spot where he died. For many years members of his tribe made visits to his grave, and each added a stone to a pile until a considerable monument was raised in his memory. The settlers became impressed with the reverence of the Indians for their dead chief, and began to doubt the justice of his execution.
As time went on the respect for Miantonomo grew and finally in 1841 a monument was erected at the grave, and the site was called "Sachem's Plains." It was the first monument erected by the whites to an Indian.
Related Information within this Site
[ Narraganset ][ Pequot
][ Uncas ]