Awashonks [SEP] conflict
and New Bedford until the 1850s, although the name morphed into Quonwell and variants.
King Philip's War.
By 1675, the relationship between the English and the Wampanoag was more tense than ever. Metacomet (Sachem of the Wampanoag tribe, also known as King Philip) was trying to build a military coalition to go to war against the Plymouth settlers. Metacomet sent six men to visit Awashonks and convince her to side with him in the fight against the English. The men told her that if she did not
the Saconet. Awashonks is known for her special talent for negotiation and diplomacy, which helped include the Sakonnets among a tiny handful of natives who received amnesty from colonists.
Awashonks as sachem.
Awashonks became sachem not by inheritance, but through quality of leadership. She was referred to as a Sunksqua, or female chief. During her tenure, she was challenged by both rivals within the Sacxonet as well as English colonists.
Plymouth Colony.
Awashonks was not pro-English until July 1671, when Plymouth leaders