Pessicus

Pessicus (also known as Canonicus II and Mosomp and Maussup and Quissucquansh and Sucquans and Wemosit) (c. 1623–1676) was a leader of the Narragansett people leader who was killed during King Philip's War.

Early life

Pessicus was born around 1623 to Mascus and had an older brother Miantonomo.

Political career

In 1643 after the Mohegans killed Miantonomo, Pessicus became the Narragansetts' co-sachem along with his uncle Canonicus, and the next year the tribe submitted to the authority of the British crown. Despite opposition from the Commissioners of the United Colonies Canonicus and Pessicus sought to retaliate against the Mohegan tribe for the death of Miantonomo. In 1647 Pessicus became the sole sachem of the Narragansetts after Canonicus' death, although Ninigret weakened his authority. At the outbreak of King Philip's War Pessicus sought a peaceful resolution but eventually fled Narragansett territory in the spring of 1676.

Death and legacy

In June 1676, Mohawks killed Pessicus near the Piscataqua River.[1][2][3][4]

The village of Moosup in the town of Plainfield, Connecticut, and the river and associated river valley that flows from Rhode Island to the Quinnebaug River in Connecticut, are named after Maussup.

References

1. "Pessicus, 1623–1676 | Native Northeast Portal".
2. Harold M. Chapin, Sachems of the Narragansett (Providence, 1931), 63-68
3. Elisha Potter, Jr., Early History of Narragansett (Providence, 1835), 173
4. Glen LaFantasie, The Correspondence of Roger Williams, 237