The Great Swamp Monument: Remembering a Massacre
If you are unfamiliar with the Great Swamp Massacre, it might sound like a deleted scene from Shrek. Instead it was one of the most brutal battles in all of American history. Nearly 350 years ago, a less discussed war known as King Philip’s War occurred between English settlers and various indigenous peoples native to modern day New England. The Great Swamp Massacre was one of the key battles that took place during this war and today a monument stands where it occurred. Although the monument is perhaps not as beautiful or illustrious as other sites previously discussed on this blog, its history and what it commemorates can not be overlooked.
The History
Many people know that “in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue” and also that in 1776 the United States established its independence from Great Britain. But happened in those nearly 300 years in between? Dating back to when European colonists first settled in America, there was obviously quite a lot of animosity and violence between them and indigenous Americans. While most today recognize the United States is made up of stolen land, there were several crucial events that shaped this unfortunate future for indigenous Americans. One key event beginning in 1675 was King Philip’s War. Again however, this war is often overlooked and is not taught in schools as much as the Revolutionary War, the American Civil War, or the two World Wars.
King Philip was the English name given to Metacom, who was the sachem to the Wampanoag people. He was the son of Massasoit, who was previously the sachem until his death. Massasoit was known for his good relations with English colonists; in fact he had an alliance with them in order to develop a trading system as well as gain defense against another indigenous tribe, the Narragansetts. Metacom, however, had a different type of relationship with the colonists than his father did. Tensions rose between Metacom, leader of the Wampanoags, and English colonists for a handful of years until it reached a boiling point in 1675. When three Wampanoag people were hanged for suspected murder and colonists continued to violate treaties between both groups, Metacom realized war was now looking inevitable. The war reached a pinnacle in December of that year at the Great Swamp Fight.
As a side note, “Great Swamp Fight” is used more commonly than “Great Swamp Massacre,” but the two are interchangeable. (I think the latter is a bit better since it doesn’t undermine what happened in this battle, but I digress.) Another indigenous tribe mentioned earlier — the Narragansett people — pledged to be neutral in this war and did not choose a side. However, after learning that they provided shelter to many Wampanoag people, English colonists feared they were helping their opponents. On December 19, 1675, the colonists along with native allies stormed the Great Swamp, a large defensive fort utilized by the Narragansett people. The land was burned and destroyed and it is estimated that approximately 1000 Narragansetts died. Only a minority of these people were warriors; a large majority of those that were massacred were not involved in the war, including a large number of women and children.
The Narragansett people, led by sachem Canonchet, retaliated from what happened during the Great Swamp Massacre by burning colonial settlements in Narragansett Bay as well as in Providence Plantations. While they caused significant damage, their efforts did not amount to much. Canonchet was killed in early 1676 and not too long later King Philip had a similar fate, which ultimately ended the war. Many Narragansett people still alive after narrowly avoiding being massacred were sold into slavery by colonists, killed, or attempted to flee the area and join a nearby tribe.
The Great Swamp Monument consists of a roughly 20 foot tall obelisk surrounded by several granite markers. It is found in the Great Swamp State Management Area in West Kingston, RI. More information is discussed in the following section.
Fun Facts
Most facts regarding the Great Swamp Massacre and the monument standing in commemoration today are in actuality not very fun. The monument is a reminder of the brutality that made up much of colonial American history. The Narragansett, Wampanoag, and other indigenous peoples were massively impacted by this battle and King Philip’s War as a whole. Their history can and should not be erased or forgotten today hundreds of years later.
The Great Swamp Monument was established in 1906. It was built on land donated by descendants of the Hazard family, who were some of the earliest settlers to Rhode Island. Representatives on both sides of the battle attended the dedication of the monument. Three Narragansett women unveiled the centerpiece of the monument and read aloud the inscribed message.
Princess Red Wing, a Narragansett-Wampanoag elder, scholar, and descendant of King Philip began a yearly commemoration at the monument in the 1930s. She was an amazing storyteller and kept the stories and traditions of her people alive. At this annual commemorative ceremony, those in attendance would reflect on the massacre that took place, as well as both the present and future of the Narragansett people and other indigenous tribes of modern day New England.
Simon Says
I visited the Great Swamp Monument as a part of a field trip in middle school and at the time had just learned very briefly about the massacre and King Philip’s War. It was a bit of a walk until my class and I ultimately reached the monument from the management area’s entrance. When we got there, there was not too much information present besides a few markers and placards and overall the monument and surrounding area was very unassuming. Along with being unassuming, there was a sense of calmness and tranquility, at least when I visited. Even while being surrounded by my fellow rambunctious middle school classmates, the monument created an atmosphere that was a combination of simple, somber, and peaceful.
After this experience, sometimes I wonder to myself if the land I’m walking on was the site of something historically important. If it wasn’t for this monument, I would have had no idea such a bloody and ruthless scene had occurred where I was standing. While there isn’t so much “to do” besides reading the inscriptions written on the monument and markers, I still believe that a visit to the site is important if you have the opportunity. Learning about history is one thing, but being there in person makes you experience feelings you can not feel simply by reading or hearing about. I rate the Great Swamp Monument an 8.5/10 as its incredibly significant history is one that should not be forgotten.
What are some other pieces of history that may be overlooked from where you’re from? Are there any monuments or other commemorative sites in remembrance of its history?
References
Atlas Obscura Staff. “Great Swamp Fight Monument.” Atlas Obscura, n.d. www.atlasobscura.com/places/great-swamp-fight-monument.
Daly, Ann. “The Monument at the Great Swamp.” EnCompass, n.d. http://library.providence.edu/encompass/roger-williams-and-the-founding-of-rhode-island/secondary-sources/monument/.