Narragansett-Montaukett War

War

The conflict began when Ninigret, a Narragansett leader, ordered raids against the Montauketts after one of his own warriors was killed. In response, Montaukett fighters were sent to attack the Niantic on Block Island, where many reportedly died. This led to a retaliatory strike on a Montaukett fort at Fort Pond Bay, resulting in a major battle. In 1653, Ninigret’s forces burned a Montaukett village to force tribute payments, killing thirty people and taking fourteen prisoners, among them the daughter of Chief Wyandanch.

Lion Gardiner helped secure her release and was later granted a large tract of land in what became Smithtown, New York. The Montauketts, already weakened by smallpox and afraid of being wiped out by the Narragansetts, found temporary safety with English settlers in East Hampton, where they set up wigwams next to the colonists’ houses. Because the Montauketts had put themselves under colonial protection, the New England colonists sent military supplies to Easthampton and Southampton.

They also placed an armed ship in the sound under Captain John Youngs, with orders to destroy Ninigret’s canoes and prevent him from landing on Long Island. In September 1654, Connecticut authorities demanded Ninigret appear in Hartford to pay overdue tribute. He refused. The Massachusetts Bay Colony then declared war and dispatched 270 infantry and 40 horsemen under Major Simon Willard.

Willard was told to confront Ninigret, demand the tribute, and force him to stop attacking the Long Island tribes. As the troops approached, Ninigret escaped into a distant swamp and was not chased. However, the Pequots who had been fighting under his command were captured and placed under the supervision of Harmon Garrett.

Did You Know?

• Niantic Sachem Ninigret allegedly held a grudge against Shinnecock Sachem Mandush due to an unspecified past transgression.
• Sachems Wyandanch and Mandush brought the failed assassin to Hartford to be executed and his body burned.