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Most documented history gives Philip several names. Among them are Pometacom, and variations such as Pumattacom, Pamatacom, Pometacome, Metacomet, and Metacom. He married Wootonekanuske and had at least one son, age about nine, who was captured along with his mother, August, 1676, he by all accounts being sold into slavery and her fate unknown. To date the only names we have seen attributed to Philip are the above or variations of them. Recently, however, in closely reading Samuel Drake's History of North American Indians (1880), we note several most curious mentions, indicating that about 1673 or so, Philip may have taken several other names. Was it that he knew he was preparing for the great battle by this time and thus changed his name not once, but perhaps several times? Was it that it was for some reason convenient for him to do so? This history is silent. (1)May 8, 1673: "Tatamomock, Petonowowett, and William alias Ijasocke sold to Nathaniel paine of Rehoboth, and Hugh Cole of Swansey, a lot of land in Swansey, near Mattapoiset, and Showamet neck, for £35 5s. Wettamoo, Philip alias Wagusoke, and Steven alias Nucano, were the Indian Witnesses." (2)"At the court of Plimouth, 1673, "Mr. Peter Talmon of Rhode Iland complained against Philip allies Wewasowanuett, sachem of Mount Hope, brother or predecessor of Pakanawkett as heire adminnostrator or successor vnto his brother or predecessor Wamsitta, Sopaquitt*, or Alexander deceased, in an action on the case, to the damage of £800 forfeiture of a bond of such a vlue, bearing date, June the 28th, 1661, giuen to the said Peter Talman, obliging the said Wamsitta allies Alexander to make good to him, his heires and a deed of gift of a considerable track of land att Sapowett and places adjacent, as in the said deed is more particularly expressed; for want wherof the complainant is greatly damnifyed." The following is part of a text from a messenger sent by Sagamore Sam of Nassoway to the English, one of three such texts desiring peace. (3)"Consider of this I entreat you, consider of this great business that is done, and my wonder concerning Philip; but his name is _________Wewesawannit¶, he engageth all the people that were none of his subjects; Then when I was at Penakok, Numpho John Alline Sam Numpho, and other who were angry, and Numpho very much angry that Philip did engage so many people to him . . ." (1) Drake's Indians of North America,
1880, Hurst & Co., NY, P. 1880., P. 188 (3) Drake's Indians of North America,
1880, Hurst & Co., NY, P. 1880., P. 268 *(Footnote Drake's) That is, nicknamed Alexander, according to the French mode of expression; ou par sobriequet Alexander, as I imagine. ¶ (Footnote, Drake's) "This stands in the MS records, Wewasowanuett. See Book iii, Capt. ii. |