Warren in Bristol County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)

Warren, RI

Home of the Massasoit Ousamequin who met the Pilgrims in 1621

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 5, 2023

1. Warren, RI Marker

Inscription.

Warren, RI. Home of the Massasoit Ousamequin who met the Pilgrims in 1621. , Indigenous people known today as the Pokanoket Tribe had made their home in the Town of Warren for thousands of years prior to the arrival of the first European settlers., The town and the surrounding area was called Sowams, and the land was prized and respected by the Pokanoket for its rich soil, abundant wildlife, and bountiful waters. In the early 17th century, Sowams was the home of the Massasoit (Great Leader) Ousamequin., Though aware of a pattern of exploitation of Native people by European traders, Ousamequin nevertheless forged an historic agreement of mutual protection and cooperation with the Pilgrims in Plymouth in 1621., In the decades following that agreement, however, the expanding English population, and its persistent disrespect for Native autonomy, led to a deadly war (1675-76) that devastated the Pokanoket Tribe and other tribes throughout the region., The war ended with the seizure of Sowams by the colonists, and the scattering of the Pokanoket from their ancestral homelands., In 2021, four hundred years after Ousamequin met the Pilgrims, the Warren Town Council adopted this resolution in acknowledgement of Warren's Indigenous history.,

Pokanoket Land Acknowledgement, Welcome to Sowams, the ancestral home of the Pokanoket people for ten thousand years prior to settler colonization., We pay tribute to the tribal elders and people of this community who served and continue to serve as stewards of the lands and waterways of Rhode Island and Massachusetts., We recognize the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous People and their traditional territories., We acknowledge that our community was a part of the larger ancestral homeland of the Pokanoket Nationl., Let this acknowledgement serve as a reminder of our ongoing efforts to recognize, honor, reconcile and partner with the Pokanoket people for the benefit of the lands and water of Sowams., Adopted by the Warren Town Council on July 13, 2021

Indigenous people known today as the Pokanoket Tribe had made their home in the Town of Warren for thousands of years prior to the arrival of the first European settlers.

The town and the surrounding area was called Sowams, and the land was prized and respected by the Pokanoket for its rich soil, abundant wildlife, and bountiful waters. In the early 17th century, Sowams was the home of the Massasoit (Great Leader) Ousamequin.

Though aware of a pattern of exploitation of Native people by European traders, Ousamequin nevertheless forged an historic agreement of mutual protection and cooperation with the Pilgrims in Plymouth in 1621.

In the decades following that agreement, however, the expanding English population, and its persistent disrespect for Native autonomy, led to a deadly war (1675-76) that devastated the Pokanoket Tribe and other tribes throughout the region.

The war ended with the seizure of Sowams by the colonists, and the scattering of the Pokanoket from their ancestral homelands.

In 2021, four hundred years after Ousamequin met the Pilgrims, the Warren Town Council adopted this resolution in acknowledgement of Warren's Indigenous history.

Pokanoket Land Acknowledgement

Welcome to Sowams, the
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ancestral home of the Pokanoket people for ten thousand years prior to settler colonization.

We pay tribute to the tribal elders and people of this community who served and continue to serve as stewards of the lands and waterways of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

We recognize the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous People and their traditional territories.

We acknowledge that our community was a part of the larger ancestral homeland of the Pokanoket Nationl.

Let this acknowledgement serve as a reminder of our ongoing efforts to recognize, honor, reconcile and partner with the Pokanoket people for the benefit of the lands and water of Sowams.

Adopted by the Warren Town Council on July 13, 2021

Erected by Sowams Heritage Area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is July 13, 2021.

Location. 41° 43.744′ N, 71° 16.927′ W. Marker is in Warren, Rhode Island, in Bristol County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Rhode Island Route 114) and Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 5, 2023

2. Warren, RI Marker

. Marker is at or near this postal address: 512 Main St, Warren RI 02885, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Washington St. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Warren Armory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Warren Honor Roll (about 400 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); The First Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); The Baptist Church in Warren (about 700 feet away); Baptist Church in Warren, R.I. (about 700 feet away); The Middle Passage (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Warren.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.