Halifax in Plymouth County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Wamsutta Was Taken Prisoner

Wamsutta’s Capture Site Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, April 23, 2026

1. Wamsutta’s Capture Site Marker

Inscription. Near this spot Wamsutta was taken prisoner by Maj. Josias Winslow, an incident said to have precipitated King Philip's War.

Erected by Halifax Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1662.

Location. 42° 0.286′ N, 70° 50.437′ W. Marker is in Halifax, Massachusetts, in Plymouth County. It is at the intersection of Monponsett Street (Massachusetts Route 58) and White Island Road, on the left when traveling south on Monponsett Street. White Island Road intersects Route 58 at North and South ends. The marker is at the North end. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 461 Monponsett St, Halifax MA 02338, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Halifax Grange Veterans Monument (approx. 1.4 miles away); Halifax POW MIA Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); Halifax Civil War Monument (approx. 1½ miles away); Halifax Revolutionary War Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); Lieut. John Tomson Home Site (approx. 3 miles away); Hillcrest Cemetery 1706 (approx. 3.6

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miles away); Deborah Sampson (approx. 3.7 miles away); Plympton World War II Roll of Honor (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Halifax.

Regarding Wamsutta Was Taken Prisoner. At the time Wamsutta (aka Alexander, Moannam, Mooanam) was apprehended near this spot, he was the chief / massasoit / sachem / sagamore of the Pokanoket tribe, older brother of Metacomet (aka King Philip, Metacom). The Pokanoket tribe was later considered part of the Wampanoag confederation of tribes at the time of King Philip's War.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Wamsutta - Wikipedia.

Wamsutta (c. 1634–1662), known to the New England colonists as Alexander, was the eldest son of Massasoit (meaning Great Leader) Ousamequin of the Pokanoket within the Wampanoag nation, and the brother of Metacomet (or Metacom). Upon Massasoit's death, Wamsutta became the leader of the Pokanoket, overseeing tribes in territory covering parts of present-day Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

(Submitted on April 23, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

2. Wamsutta - Find-a-Grave

Wamsutta’s Capture Site Marker (wide) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, April 23, 2026

2. Wamsutta’s Capture Site Marker (wide)

Marker with White Island Road in background to left. Route 58 is behind photographer (northbound) and to the right of the marker (southbound).

. Wamsutta was captured in present day Halifax Massachusetts by Maj Josias Winslow. He was taken for "questioning" by what some accounts say was by gunpoint to Plymouth Colony. He was held for three days on no charges. When released he was given a canoe, and started his way down a river. Wamsutta would die on his journey home. (Submitted on April 23, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

3. The Suspicious Death of Wamsutta: Prelude to War.

Uncover the mysterious death of Wamsutta, a pivotal moment that shattered indigenous-colonial relations. Learn how this event, shrouded in suspicion, ingnited the flames of King Philip's War.

(Submitted on April 23, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

Route 58 looking North from marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, April 23, 2026

3. Route 58 looking North from marker

Looking North on Monponsett Street (Route 58) from market. West Lake to the left, East Lake to the right. Together aka Monponsett Pond.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 47 times since then. Last updated on May 12, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 23, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.