Sowams Heritage Area Historian Dr. David Weed and Pokanoket Tribal Historian Strong Turtle gave a presentation to the members and guests of the Bristol Land Conservation Trust on March 25, 2025 in the Barn at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol. Though this presentation was not recorded, a video of a similar presentation by Dr. Weed on January 15, 2026 can be found by clicking here, and a video of a similar presentation by Strong Turtle on May 19, 2025 can be found by clicking here.

Weed (above, right) began the presentation by describing the early visits to New England and possibly the Bristol area by the Vikings around 1,000 AD and by European fishermen in the 16th century. Strong Turtle (above, left) then described the area known to the English Separatists as Sowams that was the homeland of the Pokanoket people for over 10,000 years.

(Above) Strong Turtle went on to talk about the Great Dying that occurred between 1616 and 1619 along the Atlantic coast that was responsible for the deaths of 70 to 90 percent of tribal people. Thus, the English Separatists who landed in the abandoned village of Patuxet found no one alive and only bones on the ground. This they interpreted as God clearing the way for their settlement.

(Above) Strong Turtle continued the story by talking about the friendship between the Massasoit Ousamequin and Pilgrim Leader Edward Winslow who provided treatment to the Massasoit when he appeared to be dying in 1623. Following the presentation, Pokanoket Sachem Dancing Star, Strong Turtle and Dr. Weed responded to questions from members of the Land Trust, Ray Payson and Jay Maciel.