Ninigret

Ninigret
Ninigret in 1681, painting currently at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum
Niantic leader
Personal details
Resting place	"Burying Hill", near Charlestown, Rhode Island
Relations	Nephew, Miantonomo
Children	Son, Ninigret; daughter
Nickname(s)	Juanemo

Ninigret [also known as Juanemo according to Roger Williams] (c.1610-1677) was a sachem of the eastern Niantic Native American tribe in New England. Ninigret allied with the English settlers and Narragansetts against the Pequots in 1637. Ninigret did not participate in King Philip's War and was largely responsible for preventing the Niantics from joining the War.

Ninigret was the cousin or possibly uncle of Miantonomo, and his name was written in several ways. He was first known to the English settlers as Janemo and was sachem of the Niantics, a tribe of the Narragansetts. He did not participate in the Pequot war of 1632, and aided the English in that of 1637. About a year after the death of Miantonomo, he formed a plan for expelling the English and sent a messenger to Waiandance, the Long Island sachem, to engage him in it. Instead of listening to the messenger, Waiandance tied him up and sent him to the fort at Saybrook. From there, the messenger was transported to Hartford under guard. On their way, the party was forced to put in at Shelter Island, where Ninigret's messenger escaped.

Ninigret passed the winter of 1652-53 among the Dutch in Manhattan and the western Indians, and he was suspected of plotting with them against the English. The commissioners in Boston declared war with him in April 1653, but it was not prosecuted. Meanwhile, Ninigret waged war against the Long Island Indians, who had placed themselves under the protection of the English. In September 1654, the commissioners sent a message to the chief demanding his appearance in Hartford, where they were convened, and also the payment of tribute that had long been due. He refused to appear, and sent them a haughty answer. War was again declared against him, and 270 infantry and 40 horsemen were raised and placed under the command of Major Samuel Willard. His instructions were to go to Ninigrit's quarters, demand the tribute, and insist upon a cessation of the war with the Long Island Indians. On the approach of the troops, Ninigret fled to a distant swamp and was not pursued.