Mr. Drake, in his Book of the Indians, thus mentions Canonicus, the
sachem of the Narragansets:—
He was contemporary with Miantunnomoh, who was his nephew. We know not
the time of his birth, but a son of his was at Boston in 1631, the next
year after it was settled. But the time of his death is minutely recorded
by Governor Winthrop, in his “Journal,” thus: “June 4, 1647, Canonicus,
the great sachem of Narraganset, died, a very old man.” He is generally
supposed to have been about 85 years of age when he died.
He is mentioned with great respect by Rev. Roger Williams, in the year
1654. After observing that many hundreds of the English were witnesses
to the friendly disposition of the Narragansets, he says, “their late
famous long-lived Canonicus so lived and died, and in the same most
honourable manner and solemnity, (in their way,) as you laid to sleep
your prudent peace-maker, Mr. Winthrop, did they honour this their
prudent and peaceable prince; yea, through all their towns and countries
how frequently do many, and oft times our Englishmen, travel alone with
safety and loving kindness?”