Note 13 — Massasoit’s Town Sowams in Pokanoket

On the east shore of the river, a few yards below the “wading-place,” could be seen less than a century ago, the remains of an Indian “hot-house,” a cell-like chamber constructed of stone and built into the river bank, having in its centre, a flat bed of stone, the whole enclosure measuring about eight feet in length. The savages made use of the sweating-bath in sickness or to cleanse their skins of accumulations of dirt, paint, and grease. A huge fire was built on the rude fireplace of the “hot house,” being removed after the chamber became thoroughly heated. The Indians then seated themselves around the hot stones, and remained “for an hour or more,” says Roger Williams, “taking tobacco, discoursing and sweating together.” After thus profusely perspiring they plunged into the water, to cool their bodies.