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When he was born
Squanto was born circa 1580 near Plymouth, Massachusetts. Little is known about his childhood. Squanto, also known as Tisquantum, was a Native American of the Patuxet tribe -
Traveling to England
Squanto spent some time with them, learning their language and helping them in their dealings with other Indians. They treated him well, even giving him clothes to wear. When they were ready to leave, they invited him along--back to England. He agreed, even though his mother begged him not to go. -
Captured
In 1614 Squanto was captured by English explorer, Thomas Hunt. He captured 20 Indians in total and sold them off as slaves in Spain. Spanish friars, looking to spread the Christian faith, rescued Squanto from captivity. In 1619, Squanto finally makes it home only to discover that his tribe had been all but wiped out by disease. -
Escape
Squanto accompanied English explorer Thomas Hunt to Spain in 1614, probably as a slave. Squanto escaped and made his way to England, where he worked for and learned English from shipbuilder John Slaney. -
Taveling back Home
Squanto soon became homesick, and his friend did his best to find a way for him to return to America. The year was 1614 when Smith's expedition sailed. Squanto was to help Smith for a short time, and then he would return to his village. -
Slaney
Squanto traveled with Slaney to Newfoundland in 1617 and returned to England the following year with a different English explorer, Thomas Dermer. (Historians think that Squanto was an indentured servant for both Slaney and Dermer). -
Helper
Squanto settled in Plymouth. He was with Pilgrims that were sick and dying. They lacked food and needed help badly. He taught them many things that they would need to know to survive, like farming. -
His Home Town Gone
While Squanto was back in England, his home tribe, the Patuxet, suffered a terrible plague (probably smallpox). Squanto found few of his tribe when he returned to the New World with Dermer in 1619. -
Met with Pilgrims
In 1621, Massasoit, the Wampanoag leader, sent Squanto to meet with the English settlers at the Plymouth colony, which had been established at the site of the former Patuxet colony. Squanto knew this land well. -
His Death
Squanto died of a fever in Chatham, Massachusetts, circa November 1622. Squanto was acting as a guide and in the middle of the guide he got a fever and couldn't move on. He had the "Indian Fever." He was 42 when he died.
