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Squanto born
Squanto's exact date of birth is unknown. Historians think that it may be on January 1, 1585 or 1592. He was a Patuxet Indian born near New Plymouth. He was later called Tisquantum as an adult. This ment rage in Wompanoag. -
The Pilgrams
It was was somewhere between 1605-1610, and the men had come on a trading ship. 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. -
England
He was kidnapped by Captain Thomas Hunt in 1615, lived in England with the family of Charles Robbins, one of his friends on the ship. For a while, he was part of an "Indian exhibit" on a London stage. Squanto soon became homesick, and his friend did his best to find a way for him to return to America.
He returned to North America with Capt. Thomas Dermer in 1619. -
Return to America
John Slainy took Squanto to Cuper's Cove, Newfoundland in 1617. To get to New England, Squanto tried to take part in an expedition to that part of the North American east coast, but Thomas Dermer sent him back to London in 1618 to meet Gorges and ask for permission about the trip to Squanto's homeland. Squanto finally returned to his homeland aboard John Smith's ship. -
Sad Times
When he finally arrived at the place of his home he discovered that the Patuxet, as well as a majority of coastal New England tribes (mostly Wampanoag and Massachusett), had been killed by a plague the previous year, possibly by smallpox or leptospirosis. He decided to live with other Wampanoag in different villages. -
Helping the Colonists
That spring and summer Squanto proved his worth many times over. He led them to brooks alive with herring beginning their spring migration upstream. He showed the settlers how to fish with traps. He taught them where to stalk game in the forest. The children learned what berries they could pick for their families. Twenty acres of corn grew tall after Squanto showed the Pilgrims how to plant fish with the native corn seeds from a local tribe. -
Samoset and Colonists
In the same site of his old village, colonists had set up site. He watched them and eventually approaced with his friend. "My name is Squanto. This is Samoset. We come in peace." The settlers were astounded. Many of the settlers had already died from disease, winter's bitter cold, and little food. Yet they weren't giving up. He thought of his old village's battle with death. -
Bargaining
Once, a hostile tribe captured Squanto. "If he is killed," shouted their chief, "the English have lost their tongue." A small Pilgrim force arrived just in time, firing their muskets in the air. The terrified chief released his captive and fled. Squanto repaid the Pilgrims' favor. His bargaining skills kept neighboring tribes from attacking the small Plymouth colony. -
Squanto Died
Tisquantum (squanto) died in an unmarked grave somewere in Chatham, Massachusetts. Supposidly at Burial Hill which is believed to be haunted. Squanto picked up a feaver scouting east of Plymouth. Pilgrim leader William Bradford heard his will. "Pray for me, Governor," the Indian whispered, "that I might go to the Englishmen's God in heaven." -
Remembering Him
Today we still remember Tisquantum as an american hero. Squanto, Tisquantum or Squantum whatever you want to call him, we need him. Without him Americans would not have been able to live in the New England area, which is where a significant amount of all people in the united states live. And he is the reason.
