The year was 1620. A small ship, the Mayflower, having braved the tumultuous Atlantic crossing, finally deposited its weary passengers on the shores of a new, unfamiliar world. These were the Pilgrims, seeking religious freedom and a fresh start in what they termed the New World. Their arrival, however, was far from idyllic. Landing late in December, they were immediately confronted with the harsh realities of a New England winter. The first work party ventured ashore on Christmas Day, immediately setting about the arduous task of constructing shelters and laying out the rudimentary beginnings of their settlement, New Plymouth.
The winter of 1620-1621 proved to be a devastating trial for the fledgling colony. Unprepared for the severity of the climate, lacking adequate provisions, and succumbing to disease, over half of the original Pilgrims perished before the arrival of spring. The survivors, weakened and demoralized, faced an uncertain future. Contact with the native inhabitants of this land had been limited to distant sightings, leaving the Pilgrims isolated and vulnerable.
Then, on March 16th, a remarkable event occurred. A lone figure, an Indian, walked directly into the heart of the Pilgrim settlement. This man was Samoset, and to the Pilgrims’ astonishment, he possessed a rudimentary command of the English language. Though his vocabulary was limited and communication proved challenging, Samoset’s arrival signaled a potential turning point. He stayed briefly, then departed, promising to return. True to his word, he reappeared the following day, accompanied by another Indian, an older and more articulate individual whose name was Squanto.
Squanto‘s story was nothing short of extraordinary. He was a member of the Patuxet tribe, a people whose village had once thrived near the very spot where New Plymouth was now taking root. Born and raised in this land, he had experienced firsthand the arrival of the first European trading ships along the New England coast. Around 1605-1610, as a young man, he encountered these foreign traders, engaging with them and learning fragments of their language. The traders, in turn, valued his assistance in navigating interactions with other local tribes. They treated him well, offering him gifts, including European clothing. When the time came for them to return to England, they extended an invitation to Squanto to join them. Despite his mother’s pleas, he accepted, drawn by the allure of the unknown.
In England, Squanto found himself living with the family of Charles Robbins, one of the men from the trading ship. His experiences were varied and unusual. For a time, he was even displayed as part of an "Indian exhibit" on a London stage, a testament to the fascination and misunderstanding surrounding the indigenous peoples of the New World.
However, Squanto‘s heart yearned for home. He grew increasingly homesick, longing for the familiar landscapes and the life he had left behind. Recognizing his distress, Charles Robbins sought a way to facilitate his return to America. Robbins eventually contacted Captain John Smith, the renowned explorer, who was planning another expedition to the New World. Smith agreed to take Squanto along. In 1614, Smith’s expedition set sail, comprised of two ships, one commanded by Smith himself and the other by Captain Thomas Hunt. The initial plan was for Squanto to assist Smith for a short period, utilizing his linguistic skills and knowledge of the local tribes, after which he would be allowed to return to his village.
Upon reaching the American coast, the two ships separated. Squanto traveled with Smith, serving as an interpreter during encounters with various Indian groups. Eventually, Smith granted him permission to make his way back to his homeland.
Tragedy struck on his journey home. Squanto encountered Captain Thomas Hunt, who betrayed his trust and lured him aboard his ship under false pretenses. Along with twenty other young Indians, Squanto was imprisoned. Hunt’s ship sailed south to Spain, where the captured Indians were sold into slavery.
Fate intervened in Squanto‘s favor. He was purchased by a group of friars at a Catholic monastery. These compassionate men, appalled by his enslavement, freed him and took him in. They taught him about Christianity, and Squanto embraced the faith. Moved by his conversion and his desire to return home, the friars arranged passage for him on a ship bound for England, likely in 1616.
From this point forward, Squanto‘s primary objective became survival and the eventual return to his people. He was driven by an unwavering determination to overcome the obstacles that lay before him.
For three years, Squanto resided in England, working as a servant in the household of John Slanie. He continued to harbor the hope of returning to America and repeatedly implored Slanie to help him find a way. Recognizing his deep longing, Slanie, despite his family’s fondness for Squanto, located a ship captain preparing for a voyage to the New World.
In 1619, Squanto once again set foot on North American soil. He assisted the captain in communicating with the local Indians during trading ventures. Finally, he was given leave to begin his long-awaited journey home. He had been away for approximately 10-12 years.
The reunion he envisioned was not to be. Upon reaching the site of his former village, Squanto found no trace of his family or his tribe. He learned that a devastating epidemic, a "Great Sickness," had swept through the region, decimating the native population. Every member of his tribe had perished. After crossing the Atlantic Ocean four times, enduring enslavement, conversion, and years of servitude, Squanto was confronted with the ultimate heartbreak: he was the last of the Patuxet.
Bereft of his people, Squanto was invited to live in a nearby Wampanoag village, led by Chief Massasoit. He remained there until news reached the Wampanoag of the arrival of the white settlers who were building a town near the site of his former home. When Samoset returned from his initial visit to the newcomers, he requested that Squanto accompany him on his return. This meeting took place on March 22, 1621.
Squanto and Samoset spoke with the Pilgrims, and shortly thereafter, Chief Massasoit arrived for a formal meeting. The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag negotiated a treaty, an agreement that would allow both groups to coexist peacefully. Remarkably, this treaty remained in effect for over 50 years, a testament to the initial goodwill and mutual respect established between the two cultures. During this time, no Pilgrim was ever harmed by an Indian.
As the other Indians departed New Plymouth, Squanto made the momentous decision to stay with the Pilgrims. Their food supply was dwindling, and their knowledge of the land was woefully inadequate. William Bradford, the governor of the Plymouth Colony, later described Squanto as "a special instrument sent by God for their good beyond their expectations."
Squanto proved to be an invaluable asset to the Pilgrims. He taught them how to construct more effective shelters, a significant improvement over the rudimentary structures they had erected during their first, devastating winter.
He shared his profound knowledge of the local environment, advising them on the optimal time to plant their corn crop: when the leaves on the trees reached the size of a squirrel’s ear.
He then demonstrated the proper planting technique, instructing them to place several seeds in a hill, along with a fish to act as fertilizer, ensuring the rapid growth of the corn. Without Squanto‘s guidance, it is unlikely that the Pilgrims would have successfully cultivated the 20 acres of corn that sustained them that year. Later, he also taught the women how to cook the corn, adding another crucial element to their survival.
Beyond agriculture, Squanto played a critical role in the Pilgrims’ relations with the surrounding Indian tribes. He facilitated communication, acting as an interpreter, guiding them on trading expeditions, and providing advice on navigating the complex dynamics of intertribal relations. He helped them forge alliances and establish a sense of trust, essential for their long-term survival.
Squanto remained with the Pilgrims for approximately 18 months. Upon returning to the Wampanoag village, he attempted to challenge Massasoit for leadership of the tribe. This power grab proved unsuccessful, and ultimately alienated him from many members of the tribe. He was subsequently viewed as an enemy by some within the Wampanoag community.
Squanto died from a fever in 1622. Despite his relatively short life, his impact on the survival of the Plymouth Colony was profound. He is still remembered and honored nearly 400 years later. It is widely believed that without Squanto‘s assistance, the Pilgrims would not have survived their early years in the New World. His knowledge, skills, and willingness to help were instrumental in their success. Without his intervention at New Plymouth, their story might have ended tragically.
In saving the English families, Squanto found a new family and a new tribe to live for. One of the Pilgrims said this about Squanto:
"… He desired honor, which he loved as his life and preferred before his peace …"