by Winter Chestnut

Created on: November 01, 2009

Squanto, Man of Many Faces

When the name Squanto is spoken, what image might a person conjure up? What is known about this man, Squanto? Perhaps he is recognized as a Native American. People may remember him as an interpreter and a guide to early European settlers, who history has given the name of pilgrims. A person might recognize him for helping the pilgrims in growing corn and how to benifit from the lands resources. Someone might slip in the notion that Squanto's efforts allowed for the first Thanksgiving to be possible back in 1621. Another might mention that Squanto, as interpreter, and guide, allowed for peaceful times between neighboring tribes and the pilgrims.

The points mentioned thus far paint a beautiful picture, a lovely canvas indeed. Minus, of course, the storm clouds and lonely graves. For this, the reader must travel back in time and discover Squanto, the man of many faces.

Squanto was born around 1590, in Patuxet, Massachusetts, known today as Plymouth. He was raised with his family as a member of the Patuxet, one of many bands making up the Wampanoag Nation. The Patuxet band lived along Cape Cod and across eastern Massachusetts. Squanto, like other children of the Patuxet, were raised to follow the value's of the Elders. One value, learned early on, mandated service to the village and other bands making up the Wampanoag Nation, over personal gain. To betray this value was to betray the People. Squanto once followed this value.

In 1614, Captain John Smith, who had travelled from England, arrived in Patuxet. As he left, he ordered Captain Thomas Hunt to gather some fish. Hunt did more then gather fish. With his crew, he captured 20 members of the Patuxet band, including Squanto.

Squanto escaped and was residing in England by 1617 with a man by the name of John Slany, treasurer of the Newfoundland Company. Squanto was sent to Newfoundland by Slang, and in 1618, he returned to England with Captain Thomas Dermer.

By this time, Squanto was speaking English well, so Dermer asked Squanto to accompany him on an expedition to New England. Once there, he could be of service to Dermer and his crew as interpreter and guide. Squanto, wanting to see his home and family again, said yes, and returned in 1619.

Upon arrival to Patuxet, however, Squanto found the once thriving village of two thousand people gone. Chicken Pox, or smallpox, brought in by European explorers, had killed them all. The People had no immunity against diseases brought in

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>