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The Settlers of Plymouth wisely selected a choice area along the Massachusetts coast where fish streams were plentiful and where access to a wide harbor was nearby. They did not know, of course, that their new ground was the foundation for a completely new way of life for the Separatist church members in England who would begin their journey toward their homeland in September 1620. The Plymouth Colony, although not named that, started when the Patuxtet American Indian tribe -Squanto's family group - lived there.

By the time of their arrival, the whole tribe was dead and lay buried in the nearby cemetery. They had succumbed to some horrendous disease and the only surviving member was Squanto who was away in Europe. Arriving back some ten or twelve years later, he found himself alone. The generous Wampanoag nearby welcomed him into their community.

The Pilgrims coming ashore found the clearing after days of searching and began their makeshift camp. December's weather was blustery and icy and the living was hard. Surviving during the next few days took every ounce of their energy. Cold, hungry, and ill, half of the one hundred and one Pilgrims journeying over died. It is safe to say their bleakness matched the climate. However, A break came in March when the Pilgrims discovered that a week had passed before anyone had died. That and a thaw in the weather and the welcomed cry of Samoset's Welcome offered some hope.

Life at Plymouth came alive once more when Squanto, a friend of Samoset's moved in. Associating and living among Europeans for ten or twelve years, he learned the ways of the white man and easily lived, laughed and talked with them. Under his directions his hefty garden was started which proved to be overly abundant.

Showing them how to plant corn by piling up hills and dropping in fish brought forth a hefty crop. In addition, he advised them to plant other vegetables amongst the cornrows to better utilize the space. Other Indian ways, such as tapping maple trees for their sap, learning which plants were edible and which were not, how to roast corn and in general how to survive, were learned.

Actually, sharing was two ways. Plymouth began as a combined effort of the old and the new. Plymouth prospered because of the generosity of not only their guide Squanto, who may have been somewhat promoting him self a little too generously in the meantime, but because of the friendliness of the Wampanoag neighbors. The above statement about Squanto is not meant to

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