Squanto's Journey: From Patuxet Native to English Speaker and Pilgrim Ally
Introduction
Tisquantum, more commonly known as Squanto, is a figure shrouded in both myth and historical complexity. Often portrayed as a hero who single-handedly aided the Pilgrims, the full story of Squanto's life reveals a man navigating a world transformed by colonization, utilizing his unique skills gained from adversity. A crucial aspect of his impact was his ability to speak English, which facilitated communication and alliances between the Pilgrims and the Native American tribes. But how did Squanto learn English? His journey involved kidnapping, enslavement, trans-Atlantic voyages, and ultimately, a return to a homeland ravaged by disease.
Early Life and the Abduction
Born around 1580 in the area of present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts, Squanto was a member of the Patuxet tribe. The Patuxet were an agricultural society with a sachem and council of nobles. Encounters with European fishermen were not uncommon, but these interactions often brought devastating diseases that decimated the Native American population.
In 1614, Squanto's life took a dramatic turn. He was kidnapped by Thomas Hunt, a lieutenant under Captain John Smith, along with 23 other Native Americans. Hunt intended to sell them into slavery in Málaga, Spain. This act was part of a larger pattern of kidnapping and enslavement of Indigenous people during the era of global exchange and European colonization.
Enslavement and the Path to England
The details of Squanto's time in Spain are debated by historians due to a lack of written records. One theory suggests that Spanish friars, upon discovering that the captives were from the New World, rescued them by purchasing them and attempted to return them to their homeland.
Regardless of the exact circumstances, Squanto found his way to England. It was here, while living with John Slaney, a merchant and treasurer of the Newfoundland Company, that he likely learned to speak English and observed English customs. Slaney employed Squanto and eventually promised to help him return to America.
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Return to a Devastated Homeland
After several years away, Squanto returned to his homeland around 1618. He found Patuxet deserted, the wetuash (homes) empty, and the cornfields overgrown. A devastating epidemic had swept through the Wampanoag and other Indigenous homelands, wiping out his entire tribe. He was the sole survivor of the Paxutet people.
Squanto was taken in by the Wampanoag, though he was initially met with suspicion. Massasoit, the sachem of the Wampanoag, was wary of Squanto's exposure to the English and his ability to speak their language.
The Pilgrims and the Interpreter
In the spring of 1620, the Mayflower arrived, and the Pilgrims established Plymouth Colony on the very grounds of Squanto's former village. After a harsh winter that claimed the lives of about half the colonists, Squanto's ability to speak English became invaluable.
Samoset, another Native American who spoke some broken English, introduced Squanto to the Pilgrims in the spring of 1621. Squanto, with his more fluent English, became their interpreter and guide. According to William Bradford, Squanto was “a special instrument, sent of God for their good beyond their expectation."
Aiding the Pilgrims
Squanto played a crucial role in the Pilgrims' survival. He taught them how to plant corn, using fish as fertilizer in the depleted soil. He showed them where to find fish and other provisions. He acted as their pilot, guiding them to unknown places for trade and resources.
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Squanto also facilitated communication and diplomacy between the Pilgrims and the surrounding Native American tribes. He helped negotiate a peace treaty between the Pilgrims and Massasoit, establishing a defensive relationship between the two groups. He used his language skills to broker non-aggression agreements with other tribes, preventing potential conflicts. For example, Squanto brokered a deal with the Nauset tribe from Cape Cod when they kidnapped one of the Pilgrim’s children, and was able to secure the child’s release, relieving tensions that could have led to a war.
Abuse of Power and Suspicion
Despite his contributions, Squanto's position of influence also led to suspicion and accusations of abusing his power. According to William Bradford, Squanto sought his own ends, and played his own game, by putting the Indians in fear, and drawing gifts from them; to enrich himself, making them believe he could stir up war against whom he would, and make peace for whom he would; yea he made them believe [the English] kept the plague buried in the ground, and could send it amongst whom they would; which did much terrify the Indians, and made them depend more on him, and seek more to him than to Massasoit.
He allegedly spread rumors that Massasoit was plotting against the Pilgrims, further destabilizing the region. Massasoit, enraged by Squanto's actions, even sought his death.
Death and Legacy
In November 1622, while on a trading expedition around Cape Cod with William Bradford, Squanto fell ill with a fever. He experienced nosebleeds, which he believed to be a sign of impending death. Before he died, he asked Bradford to pray for him so that he might enter Heaven and gave gifts to others. Some historians speculate that he may have been poisoned by the Wampanoag.
Squanto's legacy is complex and contested. While he is often remembered as the Native American who helped the Pilgrims survive, his story also reflects the devastating impact of colonization on Indigenous populations. Some view him as an anti-hero, criticizing his manipulation and collaboration with the colonizers. Others, like Nanepashemet, portray him as a man who used the skills he gained from adversity to navigate a changing world.
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