Dakota Beacon

The Thanksgiving story never gets old. Unfortunately, the facts are not well known. Most people have heard the names Samoset and Squanto. But who were they?

The English Pilgrims, products of the Reformation, fled persecution to live their Christianity as they understood it. Their search for freedom eventually took them to North America looking to set up a charter colony in Virginia. However, inclement weather forced them off course bringing the Mayflower on November 21, 1620, to the shores of what is now Massachusetts. That winter took a deadly toll on the small band of Pilgrims. Almost half died. Only three families remained intact.

This narrative begins in March 1621 when a lone Indian approached the Pilgrim common house. A warning cry went up but it was too late. The Indian walked up the main street, entered the common house, and greeted Captain Standish -- in plain English. He requested food and beer. Having no beer, the Pilgrims offered him brandy which the Indian accepted. Even a casual observer must ask, “Where did this man learn to speak English sufficient to ask for beer, brandy, and bread?”

The Indian identified himself as Samoset, an Algonquin chief. He had been exploring the region for the past eight months after sailing down the New England coast with an English fishing captain named Thomas Dermer. Samoset learned English from him and other fishing captains. The Pilgrims listened intently to all Samoset could tell them of other Indians in the area. It turned out that a mysterious illness completely ravaged the only tribe in the area years ago killing every man, woman, and child. The nearest tribe was a band of Wampanoags fifty miles away led by Chief Massasoit.

The discussion continued all day and into the evening. Samoset spent the night and left the next day with a promise to return. True to his word Samoset returned in about a week, this time with a second Indian. This man’s name was Squanto, a Patuxet. His story was almost beyond belief. In 1605, Squanto and four others were captured by English Captain George Weymouth who was exploring the New England coast. Captain Weymouth took the Indians to England where they were fairly treated and taught to speak English. In this way Weymouth was able to fully interrogate the Indians as to the fauna, flora, and inhabitants of New England as well as the best locations to establish colonies. In all, Squanto spent nine years in England before returning to Cape Cod with Captain John Smith of Virginia Colony fame.

Fate was not kind to Squanto following his return to Cape Cod in 1614. A second captain sailing with Captain John Smith, a man named Thomas Hunt, had plans of his own. Instead of staying on the New England coast as instructed, Captain Hunt sailed down the coast seeking another cargo. He lured twenty Patuxets including Squanto on board his ship under the pretext of trading. Hunt clapped them in irons and sailed for the slave-trading port of Malaga on the Spanish coast. Here Hunt sold Squanto for twenty pounds.

Squanto’s fortune soon improved when local Catholic friars bought his release and introduced him to the Christian faith. Not long after, Squanto joined an Englishman sailing to London. In 1619, Squanto once again headed for New England. This time he sailed with Captain Dermer, the same captain who picked up Samoset on the Maine coast. Dermer then delivered both Indians to Plymouth.

Squanto arrived at Plymouth six months before the Pilgrims only to learn that his entire tribe of Patuxets no longer existed. This was the tribe earlier alluded to by Samoset that had been decimated with illness. Stricken with despair, Squanto wandered aimlessly in the wilderness until he stumbled upon Massasoit and his band. The chief took pity on him and brought him into his band. It was while Squanto, Massasoit, and Samoset lived together that they learned of the Pilgrim’s plight.

With ensuing encounters, Squanto adopted the Pilgrims in their time of need helping them in many ways. He found a new reason for living as he worked with them teaching them to survive off the land. Squanto taught them how to catch eels, plant and fertilize corn, plant pumpkins, stalk deer, fish the plentiful streams, draw maple syrup, and find herbs for medicine.

Summer 1621 proved fruitful. The Pilgrims were beside themselves with gratitude to Squanto and to their God. Governor Bradford declared a public day of Thanksgiving in October. Massasoit was invited and arrived with an entourage of ninety Indians. They brought five dressed deer and a dozen wild turkeys! Pilgrim women learned how to make hoecakes and a pudding of cornmeal and maple syrup. And for the finale: popcorn! This one day celebration turned into a week!

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).