Squanto (Tisquantum)
A man of Patuxet, kidnapped by Thomas Hunt in 1614 to be sold in Spain. He came home in 1619 to find his town emptied by epidemic, and served the Plymouth settlers as interpreter until he died in 1622.
d. 1622
The First Winter and Squanto's Corn
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation, on the winter and spring of 1620–1621 (written in the 1630s–1640s) · events of the winter and spring of 1620–1621; written about 1630–1650
He became proftable to them in aquainting them with many things concerning ye state of ye cuntry in ye east-parts wher he lived, which was afterwards profitable unto them; as also of ye people hear, of their names, number, & strength; of their situation & distance from this place, and who was cheefe amongst them. His name was Samaset; he tould them also of another Indian whos name was Squanto, a native of this place, who had been in England & could speake better English then him selfe.
He became useful to them by telling them many things about the state of the country in the eastern parts where he lived, which was useful to them afterward. He told them also of the people here: their names, numbers, and strength, where they lived and how far from this place, and who was chief among them. His name was Samoset. He told them also of another Indian, whose name was Squanto, a native of this place, who had been in England and could speak better English than he could.
Being, after some time of entertaininente & gifts, dismist, a while after he came againe, & 5. more with him, & they brought againe all ye tooles that were stolen away before, and made way for ye coming of their great Sachem, called Massasoyt; who, about 4. or 5. days after, came with the cheefe of his freinds & other attendance, with the aforesaid Squanto. With whom, after frendly entertainment, & some gifts given him, they made a peace with him (which hath now continued this 24. years) in these terms.
After some time of welcome and gifts, he was sent off. A while after he came again, with five more, and they brought back all the tools that had been stolen before. They prepared the way for the coming of their great sachem, called Massasoit. He came about four or five days later with the chief of his friends and other attendants, and with Squanto. After a friendly welcome and some gifts given him, they made a peace with him (which has now lasted these twenty-four years) on these terms.
After these things he returned to his place caled Sowams, some 40. mile from this place, but Squanto contiũed with them, and was their interpreter, and was a spetiall instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation. He directed them how to set their corne, wher to take fish, and to procure other comodities, and was also their pilott to bring them to unknowne places for their profitt, and never left them till he dyed.
After these things he returned to his place, called Sowams, some forty miles from here. But Squanto stayed with them and was their interpreter, and he was a special instrument sent by God for their good, beyond their expectation. He showed them how to plant their corn, where to catch fish, and how to get other useful goods. He was also their guide, to bring them to unknown places for their profit, and he never left them till he died.