Posted on 12/12/2019 8:48:28 AM PST by Perseverando
Of 102 Pilgrims that landed on the shores of Massachusetts in November of 1620, only half survived till spring.
In the Spring of 1621, as recorded by Pilgrim Governor William Bradford in his Of Plymouth Plantation:
"About the 16th of March, a certain Indian came boldly amongst them and spoke to them in broken English ... 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 himself ..."
Samoset's initial visit to the Pilgrims was recorded in Mourt's Relation, written by Edward Winslow and Governor William Bradford in 1622:
"Friday the 16th a fair warm day towards; this morning we determined to conclude of the military orders, which we had begun to consider of before but were interrupted by the savages, as we mentioned formerly; and whilst we were busied hereabout, we were interrupted again, for there presented himself a savage, which caused an alarm.
... He very boldly came all alone and along the houses straight to the rendezvous, where we intercepted him, not suffering him to go in, as undoubtedly he would, out of his boldness.
He saluted us in English, and bade us welcome, for he had learned some broken English among the Englishmen that came to fish at Monchiggon, and knew by name the most of the captains, commanders, and masters that usually come.
... He was a man free in speech, so far as he could express his mind, and of a seemly carriage. We questioned him of many things; he was the first savage we could meet withal.
He said he was not of these parts, but of Morattiggon, and one of the sagamores
(Excerpt) Read more at myemail.constantcontact.com ...
I wonder if Squanto someone captured him or if he went voluntarily?
Ping!
Squanto was captured in 1614 and brought to Spain as a slave, then moved to England and finally returned to New England in 1619, after helping the Pilgrims he died in 1622.
Squanto was an amazing individual, Definitely directed by God to help our founding relatives establish the great nation of the US- He was a key figure in history- wish schools would teach more about him-
Interesting that when he was rescued by friars (Franciscans) in Spain, they must have freed him by force of law? Because they neither bought him nor physically overpowered Gorges' men, so I am thinking they may have used Spanish law to free him. I'd like to look that up.
A free man, Squanto was then instructed by the Franciscan brothers in the Catholic Faith and Baptized in Spain. From there he somehow got passage first back to England, and then back to the former Patuxet territory in what is now Massachusetts.
He subsequently showed a lifesaving dedication to the well-being and survival of the European settlers on lands formerly cleared, settled and farmed by the Patuxet. He seems to have been motivated not only by an understandable desire to have some English as his allies in a shifting and slippery political situation, but also by a genuine personal magnanimity and Christian faith.
Interesting.
Interesting.
I propose a conservative movie be made out of Squanto’s life with Mel Gibson or Clint Eastwood as director.
From your keyboard to God’s monitor screen. :o)
bkmk
My call sign during my 22 year career in EOD ....... and my 21 years here at FR. 43 years using that handle.....:o)
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