Bonnie Alba
November 16, 2006
Part II -- One Indian loses all, finds hope and home
By Bonnie Alba

While the Pilgrims were still in the planning stages for their journey to the new land, God was preparing a young Indian for a future role. Squanto's first capture kept him in England for nine years. He returned to America only to be recaptured and sold into slavery in Malaga, Spain. Bought by local friars, he remained at a monastery for two years and was introduced to the Christian faith.

Squanto finally made his way to England where he managed to sail for New England — again — in 1619. He had not seen his family or been back on Patuxet tribal land since 1605. He arrived about six months before the Pilgrims with a desire to see his people again.

We can only imagine the grief and despair Squanto went through when he entered Patuxet land only to find dust and bones. He wandered his boyhood lands until he entered the camp of Chief Massasoit, the Wampanoags' wise leader. The Chief took pity on Squanto who was grieving for all he had lost and invited him to stay.

Meanwhile, the Pilgrims were entering what was to be a devastating winter in their new home in a new land. With little food stored and their makeshift shelters, sickness and scurvy cause many deaths. By the spring of 1621, only 55 people remained of the original 102. They lost 13 of 18 wives and many children. Yet in the midst of grief and sorrow their hearts remained faithful to God and his providence.

Spring brought a visitor, Samoset, a chief of the Algonquins. He had been staying with Chief Massasoit for about eight months. After talking with him, they asked Samoset about hostile Indians in the area.

Samoset related the history of the land they had chosen to settle. Samoset told them that the land where they were living had belonged to "...the Patuxets, a large, hostile tribe who had barbarously murdered every white man who had landed on their shores. But three years prior to the Pilgrims' arrival, a mysterious plague had broken out among them, killing every man, woman and child. So complete was the devastation that neighboring tribes had shunned the area ever since, convinced that some great supernatural spirit had destroyed the Patuxets."

On Samoset's return and report to Chief Massasoit, Squanto heard about this small group of English people who had settled on Patuxet land. Hearing about the Pilgrims' plight and that they were not knowledgeable about surviving off the land, it is said that Squanto's eyes lit up.

So it was Squanto who accompanied Chief Massasoit to the Pilgrims, forging a peace pact which would endure for over 40 years. Squanto seemed to find a new reason for living, and he and the Pilgrims adopted each other. During that spring and summer, he taught the Pilgrims about fishing, planting and living off the land. William Bradford wrote that Squanto was "a special instrument sent of God for their good, beyond their expectation."

That October when the harvest had been gathered and food stored for the coming winter, the Pilgrims were overflowing with gratitude and Bradford declared a day of Thanksgiving. Chief Massasoit was invited. He arrived early bringing ninety warriors with him. The Pilgrims, worried about feeding so many, prayed. But Chief Massasoit's hunters brought plenty of deer and wild turkeys.

At the start of the festivities, William Brewster's prayer must have inspired and uplifted them as they were so thankful to God for all his blessings. God had provided in all instances even in their weakest moments.

The Indians also taught the women how to make hoe cakes and cornmeal and maple syrup pudding. Also, something we enjoy today: popcorn. The one day extended to three as all enjoyed and participated in games, shooting contests with guns and bows, conversation and meals.

Is this historical account all coincidences? How many coincidences happen before we see God's Hand? The last Patuxet spared, kidnapped, returned, and then kidnapped again and sold as a slave to a monastery? Only to return and find his family and tribe had been erased forever by a mysterious plague? He hears of the suffering Pilgrims settling on his tribal land; he goes, stays and teaches them how to survive, remaining over three years. Or, the fact that this small group of Pilgrims would choose the very land that would protect them from hostile Indian attacks?

Coincidence or God's planned providence?

© Bonnie Alba

 

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Bonnie Alba

Bonnie Alba is a "politically incorrect" researcher-writer. Since 1995, her articles have appeared in California newspapers. Previously she served in various Department of Defense positions for over 16 years... (more)

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