Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims
One of the chief guests present at that first Thanksgiving was Squanto. He, more than anyone else, was responsible for the survival of the settlement because of the tremendous service he gave to the settlers. He taught them how to catch fish, how to grow corn using the abundant fish as manure, and how to survive in the new land. A member of the Patuxet tribe, he helped to forge an alliance between the Wampanoag tribe and the Pilgrims that lasted for over 50 years.
His life is intriguing because he started out as a slave after he was captured by English sailors. Later on, he learned English after receiving encouragement from the boat captain. The interest of the captain in his captive being able to speak English was not based on altruism, however, but on simple expediency. He wanted to trade with the Indians and needed an interpreter to facilitate communications between the two sides.
Later on, Squanto was set free, only to be captured again, this time by a Spanish privateer. He obtained his freedom after he was bought by monks who sought to free Native American captives by buying their freedom.
He managed to reach his beloved American mainland once again, and this time he had more luck. He came into contact with the Pilgrims and at once became their ally. He was instrumental in persuading the other tribes to help the newcomers, and, in this way, enabled them to become self-sufficient.
Squanto can be said to occupy a pivotal role in the formation of the new settlement and in the success of the Pilgrim Fathers in the new world. Without his invaluable assistance, the Pilgrims would not have been able to form alliances with other Native American tribes. More importantly, they would not have been able to adapt to the way of life in the new world.
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