Squanto -- Who was he?

Squanto's story is so often limited to saying he taught the Pilgrims about fertilizing with fish, planting corn, and getting maple syrup. While his role in helping the Pilgrims is essential, his story before he met the Pilgrims is interesting and very important.

Did you know....

Squanto was kidnapped once or maybe twice (I've read several different dates) There are different scenarios -- was he kidnapped by George Weymouth or was he kidnapped by Captain Thomas Hunt or by both -- it's hard to figure out the detail!

Squanto was taken to Spain to be sold as slave.

Squanto was 'purchased' by Spanish monks who taught him English and about God. He spent about 5 years in Spain.

Squanto went to London for another about 5 years and improved his English.

Squanto came back to the America on a ship and discovered that his people had died from illness and he was alone.

Governor William Bradford thanked God for Squanto in his prayers by saying "And thank You for bringing to us the Indian Squanto, your own special instrument to save us from hunger and help us to establish our colony in this new land." (from William Bradford's Journal)

As you read various stories of Squanto, the Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving, be discerning as many of the versions are not always factual and can be politically correct.