Translator, Teacher and Patuxet Leader
Tiscuantum, also known as Squanto, was an interpreter and guide for the Pilgrim settlers in Plymouth Colony. He was a member of the Patuxet tribe captured as a boy off the coast of Maine in 1605 and brought to England. While in England, he became fluent in English. Later, he was captured by the Spanish, escaped and managed to return to North America in 1619. On his return, he went to live with the Wampanoags after learning that so many of his people had contracted deadly smallpox. Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to plant corn using fish as fertilizer among other traditional techniques. As interpreter, he helped the Pilgrims communicate with Wampanoag Chief Massasoit and became William Bradford’s guide around Cape Cod.
Squanto was also known as Tisquantum or Squantum.
Squanto used his unique knowledge of the English language to his advantage with other tribes.
Squanto helped the Pilgrim settlers survive their first winter in the New World.
He was an excellent translator.
Squanto was born in 1580 in Cape Cod.