Squanto Facts For Thanksgiving: 12 Things About His Bibliography For Kids

Squanto -- guide, interpreter and teacher -- is one of the most famous Native Americans. He played an instrumental role in helping the Plymouth Pilgrims survive their first winter in Massachusetts in 1620-21. To honor him for Thanksgiving, some facts about his biography for children have been shared below, courtesy of Navajo Code Talkers and Biography.com. Check them out:

1. Squanto was born circa 1580 near Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

2. His birth name was Tisquantum. He is also referred to as Squantum in some history books.

3. Little is known about his early life, but he was born to the Pawtuxet group, which was a part of the Wampanoag tribe in what was later called New England.

4. English settlers kidnapped Squanto multiple times. The first recorded time was in 1605 by Capt. George Weymouth.

5. Plymouth Company owner Sir Ferdinando Gorge taught him how to speak English so he could serve as an interpreter and guide.

6. Squanto was reportedly treated well during this experience in England.

7. He was sent back home, but was captured again in 1614 by English explorer Thomas Hunt. Spanish friars who hoped to spread Christianity among the natives rescued him.

8. Squanto then, it is believed, lived as an indentured servant for John Slaney, and finally returned home in 1619. Tragically, by then many of his Pawtuxet people had been wiped out by smallpox.

9. He settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and helped the early settlers. Squanto served as an interpreter between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Chief Massasoit.

10. Squanto also helped them with fishing, hunting and farming.

11. They all celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621 after a successful crop.

12. Squanto died from “Indian Fever” around November 1622. He was 42 years old.

If you liked this article, click here check out more facts about the Plymouth Pilgrims.

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