Squanto in Cupers Cove
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Many stories have been told about Squanto's time in Newfoundland, but very little is known for sure. Some people say that he spent two years at Cupers Cove but all we really know is that he was living at John Slany's house in London in 1617, and that he was in Cupers Cove the next year.
Squanto Returns to New England
Squanto. (Pilgrim Hall Museum. Used with permission.)
It has been said that while in Cupers Cove, Squanto was given a soldier's uniform that he wore with pride for many years.
Other people say that Squanto learned English from Mason's wife Anne, and that he became an Anglican in Newfoundland. Squanto may have learned some English while he was in Newfoundland, but he must have learned a lot while he was in England, too. He seems to have believed in Christianity, but we don't know if he knew the difference between Anglicans and other Christians.
It has also been said that Squanto was sent to Newfoundland by John Slany to try to contact the Beothuk. This may be true, but no records have been found to support this claim.
Stories or legends that people tell often reflect what they think is important. At that time, many English people thought it was important to teach Native Americans to become Christians and to become more like English people. Once a story has been written down, people often start to believe that it is true whether it is or not.
Squanto probably saw his time in Newfoundland as one more adventure in his long journey to get back to his family and friends in New England. When he met the Governor Mason's friend, Thomas Dermer, at Cupers Cove, the English finally sent him home.
In December of 1620, the Pilgrims arrived in what had been Squanto's village. Squanto became a guide and advisor for the settlers. He showed them how to grow crops using fish as fertilizer. Many people believe that Squanto learned how to do this when he lived in Newfoundland.
The Mayflower. (Pilgrim Hall Museum. Used with permission.)
Links
Cupers Cove ? Early English Settlement
The Building Blocks of a Colony
Cupers Cove's First Laws
A Year in the Life of a 17th Century Newfoundland Planter
Crout's Way
Journey of the Indeavour
John Mason in Cupers Cove
Squanto in Cupers Cove
John Berry's Census
Cupers Cove - Later Settlement
Using Archaeology to Understand the Life of a 17th Century Newfoundland Planter
Bay De Verde
Brigus
Bryant's Cove
Heart's Content
New Perlican
Old Perlican
Winterton (Scilly Cove)