Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War

Massasoit was the sachem, or leader, of the Pokanokets. The Pokanokets were once a great and mighty nation, but years of plague had ravished their people so that by the time of the Pilgrims’ arrival, they were struggling to remain relevant. Massasoit had to deal with a more powerful rival tribe, the Narragansetts, and was determined to find a way to outmaneuver them. When the Pilgrims arrived, he kept watch on their movements. He was eventually persuaded by Squanto to meet with the Pilgrims and to form an alliance with them to boost his standing. Though reluctant, Massasoit agreed. From that point forward, Massasoit and the Pilgrims became partners in ensuring each other’s success.

Massasoit helped the Pilgrims when they were near starvation. His people taught the Pilgrims how to grow crops, and Massasoit became friends with Edward Winslow, one of Plymouth’s founders, and William Bradford. Massasoit celebrated the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims, and provided much of the food for the feast. The two sides continued to rely on one another for trade and protection. It seems that Massasoit became the leader of the Quabaugs when he was around eighty, thus leaving the Pokanokets to be ruled by his sons, Alexander and Philip.

Philip was Massasoit's youngest son, and the brother of Alexander. He received the nickname “King Philip” because he claimed himself to be the equal of England’s king. Philip became the leader of the Pokanokets after Alexander died in questionable circumstances. Philip believed his brother was poisoned by the English, and sought revenge. He knew, however, that if he accused them outright or acted boldly, like his brother, he might meet the same fate. Philip bided his time, and though he had setbacks, plotted to attack the English. He rallied other Native American tribes to his side in King Philip’s War and caused heavy casualties to the English. Philip gained near mythic status in New England, as people thought he was in every battle being fought. He was in fact almost killed several times, but managed to escape. Philip eventually died in 1676 when he was surprised by Benjamin Church and his men. He was shot through the heart while trying to flee. His body was then quartered.  

Benjamin Church was a settler who lived on his own amongst the Native Americans of Narragansett Bay. He had connections to Plymouth through his family. Church was in Plymouth when the call went out to form a militia at the start of King Philip’s War. Church soon realized he liked being a soldier and, as he knew the Native Americans firsthand, joined the English forces aged thirty-three. Church was involved in the war from the, and fought at one of the worst battles of the campaign: the Great Swamp Fight where hundreds of Native American women and children perished. Even though Church was injured in the fighting, he still tried to prevent the slaughter of women and children. Church assisted Josiah Winslow in hunting down Philip and eventually routed much of his force. After Philip’s death, Church went on to fight in Maine against the French and Native Americans.

Squanto, also known as Tisquantum, was a Native American who was captured by Thomas Hunt in 1614. Squanto spent a few years in England, and for a time he was a showcase attraction on the streets of London. He returned to his homeland with Thomas Dermer. Squanto’s return was both a blessing and a curse. He saw the devastation that plague had caused firsthand, and realized that nearly everyone he once knew was dead. This tragedy was also an opportunity, however, and he determined that he would be a sachem one day. Squanto was not trusted by many sachems. When Dermer was attacked and later died, Squanto was captured and given to Massasoit. Massasoit did not trust Squanto either, but eventually came to rely on him as an intermediary with the English. Squanto attempted to orchestrate the destruction of both Massasoit and the Pilgrims, but was forgiven by Bradford. This angered Massasoit, who wanted Squanto dead. Squanto worked hard to try and regain the favor of both the Pilgrims and Massasoit but later died from what was reported to be Indian Sickness, though he may have been poisoned.

Miles Standish was one of the Strangers—or non-Separatists—hired by the Merchant Adventurers and Thomas Weston to accompany the Pilgrims to the New World. He was a short man with red hair and a bad temper. Though many of the Pilgrims did not like him, he eventually became the colony’s military leader due to his knowledge of warfare. Philbrick suggests that Standish’s rise to power led the colony’s more militant stance towards the Native Americans. Standish was not always one for diplomacy, and his violent and aggressive nature often put him at odds with the Native Americans. He eventually left Plymouth to start his own settlement, Wessagussett.

Christopher Jones was the captain and part-owner of the Mayflower. He was an expert captain who later helped the Pilgrims establish their settlement, even when he did not have to. He accompanied them on early expeditions, and warmed up to the settlers as disease and death claimed both Pilgrims and his crew. Jones died less than a year after leaving the Pilgrims and returning to England.

Thomas Weston was a less-than-scrupulous man who was a part of a group known as the Merchant Adventurers. The Adventurers wanted a stake in the New World and so negotiated with the Pilgrims via Weston. Weston helped to arrange the Pilgrims’ voyage to the New World, though he often took advantage of the Pilgrims. He also changed their contract in favor of the Merchant Adventurers, despite the Pilgrims’ protests. Weston later abandoned the Pilgrims altogether, when he secured another charter and attempted to start a new settlement. The Pilgrims helped Weston’s men build this settlement, which was called Wessagussett. 

Alexander was Massasoit's eldest son, and the brother of Philip. He assumed the role of sachem, or leader, after his father left to become sachem of the Quabaugs. His rule was constantly undermined by the English. When he was arraigned for illegal land sales, he became sick in the house of Josiah Winslow and died a few days later. His death was thought to result from being forced to march in the hot sun for too long. Others suspected that Alexander was murdered by the English.

John Carver was the first governor of Plymouth. He came over on the Mayflower with the original settlers, and helped to establish the settlement. During his first year in the New World, he fell into a coma and later died. 

Hobbamock was a feared Pokanoket warrior known as a pneise. A pneise was thought to be invincible during battle. Hobbamock loyal to Massasoit and became a trusted friend to Standish, as the two shared the same aggressive views. He never trusted Squanto, however, and warned both Bradford and Standish about Squanto’s coup. Hobbamock remained an important friend to the Pilgrims, and helped facilitate the peace between the Pokanokets and the Pilgrims.

Edward Winslow was one of the original settlers in New England, having come over on the Mayflower. Winslow was instrumental in establishing peace between the Pilgrims and Massasoit. He was the first to meet the Pokanoket leader, and the two became good friends. He saved Massasoit’s life when Massasoit was dying from what may have been typhus. Winslow became a great diplomat and travelled often to England. He eventually chose to remain in England. Winslow received praise for his military service there, and died from yellow fever. Philbrick notes that his greatest successes came in ensuring peace in the New World.