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Assacumet

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Assacumet (also known as Assacomet, Assecomet, Sassacommett, Saffacomoit, and probably "Manawet") was an early 17th century Algonquian.[1]

Assacumet was captured in 1605 by Capt. George Weymouth near the Pemaquid River in Maine together with Tasquantum (better known as Squanto) Manida (aka Manedo, Maneddo), Skettwarroes, and Dehamda, and taken to England as slaves and curiousities.[2] [3]

In England, Assacumet was acquired by Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and learned English. In 1606 Gorges sent an expedition to America under Capt. Henry Challoung (also known as Chalowns and Chalon), with Assacumet and Manida, to the West Indies and Puerto Rico. The ship was captured by the Spanish fleet and taken to Spain. The ship and goods were confiscated, and the crew made prisoners in Seville. Manida was "lost" but Assacumet was eventually "recovered", after Captain John Barlee wrote to Secretary Cecil, urging him to use his influence to win the release of the two "savages.".[4] [5]

Returned to Gorges' home, Assacumet was lodged with Epenow, a Wampanoag captive captured in 1611, and helped him improve his English.[6]

In 1614, Assacumet accompanied Gorges' expedition under Capt. Nicholas Hobson to Martha's Vineyard, where they had convinced him that gold lay in a ploy to escape, and where Epenow ultimately escaped.[7]

  1. ^ Burrage, Henry Sweetser. The Beginnings of Colonial Maine: 1602-1658. http://books.google.com/books?id=fDcZzZmwcZgC&pg=PA122
  2. ^ Biography and history of the Indians of North America By Samuel Gardner Drake. Boston, J. Drake, 1835.
  3. ^ Burrage, Henry Sweetser. The Beginnings of Colonial Maine: 1602-1658. http://books.google.com/books?id=fDcZzZmwcZgC&pg=PA122
  4. ^ Biography and history of the Indians of North America By Samuel Gardner Drake. Boston, J. Drake, 1835.
  5. ^ Burrage, Henry Sweetser. The Beginnings of Colonial Maine: 1602-1658. http://books.google.com/books?id=fDcZzZmwcZgC&pg=PA122
  6. ^ Biography and history of the Indians of North America By Samuel Gardner Drake. Boston, J. Drake, 1835.
  7. ^ Biography and history of the Indians of North America By Samuel Gardner Drake. Boston, J. Drake, 1835.