Hobomok
Encyclopedia
Hobomok was a Native American who served as a guide, interpreter, and aide to the Pilgrims of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Like Tisquantom, better known as Squanto
, Hobomok was essential to the survival and diplomatic success of the English in New England
. Hobomok actually played a much larger role in relations with the English than Squanto played, although Squanto tends to get most of the attention in history books. Hobomok converted to Christianity
and was beloved by the English until his death in 1642. He died from a European disease that he contracted from his close European friends. Hobomok was part of the Wampanoag tribe, which, in the Algonquian
language, means "People of the Dawn." Other Indians feared Hobomok so much that when they saw him in a battle, they would immediately leave. Hobomok was specifically asked by Massasoit
(the leader of the Wampanoag) to help the Pilgrims. His memory lives on in several place names in modern-day greater Plymouth and surrounding regions.
His name may have been a pseudonym
, as it means "mischievous". Hobomok became the chief interpreter only because Massasoit
mistrusted Squanto
. Squanto
was mistrusted and supposedly killed by the Wampanoags.
Squanto
Tisquantum was a Patuxet. He was the Native American who assisted the Pilgrims after their first winter in the New World and was integral to their survival. The Patuxet tribe was a tributary of the Wampanoag Confederacy.-Biography:Squanto's exact date of birth is unknown but many historians...
, Hobomok was essential to the survival and diplomatic success of the English in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. Hobomok actually played a much larger role in relations with the English than Squanto played, although Squanto tends to get most of the attention in history books. Hobomok converted to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and was beloved by the English until his death in 1642. He died from a European disease that he contracted from his close European friends. Hobomok was part of the Wampanoag tribe, which, in the Algonquian
Algonquian languages
The Algonquian languages also Algonkian) are a subfamily of Native American languages which includes most of the languages in the Algic language family. The name of the Algonquian language family is distinguished from the orthographically similar Algonquin dialect of the Ojibwe language, which is a...
language, means "People of the Dawn." Other Indians feared Hobomok so much that when they saw him in a battle, they would immediately leave. Hobomok was specifically asked by Massasoit
Massasoit
Massasoit Sachem or Ousamequin ,was the sachem, or leader, of the Pokanoket, and "Massasoit" of the Wampanoag Confederacy. The term Massasoit means Great Sachem.-Early years:...
(the leader of the Wampanoag) to help the Pilgrims. His memory lives on in several place names in modern-day greater Plymouth and surrounding regions.
His name may have been a pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
, as it means "mischievous". Hobomok became the chief interpreter only because Massasoit
Massasoit
Massasoit Sachem or Ousamequin ,was the sachem, or leader, of the Pokanoket, and "Massasoit" of the Wampanoag Confederacy. The term Massasoit means Great Sachem.-Early years:...
mistrusted Squanto
Squanto
Tisquantum was a Patuxet. He was the Native American who assisted the Pilgrims after their first winter in the New World and was integral to their survival. The Patuxet tribe was a tributary of the Wampanoag Confederacy.-Biography:Squanto's exact date of birth is unknown but many historians...
. Squanto
Squanto
Tisquantum was a Patuxet. He was the Native American who assisted the Pilgrims after their first winter in the New World and was integral to their survival. The Patuxet tribe was a tributary of the Wampanoag Confederacy.-Biography:Squanto's exact date of birth is unknown but many historians...
was mistrusted and supposedly killed by the Wampanoags.