Comparing/Contrasting New England and Tidewater Colonies Grade Level: 8th Grade Duration: 3-88 minute classes Focus Question: What were some of the hardships that 17th century people faced in the New England and Jamestown Colonies?

•Native American hostility

•Food shortages and lack of planning

•Salt poisoning

John Smith’s Chesapeake Voyage 1607-1609

On March 16, 1621, the first formal contact with the Native Americans occurred. A Native American named Samoset walked boldly into the midst of the settlement and proclaimed, "Welcome, Englishmen!" He had learned some English from interacting with English fishermen and trappers (most probably from Bristol) operating in the region. It was during this meeting that the Pilgrims found out that the previous residents of the Native American village, Patuxet, had died of smallpox. They also discovered that the supreme leader of the region was a Wampanoag by the name of Massasoit and they learned of the existence of Squanto a Native American originally from Patuxet. Squanto had spent time in Europe and spoke English quite well.

Massasoit and Squanto were apprehensive about the Pilgrims. In Massasoit's first contact with the English, several men of his tribe had been killed in an unprovoked attack by English sailors. He also knew of the Pilgrims' theft of the corn stores in their landings at Provincetown. Squanto had been abducted in 1614 by the English explorer Thomas Hunt and had spent five years in Europe, first as a slave for a group of Spanish monks, then in England.

Samoset returned to Plymouth on March 22 with a delegation from Massasoit that included Squanto; Massasoit joined them shortly thereafter. After an exchange of gifts, Massasoit and Governor Martin established a formal treaty of peace. This treaty ensured that each people would not bring harm to the other, that Massasoit would send his allies to make peaceful negotiations with Plymouth, and that they would come to each other's aid in a time of war. Squanto remained in Plymouth to teach the Pilgrims how to survive in New England

      This Powatan⁸ dwelleth 10 myles from vs, upon the River Pamaonche, wch lyeth North from vs. The Powatan in the former iornall⁹ menconed (a dwellar by Captn. Newport's faults¹⁰) ys a wyroaunce, and vnder this Great Powaton, wch before wee knew not.

      July.--Th 3 of July, 7 or 8 Indians presented the President a dear from Pamaonke,¹¹ a wyrouance, desiring our friendshipp. They enquired after our shipping; wch the President said was gon to Croutoon.¹² They fear much our shipps; and therefore he would not haue them think it farr from us. Their wyrounce had a hatchet sent him. They wear well contented wth trifles. A little after this came a

dear to the President from the Great Powatan. He and his messingers were pleased wth the like trifles. The President likewise bought diuers tymes dear of the Indyans; beavers, and other flesh; wch he alwayes caused to be equally deuided among the Collonye.