Born: c.1590
Died: c.1653

Samoset was an Abenaki sagamore from the island of Monhegan (Maine). He was the first Indigenous person to speak with the Mayflower Pilgrims at Plymouth. In March 1621, he walked boldly, all alone, into their settlement and greeted them in English. He was familiar with their language, having encountered English and European fishermen and traders many times previously along the coast. He even requested beer, which he had tasted before and liked.

Samoset was acting as an emissary on behalf of the Massasoit, Ousamequin. For this initial encounter, he carried two arrows, one headed and one un-headed, likely to signal his diplomatic intent. He explained to the colonists where they were situated, and what had happened to the people of Patuxet, as well as informing them that they were in the Massasoit’s territory.

After his first visit, Samoset returned several times with other Indigenous men, who traded furs with the English, and also introduced them for the first time to Tisquantum. Samoset’s reports to Ousamequin about these exchanges likely helped the Massasoit to determine how to approach the newcomers. Shortly after Samoset’s first appearance at Patuxet, Ousamequin arrived without warning, accompanied by an impressive contingent of 60 men. That meeting ended in a formal alliance between the groups.

Samoset did not remain in Plymouth Colony and returned to his home in the north. The last known contemporary reference to Samoset is in a deed for the sale of 100 acres of land in Soggohano (likely Muscongus, Maine) in July 1653. He is thought to have died shortly afterwards and was buried on Samoset Island near Damariscotta, where there was an ancient burying place.