Aspinet (Nauset) facts for kids

Aspinet was an important leader, called a sagamore, of the Nauset people. The Nauset were a Native American tribe living in what is now Massachusetts. Aspinet lived in the early 1600s.

Aspinet: A Nauset Leader

Helping the Plymouth Colonists

In June 1621, a young boy named Johnny Billington got lost. He was from the Plymouth Colony, a settlement of English people. The colonists asked Aspinet for help finding the boy. Aspinet found Johnny and safely brought him back. This kind act helped the colonists. Aspinet also shared food with them. These actions made him seem like a good friend to the colonists.

Later Life and Legacy

Aspinet died around 1623. He had been forced to hide from the Plymouth colonists. The exact reasons for his death are not fully clear. Some stories say he led a group of leaders. They wanted to make the colonists leave. But Massasoit, another important leader, warned the colonists. This plan did not work out. Some people think Aspinet might have been confused with another leader named Epenow in these stories. After Aspinet's death, a Nauset man named George became the new sagamore.

Aspinet is also mentioned in a famous poem. The poem is called The Courtship of Miles Standish. It was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1858. In the poem, Aspinet is named as a sagamore. Other leaders like Samoset, Corbitant, Squanto, and Tokamahamon are also mentioned.