Epenow facts for kids
Epenow (also called Epanow) was a Nauset man from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. In the 1600s, English sailors kidnapped him and took him to England. He was shown to people in London like a curiosity. Epenow eventually escaped by tricking his captors. He made them believe he knew where to find a gold mine. Once he was back home, Epenow became a leader. He helped Native Americans fight against the Pilgrims who were settling in the area.
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Epenow's Capture
By 1610, it was common for Native Americans to be shown in Europe. Even William Shakespeare joked about it in his play The Tempest. In 1611, Captain Edward Harlow led an English ship to the area around Cape Cod. His trip was supposed to find an island.
Harlow kidnapped three Native American men from Monhegan Island, Maine. Their names were Pechmo, Monopet, and Pekenimne. Pechmo jumped into the water and got away. He returned with friends who shot many arrows at Harlow's ship. They also cut a boat free from the ship. Three sailors on Harlow's ship were hurt by arrows.
When they stopped at the island of Nohono (Nantucket), Harlow kidnapped another man named Sakaweston. Sakaweston lived in Europe for many years. He even fought in the Thirty Years' War. Native people in canoes attacked Harlow's ship again. Harlow's crew used guns to make them leave. Then, Harlow went to Capawe (Martha's Vineyard). There, they kidnapped two more Native Americans, including the leader Epenow. In total, about twenty-nine Native Americans were on Harlow's ship when it reached England.
Life in London
Captain Harlow had brought the captives to London to sell them. He wanted to sell them as slaves in Spain. However, the Spanish did not think Native American slaves were "useful for their needs." So, Epenow became a "wonder" instead. He was put on public display in London for everyone to see.
Sir Ferdinando Gorges met Epenow. Gorges wrote that Epenow "had learned so much English." He would tell people who came to see him, "Welcome! Welcome!" Gorges said Epenow was "of a goodly stature, strong and well proportioned." He also described him as "a goodly man, of a brave aspect, stout, sober in his demeanor."
Gorges got Epenow from Captain Henry Harley. Epenow lived with another Native American captive named Assacumet. Assacumet had been kidnapped in 1605 in Maine. Epenow and Assacumet could talk to each other. With Assacumet's help, Epenow learned to speak English very well.
Epenow's Clever Escape
Epenow stayed with Gorges for three years. During this time, he planned his escape. Epenow convinced his captors that there was a gold mine on Martha's Vineyard. He made them believe he knew exactly where it was.
In 1614, Gorges decided to send Epenow back to Martha's Vineyard. He sent him with Captain Nicholas Hobson. Hobson had been with Harlow in 1611 when Epenow was first kidnapped. Gorges believed Epenow's story about the gold. He paid for a trip to Martha's Vineyard. Epenow went along as a guide and translator. Hobson even risked £100 of his own money on the trip. Gorges also sent two other Native Americans he held captive. These were Assacomet and Wanape. Wanape died soon after they reached the New World.
The Escape Plan
When they arrived at Epenow's home island, a group of Wampanoags greeted the ship peacefully. Some of Epenow's brothers and cousins were in the group. Important people from the island came onto Captain Hobson's ship. Hobson welcomed them and invited them to return the next morning to trade. They promised to come back.
Captain Hobson did not trust Epenow. He made sure Epenow had three guards with him at all times. Epenow also wore long clothes that could be easily grabbed. But Epenow had secretly told his friends that he was a captive. The next morning, twenty canoes came to the ship.
The captain asked Epenow to come out and translate. Epenow called out in English for his friends to come aboard. But then he lunged to jump overboard. Hobson's men grabbed him. However, Epenow was "a strong and heavy man." He managed to dive into the water. At the same time, arrows were shot from the canoes. Both sides had many people hurt. Hobson's crew killed and wounded many Native Americans. But they also had many of their own men hurt. Epenow escaped under the shower of arrows. Captain Hobson and some of his crew were wounded. The ship returned to England without any gold.
Epenow's Later Life
Six years later, the Pilgrims arrived in New England. Epenow became a leader of Native American resistance. He fought against the Pilgrims settling on their land. There is also evidence that he became a sachem, which is a tribal chief.
In 1619, Epenow met Captain Thomas Dermer on Martha's Vineyard. It was a peaceful meeting. Epenow laughed as he told Dermer the story of his escape. But on Dermer's second visit in 1620, things changed. This was just before the Mayflower ship arrived. Epenow's warriors attacked Captain Dermer and his men. They captured Dermer's friend, the famous Squanto. Squanto was then given to Massasoit, the main Wampanoag leader. Some of Epenow's group were killed. But all but one of Dermer's crew were killed. Dermer was badly hurt with fourteen wounds. He escaped to Virginia but died soon after.
In Movies
Native Canadian actor Eric Schweig played Epenow in a Disney movie. It was a 1994 adventure film called Squanto: A Warrior's Tale.
See also
- Nemattanew, another Native American leader active in Virginia around the same time.
