Joel Hiacoomes facts for kids

Joel Hiacoomes (c. 1644–1665) was a very important Native American student. He was one of the first Indigenous students to attend Harvard University.

Early Life and Education

Joel Hiacoomes was born around 1644 on Martha's Vineyard. This island is known as Noepe in the Wampanoag language. Joel's father was Hiacoomes, a Wampanoag leader. His father helped a missionary named Thomas Mayhew understand the Wampanoag language.

Joel and his friend, Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck, were both Wampanoag. They studied together on Martha's Vineyard. Their teacher was Peter Folger, who was the grandfather of Benjamin Franklin.

Around 1657, Joel and Caleb went to a grammar school in Cambridge. Later, in 1661, they both started studying at Harvard's Indian College. This college was a special place at Harvard for Native American students. Joel and Caleb were both planning to graduate from Harvard in 1665.

Harvard Studies and Sad End

Joel Hiacoomes was a brilliant student. He was expected to be the top student in his graduating class at Harvard. This honor is called being the valedictorian.

Sadly, Joel died before he could graduate. He was on a ship that wrecked near Nantucket Island. The boat was found on the shore, but Joel did not survive.

Joel's Lasting Legacy

At Harvard in Joel's time, students had to pass two weeks of oral exams. These exams were in Greek and Latin. They also had to attend the graduation ceremony to get their diploma. Because Joel died before graduation, he never received his Harvard degree.

Almost 350 years later, in 2011, Harvard University honored Joel. They gave a special degree to members of the Wampanoag community for him. This was a posthumous degree, meaning it was given after his death. This happened at the same time that Tiffany Smalley graduated. She was the first Wampanoag person to graduate from Harvard since Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck in 1665.

Cheryl Andrews-Maltais is the chairwoman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). She was very happy about this special recognition. She said it meant a lot to her community to see Joel's amazing achievement recognized.

While studying at Harvard, Joel used a textbook called Janua Linguarum Reserata. This book was written by John Amos Comenius. The Harvard College Library still has a copy of the first edition of this book. Joel's signature is in it twice, showing he borrowed it.

In 1674, a writer named Daniel Gookin wrote about Native Americans in New England. He described Joel and Caleb as "hopeful young men." He said Joel was especially smart and ready to graduate. Gookin also said Joel was a "good scholar and a pious man." He remembered Joel as a diligent student who listened carefully to sermons and attended lectures.

Joel Hiacoomes and Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck are featured in a historical fiction book. It is called Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks.

Joel's last name has been spelled in different ways. Some of these are Jacoomis, Iacoomes, Iacoombs, and J:acoomis.