Myles Standish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Myles Standish
|
|
|---|---|
This portrait, first published in 1885, was alleged to be a 1625 likeness of Standish, although its authenticity has never been proven
|
|
| Born | c. 1584 Possibly Lancashire, England |
| Died | October 3, 1656 (aged 72) Duxbury, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance | England Plymouth Colony |
| Rank | Captain |
| Signature |  |
Myles Standish (around 1584 – 1656) was an English military officer. He was chosen to protect the Pilgrims when they moved to the New World. Standish sailed on the famous ship Mayflower in 1620 and signed the Mayflower Compact. Later, he became an assistant governor and a treasurer for Plymouth Colony.
Contents
Early Life and Journey to the New World
Myles Standish's exact birthplace is not known for sure. However, in his will, he mentioned Lancashire, England. Nathaniel Morton, who was the secretary of Plymouth Colony, also wrote that Standish was born in Lancashire.
Standish was a soldier and fought against the Spanish in a long war called the Eighty Years' War.
Standish and his first wife did not agree with the Church of England. In 1608, they moved to Leiden, Netherlands. After living there for some years, they became worried. Their children were starting to lose their English customs and culture. Since their religion was not allowed in England, they decided to travel to the New World.
Many other people in Leiden also wanted to go to the New World for the same reasons. They needed someone to protect them there. They first asked John Smith, who had helped start the English colony at Jamestown, Virginia. Smith had explored and made a map of the North American coast. His experience would have been helpful, but he asked for too much money. He was also very bold, and they worried he might try to control them. So, they asked Standish instead, and he agreed to help protect them. They decided to hire a ship called the Mayflower for their long journey.
The Voyage on the Mayflower
The Mayflower left Plymouth, England, on September 16, 1620. There were 102 passengers and about 30–40 crew members on board. On November 19, 1620, the Mayflower finally spotted land. The ship was supposed to land in Virginia Colony, but it was too damaged. Because of this, they had to land at Cape Cod, which is now called Provincetown Harbor, on November 21. Before leaving the ship, they wrote the Mayflower Compact. This was an important agreement that set rules for how they would live and treat each other in their new home.
Exploring the New Land
While the Mayflower was anchored off Cape Cod, Standish took some men ashore. Their mission was to find a good place for everyone to live.
William Bradford, who later became governor, wrote about one of these exploration trips. The group included Bradford, John Carver, Myles Standish, Edward Winslow, John Howland, Richard Warren, Stephen Hopkins, and Edward Doty. They set off in small boats. Hopkins was the most experienced because he had seen Native Americans during his time at Jamestown. Bradford said they traveled in below freezing temperatures. Many of the men were sick, and the salt spray froze on their coats. During their trip, they saw Native Americans who seemed to be cutting up a very large whale. When the Native Americans saw the men approaching, they quickly left. At night, the explorers tried to protect themselves from the cold and from any potential danger from the Native Americans.
After more trips in late December 1620, they finally chose a place to live. Standish gave good advice, and they built a small fort. They also placed cannons there for protection against anyone who might try to harm them. Sadly, Standish's wife, Rose, died in January of that first difficult winter.
Many passengers were sick, but Standish remained healthy. He was a great source of comfort and strength to those who were suffering. Standish helped to care for Bradford when he was sick, and they became good friends. Bradford served as governor for most of his life and worked very closely with Standish.
Life in Plymouth Colony
In March 1621, a Native American named Samoset came to the colony. He surprised everyone by speaking to them in English. He stayed for a day and talked with the Pilgrim leaders about many things. When he returned, he brought the tribe leader Massasoit to meet with the Pilgrims. Governor John Carver signed a treaty with Chief Massasoit, and they became friends. They both promised to help and protect each other.
In August 1621, a leader named Corbitant tried to turn the people of Nemasket against Massasoit. Standish led a group of ten men to deal with Corbitant. Three Native Americans, Squanto, Hobomock, and Tisquantum, went with them. When Tisquantum and Hobbamock went to Nemasket, Corbitant captured Tisquantum and threatened to harm him. Hobbamock escaped and warned the people of Plymouth.
Standish planned an attack. Standish and Hobbamock went to where they thought Corbitant would be sleeping, but he had already left the village. They did not find Corbitant, but because the colonists showed they were willing to fight if necessary, nine other leaders, including Corbitant, signed a treaty with the leaders of Plymouth. This helped to keep the peace.
In November 1621, a Narragansett messenger came to Plymouth with a bundle of arrows wrapped in a snakeskin. Tisquantum and Hobbamock told the Pilgrims that this was a threat and an insult from the Narragansett leader, Canonicus. This was one of the more powerful tribes in the area. Bradford sent back the snakeskin filled with gunpowder to show them they were not afraid. Standish told the colonists to prepare for a possible fight. The ship Fortune had brought some more men to the colony, but there were still not many. Standish placed one man at each wall of the fort and gave them orders on how to protect themselves and the people in case of an attack.
Bradford called a public meeting. The Pilgrims decided to send Standish and a small group of eight men, including Hobbamock, to Wessagusset. Their goal was to stop leaders who were planning to harm the Pilgrims. The day after, Pecksuot, a Massachusett warrior and a leader of the group threatening Wessagusset, came to the settlement with other warriors. Pecksuot approached Standish and, looking down on him, said, "You are a great captain, yet you are but a little man. Though I am not a chief, I am of great strength and courage." He said this to try and make Standish afraid of him. The next day, Standish confronted Pecksuot and used the Native American's own knife to stop him. Standish returned to Plymouth. The leaders who wished them harm had been dealt with, and there was no more threat. This action also caused many of the unfriendly Native Americans to leave the area.
Standish showed great courage and skill as a soldier. However, sometimes he was too harsh with the Native Americans. This could make both the Native Americans and the members of the colony angry.
By the 1640s, Standish was living a quieter life on his farm in Duxbury. Standish also worked as a surveyor of highways and as Treasurer of the Colony from 1644 to 1649. In 1642, his old friend Hobbamock, who had been part of his household, died and was buried on Standish's farm in Duxbury.
Standish put Lieutenant William Holmes in charge of training the men. Myles Standish died in his home in 1656. He was buried in Duxbury's Old Burying Ground, which is now known as the Myles Standish Burial Ground.
Marriages and Family
Myles Standish's first wife, Rose, died in 1621 during the difficult first winter. She was buried in an unmarked grave at Cole's Hill, just like many others who died that winter. Her name is on the Pilgrim Memorial Tomb as "Rose, first wife of Myles Standish."
Standish later married Barbara, who died in 1659. Her burial place is unknown. They had seven children: Charles, John, Myles, Loara, Josiah, and another child named Charles (the first Charles had died).
Monuments and Legacy
There are two monuments dedicated to Myles Standish. One is placed over his grave at the Myles Standish Burial Ground.
The place where Myles Standish's house once stood is now a small park in the town of Duxbury, Massachusetts.
Standish, Maine, is named after Myles Standish. There are also two forts named after him: a fort on Plymouth's Saquish Neck built during the American Civil War and a larger fort built in Boston Harbor in 1895.
Images for kids
-
Sir Horatio Vere was the commander of English troops in the Netherlands during the siege of Sluis in 1604, under whom Standish likely served.
-
The Embarkation of the Pilgrims, 1843, US Capitol Rotunda. Myles and Rose Standish are prominently depicted in the foreground on the right.
-
An 1873 lithograph depicting the expedition against Nemasket led by Standish and guided by Hobbamock.
-
From a 16th-century Dutch manual on the use of the arquebus, a type of matchlock used by the Pilgrims.
-
The Alexander Standish House (still standing) built by Myles Standish's son on the Captain's farm in Duxbury, Massachusetts.
-
Standish grave site in the Myles Standish Cemetery in Duxbury.
-
Myles Standish Monument in Duxbury, Massachusetts.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
