Raleigh (Native American) facts for kids
Raleigh was a Native American man who came to England from America in the late 1500s. He lived in the home of Sir Richard Grenville in a town called Bideford. Raleigh was the first Native American known to have become a Christian and to be buried in England. This happened before Pocahontas, another famous Native American, came to England.
Who Was Raleigh?
Raleigh was captured by Sir Richard Grenville in 1586 near Roanoke Island. This happened after a small fight between Grenville's men and some Native Americans. Grenville then brought Raleigh to Bideford, England. Raleigh might have been one of three Native Americans captured, but the other two escaped. He was described as a "Wynganditoian." On March 27, 1588, Raleigh was baptized (became a Christian) at Saint Mary's Church in Bideford.
Where Was He From?
Sir Walter Raleigh, who was a cousin of Sir Richard Grenville, later explained that the name "Wingandacon" was actually what the Native Americans said when asked about their country. It meant "you wear good clothes" or "gay clothes." Another Native American leader named Manteo might have helped correct this mistake.
It is thought that Raleigh was probably not from the friendly Hatteras tribe, which was led by Manteo. Instead, he was likely from a tribe that was allied with Wanchese. Wanchese's tribe had been involved in several small conflicts with the English settlers on Roanoke Island before Raleigh was captured.
Life and Death in England
We don't know much about Raleigh's life in England or why Sir Richard Grenville brought him there. Grenville was planning another trip to America. It's possible he wanted to take Raleigh back to Roanoke. Raleigh's knowledge of the local area and his native language would have been very helpful on that journey.
Sadly, Raleigh became sick with influenza (a type of flu) and died in Grenville's house on April 2, 1589. He was buried five days later in the churchyard of Saint Mary's Church in Bideford. Raleigh was the first Native American officially recorded to become a Christian and to be buried in England.
A record from 1792, kept at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, confirms that Raleigh was buried in the churchyard, not inside the church building. The church was rebuilt in the 1860s, so his grave is now unmarked, but it is believed to still be somewhere in that churchyard.
