Richard Wollaston facts for kids
Richard Wollaston (died March 17, 1626) was an English sea captain. He was also known as a pirate. He helped start some of the first settlements in New England. Places like Wollaston (Quincy, Massachusetts) and Mount Wollaston are named after him.
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Who Was Captain Richard Wollaston?
Richard Wollaston was an important figure in the early 1600s. He was an English captain who sailed the seas. He is remembered for bringing people to live in the new lands of America. He also had a reputation as a pirate, meaning he sometimes took goods from other ships.
Early Adventures at Sea
Some historians think Captain Wollaston was first mentioned around 1615. This was by Captain John Smith, a famous explorer. Smith wrote about meeting an English pirate captain and his assistant, "Capt. Wollistone."
Later, in 1617, another famous person, Sir Walter Raleigh, mentioned Captain Wollaston. This happened during Raleigh's second trip to Guiana, a region in South America. These mentions show that Wollaston was known for his sea travels and adventures.
Helping Settle New Lands
Captain Wollaston played a big part in bringing people to America. Between 1624 and 1625, he brought about thirty people to Massachusetts. These people were called "indentured servants." This means they agreed to work for a certain time to pay for their trip to America.
This group was led by Thomas Morton. Together, they started a settlement called Merrymount. This was one of the early English towns in the new world.
Wollaston also helped transport workers to other places. He brought people to Cape Ann, an area in Massachusetts. He also took workers to Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine. And he helped people travel to Virginia, another early English colony.
The End of His Journey
Captain Richard Wollaston died on March 17, 1626. The very next day, on March 18, 1626, Captain John Bennington reported his death. Bennington told the Duke of Buckingham that Captain Wollaston had been buried the day before.
