Wowaus facts for kids
Wowaus, also known as James Printer, was an important Nipmuc writer. He lived from about 1650 to 1709. Wowaus helped create the very first Bibles printed in the Massachusett language. This language is part of the larger Algonquin language family. These special Bibles were used by English colonists. They aimed to help Native Americans learn English customs and beliefs.
Contents
Who Was James Printer?
Wowaus was the son of William Sudbury. William was a Christian Indian leader from a place called Hassanemesit. Today, this area is known as Grafton, Massachusetts.
Early Life and Education
Wowaus learned English very well. He went to a special school for Native American students. This was a charity school, which meant it was supported by donations. Later, he attended the Indian College at Harvard University.
Learning to Print Books
In 1659, Wowaus started working at a printing press. This press was run by Samuel Green and was called "The Cambridge Press." Here, Wowaus became an apprentice. An apprentice is someone who learns a skill by working with an expert. It was at this press that he became known by his English name, James Printer.
Wowaus helped Samuel Green print many books. Besides the Indian Bible, they printed other texts in the Algonquin language. These books were used all over the American colonies from 1658 to 1710.
Later Life and Legacy
In his later years, Wowaus became a teacher. He taught in his home community of Hassanemesit. Wowaus had a son named Ami. In 1727, Ami signed a document that sold the last of the Hassanamesit tribal lands to the colonists.
