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Wampanoag : English Colonist

Nanepashemet’s Map of Wampanoag Country in the 1600’s

printable map

This map shows the extent of the Wampanoag homeland in the 17th century. It was adapted from an original drawing by Nanepashemet, former Director of the Wampanoag Indian Program.

At the time the colonists arrived, the Wampanoag did not call themselves “Wampanoag .” However, among these various villages, the inhabitants considered themselves part of the same Nation of People.

Although there were around 67 different Wampanoag villages at that time, this map shows only a small number of them. This area was well traveled by the Native People in the 1600’s, whether by foot or by mishoon (dugout boat). People in the various villages interacted with each other, celebrated different Thanksgiving ceremonies together, traded and helped each other.

Sometimes People in the villages had different opinions about important things. To settle matters between them, men of the two villages would engage in a serious game. One such game was football, played on a mile-long beach. The women and children came to support the men as they played and the outcome of the game would settle the disagreement that might have occurred.

Captain John Smith's Map of New England

printable map

Explorer Captain John Smith made this map after his exploration of the New England coast in 1614. The map was printed in his book, "Description of New England," in 1614. The colonists at Plymouth probably brought this book along with them.

On the map, Smith gave English names to many of the parts of New England. Most of the names weren't kept in later years (like Cape James for Cape Cod). Smith did give the Plymouth area its name. Plymouth was, and still is, called Patuxet, by the Wampanoag.

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