The Native Americans Who Saved the Pilgrims

The story of the Pilgrims’ survival at Plymouth is far more complex than the familiar Thanksgiving tale many of us learned in school.

As we observe National Native American Heritage Month, this engaging lecture explores the dramatic early years of Plymouth Colony and the crucial role played by the Native peoples of the region. Discover how the Patuxet community had been devastated by European diseases, why conflict with the newly arrived settlers seemed possible, and how diplomacy, alliance-building, and mutual need shaped an unexpected partnership.

Learn the fascinating stories of Squanto, Massasoit, and Samoset—who they were, how they came to interact with the Pilgrims, and the pivotal decisions that influenced the colony’s survival. Through power struggles, friendships, negotiations, and betrayals, this program offers a richer and more nuanced understanding of one of the most important encounters in early American history.

Speaker Patricia Wells is an educator, historian, and storyteller, who is passionate about bringing history to life through engaging and thought-provoking presentations. Since retiring from a career in Nuclear Medicine Technology, where she practiced and taught, she has devoted herself to researching local history and exploring topics such as the Pilgrims, the White House, New Jersey's Great Swamp, the American Revolution, and remarkable women in history. A lifelong learner and history enthusiast, her family has lived since 1967 in the circa-1750 Noe-Miller Farmstead in Chatham Township, New Jersey, where living in a historic home has only deepened her appreciation for the past. 

This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.