Another fascinating deep dive into a story so differently written in the accounts we were spoon-fed as kids. Mostly it leaves me feeling very sorry for the Indians.
Thank you, Riuth. The absolute catastrophe of epidemic disease running rampant among people with no inherited genetic resistance was something that the English could neither prevent nor fix, even with the best will in the world, which they didn't have.: It's stunning. But then so is human resilience: I loved the active roles that Indians played in this story, and in regrouping, forming new societies, in the aftermath of 1616-19. The Wampanoag people, who provide volunteers to staff the Patuxet Village in Plimoth Patuxet Museums, were already multicultural, and emerged from the catastrophe, bringing together survivors, and finally waging war on the English in 1676. The war killed about 40% of the survivors, and many of the rest were enslaved in Massachusetts and the West Indies.. But the Wampanoag are still in Massachusetts as a community. During COVID, they withdrew from their Museum work to protect the health of their elders.
Thanks for the additional info about the Wampanoag people. Once upon a time I lived in Massachusetts and knew none of this. Now I’d be curious to visit the Patuxet Village and learn more.
Thanks, Annette. I enjoyed the post about Plimoth Patuxet. Hopefully one day I can see it for myself, though your descriptions and photos are very enlightening.
OK but please DO talk about the folk magic at some point? Or point me at something good? (I am not afraid to read academic history) That sounds so interesting!
Another fascinating deep dive into a story so differently written in the accounts we were spoon-fed as kids. Mostly it leaves me feeling very sorry for the Indians.
Thank you, Riuth. The absolute catastrophe of epidemic disease running rampant among people with no inherited genetic resistance was something that the English could neither prevent nor fix, even with the best will in the world, which they didn't have.: It's stunning. But then so is human resilience: I loved the active roles that Indians played in this story, and in regrouping, forming new societies, in the aftermath of 1616-19. The Wampanoag people, who provide volunteers to staff the Patuxet Village in Plimoth Patuxet Museums, were already multicultural, and emerged from the catastrophe, bringing together survivors, and finally waging war on the English in 1676. The war killed about 40% of the survivors, and many of the rest were enslaved in Massachusetts and the West Indies.. But the Wampanoag are still in Massachusetts as a community. During COVID, they withdrew from their Museum work to protect the health of their elders.
Thanks for the additional info about the Wampanoag people. Once upon a time I lived in Massachusetts and knew none of this. Now I’d be curious to visit the Patuxet Village and learn more.
It's great! Even if Wampanog staff are still on hiatus, the other staff are very good and can answer questions. Plimoth Patuxet is excellent. Here's my visit which I hope will tempt you: https://annettelaing.substack.com/p/we-come-on-the-ship-they-call-the
Thanks, Annette. I enjoyed the post about Plimoth Patuxet. Hopefully one day I can see it for myself, though your descriptions and photos are very enlightening.
Another fine account! Thank you, Annette.
Glad you enjoyed it, Roland!
OK but please DO talk about the folk magic at some point? Or point me at something good? (I am not afraid to read academic history) That sounds so interesting!
Excellent! Richard Godbeer, The Devil's Dominion: Magic and Religion in Early New England. Full disclosure: He was my PhD dissertation adviser!
Annette, on the subject of contingent history, I recommend this wonderful song about American history. https://open.spotify.com/track/6VfY0sgS4j4JpFQH8kk4XA?si=3cee23e2e0d24fff (If you can't download, let me know and I'll send the lyrics.
Thanks, Don, yes, please do!