Here First: Samoset and the Wawenock of Pemaquid, Maine

by Jody Bachelder

On March 16, 1621, Samoset, a sagamore of the Wawenock, cemented his place in history. He was the first Indigenous person to make contact with the colonists at Plymouth Plantation, startling them when he emerged from the forest and welcomed them in English. The extraordinary thing about Samoset's story is that he was not from Plymouth. He was not even Wampanoag, or Patuxet, who lived in the area. Samoset's home was more than 200 miles away on the coast of present-day Maine. Why was he there? And why was he chosen to make contact with the English settlers? In addition to that first meeting in Plymouth, Samoset's life coincided with several important events during the period of early contact with Europeans, and his home village of Pemaquid lay at the center of Indigenous-European interactions at the beginning of the 17th century. As a result he and his people, the Wawenock, were active participants in this history. But it came at great cost, and the way of living that had sustained them for centuries changed dramatically over the course of his lifetime as they endured war, epidemics, and a clash of cultures. This is their story.

262 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2022

Reviews

[Jody Bachelder]

It's not fair for me to review my own book, but I'll add it to my list so folks will know that it has finally been published! Also, just a correction: the title should be Here First: Samoset and the Wawenock of Pemaquid, Maine.

[John M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A view into the past

Jody Bachelder captures the imagination by bringing us back in time to experience the indigenous peoples of current day Maine. Their lives, culture, struggles, hopefulness, and pain are brought to life. A history well worth knowing about by an author whose pen touches our hearts.

[Steven Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a lot about Samoset that I had not previously known. That resulted in an outstanding history book that was enjoyable and easy to read.

[Robbi Fritz Portela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jody Batchelder has done an amazing job with the history of Samoset! I learned so much from this very well researched book! I recommend it to everyone, it is a must read for anyone interested in the history of Maine and it’s indigenous peoples!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled in sone blanks I did not know. Extensive research results in thorough coverage of the devastating European impact on the indigenous people of Pemaquid and surrounding region in Maine. Many images & maps were difficult to see (or I would have given it 5stars)
Wish I could have met the author at her recent talk in Owls Head.

[Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this well-researched and insightful book. It's a must read for Maine history fans and for understanding early Indigenous communities. Fascinating!

[isabel fronzaglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great narrative of colonial history through the lens of Samoset and the Native American population of Maine!