Samoset Greets the Pilgrims

Date: March 16, 1621 • Location: Plymouth, United States

Samoset, a member of the Abenaki tribe, walked into Plymouth Colony and greeted the Pilgrims in English.

Samoset was an Abenaki sagamore and the first American Indian to make contact with the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony in New England. He startled the colonists on March 16, 1621, by walking into Plymouth Colony and greeting them in English, saying, "Welcome, Englishmen."