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| Sampson's Hill Meeting House |
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Hiacoomes, a Chappaquiddick Wampanoag, was the first Native to convert to Christianity during the 1640s. Pahkehpunnassoo, the Chappaquiddick sachem, was critical of the relationship that Hiacoomes had with the colonists. He later converted to Christianity after being rescued by a Native convert after nearly being struck by lightning. In 1651, Hiacoomes led the first Native Christian assembly.
Joel Iacoomes (Hiacoomes), the son of Hiacoomes, attended Harvard University. He was killed after a shipwreck shortly before graduation. Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck graduated from Harvard in 1665.
At Harvard Yard, a plaque commemorates these two Wampanoag scholars who were the first Native People to attend Harvard University.
*Photo from MARTHA'S VINEYARD by Henry Franklin Norton, copyright 1923, by Henry Franklin Norton and Robert Emmett Pyne Publishers.
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