Epenow

Epenow (also spelled Epanow) was a Nauset from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts who became an early symbol of resistance to English explorers and slavers in the early 17th century.

In 1611, Epenow and Coneconam were kidnapped by Captain Edward Harlow on an island south of Cape Cod referred to as "Capoge" or "Capawick" (now called Martha's Vineyard). Capt. Harlow had already seized three Native Americans from Monhegan Island, Maine (Pechmo, Monopet, and Pekenimne, although Pechmo leaped overboard and escaped with a stolen boat cut from the stern), and at Nohono (Nantucket) he had kidnapped Sakaweston (who was to live for many years in England before fighting in the wars of Bohemia.) Altogether there were said to be twenty-nine Native Americans aboard Harlow's slaver when it arrived in England.

The captives had been brought to London to sell as slaves in Spain, however Harlow found that the Spanish considered Native American slaves to be "unapt for their uses." So instead, Epenow became a "wonder", a spectacle on constant public display in London. Sir Ferdinando Gorges wrote that when he met him, Epenow "had learned so much English as to bid those that wondered him 'Welcome! Welcome!'

Epenow's display in London said to be inspiration of the "strange indian" mentioned by Shakespeare in Henry VIII:

"What should you do, but knock 'em down by the dozens? Is this Moorfields to muster in? or have we some strange Indian with the great tool come to court, the women so besiege us? Bless me, what a fry of fornication is at door! On my Christian conscience, this one christening will beget a thousand; here will be father, godfather, and all together."

Gorges described Epenow as both "of a goodly stature, strong and well proportioned" as well as "a goodly man, of a brave aspect, stout, sober in his demeanor."

Acquired by Gorges, Epenow was housed with another Native American captive, Assacumet, who had been captured by Captain George Weymouth in 1605 in Maine, and with whom he could communicate with some initial difficulty. With Assacumet's help, Epenow eventually became quite fluent in English.

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