Hiacoomes [SEP] residence
Hiacoomes
Hiacoomes (~1610s – 1690) was a Wampanoag American Indian from the island of Martha's Vineyard, (Wampanoag: ), who in 1643 became the first member of his society to convert to Christianity under the tutelage of the missionary Thomas Mayhew Jr. He would then, with the assistance of Mayhew, become a leading preacher to his fellow Wampanoag on the island, playing a major role in the widespread conversion of the Wampanoag from their traditional beliefs to Christianity.
Early life and contact with the English.
Little
In 1661 they both entered Harvard's Indian College. Joel Hiacoomes and Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck were both set to graduate from Harvard in 1665; however, only Caleb received his degree.
Harvard and death.
Joel Hiacoomes was set to be named Harvard valedictorian, but died before graduation in a shipwreck, after robbers pounced on the shipwreck survivors. The boat Joel sailed on was found wrecked on the shores of Nantucket Island.
In the time that Joel attended Harvard, two weeks of oral exams in Greek and Latin were a