Thomas Savage (Virginia interpreter)

Thomas Savage (sometimes written as "Salvage" or "Savadge"){{cite book In February 1608, to aid Powhatan-English relations, Savage was "gifted" to Paramount Chief Powhatan in trade for young native page (servant) named Namontack (or "Namotacke"{{cite book Thomas Savage became fluent in the Virginia Algonquian dialect, observed the Powhatan culture, and kept the English informed as to the native relations. Savage interacted with Pocahontas, who was about the same age. In August 1609, Henry Spelman of Jamestown (aged fourteen) accompanied Thomas Savage to also be an emissary. Eventually, Samuel Collier (John Smith's page) also served as an emissary. As 1609 ended, native relations with the English had turned hostile. Councillor John Ratcliffe was tortured and killed by native women. Savage was sent back to Jamestown, possibly to prevent native military tactics from being overheard. During the winter of 1609 and 1610, the Starving Time reduced the English to only 60 settlers, but Thomas Savage survived. == Life between 1614 and 1623 ==

In May 1614, Thomas Savage was sent with Ralph Hamor to setup an arranged marriage between Thomas Dale and Powhatan's youngest daughter, but the endeavor failed. By 1619, Savage lived at Martin's Brandon plantation. Likely during the on-and-off Anglo-Powhatan Wars, he was given a rank of Ensign. In 1621, Ensign Savage (aged about 27 years) accompanied John Pory on trading expeditions to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. He developed a special relationship with Accomack and Occohannock people, notably leader Debedeavon. Around the same time period, Savage communicated with the Virginia Company of London that the French were trading fur with the natives in Chesapeake Bay, offering an opportunity to English enterprise. Debedeavon eventually gifted Savage of land on the Eastern Shore, called Savage's Neck. Debedeavon warned Savage of a plot to poison Englishmen by Opechancanough, which Savage reported to Royal Governor Francis Wyatt, but the warning was ignored. Beginning in March 1622, the Indian massacre of 1622 killed almost 350 non-native settlers. == Life after 1623 ==

In , Thomas Savage married Hannah (or Ann) "Tyng", ==See also==