BOURNE, RICHARD--Page 1

"Laurel wreaths shade the brows of military heroes, their names are enshrined in a bright halo of glory, while the man who has done good service for his country, by moral means, sinks into comparative insignificance and is too often forgotten."-Amos Otis

Who in the history of Cape Cod could be as beloved as Richard Bourne, champion of the natives in the area? He was gentle in his endeavors to Christianize the native Americans in the area; while they learned new ways from him, he strived to learn their ways as well. He helped cultivate the first Indian Meeting House, gained their trust, earned the name Little Father. He prayed over their sick children, settled disputes, and found a way, with his son Shearjashub, to retain land for them, forever.

He is well-documented and his biography and history are easy to research. What follows here are some of the stories of Richard Bourne that have been preserved as folklore and legend.

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