get apparel. These also do not fall so properly under consideration in this narrative.
3dly. There were a few other praying Indians, about 40 persons, that began to embrace the Christian religion, who lived near to New Norwich, in Connecticut Colony, who were taught by that worthy and reverend minister, Mr. James Fitch, pastor at Norwich, who had taken much pains to declare the Gospel to the Indians in those parts. But the chief Sachem, Uncas, and his eldest son, Oineko,[1] not being encouragers of the Christian religion, (though otherwise they and their people have joined with the English in the war, and proved faithful, especially against their ancient and implacable enemies, the Narragansetts,) I say, this Sachem and people being generally averse to entertain Christian religion, or countenance any such as did among his people incline to it, hence it came to pass, that those few in those parts that prayed to God are not distinguishable from the rest, and so nothing of remark is spoken of any of them, and hence will not be subjects of this discourse.
4thly. The fourth and not the least company of Christian Indians, are those that inhabit the Jurisdiction or Colony of Massachusetts, who were taught and instructed in the Christian faith by that indefatigable servant of God and minister of Christ, Mr. John Eliot, (who hath also labored among all the praying Indians in New England, more or less, for about 30 years,) but more especially among those of Massachusetts Colony. And of these Indians, it is, I shall principally speak, who have felt more of the effects of this war than all the rest of the Christian Indians, as may appear in that which ensues. For the better understanding of the following discourse, we are to know that all these praying Indians dwelt upon the south side of Merrimack river, and inhabited seven villages, viz. Wamesit,[2] Nashobah,[3] Okkokonimesit, alias Marlborough, Hassannamesit,[4] Makunkokoag,[5] Natick, and Punkapog,[6] alias Pakomit.
- ↑ Oneko, as commonly written.
- ↑ Formerly Chelmsford, now chiefly included in the city of Lowell.
- ↑ Near Nagog Pond in the present limits of Littleton. See Shattuck's History of Concord.
- ↑ Grafton. In 1764, there were about 8 families remaining of the Hassanamesits.
- ↑ Hopkinton.
- ↑ Stoughton. When not otherwise mentioned, these towns will be understood to be in the present limits of Massachusetts.
