USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Early History of Naushon Island > Part 6
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No direct mention of the Elizabeth Islands in connection with King Philip's War has been found. Captain Benjamin Church, the leader against Philip, describes landing at a point on the shore of Vineyard Sound and talking with the Indians, but this was on the Succonesset shore. Webacowitt was at one time owner of Nonamesset; and it is possible although not probable that Qua- quaquinegat or Quaquaquigett is the same as Quiquequanchett, one of the many husbands of the famous and warlike Squaw Sachem Weetamoe. If this is true, the islands may have been a haven of refuge to these Indians when tired of fighting. One definite reference to the islands is that of Captain Church, who in his letter mentions them as a link in the journey between Rhode Island and the lower Cape.
1676
"In short they [Captain Church and his wife and children ] got safe to Captain John Almy's house upon Rhodeisland where they met with friends and good entertainment ..
"Mr Church being at present disabled from any particular service in the war, began to think of some other employ. But he no sooner took a tool to cut a small stick, but he cut off the top of his forefinger, and the next to it half off; upon which he smil- ingly said, that he thought he was out of his way to leave the war, and resolved he would go to war again.
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63
INDIAN LIFE
"Accordingly his second son being born on the 12th of May [1676] and his wife and son likely to do well, Mr Church em- braces the opportunity of a passage in a sloop bound to Barn- stable which landed him at Sogkonesset, from whence he rode to Plymouth, and arrived there the first Tuesday in June.
"They [The General Court] had concluded the very next day to send out an army of 200 men; two-thirds English and one-third Indians ; in some measure agreeable to his former proposal, ex- pecting Boston and Connecticut to join with their quotas.
"In short, it was so concluded, and that Mr Church should return to the island [R. I.] and see what he could muster there, of those who had moved from Swansey, Dartmouth etc .; so returned the same way that he came.
"When he came to Sogkonesset, he had a sham put upon him about a boat which he had bought to go home in, and was forced to hire two of the friend Indians to paddle him in a canoe from Elizabeth's to Rhodeisland."
The only known Indian description of Naushon is given by Old Hope, the Indian of Manomet.
This testimony was given before the authorities of Plymouth Colony, who were in 1679 gathering information as to aboriginal ownership.
1679
Severall Indian Testimonies appointed to be resolved.
The Testimony of Old hope the Indian of Mannomett as followeth :
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INDIAN
"Accordingly his second son [1676] and his wife and son lik braces the opportunity of a pass stable which landed him at Sogko Plymouth, and arrived there the "They [The General Court ] h to send out an army of 200 men ; tv Indians; in some measure agreea pecting Boston and Connecticut "In short, it was so conclude return to the island [R. I. ] and s of those who had moved from returned the same way that he ca
"When he came to Sogkoness about a boat which he had bought to hire two of the friend Indians Elizabeth's to Rhodeisland."
The only known Indian descr Old Hope, the Indian of Manom This testimony was given befo Colony, who were in 1679 gatheri ownership.
1679
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Saith that hee knew the little called Nonomeesett and a neck of l timest belonging to the great Ila other little Iland lying betweer Nanomesett belonged to Job An
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INDIAN LIFE
"Accordingly his second son being born on the 12th of May [1676] and his wife and son likely to do well, Mr Church em- braces the opportunity of a passage in a sloop bound to Barn- stable which landed him at Sogkonesset, from whence he rode to Plymouth, and arrived there the first Tuesday in June.
"They [The General Court ] had concluded the very next day to send out an army of 200 men; two-thirds English and one-third Indians; in some measure agreeable to his former proposal, ex- pecting Boston and Connecticut to join with their quotas.
"In short, it was so concluded, and that Mr Church should return to the island [R. I.] and see what he could muster there, of those who had moved from Swansey, Dartmouth etc .; so returned the same way that he came.
"When he came to Sogkonesset, he had a sham put upon him about a boat which he had bought to go home in, and was forced to hire two of the friend Indians to paddle him in a canoe from Elizabeth's to Rhodeisland."
The only known Indian description of Naushon is given by Old Hope, the Indian of Manomet.
This testimony was given before the authorities of Plymouth Colony, who were in 1679 gathering information as to aboriginal ownership.
1679
Severall Indian Testimonies appointed to be resolved.
The Testimony of Old hope the Indian of Mannomett as followeth:
Saith that hee knew the little Iland lying next Xaconeesett called Nonomeesett and a neck of land or little Iland called Ucka- timest belonging to the great Iland called Catomucke and an- other little Iland lying between the said Great Iland and Nanomesett belonged to Job Antiko his grandfather Comucke
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64
EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
and soe to Jobs father Thomas Antiko. And the said Hope further saith that the said Great Iland called Catomucke and another little Iland called Pesh shameesesett to belong to Webacowett.
Washamwatt Indian of Nonomeesett witnesseth also to the truth of what the abovesaid hath affirmed and above said.
And William Numacke testifieth that he hath heard his father Nomyuan Numak often say the same thing as is above testified by Hope and Washanwatt concerning the said Ilands commonly called Nashanow Ilands. And Washamwatt further testifieth that hee hath heard the abovesaid Thomas Antiko to give the said Iland Nanomeesett and the Necke and little Iland unto his two sons James and the abovesaid Job Antiko for many years agon, being nearre about the time that Nayoiatan of Barnstable died of the Small pox.
The testimony of old hope the Indian of Mannomett.
Saith that hee knew the little Iland called Nanomeesett and a necke of land or little Iland called ukattmest belonging to the Great Iland called Kattamucke-and another little iland lying between the said-etc. and another little iland called Peschamee- sett to belong to Webacowitt.
The "neck of land or little island called Uckatimest" is what is now called Uncatena. It has been spelled Veckatimest, which is as correct an interpretation of the original manuscript as any, and has been thought to refer to one of the Buck Islands.
In different places and times various methods were used in dealing with the "savages," all bent upon making them harmless neighbors as quickly as possible. To awe, to convert or to subdue them was the object of the white settlers.
While there are exceptions to every rule, the relations between
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INDIAN LIFE
Indians and white men on Martha's Vineyard have since earliest times been unusually cooperative and friendly.
The zeal of the early Mayhews in Christianizing and civilizing the native people, and above all their strong sense of justice toward them, laid the foundation for a better relationship than elsewhere.
On the Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands the spirit of con- version was strong, owing to the influence of the Mayhew family. Thus it happens that almost all records of the Indians here have a decided evangelical tinge.
An early letter of the Quaker missionary, Josiah Coale, de- scribes the welcome given the white traveler by the Indians upon the Vineyard and the Cape. It is interesting to note his use of "Marten's" rather than Martha's Vineyard at this early date.
A LETTER OF JOSIAH COALE, 1658
When we went from verginia 2nd. 6th. mo. 1658 . .
Soe when wee Came upon Long Island, after A Little travell wee found som frends in truth, By whom wee were much Re- freshed, then I parted with my Companion hee Being not of Ability in Body to travell on soe fast as I Lay upon mee to goe; and after about 150 miles travell in that Island, I crosed over by water to the mayn Land; where I came among the Indians agayn, who was always very Cairtious to direct mee the way, and to supply mee with any thing I needed, and after about 50 miles travell I came to Road Island. And after som stay there I was moved to goe to A serten Island (in New England) Caled Martens vinyard to visit som Indians ther, amongst whom I had felt desires to know the Lord, and I had A meeting amongst them, and they were very Loving to mee, and they tould mee they much desired to know god, and afterwards at Another place neare Plimouth Coleney I was amongst the Indians.
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
The Inglish had prisoned mee att plymouth and sett me att Liberty agayne I cam to ye Indian Sagamor's hous ... who sayd that the English men did not Love quakers, but sayd quakers are honest men and doe noe harme, and this is noe English mans sea nor Land, and quakers shall com here and welcom Soe through ye goodness of the Lord wee found them more sober and Christian Like in theyr Corage towards us at all ocations, then we found the Christians, soe called . ...
Josiah Coale
Five years later comes an extraordinary report of the educa- tional advancement of two Indians of the Vineyard.
In 1663 John Winthrop, Jr., father of Wait, wrote a letter pleading that an allowance be made to the widow of Thomas Mayhew, recently lost at sea. Of the teaching success of Mayhew among the Indians he writes, "I make bold to send heere enclosed a kind of rarety. ... It is two papers of Latin composed by two indians now scollars in the Colledge in this country, and the writing is with their own hands. . .. I received them of those In- dians out of their own hands, and had ready answers from them in Latin to many questions that I propounded to them in yt lan- guage, and heard them both express several sentences in Greke also.
Hartford in New England November 3 1663
To Hon. Robert Boyle Esq. Gov. of the Company for Propogating the Gospel in New England. From John Winthrop Jr. Governor of Connecticut
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INDIAN LIFE
1678
Upon the Vineyard 24: 6: 78.
Right worshippful
& Worshippful
Be pleased to understand the work of God amongst the In- dians uppon [ ] seems to me to prosper. . . .
There are about one hundred and forty men that are not tainted with drunkennesse which is seuerely punished in euery place. Witchcraft and [ ] are here out of use. I hope the Lord will grant the lyke blessing to or indeauors touching drunkennesse ; there are some that are already of the worst that hates it.
At Elizabeth's Island there are 40 families & a teacher which doe allso carry out the worshipp of God, and they also do pay the drunkards [ ]. Its straunge to see how readyly they stripp them- selves to receive punishment for this sin of which our nation is much guylty. All vessels that com hither & [ ] passe through the Sound, Roade Islanders & some of our Inhabitants, doe supply them, & its very hard to take them.
I am not out of hope but that the generality will be convinced of their folly & gyve it quite over, that is, the use of rum. Thus matters stand heer at present.
For the right worshippful & Worshippful the Commission of the United Colony is there present at Connecticut
Thomas Mayhew
Experience Mayhew tells of the fruit of his missionary labors in his book, "Indian Converts." Here each life is written as an example. From among the quantities of such examples a few are given which tell of Indians who lived upon the Elizabeth Islands.
Example X.
James Nashcompait, of the Gay Head who died at Pashkeh- tanesit, alias Tucker's Island, in 1713. (Pasque)
68
EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
He was, I think, among the first of the Indians at Gay Head who embraced religion.
This good man going to above mentioned island to see a friend or two of his who lived there returned not hither again but went from thence to heaven, as there is good reason to believe.
Example XI.
Pehtauattook who was a younger brother of that Pamchamnet but now mentioned. He was a man of a very blameless life, and undoubted Piety. Several that were acquainted with him, yet living do affirm that he was a constant and serious worshipper of God in his house, walking with a perfect heart in it, and that he was a sharp Repriver of sin, and a diligent instructor of his own family and others. He was a member of the Church whereof John Takenach was a Pastor, and he adorned the Doctrine of God his Savior by a well ordered conversation. I cannot tell in what year he dyed but think it was near about the year 1680. The place was the East end of Winthrop's Island [Naushon], and is justly counted a good Christian.
Example XXII.
Abigail Sekitchahkomun, an old maid, who died at Nashaun, alias Slocum's Island, in the year 1722.
This Abigail had a very good Report, even from her childhood, and made a publick Profession of Religion while she was but a young maid, joining herself while a very young Woman to that church of Antipedo-baptists whereof Stephen Tachamasson be- fore mentioned was the Pastor.
She had the happiness of being taught to read well while she was young, and she made a good use of the Advantage. Reading abundantly in the Bible and such other good Books as our Indians have among them ; and she ordered her conversation as did become the Gospel.
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INDIAN LIFE
She sometime said that long having had a desire to love and serve the Lord, she used to think that her loving and keeping bad company would not agree there withal, and she had therefore resolved to be seperate from them, and not to walk in their way; and herein she kept her Resolution to the last; and when many of her neighbors had their drunken meetings, she would not go to them but tarried at home and minded her business, laboring dili- gently with her hands for a livelihood.
She lived with her Mother and Mother's Sister; used to take her turn to pray in that little family, and was probably the best qualified to perform the Duty, of any person in it.
She was constant and serious in her attendance on the Public Worship of God, and heard indifferently those of her own Per- suasion, and those who were for Pedo-Baptism; nor could she endure to hear those of her own Profession revile those from whom they dissented. Being sick almost a Year before her Death, she was in that time very full of good and heavenly discourses, she talked much of the Vanity and Uncertainty of all things in this lower World, and the Excellency and Glory of that which is above; . . . .
She said she had rather leave this World and go to God than remain any longer here below, and she desired those about her, in the time of her Sickness, to let their Discourses be about the things of God and his Kingdom; and when some began to talk of other things in her hearing, she let them know that she took no delight therein.
Thus setting her Affections on things that are above, and not on things below, she willingly left this World and went to the other.
Example XIX.
Jannohquissoo, an old man, who died at Nashaun, otherwise called Slocum's* Island, in February, 1722-23.
* Nashawena.
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
This Jannohquissoo was in his younger days a person of a vitious conversation. He was given to drunkenness, and such other excesses as that Sin commonly leadeth men into, nor did he become a new man before he began to become an old man; but better late than never.
He was convinced of the irregularity of his life, and began to reform it, some years before he was able to get a compleat victory over his Lust after strong Drink, that being at sometimes too strong for him, as well as the Drink itself, which it drew him to follow after.
But God having a Design to subduce and conquer this Lust of his, was pleased by a very awakening Providence, to bring him under a Solemn Obligation, to live more soberly for the future than he had done before, for undertaking to go in a small canoo, a little way over the water, to a place wher he expected to find company and Drink, his canoo was overset, and he had very liked to have perished in the Way. He was alone in the Sea; nor did he know that any person saw him or could help him; and being now in a great distress, he cried earnestly to God for Mercy, and made vows to him, that if He would deliver him, he would en- deavor to part with all his Sins, and live to his Glory; and God was pleased to hear his prayer, and send Deliverance to him. This poor man cried, the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Some that saw him in Distress came and took him up, when it had been too late, if it had been one minute later.
Being thus delivered he performed to the Lord the Vows which he had made; for many do quickly forget the promises which they make to God when they are in destress, yet all do not so, and this man was an instance of a person who did not.
Being thus reformed in his life and Manners, the few Families on the little Island where he lived, did, with the consent of the English Authority, who managed the Indian Affairs here, chuse
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INDIAN LIFE
him to be a ruler over them; and he accepting the office did with much Fidelity discharge it as long as he lived.
He endeavored to be a Terror to Evil Doers, among his neigh- bors, frequently inflicting corporal Punishments on them for their crimes, and not sparing his own children, when they appeared to be guilty.
He shewed a great Desire that Religion might be upheld, and promoted in the little Island on which he lived, he used his utmost Endeavors, that the few families there might constantly have a minister to Preach to them, and he himself, tho no minis- ter by Profession, yet carried himself very like one in the Visits which he made frequently to the Houses of those whom he lived among, entertaining the families with good Discourses, when he was with them, and giving many good instructions and admoni- tions to such as he thought needed them.
The Rev. Dr. Grindall Rawson, pastor of the Church of Mendon, and the Rev. Mr. Samuel Danforth, pastor of the church in Taunton, spent from May to June 24, 1698, in visiting the sev- eral plantations of Indians within this province of Massachusetts of which they gave the following account.
"At Major Winthrop's Island. Mr John Weeks, an English man, teaches them on the Sabbath. An Indian named Asa, chief ruler among them, and a person well reported of, teaches them when Mr Weeks cannot attend it. Here are about nine families, most of which can read well, are diligent in their callings and gen- erally belong to the church, whereof Japhet is pastor at Martha's Vineyard.
"An Indian called Sampson, attends their school every winter, and hath the reputation for the most able among them for that service, taking pains in catechizing their children every week.
"Men, women and children are thirty persons in all. Half the Indian inhabitants of the Island have died in a few years past.
-
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EARLY HISTORY OF NAUSHON ISLAND
Three families at Saconeset point do attend to the meeting at Mr Winthrop's Island.
"At an Island called Slocums Island, we hear of seven families, most of which can read being lately moved thither from the Vine- yard and other places.
"We hear of some Indians, at the furthermost island formerly called Sanfords Island, where there is an Indian teacher."
The account of teaching on the islands is confirmed by a like description by Experience Mayhew.
1694-1720
Besides the Indians on the Vineyard there is a small assembly on Winthrop's Island, the Eastmost of Elizabeth's Island before mentioned, and these also have ordinarily an Indian minister to preach the word of God to them, and Mr John weeks an English- man formerly preached to them, but has lately as I am informed desisted from the work.
At Tucker's Island and at Nashaun or Slocum's Island which lie near together, westward of Winthrop's Island, are about 12 or 14 families, and these tho their number be small, are provided with an Indian Preacher. . . .
And tho there are among these Indians a great many who are defective in their morals, yet there are a considerable number even who live soberly and worship God in their families.
There has been from time to time much care taken that the several villages be provided with school masters to teach the children to read and write, yet some of them have not been so constantly supplied as is to be desired ... and generally when the Spring of the year comes on the Indians take their children from school, alleging they want them for tillage of the land, and so the schools fail until the fall ... and this has much hindered their progress in learning. ... Nevertheless I think the greatest
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INDIAN LIFE
number can read, either in English or in the Indian tongue; and some in both.
The number of Communicants, both men and women, in this church is about 110; the most of them, inhabitants of Martha's Vineyard but not all; there being a few that have joined them- selves thereunto not only from Elizabeth Islands, but from the main also, lying next unto the Vineyard.
As to their Civil Government the Indians in Dukes County are wholly under the English. But because their state does yet some- what differ from that of their English neighbors there are several laws made by the General Court of this Province with a particular regard to the Indian inhabitants of the same.
In Dukes County Thomas Mayhew Esq., second son of the aforementioned Thomas Mayhew who first preached to the Indians on the Vineyard, was long improved in the government of the Indians there. And was both singularly spirited and accomplished for that Service, as he was on other accounts a very excellent person. But he finished his course July 21, 1715. And his son Zaccheus succeeded him in that necessary and troublesome office and imployment does good service in it.
Having dwelt upon missionary and educational work among the Indians, now are shown two court records which give evidence of the white man's influence from a different angle.
The name of Caleb Ray pops up unexpectedly in several widely different connections, as will be shown in later chapters. In 1704 he was part owner of a tract of land west of Tarpaulin Cove, and while there he found one way of solving the problem of "help."
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