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==New England praying Indians==

==New England praying Indians==

A class of Christian Indians known as ''praying Indians'' helped the European Colonialists, but were treated shamefully due to distrust by most of the Colonialists.

A once numerous class of Christian Indians existed in America known as ''praying Indians'' mainly in New England. These helped the the [[Patriot]] cause in the American Revolution, but were treated shamefully due to distrust by most of the Colonialists during the period of [[King Phillip's War]], reducing their numbers (approx. 1100) from an estimated estimated 20 percent of Massachusetts Indians to a few hundred.

[[Roger Williams]] of [[Rhode Island]] and and Thomas Mayhew of [[Martha's Vineyard]]  were the first  English missionaries to  seek the conversion of  New England's natives, but John Eliot was much more successful, largely because of his command of the complex native  Algonquian language (spoken by many Indian nations) which was without a written tradition, but which Eliot provided and translated the Bible into.

[[Roger Williams]] of [[Rhode Island]] and and Thomas Mayhew of [[Martha's Vineyard]] were the first  English missionaries to  seek the conversion of New England's natives, but John Eliot was much more successful, largely because of his command of the complex native  Algonquian language.  

Historian and author Robert D. Hall stated that “Eliot was a genius." "He was a missionary, a teacher, a linguist. He founded the Roxbury Latin School. He learned the Algonquin tongue and translated it into English.’’

   

Between 1646 to 1674, Eliot saw some 1100 Massachusetts natives convert to the Christian religion, and played a central role in establishing fourteen “Praying Indian” communities in the eastern part of Massachusetts.<ref>"Talk on first Christian Indians," The Boston Globe Newspaper, May 13, 2010</ref> <ref>http://www.braintreehistorical.org/NewsLetters/March2007.pdf</ref>

The praying town of Natick is considered the oldest, being founded in 1651, and by 1674  six more principal praying towns existed: Hassanamesit, Magunkaquog, Nashobah, Okommakamesit, Punkapog, and Wamesit. However,  the praying Indians were practically destroyed by the other Native Americans  in [[King Philip's War]]  circa 1675 and by the English, both of whom viewed them as traitors. From a estimated population of 1,100 in 1674, they were reduced to only 300 by 1680. <ref>"praying Indians," The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com;  http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/praying_Indians.aspx</ref>  

 

The praying town of Natick was the oldest, being founded in 1651, and in 1674  6 more principal praying towns existed: Hassanamesit, Magunkaquog, Nashobah, Okommakamesit, Punkapog, and Wamesit. However,  the praying Indians were practically destroyed by the other Native Americans  in [[King Philip's War]]  circa 1675 and by the English, both of whom viewed them as traitors. From a estimated population of 1,100 in 1674, they were reduced to only 300 by 1680. <ref>"praying Indians," The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com;  http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/praying_Indians.aspx</ref>  

<ref>The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, 2008</ref>   

<ref>The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, 2008</ref>   

===Missionary John Eliot===

===Missionary work of John Eliot===

John Eliot (1605 - 1690), born in Widford, Hertfordshire, [[England]] in 1604, was the younger son of Bennett Eliot, a wealthy landowner. At the age of only  fifteen he entered Jesus College at Cambridge University, where he soon was recognized as a brilliant linguist and classical scholar.

John Eliot (1605 - 1690), born in Widford, Hertfordshire, [[England]] in 1604, was the younger son of Bennett Eliot, a wealthy landowner. At the age of only  fifteen he entered Jesus College at Cambridge University, where he soon was recognized as a brilliant linguist and classical scholar.

However, Eliot found hardness of heart in his first attempt mid-1646, that being was to the Indian community under Sachem Cutshamekin at Neponset (in Dorchester), as the older Sachem rejected the gospel and his braves openly ridiculed and mocked the clergyman.

However, Eliot found hardness of heart in his first attempt mid-1646, that being was to the Indian community under Sachem Cutshamekin at Neponset (in Dorchester), as the older Sachem rejected the gospel and his braves openly ridiculed and mocked the clergyman.

    

    

Eliot found more hope among a small band of Indians under a native leader  of somewhat lesser stature named Waban, whom he described as "one who gives more grounded hope of serious respect for the things of God, than any as yet I have known of that forlorn generation. Waban was son-in-law of the Sachem of Concord, whose commuity lived on the southwest slope of Nonantum Hill (presently on Brighton-Newton line.)  

Eliot found more hope among a small band of Indians under a native leader  of somewhat lesser stature named Waban, whom he described as "one who gives more grounded hope of serious respect for the things of God, than any as yet I have known of that forlorn generation. Waban was son-in-law of the Sachem of Concord, whose community lived on the southwest slope of Nonantum Hill (presently on Brighton-Newton line.)  

Accompanied by two of three other clergymen, Eliot delivered about a one hour sermon in the Algonquian language in October, 1646, followed later by a three hour lectureship, resulting in Waban immediately turning to the Lord [[Jesus Christ]] and his people also soon became Christians. The offical sanction of the work by the government also meant that the need for more land was made to Eliot, who interceded for them (leading liberal historians to impugn their motives).   

Accompanied by two of three other clergymen, Eliot delivered about a one hour sermon in the Algonquian language in October, 1646, followed later by a three hour lectureship, resulting in Waban immediately turning to the Lord [[Jesus Christ]] and his people also soon became Christians. The official sanction of the work by the government also meant that the need for more land was made to Eliot, who interceded for them (leading liberal historians to impugn their motives).   

On November 4 of the next month,  the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony voted "for the good of the Indians" to give the desired land, with Eliot being part of the commission which was to handle the matter. Asked by the Indians what to call their Christian village, Eliot recommended that it be called Nonantum, which in English signifies  rejoicing, because “they hearing the word, and seeking to know God, the English did rejoice at it."

On November 4 of the next month,  the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony voted "for the good of the Indians" to give the desired land, with Eliot being part of the commission which was to handle the matter. Asked by the Indians what to call their Christian village, Eliot recommended that it be called Nonantum, which in English signifies  rejoicing, because “they hearing the word, and seeking to know God, the English did rejoice at it."

    

    

In seventeenth-century New England, Christian practice was a way of life, and steady, dutiful habits and working towards economic stablity were part of what constituted true Christian faith, and which living in English-style buildings and maintaining  English work rhythms on geographically defined homesteads was conducieve to.   

In seventeenth-century New England, Christian practice was a way of life, and steady, dutiful habits and working towards economic stablity were part of what constituted true Christian faith, and which living in English-style buildings and maintaining  English work rhythms on geographically defined homesteads was conducive to.   

An early historian of Newton, pastor Jonathan Homer,  provided the following description of the "Praying Indian" village of Nonantum:

An early historian of Newton, pastor Jonathan Homer,  provided the following description of the "Praying Indian" village of Nonantum:

Mr. Eliot...furnished them, by the public aid, with shovels, spades, mattocks, and iron crows, and stimulated the most industrious with money.... The houses of the meanest were found to be equal to those of the sachems or chiefs in other places. They surrounded the town with ditches...and with a stone-wall.

Mr. Eliot...furnished them, by the public aid, with shovels, spades, mattocks, and iron crows, and stimulated the most industrious with money.... The houses of the meanest were found to be equal to those of the sachems or chiefs in other places. They surrounded the town with ditches...and with a stone-wall.

The Indians, thus settled, were instructed in husbandry, and were excited to a prudent as well as industrious management of their affairs. Some of them were taught such trades as were most necessary for them, so that they completely built a house for public worship, 50 feet in length and 25 feet in breadth

The Indians, thus settled, were instructed in husbandry, and were excited to a prudent as well as industrious management of their affairs. Some of them were taught such trades as were most necessary for them, so that they completely built a house for public worship, 50 feet in length and 25 feet in breadth.

 

However, in less than five years after its foundation, Eliot was obliged to migrate the entire population of this first North American Christian Indian community to a 3,000-acre site some fifteen miles to the southwest, in the present town of Natick.<ref>[The Lantern, http://www.braintreehistorical.org/NewsLetters/March2007.pdf] Braintree Historical Society, VOL March 2007 XXV No.3</ref>

Twenty years after the arrival of Eliot, the Massachusetts General Court established Natick (meaning  “Place of Searching”) as the  praying Indian village/town in 1651, helping them to be able to to worship in peace. This was the first formally "Christian town" in America, and consisted at first of 51 inhabitants in seven villages, with seven more being later established. The beloved (by the Indians at least) Eliot became known as the “Apostle to the Indians.”

However, in less than five years after its foundation, Eliot was obliged to migrate the entire population of this first North American Christian Indian community to a 3,000-acre site some fifteen miles to the southwest, in the present town of Natick.<ref>[The Lantern, http://www.braintreehistorical.org/NewsLetters/March2007.pdf] Braintree Historical Society, VOL March 2007 XXV No.3</ref><ref>http://hassanamesit.org/images/documents/History%20Report%20-%20Final%2012012006.pdf</ref>.<ref>http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm036.html</ref><ref>http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm004.html</ref><ref>http://www.tyndalesploughboy.org/eliot-bible/</ref>

In 1663 Eliot, with help from Christian Indians, completed the first Bible printed in America, a [[Bible]] written in the Massachusett-Natick Indian language, which was a difficult task, as this language was completely oral.

Twenty years after the arrival of Eliot, the Massachusetts General Court established Natick (meaning  “Place of Searching”) as the  praying Indian village/town in 1651, helping them to  be able to to worship in peace. This was the first '''formally''' "Christian town" in America, and consisted at first of 51 inhabitants in seven villages, with seven more being later established.  The beloved (by the Indians at least) Eliot became known as the “Apostle to the Indians.”

Other praying Indian Towns also were established, including Ponkapoag (Stoughton, MA) and Nashoba (Littleton, MA), and by 1675, it is estimated that 20 percent of the Native Indians in New England lived in praying Towns.

Other praying Indian Towns also were established, including Ponkapoag (Stoughton, MA) and Nashoba (Littleton, MA), but also covering portions of Dover, Wellesley, and Needham in addition to Dedham. By 1675, it is estimated that 20 percent of the Native Indians in New England lived in praying Towns.

However, it was in the winter of 1675 that an intense trial in the wilderness began. The colonists, being largely distrustful of the Praying Indians, and being fearful that they might join "[[King Phillip]]" (Metacom), the mighty Wampanoag Indian Chief in an ongoing war, they removed the approximately 200 Natick Praying Indians to Deer Island at midnight on October 30. The Indians made no opposition, and were left unprotected on the frigid Island, being forbidden to light fires, hunt game, build shelters, and so suffered from hunger and little clothing, though they may have been able to dig clams and fish. A month later this crime was multiplied as the praying Indian Villages of Ponkapoag and Nashoba were sent to suffer interment on the Island, which lasted until into 1676.  An attempt by the now elderly Eliot going by boat to bring supplies to the Natives is said to have ended when the boat was capsized by some angry colonists.  Most of the 500 Indians died of cold and starvation, while some of the Praying Indians worked as spies for the colonists and fought for them.  

The winter of 1675 began an intense trial in the wilderness for the Indians. The colonists, being largely distrustful of the these Praying Indians of a different language and culture, and being fearful that they might join "[[King Phillip]]" (Metacom), the mighty Wampanoag Indian Chief in an ongoing war, they forced the removal of the approximately 200 Natick Praying Indians to Deer Island at midnight on October 30. The Indians made no opposition, and were left unprotected on the frigid Island, being forbidden to light fires, hunt game, build shelters, and so suffered from hunger and little clothing, though they may have been able to dig clams and fish. A month later this crime was multiplied as the praying Indian Villages of Ponkapoag and Nashoba were sent to suffer interment on the Island, which lasted until into 1676.  An attempt by the now elderly Eliot going by boat to bring supplies to the Natives is said to have ended when the boat was capsized by some angry colonists.  Most of the 500 Indians died of cold and starvation, while some of the Praying Indians worked as spies for the colonists and fought for them.  

After the death of King Phillip Pastor Eliot and Daniel Gookin secured the Indians release, personally removing the Indians from the Island and bearing the financial cost to do so. They returned to face the loss of homes and property, and means of survival. A remnant lived on however, as a testimony of enduring faith.   

After the death of King Phillip Pastor Eliot and Daniel Gookin secured the Indians release, personally removing the Indians from the Island and bearing the financial cost to do so. They returned to face the loss of homes and property, and means of survival. A remnant lived on however, as a testimony of enduring faith.