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==Praying Indians==  

==Praying Indians==  

==New England praying Indians==

===New England praying Indians===

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.  

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.  

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

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

===Missionary work of 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.

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.

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.

===Removal and decimation===  

====Removal and decimation====  

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.  

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.