Secondly, attribute it to Creatures.
First, many Gods: they have given me the Names of thirty-seven, which
I have, all which in their solemne Worships they invocate: as,
Kautántowwit, The great South West God,
to whose House all soules goe, and from whom came their Corne,
Beanes, as they say.
Wompanànd, The Easterne God.
Chekesuwànd, The Westerne God.
Wunnanaméanit, The Northerne God.
Sowwanànd, The Southerne God.
Wetuómanit, The house God.
Even as the Papists have their He and Shee Saint Protectors as St.
George, St. Patrick, St. Dennis, Virgin Mary, &c.
Squàuanit, The Womans God.
Muckquachuckquànd, The Childrens God.
Obs: I was once with a Native dying of a wound, given him by some
of the murtherous English (who rob’d him and run him through with
a Rapier,) from whom in the heat of his wound, he at present
escaped from them, but dying of his wound, they suffered Death at
new Plymouth, in New England, this Native dying call’d much upon
Mackquachuckquànd, which of other Natives I understood, (as they
believed) had appeared to the dying young man, many yeares before,
and bid him whenever he was in distresse call upon him.
Secondly, as they have many of these fained Deities: so worship they
the Creatures in whom they conceive doth rest some Deitie:
Keesuckquànd, The Sun God.
Nanepaûshat, The Moone God.
Paumpágussit, The Sea.
Yotáanit, The fire God.
Supposing that Deities be in these, &c.
When I have argued with them about their Fire-God: can it say they
be, but this fire must be a God, or Divine power, that out of a stone
will arise in a Sparke, and when a poore naked Indian is ready to
starve with cold in the House, and especially in the Woods, often
saves his life, doth dresse all our Food for us, and if it be angry
will burne the House about us, yea if a sparke fall into the drie
wood, burnes up the Country, (though this burning of the Wood to them
they count a Benefit, both for destroying of vermin, and keeping
downe the Weeds and thickets?)
_Præsentem narrat quælibet herba Deum._
Every little Grasse doth tell,
The sons of Men, there God doth dwell.
Besides there is a generall Custome amongst them, at the apprehension
of any Excellency in Men, Women, Birds, Beasts, Fish, &c. to cry out
Manittóo, that is, it is a God, as thus if they see one man excell
others in Wisdome, Valour, Strength, Activity &c. they cry out
Manittóo, A God.
And therefore when they talke amongst themselves of the English
ships, and great buildings, of the plowing of their Fields, and
especially of Bookes and Letters, they will end thus: Manittôwock,
They are Gods: Cummanittôo, You are a God, &c. A strong Conviction
naturall in the soule of man, that God is filling all things, and
places, and that all Excellencies dwell in God, and proceed from him,
and that they only are blessed who have that Jehovah their portion.
Nickómmo, A Feast or Dance.
Of this Feast they have publike, and private and that of two sorts.
First in sicknesse, or Drouth, or Warre, or Famine.
Secondly, After Harvest, after hunting, when they enjoy a caulme of
Peace, Health, Plenty, Prosperity, then Nickómmo, a Feast, especially
in Winter, for then (as the Turke saith of the Christian, rather the
Antichristian,) they run mad once a yeare in their kind of Christmas
feasting.
Powwáw, A Priest.
Powwaûog, Priests.
Obs: These doe begin and order their service, and Invocation of
their Gods, and all the people follow, and joyne interchangeably in
a laborious bodily service, unto sweating, especially of the Priest,
who spends himselfe in strange Antick Gestures, and Actions even
unto fainting.
In sicknesse the Priest comes close to the sick person, and performes
many strange Actions about him, and threatens and conjures out the
sicknesse.
They conceive that there are many Gods or divine Powers within the
Body of a Man: In his pulse, his heart, his Lungs, &c. I confesse to
have most of these their customes by their owne Relation, for after
once being in their Houses, and beholding what their Worship was,
I durst never be an eye witnesse, Spectatour, or looker on, least
I should have been partaker of Sathans Inventions and Worships,
contrary to Ephes. 5. 14.
Nanouwétea, An over-Seer and Orderer
of their Worship.
Neennanowwúnnemun, I will order or oversee.
They have an exact forme of King, Priest, and Prophet, as was in
Israel typicall of old in that holy Land of Canaan, and as the Lord
Jesus ordained in his spirituall Land of Canaan his Church throughout
the whole World: their Kings or Governours called Sachimaûog, Kings
and Atauskowaûg Rulers doe govern: Their Priests performe and manage
their Worship: Their wise men and old men (of which number their
Priests are also,) whom they call Taupowauog they make solemne
speeches and Orations, or Lectures to them, concerning Religion,
Peace or Warre and all things.
Nowemasúitteem, I give way at the Worship.
He or she that makes this Nickòmmo Feast or Dance, besides the
feasting sometimes twenty, fifty, an hundredth yea I have seene
neere a thousand persons at one of these Feasts: they give I say a
great quantity of money, and all sort of their goods, (according to
and sometimes beyond their Estate) in severall small parcells of
goods, or money, to the value of eighteen pence, two Shillings, or
thereabouts to one person: and that person that receives this Gift,
upon the receiving of it, goes out and hollowes thrice for the health
and prosperity of the Party that gave it, the Mr. or Mistris of the
Feast.
Nowemacaûnash, Ile give these things.
Nutteaugûash, My money.
Nummaumachiúwash, My goods.
Obs: By this Feasting and Gifts, the Divell drives on their worships
pleasantly (as he doth all false worships, by such plausible earthly
Arguments of uniformities, universalities, antiquities, immunities,
Dignities, Rewards unto Submitters, and the contrary to Refusers) so
that they run farre and neere and aske
Awaun Nákommit, Who makes a feast?
Nkekinneawaûmen, I goe to the Feast.
Kekineawûi, He is gone to the Feast.
They have a modest Religious perswasion not to disturb any man,
either themselves English, Dutch, or any in their conscience, and
worship, and therefore say:
Aquiewopwaûwash, Peace, hold your peace.
Aquiewopwaûwock,
Peeyaûntam, He is at Prayer.
Peeyaúntamwock, They are praying.
Cowwéwonck, The Soule,
derived from Cowwene, to sleep, because say they, it works and
operates when the Body sleepes. Michachunck, the soule, in a higher
notion which is of affinity, with a word signifying a looking glasse,
or cleere resemblance, so that it hath its name from a cleere sight
or discerning, which indeed seemes very well to suit with the nature
of it.
Wuhóck, The Body.
Nohòck, cohòck, My body, your body.
Awaunkeesitteoûwincohòck, Who made you?
Tunna-awwa Whether goes your soule
commitchichunckkitonckquéan? when you die?
Anan sowanakitaûwaw, It goes to the South West.
Obs: They believe that the soules of Men and Women goe to the
South-west, their great and good Men and Women to Cautantouwit his
house, where they have hopes (as the Turkes have of carnall Joyes):
Murtherers, thieves and Lyers, their soules (say they) wander
restlesse abroad.
Now because this Book (by Gods good Providence) may come into the
hand of many fearing God, who may also have many an opportunity of
occasionall discourse with some of these their wild Brethren and
Sisters, and may speake a word for their and our glorious Maker,
which may also prove some preparatory Mercy to their Soules: I shall
propose some proper expressions concerning the Creation of the world,
and mans Estate and in particular theirs also, which from myselfe
many hundredths of times, great numbers of them have heard with
great delight, and great convictions: which who knowes (in Gods holy
season) may rise to the exalting of the Lord Jesus Christ in their
conversion and salvation?
Nétop Kunnatótemous, Friend, I will aske you a
Question.
Nntótema, Speake on.
Tocketunnántum? What thinke you?
Awaun Keesiteoûwin Kéesuck? Who made the Heavens?
Aûke Wechêkom? The Earth, the Sea.
Mittauke, The World.
Some will answer Tattá, I cannot tell, some will answer Manittôwock,
the Gods.
Tà suóg Manittowock, How many Gods bee there?
Maunaúog Mishaúnawock, Many, great many.
Netop macháge, Friend, not so.
Paúsuck naúnt manìt, There is onely one God.
Cuppíssittone, You are mistaken.
Cowauwaúnemum, You are out of the way.
A Phrase which much pleaseth them, being proper for their wandring in
the Woods, and similitudes greatly please them.
Kukkakótemous, wachitquáshouwe, I will tell you, presently.
Kuttaunchemókous, I will tell you newes.
Paûsuck naúnt manít kéesittin One onely God made the
keesuck, &c. Heavens &c.
Napannètashèmittan Five thousand yeers agoe,
naugecautúmmonabnshque, and upwards.
Naúgom naúnt wukkesittinnes He alone made all things.
wâmeteâgun,
Wuche mateâg, Out of nothing.
Quttatashuchuckqunnacaus In six dayes he made all things.
keesitinneswâme,
Nquittaqúnne, The first day hee made
Wuckéesitin weqâi, the Light.
Neesqunne, The second day Hee made
Wuckéesitin Keésuck, the Firmament.
Shúckqunne wuckéesitin The third day hee made
Aúkekà wechêkom, the Earth and sea.
Yóqunne wuckkéesitin The fourth day he made
Nippaúus kà Nanepaúshat, the Sun and the Moon.
Neenash-mamockíuwash Two great Lights.
wêquanantiganash,
Kà wáme anócksuck, And all the Starres.
Napannetashúckqunne The fifth day hee made
Wuckéesittinpussuckseesuckwâme, all the fowle.
Keesuckquíuke, In the Ayre or Heavens
Kawámeaúmúasuck, Wechekommiuke, And all the Fish in the Sea.
Quttatashúkqunne Wuckkeésittin The sixth day hee made
penashímwock wamè, all the Beasts of the Field.
Wuttàke wuckèwuckeesittin Last of all he made one
pausuck Enìn, or, Man.
Eneskéetomp,
Wuche mishquòck, Of red Earth.
Kawesuonckgonnakaûnes And call’d him Adam,
Adam, túppautea mishquòck, or red Earth.
Wuttáke wuchè Then afterward, while
Câwit mishquock, Adam or red Earth slept.
Wuckaudnúmmenes manit God tooke a rib from Adam,
peetaúgonwuche Adam, or red Earth.
Kà wuchè peteaúgon And of that rib he made
Wukkeessitínnes pausuck squàw, One woman.
Kà pawtouwúnnes Adâmuck And brought her to Adam.
Nawônt Adam wuttunnawaun When Adam saw her, he
nuppeteâgon ewò, said, this is my bone.
Enadatashúck qunneaquêi The seventh day hee rested
Nagaû wvchè quttatashúckqune And therefore Englishmen
anacaúsuock, Englishmánnuck, worke six days
Enadatashuckqunnóckat- On the seventh day they
taubataumwock, praise God.
Obs: At this Relation they are much satisfied, with a reason why (as
they observe) the English and Dutch, &c. labour six dayes and rest
and worship the seventh.
Besides, they will say, Wee never heard of this before; and then
will relate how they have it from their Fathers, that _Kautántowwit_
made one man and woman of a stone, which disliking, he broke them
in pieces, and made another man and woman of a Tree, which were the
Fountaines of all mankind.
They apprehending a vast difference of Knowledge betweene the English
and themselves, are very observant of the English lives: I have heard
them say to an Englishman (who being hindred, broke a promise to
them) you know God, will you lie Englishman?
Nétop kíhkita, Hearken to mee.
Englishmánnuck, Englishmen.
Dutchmánnuck, keenouwin Dutch men, and you and all
kà wamé mittaukêkukitonck the world when they die.
quéhettit,
Mattux swowánna Their soules goe not to
kit aûog michichónckquock, the Southwest.
Wàme, ewò pâwsuck, All that know that one God.
Manit wáwóntakick,
Ewò manìt waumaûsachick That love and feare Him.
kà uckqushánchick,
Keesaqut aùog, They goe up to Heaven.
Michéme weeteantámwock, They ever live in joy.
Naûgom manìt wêkick, In Gods owne House.
Ewo manìt mat wauóntakick, They that know not this God.
Matwaumaûsachick, That love.
Màt ewò uckqushánchick, And feare him not.
Kamóotakick, Thieves.
Puppannouwâchick, Lyers.
Nochisquauónchick, Vnclean persons.
Nanompaníssichick, Idle persons.
Kemineíachick, Murtherers.
Mammaúsachick, Adulterers.
Nanisquégachick, Oppressors or fierce.
Wame naûmakiaûog, They go to Hell or the Deepe.
Michem maûog, They shall ever lament.
Awaum kukkakotemógwunnes? Who told you so?
Manittoowussuckwheke, Gods booke or writing.
Obs: After I had (as farre as my language would reach) discoursed
(upon a time) before the chief Sachim or Prince of the Countrey, with
his arch priests, and many other in a full assembly; and being night,
wearied with travell and discourse I lay down to rest; and before I
slept I heard this passage: A Qunnihticut Indian (who had heard our
discourse) told the Sachim Miantunnómu that soules went up to Heaven,
or downe to Hell; For, saith he, our Fathers have told us, that our
soules go to the Southwest. The Sachim answered, But how doe you know
yourselfe, that your soules goe to the Southwest; did you ever see a
soule goe thither? The Native replied; when did he (naming my selfe)
see a soul goe to Heaven or Hell? The Sachim againe replied: He hath
books and writings, and one which God himselfe made, concerning mens
soules, and therefore may well know more than wee that have none, but
take all upon trust from our forefathers.
The said Sachim, and the chiefe of his people, discoursed by
themselves, of keeping the Englishmans day of worship, which I could
easily have brought the Countrey to, but that I was persuaded, and
am, that Gods way is first to turne a soule from its Idolls, both of
heart, worship and conversation, before it is capable of worship,
to the true and living God, according to 1. Thes. 1. 9. You turned
to God from Idolls to serve or worship the living and true God. As
also, that the two first Principles and Foundations of true religion
or Worship of the true God in Christ, are Repentance from dead
workes, and Faith towards God, before the Doctrine of Baptisme or
washing and the laying on of hands, which containe the Ordinances and
Practises of worship; the want of which, I conceive is the bane of
million of soules in England, and all other Nations professing to be
Christian Nations, who are brought by publique authority to Baptisime
and fellowship with God in Ordinances of worship, before the saving
worke of repentance, and a true turning to God, Heb. 6. 2.
Nétop kitonckquêan kunnúppamin Friend when you die you
michéme, perish everlastingly.
Michéme cuppauqua neímmin, You are everlastingly undone.
Cummusquauna múckqun manìt, God is angry with you.
Cuppauquanúckqun, He will destroy you.
Wuché cummanittó wockmanâuog, For your many Gods.
Wame pitch chíckauta The whole world shall
mittaúke, ere long be burnt.
Obs: Upon the relating that God hath once destroyed the world by
water; and that he will visit it the second time with consuming fire:
I have been asked this profitable question of some of them, What then
will become of us? Where then shall we be?
Manít ánawat Cuppittakûnnamun God commandth, that all
wèpe wáme, Men now repent.
_The generall Observation of Religion, &c._
The wandring Generations of Adams lost posteritie, having lost the
true and living God, their Maker, have created out of the Nothing of
their own inventions many false and fained Gods and Creators.
More particular.
Two sorts of Men shall naked stand,
Before the burning ire
Of him, that shortly shall appeare,
In dreadfull flaming fire.
First, Millions know not God, nor for
His knowledge care to seeke:
Millions have knowledge store, but, in
Obedience, are not meeke.
If woe to Indians, where shall Turk,
Where shall appeare the Jew?
O, where shall stand the Christian false?
O blessed then the true.
CHAP. XXII.
_Of their Government and Justice._
Sâchim-maûog, King, Kings.
Sachimáûonck, A kingdome or Monarchie.
Obs: Their Government is Monarchicall, yet at present the chiefest
government in the countrey is divided betweene a younger Sachim,
Miantunnnômu, and an elder Sachim, Caunoúnicus, of about fourscore
yeeres old, this young Mans uncle; and their agreement in the
Government is remarkable. The old Sachim will not be offended at what
the young Sachim doth; and the young Sachim will not doe what hee
conceives will displease his Uncle.
Saunks, The Queen, or Sachims Wife.
Sauncksquûaog, Queenes.
Otàn,-nash, The towne, townes.
Otanick, To the towne.
Sachimmaacommock, A Princes house,
which according to their
condition is farre different from the other house, both in capacity
or receit, and also the finenesse and quality of their Mats.
Ataúskawaw-wauog, Lord, Lords.
Wauóntam, A Wise man or Counsellour.
Wauóntakick, Wise men.
Enàtch or eàtch Keèn anawáyean, Your will shall be law.
Enatch neèn ánowa, Let my word stand.
Ntínnume, He is my man.
Ntacquêtunck ewò, He is my subject.
Kuttackquêtous, I will subject to you.
Obs: Beside their generall subjection to the highest Sachims to
whom they carry presents: They have also particular Protectors,
under Sachims, to whom they also carry presents and upon any injury
received, and complaint made, these Protectors will revenge it.
Ntannôtam, I will revenge it.
Kuttannótous, I will revenge you.
Miâwene, A Court or meeting.
Wépe cummiâwene, Come to the meeting.
Miawêtuck, Let us meet.
Wauwhàutowash, Call a meeting.
Miawêmucks, At a meeting.
Miawéhettit, When they meet.
Obs: The Sachims, although they have an absolute Monarchie over the
people: yet they will not conclude of ought that concernes all,
either Lawes, or Subsidies, or warres, unto which the People are
averse, and by gentle perswasion cannot be brought.
Peyaùtch naûgum, Let himselfe come here.
Pétiteatch, Let him come.
Mishaúntowash, Speake out.
Nanántowash, Speake plaine.
Kunnadsíttamenwèpe, You must inquire after this.
Wunnadsittamútta, Let us search into it.
Neen pitch-nnadsittamen, I will inquire into it.
Machíssu ewò, He is naught.
Cuttiantacompáwwem, You are a lying fellow.
Cuttiantakiskquâwquaw, You are a lying woman.
Wèpe cukkúmmoot, You have stole.
Mat méshnawmônash, I did not see those things.
Màt mèshnummanmenash, I did not take them.
Wèpekunnishquêko cummiskissawwaw, You are fierce and quarrelsome.
Obs: I could never discerne that excesse of scandalous sins amongst
them, which Europe aboundeth with. Drunkennesse and gluttony,
generally they know not what sinnes they be; and although they have
not so much to restraine them (both in respect of knowledge of God
and Lawes of Men) as the English have, yet a man shall never heare of
such crimes amongst them of robberies, murthers, adulteries, &c. as
amongst the English: I conceive that the glorious Sunne of so much
truth as shines in England, hardens our English hearts; for what the
Sunne softeneth not, it hardens.
Tawhìtch yó enêan? Why doe you so?
Tawhìtch cummootóan? Why doe you steale?
Tawhìtch nanompaniêan? Why are you thus idle or base?
Wewhepapúnnoke, Bind him.
Wèpe kunnishaûmis, You kild him.
Wépe kukkemineantín, You are the murtherer.
Sasaumitaúwhitch, Let him be whipt.
Upponckquittaúwhitch, Let him be imprisoned.
Níppitch ewó, Let him die.
Niphéttitch, Let them die.
Niss-Nìssoke, Kill him.
Púm-púmmoke, Shoot him.
Obs: The most usuall Custome amongst them in executing punishments,
is for the Sachim either to beate, or whip, or put to death with
his owne hand, to which the common sort most quietly submit: Though
sometimes the Sachim sends a secret executioner one of his chiefest
Warriours to fetch off a head, by some sudden unexpected blow of a
Hatchet, when they have feared Mutiny by publike execution.
Kukkeechequaûbenitch, You shall be hanged.
Níppansínnea, I am innocent.
Uppansínea-ewo, He is innocent.
Matmeshnowaûwon, I knew nothing of it.
Nnowaúntum, I am sorry.
Nummachiemè, I have done ill.
Aumaúnemoke, Let it passe, or take away
this accusation.
Konkeeteatch Ewo, Let him live.
Konkeeteáhetti, Let them live.
_Observation generall, of their Government._
The wildest of the Sonnes of Men have ever found a necessity, (for
preservation of themselves, their Families and Properties) to cast
themselves into some Mould or forme of Government.
More particular.
Adulteries, Murthers, Robberies, Thefts,
Wild Indians punish these!
And hold the scales of justice so,
That no man farthing leese.
When Indians heare the horrid filths,
Of Irish, English Men
The Horrid Oaths and Murthers late,
Thus say these Indians then,
We weare no Cloaths, have many Gods,
And yet our sinnes are lesse.
You are Barbarians, Pagans wild,
Your land’s the wildernesse.
CHAP. XXIII.
_Of Marriage._
Wuskéne, A young man.
Keegsquaw, A Virgin or Maide.
Segaúo, A widdower.
Segoúsquaw, A widdow.
Wusséntam, He goes a wooing.
Nosénemuck, He is my sonne in Law.
Wussenetûock, They make a match.
Awetawátuock,
Obs: Single fornication they count no sin, but after Marriage (which
they solemnize by consent of Parents and publique approbation
publiquely) then they count it hainous for either of them to be false.
Mammaûsu, An Adulterer.
Nummammógwunewò, He hath wronged my bed.
Pallé nochisquaûaw, He or she hath committed
adultery.
Obs: In this case the wronged party may put away or keepe the party
offending: commonly, if the woman be false, the offended Husband will
be solemnly revenged upon the offender, before many witnesses, by
many blowes and wounds, and if it be to Death, yet the guilty resists
not, nor is his Death revenged.
Nquittócaw, He hath one Wife.
Neesócaw, He hath two Wives.
Sshócowaw, He hath three.
Yocowaw, Foure wives &c.
Their Number is not stinted, yet the chiefe Nation in the Countrey,
the Narrigansets (generally) have but one Wife.
Two causes they generally alledge for their many wives.
First desire of Riches, because the Women bring in all the increase
of the Field, &c. the Husband onely fisheth, hunteth &c.
Secondly, their long sequestring themselves from their wives after
conception, until the child be weaned, which with some is long after
a yeare old, generally they keep their children long at the breast.
Commíttamus, Cowéewo, Your wife.
Tahanawatu? ta shincommaúgemus, How much gave you for her.
Napannetashom paûgatash, Five fathome of their Money.
Qutta-énada shoasuck ta Six or seven or eight fathome.
shompaugatash,
If some great Mans daghter, Piuckquompaúgatash, ten fathome.
Obs: Generally the Husband gives these payments for a Dowrie, (as it
was in Israell) to the Father or Mother, or guardian of the Maide.
To this purpose if the Man be poore, his Friends and Neighbours doe
pummenumminteáuguash, that is contribute Money toward the Dowrie.
Nummíttamus Nullógana, My Wife.
Waumaûsu, Loving.
Wunnêkesu, Proper.
Maânsu, Sober and chast.
Muchickéhea, Fruitfull.
Cutchashekeâmis? How many children have you had.
Nquittékea, I have had one.
Neesékea, Two &c.
Obs: They commonly abound with children, and increase mightily;
except the plague fall amongst them, or other lesser sicknesses, and
then having no meanes of recovery, they perish wonderfully.
Katoû eneéchaw, She in falling into Travell.
Néechaw, She is in Travell.
Paugcót che nechaúwaw, She is already delivered.
Kitummâyi-mes-néchaw, She was just now delivered.
Obs: It hath pleased God in wonderfull manner to moderate that curse
of the sorrowes of child bearing to these poore Indian women: So that
ordinarily they have a wonderfull more speedy and easie Travell,
and delivery than the women of Europe: not that I think God is more
gracious to them above other women, but that it followes, First from
the hardnesse of their constitution, in which respect they beare
their sorrowes the easier. Secondly from their extraordinary great
labour (even above the labour of men) as in the field, they sustaine
the labour of it, in carrying of mighty Burthens, in digging clammes
and getting other Shelfish from the Sea, in beating all their Corne
in Morters, &c. Most of them count it a shame for women in Travell to
make complaint, and many of them are scarcely heard to groane. I have
often knowne in one Quarter of an houre a Woman merry in the House,
and delivered and merry againe, and within two dayes abroad, and
after foure or five dayes at worke, &c.
Noosâwwaw, A Nurse.