| Citation |
BG.736.014
20-27 Dec 1736:32 (885)
We are inform'd from Hartford, in the Colony of Connecticut,
that the Indians lately had a meeting for a dance at
Middletown, and that the Rev. Mr. Tret went among them to
prevent if he could those excesses which they usually run
into on those occasions, and was so successful in his
endeavours, that a considerable number of the Moheags and
from Farmingtown and Middletown withdrew from the rest, and
kept in good order, while it was sorrowful to see the rest
wallowing in their filthiness: By this means in the midst
of their jolity they were broke up.
We also hear, that these poor creatures gather'd in a
great body this fall, from New-Milford, Patatuk and other
places, to wash off mourning as they call it by a dance;
when John Mattawan, a Christian youth at Farmington was so
affected that he came to the honourable Governour Tallcott
at Hartford for advice, who bid him make haste back and get
together all the youth, who he said had desired him to come
to the governour, and then go all together in a body to the
dance, and openly testify against their vicious manners, and
the bad effects of such customs; which they did, and were
instrumental to abate the frolick, and shame their parents
for their drunkenness & brutality.
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