| Citation |
BNL.736.022
16-23 Dec 1736:22 (1712)
Boston. We hear from Hartford in the Colony of Connecticut,
that the Indians lately had a meeting for a dance at
Middletown, at which time the Rev. Mr. Treet went among them
to prevent if possible the excesses which they usually run
into on such occasions, and was so successful in his
endeavours, that a considerable number of the Moheags, and
some that belong'd to Farmington and Middletown withdrew
from the rest, and kept in good order, while it was
sorrowful to behold others wallowing in their
licentiousness: But by this means in the midst of their
jovial frolick they were broke up.
We hear also, that these poor creatures had gather'd in a
great body last fall, from New-Milford, Patatuk and other
places, to wash off their 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 told him to make hast
back, and get all the youth together, who, as he said, had
desired him to come to the Governour, and then go all in a
body to the dance, and there 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.
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