Citation - Boston Post Boy: 1736.12.27

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Index Entry Dance, Indians, Moheags, in Connecticut, dance to 'wash off mourning' 
Location Middletown 
Citation
BPB.736.023
27 Dec 1736:41,42 [115]
[Hartford] 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 hast 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
Tallcot 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 frolic, and
shame their parents for their drunkenness.


Generic Title Boston Post Boy 
Date 1736.12.27 
Publisher Huske, E. 
City, State Boston, MA 
Year 1736 
Bibliography B0010552
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