| Citation |
PG-P.737.001
20-27 Jan 1737:32 (424)
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. Treat 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 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 Governor
Tallcott, at Hartford, for advice, who told him to make
haste back, and get all the youth together, who, as he said,
had desired him to come to the Governor, and then go all in
a body to the dance, and there testify against their vicious
manners, and bad effects of such customs; which they did,
and were instrumental to abate the frolick, and restrain
their parents form [=from] drunkenness.
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