Part 6
They also make great use of their Strawberries having such abundance of them: making Strawberry bread, and having no other Food for many dayes, but the English have exceeded, and made good Wine both of their Grapes and Strawberries in some places, as I have often tasted.
Ewáchim neash, Corne.
Scannémeneash, Seed Corne.
Wompiscannémeneash, White seed-corne.
Obs: There be diverse sorts of this Corne, and of the colours: yet all of it either boild in milke, or buttered, if the use of it were knowne and received in England (it is the opinion of some skillfull in physic) it might save many thousand lives in England, occasioned by the binding nature of the English wheat, the Indian Corne keeping the body in a constant moderate loosenesse.
Aukeeteaûmen, To plant Corne.
Quttáunemun, To plant Corne.
Anakáusu, A Labourer.
Anakáusichick, Labourers.
Aukeeteaûmitch, Planting time.
Aukeeteáhettit, When they set Corne.
Nummautaukeeteaûmen, I have done planting.
Anaskhómmin, To how or break up.
Obs: The Women set or plant, weede, and hill, and gather and barne all the corne and Fruites of the Field: yet sometimes the man himselfe, (either out of love to his Wife, or care for his Children, or being an old man) will help the Woman which (by the custome of the Countrey) they are not bound to.
When a field is to be broken up, they have a very loving sociable speedy way to dispatch it: All the neighbours men and Women forty, fifty, a hundred, &c. joyne, and come in to helpe freely. With friendly joyning they breake up their fields, build their Forts, hunt the woods, stop and kill fish in the Rivers, it being true with them as in all the World in the Affaires of Earth or Heaven: By concord little things grow great, by discord the greatest come to nothing. _Concordiâ parvæ res crescunt, discordiâ magnæ dilabuntur._
Anáskhig-anash, How, Howes.
Anaskhómwock, They how.
Anaskhommonteâmin, They break for me.
Anaskhomwáutowwin, A breaking up How.
The Indian women to this day (notwithstanding our Howes), doe use their naturall Howes of shells and Wood.
Monaskúnnemun, To weede.
Monaskunnummaûtowwin, A weeding or broad How.
Petascúnnemun, To hill the Corne.
Kepenúmmin, & To gather Corne. Wuttúnnemun,
Núnnowwa, Harvest time.
Anoûant, At harvest.
Wuttùunemitch, When harvest is in. Ewáchim,
Pausinnummin, To dry the corne.
Which they doe carefully upon heaps and Mats many dayes, before they barne it up, covering it up with Mats at night, and open it when the Sun is hot.
Sókenug, A heap of corne.
Obs: The women of the Family will commonly raise two or three heaps of twelve, fifteene, or twentie bushells a heap, which they drie in round broad heaps; and if she have helpe of her children or friends much more.
Pockhómmin, To beat or thrash out.
Npockhómmin, I am threshing.
Cuppockhómmin? Doe you thrash?
Wuskockkamuckómeneash, New ground Corne.
Nquitawánnanash, One basket full.
Munnòte, tash, Basket, Baskets.
Máûseck, A great one.
Peewâsick, A little one.
Wussaumepewâsick, Too little.
Pokowánnanash, Halfe a basket full.
Neesowannanash, Two baskets full.
Shéanash, Three.
Yowanannash, Foure, &c.
Aníttash, Rotten corne.
Wawéekanash, Sweet corne.
Tawhìtch quitchemáuntamen? Why doe you smell to it?
Auqúnnash, Barnes.
Necawnáuquanash, Old barnes.
Askútasquash, their Vine apple.--Which the English from them call Squashes about the bignesse of Apples of severall colours, a sweet, light, wholesome refreshing.
Uippakumíneash, The seed of them.
_The Observation generall of the Fruits of the Earth._
God hath not left himselfe without wit in all parts and coasts of the world; the raines and fruitfull seasons, the Earth, Trees, Plants, &c. filling mans heart with food and gladnesse, witnesseth against and condemneth man for his unthankfullnesse and unfruitfullnesse towards his Maker.
More particular.
Yeeres thousands since, God gave command (As we in Scripture find) That Earth, and Trees and Plants should bring Forth fruit each in his kind. The wildernesse remembers this The wild and howling land Answers the toyling labour of, The wildest Indians hand. But Man forgets his Maker, who, Fram’d him in Righteousnesse. A paradise in Paradise, now worse Than Indian wildernesse.
CHAP. XVII.
_Of Beasts, &c._
Penashímwock, Beasts.
Netasûog, Cattell.
Obs: This name the Indians give to tame Beasts, yea, and birds also which they keepe tame about their houses.
Muckquashím-wock, Wolves.
Moattôqus, A blacke Wolfe.
Tummòckquaûog, } Beaver, Beavers. Nóosuppaûog, }
Súmhuppaûog, Beaver, Beavers.
Obs: This is a beast of wonder; for cutting and drawing of great pieces of trees with his teeth, with which and sticks and earth I have often seen, fair streams and rivers damm’d and stopt up by them: upon these streames thus damm’d up, he builds his house with stories, wherein he sits drie in his chambers, or goes into the water at his pleasure.
Mishquáshim, A red Fox.
Pequawus, A gray Fox.
Obs: The Indians say they have black Foxes which they have often seen, but never could take any of them: they say they are Manittóoes, that is, Gods; Spirits or Divine powers, as they say of every thing which they cannot comprehend.
Aûsup-pánuog, Racoone, Racoones.
Nkéke, nkéquock, Otter, Otters.
Pussoúgh, The wildcat.
Ockqutchaun-nug, A wild beast of a reddish haire about the bignesse of a Pig, and rooting like a Pig; from whence they give this name to all our Swine.
Mishánneke-quock, Squirrell, Squirrils.
Anéqusanéquussuck, A little coloured Squirril
Waûtuiiques, The Conck.
Obs: They have a reverend esteeme of this Creature, and conceive there is some Deitie in it.
Attuck, quock, } Deere. Nóonatch noónatchaug, }
Moósquin, A Fawn.
Wawwúnnes, A young Bucke.
Kuttíomp & Paucottâuwaw, A great Bucke.
Aunàn-quunèke, A Doe.
Qunnequáwese, A little young Doe.
Naynayoûmewot, A Horse.
Côwsnuck, Cowes.
Gôatesuck, Goates.
Hógsuck, Pìgsuck, Swine.
Obs: This Termination _suck_, is common in their language and therefore they adde it to our English Cattell, not else knowing what names to give them;
Anùm, A Dog.
Yet the varietie of their Dialects and proper speech within thirtie or fortie miles each of other, is very great, as appears in that word.
Anùm, The Cowweset. } Ayím, The Narriganset. } Dialect. Arúm, The Qunnippiuck. } Alùm, The Neepmuck. }
So that although some pronounce not L, nor R, yet it is the most proper Dialect of other places, contrary to many reports.
Enewáshim, A Male.
Squáshim, A Female.
Moòs-sóog, The great Oxe, or rather a red Deere.
Askùg, A Snake.
Móaskug, Black Snake.
Sések, Rattle Snake.
Natúppwock, They feed.
Téaqua natuphéttit? What shall they eat?
Natuphéttitch yo sanaukamick, Let them feed on this ground.
_The generall Observation of the Beasts._
The Wildernesse, is a cleere resemblance of the world, where gredie and furious men persecute and devoure the harmlesse and innocent as the wilde beasts pursue and devoure the Hinds and Roes.
More particular.
1. The Indians, Wolves, yea, Dogs and Swine I have knowne the Deere devoure, Gods children are sweet prey to all; But yet the end proves sowre.
2. For though Gods children lose their lives, They shall not loose an haire; But shall arise, and judge all those, That now their Judges are.
3. New-England’s wilde beasts are not fierce As other wild beasts are: Some men are not so fierce, and yet From mildnesse are they farre.
CHAP. XVIII.
_Of the Sea._
Wechêkum, } The Sea. Kítthan, }
Paumpágussit, the Sea-God, or that name which they give that Deitie or Godhead which they conceive to be in the Sea.
Obs: Mishoòn, an Indian Boat, or Canow made of a Pine or Oake, or Chesnut-tree: I have seene a Native goe into the woods with his hatchet carrying onely a Basket of Corne with him, and stones to strike fire when he had felled his tree (being a Chesnut) he made him a little House or shed of the bark of it, he puts fire and followes the burning of it with fire, in the midst in many places: his corne he boyles and hath the Brook by him, and sometimes angles for a little fish: but so hee continues burning and hewing untill he hath within ten or twelve dayes (lying there at his worke alone) finished, and (getting hands,) lanched his Boate; with which afterward hee ventures out to fish in the Ocean.
Mishoonémese, A little Canow.
Some of them will not well carry above three or foure: but some of them twenty, thirty, forty men.
Wunnauanoûnuck, A shallop.
Wunnauanounuckquèse, A skiffe.
Obs: Although themselves have neither, yet they give them such names, which in their Language signifieth carrying Vessells.
Kitônuck, A Ship.
Kitónuckquese, A little Ship.
Mishíttouwand, A great Canow.
Peeswàsu, A little one.
Paugautemissaûnd, An Oake Canow
Kowawwawaûnd, A pine Canow.
Wompmissaûnd, A chesnut Canow.
Ogwhan, A boat adrift.
Wuskon-tógwhan, It will goe adrift.
Cuttunnamíinnea, Help me to Launch.
Cuttunnummútta, Let us launch.
Cuttúnnamoke, Launch.
Cuttánnummous, I will help you.
Wútkunck, A paddle or Oare.
Namacóuche cómishoon, Lend me your Boate.
Paûtousnenótehunck, Bring hither my paddle.
Comishoónhom? Goe you by water?
Chémosh-chémeck, Paddle or row.
Maumínikish and Pull up, or row lustily. Maumanetepweéas,
Sepâkehig, A Sayle.
Sepagehommaûta, Let us saile.
Wunnâgehan, We have a faire wind.
Obs: Their owne reason hath taught them, to pull off a Coat or two and set it up on a small pole, with which they will saile before a wind ten, or twenty mile &c.
Wauaúpunish, Hoyse up.
Wuttáutnish, Pull to you.
Nókanish, Take it downe.
Pakétenish, Let goe or let flie.
Nikkoshkowwaûmen, We shall be drown’d.
Nquawu pshâwmen, We overset.
Wussaûme pechepaûsha, The sea comes in too fast upon us.
Maumaneeteántass, Be of good courage.
Obs: It is wonderfull to see how they will venture in those Canoes, and how (being oft overset as I have myselfe been with them) they will swim a mile, yea two or more safe to Land: I having been necessitated to passe Waters diverse times: with them, it hath pleased God to make them many times the instruments of my preservation; and when sometimes in great danger I have questioned safety, they have said to me: Feare not, if we be overset I will carry you safe to Land.
Paupaútuckquash, Hold water.
Kínnequass, Steere.
Tiáckomme kínniquass, Steere right.
Kunnósnep, A Killick, or Anchor.
Chowwophómmin, To cast over-board.
Chouwóphash, Cast over-board.
Touwopskhómmke, Cast anchor.
Mishittashin, It is a storme.
Awêpesha, It caulmes.
Awêpu, A calme.
Nanoúwashin, A great caulme.
Tamóccon, Floud.
Nanashowetamóccon, Halfe Floud.
Keesaqúshin, High water.
Taumacoks, Upon the Floud.
Mishittommóckon, A great Floud.
Maùchetan and skàt, Ebb.
Mittâeskat, A low Ebb.
Awánick Paûdhuck? Who comes there?
Obs: I have knowne thirty or forty of their Canowes fill’d with Men, and neere as many more of their enemies in a Sea fight.
Caupaûshess, Goe ashoare.
Caupaushâuta, Let us goe ashoare.
Wusséheposh, Heave out the water.
Asképunish, Make fast the Boat.
Kspúnsh & Kspúnemoke, Tie it fast.
Maumínikish, Tie it hard.
Neene Cuthómwock, Now they goe off.
Kekuthomwushánnick, They are gone already.
_Generall Observations of the Sea._
How unsearchable are the depths of the Wisedome and Power of God in separating from Europe, Asia and Africa such a mightie vast continent as America is? and that for so many ages? as also, by such a Westerne Ocean of about three thousand of English miles breadth in passage over?
More particular:
They see God’s wonders that are call’d Through dreadfull Seas to passe, In tearing winds, and roaring seas, And calmes as smooth as glasse.
I have in Europes ships, oft been In King of terrours hand; When all have cri’d, Now, now we sinck, Yet God brought safe to land.
Alone ’mongst Indians in Canoes, Sometime o’return’d, I have been Halfe inch from death, in Ocean deepe, Gods wonders I have seene.
CHAP. XIX.
_Of Fish and Fishing._
Namaùus,-suck, Fish, Fishes.
} Cod, Which is the first Pauganaùt, tamwock, } that comes a little before } the Spring.
} Lampries, The first that Qunnamáug-suck, } come in the Spring into } the fresh Rivers.
Aumsûog, & Munnaw-hatteaûg, A Fish somewhat like a Herring.
Missúckeke-kéquock, Basse.
The Indians (and the English too) make a daintie dish of the Uppaquontup, or head of this Fish; and well they may, the braines and fat of it being very much, and sweet as marrow.
Kaúposh-shaûoog, Sturgeon.
Obs: Divers part of the Countrey abound with this Fish; yet the Natives for the goodnesse and greatnesse of it, much prize it, and will neither furnish the English with so many, nor so cheape, that any great trade is like to be made of it, untill the English themselves are fit to follow the fishing.
The Natives venture one or two in a Canow, and with an harping Iron, or such like Instrument sticke this fish, and so hale it into their Canow; sometimes they take them by their nets, which they make strong of Hemp.
Ashòp, their nets. Which they will set thwart some little River or Cove wherein they kill Basse (at the fall of the water) with their arrows, or sharp sticks, especially if headed with Iron, gotten from the English, &c.
Aucùp, A little Cove or Creeke.
Aucppâwese, A very little one.
Wawwhunnekesûog, Mackrell.
Mishquammaùquock, Red fish, Salmon.
Osacóntuck, A fat sweet fish, something like a Haddock.
Mishcùp-paûog, Breame. Sequanamáuquock,
Obs: Of this Fish there is abundance, which the Natives drie in the Sunne and smoake; and some _English_ begin to salt, both wayes they keepe all the yeere; and it is hoped it may be as well accepted as Cod at a Market, and better, if once knowne.
Taut-aúog, Sheeps-heads.
Neeshaúog, } Sassammaúquock, } Eeles. Nquittéconnaúog, }
Tatackommmâúog, Porpuses.
Pútop-paúog, Whales.
Which in some places are often cast up; I have seene some of them, but not above sixtie foot long: The Natives cut them out in severall parcells, and give and send farre and neere for an acceptable present, or dish.
Missêsu, The whole.
Poquêsu, The halfe.
Waskèke, The Whalebone.
Wussúckqun, A taile.
Aumaûog, They are fishing.
Ntaûmen, I am fishing.
Kuttaûmen? Doe you fish?
Nnattuckqunnûwem, I goe a fishing.
Aumáchick, } Fishes. Natuckqunnuwâchick, }
Aumaûi, He is gone to fish.
Awácenick kukkattineanaûmen? What doe you fish for.
Ashaûnt-teaûg, Lobsters.
Opponenaûhock, Oysters.
Sickíssuog, Clams.
Obs: This is a sweet kind of shellfish, which all Indians generally over the Countrey, Winter and Summer delight in; and at low water the women dig for them: this fish, and the naturall liquors of it, they boile, and it makes their broth and their Nasaúmp (which is a kind of thickened broth) and their bread seasonable and savoury, in stead of Salt: and for that the English Swine dig and root these Clams wheresoever they come, and watch the low water (as the Indian women do) therefore of all the English Cattell, the Swine (as also because of their filthy disposition) are most hatefull to all Natives, and they call them filthy cut throats, &c.
Séqunnock, } A Horse fish. Poquaûhock, }
Obs: This the English call Hens, a little thick shell fish which the Indians wade deepe and dive for, and after they have eaten the meat there (in those which are good) they breake out of the shell, about halfe an inch of a blacke part of it, of which they make their Suckaúhock, or blackmoney, which is to them pretious.
Meteaûhock, The Periwinkle.
Of which they make their Wómpan or white money, of halfe the value of their Suckáwhock, or blacke money, of which more in the Chapter of their Coyne.
Cumménakiss, } Cummenakíssamen, } Have you taken store? Cummuchickinneanâwmen? }
Numménakiss, I have taken store.
Nummuchikineanâwmen, I have killed many.
Machàge, I have caught none.
Aúmanep, A fishing line.
Aumanapeash, Lines.
The Natives take exceeding great paines in their fishing, especially in watching their seasons by night; so that frequently they lay their naked bodies many a cold night on the cold shoare about a fire of two or three sticks, and oft in the night search their Nets; and sometimes goe in and stay longer in frozen water.
Hoquaùn aûnash, Hooke, hookes.
Peewâsicks, Little hookes.
Maúmacocks, Great hookes.
Nponamouôog, I set nets for them.
Npunnouwaûmen, I goe to search my nets.
Mihtúckquashep, An Eele-pot.
Kunnagqunneûteg, A greater sort.
Onawangónnakaun, A baite.
Yo onawangónnatees, Baite with this.
} A little sort of fish, halfe Moamitteaúg, } as big as Sprats, plentifull } in Winter.
Paponaumsúog, A winter fish,
which comes up in the brookes and rivulets; some call them Frost fish, from their comming up from the Sea into fresh Brookes, in times of frost and snow.
Qunôsuog, A fresh fish,
which the Indians break the ice in fresh ponds, when they take also many other sorts: for, to my knowledge the Country yeelds many sorts of other fish, which I mention not.
_The generall Observation of Fish._
How many thousands of Millions of those under water, sea inhabitants, in all Coasts of the world, preach to the sonnes of men on shore, to adore their glorious Maker, by presenting themselves to Him as themselves (in a manner) present their lives from the wild Ocean, to the very doores of men, their fellow creatures in New-England.
More particular.
What Habacuck once spake, mine eyes Have often seene most true, The greater Fishes devoure the lesse, And cruelly pursue. Forcing them through coves and creekes To leape on driest sand, To gaspe on earthie element, or die By wildest Indians hand. Christs little ones must hunted be Devour’d; yet rise as Hee. And eate up those which now a while Their fierce devourers be.
CHAP. XX.
_Of their Nakednesse and Clothing._
Paúskesu, Naked.
Pauskesítchck, Naked men and women.
Nippóskíss, I am naked.
They have a two-fold nakednesse:
First, ordinary and constant, when although they have a Beasts skin, or an English mantle on, yet that covers ordinarily but their hinder parts and all the foreparts from top to toe, (except their secret parts, covered with a little Apron, after the patterne of their and our first Parents) I say all else open and naked.
Their male children goe starke naked, and have no Apron untill they come to ten or twelve yeers of age; their Female they, in a modest blush cover with a little Apron of an hand breadth from their very birth. Their second nakednesse is when their men often abroad and both men and women within doores, leave off their beasts skin, or English cloth and so (excepting their little apron) are wholly naked; yet but few of the women but will keepe their skin or cloth (though loose) or neare to them ready to gather it up about them.
Custome hath used their minds and bodies to it, and in such a freedom from any wantonnesse, that I have never seen that wantonnesse amongst them, as, (with griefe) I have heard of in Europe.
Nippóskenitch, I am rob’d of my coat.
Nippóskenick ewò, He takes away my Coat.
Acòh, Their Deere skin.
Tummóckquashunck, A Beavers coat.
Nkéquashunck, An Otters coat.
Mohéwonck, A Rakoone-skin coat.
Natóquashunch, A Wolves-skin coat.
Mishannéquashunck, A Squirril-skin coat.
Neyhommaûashunck, a coat or Mantle,
curiously made of the fairest feathers of their Neyhommaûog or Turkies, which commonly their old Men make; and is with them as velvet with us.
Maúnek: nquittiashíagat, An English Coat or Mantell.
Cáudnish, Put off.
Ocquash, Put on.
Neesashíagat, Two coats.
Shwíshiagat, Three coats.
Piuckquashiágat, Ten coats, &c.
Obs: Within their skin or coat they creepe contentedly, by day or night, in house, or in the woods, and sleep soundly, counting it a felicitie, (as indeed an earthly one it is;) _Intra pelliculam quemque tenere suam_, That every man be content with his skin.
Squáus aúhaqut, A Womans Mantle.
Muckíis auhaqut, A childs Mantle.
Pétacaus, An English Wastecoat.
Petacawsunnése, A little wastecoat.
Aûtah & aútawhun, Their apron.
Caukóanash, Stockins.
Nquittetiagáttash, A paire of stockins.
Mocússinass, & Mockussinchass, Shooes.
Obs: Both these, Shoes and Stockins they make of their Deere skin worne out; which yet being excellently tann’d by them, is excellent for to travell in wet and snow; for it is so well tempered with oyle, that the water cleane wrings out; and being hang’d up in their chimney, they presently drie without hurt as myselfe hath often proved.
Noonacominash, Too little.
Taubacóminash, Big enough.
Saunketíppo, or, Ashónaquo, A hat or Cap.
} The skin of a great beast Moôse, } as big as an Ox, some } call it a red Deere.
Wussuckhósu, Painted.
They also commonly paint these Moose and Deere skins for their Summer wearing, with varietie of formes and colours.
Petouwássinug, Their Tobacco-bag,
which hangs at their necke, or sticks at their girdle, which is to them instead of an English pocket.
Obs: Our English clothes are so strange unto them, and their bodies inured so to endure the weather, that when (upon gift &c.) some of them have had English cloathes, yet in a showre of raine, I have seen them rather expose their skins to the wet, than their cloaths, and therefore pull them off, and keep them drie.
Obs: While they are amongst the English they keep on the English apparell, but pull off all, as soone as they come againe into their owne Houses, and Company.
_Generall Observations of their Garments._
How deep are the purposes and Councells of God? What should bee the reason of this mighty difference of One mans children that all the Sonnes of men on this side the way (in Europe, Asia and Africa,) should have such plenteous clothing for Body, for soule! and the rest of Adams sonnes and Daughters on the other side, or America (some thinke as big as the other three,) should neither have nor desire clothing for their naked Soules, or Bodies.
More particular:
1. O what a Tyrant’s custome long, How doe men make a push, At what’s in use, though ne’re so fowle, Without once shame or blush?
2. Many thousand proper Men and Women, I have seen met in one place: Almost all naked, yet not one, Thought want of clothes disgrace.
3. Israell was naked, wearing clothes! } The best clad English-man, } Not cloth’d with Christ, more naked is } Ex. 32. Than naked Indian. }
CHAP. XXI.
_Of Religion, the Soule, &c._
Manìt-manittówock, God, Gods.
Obs: He that questions whether God made the World, the Indians will teach him. I must acknowledge I have received in my converse with them, many Confirmations of those two great points, Heb. 11. 6. viz:
1. That God is.
2. That hee is a rewarder of all them that diligently seek him.
They will generally confesse that God made all: but then in speciall, although they deny not that Englishmans God made English Men, and the Heavens and Earth there! yet their Gods made them, and the Heaven, and the Earth where they dwell.
Nummus quauna-mùckqun manit, God is angry with me.
Obs: I heard a poore Indian lamenting the losse of a child at break of day, call up his Wife and children, and all about him to Lamentation, and with abundance of teares cry out! O God thou hast taken away my child: thou art angry with me: O turne thine anger from me, and spare the rest of my children.
If they receive any good in hunting, fishing, Harvest, &c. they acknowledge God in it.
Yea, if it be but an ordinary accident, a fall, &c. they will say God was angry and did it.
Musquantum manit, God is angry.
But herein is their Misery.
First, they branch their Godhead into many Gods.
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.