An Historical Account of the Doings and Sufferings of the Christian Indians in New England

Book excerpt: This volume is a copy of Gookin's 1677 manuscript, "An Historical Account ... of the Christian Indians in New England," made by Jared Sparks (1789-1866) in 1830. (The original manuscript essay cannot be located.) Gookin writes extensively of the movements and sufferings of the Christian Indians during the King Philip's War, 1675 to 1676. He describes, in great detail, Indian tribes and individuals, the captivity of both Indians and colonists, the savage attacks, verbal and physical, against the Christian Indians, and the efforts made by John Eliot (1604-1690) and Gookin to defend them. He also includes copies of orders of various councils in regard to the fate of the Christian Indians, who were finally exiled to Deer Island. Gookin also includes a copy of a 1677 letter from John Eliot, praising this account, and copies of three 1677 certificates, signed by an army officer and two government officials, praising the loyal efforts of the Christian Indians during the war.