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–2] Appendix NO A Brief Account of the State of the Indians on Martha’s Vineyard, and the small Islands Adjacent in Duke’s-Country, from the Year 1694 to 1720. By the Reverend Mr. Experience Mayhew Preacher of the Gospel to the Indians in Martha’s Vineyard. Ezek. 34.last. And ye the Flock of my Pasture are MEN, and I am your GOD. Hos. 11.4. I Drew you with cords of A MAN, and with Bands of Love. [1] Martha’s Vineyard is an Island lying in about the Latitude of 41. and about 22 Miles in length, from East to West, Chapaquidick and Capoag, near adjoyning at the East end, being included; the said Island being about 8 Miles in breadth towards the East end of it, and about 3 towards the West end, but the Soil of much of it, is very barren and uncultivated. The Sound of the North-side is about 3 Leagues over, viz. To Falmouth on the Main, and to Elsabeth’s-Islands, which lye South-Westward of Falmouth. From the Gayhead at the West end of the Island, to Rhode-Island; it is about 12 Leagues. and from Edgartown Harbour at the East end of it, to Nantucket; is as Vessels sail, about 10. The Island called No-mans-land lies Southward from the West end of Martha’s Vineyard, about 4 Miles from the Gayhead. [2] Concerning the Conversion of the Indians on these Islands, and places adjacent on the Main, there was a brief Narrative written by Matthew Mayhew , Esq; Eldest Son of the Rev. Mr. Thomas Mayhew, who first Preached the Gospel unto them; which Narrative was Printed at Boston in the Year 1694. and Reprinted at London the next Year, under the Title of, The Conquests and Triumphs of Grace, &c. The same, for Substance, being again Printed some Years after, in Dr. C. Mather’s History of New-England.1 I shall begin my Account of the State of the Indians from the time the said Book was first Published, that being about the time that I first began to Preach to them. The Number of Indians on these Islands is very much diminished, since the English first settled on Martha’s-Vineyard, which was in the Year 1642 there being then as was supposed on that Island about 1500 Souls. At present 1 Mather, Magnalia Christi Americana, 2:422–40. [2– there are in the Vineyard six small Villages, containing in all of them, about 155 Families, and the Number of Souls may be about eight hundred.2 Each of these Villages is provided with an Indian Preacher to dispense the Word to them on the Lord’s Days, when I am not with them. They meet for the Worship of GOD twice a Day on the Sabbath, and after Prayer, sing a Psalm; then there is a Sermon Preached on [3] some Portion of Scripture, which being ended, they sing again; while the Days be of a sufficient length; and then conclude with Prayer. Besides the Indians on the Vineyard, there is a small Assembly on Winthrop ’s Island, the Eastermost of Elsabeth’s Islands before mentioned; and these also have ordinarily an Indian Minister to Preach the Word of GOD to them, and Mr. John Weeks an Englishman formerly Preached to them; but has lately, as I am informed, desisted from that Work.3 At Tucker’s-Island, & at Nashaun or Slocum’s Island, which lie near together, Westward of Winthrop’s Island, are about 12 or 14 Families, and these, tho’ their Number be small, are provided with an Indian Preacher. At the before mentioned No mans land, there are now so few Indians left, that they have none to Preach constantly to them. Besides the Indian Assemblies already mentioned, there is one Assembly of Anabaptists at the Gayhead; but the number of People belonging unto this, is very inconsiderable.4 Tho’ there are many Indians on these Islands, who are negligent as to their Attendance on the Publick Worship of GOD; yet I know of none, but what do make some Profession of Religion, and will talk soberly, when treated withal about it; having made a trial on some that have been most suspected. 2 This estimate should be compared with censuses later in the century which give the following headcounts: Area and Year “Indians” “Negroes” Total Population Dukes County, 1764 313 46 2,300 All of Massachusetts, 1763 1,493 5...

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