THE INDIAN REMNANT IN NEW ENGLAND. II. ВУ GFX>RGE J. VARNEY. Г E two exclusively Indian towns in New England, Gay Head and Mashpee, took their embryotic form at an early date, growing up to civilization and incor porated communities by various gradations. It was in 1641 that Thomas Mayhevv, who had previously been a merchant in South ampton, England, obtained a grant of Marthas Vineyard from the King. In the following year he sent there his only son, Thomas, then twenty-one years old, who had been educated for the ministry. A few set tlers accompanied him; and the senior Mayhew, proprietor and governor, soon followed. He represented to the Indians that he was governor of the English, but would not assume jurisdiction over them. He, how ever, advised the chiefs to establish a jury system for the trial of important cases. When he wanted land he always bought and paid for it, if the Indians would sell; for some refused this for several years after the com ing of the white people. Tawawquatuck was the chief sachem of the eastern end of the island, where the Eng lish arrived; and he was the first sachem to become a Christian. The first Indian con vert was Hiacoomes, who embraced Chris tianity in 1643. He had been an obscure person, but proved an excellent missionary. Miohgsoo, the chief man of Nunpaug, in the limits of the present Edgartown, one night in 1646, sent a message to Hiacoomes, who lived five or six miles away, requesting a visit. The convert received the message at the break of day, and complied with it at once. On his arrival he found many Indians gathered at the dwelling of Miohgsoo, who received him cordially, explaining that he desired him to show his heart to them, and let them know how it stood towards his God, and what they ought to do.
Hiacoomes then made his talk to the com pany. When he had ended, his host asked, "How many gods do the English worship?'1 Hiacoomes answered: "One, and no more." Whereupon Miohgsoo reckoned up about thirty-seven principal gods which he had. "Now," he said, "shall I throw away all these thirty-seven principal gods for the sake of one only?" "What do you yourself think?" replied the missionary. "For my part I have thrown away all these, and many more, some years ago; and yet I am preserved, as you see this day.'1 "You speak true," said Miohgsoo; "and therefore I will throw away all my gods, too, and serve that one God with you." In the sequel, he committed a son and a daughter to the care and instruction of the Rev. Thomas Mayhew, son of the governor. Twenty-five years ago there were Indian hamlets in several of the Marthas Vineyard towns; but persons of aboriginal blood have now mostly removed to Gay Head, the Indian township which embraces the west ern end of the island. In the side of this headland is a deep bowllike hollow about twelve hundred feet in cir cumference and a hundred feet deep, being open to the sea on one side. In the soil at the bottom are found rocks, fragments of trees and huge bones. "Here, says the Indian legend, "resided the giant Manshope. Here he broiled whales on great fires made of dead cedars which he tore up by the roots. After separating Neman's Land from Gay Head, changing his wife into an ugly rock, which may now be seen on Saconet point, and performing other supernatural feats, he left the island." There are a few persons of pure white blood living in the town; but of purely In
