Praying Towns

John Eliot established several settlements in Massachusetts called “Indian Praying Towns.” These small communities brought Christian Indians together in one place, separating them further from fellow native people who practiced their traditional beliefs, which Eliot and others called their “pagan brethren." Eliot establish one such community among the Pennacook, in what is now Lowell, at a place called Wamesit. Far from Eliot’s home in Boston, Wamesit was not as closely monitored nor as devout as some other praying towns. The Christian Indians in Wamesit maintained good relations with the non-Christian Pennacook across the river at Pawtucket Falls.

Primary Document

“Wame[s]ut [Wamesit] is our next Praying-Town; it lyeth at the bottom of the great Falls, on the great River Merymak [Merrimack] and at the falling-in of Concord River; the Sachem of this place is called Nomphon, [s]aid to be a prince of the Bloud [Blood], a Man of a real Noble Spirit. ... This place is very much annoyed by the Mauquaogs [Mowhawks], and [they] have much ado to [s]tand their ground.

In this Place Captain Gookins ordered a Garri[s]on to be kept the la[s]t year, which Order while they attended they were [s]afe; but when the Northern Sachems and Souldiers came ... the Town was for the mo[s]t part [s]catter’d, and their corn [s]poyled [spoiled].

The Teacher of this Place is named George; they have not much e[s]teem for religion ... I can go to them but once in a year.”