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Cambridge The 10th of August 1676

There is a very unhappy matter lastly acted by some english (as is aprehended) toward three squas & 3 children belonging to the Naticke indians, who were on monday last getting Hurtleberries at a hill called by that name, it lies between waterton & our present ferme about midway : two of those squas are the wives of 2 principal of our Indian [?soldiers?] [?] Andrew Pittemy & Swagon, alias Thomas speene; & one of them a sister to Andrew: with her childern those squas had beene two or 3 daies before at that place. & were not disturbed; & indeed (as I heare) most of the English of that neighborhood well know these squas & other squas of this people of Natike & did gather Hurtleberries at this place; which the necessities of the indians for want of food promted them to endever this hard time for supply. There 3 squas & 3 childern are slaine. as is conceived by some English. The names of the persons suspected to do this mischeefe are hereunder mentioned; the particulars relating to this Tragedy I shal leave to the witnesses to relate; I shall only add a word or 2 how faire I have acted in it. Yesterday morning Andrew Pittime came to mee, to desire advise what to do for the squas not coming home; he feared some hurt by them, & thereupon I gave him an note to two Englishmen & Andrew proposed to me, to accompany him to search for the squas: & this day of Englishmen ye accompanied him [?] found them. Brown & Abraham Gale& was soon come to me & informed they cannot find the squas or childern though they have [?searched?] Andrew another serchad for them, but they farther report to me together with Mr hoare the (bearer here of) who came [?] the burned & can give you a particular account of matters if you please to call him before you. I desire the lord will give wisdom to the honorable court to search into this matter, so as may conduce most to the glory of God & publike good; So with my humble service presented I remain

your humble servant Daniel Gookin [?]

Postscipt The names of the 4 psons suspected for killing the squas & children are Daniel Goble Steven Goble Nathaniel Wilder Daniel Hoard who separated for 5 yrs afterward There were 13 English of ye company at first - 3 of ye called Wilder by surname - 3 called Goble by surname Steven Matlocke Daniel Hoare Ebenezer Prout Francis [?] Philip, two of Mr Prouts men Daniel Dane & William Kidman.

All the compy armed went forth together to looke for the enimy wch they heard were sene (some of thm) not far [crossed out: off] They came all to the hill where the squas were & spoke with thm & staid some time with thm & ye nine of the company went on way & the other 4 staid with the squas designing to go another way. The witnesses they were sent out & spoke wth those men are Jonathan [?] & Abraham Gale. I do not understand if [?] [?] suspected do either deny or owne the facts but say what they have done they will justify by law wich givs occasion to ye court seriously to consider if alowed is force about [?] liberty to destroy all Indians, [?] their may bee some distinction between freinds & enemies & that those whom God has made instrumental for our helpe may not bee [?] or iustly provoked or any guilt brought upon the land. D. G.

[edge of page covered] if you please to communicate these [edge of page covered] the magistrate or court

See Copies of [?], 165