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Mashpee, Dec. 31, 1770

Sir,

I once promised to give you some instance of longevity, which I have known among the Indians of my acquaintance, and therefore make no apology for troubling you with the following account of the long lives of some of my people. I may first observe that Indians keep no register of their births, but their ages may be determined within a year or two by comparing with them the ages of their English neighbours or some remarkable even which we can ascertain the date of. This is the method I have used.

The Popmunnuck family in first in dignity among my people and affords the most instances of longevity.

Popmunnuck appeared as first of this tribe in the year 1648 and lived till after 1680. He left at least three sons, but I am able to give the christian names of only Simon and Caleb.