The Petition of Samuel Tumpatawin and Several Other of the Natick and Ponkapog to the Massachusetts General Court

To the Right Worshipful Honored Governor and Council Sitting in Boston, Etc., The Humble Petition of Several Indians Belonging to Natick and Ponkapog

 

Right Honorable,

 

Whereas it has pleased God in the late wars and troubles by His providence, so to order it that several of our kindred (being also related to and scattered amongst those that were our enemies and such of them that were found amongst our enemies) were justly taken and captivated and these few lines are earnestly to entreat Your Honors in the behalf of one of our near kindred called Peter, an Indian youth who submitted himself to the English the last August in Plymouth Patent and was from there sold into this Colony,1 and here he continued faithfully serving his master, John Kingsley of Milton, till, by order of the Honored Council, he with others were ordered to be brought before them, at which time the said Peter was committed to prison and so continueth. We, therefore, whose names are underwritten, do humbly crave of Your Honors that the said Peter, the Indian youth aforesaid, being nearly related to us, may have liberty granted to continue in this country, either that we, his relations, may have liberty to redeem him or that he may stay with his said master. Thus, earnestly praying for Your Honors’ prosperity and good success.

 

We rest Your Honors’ most humble petitioners and servants to our power,

 

Samuel Tumpatawin, his mark 

Mistwaben, his mark

Nishacow, his mark                                            

Captain John Hunter, his mark

William Ahaton, his mark

James  Rumneymarsh, his mark

Thomas  Rumneymarsh, his mark