Hunter, John

John Hunter was a Christian Indian of Punkapoag with familial ties to Wecopemsitt.  During King Philip's War, he served as a scout and fought at Mt. Hope in 1675.  After the battle, Hunter was among those Indians who brought in Indian scalps to Massachusetts Governor John Leverett for a reward.  For his service to the English, Philip had ordered him to be captured or put to death.

.

In February 1677, Hunter claimed money due him for the sale of his brother-in-law, who he brought in.  The following month, he was in prison for "unsuitable carriage and abuse towards his wife."  A very ill Hunter petitioned Leverett asking to be released from his incarceration, saying that he would be willing to remove to Connecticut to live under Uncas.

Sometime afterwards, Hunter’s house and land at Wecopemsitt were confiscated.  He spent years trying to be redressed, petitioning Plymouth and Massachusetts governments and the central government of Edmund Andros.  Huntoon, History of the Town of Canton, 36. Bodge, Soldiers in King Philip’s War, 395.  Breen, Daniel Gookin, the Praying Indians, and King Philip's War, Pulsipher, Indian Captives, 14.  J. Drake, King Philip's War, 243.  Petition of John Hunter, 1692.10.00.00.