John Pell Obtains Permission to Allow Native Americans On His Land to Use Canoes in 1676

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For the last several days I have been posting to the Historic Pelham Blog materials reflecting concerns among English settlers in 1675 and 1676 that Native Americans in the Manor of Pelham might take part in hostilities as part of King Philip's War. See:

Friday, April 20, 2007: 1675 Order by Governor's Council Directing John Pell to Take Daily Account of Indians on His Land

Monday, April 23, 2007: An Armed English Sloop Patroled the Sound Near Native Americans Settled in the Manor of Pelham in 1675

Tuesday, April 24, 2007: John Pell Ordered Not To Sell Powder and Shot to Native Americans For a Time in 1675

Wednesday, April 25, 2007: 1675 Order by Court of Assizes and Consequent Proclamation Ordering Native Americans to Remove from the Manor of Pelham

See also Friday, December 29, 2006: Native Americans Ordered to Remove from the Manor of Pelham in 1675

Today's posting transcribes material that reflects that after officials forbid Native Americans to use canoes in Long Island Sound in 1675, John Pell petitioned authorities the following year to allow Native Americans living on his land in the Manor of Pelham to have use of canoes. A transcription of the relevant material appears below, followed by a citation to its source:

"At a Councill May ye 29th, 1676.

Whereas, being in Peace we have upon Acct of our Neighbours Warre, disarmed all our Indyans upon Long Island, and prohibitted all Canooes from goeing in the Sound, neither of which our Neighbours have as yett done, and finding no Cause to continue the same; but rather the Contrary by our Indyans good Comport, these are therefore to signify the same unto you, and that you may and are at Liberty to redeliver all Arms taken from your Indyans, unlesse you see or know Cause to the Contrary: In which Case you are to detayne them and signify the same unto the Governor. But [Page 165 / Page 166] in either Case to continue carefull Watch and Ward according to former Orders.

To the Justices of the Peace, Constables, and Overseers of any of the Townes upon Long Island.

Upon Application of Mr. John Pell (one of the Justices of the Peace,) concerning the Indyans living upon his Land at Anne Hookes Neck, using their Canooes, contrary to the Order of the Court of Assizes, presuming so to doe for that ye Indians upon Long Neck (neare Stamford in ye neighbour Colony) have theirs, and never forbidden them, though in Warre. Ordered, That Mr. Pell do make Enquiry of the Truth thereof and give an Account of itt hither. In meane Time upon his Request, the Indians upon his Land are to have Liberty to make Use of three Canooes about their Occasions, and if the Justice upon Enquiry do find it practised as alleaged, upon his making his Returne thereof to ye Governour, then they are to have all their Canooes returned them againe.

Ordered, That all North Indyans that will come in, may be protected, and a Stop to be put to the Maques further prosecuting sd North Indyans."

Source: Hough, Franklin B., ed., A Narrative of the Causes Which Led to Phlip's Indian War, 0f 1675 and 1676, By John Easton, of Rhode Island. With Other Documents Concerning This Even in the Office of the Secretary of State of New York. Prepared from the Originals, with an Introduction and Notes, pp. 165-66 (Albany, NY: J. Munsell 1858).

Pell subsequently conducted the investigation he was requested to make. He determined that, just as the Native Americans on his land had said, Native Americans near today's Stamford had already been given full use of their canoes. Thus, on June 10, 1676, the Governor's Council granted permission to Native Americans on John Pell's land in the Manor of Pelham to use their canoes in like manner. What follows is a transcription of the minutes of the Council's meeting on that date.

"Council Minutes.

[Council Minutes, iii, Part 2, p. 103.

At a Meeting of the Councell in the Absence of the Governour, June 10, 1676.

Present, Capt. Brockoles, The Secretary, Capt. Dyre, Mr. Phillips.

Mr. Pell having upon Enquiry made Returne that it hath been and still is practised by ye Indyans on Long Neck, &c., to have their Canooes, the following Order was made.

The Wyckerscreeke Indyans having made Suite to the Governor that the Restraint of their going into and passing to and fro in ye Sound in Canooes may be taken off, in regard to their planting on Mr. Pells Land at Anne Hoockes Neck 1 [FN 1: "1 In the present Town of Pelham, Westchester County. See Bolton's Westchester, i, 515."] or ye Islands adjacent; Upon Consideration of their good Comport, and also for that ye Indyans in the neighbour Colony of Conecticutt have hitherto beene, and are [Page 169 / Page 170] now permitted the Use of their Canooes, it is Ordered, That our said Indyans of Wickerscreeke have Liberty to make Use of their Canooes, in the Sound, or any other Part within the Government, Long Island excepted."

Source: Hough, Franklin B., ed., A Narrative of the Causes Which Led to Phlip's Indian War, 0f 1675 and 1676, By John Easton, of Rhode Island. With Other Documents Concerning This Even in the Office of the Secretary of State of New York. Prepared from the Originals, with an Introduction and Notes, pp. 169-70 (Albany, NY: J. Munsell 1858).

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Please Click Here for Index to All Blog Postings.