John Pell Ordered Not To Sell Powder and Shot to Native Americans For a Time in 1675

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As I recently have noted, in 1675, the Province of New York was in the midst of "King Philip's War". This was one of the bloodiest conflicts among Native Americans of southern New England and English colonists and their allies. Recently I have posted transcriptions of material arising from concerns among English settlers in 1675 that Native Americans living on John Pell's land in the Manor of Pelham might engage in hostilities against nearby settlers during the 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

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

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes a similar item: An October 6, 1675 Order by the Court of Assizes in New York City directing John Pell to refrain, for a time, from selling powder and shot to the Native Americans living in the Manor of Pelham.

"Extract from the Minutes of a Court of Assizes.
[New York Colonial Mss., xxiv, 172.]

At a Gen all Court of Assizes held in the City of New York [&c.] the 6th Day of Oct. 1675.

* * * * *

Upon the Governors Receipt of a L re from Governour Carteret 1 [FN 1: "PHILIP CARTERET, Governour of New Jersey."] in Court, all but the Bench were ordered to withdraw.

The Contents were a late Violence acted by some Indyans at the Nevesans, 2 [FN 2: "In New Jersey, south of the Raritan River, sometimes written Newesing, Newasons, or Navesink."] who plundered a Boat sent by him to trade, whereupon he hath issued forth a Proclamation to prohibit every one to carry Goods or trade w th them, and desireth the like may bee done here.

It is ordered in like Manner that there bee no Trading with the Indyans at their Plantacons.

That the Law bee observed w ch prohibits selling strong Liquors to Indyans, Albany excepted. [Page 90 / Page 91]

The selling of Powder and Shott to the Indyans debated and put to the Vote.

Capt. Chambers, 1 [FN 1: Capt. THOMAS CHAMBERS, was sitting at this Time as Justice for Esopus."] to be forbid to all but the Maques and Sinnekes.

Mr. Geo. Hall 2 [FN 2: "GEORGE HALL, a Sheriff of Esopus."] the like.

Mr. Cornell 3 [FN 3: "RICHARD CORNELL, a Justice for the North Riding of Yorkshire, on Long Island."] idem.

Mr. Topping, 4 [FN 4: "JOHN TOPPING, a Justice for the East Riding of Yorkshire, on Long Island."] forbid to all except those that comport themselves well.

Mr. Pell, 5 [FN 5: "JOHN PELL, see Note, p. 64."] a Restraint for a Time.

All the Rest 6 [FN 6: "The Court present consisted of the Governour, Secretary, 3 Councilors, two Aldermen, and 18 Justices of the Peace."] to continue as it is, wch is by farre the major Vote.

That pursuant to the Law the Constables of the severall Tounes take Care no Powder or Lead be sold to the Indyans, but by them as directed or their Consents. [Page 91 / Page 92]

The Proclamacon about the Block Houses, &c. approved of."

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. 90-92 (Albany, NY: J. Munsell 1858).

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