6 - “They are so frequently shifting their place of residence”: Natick Indians, 1741–90

Summary

That although all possable care was taken by the Genii Court of Sd Province at the first, to give and grant unto us the great Priviledges of Fishing, by ordering our Sittuation so as that Certain Ponds, Convenient and good for Fishing, are included within the Bounds of sd Parish, which Ponds have been of great advantage to us, and Supplyed us with Fish of various Sorts … in plenty, whereby our families have been in great measure Supported Yet, notwithstanding the said Ponds are in the lands now in our possession – Ebenezer Feltch and others, English Inhabitants of Sd Parish, (without our consent, and against our wills) have of late so far Trespassed upon our Said priviledges, as to take Possession of our best fishing ground where we sett our [weirs]… and have Entered into articles of agreement… [We] therefore apply our Selves … that our Sd Priveledge may not be taken away, by such persons or means – That so we may Still have our old and Valluable liberty of fishing continued.

Struggles over place

Angry about the arrogant English flouting of their fishing rights, in 1748 thirteen Indian landowners fired off a petition to the General Court protesting English encroachments. Their complaint revealed important dynamics operating within the Indian community after 1740 as well as a glimpse at festering conflict with English neighbors in Natick.