Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

‘ [394] had him put to death (though they knew not wherefore). But those murmurings were not only against the Indian, but as much against Major Gookin, who granted him the certificate.’¹ Again, he says, ‘notwithstanding the council's endeavors in the former orders, and the testimony of these English witnesses² on behalf of the Christian Indians, yet the clamors and animosity among the common people increased daily, not only against those Indians, but also against all such English as were judged to be charitable to them, and particularly, many harsh reflections and speeches were uttered against Major Daniel Gookin and Mr. John Eliot.’³

As a specimen of the popular ‘clamors and animosity,’ I copy a few manuscripts:—

‘Elizabeth Belcher, aged 57, Martha Remington aged 31, and Mary Mitchell, aged 20, being sworne, doe say, that on ye 28th day of Febr. last, abt 10 of the clocke at night, Ri: Scott came into ye house of ye said Belcher, and suddenly after he came in broak out into many hideous raileing expressions agt ye worll Capt. Daniel Gookin, calling him an Irish dog yt was never faithful to his country, the sonne of a whoare, a bitch, a rogue, God confound him, & God rott his soul, saying if I could meet him alone I would pistoll him. I wish my knife and sizers were in his heart. He is the devils interpreter. I and two or three more designed to cut of all Gookins brethren at the Island, but some English dog discovered it, the devil will plague him,’ etc. Sworn before Simon Willard, Assistant, March 4, 1675-6.⁴ Scott was fined and imprisoned; he afterwards made a very humble confession, and was released.

Two copies of a written handbill are preserved, dated on the same day that Scott gave vent to his wrath: ‘Boston, February 28, 1675. Reader thou art desired not to supprese this paper, but to promote its designe, which is to certify (those traytors to their king and country) Guggins and Danford, that some generous spirits have vowed their destruction; as Christians wee warne them to prepare for death, for though they will deservedly dye, yet we wish the health of their soules. By ye new society. A. B. C. D.’⁵