MASSACHUSETTS INDIANS
\mˌasɐt͡ʃˈuːsɪts ˈɪndi͡ənz], \mˌasɐtʃˈuːsɪts ˈɪndiənz], \m_ˌa_s_ɐ_tʃ_ˈuː_s_ɪ_t_s ˈɪ_n_d_iə_n_z]\
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At the time of the English settlement of the State, were composed of five Algonquin tribes, recently decimated by pestilence. The Nipmucks occupied central Massachusetts, the Pennacooks what is now New Hampshire, the Massachusetts the lands around Massachusetts Bay, the Nausets Cape Cod, while the Pokanokets lived in the southeastern portion of the State. All except the Nausets were friendly to the settlers, and this tribe entered into a peace with the Plymouth colonists. Missions were begun on Martha's Vineyard in 1644, and in 1651 Indian converts under John Eliot were gathered at Natick. The converts were termed Praying Indians. At length discontent arose which in 1675 led to King Philip's War.
By John Franklin Jameson
