The Wabquisset was a praying town , that is, a settlement for Native American converts to Puritan Christianity, founded in the 1670s near present-day North Woodstock, Connecticut .
73-565: The term also referred to the Native peoples who resided in Wabquisset. Collectively, Indigenous converts to Puritanism were called Praying Indians . The settlement was west of the Quinebaug River , in what is now Windham County , Connecticut . Wabquisset is also spelled Wabquissit, Wabuhquoshish, and Wabaquasset. The Massachusetts Bay Colony established this praying town in the territory of
146-409: A Needham cemetery to honor these veterans in 2003. The Praying Indian communities were able to exercise self-government and to elect their own rulers ( sachems ) and officials, to some extent exhibited continuity with precontact social system and used their own language as the language of administration of which a wealth of legal and administrative documents has survived. However, their self-government
219-468: A center for horse-dealing and training. In 1894-95, the Houghton Memorial Building was designed by Perkins & Betton and built to house the municipal library. It was a gift from Elizabeth and Clement S. Houghton, he was the son of one of Boston's wealthiest merchants, William S. Houghton. The elder Houghton, a Littleton native, had in 1884 made a bequest to the town for the establishment of
292-519: A church-bell as a present to the town but on account of the error in spelling by substituting "i " for "y," the present was withheld by the person having it in charge, who gave the excuse that no such town as Lyttleton could be found, and sold the bell." The few survivors of Nashobah Plantation had extreme difficulty in reviving the village. The few that returned intermarried with some of the English settlers who had bought land from them and quickly outnumbered
365-472: A commercial dairy, which he sold in 1942 to J. Fred Herpy, a dairyman who had moved to Littleton from Rome, New York . Herpy relocated the pasteurizing business to Great Road in 1952. Business was good in the post-war years, and Herpy's Dairy thrived. On the site of the Great Road plant, Herpy built two large swimming pools, and added a bathhouse, grill and ice cream stand. The pools provided swimming lessons to
438-509: A history of fifteen thousand years over one square mile located within the town. The arrival of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC, later part of Hewlett-Packard ) in the 1970s connected the town to other businesses in the Boston-area high-tech corridor. Digital built a very large facility on King Street near the Common, as well as offices on Porter Road and Foster Street. In 2007, IBM purchased
511-523: A large scale to supply produce for Haymarket in Boston. While earlier commercial market gardens had sprung up along the railways, motor transport allowed the formation of produce wholesalers in outlying cities such as Fitchburg and Lowell which signed contracts with local farmers to provide goods on a daily basis for sale in Haymarket. The trucks would leave the yards and drive down the state roads buying produce from
584-533: A larger building and funded it by selling pews to the members. The Orthodox Congregational Society funded their building in the same manner the same year, 1841. The two churches have occupied their locations on Foster and King Streets to the present day. The industrial revolution continued in Littleton with the arrival of the Fitchburg Railroad in 1844. The original station was built in 1845. A new train station
657-471: A library collection in honor of Reuben Hoar, who had financially assisted his father in a difficult time. Littleton continued to grow through the twentieth century. Prior to World War I , the mill at the common moved into the manufacturing of military webbing to supply the US Armed Forces. The advent of the war drew more people to town to work in the mill. Young men from Littleton also left to serve during
730-684: A result of the unit integration in the Continental Army, most cases had no real concentration of Praying Indians in a single unit. Praying Indians served in dozens of distinct units throughout the Revolutionary War. The Battle of King's Bridge in the Bronx, where both Daniel Nimham, the last sachem of the Wappinger and his son Abraham were killed alongside some 60 members of the Stockbridge Militia
803-702: A split. They had extremely close ties to both the Puritan clergy that established the Praying towns, as well as non-Native peoples that lived among them. Despite the continued seizure of Native lands, the various Praying Indian communities realized that their continued survival could be ensured only by close ties to their communities. Support of a distant government would only alienate them from those who were in proximity. In particular, Praying Indians from Natick and Ponkapoag (now Canton ) served in large numbers. The borders of Natick have since changed and includes parts of what
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#1732883971792876-527: A stable agrarian life. He converted so many that the group needed a large portion of land on which to grow their own crops. The law was on the side of the town, Elliot made a moral argument that the group had a need for land of their own. The case eventually went before the General Court, which granted the land in question to the Indians and, in compensation for the land lost, gave another piece of land in what
949-509: Is a 17th-century term referring to Native Americans of New England , New York , Ontario , and Quebec who converted to Christianity either voluntarily or involuntarily . Many groups are referred to by the term, but it is more commonly used for tribes that were organized into villages. The villages were known as praying towns and were established by missionaries such as the Puritan leader John Eliot and Jesuit missionaries who established
1022-468: Is a notable exception. Historian George Quintal Jr. discusses Revolutionary war veterans who were Native American, African-American, and other minority groups in his book Patriots of Color: ‘A Peculiar Beauty and Merit’ . A sampling of histories of Praying Indian soldiers is found below. James Anthony was born in Natick and initially served for eight months in 1775 in the regiment of Col. Jonathan Ward and in
1095-551: Is no evidence of official discrimination towards Native American soldiers. They received equal pay and treatment as compared to their white counterparts. That is a direct contrast to unit segregation in the Civil War, for instance. African-American soldiers fought in segregated units, such as the 54th Massachusetts Regiment under Col. Robert Gould Shaw. They were initially paid less than their white counterparts. Soldiers of Native American origin fought in several significant battles during
1168-545: Is the sixth praying Indian town. This village is situated, in a manner, in the centre, between Chelmsford, Lancaster, Groton and Concord. It lieth from Boston about twenty-five miles west north west. The inhabitants are about ten families, and consequently about fifty souls. At the time of King Philip's War between the English and Native Americans, the General Court ordered the Indians at Nashoba to be interned in Concord. A short while later, some Concord residents who were hostile to
1241-463: Is today Deerfield, Massachusetts , to the Dedham settlers. The town's actions in the case were characterized by "deceptions, retaliations, and lasting bitterness" and harassed its Native neighbors with petty accusations even after the matter had been settled. There are several narratives regarding Native American history that are greatly underrepresented. A significant number of Praying Indians fought for
1314-520: The Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. During the war, the vast majority of those Indians had been completely assimilated into their surrounding Christian communities and had fewer significant ties to other Native communities. They fought in entirely integrated units, unlike the African-American soldiers who fought for their country from the Revolutionary War to World War II. There
1387-583: The General Court and incorporated as Acton on July 3, 1735. Through the 1700s, new towns Littleton like most towns was served by several taverns, which were a fixture of small New England towns through to the early twentieth century: In 1742, the Meetinghouse was moved to a new building (the present site of the Unitarian Church) at a cost of £900. This would be the community's only house of worship for
1460-1374: The Massachusett and the Nipmuc . On October 28, 1646, in Nonantum (now Newton ), Eliot preached his first sermon to Native Americans in their Massachusett language in the wigwam of Waban , the first convert of his tribe. Waban later offered his son to be taught in the ways of the European colonists and served as an interpreter. Eliot translated the Bible into the Massachusett language and published it in 1663 as Mamusse Wunneetupanatamwe Up-Biblum God . By 1675, 20% of New England's Natives were living in praying towns. Christian Indian Towns were eventually located throughout Eastern and Central Massachusetts and included Littleton (Nashoba), Lowell (Wamesit, initially incorporated as part of Chelmsford ), Grafton (Hassanamessit), Marlborough (Okommakamesit), Hopkinton (Makunkokoag), Canton ( Punkapoag ), Mendon-Uxbridge (Wacentug), and Natick . Only Natick has retained its original name. Praying Indian Towns started by Eliot extended into Connecticut and included Wabaquasset (Senexet, Wabiquisset), six miles west of
1533-549: The Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag and Praying Indians of Natick and Ponkapoag . Littleton, Massachusetts Littleton (historically Nashoba ) is a town in Middlesex County , Massachusetts , United States. The population was 10,141 at the 2020 census. For geographic and demographic information on the neighborhood of Littleton Common, please see the article Littleton Common , Massachusetts . Littleton
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#17328839717921606-624: The Nipmuc , an Eastern Algonquian language -speaking Indigenous peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands . In 1668, the colony met with Indigenous leaders to plan this and three other Puritan praying towns: Quantisset , Chabanakongkomun , and Manchage . These settlements were along or close to the Great Trail , or the Old Connecticut Trail . Wabquisset was four to five miles north of Quantisset. In 1674, 30 families settled in
1679-791: The Quinebaug River in present-day Woodstock , the largest of the three northeastern Connecticut praying towns. The towns had a location that served as an outlying wall of defense for the colony, a function that came to an end in 1675, during King Philip's War . Praying Indians offered their service as scouts to the colonists in Massachusetts but were rejected by the Puritans in Boston. Instead, Praying Indian residents were first confined to their villages and were thus restricted from their farms and unable to feed themselves. Many were confined on Deer Island in Boston Harbor . John Eliot and many others in
1752-815: The St. Regis and Kahnawake (formerly known as Caughnawaga) and the missions among the Huron in western Ontario . In 1646, the General Court of Massachusetts passed an "Act for the Propagation of the Gospel amongst the Indians." It and the success of Reverend John Eliot and other missionaries preaching Christianity to the New England tribes raised interest in England. In 1649, the Long Parliament passed an ordination forming "A Corporation for
1825-809: The Warren Anatomical Museum . Under NAGPRA , the Mashpee Wampanoag and Nipmuc Nation were able to return his remains to the Pond Street Burial Ground in Needham (now Natick). Samuel Comecho served in the Battle of Bunker Hill under the command of Capt. Benjamin Bullard in Col. Jonathan Brewer's regiment. Born in Natick, Comecho enlisted for eight month's service and his unit held the line at Bunker Hill between
1898-488: The 1950s and 1960s in a kind of suburbanization after leaving their more dense, first and second-generation neighborhoods in Arlington, East Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, and Somerville. Due to its location between Fort Devens and Hanscom AFB , Littleton has been a popular location for military retirees from the 1960s to the present day. Author John Hanson Mitchell wrote a book titled Ceremonial Time (1984), which details
1971-453: The British during the Revolutionary War, but some decided to fight with the colonists. That inevitably led to clashes involving previously aligned groups, when Native tribes on opposite sides of the conflict met on the field of battle. For example, the Battle of Oriskany on August 6, 1777, saw Loyalist Seneca soldiers fighting against colonially-aligned Oneidas. The Praying Indians never saw such
2044-478: The Christian Indians , for example, documents English colonial prisoners of war (not, in fact, opposing combatants, but imprisoned members of allied Praying Indian) being enslaved and sent to Caribbean destinations. In the mid-17th century, John Eliot and a group of praying Indians from Dedham, Massachusetts , won a lengthy court battle and were awarded the title to the 2,000 acres (810 ha) of land in
2117-457: The Civil War or shortly thereafter, most lyceums petered out, but not in Littleton. Besides bringing about a brief return to public debating, the War was also long a subject for Lyceum, a venue where veterans lectured about their experiences and travel. In 1840, the community fractured on sectarian lines. As a result the remaining members of the town meetinghouse, now Unitarians, realized that they needed
2190-598: The Common and the now growing Depot. By the common, the Conant Houghton Co. Mill was erected in 1880. Initially, it processed apple products, but moved into the production of clothing and military equipment in the late 1890s. In 1885, the quarantine station for the Port of Boston moved from Waltham to a farm on the Fitchburg railway line on the south west side of Mill Pond. Used to clear wild and domestic animals and made Littleton
2263-606: The Depot. While in Somerville, Arthur Rowse, known for integrity and honesty, had refused to do business with bootleggers in a state where Prohibition was overwhelmingly unpopular. He continued his refusal after moving to Littleton. Due to the Yankee character of the town, it was notably dry during Prohibition. Although Prohibition was repealed in 1933, Littleton did not permit the sale of alcohol again until 1960, and then in just two locations,
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2336-556: The French and Indian War. He served in the company of Capt. Thomas Drury under the command of Col. John Nixon, and fought at Bunker Hill. He later re-enlisted in Col. Thomas Nixon's fourth Regiment in New York and fought at the Battles of Harlem Heights and White Plains. After his second discharge, he re-enlisted a second time, once again under Col. Thomas Nixon. He fought at the Battle of Saratoga and
2409-582: The French in Canada. Men from Littleton served in the primarily Provincial Army that captured Louisbourg in 1745. This militia system evolved into the organization that confronted the British Regulars on April 18, 1775. The minutemen and militia of Littleton marched and fought at Concord and the Battle Road on April 19, 1775. The militia company and the minutemen squads mustered at Liberty Square located on
2482-637: The Johnson's store at the Depot and the Nashoba Package store at Donelan's shopping center. Only in the late 1980s, with the building of DEC's King Street facility, was a bar allowed to open in town (this later became Ken's American Cafe, which closed in December 2008. It was followed by what is now the Chip Shot on Ayer Road). For years, residents could go to establishments just over the town line that served alcohol, in
2555-684: The King Street facility from Hewlett-Packard and announced that it would become its main New England location. In 2014, Littleton embarked on a year of celebration for its 300th anniversary. In 2022, the Boston Globe reported that the Littleton mill had the highest concentration of federally-licensed firearms dealers in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau ,
2628-651: The Nashoba solicited some militia to remove them to Deer Island . Around this time, fourteen armed men of Chelmsford went to the outlying camp at Wameset (near Forge Pond) and opened fire on the unsuspecting Nashoba, wounding five women and children, and killing outright a boy twelve years old, the only son of John Tahattawan. For much of the war, the English colonists rounded up the Praying Indians and sent them to Deer Island. When increasing numbers of Massachusetts Bay officers began successfully using Praying Indians as scouts in
2701-556: The Plymouth Colony tried to prevent it, but it is reported that it became dangerous in Massachusetts to talk positively about any Native Americans, which likely contributed to the initial successes of the Indian rebellion. The order for removal was passed in October 1675, and by December, well over 1,000 Christian Indians had been brought to the island, where many died during the winter due to
2774-646: The Promoting and Propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in New England," which raised funds to support the cause. Contributors raised approximately £12,000 to invest in the cause, to be used mainly in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and in the Province of New York . Eliot received financial aid from the corporation to start schools to teach the Native Americans. The Indian nations involved appear to have included
2847-489: The Revolutionary War such as Bunker Hill , Battle Road , Trenton , and Saratoga . The number of Praying Indian soldiers was likely over 100, but an entirely accurate count is hard to come by. Unlike other Native groups such as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy , the Praying Indians were cohesive and steadfast in their support for the colonists. The Iroquois Confederacy had several factions, most of which supported
2920-413: The age of 18 living with them, 64.0% were married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no spouse present, 10.3% had a male householder with no spouse present, and 3.6% were non-families. Of all households 19.6% were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.16. Of
2993-406: The children of Littleton until 1870: According to local lore, the town had a contingent of Loyalists who remained after the revolution and thwarted attempts to rename King Street as Main, Washington, or Adams streets. This has been the source of ribbing from neighboring towns, who call Littleton a Tory town. During the 1800s, Littleton grew at a slow pace. It became known for its apple orchards and
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3066-411: The cider produced in town. The Warren Gristmill changed over to operating as a sawmill in the second decade. In 1822, Baptists in town decided to create their own society and build a church at the corner of King Street and Goldsmith Street. This was influenced by Unitarianism beginning to take hold in New England. The lyceum movement , a Scottish and English means of spreading education; especially in
3139-557: The company of Capt. James Mellen. He later re-enlisted for three years from 1777 to 1780 in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment under Col. William Shepherd, serving in Capt. Reuben Slayton's company. The unit fought at Saratoga and was present at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777. Anthony was discharged 14 March 1780. Joseph Paugenit Jr. (Mashpee Wampanoag) was born in Framingham and was baptized in Natick in 1754. His father, Joseph Sr., fought during
3212-410: The farms for resale in town. Almost all truck farms kept a portion of their produce for sale at their roadside stands. The farms in Littleton were operated by a mix of older Yankee residents and newer Irish, Italian, Quebecois, and Greek families who had bought the farms as a commercial venture. One can see what most of Route 2A looked like running in through Acton, Concord, Lexington, and Arlington during
3285-549: The first two-thirds of the century by looking at present day, Route 119 moving northwest from Beaver Brook Road. Arthur Rowse bought Standard Vinegar Co. in Somerville , in 1865 in 1900, changed the name to New England Vinegar Works in 1907. In 1919, he added the Veryfine brand name for pasteurized apple juice. He moved the company to Littleton, Massachusetts, in 1930 to be closer to Massachusetts' apple orchards, setting up his plant at
3358-544: The harsh conditions. The survivors were released in 1676. After the war, in part because of the loss of life, the General Court of Massachusetts disbanded 10 of the original 14 towns in 1677 and placed the rest under the supervision of colonists, but some communities survived and retained their religious and education systems. Indigenous peoples of the Americas including Praying Indians were trafficked through Atlantic trade routes. The 1677 work The Doings and Sufferings of
3431-400: The last Praying Indian, passed on in 1736. New neighboring towns formed from larger towns abutting Littleton. West Chelmsford soon grew large enough to sustain its own governance, and was officially incorporated as Westford on September 23, 1729, A new town including parts of Lancaster , Groton, and Stow was incorporated in 1732 as Harvard . A large section of West Concord won approval of
3504-450: The line in North Acton, there was also a passenger station with service on the Framingham and Lowell Railroad beginning in 1871. With the railroads, local farmers grew in response to the availability of transport for their produce to markets in Boston. Some of the local farmers located along the rail line began to diversify their crops for sale in Haymarket, a few farms began to concentrate on dairy production, but Littleton became known for
3577-402: The minutemen sped ahead to join the other minutemen at the bridge. In 1782, the third request to incorporate as a separate town by the residents of present day Boxborough was granted by the General Court and incorporated on February 25, 1783, taking away almost a quarter of Littleton's area on the south abutting Stow and Harvard. In 1795, the town built its first public schools which served
3650-430: The natives. The new community petitioned the legislature and incorporated as a town in 1714 with its limits (including modern Boxborough ) bounded by the existing towns of The Plantation of Groton to the west, Chelmsford to the north, Stow to the south and west, and Concord to the south and east. The meetinghouse of the town moved from the area of Newtown to eastern triangle of the Town Common in 1717. Sarah Doublet,
3723-401: The number of orchards producing apples. Abolitionism and Transcendentalism became popular movements in Littleton during the 1800s and were much discussed at Littleton Lyceum. Several Littleton men served in the Federal forces during the Civil War and are memorialized on a plaque on either side of the Houghton Memorial Building. Further development of stores, shops, and business centered on
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#17328839717923796-415: The population 23.2% were under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males. The median household income was $ 123,413 and the median family income was $ 143,233. About 2.4% of families and 3.6% of
3869-411: The population were below the poverty line , including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over. The public Reuben Hoar Library first opened in 1887. In 1895, the Houghton Memorial Building was constructed, and the Reuben Hoar Library moved into it. The library, still named in honor of Reuben Hoar, moved to 41 Shattuck Street in 1991, and the Houghton Memorial Building then housed
3942-423: The praying town. That year, Puritan missionary John Eliot (ca. 1604–1690) preached at Wabquisset. The colony did not provide a teacher to the community until 1674, when a man named Sampson became their teacher. The Native people at Wabquisset had previously paid tribute to the Uncas . The United States Navy tugboat USS Wabaquasset was named for the community. Praying Indians Praying Indian
4015-406: The redoubt and the rail fence. He re-enlisted on the first day of 1776 in Col. Asa Whitcomb's regiment and served in Capt. William Hudson Ballard's company in the Canadian theater. It was reported that he died on March 14, 1776. The cause of death was likely smallpox. The sacrifices made by Praying Indians and other minority groups during the Revolutionary War have never been properly celebrated. It
4088-401: The remainder of the 1700s. Construction of Warren's Grist Mill (abutting 495 at the junction of Grist Mill Rd and Warren St) began in 1750. This mill processed the crops produced by the town residents through the eighteenth century. Residents of Littleton contributed men to the militia system that was set up by the Crown to serve as self-defense against hostile First Nations peoples as well as
4161-435: The residents of Littleton and surrounding towns. By the last year the pools were open, 1968, over a thousand children learned to swim at Herpy's. It closed a year later, in response to Littleton's expansion of alcohol sales. Like many towns along the state roads radiating from Boston, the advent of motor transport saw the arrival of truck farms which sprang up along Route 119/2A. These were market gardens that were operated on
4234-419: The sciences to the masses came to Littleton when, following the example of Millbury, Salem, and Concord, Littletonians on December 21, 1829, decided, in their words, "to promote mutual improvement" through the formation of the Littleton Lyceum. By the time of its 25th anniversary, the Littleton Lyceum took the form and operation it would have for almost a century of lectures followed by questions and debate. During
4307-404: The southwest side of town on the Boxborough line (then part of Littleton). They marched from there through what is now Boxborough Depot and over Littleton Rd/Boxborough Rd to Newtown Road (Littleton), up over Fort Pond Hill (stopping briefly at the Choate Farm) and along Newtown Rd (Acton) to Acton Center. From there they marched the Isaac Davis Trail to Old North Bridge . Some writing suggests that
4380-445: The surrounding Acton, Westford, Groton, Ayer, and Boxborough. Littleton has remained a predominantly Yankee town, with the bulk of the population belonging to the Congregational Church of Littleton, The First Baptist Church, and First Church Unitarian churches. In the post- World War II era, Roman Catholic immigrants from Ireland, Quebec, Canada, and Italy moved into Middlesex County and Littleton. The Roman Catholic parish of St. Anne's
4453-408: The town has a total area of 17.5 square miles (45 km ), of which 16.6 square miles (43 km ) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km ) (5.30%) is water. Littleton borders the following towns: Groton , Westford , Acton , Boxborough , Harvard , and Ayer . At the 2020 census , there were 10,141 people, 3,657 households and 2,218 families residing in the town. The population density
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#17328839717924526-444: The town that is now known as Natick. The dispute, which lasted from 1651 to 1665 and flared up again sporadically in the years afterward, centered on the Indians' use of a tract of land along the Charles River. They claimed to have an agreement to use the land for farming with the Town Fathers, but Dedham officials objected to them. Eliot had converted many of the native people in the area to Christianity and taught them how to live
4599-447: The war, the sentiment of the white settlers turned. In May 1676, the Massachusetts General Court ordered that Praying Indians be removed from Deer Island. Still, many died of starvation and disease. Upon their release, most survivors moved to Natick and sold their land to white settlers. The town was settled by Anglo-European settlers in 1686 and was officially incorporated by act of the Massachusetts General Court on November 2, 1715. It
4672-512: The war. Upon their return, they founded the two veterans' posts, American Legion Post 249 and VFW Post 6556. With the advent of the automobile, Littleton saw two more expansions of agri-business. The existing dairy farms grew larger and became commercial. Cloverdale Farm/Dell Dale Farm, on Mannion Place off Great Road edging up to the shores of Lake Nagog, became a well-known local dairy operating until 1986, first by John Mannion and then Thomas and William Byrne from Hopedale. Herbert Whitcomb also ran
4745-464: Was Needham , Dedham . The first significant engagements Praying Indians participated in were the Battles of Battle Road and Bunker Hill. Approximately five out of the estimated 21 Native Americans at Battle Road were from Praying Indian communities, and out of the estimated 103 Native Americans at Bunker Hill, about 10 were Praying Indians from the Natick area (primary source confirmation of service histories has numbers that are significantly less). As
4818-472: Was 492.5 inhabitants per square mile (190.2/km ). There were 3,889 housing units at an average density of 183.8 per square mile (71.0/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 80.71% White , 1.34% African American , 0.15% Native American , 8.17% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 1.33% from other races , and 5.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.25% of the population. There were 3,657 households, of which 23.2% had children under
4891-436: Was erected in 1879 and was used until it closed in 1970. This line served to be influential in the development of the town. Commuter service into North Station along this line began in the 1880s. The Fitchburg was not the only railroad to arrive and serve Littleton in the Nineteenth Century. The Stony Brook Railroad line running from present day Ayer to Chelmsford maintained a station in North Littleton by Forge Pond. Just over
4964-749: Was established in 1947 and is currently the largest congregation in town. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established a chapel in 1979. In 1956, the Church of Christ was built on Harwood Avenue. It disbanded in 1985 due to the closing of Ft. Devens and the resultant dwindling membership. Many of the early families are represented by descendants in the town to the present day: Blanchard, Bulkeley, Crane, Hartwell, Hathaway, Kimball, and Whitcomb. The neighborhoods around Mill Pond (also known as Lake Warren): Long Lake, Forge Village, and Spectacle Pond, include numerous summer cottages or "camps" that have been converted into year-round residences. Many ethnic Irish, Italian, Québécois, and Finnish families moved here in
5037-570: Was gradually curtailed in the 18th and 19th centuries, when their languages also became extinct. During that period, most of the original Praying Towns eventually declined because of epidemics and the communal land property of others passing out of Native control. The Indian-inhabited areas were eventually transformed into "Indian districts." In the 21st century, people who identify as descendants of Praying Indians have formed different organizations. They are unrecognized and are not federally recognized tribes or state-recognized tribes . These include
5110-416: Was not until the 20th century that these veterans were first recognized. The town of Natick installed a monument to Native American veterans of the Revolutionary War in 1900, which still stands today on Pond Street near Natick Center. However, it was not until Needham historian Robert D. Hall Jr. that their final resting places were properly honored. Hall and volunteers placed grave markers and American flags in
5183-407: Was part of the Puritan and later Congregational culture and religion of New England. In his book, An Historical Sketch Town of Littleton (1890), Herbert Joseph Harwood wrote: It is said that the name Littleton was given as a compliment to Hon. George Lyttleton, M.P. , one of the commissioners of the treasury [one time Chancellor of the Exchequer ], and that in acknowledgment he sent from England
5256-718: Was reported as deceased soon after, likely as the result of wounds sustained during the battle or from contracting smallpox. Alexander Quapish (Wampanoag, 1741–1776), born in Wampanoag territory in Yarmouth, Massachusetts , enlisted in Dedham in 1775. He served as a member 13th Massachusetts Regiment of Col. Jonathan Brewer. He took ill in November 1775 and died in Needham in March 1776. Michael Bacon cared for him in his last days and conducted his burial. Quapish's remains were disinterred and donated to
5329-442: Was the site of the sixth Praying Indian village established by John Eliot in 1645 consisting of mainly Native Americans of the Massachusett tribes. It was called Nashoba Plantation, on the land between Lake Nagog and Fort Pond. The term "Praying Indian" referred to Native Americans who had been converted to Christianity. Daniel Gookin , in his Historical Collections of the Indians in New England , (1674) chapter vii. says: Nashobah
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