1676: Matoonas, a Nipmuc shot on Boston Common

ExecutedToday.com ^ | July 27th, 2015 | Headsman

[CheshireTheCat]

On this date in 1676, an indigenous Nipmuc named Matoonas was marched into Boston, condemned by a summary judicial proceeding, and immediately shot on Boston Common.

Though he was a so-called “Jesus Indian” — a converted Christian — Matoonas had become a principal adversary of the European colonists once long-building tensions exploded into King Philip’s War.

To the communal grievances that made up this war, Matoonas brought a very personal injury: back in 1671, his son Nehemiah had been accused by English colonists of murder and executed on that basis. And not just executed, but his rotting head set up on a pike at the gallows, to really rub it in.

Matoonas bided his time, but when the opportunity to fight back arrived he joined King Philip (Metacomet) with gusto. On July 14, 1675, Nipmuc warriors under his command raided the town of Mendon, Massachusetts, leaving five dead — the very first Anglo casualties of the war....

[Ezekiel]

Thanks!

“Executed Today” — great name for a website.

Great name for a band, too.

[mabarker1]

I had not heard of this Military/Native American engagement before until last week on the Beyond Skinwalker Ranch (new show) and the new show’s investigation crew was doing a series of experiments, interviews and documentation at the location where this all happened. Very creepy stuff has happened in the location over the Centuries.