Letter from William Hillhouse to the Governor and Council of Connecticut

May 17, 1769

Mimeograph transcription of a letter describing the burial of Benjamin Uncas. A great many people, both English and Indian, turned out for the Ben's funeral. The Reverend Mr. Jewett preached a sermon for the Christian Uncas. However, before the body could be picked up and taken to the Mohegan burying grounds, many of the men of the tribe left the funeral. Therefore, it was agreed upon that Ben would be buried on the Mohegan land and not in the traditional burying grounds. Hillhouse warns the Governor and others that Uncas's death has left a power void in the tribe. Many of the tribe support the election of Mason as the next sachem, despite his non–Indian status. Hillhouse assures the Governor that the Mohegans will not accept a government–appointed sachem. They want to do things their own way. It seems to Hillhouse that the Mohegans want to cut ties with the British, having viewed them as their oppressors for many years.

1 page

DOC.1769–05–17A

Letter

Tribes – Mohegan

Hillhouse, William
Saltonstall, Col.
Adams, Capt.
Uncas, Ben

Jewett, Rev.
Occum, Samson
Mason

funeral
burying ground
interred
jealousy
distrust
regulation
protection
allies
sachemship