A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England: Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.Williams, Roger
History
A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England: Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.
Williams, Roger
Narragansett Indians; Narragansett language
Wattáp, A roote of Tree.
Séip, A River.
Toyùsk, A bridge.
Sepoêse, A little River.
Sepoêmese, A little Rivulet.
Takèkum, A Spring.
Takekummûo? Is there a Spring.
Sepûo, Is there a River.
Toyusquanûo, Is there a Bridge.
Obs: The Natives are very exact and punctuall in the bounds of their
Lands, belonging to this or that Prince or People, (even to a River,
Brooke,) &c. And I have knowne them make bargaine and sale amongst
themselves for a small piece, or quantity of Ground: notwithstanding
a sinfull opinion amongst many that Christians have right to Heathens
Lands: but of the delusion of that phrase, I have spoke in a
discourse concerning the Indians Conversion.
Paugáutemisk, An Oake.
Wómpimish, A Chesnut Tree.
Wómpimineash, Chesnutts.
Obs: The Indians have an Art of drying their chesnuts, and so to
preserve them in their barnes for a daintie all the yeare.
Anáuchemineash, Akornes.
These Akornes also they drie, and in case of want of Corne, by much
boyling they make a good dish of them: yea sometimes in plentie of
Corne doe they eate these Acornes for a novelty.
Wússoquat, A Wallnut Tree.
Wusswaquatómineug, Wallnut.
Of these Wallnuts they make an excellent Oyle good for many uses, but
especially for their anoynting of their heads. And of the chips of
the Walnut Tree (the barke taken off) some English in the Countrey
make excellent Beere both for Tast, strength, colour, and inoffensive
opening operation:
Sasaunckpâmuck, The Sassafrasse Tree.
Mishquáwtuck, The Cedar Tree.
Cówaw-ésuck, Pine, young Pine.
Wenomesíppaguash, The Vine-Tree.
Micúckaskeete, A Medow.
Tataggoskìtuash, A fresh Medow.
Maskituash, Grasse or Hay.
Wékinash-quash, Reed, Reeds.
Manìsimmin, To cut or Mow.
Qussuckomineânug, The Cherry Tree.
Wuttáhimneash, Strawberries.
Obs: This Berry is the wonder of all the Fruits growing naturally in
those parts: it is of itselfe Excellent: so that one of the chiefest
Doctors of England was wont to say, that God could have made, but God
never did make a better Berry: In some parts where the Natives have
planted, I have many times seen as many as would fill a good ship
within a few miles compasse: The Indians bruise them in a Morter, and
mixe them with meale and make Strawberry bread.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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