ENPages
(seq. 1)
To the {Honorable} & {Reverend} Corporation of Harvard College The Petition of the Indian Inhabitants of Natick Humbly Sheweth ~
That, Whereas the {honorable} Commissioners of the Society for Propagating the Gospel in {New} England &c. have charitably exhibited Forty Pounds Lawfull Money, towards Building, & Finishing a new Meeting-House, for the convenience of carrying on the Public worship of God among us; and as we have done all that was in our Power to promote, & forward the same; our English Neighbours also that are allow'd by the {Generall} Court to join with us, having been of a considerable Expence, & Trouble in Endeavouring to have the Meeting-House establish'd in the Place where it now stands, which but accomodates both them & us; & some of them having advanc'd to the Value of £200. O.T., & several other to the Value of above £100 O.T. each, towards the Building & Finishing said House; but But, notwithstanding, it remains unfinished, & unfit to meet in for want of money & materials to the amount of several Hundred Pounds ~ your Petitioners therefore most humbly request, that, as the {honorable} & {Reverend} Corporation of Harvard College are jointly, & equally concern'd with the {honorable} Commissioners in Supporting the Gospel among us (both as to the Settlement & Salary of our {Reverend} Minister) That you will also in your Wisdom & Goodness, be pleased to grant & advance the like Sum of Forty Pounds L.M., or such other Sum as you shall see meet to be applied to purchase Materials for Finishing said House & to [illegible] pay workmen that shall be employ'd therein; & that you will also invest some suitable Person with the Disposal of said Money for the Purposes abovemention'd if you shall think fit to grant it; & yr Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray
Natick May 4th 1753
{Joseph} [mark] his mark Ephraim John Ephraim Jacob Chalcom
In the name & Behalf of the other Indians
(seq. 2)
Natic Indians
Petition for help as to yr {Meeting} House. May 4th 1753