Module 2: Natick’s Beginnings and Algonquian Languages
Module 2 explores communication in early Natick and the translation of the Bible into Algonquian languages. Gail Coughlin discusses the story of Natick’s founding by Massachusett, Nipmuc, and English people in 1651 as a Praying Town and daily life in the early settlement. Rachel Speyer Besancon gives a brief explanation of Algonquian languages and explains how the Algonquian Bible was translated and printed in 1663.
THE FOUNDING OF NATICK
Hear about why Massachusett and Nipmuc people moved to Natick to establish the Praying Town in 1651. Gail Coughlin tells us the story of Waban and John Eliot in Natick, and what life was like in the early years of our town.
ALGONQUIAN LANGUAGES
Learn about the languages that have been spoken on this land since long before Natick was founded. The settlers of Natick, who were Massachusett and Nipmuc, have languages of their own that fall under the umbrella of "Algonquian languages." Rachel Speyer Besancon talks about how written forms of these languages were developed and the work that went into publishing the the Algonquian Bible in 1663.
This the first page of the translated Algonquian Bible, telling the story of Genesis. Click on the photo to enlarge the image and read the page.
Use these scanned pages of an Algonquian-English dictionary from 1903 to translate the words on the back of the module 2 worksheet.
On This Land Online is made possible by a grant from Mass Humanities, which provided funding through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). The Natick Historical Society would also like to thank Middlesex Savings Bank for its sponsorship and the generous private donors whose contributions brought this program to life.