1666-1678
Guide to the Collection
Sponsored by the Society of Colonial Wars in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Restrictions on Access
Use of the originals is restricted. This collection is available as color digital facsimiles (see links below). Black and white photocopies are also available for use in the library.
Abstract
Diary of John Cotton, Jr., kept from 6 March 1666 - Nov. 1667 and 12 Oct. 1670 - 23 July 1678, together with a Massachuset Indian language vocabulary. This notebook was used for Latin and Hebrew exercises by an unidentified previous owner. The sequence of pages and their orientations have been preserved in this digital presentation. Images ###130-202### appear upside down because Cotton started writing from the back of the notebook. Use the rotation tool in the viewer to adjust images.
Biographical Sketch
John Cotton, Jr. (1640-1699) ###
Collection Description
Diary of John Cotton, Jr., kept from 6 March 1666 - Nov. 1667 and 12 Oct. 1670 - 23 July 1678, together with a Massachuset Indian language vocabulary. The first part of the diary (1666-67) was kept during Cotton’s tenure as missionary to the Indians on Martha’s Vineyard, during which he learned the Indians’ language and kept a journal of their vocabulary. Entries describe sermons delivered, names of converted Indians, interpretations of the scripture, and the concerns and questions raised by the Indians about the nature of Christianity.
The second part of the diary (1670-78) was kept during Cotton’s tenure as minister of the First Congregational Parish in Plymouth, Mass. The brief entries describe Cotton’s ministerial duties, as well as occasional missionary visits to nearby Indian communities.
Acquisition Information
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Restrictions on Access
Use of the originals is restricted. This collection is available as color digital facsimiles (see links below). Black and white photocopies are also available for use in the library.
Other Formats
Published in the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, vol. 109 (1997), p. 52-101.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Expand allFront covers, No date
Front cover and inside front cover
Signature 1, No date
Latin exercises and Indian vocabulary and Mathematical notations
Signature 2, No date
Mathematical notations; Indian vocabulary; and Mathematical notations and Latin exercises and
Signature 3, No date
Mathematical notations and Latin exercises; List of fabrics and English (sermon in original owner's handwriting?); Indian vocabulary and Latin exercises
Signature 4, No date
Indian vocabulary and Latin exercises
Signature 5, No date
Indian vocabulary and Latin exercises
Signature 6. Image sequence 69-80, No date
Indian vocabulary and Latin exercises
Signature 7, No date
Indian vocabulary and Latin exercises
Signature 8, No date
Indian vocabulary and Latin exercises
Signature 9, No date
Indian vocabulary and Latin exercises
Signature 10, No date
Indian vocabulary and Latin exercises; Latin exercises and English script practice
Signature 11, No date
Latin exercises and English script practice
Signature 12, No date
Latin exercises and English script practice
Signature 13, No date
Latin exercises and English script practice
Signature 14, No date
Latin exercises and English script practice; English (sermon in Cotton's handwriting?); Latin and Hebrew exercises
Signature 15, No date
Latin and Hebrew exercises; Journal entries, 22 Feb. 1677/8 - 23 July 1678; Journal entries, 17 Jan. 1676/7 - 28 Nov. 1677; Journal entries, 25 Jan. 1675/6 - 15 Dec. 1676; Journal entries, 15 Jan. 1674/5 - 28 Dec. 1675; Journal entries, 14 Jan. 1673/4 - 15 Dec. 1674
Signature 16, No date
Journal entries, 14 Jan. 1673/4 - 15 Dec. 1674; Journal entries, 15 Jan. 1672/3 - 31 Dec. 1673; Journal entries, 23 Jan. 1671/2 - 18 Dec. 1672; Journal entries, 24 Jan. 1670/1 - 20 Dec. 1671; Journal entries, 12 Oct. 1669/70 - 5 Dec. 1670; Latin exercises and English script practice; Journal entries, 6 March 1666/7 - November 1667, and Latin exercises
Signature 17, No date
Journal entries, 6 March 1666/7 - November 1667, and Latin exercises; Latin exercises; Latin exercises and Indian vocabulary
Cover and letter, No date and 16 Apr. 1908
Inside back cover and back cover, and a one-page letter about provenance dated 16 April 1908
Preferred Citation
John Cotton, Jr. diary and Indian vocabulary, 1666-1678, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.