On Monday Night last at Judge Sewall's, and the Night following at Judge Dudley's, was entertained one of the oldest Indians in New-England; John Quittamog, living in the Nipmug Countrey, near Woodstock. He is reckoned to be above One Hundred and Twelve Years old. The English Inhabitants of Woodstock remember him as a very old Man for near Forty Years past, and that he has all along affirmed and which he still affirms, that he was at Boston when the English first arrived; and when there was but One Cellar in the Place, and that near the Common, and then brought down a Bushel and a half of Corn upon his Back. He says that the Massachusetts Indians sent up word to the Nipmugs, that if they had any Corn to spare the English wanted it, and it would be worth their while to bring some of it down. He is now in good Health, and has his Understanding and Memory very entire, considering his great Age, and is capable of Traveling on Foot Ten Miles in a Day.
The year 1723 seems nearly as far back to us as the year in which the English first settled on Boston Harbor. But Judge Sewall and Judge Dudley and their friends considered John Quittamog as interesting as we should consider a man, still living, who had witnessed the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.
The genial "neighborhood note" style of journalism is in evidence in this item from Boston in the issue for November 20, 1721:
We hear from Amesbury, That the generous and charitable Captain of that Place, Lately warned his Company to appear at the Place of Parade, well armed with their Axes instead of their Firelocks; after which he marched them into the Woods, where (with invincible Courage) they slew as many Trees as made 30 Cord of Wood, and carted it to the Water side, in order to be brought hither, for the Relief of the Poor of this Place.
The man who inserted the following notice was manifestly in earnest:
Whereas Mathew Burne of Chester County served John Camm two Years (that is ten or twelve months) at Stocking weaving and other work, during which time John Camms Stockings bore many Reflections and now the said Mathew Burne goes about Selling Stockings in John Camms name as though they were his make, which is false and not True.
For incoherence Mr. Camm's English is a match for the printed request which, within a few years, was attached to the doors of a hotel at Lexington, Ky.:
"Guests are respectfully requested, if either leaves the room before the other is up, to lock and bolt the door again immediately upon his departure."