“The amazing descent of the holy spirit upon the various tribes of Indians in this part of the World”: Missionary success among the native American tribes of New England in the second third of the eighteenth century

The history of interaction between Native Americans and colonists in New England has been subject to repeated scrutiny in research literature. Contemporary historiography is seeking to shift its focus from a one-sided perspective on the Native American problem as a history of conflict. Instead, it is striving to explore the evolution of cooperation and mutual cultural influence between the indigenous and colonial populations. The second third of the 18th century marked a significant turning point in the missionary activity among the Native American tribes of New England, with a substantial number of converts being recorded. The success of the Christianisation of the indigenous population has been attributed to two key factors. Firstly, it coincided with a period of revitalisation of the religious life of the New England colonies, largely due to the impact of the First “Great Awakening”. Secondly, it occurred against the backdrop of intensified Anglo-French colonial rivalry, which played a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of missionary endeavours in the region. The notion of the “enemy image”, which took shape in New England society from an early stage and was directed towards the French “papists”, also served as an additional incentive for the conversion of Native Americans to Reformed Christianity. The apparent success of the missionaries of the First “Great Awakening” in Christianising the Native American population can be attributed to the long processes that took place in New England. Many indigenous residents of the region had been influenced by missionaries for several generations; they were well-versed in Christianity, as researchers have noted, and their religious views were eclectic, drawing upon various cultural sources for their spiritual quest. Drawing on a range of evidence from diverse sources including diaries, memoirs, and letters from missionaries, together with official documents, materials from the colonial press, and the theological writings of the New England Puritans, the article provides an examination of several notable projects relating to the successful conversion of the indigenous population to Christianity. Chief among these was the establishment of Dartmouth College in the aftermath of the religious revival movement of 1769. At the same time, however, the results of missionary activity cannot be overstated. The authenticity of the conversion of representatives of the indigenous population remains a moot point, as does the question of its durability. Native Americans, keen to exploit the new opportunities presented to them by the changing English colonial policies, nevertheless remained distrustful of the English colonists, actively resisting cultural and religious assimilation.