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John Eliot
The "Apostle to the Indians," John Eliot (1604-1690) was born in Widford, England and educated at Christ College, Cambridge. He immigrated to 
New England in 1631 and was pastor of the church in Roxbury from 1632
until his death. Eliot began preaching to the Indians at Nonantum
in 1646, first in English and later in their own language.
He was instrumental in the founding in England of the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel in New England by Parliament.
He assisted in the organization of 14 Christian-Indian communities.
King Philip's War caused the decline of the "praying villages,"
after the Indians were sent to Deer Island where they endured
such hardships that few returned.
Eliot also helped write the Bay Psalm Book and was the author of
many other books and religious treatises, including the Bible
that he translated into the Algonquian dialect.
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