James Printer

Wawaus, also known as "James Printer", was an important Nipmuc leader from Hassanamesit (today Grafton, Massachusetts), who experienced and observed the beginning of a wide range of genocide, from physical to biological to cultural, on his person, community, and livelihood.

[1] He is most commonly known for his work at the first printing press in the American colonies, yet like many Indigenous people during the 17th century in New England, was mistreated, abused, arrested, threatened, falsely imprisoned, and forced into exile on Deer Island in the Boston Harbor by the newly settled foreign imperialists.

He also set the type for books including the famous Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson.

[4] Naoas was a convert of John Eliot and a leading member of the Christian Native church in Hassanamesit.

[9] Printer worked as a typesetter for sixteen years before the outbreak of King Philip's War.

They warned, if “you go to the English again” they would “force you all to some Island as the Natick Indians are, where you will be in danger and starved with cold and hunger, and most probably in the end be all sent out of the country for slaves.” [10][8] Printer along with the other inhabitants chose to go with Metacomet's men.

[4] This letter is notable due to its shrewdness to recognize that the loss of the colonists' private property would make them vulnerable.

[4] This letter concerns the ransom for Mary Rowlandson, Mrs. John Kettell, and other colonists held captive by King Philip's men.

[3] Ironically he later worked as the typesetter for Mary Rowlandson's narrative of her captivity The Sovereignty and Goodness of God published in 1682.