USA > Connecticut > New London County > Groton > Groton, Conn. 1705-1905 > Part 2
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Psal. Ch. 18. This shall be written for the Generation to come: and the People which shall be Created, shall praise the Lord.
Boston: Printed and Sold by S. Kneeland and T. Green in Queen Street, 1736.
Introduction
N my Contemplations of the Divine Providence towards the People of New-England, I have often tho't what a special Favour it was, that there came over with the first Settlers of Plimouth and Connecticut Colonies, which in those Times were especially exposed to the superior Power of the Barbarians round about them; Two brave English- men bred to Arms in the Dutch Netherlands, viz. Capt. Miles Standish of Plimouth, and Capt. John Mason of Con- necticut: Gentlemen of tried Valour, Military Skill and Conduct, great Activity, and warm Zeal for that noble Cause of Pure Scriptural Religion, and Religious Liberty, which were the chief original Design and Interest of the Fathers of these Plantations; and who were acted with such eminent Degrees of Faith and Piety, as excited them to the most daring Enterprizes in the Cause of God and of
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his People, and went a great way to their wonderful Suc- cesses.
Like those inspired Heroes of whom we read the History in the Eleventh Chapter of Hebrews-By Faith, they not only chose to suffer Affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a Season; esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater Riches than the Treasures of Egypt: But by Faith they even forsook the same, passed thro' the Sea, subdued Kingdoms, wrought Righteousness, obtained Promises, waxed valiant in Fight, and turned to flight the armies of the Aliens.
The Judicious Reader that knows the New English His- tory, cannot think these Scripture Phrases or religious Turns unsuitable on this Occasion: For as these Colonies were chiefly, if not entirely Settled by a Religious People, and for those Religious Purposes; It is as impossible to write an impartial or true History of them, as of the an- cient Israelites, or the later Vaudois or North-Britons, without observing that Religious Spirit and Intention which evidently run through and animate their Historical Transactions.
Capt. Standish was of a lower Stature, but of such a daring and active Genius, that even before the Arrival of the Massachusetts Colony, He spread a Terror over all the Tribes of Indians round about him, from the Massachu- setts to Martha's Vineyard, and from Cape-Cod Harbour to Narragansett. Capt. Mason was Tall and Portly, but never the less full of Martial Bravery and Vigour; that He soon became the equal Dread of the more numerous Nations from Narragansett to Hudson's River. They were Both the Instrumental Saviours of this Country in the most Critical Conjunctures: And as we quietly enjoy the Fruits of their extraordinary Diligence and Valour, both the present and future Generations will for ever be obliged to revere their Memory.
Capt. Mason, the Writer of the following History, in which he was a principal Actor, as Chief Commander of the Connecticut Forces, is said to have been a Relative of
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Mr. John Mason the ancient Claimer of the Province of New-Hampshire: However, the Captain was one of the first who went up from the Massachusetts about the Year 1635 to lay the Foundation of Connecticut Colony: He went from Dorchester, first settled at Windsor, and thence marched forth to the Pequot War.
But it being above Threescore Years since the following Narrative was written, near an Hundred since the Events therein related, and the State of the New-England Colonies being long since greatly Changed; it seems needful for the present Readers clearer Apprehension of these Matters, to Observe --- That in the Year 1633, and 1634, several English- inen arriving from England, at the Massachusetts, went up in the Western Country to discover Connecticut River; the next Year began to remove thither; and by the Begin- ning of 1637, Hartford, Windsor and Weathersfield were Settled, besides a Fortification built at Saybrook on the Mouth of the River.
At that Time there were especially three powerful and warlike Nations of Indians in the South Western Parts of New England; which spread all the Country from Aqueth- neck, since called Rhode Island, to Quinnepiack, since called New-Haven; viz. the Narragansetts, Pequots and Mohe- gans. The Narragansetts reached from the Bay of the same Name, to Pawcatuck River, now the Boundary be- tween the Governments of Rhode-Island and Connecticut : And their Head Sachem was Miantonimo. The Pequots reached from thence Westward to Connecticut River, and over it, as far as Branford, if not Quinnepiack; their Head Sachem being Sassacus. And the Mohegans spread along from the Narragansetts through the Inland Country, on the Back or Northerly Side of the Pequots, between them and the Nipmucks; their Head Sachem being Uncas.
The most terrible of all those Nations were then the Pe- quots; who with their depending Tribes soon entered on a Resolution to Destroy the English out of the Country. In 1634 they killed Capt. Stone and all his Company, being seven besides Himself, in and near his Bark on Connecti-
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cut River. In 1635, they killed Capt. Oldham in his Bark at Block-Island; and at Long-Island they killed two more cast away there. In 1636, and the following Winter and March, they killed six and took seven more at Connecticut River: Those they took alive they tortured to Death in a most barbarous Manner. And on April 23, 1637, they killed nine more and carried two young Women Captive at Weath- ersfield.
They had earnestly solicited the Narragansetts to engage in their Confederacy : very politickly representing to them, That if they should help or suffer the English to subdue the Pequots, they would thereby make Way for their own future Ruin; and that they need not come to open Battle with the English; only Fire our Houses, kill our Cattle, lye in Ambush and shoot us as we went about our Business ; so we should be quickly forced to leave this Country, and the Indians not exposed to any great Hazard. Those truly politick Arguments were upon the Point of prevailing on the Narragansetts: And had These with the Mohegans, to whom the Pequots were nearly related, joined against us; they might then, in the infant State of these Colonies, have easily accomplished their desperate Resolutions.
But the Narragansetts being more afraid of the Pequots than of the English; were willing they should weaken each other, not in the least imagining the English could destroy them ; at the same time an Agency from the Massachusetts Colony to the Narragansetts, happily Preserved their stag- gering Friendship. And as Uncas the Great Sachim of the Moheags, upon the first coming of the English, fell into an intimate Acquaintance with Capt. Mason, He from the Beginning entertained us in an amicable Manner: and though both from his Father and Mother He derived from the Royal Blood of the Pequots, and had married the Daughter of Tatobam their then late Sachim; yet such was his Affection for us, as he faithfully adhered to us, ven- tured his Life in our Service, assisted at the Taking their Fort, when about Seven Hundred of them were Destroyed, and thereupon in subduing and driving out of the Country
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the remaining greater Part of that fierce and dangerous Nation.
Soon after the War, Capt. Mason was by the Government of Connecticut, made the major General of all their forces, and so continued to the day of his death: The Rev. Mr. Hooker of Hartford, being desired by the Government in their Name to deliver the Staff into his Hand; We may imagin he did it with that superiour Piety, Spirit and Majesty, which were peculiar to him: Like an ancient Prophet addressing himself to the Military Officer, deliv- ering to him the Principal Ensign of Martial Power, to Lead the Armies and Fight the Battles of the Lord and of his People.
Major Mason having been trained up in the Netherland War under Sir Thomas Fairfax; when the Struggle arose in England between K. Charles I. and the Parliament about the Royal Powers and the National Liberties; that Famous General had such an Esteem for the Major's Conduct and Bravery that he wrote to the Major to come over and help Him. But the Major, excusing himself, continued in this Country as long as he lived, and had some of the greatest Honours his Colony could yield him.
For beside his Office of Major General, the Colony in May 1660 chose him their Deputy Governour; continued him in the same Post by annual Re-elections, by virtue of their first Constitution to 1662 inclusively. The same Year K. Charles II. comprehending the Colonies of Connecticut and New Haven in One Government by the Name of Con- necticut Colony ; He in the Royal Charter, signed April 23, appointed Major Mason their first Deputy Governour till the second Thursday of October following: After which, the General Court being left to chuse their Officers, they continued to chuse him their Deputy Governour every Year to May 1670; when his Age and Bodily Infirmities advancing, he laid down his Office and retired from Publick Business.
After the Pequot War, he had removed from Windsor to Saybrook: But in 1659, he removed thence to Norwich :
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where he Died in 1672, or 1673, in the 73d Year of his Age: leaving three sons, viz. Samuel, John and Daniel, to imitate their Fathers Example and inherit his Virtues.
I have only now to observe, that in The Relation of the Troubles which happened to New England by the Indians from 1614 to 1675, Published by the then Mr. Increase Mather in 1677, I find a copy of the following Narrative, but without the Prefaces, had been communicated to him by Mr. John Allyn then the Secretary of Connecticut Col- ony ; which that Rev. Author took for Mr. Allyn's and calls it his. But we must inform the Reader, that the Narrative was originally drawn by Major Mason. And as his Eldest Grandson Capt. John Mason now of New London has put it into my Hands; I have been more than usually careful in Correcting the Press according to the Original; as the most authentick Account of the Pequot War, and as a standing Monument both of the extraordinary Dangers and Courage of our pious Fathers, and of the eminent Appear- ance of Heaven to save them.
The other actions of Major Mason must be referred to the General History of this country, when some Gentleman of greater Qualifications and Leisure than I may claim, shall rise up among us, to undertake it. I shall give some Hints in my Brief Chronology; which through numerous Hindrances, is now in such a Forwardness that near 200 Pages are Printed already ; and in a little Time, Life and health allowed, I hope to present the Publick with the first of the two intended Volumes. In the mean while I cannot but Regret it, that such considerable and ancient Towns as Saybrook, Fairfield, Stamford, Canterbury, Groton in the County of Middlesex, Chelmsford, Billerica, Woburn, Dunstable and Bristol, should afford no more than their bare Names in the Published Records of this Country.
Boston, Dec. 23, 1735. THOMAS PRINCE
To The Honourable The General Court of Connecticut.
Honoured Gentlemen,
You well know how often I have been requested by your-
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selves to write something in reference to the Subject of the ensuing Treatise (who have power to Command) and how backward I have been, as being conscious to my own unfitness; accounting it not so proper, I being a Chief Actor therein myself. Yet considering that little hath been done to keep the memory of such a special Providence alive, though I could heartily have wished that some other who had been less interested and better qualified might have undertaken the Task, for I am not unacquainted with my own Weakness; yet I shall endeavor in plainness and faith- fulness impartially to declare the Matter, not taking the Crown from the head of one and putting it upon another. There are several who have Wrote and also Printed at random on this Subject, greatly missing the Mark in many Things as I conceive. I shall not exempt my self from frailties, yet from material Faults I presume you may pro- nounce it not Guilty, and do assure you that if I should see or by any be convinced of an Error, I shall at once confess and amend it.
I thought it my Duty in the Entrance to relate the first Grounds upon which the English took up Arms against the Pequots ; for the Beginning is the Moiety of the Whole; and not to mention some Passages at Rovers, as others have done, and not demonstrate the Cause. Judge of me as you please; I shall not climb after Applause, nor do I much fear a Censure; there being many Testimonies to what I shall say. 'Tis possible some may think no better can be expected in these distracting Times; it being so hard to please a few, impossible to please all : I shall therefore con- tent myself that I have attended my rule: You may please to improve some others who were Actors in the Service to give in their Apprehensions, that so the severals being com- pared, you may inlarge or diminish as you shall see meet. I desire my name be sparingly mentioned: My principal Aim is that God may have his due Praise.
By your unworthy Servant,
JOHN MASON
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To The Judicious Reader
Gentlemen,
I never had thought that this should have come to the Press, until of late: If I had, I should have endeavored to have put a little more Varnish upon it: But being over per- swaded by some Friends, I thought it not altogether amiss to present it to your courteous Disposition, hoping it might find your favourable Entertainment and Acceptance, though rude and impolished. I wish it had fallen into some better hands that might have performed it to the Life; I shall only draw the Curtain and open my little Casement, that so others of larger Hearts and Abilities may let in a bigger Light; so that at least some small Glimmering may be left to Posterity what Difficulties and Obstructions their Forefathers met with in their first settling these desart Parts of America; how God was pleased to prove them, and how by his wise Providence he ordered and disposed all their Occasions and Affairs for them in regard to both their Civils and Ecclesiasticals.
This with some other Reasons have been Motives to ex- cite me to the enterprizing hereof; no Man that I know of having as yet undertaken to write a general History or Relation; so that there is no Commemoration of Matters respecting this War; how they began, how carryed on, and continued nor what Success they had .* They which think the mentioning of some Particulars is sufficient for the understanding of the General, in my opinion stray no less from the Truth, than if by the separated Parts of a living Man one should think by this Means he knew all the Parts and Perfections of the Creature: But these separated Parts being joyned together having Form and Life, one might easily discern that he was deceived.
If the Beginning be but obscure, and the Ground uncer- tain, its Continuance can hardly perswade to purchase belief: Or if Truth be wanting in History, it proves but a fruitless Discourse.
The Author Died before the Reverend Mr. William Hubbard and Mr. Increase Mather Published their Accounts of the Pequot War.
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I shall therefore, God helping, endeavor not so much to stir up the affections of Men, as to declare in Truth and Plainness the Actions and Doings of Men : I shall therefore set down Matters in order as they Began and were carryed on and Issued; that so I may not deceive the Reader in con- founding of Things, but the Discourse may be both Plain and Easy.
And although some may think they have Wrote in a high Stile, and done some notable Thing, yet in my Opinion they have not spoken truly in some Particulars, and in general to little Purpose: For how can History find Credit, if in the Beginning you do not deliver plainly and clearly from whence and how you do come to the Relation which you presently intend to make of Actions?
As a Rule, although it hath less length and breadth, yet notwithstanding it retains the Name if it hath that which is proper to a Rule. When the Bones are separated from a living Creature, it becomes unserviceable: So a History, if you take away Order and Truth, the rest will prove to be but a vain Narration.
I shall not make a long Discourse, not labour to hold the Reader in doubt, using a multitude of Words, which is no sure Way to find out the Truth; as if one should seek for Verity in the Current of Pratling, having nothing but a conceit worthy to hold the Reader in suspense: (Sed quo vado) In a word, the Lord was as it were pleased to say unto us, The Land of Canaan will I give unto thee though but few and Strangers in it: And when we went from one Nation to another, yea from one Kingdom to another, he suffered no Man to do us Wrong, but reproved Kings for our sakes : and so through Mercy at length we were settled in Peace, to the Astonishment of all that were round about us: unto whom be ascribed all Glory and Praise for ever and ever.
Farewell
JOHN MASON Norwich in New England, in America.
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Some Grounds of the War Against the Pequots
About the Year 1632 one Capt. Stone arrived in the Massachusetts in a Ship from Virginia; who shortly after was bound for Virginia again in a small Bark with one Capt. Norton; who sailing into Connecticut River about two Leagues from the Entrance cast Anchor; there com- ing to them several Indians belonging to that Place whom the Pequots Tyrannized over, being a potent and warlike People, it being their Custom so to deal with their neigh- bour Indians; Capt. Stone having some occasion with the Dutch who lived at a trading House near twenty Leagues up the River, procured some of these Indians to go as Pilots with two of his Men to the Dutch: But being be- nighted before they could come to their desired Port, put the Skiff in which they went, ashoar, where the two Englishmen falling asleep, were both Murdered by their Indian Guides: There remaining with the Bark about twelve of the aforesaid Indians; who had in all probability formerly plotted their bloody Design; and waiting an op- portunity when some of the English were on Shoar and Capt. Stone asleep in his Cabin, set upon them and cruelly Murdered every one of them, plundered what they pleased and sunk the Bark.
These Indians were not native Pequots, but had fre- quent recourse unto them, to whom they tendered some of those Goods, which were accepted by the Chief Sachem of the Pequots: Other of the said Goods were tendered to Nynigrett Sachem of Nayanticke, who also received them.
The Council of the Massachusetts being informed of their Proceedings, sent to speak with the Pequots, and had some Treaties with them: But being unsatisfied there- with, sent forth Captain John Endicot Commander in Chief, with Captain Underhill, Captain Turner, and with them one hundred and twenty Men: who were firstly de- signed on a Service against a People living on Block Island, who were subject to the Narragansett Sachem; they having taken a Bark of one Mr. John Oldham, Murdering him
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and all his Company: They were also to call the Pequots to an Account about the Murder of Capt. Stone; who arriving at Pequot had some Conference with them; but little effected; only one Indian slain and some Wigwams burnt. After which, the Pequots grew enraged against the English who inhabited Connecticut, being but a small Number, about two hundred and fifty, who were there newly arrived; as also about twenty Men at Saybrook under the Command of Lieutenant Lyon Gardner, who was there settled by several Lords and Gentlemen in England. The Pequots falling violently upon them, slew divers Men at Saybrook; keeping almost a constant Siege upon the Place; so that the English were constrained to keep within their pallizado Fort; being so hard Beset and sometimes Assaulted, that Capt. John Mason was sent by Connecticut Colony with twenty Men out of their small Numbers to secure the Place: But after his coming, there did not one Pequot appear in view for one Month Space, which was the time he there remained.
In the interim certain Pequots about One Hundred going to a Place called Weathersfield on Connecticut; having formerly confederated with the Indians of that Place (as it was generally thought) lay in Ambush for the English; divers of them going into a large Field adjoyning to the Town to their Labour, were there set upon by the Indians : Nine of the English were killed outright, with some Horses, and two young Women taken Captives.
At their Return from Weathersfield, they came down the River of Connecticut (Capt. Mason being then at Say- brook Fort) in three Canoes with about one hundred Men, which River of necessity they must pass: We espying them, concluded they had been acting some Mischief against us, made a Shot at them with a Piece of Ordnance, which beat off the Beak Head of one of their Canoes, wherein our two Captives were: it was a very great distance: They then hastened, drew their Canoes over a narrow Beach with all speed and so got away.
Upon which the English were somewhat dejected: But
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immediately upon this, a Court was called and met in Hartford the First of May 1637,* who seriously consider- ing their Condition, which did look very Sad, for those Pequots were a great People, being strongly fortified, cruel, warlike, munitioned, &c, and the English but an handful in comparison : But their outrageous Violence against the English, having murdered about Thirty of them, their great Pride and Insolency, constant pursuit in their ma- licious Courses, with their engaging other Indians in their Quarrel against the English, who had never offered them the least Wrong; who had in all likelihood Espoused all the Indians in the Country in their Quarrel, had not God by more than an ordinary Providence prevented : These Things being duly considered, with the eminent Hazard and Great Peril they were in; it pleased God so to stir up the Hearts of all Men in general, and the Court in special, that they concluded some Forces should forthwith be sent out against the Pequots; their Grounds being Just, and necessity en- forcing them to engage in an offensive and defensive War; the Management of which War we are nextly to relate.
An Epitome or Brief History of the Pequot War
In the Beginning of May 1637 there were sent out by Connecticut Colony Ninety Men under the Command of Capt. John Mason against the Pequots, with Onkos an Indian Sachem living at Mohegan, ** who was newly re- volted from the Pequots; being Shipped in one Pink, one Pinnace, and one Shallop; who sailing down the River of Connecticut fell several times a ground, the Water being very low: The Indians not being wonted to such Things with their small Canoes, and also being impatient of Delays, desired they might be set on Shoar, promising that they would meet us at Saybrook; which we granted: They has- tening to their Quarters, fell upon Thirty or forty of the Enemy near Saybrook Fort, and killed seven of them out-
* May 1, 1637, was Monday.
* Onkos, usually called Uncas, the Great Sachem of the Moheags.
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right; * having one of their's wounded, who was sent back to Connecticut in a Skiff : Capt. John Underhill also coming with him, who informed us what was performed by Onkos and his Men; which we looked at as a special Providence ; for before we were somewhat doubtful of his Fidelity : Capt. Underhill then offered his Service with nineteen Men to go with us, if Lieutenant Gardner would allow of it, who was Chief Commander at Saybrook Fort; which was readily approved of by Lieutenant Gardner and accepted by us; In lieu of them we sent back twenty of our Soldiers to Connecticut.
Upon a Wednesday we arrived at Saybrook, where we lay Windbound until Friday; often consulting how and in what manner we should proceed in our Enterprize, being altogether ignorant of the Country. At length we con- cluded, God assisting us, for Narragansett, and so to March through their Country, which Bordered upon the Enemy ; where lived a great People, it being about fifteen Leagues beyond Pequot: The Grounds and Reasons of our so Acting you shall presently understand :
"First, The Pequots our Enemies, kept a continual Guard upon the River Night and Day.
"Secondly, their Numbers far exceeded ours; having sixteen Guns with Powder and Shot, as we were informed by the two Captives forementioned (where we declared the Grounds of this War) who were taken by the Dutch and restored to us at Saybrook; which indeed was a very friendly Office and not to be forgotten.
"Thirdly, they were on Land, and being swift on Foot, might much impede our Landing, and possibly dishearten our Men; we being expected only by Land, there being no other Place to go on Shoar but in that River, nearer than Narragansett.
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