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Grange Sheldon
1636-POCUMTUCK-1886
A HISTORY
OF
DEERFIELD,
MASSACHUSETTS:
THE TIMES WHEN AND THE PEOPLE BY WHOM IT WAS SETTLED, UNSETTLED AND RESETTLED :
WITH A SPECIAL STUDY OF THE
INDIAN WARS
IN THE
CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
WITH GENEALOGIES.
BY GEORGE SHELDON. VOL. I.
MEN
POC
TION
INC
70
DEERFIELD, MASS .: 1895.
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1895, hy GEORGE SHELDON,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
GREENFIELD, MASS: PRESS OF E. A. HALL & Co., 1895.
F 74 E 75
PREFACE.
IN the first edition of this work, the Narrative closed with the Revolution, and the Genealogies contained only those families settled here before that date. The History is now continued to nearer the present time, but with less fullness. Failing health has prevented the necessary labor to continue the Genealogies in a satisfactory manner. Dependence has been had in that department upon such material as those in- terested in their own families have furnished in response to public solicitations. This will explain the presence or ab- sence of particular families living here since the Revolution.
It is more than a quarter of a century since the work of collecting the facts given in these pages was begun. The time given to it would make many solid years. Had it not been a labor of love, it had ceased long ago. Setting forth the difficulties in the way, would give nothing new to the historical student and nothing of interest to the indifferent ; so explanation is needless. I wish, however, to emphasize one of the delights attending these labors; this has been the uniform kindness and spirit of helpfulness shown by those having charge of the public records and books which I have had occasion to consult. To one and all of these I would ten- der my hearty thanks, but alas! many have passed the bounds of sight or sound. To name these men and women would be but to catalogue the officials at the State House, the Histori- cal societies and great Libraries in Boston, Cambridge and Springfield ; the Registers of Deeds and of Probate in the Counties of Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and the three River Counties, and also as well, the Town Clerks of Deerfield
iv
PREFACE.
and the surrounding towns, who have held these offices dur- ing the last twenty-five years. Nor would I forget in my thanks the owners of the hundreds of garrets, closets and trunks which I have ransacked at will, or those kind friends who have given personal aid or sent corrections and additions to the first edition. While my limits forbid giving the names of all these, I must make a few exceptions to the si- lence. Without the free use of the manuscript Archives in the office of the Secretary of State, this work could not have been written. What is given in relation to the Captives of Feb. 29th, 1704, who remained in Canada, is mostly owing to the untiring researches of Miss C. Alice Baker among the manuscript Archives of Canada. The Massachusetts Histor- ical Society has freely opened to me rich stores to be found nowhere else, and Dr. Samuel A. Green has been quick to give notice of any Deerfield items coming under his keen eyes.
In the earlier generations of New England genealogy, of course constant use has been made of the stupendous work of Savage; in the later generations unstinted aid was given by Rodney R. Field, James M. Crafts and William O. Taylor.
I wish here to associate the name of the lamented Martha G. Pratt with the first issue of this work, and that of Jennie M. Arms with the present. To their untiring zeal and pa- tient helpfulness I am indebted. Finally, to the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, under whose wing this child of my labor is now clothed in a more enduring garment, my heartiest and most grateful thanks are due and given.
My aim has been to write as far as may be from original sources of information ; where this was possible I have taken nobody's say for it. The amount of manuscript matter avail- able has been found to be surprisingly large. Old letters, diaries, records, &c., are coming to light every year, giving the later student that advantage over all others. If, in the light of these, I be found in some cases to have readjusted old
V
PREFACE.
facts, and thereby drawn new conclusions; if I be found to differ in some other points from accepted authorities, it is hoped good reasons for it have been given.
A careful study of the Indian relics found in our valley led to a deep interest in the people they represent, and I have been astonished at the amount of material found relating to the history of the Pocumtuck Indians. They were rarely mentioned by contemporaneous historians, and the Pocum- tuck Confederacy seems to have been wholly unknown to them. The history here given has been chiefly culled from the records of the United Colonies, and the Documentary History of New York ; tradition has been followed only when it harmonized with, or supplemented ascertained facts.
Particular attention has been given to the times of Philip's War, and I do not know where else can be found a more full and connected account of its events in the Connecticut Val- ley. Queen Anne's War, and other contests with the French and Indians have also been fully treated. As a matter of spe- cial interest, French official documents have been carefully searched for the underlying cause of particular raids on our frontiers ; and the motive and the result are often given to- gether. The real object of these incursions was never mili- tary conquest ; the motive, when not purely for plunder, was always for political or religious effect.
As my treatment of the two myths connected with this re- gion-the alleged appearance of Gen. Goffe as the deliverer of Hadley, and the romance of the Bell of St. Regis, may be found in other publications, they are very lightly touched upon in this work.
Deerfield, January, 1895. G. S.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Dedham Grant-Lady Armina-Apostle Eliot-Natick Indians-Indian Page.
Deeds-Town Street Laid Out. I-22
CHAPTER II.
Topography-Local Names-Streams-Population-Graveyards. 23-34
CHAPTER III.
First Settlement-Biographical Sketches.
35-48 .
CHAPTER IV.
Pocumtuck Indians-The Pocumtuck Confederacy-Agriculture-In- dian Statescraft-War with Uncas-War with the Mohawks. . 49-70
CHAPTER V.
The Pocumtucks as Subjects of Massachusetts-Indian Relics-Indian Wars-Mohawk Raids-Indian Barns. · 71-80
CHAPTER VI.
Philip's War-Character of Philip-Brookfield Burned-Fight at We- quamps-First Attack on Deerfield-Northfield Destroyed-Second Attack on Deerfield-Bloody Brook Massacre-Attack on Hadley -Attack on Springfield-Goffe the Regicide-Philip in the Winter of 1675-6-Philip at Squakheag-Attack on Northampton-Con- federate Indians at Squakheag-Mrs. Mary Rowlandson-Canon- chet -- Indian Correspondence-Turners Falls Fight-Wells's Nar- rative-Atherton's Story-Attack on Hatfield-Mohawks in Philip's War. .
81-178
CHAPTER VII. 1
Attempted Settlement in 1677-Wait and Jennings' Letters. . 179-188
CHAPTER VIII.
Permanent Settlement-Ministry-Meetinghouses-Town Meeting -- Town Officers-Revolution of 16SS --- Wapping 1685-90-Greenfield 1685-90. . 189-219
CHAPTER IX.
King William's War-Attacks on Deerfield 1693; 1694; 1695; 1696. . 220-264
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X.
Common Field Fences-Stock-Mills-Roads-School Rates-Houses- Home Industries-An Evening at Home. . 265-282 ·
CHAPTER XI.
Queen Anne's War-Capture of Deerfield Feb. 29th, 1704-Deerfield as a Military Post-Redemption of the Captives-Stories of the Cap- tives-Abigail Nims-Eunice Williams-Petty's Letter-Attack on Deerfield 1709-Wright's Scout-Baker's Scout-Wood Land-John Arms, a Captive. . 283-384
CHAPTER XII.
Interval of Unquiet Peace-Clouds on the Eastern Frontier-French In- trigue. · 385-392
CHAPTER XIII.
Father Rasle's War-Conference at Albany 1723-Conference at Boston -Rev. Mr. Willard Killed-Fort Dummer-Indian Allies-Attack in North Meadows-Connecticut Indians-Death of Father Rasle -Scouting-Attack at Green River. · 393-453
CHAPTER XIV.
Rev. John Williams and the Meetinghouse of 1729-The Bell-Death of Mr. Williams-Slaves-Mr. Williams's Library-Rev. Jonathan Ashley Settled -- Town Clock-New Steeple-Shingling the Meet- inghouse-Seating the Meetinghouse. 454-486
CHAPTER XV.
Agrarian Regulations-Proprietors of Pocumtuck -- Grant of 1712- Huntstown Line -- Green River Laid Out-Shelburne Laid Out- Turnip Yard-Conway Laid Out-Inner Commons. · 487-51I
CHAPTER XVI.
Land Grants-Fort Dummer-Corse's Journal-Indian Conference at Deerfield-Conference at Fort Dummer-The Last Indian. . 512-528
CHAPTER XVII.
Old French War-Mr. Ashley's View of it -- Cost of Living-Indian Depredations on the North-Fort Massachusetts Captured-The Bars Fight-Luce Bijah. · 529-553
CHAPTER XVIII.
Raimbault, or St. Blein -- Sergt. Hawks Escorts him to Canada-A Ro- mantic Story-Sergt. Hawks's Journal-Capt. Melville's Scout- Capt. Hobbs's Fight-Trouble Above Northfield-Fort Massachu- setts Attacked. · 554-569
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIX.
Municipal Affairs- Sequestered Land-Greenfield Set Off-Judicial Affairs-Mills-Hard Times -- Deer-The Fleet-Sugar Loaf Peo- ple -- Conway Set Off -- Shelburne Set Off -- Roads-Prices of Labor and Produce. · 570-593
CHAPTER XX. .
Homesteads on the Old Street-Farm Lands. · 594-627
CHAPTER XXI.
The Last French War-Young Washington-Frontier Forts-Capture of Mrs. Johnson-Attack at Charlemont-Attack on Hinsdale's. Fort-Death of Braddock-Fort Edward-Bloody Morning Scout -Battle of Lake George-Death of Col. Williams-Attack at Greenfield-More Forts at Deerfield-Colrain Forts-Massacre at Fort William Henry-Alarm in Connecticut Valley-Abercrombie Defeated -- Louisburg Captured -- Wolfe and Montcalm -- Destruction of St. Francis-Pitt and Amherst-Merriman's Journal-Downfall of Canada-Quaker and Puritan-A Real Estate Transaction- The Indian Question. . 628-672
ERRATA AND ADDITIONS.
Read at the bottom of page 91, "Stephen Greenleaf wounded Aug. 25, 1675." Sewell's Diary.
Page 172. Twelfth line from bottom, for Samuel, read Daniel.
Page 301. Note, "March, 1703-4, about midnight, the French and Indians set upon Deerfield, burnt 17 houses, killed above 50 persons, Captivated up- wards of 90, amongst wch Mr Williams yr minister." Observable Providences- from the Journal of Rev. John Pike, of Dover, Me., 1682-1709.
Page 602. Third line from top, for Bradford read Baker.
Page 623. Nineteenth line from bottom, for 1866 read 1686.
HISTORY OF DEERFIELD.
CHAPTER I.
DEDHAM GRANT AND INDIAN DEEDS.
"The Renowned Noble Lady Armina," amid the luxuries of her ancestral hall in old Lincolnshire, meditating upon the lost condition of the heathen in the New World, putting up her prayers and sending her gold across the seas for their redemption, represents a deeply seated sentiment of her time. It was her aim, that the occupancy of New England should result not only in the accumulation of earthly riches by the adventurers, but should redound to the glory of God in a large harvest of souls through the conversion of its bar- barian inhabitants. Capt. George Weymouth, a historian of the times, active in promoting the settlement of our shores, testifies that the main end of all these undertakings was to plant the gospel in these dark regions of America.
The sagacious Capt. John Smith, warrior and trader, tired with his rough experience in Virginia, and looking to the settlement of new colonies as fields for profitable commerce, declares that he is "not so simple to thinke that any other motiue than wealth will euer erect there a commonweale," but hopes that "gaine will make them affect that which Reli- gion, Charity, and the Common Good cannot," and he shrewd- ly urges the grasping Prince Charles to send settlers to this coast, pointing out a way in which he could serve both God and mammon at the same time. "Nothing," he says, "could be more agreeable to God than to seeke to convert these poore Saluages to know Christ and humanitie, whose labours there with discresion will triple requite thy charge and , paines." In the closing paragraph of this message Capt. Smith struck a theme which caught the popular ear, and sent hosts of adventurers across the wide waters, seeking the gold of another Mexico or Peru.
2
DEDHAM GRANT AND INDIAN DEEDS.
As to the result, had the two elements here indicated been left undisturbed, save by each other, it is idle to speculate. With the Mayflower, came ideas and purposes, before which all the others were dwarfed and subordinated. It was these that,-
"Conquered wood and savage, frost and flame, And made us what we are."
With the missionary spirit of the Lady Armina, however, the Pocumtuck Valley is directly and intimately connected.
Her bounty expended in behalf of the Natick Indians, in a great degree determined the time and manner of the settle- ment of Deerfield.
The apostle Eliot, being filled with zeal for the conversion of the natives, learned their language and devoted himself to their instruction in Christian doctrines. Very soon he perceived that his teaching could have little effect so long as the Indians continued their national manner of living-that they must be civilized before they could be Christianized. He therefore bent his energies to the task of collecting the roving savages into permanent settlements, where he could instruct them in the "arts of civilitie," and where their chil- dren could be taught in schools. Eliot's first attempt to form an Indian town was at Nonantum Hill, in Newton. This proved a failure, mainly, as he thought, on account of its proximity to Boston ; finding, like most missionaries, the ex- ample of a so-called Christian community unfavorable to making proselytes from heathenism to Christianity. About this time the General Court encouraged Mr. Eliot to continue his labors, and at his motion passed laws recognizing, in a manner, the Indian title in the land, and placing the natives in many respects on an equal footing with the colonists.
For a second trial, Eliot pitched upon Natick, sixteen miles west of Boston, where in 1651 the General Court set apart two thousand acres for an Indian plantation, and the $20 per annum, given by the Lady Armina, was placed at his dis- posal. Here the "Praying Indians" were collected, civil government established, and a church organized. The tract thus occupied proved to be territory belonging to Dedham, and for twelve years there was much trouble and litigation between the inhabitants of that town and the settlers at Na-
3
THE EIGHT THOUSAND ACRE GRANT.
tick. Both parties repeatedly appealed to the judicial and legislative authorities for redress. At length, on the first of May, 1662, the General Court decided,-
"That for a finale issue of the controuersy betweene the towne of Dedhame & some particular inhabitants of sd towne & the Indians, the Court at Naticke having considered the pleas & evidences present- ed by both partes, and finding that although the legall right of Ded- hanı thereto cannot in justice be denyed, yet such haue binn the en- couragement of the Indians in their improvements thereof, the wch, added to their native right, w-ch cannot, in strict justice, be vtterly ex- tinct, doe therefore order, that the Indians be not dispossessed of such land as they at present are possessed of there, but that the same, wth convenient accommodations for wood & timber, & highwayes thereto, be set out & bounded by Mr. Thomas Danforth, Mr. Wm. Parkes, Mr. Ephraim Child, Mr. Edw. Jackson, or any three of them, who are hereby appointed a Committee to execute this order, and that the damages thereby susteined by Dedham, together with the charges ex- pended in suite about the same, be also considered & determined by sd Committee & such allowance made them out of Naticke, lands or others yet lying in common, as they shall judge equal, & apoint mak- ing report to this Court the matter of charge, that so the Court may determine where to lay the same or any part thereof. Ye returne of ye Committee to remajne on file. May, 1663."
A report from this Committee was acted upon June 2, 1663, and,-
"For a finale issue of the case betweene Dedham & Natick, the Court judgeth meete to graunt Dedham eight thousand acres of land in any convenient place or places, not exceeding two, where it cann be found free from former graunts, provided Dedham accept this offer."
The terms being satisfactory to that town, the Court ap- pointed, Oct., 1663, Ens. John Everard and Jona. Danforth to "lay out the same according to the graunt." Having secured a grant, the question was considered at a town meeting in Dedham, Jan. 1, 1663-4, "whether to sell their graunt," or "be at any further charge about seeking out land to take satisfaction in." By a vote of the town, the matter was "left over in the hands of the Selectmen." Under this action Henry Dwight was sent to explore the "Chestnut Country." On his return he reported good land, but hard to bring un- der cultivation. The location of the "chestnut country" is unknown, but as only "9 shilling were allowed for himself and horse " for the trip, it could not have been far away. At another meeting, "after lecture," Sep. 21, 1664, John Fair- banks reported having heard, through Goodman Prescott of
4
DEDHAM GRANT AND INDIAN DEEDS.
Lancaster, of a suitable tract near that town, Fairbanks and Lieut. Joshua Fisher were directed to go to Sudbury, and after consulting Ens. Noyes about the matter, to " proceed to Lan- caster and to the place, and view the same, or to return, as they judge best." The view was had, and Nov. 6th, a report was made that the tract was already "so entered upon by several farms that it is altogether incapable of supply to us." In the meanwhile the Selectmen had not been idle. At the same meeting where the above report was made, they an- nounced that,-
" Haueing heard of a considerable Tract of good Land that might be answerable to the Town's expectation, about 12 or 14 miles from Hadley, and not vnderstanding of any other place to be founde worth acceptance, thinke it meet, in the behalfe of the Towne to provide that that Sooo Acres may be chosen and layed out to sattisfie that grant ther, wth all conueanient speed, before any other Grantee enter upon it and pruent vs, and to that end doe nominate apoint empower and entrust Lieft Fisher, Tymo: Dwight, Ensign Fisher, Edw: Rich- ards, Antho: Fisher, Serg' Ellice, Serg' Fuller, & Isaac Bullard, or any 4 of them whereof Lieft: Fisher is to be one to repayer to the place mentioned, and vpon view by the concurrance of the major pt of the 4 that shall attend that seruice to make choice and laye out the Land above mentioned according as to their best discretion shall be best for the Towne and proportionable to the grant of the Court in that case made, and we promise to each of these 4 men one hundreth Acres of Land in full satisfaction for thier paynes to be indifferently layed out to them, out of the grante aforesaid onely to Lieft Fisher for the vse of his Arte we in the behalfe of the Towne, promise such other satisfaction as shall be judged equall, or in case the Town shall rather chuse to paye all these 4 men in other paym' then in Land, then we engage equall & just satisfaction ac- cording to the nature & charge of the worke."
This action was satisfactory to the town; the same board was reelected at the next meeting, and on the,-
"2-11-64 [Jan. 2, 1664-5.] Vpon the Question whether the Towne would proceed and laye out the 8000 Acres Granted by the Court in sattisfaction for the Land posessed at Naticke by the In- dians wthin our Towne at that place forementioned neere Hadly, they answer by voate affirmatiuely.
Further it is by voate declared that they doe leaue the further manageinge of the whole case about layeing out the Land aboue said to the selectmen this daye to be chosen who are entrusted and empowered to act therein in behalfe of the Towne according to their best discretion.
March 5, 1664-5. In order to the accomplishm' and settling the case concerning the grante of the Sooo acres due to the Towne, the care, trust and power whereof was left to the selectmen in prsent, being it is this daye agreed to tender to Lieft: Fisher as artist in
5
THE GRANT LAID OUT.
that worke and as one of the Committee for effecting the Layeing out the said grante in the place proposed to be about 12 or 14 miles more or lesse from Hadley 150 acres of Land, and Tenn shillings in countrey payemt for euery daye he shall measure and to each of the other 3 persons being of the persons formerly named 150 acres, and liberty is giuen them to laye those their grants together by some one side or end of that tract indifferently takeing vpland and meadowe in proportion to the proportion of each sort of such Land in the whole tract.
March 20, 1664-5. Vpon further consideration of effecting the layeing out the Sooo Acres aboue mentioned, Lieft Fisher declaring his disaceptance of it was aboue tendered him in satisfaction for his paynes therein as artist, and his peremptory demaund being 300 acres, it is consented vnto provided he allso drawe for the Towne true and sufficient platt of that tract and Edw: Richards, Antho: Fisher Junior, and Tymo: Dwight, accept of the payemt formerly tendered, vizt. 150 achers to each of them, all to be layed out as is aboue exp'ssed, or in case Tymo: Dwight shall be any way hin- dered that he cannot attend that seruice, then he promise to furnish Sergt Richard Ellice wth a horse fitt for that occasion, who accept thereof and promise to undertake the worke instead of the said Tymothie and they promise to vndertake the Journey for this end the daye after Election daye at Boston next ensueing, or the second daye of the weeke next following the daye aforesaid at furthest.
May 22, 1665, [the Selectmen] Assemb: in the morning to re- ceaue the returne of the Comittee deputed to lay out the Sooo Acres of Land for the Towne.
The Comittee aforesaid doe enforme that they haue layed out all the grante of Sooo acres aforesaid, in land as they Judg conueanient in quallitie and scituation, for the accomadacion of a plantation and being by their estemation, about 10 miles distant from Hadly, the more particular description where of they shall giue account of at some other conueanient time."
On the IIth of October a plan of the grant was laid before the General Court, with the following report :-
" This tract of land, conteyning eight thousand acres, being layd out according to this plott given in to Court & remayning on file, beginning att A. & so running to L. by the ffoote of a mountejne south & by west two miles forty sixe rod; from L to K, along the same mounteine fiue miles forty rods south & by east two de- grees easterly; From K to I upon a streight ljne two miles & a halff west halff a point southerly; From H to I, up on a streight line south, halfe a point easterly, fower miles; ffrom G to H, southwest fowr degrees, westerly three hundred & sixty two rod; ffrom E [F?] to G, S. S. east three degrees southerly, one hundred sixty rod; from E to F south three degrees southerly, eighty eight rod: from 1) to E southwest one hundred and eight rod: from C to D south east eighty rod; ffrom B to C south and by west three degrees westerly, five hundred & eighty rod; from A to B west north west two degrees westerly, one mile twenty rod. This tract of land is lajd out at a place called Pecumptick, to answer the grant of the
6
DEDHAM GRANT AND INDIAN DEEDS.
honored Generall Court made to Dedham for lands at Natick, which the Indians are setled vpon by the Courts order, it lyinge north- ward from Hadley about tenn or twelue miles. Layd out as aboue- sajd May, 1665, By me, JOSHUA FISHER.
The Court allows & approoues of this returne, provided they make a towne of it, to majntejne the ordinances of Christ there once wthin five yeares, & that it interfere not wth Majr Genll Denni- son & Hadley grant."
The Colonial Government having thus taken two thousand acres from Dedham for the benefit of the Natick Indians, and given in exchange eight thousand acres belonging to the Pocumtuck Indians, the town of Dedham now took steps to buy the same of the native owners. June 4, 1666, a com- mittee was authorized to "employ the Worshful Col. Pynch- on, to buy the Indian title in the 8000 acres." Pynchon was a fur trader of Springfield, well acquainted with the Pocum- tueks, and had before been employed in a like service by Northampton and Hadley :-
"Whereas it apeere that some Indians are like to clayme a Title in the foresaid | ] which in equitie would be cleered, the selectmen understanding that the worpfull [ ] John Pinchion is acquainted wth those Indians so claymeing it is therefore, or [ ] that Ensi: Danll: Fisher, and Elea: Lusher be desired, and are heereby deputed and empowered to treat with the said Capt Pinchion, and empower him to contract wth those said Indians for the buyeing out of all thier Right or clayme in the p"mises and allso with any other Indians that may haue a true Right made apeere there and what shall be so concluded the Towne shall be engaged to make good.
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