USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 2
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Robinson, Willard
575
King, George W
724
Rogers, John
457
Knowles, Joseph
136
Rutch Family (The)
Knowlton, H. M
21
Russell, J. S.
9
Ladd, Warren
155
Sanford, S. T
704
Lawton, George.
706
Shaw, N. W
722
Leland, I'. W.
377
Sherman, C. E. W
593
Leonard, C. H
138
Skinner, N. H
Si-
Leonard, Cromwell
630
Slade, Abner.
673
Leonard, Ebenezer.
173
Slade, A. P
649
Leonard, E. T
414
Slade, Jonathan
647
Leonard, J M.
65
Slade, Jolın P
405
Leonard, Daniel
23
Slade, Nathan 705 648
Leonard, W. A
33
Slade, William L
Lincoln, J. T.
384
Slocum, William R.
209
Lindsey, C. E
394
Smith, Iram
392
Lindsey, William
391
Smith, T. I.
561
Lothrop, T. J
Spooner, N. S.
171
Lovering, Willard
859
Standish, T. D.
266
Luther, S. M.
404
Stanley, S. O.
578
Mackie, Adam
20
Staples, A. B.
868
Mackie, Andrew
152
Staples, S. N
882
Mackie, J. H.
153
Stevens, F. S.
674
Macomber, Israel.
705
Stetson, T. M 19
701
Stone, S. A.
Mandell, Thomas.
131
Sturdy, W. A
634
Marston, George.
16
Swift, R. N
172
Marvel, William
403
Swift, W. C. N 150
24
Mason, William
865
Stone, J. C.
16
May, E. G ..
592
Taber, C. S.
280
Medbery, Vaill
503
Taber, E. T
281
Merritt, II. D.
590
Taber, Henry
148
Morse, E. J. W
431
Talbot, G. II
635
Morton, Marcus
2G
Tillinghast, Nicholas.
25
Morton, J. M.
33
Tracy, John
727
Morton, Nathaniel.
27
Trafford Family (The)
213
Newcomb, Nathaniel.
629
Trafford, W. B
381
Nichols, T. G.
306
Tripp, B. F ..
703
Nichols, W. D
188
Towne Family (The).
720
Nye, Obed ..
283
Tucker, Joseph
212
Osborn, J. M
401
Vickery, C. R
863
Osborn, Weaver
400
Warren, C. II.
9
Parker Family (The).
133
Weaver, Stephen
678
Parker, Frederick
160
Wheaton, Laban.
327
Parker, J. A
127
Wheaton, L. M.
629
Paul, A. W.
265
Wheeler, J. F
884
Padelford, S.
23
White, D. D.
724
Page, J. II. W
12
White, J. W.
723
Paine, R. T
22
White, Samuel.
21
Perrin, P. I
884
Whiting, W. D.
584
Perry, Albert
402 Wilbar, Joseph 860
648
Perry, William F
458 Wilcox, L. T.
20
Pierce, Alfred
596 Wilkinson, Ezra. 34
Pitman, R. C.
18 Williams Family (The).
Mason, William
391
Sproat, James
Macomber, Leonard.
PAGE
32
Perry, Otis
491 Wilbur, Daniel
46
xi
Williams, A. K.
884
Williams, Lemuel
9
Williams, Eliab
29
Wing, B. F
210
Williams, M. G.
723
Wood, C. L
131
Williams, J. M.
25
Wood, N. M
675
Williams, J. R
15
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
PAGE
Abbe, E. P
facing 151
Daggett, II. N.
facing 885
Aldrich, J. M
397
Daggett, John
33
Alger, Isaac.
597
Daggett, L. W.
583
Almy, Charles
153
Davis, Nathan
650
Almy, Frederick
214
Davis, R. T.
387
Almy, Thomas
207
Davol, Stephen
386
Almy, Thomas
382
Dean, Barzillia
434
Almy, William.
66
206
Dean, C. II.
facing
415
Ames, Oliver, Sr.
428
Dean, E. G
between 884, 885
Ames, Oliver, Jr.
430
Dean, Theodore
facing
864
Ames, Oakes.
429
Dean, L. W
581
Babbitt, William
186
Deane, L. B
facing
632
Bailey, G. E
460
Dighton Rock (The).
250
Barker, Wi iliam, Jr.
208
Drake, H. P
435
Bartlett , I. II ..
137
Dunbar, S. O
885
Ba's ffes, Alfred
862
Dwelly, Jerome
398
Baylies, Edmund.
861
Earle, L. S
402
Beauvais, J. A
145
Earle, Weston
262
Bennett, E. H
27
Eliot, T. D
10
Blake, Mortimer.
871
Eldridge, E. H
between 884, 885
Blackinton, Willard
576
Emery, S. H.
.facing
872
Blackinton, William
577
Fall River in 1812, Map of.
.between 310, 311
Blanding, W. W
490
Fish, H. H.
.facing 868
Bliss, Abialı
493
Fishers, S. P
579
Bliss, George W
491
Fletcher, P. Il
187
Boomer, F. A
30
French, Job B
between 388, 389
Borden, Cook
379
French, George R.
388,389
Borden, Christopher.
between 700, 701
Gifford, Benjamin
facing 700
Borden, N. B.
.facing
370
Gifford, George II.
698
Borden, Richard
374
Gifford, William
between 698, 699
Borden, T. J
393
Gifford, William H
698, 699
Bourne, Jonathan.
144
Gilmore, E. W.
facing 420
rook, George.
867
Gooding, C. H
263
Braley, H. K.
32
Gordon, William A
between 208, 209
Brigham, L. F.
17
Greene, D. R.
facing
133
Briggs, D. S.
190
Grinnell, Joseph.
139
Bristol County, map of.
1
Haskell, Edward
159
Brown, J. P
876
Hathaway, John B.
407
Brown, Joseph
502
Hathaway, Alden, Jr.
307
Brown, M. A
676
Hathaway, G. H1
304
Brownell, E. P
702
Ilathaway, Samuel.
377
Buffinton, Darius.
between 650, 651
Hathaway, William, Sr.
156
Case, S. O.
facing
506
flawes, John A
280
Capron, J. W
580
Hawes, J. C.
between 158, 159
Chace, Angustus
399
Hawes, Simeon
facing 158
Chase, Edmund
388
Ilayward, C. E.
598
Chace, A. H.
308
Henry, James.
406
Chace, Oliver.
378
Hicks, Andrew,
696
Chaffee, Oliver
503
Horton, Danforth
401
Church, Nathaniel.
281
Horton, E. J
595
Clark, C. E.
173
florton, E. S.
594
Clifford, C. W.
20
llorton, N. B ..
between 492, 493
Clifford, J. H.
12
Howard, A. F.
facing 873
Cobbett, Sabin
461
Howland, A. Franklyn
Codding, Abiel.
587
Ilunt, C. D.
282
Congdon, J. B
135
Huttlestone, Henry ..
279
Covel, Benjamin
405
Jones, E. U.
=
878
Crane, A. B.
189
Jones, Samuel.
726
Crane, G. B
631
Keith, Edwin
886
Crapo, H. H
129
Kilburn, E. C.
395
Crapo, W. W.
18
Kimball, John
433
Crocker, George E
between 136, 137
King, George W.
725
Crocker, S. L
facing 858
Knowles, Joseph.
136
Crocker, Oliver.
between 136, 137
Ladd, Warren.
155
1
390A
Dean, Thomas H
434
60
=
66
=
66
=
=
66
=
.6
=
CONTENTS.
PAGE
PAGE
xii
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Lawton, George.
facing
707
Rogers, John.
facing
457
Leland, P. W
376
Rotch, W. J.
141
Leonard, C. H
138
Sanford, S. T.
704
Leonard, Cromwell
630
Shaw, N. W
722
Leonard, Ebenezer
.between 172, 173
Sherman, C. E
593
Leonard, J. M
facing 384
Slade, A. P
Slade, Jonathan
647
Lindsey, C. E
between 404, 405
Lindsey, William
facing
705
Lothrop, T. J
=
859
Slade, William L
648
Lovering, Willard
404
Slocum, William R.
209
Luther, S. M
706
Smith, Iram
392
Macomber, Israel
701
Smith, T. I.
56]
Macomber, Leonard.
152
Skinner, N. II
874
Mackie, J. H.
132
Spooner, N. S.
171
Mandell, Thomas
16
Standish, T. D.
266
Marston, George
403
Stanley, S. O.
between 578, 579
Marvel, William
391
Staples, A. B
868, 869
Mason, William
865
Staples, S. N
882, 883
Mason, William
592
Stetson, T. M
facing
19
May, E. G.
504
Stevens, F. S
674
Medbery, Vaill.
between 590, 591
Stone, S. A
Morse, E. J. W
facing 431
Sturdy, W. A
Morton, Marcus
26
Swift, R. N
Newcomb, Nathaniel
629
Swift, W. C. N
150
Nichols, T. G ..
306
Taber, C. S
between 1280, 281
Nichols, W. D.
188
Taber, E. T.
280, 26A
Nye, Obed.
283
Taber, Henry
facing
148
Osborn, J. M
between 400, 401
Talbot, G. II
Osborn, Weaver
facing
400
Taunton, Map of.
between 768, 769
Parker, Frederick
160
Towne, E. B
facing
721
Parker, J. A
127
Parker, Ward M
134
Trafford, W. B
381
Paul, A. W.
265
Perry, Albert
462
Tucker, Joseph
=
212
Perry, Otis
492
Vickery, C. R
863
Perry, William F
458
Weaver, Stephen
678
Perrin, P. I
870
Wheaton, L. MI
66
628
Phillips, W. H
869
Wheeler, J. F
S83
Phillips, William
149
White, D. D.
724
Pierce, Alfred.
596
White, J. W
.between 722, 723
Pierce, E. W.
45
Whiting, W. D
facing
584
Porter, Burrill, Jr.
590
Wilbar, Joseph
860
Presbrey, S. D.
875
Wilbur, Daniel.
between 648, 649
Price, George
578
Williams, A. H.
.facing
881
Read, II. C.
591
Williams, A. K
882
Reed, II. G.
866
Williams, Eliab.
29
Reed, Washington
305
Williams, Francis
879
Richards, II. M
572
Williams, Francis K
880
Richards, J. D
589
Williams, John R
between 880, 881
Richardson, Stephen
573
Williams, M. G
722. 723
Robinson, Charles
118
Wing, B. F.
facing 210
Robinson, Enoch
719
Wood, C. L.
131
Robinson, Willard
575
Wood, N. ME
675
650, 651
Slade, Abner.
673
649
Lincoln, J. T
394
390
Slade, Jobn P
877
Slade, Nathan
66
Wheaton, Laban
627
Phillips, J. M.
884
Tracy, John.
727
Tripp, B. F.
703
Merritt, H. D.
634
172
635
PAGE
HISTORY
OF
BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
CHAPTER I.
GEOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
BRISTOL COUNTY is situated in the southern sec- tior. of Massachusetts, its centre thirty-five miles from Boston, and two hundred miles from New York. It is bounded on the north by Norfolk, and east by Ply- mouth Counties, on the south by Rhode Island and the Atlantic Ocean, and on the west by Rhode Island. Its area is about six hundred square miles. It was in- corporated in June, 1685, bearing the name of its shire-town until 1746, when Bristol, Barrington, Little Compton, and Warren were set off to Rhode Island by a new division line drawn between the two States. In 1675 the county included but eleven towns, viz. : Attleborough, Berkley, Easton, Dighton, Dartmouth, Freetown, Raynham, Norton, Rehoboth, Swansea, and Taunton, aggregating a population of twenty- two thousand five hundred and seventy-one. Fall River, New Bedford, Acushnet, Fairhaven, Mans- field, Somerset, Seekonk, and Westport had not been incorporated.
Taunton was made the capital, or shire-town, where all courts were held until 1828, when New Bedford, having become an important seat of navigation, with a population of six thousand three hundred and thirty- two, the largest town in the county, by legislative en- actment was created a half-shire town, with its court- house and other county appendages. In 1860 another line was drawn, severing Pawtucket and a portion of Seekonk from this county, adding them to Rhode Island, and in exchange taking a portion of Tiverton to Fall River from that State. In 1877, Fall River havinggrown into an important manufacturing border city of forty-six thousand inhabitants, it was assigned by legislative grant the third seat of justice in the county, and a court-room fitted for that purpose.
There are three cities and sixteen towns; three senatorial districts, with three senators; ten repre- sentative districts, with eighteen representatives in the Legislature from this county. The population in 1776 was 26,700; in 1790, 31,709; iu 1800, 33,880; in
1810, 37,168; in 1820, 40,908; in 1830, 49,592; in 1840, 60,195; in 1850, 76,192; in 1860, 93,794; in 1870, 102,886 ; and in 1880, 139,040 ; showing a gradual progressive increase for a hundred years, or since the Revolution. The valuation (as appears by State De- partment records) of the county was in 1800, $234,- 410.27; in 1810, $321,036.24; in 1820, $398,581; in 1830, $11,346,916 ; in 1840, $19,493,685; in 1850, $39,- 243,560; in 1860, $66,294,256; in 1870, $80,425,791; in 1880, $100,029,138 ; exhibiting a larger relative pro- portionate increase in wealth than in population.
The southern coast of the county is indented with numerous streams, inlets, bays, and harbors, affording great facilities for navigation, commercial intercourse, fishing, and maritime trade. Several rivers flow through the county,-Taunton River being the prin- cipal, taking its rise in Norfolk, flowing through the west part of Plymouth, draining the east section of this county, and emptying into Mount Hope Bay,- furnish motive-power, co-operating with steam, for the extensive manufacturing interests, especially cot- ton, iron, and jewelry. The surface of the territory is diversified, undulating, rocky, hilly, but generally level in the northern and western portion, with a sandy and clayey soil, not very productive, but in the middle and southern rather prolific. The geological formation, granite, carboniferous, feldspathic, con- glomerate, etc., with frequent evidences of glacial visitations in past ages, from the numerous boulders observed in the central section of the country. Bog- iron ore is also largely developed in many northern locations, which from one to two hundred years ago was extensively utilized into bar-iron and cooking utensils.
The Old Colony Railroad threads in systematic net- work nearly all the cities and towns of Bristol and adjoining counties, furnishing accommodations for freight and travel, and facilities of communication with all the cities and localities in the State, and the great thoroughfares north, south, east, and west. The Boston and Providence Railroad also passes through the northwest part of the county.
There are in this county, according to the last
1
1
2
HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
census, 30,015 families and 22,093 dwellings; 1025 manufacturing establishments; number of persons employed, 34,068 ; wages paid during the year, $11,- 125,200; capital invested, $42,128,950; amount of stock used, $24,884,704; value of products, $46,127,- 452. Number of persons employed in agriculture, 5161; farms, 2730; value of farms, $8,631,243; value of live-stock, $759,892; acres of tilled and meadow land, 97,222; woodland, 77,480; tons of hay per year, 30,057 ; bushels of potatoes, 248,256 ; bushels of corn, 117,294; gallons of milk, 2,339,682 ; pounds of butter, 313,040 ; cheese, 5584; dozens of eggs, 846,624; value of annual farm products, $1,554,456. In the manu- facture of cotton goods there are 50 establishments and 19,273 persons employed ; wages paid, $5,154,331; capital invested, $29,368,558; stock used, $11,599,735; value of product, $21,412,623. In cotton and woolen goods, 4 establishments and 21 persons employed ; wages paid, $58,332; capital invested, $3,966,385 ; stock used, $2,637,708; value of products, $5,600,000. In metals and metallic goods, 224 establishments : persons employed, 5849; wages paid, $2,478,318; cap- ital invested, $5,070,921 ; stock used, $4,252,932 ; value of product, $8,621,697. Machines and machinery, 31 establishments, 1419 persons employed; wages paid, $686,150; capital invested, $1,232,625; stock, $891,907 ; value of product, $1,756,509. In lumber, 45 establishi- ments, 158 persons employed; wages paid, $39,100; capital, $147,200; stock, $71,037; value of product, $158,480. In 9 brick, etc., manufactories, 119 per- sons employed ; wages paid, $28,274; capital invested, $105,100; stock, $14,095; value of product, $60,930. Carriages and wagons, 57 establishments, 133 per- sons employed ; wages paid, $106,164; capital, $184,- 750; stock used, $135,516 ; value of products, $323,151. Food preparations, 68 establishments; persons em- ployed, 385; wages paid, $144,935; capital, $475,200; stock used, $1,715,215; value of product, $2,143,612. Printing and publishing, 22 establishments, 213 per- sons employed ; wages paid, $95,446; capital, $172,- 400 ; stock used, $107,616; value of product, $274,300.
CHAPTER II.
INDIAN HISTORY.1
THAT distinguished chieftain, the great and good Massasoit, resided at Pokanoket, that subsequently became the township of Bristol, now in the State of Rhode Island, but which until 1747 formed a part of Bristol County, Mass., wherein it was the shire or county town for the term of some sixty-two years. What therefore at the landing of the Pilgrims in 1620 was the seat of empire to the Indians throughout the widely extended domains of Massasoit became the
chief seat of justice to those European settlements in- corporated in 1685 as the county of Bristol.
Although Bristol County was not formed or incor- porated until some fifteen years after the death of Massasoit, English settlements had been commenced within what subsequently became its limits nearly or quite twenty-five years before his decease, and he lived to see two of these, viz., Taunton and Rehoboth, incorporated as towns. Wamsutta, as chief ruler of the Indians, succeeded his father, Massasoit, at the death of the latter in or about the year 1662, and the brief reign of Wamsutta ending within one year from its commencement, he was in turn succeeded by his younger brother Pometacom, commonly known as King Philip, whose reign continued about fourteen years, during which time two other English settle- ments, viz., Dartmouth and Swansea, were incorpor- ated as towns. The first or earliest communication of white men with the Indian inhabitants of that section of country, subsequently incorporated as the county of Bristol, probably occurred in the month of May, 1619, when Capt. Dermer came in a vessel to Paturzet, now Plymouth, where, from the assistance rendered him by an Indian named Squanto, he was enabled to communicate with the Indian chieftain Massasoit, whose principal place of residence was then, as after- wards, at Pokanoket, or Mount Hope.
Capt. Dermer, in a letter dated Dec. 27, 1619, thus described the event : " I traveled along a day's jour- ney to a place called Nammastaquet, where, finding inhabitants, I dispatched a messenger a day's journey farther west to Pocanokit, which bordereth on the sea, whence came to see me two kings, attended with a guard of fifty armed men, who, being well satisfied with that my savage and I discoursed unto them, gave me content in whatever I demanded, where I found that former relations were true. Here I re- deemed a Frenchman." The Nammastaquet here named was doubtless Nemasket, now Middleborough, and the two kings who met Capt. Dermer were prob- ably Massasoit and his brother Quadequina.
The first visit of white men to the locality, now Bristol County, probably occurred in June or July, 1621, when Massasoit, at his home in Pokanoket, was sought out and visited by Edward Winslow and Ste- phen Hopkins, accompanied by the Indian Squanto, who acted as their interpreter. During the lifetime and reign of Massasoit his sub-chiefs appear to have been called or ranked as captains, though sometimes sachems, among whom was Caunbitant, whose resi- dence was at a place then called Mettapoiset, now known as Gardner's Neck, in Swansea; and at the visit Mr. Winslow made to Massasoit, in March, 1623, on coming to the ferry, in Caunbitant's country, was informed that Massasoit was dead, which caused the Governor and his attendants to feel considerable un- easiness, lest Caunbitant, who had been one of Mas- sasoit's most renowned captains, should become his immediate successor as chief sachem or king. This
1 By Gen. E. W. Peirce.
3
INDIAN HISTORY.
uneasiness and fear arising from the fact that not long before Caunbitant, being at Nemasket, com- menced a murderous attack upon the Indian Squanto, who appears to have barely escaped death at his hands ; and the Plymouthians had lost no time in send- ing out fourteen soldiers, under Capt. Miles Standish, which force so harassed Caunbitant that he, in Sep- tember, 1621, had felt compelled to go to Plymouth and submit to certain demands, and signing at the same time a treaty of amity and peace.
The English still considered Caunbitant as being, at heart, their enemy, and that he was only waiting a convenient opportunity to make it known; and the Governor and his attendants feared that convenient opportunity had now arrived. Said Mr. Winslow, concerning Caunbitant, " Although he were but a hollow-hearted friend toward us, I thought no time so fit as this to enter into more friendly terms with him and the rest of the sachems thereabout; hoping, through the blessing of God, it would be a means in that unsettled state to settle their affections towards us; and though it were somewhat dangerous in re- spect of our personal safety, because myself and Hobbamock had been employed upon a service against him, which he might fitly revenge, yet esteem- ing it the best means, leaving the event to God in his mercy, I resolved to put it in practice if Master Hamden and Hobbamock durst attempt it with me, whom I found willing to that or any other course that might tend to the general good. So we went towards Mattapuyst, and went to the sachem's comaco, for so they called the sachem's place, though they call an ordinary house wites; but Caunbitant, the sachem, was not at home, but at Puckanokiek, which was some five or six miles off. The squa-sachem, for so they call the sachem's wife, gave us friendly entertainment. Here we inquired again concerning Massasowat; they thought him dead, but knew no certainty. Where- upon I hired one to go with all expedition to Puck- anockit, that we might know the certainty thereof, and withal to acquaint Conbatant with our there being. About half an hour before the sun setting the messenger returned and told us that he was not dead."
When Mr. Winslow and his friends were returning from Pokanoket, at the earnest request of Caunbitant, who accompanied them, they stopped and stayed one night at his house, in what is now Swansea ; and Mr. Winslow informs that they never received better entertainment from any Indians than they then had from Caunbitant. What became of Caunbitant is unknown. That section of country now Little Comp- ton was formerly known as Seaconnet, or Seconet, and here the Indians for a time were under the direction of a woman named Awashuncks, who was usually known as the squaw-sachem of Seaconnet. She was wife of an Indian named Tolony, and she was mother of a son named William Mommynewit, who, being sent to school, learned the Latin language, and was
intended for college, but prevented, being seized with the palsy. She had another and older son named Peter. Awashuncks first came prominently into no- tice in 1671, when the colony of Plymouth planned a warlike expedition against her, proposing to send a force of one hundred and two men, that were to as- semble for that purpose at or near what is now Asso- net Four Corners, in Freetown, on the 8th day of August, 1671 ; but the war was prevented by articles of agreement signed by her July 24, 1671.
She comes again prominently into notice in the spring of 1675, when King Philip sent messengers to engage her and her people to unite with him in the great and bloody conflict, still known as “King Philip's war." Those messengers consisted of six Pokanoket Indians, who, having their faces painted and hair so eut as to represent a cock's comb, with powder-horns and shot-bags, made an imposing ap- pearance, and influenced Awashuneks so as to induce her to call the principal of her people together to a great dance. Capt. Church, the soon after renowned Indian hunter, had then recently settled in her neigh- borhood, and, singularly enough, Church was among the guests bidden to the dance. Taking with him an interpreter, Church repaired to the place, where he said that he found hundreds of Indians, and Awa- shuncks, in a foaming sweat, leading the dance. Church's arrival being announced to her, she stopped short, sat down, called her chief men into her presence, and then called Church, to whom she communicated a message that she had received from King Philip. Church advised her not to accede to his request ; whereupon she called in the six Pokanoket Indians. Church then told Awashuncks that if Philip was re- solved on war her best way would be to kill the six Pokanoket Indians and place herself under the pro- tection of the English. At this advice the Pokano- kets became silent, but two of Awashuneks' men that had recently been to Mount Hope, and were very favorably inclined to the proposed measures of King Philip, expressed themselves with great indignation at the rash advice of Church, and one of Awashuncks' council, called " Little Eyes," was so enraged that he would have put Church to death had he not been prevented. Awashuncks agreed to join herself and people with the English, instead of the Indians, ' placing herself under the protection of the former. She sent two of her men to guard Church back to his house, and desired him to go to Plymouth and com- municate her decision, which he did on the 7th of June, 1675; and had the Plymouth colony govern- ment taken immediate measures to protect Awa- shuneks, doubtless she, and at least most of her people, in the war that immediately ensued, would have joined with the English instead of the Indians ; but neglecting to communicate with Awashuncks, she was soon after compelled to join with Philip, and thus continued to act for nearly a year.
About the middle of May, 1676, Capt. Church
4
HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
found means to communicate with Awashuncks, who agreed to serve the English during the remainder of the war. Quite a number of her warriors then en- tered the service under Capt. Church, and she, with the non-combatants of her tribe, were, for the time being, ordered to take up their residence in the town of Sandwich. Peter, a son of Awashuncks, was her chief captain in King Philip's war, and when, in 1676, Awashuncks re-engaged herself to the English, Peter, her son and chief captain, addressing Mr. Church, said, "Sir, if you will please accept of me and my men, and will head us, we will fight for you, and will help you to Philip's head before the Indian corn be ripe." These peace measures saved the Se- conet Indians from total destruction, so that some twenty-five years later one hundred men of the Se- conet tribe were still alive, and the General Court of Massachusetts appointed an Indian, named Num- paus, to be their captain. He lived to be an old man, and died in or about the year 1748. Not far from the year 1700 they erected a meeting-house, in which the Rev. Mr. Billings preached to them one Sunday in each month, and besides which they enjoyed the ministrations of an Indian preacher named John Simon. A large part of the remnant of the tribe were swept away by a fever that prevailed in or about the year 1750, and at the beginning of the present century not more than ten families remained.
The Indian Seconet, afterwards a part of the town- ship of Little Compton, formed a part of Bristol County until 1747, when it was set off, and has since been in the government of Rhode Island.
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