USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts > Part 12
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9 december 75 Past by ye Council Edw. Rawson D. Secrety [Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 30, p. 190.]
PETITION OF FRIENDLY INDIANS NEAR CHELMSFORD ASKING FOR PROTECTION.
To the much honoured Govornour and Counsel
We pray you Consider how we may be secured from the Indians now the snow is of the ground and they Com When they will to do Mischif nere to us for there is one Indian runaway from the Chansforth and he tell them how we are well among the English, if your worshipfull please brouoid place for us where we may be both for for planding and wod and for food pray consider our condison with speed
Mark of Nanphow
John liing his marke
Simon Betogkom Sam Nanphow [Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 30, p. 191.]
PETITION OF CITIZENS OF CHELMSFORD.
To the honored Comite of Majestrs yt are to mete at Namcock about the dispose of the Wamasak Indians We ye humble petitioners of the Town of Chelmsford, do humbly Intreat yt you would bee pleased to take [into consideration] our dangerous Conditions yt We are in, in refferance to our liues & estate by reason of the retourne of the Wamasak Indians Emongst us: & also on[e] Indian whose name is Wibecusit & his wife yt is & have been harboured in a family Emongst us in the former Indians absence these are humbly to Intreat yr honors to take som such a course wth them as may seeme best to yr Juditious eyes so as they may not be a snare unto us: we leaue you & yr wayty concerns to the wise disposinge hand of god & rest
Dated this 13th of
Yrs in the name of The Toune
the 10th Mo. [December] 1675
William Underwood John Burge Thos Chamberlin
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 30, p. 186.]
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HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
NUMBER OF MEN TO BE RAISED FOR GARRISON SERVICE IN 1676.
Magestrates consentt provided the proportion bee.
Sudbury. 20. Haverhill. 10. Billerica. 15.
Braintry. 10 Chelmsford. 10. Andover. 10.
having already 12 Jndians Medfild. 20. Concord. 20.
Bradford. 10. Weymouth. 10
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 68, p. 252.]
1675/6. Jan. 11. "It was ordered by the Council that the Garrison Souldjers at Chelmsford, Billerica, Groaten, Lancaster, Marlborough, and Sudbury, under Major Willard, be discharged forthwith, and sent home"; and at the same time it was voted to pay them "two months' pay on their returne." This may have been done at the request of the people in the above-named towns, because we know that in many cases these garrison soldiers become very obnoxious to the citizens * * * [Bodge.]
It is ordered by the Councill that the County Treasurer pay & satisfy Jeraphmiel Bowers of Chelmsford thirty shilling in part of his wages, for gaurding the Wamesit Indians being appointed thereunto by order of the Councill
4 ffebr. '75/6
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 30, p. 191.]
Cowley says: On the third of February, 1676, some of Philip's partizans attacked Chelmsford and burned several build- ings. Colburn's garrison on the east side of the Merrimack was now strengthened and nearly all the outer settlements were deserted. A second attack was made on the 20th of March, and Joseph Parker was wounded. These dates seem not to correspond with those here given from other sources.
A letter from Groton, written by Capts. Parker, Wheeler and Woodys in Feb. 1675-6 says: "The Touns from whence our forces are raised especially Chelmsford and Billerikey, being weak and in want of more strength at home and danger accreuing to them by the sudden and suspicious removall of the Wamassuk Indians," they demand a release.
LETTER FROM THE "COMMITTEE OF THE MILITIA" OF CHELMSFORD.
To our Honord Governor & Counsail in Boston Mercy and peace May it please your Honors.
we have judged our Duty, to acquaint to you, with our present con- dition, and danger of following or Brethren and Neibors in the Hor- rible distructiens, ruines and loss of our owne lives and or relatiens. The Savages have been for a day or two discovered to have ranged aboite or Borders: and this morning about an hower and halfe after sunrising, Joseph Parker of this place, with his son, coming
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EARLY GRANTS-THE INDIANS
for the Hon'd Major Willard, about fower mile from or meeting house, along by some houses perteyning to this town, now against one house standing nigh the way, way-layed, and had ye Indian Bullets thick (as they Report) about them, and were followed, by about 10 nilk guns, discharging at them and shouting: they rod fast to escape them: the young man was wounded in his shoulder by a Musket Bullet, as cut out on the other side of his Arme, and as we conceive, by pistol Bullets his cloathes torne in several places. Or men, ye inhabitants of ye saide place, never came away into towne over-night, but some as we heare gone up hastyly this morning, to see after their cattle; we are in such a posture, as without God's extraordinarye help, we see not how we can stand against the enemy. Or garrisons are so weake, and or men so scattered about their personal occasions: that we are without rational hope, for want of men, and what is otherwise necessary. Argnts [arguments] we shall not need to use to yr Wisdoms to consider or necessity of help: If or frontiere Touns be cutt off, what will be the consequence, Itis not for us to say. We leave it humbly unto yr Hon'd to doe as God shall persuade your hearts. Commending all yr and our concerns unto the Lord Almighty, and subscribe
Yr Hon'dr to command.
Chelmsford-15 of 12. 75 [15 Feb. 1676] Post Scr. May it please to understand, yt part of or men are abroad with Majr Willard; upon public service, whereby we are the more enfeebled.
Sam. Adams Samuel Fletcher William Fletcher.
[Coll. N. H. H. Soc., Vol. III, p. 97.]
ANOTHER LETTER.
For
the Honord Governor of the Massachusetts- or Honord Major General: at Boston
Mercy & peace
May it please yor Honors tht we owne orselves greatly obliged for the Signal care yor Honors & the honord Counsile, had of us when we were put into or late pplexed feares, with respt to or Enemies, lately alarming of us, in sending for the prsent succor Capt Reynolds & his company; through wch means through Gods Blessing, the Enemies designs upon us further haue ben Retarded hitherto: So where as this morning. Capt Reynolds hath recejved order to goe off from us towards Malbury: & we have for several days, had Expence of Indian Scouts about or Towne, & the last night, (as this day we are Jnformed from Billereccy) was Seene on or side yt River betwene us, some fires, supposed by them, to be Jndians & this day about 11 of ye clock some house seemed on
112
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
fire, belonging to or Towne, wherevpon, some Scouts sent out, & a company of Capt Reynolds & others Marching out after them, the horsemen came up to about the place where Joseph Parkr was formerly shot & found three dwelling houses burnt nigh downe to the ground, & where Indians had been, Att other houses in that parte of the Towne, ye houses deserted by the Jnhabitants, & come into the body of or towne, the sd Horsemen also Report that they also discovered aboute three Mile from the sd Houses, in a dis mal wood some fires, as if there might be some smale body of Jndians wigwams, wch Jntimate that the Enemy are not far from us, so as upon the motion of Capt. Reynolds from us; tis most probable, we shall be soone assaulted, & we yet in to weake a posture for Resistance: And therefore "we humbly Beseech your Honors to doe us this further favor, as by yor "countermand to the sd Capt Reynolds, to order his & his company "to reside (at least wise for some days) still amongst us: and withall you would please to order to Billerecay or otherwise, the securing there Bridge in there towne, betwene them & us: & May it please yor Honors, to Consider, that several of or men are prest out, some by or Honord Major Willerd of Troops, some upon the otherside of Merimake, to the present assistance & security of ye Colburns, we adde no further but to commend yor Honors to the protection & direction of the Almighty & Rest
Chelmsford 25 of 12. 75
yor Honors to serve in the Lord Sam Adams Sam Foster Will Fletcher
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 68, p. 144a.]
Lieut. Nathaniel Reynolds was in command of the garrison at Chelmsford in the fall and winter of 1675-6, and on February 25th the inhabitants petitioned the Court that he be allowed to remain, with his soldiers, for their protection. After the war he was prominent in the early history of Bristol, R. I.
He was born in England, the son of Robert and Mary; was of Boston, as early as 1632. He married Sarah Dwight of Dedham, Nov. 30, 1657. She died, July 8, 1663, and he married Priscilla Brackett, of Boston, before Feb. 21, 1666. He had three children by his first wife: Sarah, Mary, Nathaniel. By his second wife: John, Peter, Philip, Joseph, Hannah, Mary, Benjamin, Ruth. He was of the Artillery Company in 1658, and admitted freeman in 1665.
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EARLY GRANTS-THE INDIANS
ACT OF THE GENERAL COURT.
21 February 1675-6
Vppon consideration of many sculking Indians about our plantations doing much mischeife & damage, & that a probable way for their surprizall is by scouting in smale partjes, for encouragement thereof, this Court doeth order, that euery person or persons that shall surprize, slay, or bring in prisoner any such Indian on the south side of Piscataqua Riuer, he or they shallbe allowed three pounds per head, or the prisoners so taken, making it appeare to the Comittee of Militia of that toune to wch they are brought.
According to Hubbard, the burning of a part of Chelmsford took place about March 18, 1676, and on April 15 "fourteen or fifteen houses" were burned. John Monoco, one-eyed John, a leader of the Indians, had boasted that as he had burnt Medfield and Lancaster, so he would burn Groton, Chelmsford and other towns.
March 18, several houses on the north side of the river, belonging to the Coburns, were burned, probably in retaliation, by the Wamesits, and two sons of Samuel Varnum were shot and killed while crossing the river with their father and sister in a boat to tend their cattle on the other side. One of them fell back dead into his sister's arms. Varnum shouted to the stupified soldiers who accompanied them, "Don't let dead men sit at the oars." The young men were buried by the river, on the Howard farm. The guard of soldiers with them were so taken by surprise that the Indians escaped.
Drake mentions this attack upon Chelmsford, "where were many deserted houses burned in the beginning of April, 1676." See also, "Indian Wars of New England": Sylvester, Vol. II, p. 293.
At the motion and request of Lieft Henchman of Chelmsford, about quitting his house at Merrimack,
The Council declare yt they are willing for the present to continue the file of solders yt are there as formerly, and that Mr Henchman is impourered [sie] to take in any persons to abide with him to Keepe Garrison, and for their incouragement he shall abide neer to grant such persons liberty to improve any part of the Indians' land within the bounds of Wameset and Naamkeke untill the Council or General Court take further order. [Past 21 March 1675-6]
Coll. N. H. H. Soc., Vol. III, p. 99.]
114
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
In Boston many maintained that God had set the savages upon the people of New England for neglect to persecute "false worshippers." Quaker meetings were forbidden, some harmless Indians were murdered, and there was bitter feeling, even against the Christian Indians and their superintendents, Daniel Gookin, and Thomas Danforth.
The following is a sample of the Placards threatening Messrs. Gookin and Danforth with death, as favorers of the Indians.
Boston February 28, 1675.
Reader thou art desired not to suppress this paper but to promote its designe which is to testify (those traytors to their King and Country) Guggins and Danford, that some generous spirits have Domed their destruction, as Christians wee warne them to prepare for death, for though they will deservedly dye; yet we wish ye healthe of their soules.
By ye new Society A. B. C. D.
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 30, p. 193.]
Council's act to Secure the corne at Chelmsford. 15. Febr. 1675.
The Councill orders that Lieftenant Hinchman take speedy & effectual care that all the corn at the Houses of Colborn & his sons on the East side of Merrymock Riuer or any other Houses there be secured by transporting the same over to his own house. or if any other way be more advisable that he forthwith giue notice to the Councill. And he is hereby Authorized to impresse what help is needful. past
E. R. S. [Edward Rawson, Sec'y.]
15 Feb. 1675
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 68, p. 135b.]
The following letter from a "chyrurgeon," or surgeon, who seems to have been sent to Chelmsford to be useful in case of need, gives some indication that there was fear of an attack at the time it was written. He may have been sent to attend the wounded man of whom he writes.
Chelmsford N. E: March ye 20th 1675
Honord Sr.
J bless God I came safely hither but was much troubled with a Jadish horse who tyred by that tyme we gott to Cambridge, so that wee had much adoo to gett him to Wooborn. I am in very good Quarters & the Capt is very kinde to mee and extra-
115
EARLY GRANTS-THE INDIANS
ordinary civill, Sr. the young man that was shott in the Belly dyed about two of the Clock this morning he was mortally wounded for his bowells were pricked with ye shott I took out a worme about 4 or 5 inches long & did dress his wounds, good Sr. I humbly intreat you to pray the Councill to grant us a stronger guard for wee expect the Indians every hour to fall upon us & if they come wee shall be all cutt off. Sr. J would desire you to send mee a paire of fforceps & a probe with an Jncission knife, Thus hoping you will grant me my request, for without those Jnstruements J can do nothing. J remain in hast hauing not time to inlarge att present.
Sr. Yor obliged Servant David Middleton.
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 68, p. 168a.]
David Middleton was credited in Capt. Scottow's Company, January, 1677-8. Oct. 24, 1676, he received £3. 5. 0. pay.
At the siege of Brookfield in the early part of August, 1675, Edward Colburn of Chelmsford was killed at the ambuscade; and John Waldo was wounded, as was also Captain Wheeler, who being unable to conduct the defense of the garrison, appointed to that office Simon Davis of Concord, James Richardson and John Fiske of Chelmsford.
Those engaged in this affair from Chelmsford, and who received credit for military service under Capt. Thomas Wheeler were:
Oct. 19th, 1675. 01 14 03
John Bates.
November 30th
John Waldoe.
04
00 00
John Fisk.
01
14 09
Jan'y 25, 1675-6.
James Richardson.
02 02 00
[Bodge, p. 113.]
Edward Colburn also doubtless belonged to Wheeler's troop. John Fisk was the son of the minister.
After the fight, the famous Cornelius Anderson, known as Consort to Captain Roderigo, the chief of the pirates, who had taken part, marched from Brookfield to Groton and Chelmsford.
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HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
In the Return of the Middlesex Comittee. dated Cambridge 28. 1 m. [March] 1676, is this proposal:
1: That ye townes of Sudbury, Concord and Chelmsford be strengthened with forty men a peice, which sd men are to be improued in scouting betwen toune and toune, who are to be Comanded by men of prudence, courage and interest in ye sd townes and ye partys in each toune are to be ordered to Keepe together in some place comodious in ye sd tounes, and not in garison houses: and these men to bee vpon ye toune charge of ye country.
A thousand bushells of corn were to be raised upon the Indian land at Wamesit, and there was to be scouting between there and Andover, and on the west of Concord river, on the east and north of Chelmsford.
Major Willard on complaint of the people of Chelmsford fortified Billerica bridge, and seized two great rafts which the Indians had in possession.
In a letter dated April 1, 1676, from the Council to Major Savage, they express a fear that Chelmsford may meet the fate of Groton and Lancaster.
The Council decided to brave the popular prejudice against employing friendly Indians in the war, and April 21, 1676, Capt. Samuel Hunting and Lieut. James Richardson drew up and furnished their company of forty Indians at Charlestown. They were ordered first to march to the Merrimack near Chelmsford, and build a fort and settle a garrison at the fishing place-the great (Pawtucket) falls, but the attack on Sudbury turned Capt. Hunting in that direction where he did good service, his company being doubled in number, and furnished with arms sent from England. The services rendered at Sudbury put the Christian Indians into better favor. The fort at Pawtucket falls was built in the summer and autumn of 1676.
Credited under Capt. Hunting.
Samuel Hunting, Capt. 21.00.00 William Browne 01.05.08
James Richeson, Lieut. 10.10.00
Andrew Robinson 01.15.06
Nathaniel Dunklin 05.05.00 Thomas Frost 03.01.08 Sept 23, 1676 Jacob Farar 02.18.00
Benjamin Collins 01.08.06
Thomas Peach 02.07.00
John Devericks 01.08.06
In general, accounts were not kept with the Indians. [Bodge.]
117
EARLY GRANTS-THE INDIANS
ORDERS & INSTRUCTIONS, FOR MR SAMUEL HUNTING & JAMES RICHARDSON, April 25, 1676.
1 You are ordered (with all conuenient Dispatch) To take the conduct & comand of Such English and indians as are ordered to accompany you & with them to march vp to the fishing places vpon Merrimack riuer (neare Pawtuckt falls) & in the most conuienient place there to erect a fortification Sutable for yor company & build such shelters within it as may bee nescerary according to yor best Discretion-
2 But while you are in hand wth this worke you are to send forth dayly one fowerth part of yor men vnder meet conductt both english & indians to scout on the north side of Merrimack riuer about or toune of Billerekey, Chelmsford, Andouer & wooburne, according to yor best discretion & to order the returne of yor men to yor quarters at times appointed
3 If you meet wth the enimy you are to use yor best skill & vtmost endeuer to sease kill & destroy ym
4 For prouision for yor men wee conceue yr wilbe store of fish to be taken: for wh end you are to carry twine to make Scoop netts, or other netts wch yor indians are ready to do, & for supply of corne Leift Tho Henchman hath promised to supply for the prsent at his house ther for wh you are to pass yor recept & take his order for the delivry of it
5 what you shall need for carring on yor worke of fortification & building a shelter you have a warrent to the constables of these townes to supply it, either carts or boards or any other thing, and the comisoners are to furnish you wth tools nails Twine or any other thing nessecary for this affayre
6 If you find any conuenient parcel of planting land Deserted by the english or indians vpon either side of merimake riuer or vpon any Iland you are to incoridg the english & indians vnder yor comand to plant it for ther owne Benifit, prouided the maine designe of scouting After the enimy & securing those parts bee not neglegted but vigorusly prosecuted from time to time with a part of yor company :-
7 If any of the neighbour townes bee at any time assaletd or Alarmed you are wh all speid to endeaur to succor such place provid you leaue on fourth part of yor men at yor fort to secure a retreat
8 you are wh all care to Gouenern the solders vnder yor comand according to the Rules of Gods word & the wholsome laws of the country & take care to punish all profaines & wickednes.
9 wee have & doe ordered James Richardson late of Chelmsford to bee yor second and assistant.
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HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
10 All soldiers vnder yor comand are required to submitt & giue obedience to all the Lawfull comands of yor selfe & officers at yr perrll Lastly you are to giue intellegence to the councill from time to time of all occurences:
So desiring the Lords Presence & Blessing with & vpon your vndertaking for the publike good so wec commit you to God.
wee are yo obl freinds Edwd Rawson Seceret by order of ye council
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 68, p. 211a.]
This Order was sent
To the Constables of Chelmsford, Bilerekey, Andover and Wooburne.
You and every of you are hereby required in his Ma'ties name within your respective touns, to impress carts, boards, or other things necessary to build a fortification and shelter at Pautucket falls neare Merrimack river, under the Command of Samuel Hunting, for which this shall be yor Warrant, and futher more the townes afforesaid are to take notice, yt if at any time you be assaulted, you may send to the said Samuel Hunting for succor, whom we hau ordered to give you ayd as occasion shall require. Dated 19 April 1676.
[Coll. N. H. H. Soc., Vol. III, p. 99.]
Capt. Samuel Hunting was born July 22, 1640, the son of John Hunting of Dedham. He settled at Chelmsford and later at Charlestown. He married Hannah Hackburne of Roxbury, Dec. 24, 1662, and had ten children. He was killed by the accidental discharge of his gun, Aug. 19, 1701.
Lieut. James Richardson moved from Woburn to Chelmsford in 1659 & there (Captain Thomas Marshall, by special Act, being empowered to solemnize the marriage) married, November 28, 1660, Bridget Henchman, daughter of Thomas, and by her had 8 or more children. He was with Captain Wheeler in the defence of Brookfield and with Simon Davis, of Concord, and John Fiske, of Chelmsford, was appointed by the Captain, who was disabled by his wounds, to Manage the defence. He was afterwards active in the war; removed to Charlestown, May 1, 1676 & served as Lieutenant with Captain Samuel Hunting in his mixed English and Indian Com- pany in the summer and fall of that year at Pawtucket falls, where they built a fortification and maintained a garrison, of which Lieut. Richardson was left in Charge as well as of the Christian Indians at Chelmsford. He was well acquainted with the ways of the Indians and had great influence with them. Bridget, widow of James Richardson, married William Chandler of Andover, october 8, 1679.
119
EARLY GRANTS-THE INDIANS
ORDER.
It is ordered that twelve pound of pouder wth Shot answerable be delivered to the Committee of Militia of Chelmsford for so much lent by them out of their store to captain Sill at Groton.
And it is further ordered that the Comissarye Mr Jno faireweatherer forthwith convey ouer to ye Constable to Charles- toun half a barrell of pouder & proportionable shott to be delivered to the persons appointed to carry the same to Capt Scyll at Groton together with twelve pounds of pouder with shott answerable to be conveyed & delivered to ye comittee of Militia of Chelmsford for somme lent by them to Capt Scyll for the Country service. 22 Aprill 1676
past. Edw. Rawson. Secy.
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 68, p. 221a.]
TO THE CONSTABLES OF CHARLESTOUNE
These require you in his Majestys name forthwith on sight hereof to Jmpresse two able men completeately armed with fouer Days provission and two very substantiall horses bridles & Sadles & well shod to convey & carry the amu'tion to Chelmsford & Groaten & deliver the same to Capt Scill as comissary faireweather shall direct making yr returne hereof, dated in Boston the 22d of Aprill 1676. By ye Council
Edw Rawson Secret
Deacon Elliot.
You are ordered to deliver two of the countrys horses ye best you have in yr hands to constable Monsall for ye ends above expressed. 22 Aprill 1676
By ye councill Edw. Rawson Secr.
[Ibid, p. 221b.]
In May the Court ordered Nashoba and Natick Indians removed to Pawtucket under supervision of Hinchman, Fletcher and others.
LETTER FROM CHELMSFORD
To ye Honored Govrnor of ye Massachusets
May it please yor Honor.
This evening Jnformation comming to hand, of An Indian amongst others yt is come along with Wanalaunset, unto Mr Tings Garison: called Hankancor (& ordinarily by the English) al. Calacumbine: who was certajnely known to be amongst the Indians, yt shot at Lieftenant Hicksman at our toune end & fired
120
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
afterward in the same day, at Tenne-which sd Indian was one (as is affirmed) of ye Guides of those murderers company : & soone he discharged his Gun upon some of the sd Company: considering several things, we have thought fit rather then to apprehend & bring the sd Jndian before yr Honors: to petition yor Honors, he may be sent for, & examined, & testimonies as may come agst him, be called for, & the sd Indian to be secured, or at least disposed of from these parts. We being put into so great fears, by reason of ye mischeive is apprehended, he hath ben already amongst us achiefd (?) and if It please yor Honors, that Leift. Tho: Hinksman, Jerahmeel Bowers, or who may be nominated by either of ym, may be examined as to ye Case. Not further to trouble yor Honors: Desiring Gods presence with yor Honors we surcease Yor Honors most obliged Jno ffiske senr Chelmsford 4. of 4. (June 4) 76 Samuel ffoster Senr John ffiske Junr. Edward Spauldyng
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