USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts > Part 13
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[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 30, p. 222a.]
ORDER.
The Councill having received information by Major Waldern of the Coming in of Wanalanset, with the sachim of Penicook & several other Indians now at Cocheechee, & that they have brought in severall english captives & freely delivered them, as a testimony of their goodwill to the English & their desire to maintain peace & friendship with us; as also that by order of the Comittee there, three Indians of the number abovesayd in hold as having an hand in the Killing of two Englishmen & Captivating those that they have now brought in. It is ordered that the comittee for treating with the Indians in those Eastern parts are licensed & Authorized if they see cause to imploy those Jndians so come in, in the publick service against the enemy having some English in same Company. & for that end supply them with competent Amunition & that they may also send out with them any one of the Jmprisoned Jndians retayning & effectually securing the other two, that they may all three take their turnes to goe out if incouragement be found So to doe. 15 June 1676.
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 30, p. 204.]
ORDER.
It is ordered that the garrison souldiers of Chelmsford, Billericay & Concord be dismissed unless those Townes or any of them shall make it appear, when ordered to the Council that there is a necessity of continuing them or any part of them and the Comanders of those several towns and the garrison souldiers are hereby required to take notice of this order
1st August '76 past E R S [Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 69, p. 33.]
121
EARLY GRANTS-THE INDIANS
PETITION OF MOSES CLEVELAND.
To the honored Govrnor & councell
May it please yr hons. yt my brother Saml Clevland hath been in ye service more then these twelve months & harvest & hay time coming in, & J being disenabled by ye lameness of my arm, request yt you would be pleased to release my brother yt we may get in our corn & hay for ye preservation of or selves & cattle, & therein we shall be obliged to further service when yor honrs call us thereunto. Yor. sevt. Moses Cleavland.
Aug 1st. 76 granted E R S
Samuel Cleaveland is released & dismist the Country's service
ERS
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 69, p. 31a.]
LOSSES AT CHELMSFORD.
To left hinchman Deputy from Chelmsford
Sir :
The Consideration of the losses that Chelmsford sustained by the Enemy and the laste law made the 3d of May last that the losers should have a meete Alottment in ther proportions in ther Rattes is argument to the Selectt men to psent what they with the Alowance of the honored Jenl. Courtt Judge meette to Alow to the Several persons as foloeth out of ther 10 Rates now Required.
Jt to John Burge Sen -01-19-04
It. to Thom Chambrlin Sen
-02-18-04
Jt to Robertt proctor
-04-00-00
Will Underwood
-03-16-00
Thom Chambrlin Jun
02-00-02
Thom Adams
-03-06-06
Joseph Spaldin
-01-15-08
Andrew Spaldin
-01-13-04
John Stevens
-01-16-08
left Sam Foster
00-12-06
Solomon Keies
-01-17-06
Will Wood Senr Slain
-01-05-06
John Wattill slain
00-16-08
Joseph butterfeld
00-09-00
Nath butterfield
-00-03-00
Jt. to John Wright
-01-18-00
Edward spalding
-01-09-09
John Sheply Jun
-01-02-08
John Sheply Sen
00-02-06
James Richardson
-01-13-04
Joseph Perkins
-01-14-00
122
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
More loss in the Country Rats by persons and Estats removed from us
It to Ed leborns 10 Rattes -03-11-06
Robertt leborns
10 Ratts -01-10-00
John leborns
10 Ratts -01-10-00
Thom leborns
10 Ratts -- 01-07-02
Sam varnum
10 ratts
-03-04-04
Thom Willkinson
10 Rats
-01-04-00
left hinchman estat in partt -
-03-09-08
and his person removed
53: 07: 01
5 Agust 1676 by the selectt men of Chelmsford
Sam Adams
John Burge Thomas Adams William Underwood
Thos Chamberline sen
This Account of '53: 7:1 was allowed to be abated out of their to (sic)
thier last 10 countrey Rates
William park The deputyes approve of the
Hugh Mason
returne of theire Comittee
John Wayt
and to this account ye Honorble
25 oct. '76.
Magestrates consenting hereto William Torrey, Clerk.
Consented to by ye Magistrates Ed. Rawson D. Secrety
[Supreme Judicial Court. Early Court Files, No. 1521.]
ABATEMENT.
"In ansr. to the petition of the selectmen of Chelmsford, &c, it is ordered, that Chelmsford be allowed & abated the sume of fiuety three pounds seven shillings and one penny out of their last tenn county rates, toward theire losses." (by the Indian ennemy) Oct. 12, 1676.
[Records of Massachusetts Bay, Vol. V, p. 125.]
In an Account of People Distressed by the war in Mass. Colony, taken Jan 22 1676 /7 we find:
In Chettinford [Chelmsford] 11 familyes containing 44 persons £6. 12S. 0D.
[Coll. N. H., Hist. Soc., Vol. III, p. 101.]
123
EARLY GRANTS-THE INDIANS
GENERAL DANIEL DENISON'S LETTER.
Sr.
Yesterday I received a letter from Capt. Brocklebanck at Marlborough signifying his desire of being dismissed with his company the reasons he alleadges are 1. their necessities & wants having beene in the countryes service ever since the first of January at Narriganset & within one weeke after their return were sent out againe having neither time nor money (save a fortnights paye upon their march) to recruite themselves 2. he saith they doe little where they are: & he understands they are called off by the Council. I shall make bould to request the like favor in the behalfe of those (at least) some of those troopers & dragoons of Essex that went out last, intended for Hadley but by reason of the disaster at Groton diverted to Concord &c. to beate of & prose- cute the enemy in those parts and I directed orders to Major Willard, that with those he first tooke up wth him & then sent, together with the garrisons at Marlborough Lancaster & Chelms- ford (if need more) in all above 200 men he might not only defend the townes but might prosecute the enemy there, being within 2 dayes march, but I heare of no such attempt nor indeed of any considerable improvement of them that hath beene, or is like to be. I am therefore sollicitous for many of them that out of a respect to myself went willingly, hoping of a speedy returne to their families and occasions some of them more than ordinary great and urgent I entreate therefore they may be prsently considered & eased to attend the seed time &c. and if there be necessity that others may be sent in their roomes, who may with far less detriment be spared. The stockade from Watertowne to Wamesit, might better be from Watertowne to Sudbury river 9 miles taking in more country, & that river being as good a stop as the stockade the greatest objection is Merrimack river though broad yet I understand is fordable in 20 places betweene Wamesit & Haveril, & cannot be safe without guards wch must be kept upon it, for hast I Jumble many things, wch be pleased to pardon. The Lord Looke in mercy upon his poore distressed people upon your selves in particular so prayes
your humble Servant
Ips March 27:1676 Daniel Denison.
[Bodge, p. 214.]
Daniel Denison, of Ipswich, was the highest military officer of the Colony.
A line of fortifications or bulwarks was projected, to extend from Charles river to Merrimack river. It was to be a fence of stockade or stones, about eight feet high, for protection against the Indians. The large ponds along the route were to form a part of the defence.
An anonymous letter to the Governor recommended the use of dogs against "the savage foe."
124
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
A list of soldiers under Capt. William Torner from the 7th of April, 1676, contains
John ffiske Left. wounded Benjamin Barrett
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 68, p. 212.]
In a list of men wounded at Eastward, sent from Salem, July 4, 1677, are these names:
Jacob Parker of Chelmsford; shot through ye Shoulder.
Tho. Dutton of Bellricke; shot in ye knee & body.
Slain : Andiver. Jno Parker James Parker
Lin: one man wch was all they sent [Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 69, p. 137.]
The following indicates the spirit of the times:
In 1676, On the "Sabbath" Jonathan Atherton, a poor soldier, "cut a peece of an old hatt to put in his shooes" which galled his feet from long use, and emptied two or three cartridges from which the powder was leaking and which had become dangerous to carry. He was sentenced by Capt. Henchman to lose a fortnight's pay, and petitioned the Hon. Governor and Council to have the fine remitted; "yet if it be deemed a breach of the Sabbath, he desires to be humbled before the Lord, and beggs the pardon of His people"
Jonathan Poole petitioned to have the fine remitted, giving Atherton a good character; but the Council declared that they saw no cause to grant the petitioner any relief.
LETTER FROM JAMES PARKER TO THE HON'RED GOVNER
AND COUNCIL AT BOSTOWN: HAST POST HAST:
From Mr. Hinchman's farme ner Meremack:
23: 1 mo: [March] 1676-7.
To the Honred Govner and Counsell. This may informe youer honores that Sagamore Evanalanset [Wannalancet] come this morning to informe me, and then went to Mr. Tynge's to informe him that his son being one ye outher sid of Meremaek River a hunting, and his dauter with him up the River over against Souhegan upon the 22 day of this instant, about tene of the Clock in the morning, he discovered 15 Indens on this sid the River, which he soposed to be Mohokes by ther spech. He Called to them, they answered, but he culd not understand ther spech: and he having a canow [canoe] there in the River, he went to breck his canow that they might not have ani ues of it, in the mene time thay shot About thirty guns at him, and he being much frighted fled and come home forthwith to Nahamcok, wher ther wigowemes now stand.
Not Eles at present, but Remain youer sarvant to Comand.
Re'd 9 night 24: Mrch 76-7 James Parker.
[Shattuck Manuscripts, also printed in N. H. H. Soc. Coll., Vol. III, p. 100.]
125
EARLY GRANTS-THE INDIANS
ORDER OF THE COUNCIL, JUNE 15th, 1677.
It is reffered to Major Gookin forthwith to Supply Leift. Richardson & his pty at Chelmsford with provision Ammunition & appl necessary & to order him to scout & range ye woods between Merrimack & Pascatawą River & endeavour to kill and sease ye Lurking enemy in those parts for wch the Major is ordered to encourage ym wth a reward of twenty shillings for every scalpe & forty shillings for every prisoner or ye prisoner. And also to make up in number 25 men, & to order ym after some time spent there, to mrch to Blackpoint garison & Their to bee at ye ordering of Liftenant Tipping until further order from the Council the time of Randevous at Blackpoint is to bee the 26 of this Instant June if possible.
Past. Edwd Rawson, Secretary.
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 69, p. 129.]
About ninety English and Natick Indians, under Captain Swett and Lieutenant James Richardson, were engaged in the fight at Blackpoint, July 29, 1677, where both lost their lives. "The Lieutenant was killed soon after the first onset."
Chelmsford escaped the terrible fate of some of the other frontier towns, and this was, no doubt, due in part to the influence of Wannalancet and the friendly Wamesits, but the inhabitants of the town were in constant alarm, if not in fear or terror.
The counsel of Passaconaway had its effect upon his son and successor and upon the actions of his people. Although Wannalancet suffered great provocation at the hands of the English, even in his retreat, his wigwams and provisions at Pennacook being destroyed by Captain Mosely's troops, he would not allow his men to retaliate.
Allen (Hist. Chelmsford) says, "Wannalancet after a long absence called on the Rev. Mr. Fiske and congratulating him on the restoration of peace, solicitously inquired after the welfare of the people in Chelmsford, and whether they had suffered greatly during the war. Mr. Fiske replied that they had been highly favored, for which he desired to thank God. 'Me next,' said the sagacious sagamore, intimating that through his influence this town had been exempted from the calamities that had befallen many others."
In March, 1677, he informed Captain Henchman in Chelms- ford that the Mohawks, allies of the French, were not far away, and Lieut. Richardson was sent to prevent them from attacking the English.
126
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
Wannalancet, with a remnant of his followers, after the return of peace, came back to Wamesit, but it was through an intrigue of Major Waldron at Dover, where he managed to gather about four hundred of them, and take them prisoners, half of their number being sold as slaves in the West Indies. Wannalancet brought back seven white captives whom he had rescued. The Indians were placed under the care of Colonel Jonathan Tyng of Dunstable. Wannalancet was a man of simple, native goodness, which contrasts favorably with the treatment he received at the hands of the whites.
In 1683 an order was issued awarding £10 to Wannalancet and other Indians to silence their complaints concerning a breach of the treaty made with them.
A gratuity of land, besides their wages, was promised the soldiers in this war, December 10, 1675. Narraganset Township No. 6, now Templeton, Massachusetts, was confirmed by the General Court, February 12, 1733, to one hundred and twenty grantees, or their representatives, then residing in Chelmsford, Concord, Groton, Marlboro', Billerica, Lancaster, Lexington, and other towns in this vicinity.
At the end of the war the plight of the savages was pitiful; without ammunition, without leadership, without country or hope of any sort, they found no mercy now at the hands of their older foes, the Mohegans and Pequots, nor yet the English, says Bodge. These hunted down their defenseless enemies, some of whom escaped to the eastward and put themselves under the protection of Wannalancet and his Pennacooks, who had remained neutral.
The death of Philip was practically the close of the war, though hostilities continued for some time after.
"King Philip's War, which was but the beginning of a long series of wars which devastated the frontiers, may be said, properly, to end with the treaty of Casco, April 12, 1678." [Windsor.] Hostilities continued, however, until the treaty of Portsmouth, September 8, 1685.
On Fast Day, June 6, 1678, the various towns made con- tributions for the Canada captives, who had reached Albany. Chelmsford gave £2.16.10.
CHAPTER III. PROVINCE WARS.
KING WILLIAM'S WAR.
A RATHER uncertain peace reigned after King Philip's War, and continual watchfulness on the part of the English was necessary. The accession of William and Mary to the English throne occurred in 1689. The King of France espoused the cause of James. After the declaration of war, between England and France, began the first inter-colonial war, known in America as King William's War. The French planned an invasion of Boston and New York. On Feb. 8, 1690, a war party came from Canada and burned and butchered in Schenectady. The Governor of Massachusetts urged the necessity of immediate action and a congress of the Colonies was called. Sir William Phips commanded an expedition against Acadia in 1690. He took Port Royal, and carried away almost everything portable from the Province. His expedition against Quebec, the same year, failed.
The selectmen were ordered to furnish ammunition to their respective towns.
In 1680 Samuel Foster petitioned the Court that he might "lay doune his leiftenant place," and the request was granted.
The same year the Court placed the military forces of Chelmsford and neighboring towns under Major Peter Bulkley.
1682. May 27. Ensign Thomas Addams is appointed to be lief't to the ffoot company in Chelmsford, vnder ye comand of Capt. Samuel Addams.
In 1683 John Fiske was appointed ensign to the foot company.
On November 7, 1685, Samuel Sewall of Boston wrote in his diary: "When came home, heard of body of Indians near Chelms- ford, 3 or 400. The fears and Rumors concerning them much increase. The Indians near Albany; Wonolanset brings the news to Chelmsford, and mistrusts of their mischevous designs."
Boston May ye 10th 1689.
Wee ye Representatives of the Severall Townes of ye Masitucets colony in newingland doe heere by declare in bee halfe of or selfes & ye several townes which wee A pere for, viz. for the ensuing yere.
128
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
the Governer & debety governer & A sistunt Chozen in May 1686 According too or Charter Rights & ye debeties yeu then sent by the freemen of the severall Townes to be ye government there Established of ye A bove sayd Colony & that Majr Waite Winthrop is Majr Gineroll of our forces. in newingland & untel the freemen Renue there [choise] & that iff the present gouerment doe desier more A sistenc having enlarged the freemen there shall bee A Supply Emediatly maide according to Charter for ye Remaineing of the yere A pon ye the daye yt the gineral Cort shall A point hopping that all people will rest satisfied tell wee have confermation from ye Crown of Ingland which wee dayly hope for.
Thees to testifi ye honered Councel for safety & the Repre- sentitives of the severall Townes of ye aboue sayd Collony ye Town of Chelmesford beeing Convened to gether on 13 of May 1689 according to the honered Councell for safetye dezier ye aboue sayd act was severall times red & considered of & Legaly voted in the Afermitife , only 2. or 3. desented.
Signed in the names & Consent of the in habitants of Chelmsford
Samuell foster Senr Cornelius Waldo Senr. Nathanell Hill Solloman Keyes Senr.
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 107, p. 24a.]
All laws made by the Governor & Company of the Mass. Colony that were in force on the 12th day of May 1686 were by the convention of Governor and Council and Representatives on June 22. 1689 declared to be the laws of the colony and to continue in force till further Settlement.
The 20th of June 1689.
Thees to sertifi: the Honored Councel in Boston that Sergent josiah Richardson was Legalli chosen Captaine. & Sergent James Hildreth Legally chosen Leftenant, & Sergent John Stevens Legally chosen Ensigne by ye Towne of Chelmesford
Test Samuell foster Senor Joseph Farwill
June 27th, 1689.
The Representatives do allow and Confirme the above nomination of officers to the Towne of Chelmsford Attest Ebenezer Prout, Clerk.
June 27 1689 Consented to by the Govr and Councill Jas Addington, Sec'y. [Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 107, p. 143.]
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45
PLAN OF THE
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JANUARY 1914
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129
PROVINCE WARS
Capt. Thomas Henchman of Chelmsford was apprised of the plot against Dover, and sent down a letter of warning to the Council at Boston, as follows:
Hond Sir
This day 2 Indians came from Pennacook, viz. Job Mara- masquand and Peter Muckamug, who report yt damage will undoubtedly be done within a few days at Piscataqua, and yt Major Waldrons, in particular, is threatened; and Intimates fears yt mischief quickly will be done at Dunstable. The Indians can give a more particular account to your honor. They say iff damage be done, the blame shall not be on them, having given a faithful account of what they hear; and are upon that report moved to leave yr habitation and corn at Pennacook. Sr, I was verry loth to trouble you and to expose myself to the Censure and derision of some of the confident people, that ware pleased to make sport of what I sent down by Capt. Tom. I am constrained from a sense of my duty and from love of my countrymen to give the acct. as above. So with my humble service to your Honor, and prayers for the safety of an Indangered people,
I am, Sr, your humble servant Tho: Hinchman.
June 22 (1689)
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 107, p. 139.]
This letter was received by Mr. Danforth, and on the 27th laid before Gov. Bradstreet and the Council, and a messenger was sent to Dover the same day with the following letter to Major Waldron, which was received too late to prevent the tragedy.
The messengers were detained at the ferry at Newbury, and arrived the day after the attack.
Boston: 27 .: June: 1689
Honord Sir
The Governor and Councill haveing this day received a Letter from Major Henchman of Chelmsford, that some Indians are come unto them, who report that there is a gathering of some Indians in or about Penecooke with designe of mischiefe to the English, amongst the said Indians is one Hawkins (Hogkins or Kankamagus) is said to be a principle designer, and that they have a particular designe against yourselfe and Mr. Peter Coffin which the Councill thought it necessary presently to dispatch Advice thereof to give you notice that you take care of yor own Safeguard, they intending endeavour to to betray you on a pretention of Trade. Please forthwith to Signify import hereof
130
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
to Mr. Coffin and others as you shall think necessary, and Advise of what Information you may receive at any time of the Indians motions.
By Order in Councill, Isa: Addington, Sec'y.
For Major Richd Walden and Mr. Peter Coffin or either of them at Cocheca with all possible [haste]
[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 107, p. 144.]
After midnight the gates of the garrison house were opened by the squaws who had asked shelter in the garrison houses. The Indians waiting outside rushed in, struck down and bound the Major, eighty years old, into his arm-chair, and placed him thus on the table, where they mocked him, compelled his family to prepare supper for them, slashed the helpless man across the breast, saying, "I cross out my account." They then cut off his ears and nose and forced them into his mouth, and, when fainting from loss of blood, they held his sword under him, upon which falling, he expired. Some of the cruelties practiced by the Indians are too horrible to relate. Bodge gives a full acount of this event-page 316.
In June, 1689, James Hildreth was confirmed Lieutenant of the Foot Company in Chelmsford, and John Stevens, Ensign. In 1691, Edward Spaulding was Ensign.
A bounty not exceeding £10 per head was offered for Indians' heads or scalps, respect being had to the quality of the enemy taken or destroyed.
In 1689, June 27, Major Thomas Hinchman was appointed Commander in Chief of the Upper Regiment in Middlesex.
Wednesday, August 28th, the Upper Middlesex Regiment was ordered to rendezvous at Chelmsford.
[Court Records, Vol. VI.]
HINCHMAN'S LETTER.
To the Honourable Councill seting in Boston July 12 1689. Chemlsford.
Honourd. & Worshipfull :
These bring you my humble services, Acquainting you that yors bearing date 11th Instant I have received; wherin I under- stand the great and eminent danger we are in, upon the account of the enemy, or Towne being threatened the next week to be assaulted; And not only from what yors expresses; but also, what was discovered at Groton, the night before last, the which
131
PROVINCE WARS
I understand you have been informed of: And Allso at Dunstable, on Thirsday night last towards morning, appeared within view of Mr Weldses Garrisson 4 Indians shewed themselves, as Spyes; and it is Judged (tho not visible) that all the garrissons in said Towne were veiwed by the enemy: and that by reason their cattle and other creatures were put into a strange ffright. Wherefore Honoured and worshipll., I Judge it highly needful and necessary that we have relief at this Towne, and that speedily of about 20 men or more, for the repulsing the enemy in guarding some out places which are considerable, on each side of Marimake, As Mr Haward, Varnham, Coburne &c: which otherwise must come into us, and leave what they have to the Enemy: or be Exposed to the merciles cruelty of bloody and barbarous men. Thus Honourd and worshipll., pleas to consider this request as highly needfull and necessary and be expeditios in granting the same. AllSo, I have ordered of these Troops which are made up of Towns which are in danger, 40 at a time to be out upon scouting (according to order given me) 'Till the latter end of the next week ensving: concerning whom I Jud[g]e it needful and necessary that they be released to go home to guard the several Towns they belong to. Thus Honoured and worshippfull pleas to consider of and grant the above petitioned things, which I hope and believe will be conducible to the saftey and security of vs, and these exposed Touns: and highly oblidge, yor most humble Servant
Thomas Hinchman
Chelmsford July 12th 1689 [Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 107, p. 198.]
Ordered by the Representatives & consented to by the Gov. & Council, July 12, 1689, "that 20 men be fourth wth dispatched away to Major Henchman to be for the releife of Chelmsford farms" &c.
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