USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Deerfield > History of Deerfield, Massachusetts: the times when the people by whom it was settled, unsettled and resettled, vol 1 > Part 40
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The speaker made a procession through them, lamenting and be- moaning which continued a long time, being now and then prompted by the tribes. The procession & Lamentation being at an end, their speaker took his seat and after some time che Delegates made an- other heavy moan.
Then the orator in a long speech giving words to their sorrow at "the bloody news" of the "killing of your minister and the others," and at the conclusion "laid half a belt of wampum on his corpse and the other half on the bodies of the others that have been slain."
Sept. 2d, another meeting was held in the Council Cham- ber. The Indian orator made a long, formal speech. He gave an account of the discovery of America by the White Men, and the several peoples which came to occupy it. The Spaniards, he said, were of his own color. He talked at length of old treaties, and of love and friendship between themselves and the Strangers.
He calls the Scatacooks and the River Indians "Neph- ews." In presenting a Belt of wampum, he says,-
This respects more people who have gone from us and settled in Canada naming Chucknawaugaw and Oso Recolect and other Indi- ans that have not meddled in the war. We the eight Nations have agreed that Col. Schuyler be ordered to draw these nations down to be treated with that so they may be kept in peace with the English. We do not mean that Col. Schuyler should go himself but that he
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FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
should send some person on this affair and laid the belt down for Col. Schuyler.
He says they came for a peace Conference, but as things stand they will take hold of the "hatchet which you offer." They leave a Belt to be sent to King George and as soon as they get a reply will take an active part in the war. The English are advised to keep a careful watch against being surprised by the enemy.
Strong hopes had been entertained of inducing the Five Nations to join the English in this war. Agents were sent to meet them at Albany, and a large delegation of them came to Boston August 21st. It was soon found to be the old story of the Mountain in labor. After all the ceremonious talk, the most they would do was to allow some of their young men to go out with the English. Two only volunteered, who were sent to the eastward.
It was foreseen that when the result of these negotiations was known in Canada, war parties would be at once sent out against the valley towns ; and Col. Partridge, who was at Bos- ton with the Iroquois, sent his orders to Capt. Abijah Dewey at Westfield ;-
Cap. Abijah Dewey
BOSTON Aug 30 1723
I have enclosed a Coppy of the Ordr of the Ltt Governor that you Rally up your troop & march to the Upper Towns Scouting & Repaireing to the places of the Most Danger for the space of four- teen days & then for Capt. Dwight to take a turn at the same term of tyme & so by turns for the space of 8 weeks to provide for yo'selves Arms Ammunition & provision all which to be paid by the publique; send the Enclosed ord' to Capt Dwite after you have prrused & at- tend the whole as nere as you can according to the enclosed ordr
SAMII PARTRIDGE Col !!
If there be Need at Wesfd you must take care at home yet must not Neglect this order
Early in September, the Schuylers sent word of a party of the enemy being at Otter Creek, to which Dummer replies :-
Sept. 13 1723
Gent. I have recd your Advice in a Lett' Directed to Co11 Partridge of a party of 50 Indians come over the Lake to attack our Frontiers. I hope the seasonable arrival of this Inteligence will be a means to disappoint the Enemy. I do for my self & in Behalf and at the de- sire of his Majesties Council of this Province give you Thanks for your Good offices to this Governt from Time to Time especially in Advising us so opportunely of the Motions of the Enemy & other
401
COL. SCHUYLER SENDS THE BELT.
matters that so nearly concern this Province; and pray the continu- ance of yor care & Friendship to us in this respect, and we shall very punctually pay yr expenses.
Sept. 20th this letter was supplemented by a vote of thanks in the House.
Soon after this Col. John Schuyler visited the government at Boston ; on his return he sent the following letter to the Governor by Capt. Kellogg :-
Honbl Sir the first day of this Inst. I sent two Mohawks to Canh- nawaugo with the belt of Wampum the Nations gave me to invite the Chiefts of those people withalle. The 2d day of this Inst I sent my son with two others Towards Canada with instructions yt if they met with any news of any parties of Inds designed for New England they would dispatch an express directly and also to enquire respecting Captives & any other news that may be Serviceable
I arrived here in health a short time after I left yor Hon" I am in expectation this day to rid my hands of a troublesome people to their great satisfaction.
He further says he is waiting news of some Caghnawaga Indians whom he suspects are out upon our frontiers ; that was why he sent out his son as above.
Oct. 3d Col. Partridge writes Capt. Dewey at Westfield that Daniel Ashley, just from Albany, reports great fears there that the Indians are preparing for an incursion. Again Oct. I Ith he sends the following :-
Sr These Give you orders forthwith to Move with yor troop up to Deerfª & when there to divide yor troop & send one half of them with one of yor officers to Northfield to improve yr tyme in Scouting & Guarding the people to get in the Remainder of their Harvest as also with some of the people to go out scout Northard & Westard in the woods to make discovery of any approaching Enemy & upon any Discovery of a body of the Enemy forthwith to Alarm the people & by a post inform me I pray God guard prserve & be yor Safety
I am yor Humble Servt SAMII PARTRIDGE Colli
Hatfield Oct. 10, 1723
The next day the Governor writes Partridge :-
Sir These are to direct you forthwith to impress men out of the regiment under your command for His Majesty's service on the Frontier of your County as to make up [with] those already in the service (excepting those at Brookfield) forty men to be all under the command of Capt. Joseph Kellogg to be employed according to the orders herewith enclosed weh pray deliver to him together with his commission.
402
FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
Enclosed was Kellogg's commission as Captain with di- rections to look after the frontiers of Deerfield, Northfield and Sunderland, to keep his men busy and report often. At the same date Lieut. Samuel Wright was commissioned to look out for Brookfield, Leicester, Rutland, Shrewsbury and Worcester.
With all these precautions the harvest of Indian corn was a service of extreme danger. From the covert furnished by the standing crop, the whir of the bullet or hatchet, with the fearful war-whoop might at any moment be expected.
The order of Partridge was too late; the Indians arrived before the notice of their coming.
October 9th, they fell upon a party of men at work at Northfield Meadows, killed Ebenezer Severance, wounded Hezekiah Stratton and Enoch Hall, and took prisoner Samu- el Dickinson, who had been before captured at Hatfield. [See ante, p. 265.] Dickinson was redeemed and became a promi- nent citizen of Deerfield. Severance and Stratton had re- moved from Deerfield to Northfield not long before. Hall was a soldier in Capt. Barnard's company, from Enfield, Conn.
A company of Connecticut troops came up at this alarm and stayed a few weeks. By vote of the General Court, No- vember 8th, "40 effective men to be levied," in Hampshire county to scout about Deerfield, Northfield and Sunderland. About the last of November came news which gave hopes of peace.
ALBANY 28th Nov. 1723
Col. Partridge
I have yours of 19th Instant & I note the Contents therof the two Indians that have been wth ye belt of Wampum to Cagnawago are come back again. They found ye Cagnawago Indians where gone to your parts butt ye Sachems said they went against their will, & sd yy had no ware against New England butt would live peaseably with the English. Their young people having been deluded as viz.
Three Cagnawago Indians who have been at Northfield arrd here yesterday Sagwenoquas & Cahowasso two chief Capts & his brother in Law. They tell mee they had no design to do any harme butt Governor Vaudreuil persuaded them & gave y" powder & shott & tenn Gunns butt they are very sorry & ashamed that they have gonne & say they will never goe againe all the Indians who have beene up- wards of three hundred are come back againe except five Eastern In- dians who Returned back to your frontiers. I hope they may doe no harme. The Cagnawagos have sent seven hands of wampum that yy will come in the Spring to treat heare further about theire friend- ship.
403
POLICY TOWARDS THE IROQUOIS.
The Gray Lock has killed ye Minister & ye four brothers of which two are alive & two scalpt the youngest is given to the Cagnowagos. I shall Endeavore ye Interest of New England as much as Lies in my power. pray Lett [me know ] how these two French Gentlemen pro- ceed at Boston I agreed with bearer herof for 3os which I hope you will see paid. I have not to add butt Coll [Peter] Schuyler & Myne Respect to you. I am Sr
Your Very humble Servt JOHN SCHUYLER
Dec. 5th, Capt. Benjamin Wright asks the Governor's leave to raise a company of,-
35 or 40 men to go on the track of this Enemy wh came to North- field as far as Otta Creek, & thence round to White River, & so home by Connecticut River * * * This I humbly judge to be very serviceable to this part of ye Country & Probably might be ye means of Destroying some of ye Enemy * * & if yr Hon' see meet to give order we think it a piece of good service to mark ye road wch ye Enemy went as far as Otter Creek.
John Stoddard, reporting for a Legislative Committee, fa- vored this scheme, which might perhaps also include a visit to the St. Francis Indians. Dec. 17th, Capt. John Ashley, Lieut. John Root, Ens. John Gunn, commissioned officers of Westfield, write the Governor that Hezikiah Phelps is enlist- ing a company of English Indians to go out against the " In- dian Rebels." Nothing came of these movements.
As in previous wars, the English took great pains to con- ciliate the Five Nations, and induce them to become allies, or remain neutral. Many formal conferences were held with them. Delegations were brought to Boston, others were in- duced to visit the Abenakis, and the Canada Indians. They were feasted and made much of, and a large sum was ex- pended in presents. The Iroquois were fully aware of their importance, willing to receive the attentions of the English, and promised in certain contingencies to engage in the war, but they could not be held to their promises, while under the influence of the Albany Dutchmen. War to the latter meant serious interruption to their lucrative Indian trade, and they left no stone unturned to prevent their customers from en- gaging in it.
Some bills of expense attending negotiations with the Five Nations are given from the Council Records :-
1722, Nov. 14th, Joseph Kellogg, in consideration of his services as interpreter to ye delegates of ye Five Nations,
Col. Jn. Schuyler, services attending them eastward,
£10 0 0 150 0 0
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FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
Lawrence, as interpreter to Delegates,
30 0 0 Dec. 1Ith, Col. John Stoddard, expenses of delegates on their journey hither, 27 II 5 Samuel Partridge, expenses of delegates at Springfield, 14 9 7 Tilley Merrick, entertainer of delegates at Springfield, 2 18 5
Dec. 18th, Luke Hitchcock, victuals to Clorse, the interpreter, I 3 I
Nov. 22d, Col. Stoddard, charge of the delegation, 17 II 5
Hendrick, De Witt, and each of the other delegates were in Council Chamber in Boston, when a gun was presented each.
1723, Jan. 9th, Blue Broadcloth for the delegates, 5 0 0
Feb. 8th, To Wm. Tailor, Josiah Willard and John Stoddard, commis- sioners to accompany delegates eastward, each {25, 75 0 O
5 0 O Elisha Danforth, physician,
5 0 0 Obadiah Ayers, chaplain,
Peter Martyn, steward,
3 0 0
There was talk of getting the Iroquois to meet the English at a conference at Albany, March 12th, 1722-3, and it was voted to bear the expense of a message to them, and of sub- sisting them at Albany during the treaty. Col. Stoddard and Col. Philip Livingstone were appointed Commissioners to perform this duty, and Joseph Kellogg was to attend them as interpreter. This programme was soon changed; July 19th, orders were expressed Kellogg to go to Albany, wait the coming of the delegates from the Five Nations, and conduct them to Boston.
BILLS OF EXPENSE.
Aug. 20. 1723, allowed Wm. Tailor, Col. Stoddard and Spencer Phipps, Commissioners for Indian treaty at Albany,
£597 15 7
Aug. 30, Thomas Wells, accompanying the delegates to Deer- field, 3 11 9
Aug. 30, Timothy Dwight, accompanying delegates and expense, 9 6
Aug. 30, Jos. Jennings, accompanying delegates to Boston, ex- pense,
3
Aug. 30, Daniel Ashley, attending delegates and expense to Albany, IO 7 8
Aug. 30, Ebenezer Pomroy, attending delegates and expense, 3
Aug. 30, Joseph Kellogg, money advanced for delegates on journey to Boston,
1.1 4 I
Sept. 29, Joseph Kellogg, for going to Albany and conducting the delegates to Boston, 30
Sept. 29, Jos. Kellogg, money advanced for the expenses of the delegates on their return home,
50
Sept. 29, Jos. Kellogg, expenses at Albany, 76 15 I
Sept. 29, Col. John Schuyler, for good services,
100
Sept. 29, William Tailor, entertainment of delegates at Castle William,
38 0 I
Sept. 29, Addington Davenport and Thos. Fitch, provisions, shirts, house hire, &c., 483 S 8
FORT DUMMER.
It was uncertain whether the Five Nations could be relied upon to defend our river towns against incursions from Can- ada, and a defensive post above Northfield was projected. The General Court voted, December 27th, 1723 :-
405
BLOCK HOUSE ABOVE NORTHFIELD.
That It will be of Great Service to all the Western Frontiers, both in this and the Neighboring Government of Conn., to Build a Block House above Northfield, in the most convenient Place on the Lands called the Equivilant Lands, & to post in it forty Able Men, English & Western Indians, to be employed in Scouting at a Good distance up Conn. River, West River, Otter Creek, and sometimes Eastwardly above Great Manadnuck, for the Discovery of the Enemy Coming towards anny of the frontier Towns; and that so Much of the said Equivilant Land, as shall bee necessary for a Block House, bee tak- en up, with the consent of the owners of said Land; Together with five or six acres of their Interval Land, to be broke up, or plowed, for the present use of Western Indians (In case any of them shall think fit to bring their families), and that His Honor, the Lieut. Gov'r, bee desired to Give his Orders Accordingly.
In Council, Read & Concurred. Consented to, WM. DUMMER.
1723-4. January 10th, Capt. Kellogg writes Dummer that he has forty men at Northfield and ten at Deerfield, whom he keeps watching, warding and scouting. He asks attention to the forts, that "some care might be taken in yt they might be made better, for they are exceeding mean.'
Meanwhile the fort voted in December was being put up. I find no formal naming of this post. In the official records and correspondence it is uniformly called the "Block House above Northfield " or simply the " Block House." The name of " Fort Dummer" is first noticed in a petition to the General Court from Capt. Timothy Dwight, of December 2d, 1724, and this name gradually came to be adopted.
February 3d, 1723-4, Col. Stoddard writes the Lieutenant Governor :-
I have committed the work about the Block House to Lieut. Tim- othy Dwight; Mr. Dwight will this day go to the place with four carpenters, 12 soldiers with narrow axes & 2 teams. I suppose they will hew all the timber for the fort & housing before they return. I hope the fort and houses will be framed and set up this month
* * * I have talked with Capt. Kellogg about a lieut .; he seems to be unwilling to say who he desires, but I discover by his talk that he thinks well of one Joseph Clesson, who is universally esteemed a good soldier; the hazard is whether he will take sufficient authority upon him* * I presume your honor intends a second to Mr. Dwight at the Block House; Capt. Kellogg tells me Dwight is de- sirous that Elisha Searle be with him; he is at present a sergeant un- der Capt. K .; was put in by request of the Assembly at his return
* Clesson was a sergeant in Capt. Barnard's company. He was a son of an Irish settler at Northampton, and seems to have had no "influence " to back him. Later he was a captain, and figured largely in the affairs at Deerfield.
406
FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
from Canada, where he had long been a prisoner; [ante, p. 319. ] he seems to be a discreet and careful man * * * Capt. Pomroy is willing, if your Honors think fit, that his son John Pomroy should be Kellogg's lieut. ; he hath a soldier like spirit, & if he will exert him- self, is more capable of government than the other mentioned. There is a good understanding between him and Kellogg. Your Honors will judge what is best.
After the above letter was written, one Stebbins arrived from the West, bearing letters from. Schuyler. These were dispatched to Boston by Col. Stoddard, who writes :-
I perceive Col. Schuyler is worried by the Indians, & embarrassed by the Dutch, so that he is almost dispirited. He hath all along in- sisted on it that somebody should be sent to Albany to act with him in the affairs of this government. The Indians by degrees grow cool & are daily dissuaded by the Dutch from undertaking anything for our advantage, & unless they be often solicited, there is hazard that we may, in a great measure, lose the expense we have been at upon theni. I somewhat doubt the care Col. Schuyler has taken to en- courage the Indians to enlist in the service of the Block House. I did not know but the gov't would send to Albany, as Col. Schuyler desires otherwise I should have sent a man to engage the 20 Indians, who should have sent them out of the reach and influence of the Dutch. We suppose if that number came over hither, it would be the most likely method for our safety, & to engage the Nation in the war; for if they should once taste the sweets of our pay, the Gentle- men from Albany cannot draw them from us. Many of their nation
will visit them at the Block House. The enemy will greatly fear them, will conclude in case they kill any of the Macquas the Nation will forthwith revenge it. f wrote in my last letter that I had ES, 175, 6d for the 3 Macquas returned from the Eastward, which is ready for them when soever they called for it. I hoped it would be a means to draw them and others hither * * * I have agreed with Mr. Stebbins that he should have 3 pounds for his journey.
Dummer replies, February 7th, "I have your letters by Stebbins of the 3d; was well pleased with orders about the Block House, but don't see how they can lay foundations and dig cellars until the frost is out." He thinks Dwight should have a chaplain, "More especially in respect to the Mo- hawks;" asks Stoddard to employ a suitable person, and he will arrange for the compensation ; sends him £50 by Steb- bins for Kellogg, with orders for the latter to join Schuyler among the Indians, and to engage and pay such as he shall see fit ; to give it as advanced wages, or as bounty, as he could do best. Stebbins also brought £500 for Capt. Dwight, at the Block House. The fort was about 180 feet square, built of hewn yellow pine, laid up log-house fashion, and was a
407
AFFAIRS GENERALLY AWRY.
perfect defense against existing enemies. It was located on the west bank of the Connecticut in the southeast part of Brattleboro, on what is now the "Brooks farm." Lean-to houses were built against the walls on the inside.
When Stoddard sent in his bill in August, he says :-
We agreed with the Carpenters at Nthfield for five shillings per diem, except Crowfoot to whom I promised six, and they allow that he earned his money by doing so much more work than others
The Soldiers had very hard service lying in the woods & were obliged to work hard early and late, its thought they deserve two shillings pr diem besides the stated pay, and the Carpenters some- thing more. The horses were wrought very hard, and commonly had nothing to eat but oats; and I believe two shillings a day will not be thought an excess for that service.
There was much fear of a winter incursion from Canada. Sunderland is troubled and writes the Lieutenant Governor :--
Sr- These are to inform your honor of the Difficulties we are un- der by reason of our being Exposed to ye Enemy: We are a very Small People & might be an Easy Pray to them if they should make an attempt upon us
We understand that ye Last May ye Generall Court Granted us a number of Soldiers, and yt your honor ordered yt we should have them from Deerfield & Northfield. But they were never sent to us; and we have had no assistance sence, except (for a little while) from Connecticut, but have been put to great Difficulties in Watching, warding, Guarding and Scouting out ourselves.
Wherefore we humbly request that your Honor would Consider our Difficulties and send us a few Soldiers to Defend us.
Your honors Humble Servants
EBENEZER BILLINGS JOS CLARY
Sunder Land
Feb 9-1724
February 23d, Dummer writes Stoddard :-
I have a letter from Capt. Kellogg about the mean condition of the forts. * * You will review them and advise and encourage the inhabitants to repair them, and let me know the charge, also the necessity they are under of a further reinforcement of men. If our negotiations with the Mohawks does succeed, I hope they will be sufficiently provided for.
Col. John Schuyler had been employed to enlist Mohawks for the new Block House. He wants help and writes Stod- dard to send Capt. Kellogg to go among them, as his son Philip is in Canada.
Dummer writes Stoddard again, giving information and instructions :-
BOSTON Mch 18, 1723-4
S' I have yours of ye 5 of March & am glad to hear that the Gar-
408
FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
risons at Northfield are repaired & that the Block House goes for- ward so well. If Kellog Succeeds in his negociations I think you'll have little to fear on your frontiers. In the mean time I shall Di- rectly give orders to Capt Wright to add another man to the Minis- ters garrison at Northfield. I have given orders for one man to be posted there some time sence.
I would have Col. Partridge be easy about the Subsistance of the Detatchment he sent to the frontier, for that money ought, & Doubt- less will be paid. I have comunicated what you wrote about the Ex- change of Dickinson to a Council I had yesterday, & we shall have a General-Council next Thursday, when the affair of Exchanges will be further Considered I am Sr Your Humble Servt
W™ DUMMER
As spring advanced, and the ill success of Schuyler and Kellogg among the Mohawks became known, the fears of the inhabitants increased. The condition of affairs here is so well shown by the following papers, that they are given in full.
Letter from Stoddard to Dummer :-
Sir, Capt. Kellogg is returned, & I suppose hath given you an ac- count of his affairs; he tells me he expected 4 or 5 Scautacook Indi- ans to have been at Deerfield some days since, which I hear nothing of & am prone to think the Dutch have dissuaded them; it seems probable the Western Indians will not answer our expectations (at present) in assisting at the Block House, & inasmuch as our depend- ence is greatly on the scouts to be sent from thence, which cannot be well managed without the number of men allowed; it seems nec- essary that the complement be made of English, for the Present, & in case the Indians do not within a little time join us, undoubtedly it will be best that a number of good dogs be provided, which I hope may near as well answer our design; for I think it considerable prob- able that by means of some of our friend Indians, they may be in- structed so that they will persue an enemy, & in case they should kill one Indian, it will more effectually prevent them coming, than the killing many in anny other way, & although the 5 Nations will not approve such a method, yet they must be silent, inasmuch as their neglect hath obliged us to that method. The people of Deerfield grow uneasy (now the spring comes on) at their having but 10 men; & those of Northfield say, that it will be in vain for them to pretend to manage any business, in case their number of soldiers be not aug- mented; & I am fully of their opinion, & if order be not speedily given, recruits will not be had seasonably. If we are thorough in our endeavours for the preservation of those in the frontiers, that will greatly quiet the spirits of the people, & I hope to be a means of the preservation of some lives, & probably will no [t] long continue; for I think there is a general disposition in the French, Dutch and Indians, that the present differences between us and the Eastern In- dians be accommodated. I am yr Hon's Most Humble Serv't,
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