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 41
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JOHN STODDARD.
Northampton, March 27, 1724.
409
DEERFIELD PETITIONS FOR AID.
To the Hon. Wm. Dummer, Lieut. Gov. & Commander in Chief in & over his province of the Mass. Bay in New England :
May it please Your Honor,
We the Subscribers the Committee & Selectmen of Deerfield in the Province aforesaid, Humbly Showeth;
That the season of the year has now come that our business call for us in the fields, & by reason of the war are much afraid to go about our occupations, expecting daily a descent of the enemy on our Western frontiers, which there seems to be more reason to ex- pect, inasmuch as we have intelligence that Grey Lock hath enticed away several of the Scatacooks, which are so well acquainted with the circumstances of our fields, that they are able to take the great- est advantage against us; & indeed the difficulties of the war lie so hard upon us, that several families, & also several young men have drawn off from us, & several more are going in a little time, to the great discouragement of those who are left behind.
For which reasons, we, your Humble petitioners, humbly pray yr Honors to consider the circumstances we are under & grant us a suf- ficiency of men, both to guard our forts, & men in the field, (and we are humbly of opinion that we stand in great need of 30 men) for which your Humble petitioners shall be ever obliged, & as in duty bound shall ever pray.
THOS. WELLS, Committee MAHUMAN HINSDALE, S of Militia. SAMUEL CHILDS, SAMUEL TAYLOR, Selectmen. EBENEZER WELLS, )
April 6, 1724.
No answer to the above appears. Probably because relief appeared in another quarter, or, at least, a renewed expecta- tion of it. Col. John Schuyler writes to Col. Stoddard, April Ioth, that he had,-
Enlisted on the 3d inst. Hendrick and Ezeare, the Indians; if Hendrick meets any of the river or Scatacook Indians in the way, he will as he promises me, take so many Indians with him as he can. Five days ago here arrived two canoes of Cagnawago Indians, who say that (among them is ye Cahowasso) ye Sachem of ye Cagnawagos Scauinecdie and Wondatis will come Hether so soon as they come from Hunting, as soon as I hear by a cano they will send before of there coming I will let you know Immediately, yt you may send Hen- drick and some old Scagcooke Indians, to meet them here. I hope all will be good
Schuyler thinks everything is going on well at last. Hen- drick was a Mohawk chief, and there were high hopes from his accession to our forces.
April 16th, Dummer writes Stoddard that he has ordered Partridge to impress thirty men; fifteen from Deerfield and fifteen from Northfield; to take them where they have not been hardly drawn upon, and to "do it with the utmost
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FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
speed, and remember [Rev.] Mr. Williams' house. * * * Capt. Dwight must let the Mohawks have as much victual as they please ; their bellies must by no means be pinched & he need not fear the allowance of his account. *
* Ac- quaint the Mohawks that I have accounts from home, that the King received their belt of the 6th of March very gra- ciously."
April 20th, Col. Partridge writes Dummer :-- .
4 or 5 Scatacook Indians are come to Deerfield & are gone to see the fort. They say there will be peace. *
* * This I would say, if peace could be settled on good terms, it would be best, though di- minutive for us, to make peace with them, yet if the Mohawks who are stirring for a peace would engage for them, I am of opinion it would be the best course that can be taken, for the way we are in.
He says John Graves, who has "many infirmities of age- is 70 years old, and deaf-desires freedom from watching," but is willing to attend to any other duty. A page of details could give no clearer idea of the spirit as well as the severity of the service than this simple item,-a man of three score and ten years, infirm and deaf, asking only to be exempt from night watching.
Partridge thinks if Deerfield, Northfield and Hatfield had not been reinforced, the Indians would not have turned back. He says the "enemy can, and doe sometimes, lye in waite 2 months about the towns, before they kill or take, as some of the former enemys have acknowledged." News was gener- ally received through the Schuylers when any considerable party left Canada, but their destination was not often known, and the time they left home for our frontiers more rarely. This uncertainty necessitated constant watch and ward, in all the towns on the borders.
May 15th, the garrison here was increased by fifteen men , and the same number added to that at Northfield. On the same day at a town meeting it was voted :-
That no person shall from and after the first day of next June move any cart that is not four foot wide between ye naves of ye wheels, upon any of ye highways belonging to ye town, * * and for each offence forfit five shillings to ye use of ye town to be recov- ered by bill, plaint, or information, before any of his Majisties Jus- tices within the county.
This seems a very queer regulation in the supposed condi- tion of the roads at that time. May it not have been aimed
411
EXCITEMENT BELOW THE LINE.
at carts coming from the towns below, and its object to secure the transportation of army supplies by their own vehicles?
There was a party in the county opposed to the establish- ment of the Block House ; but the reasons for it do not ap- pear. May 16th, Col. Stoddard, writing to Dummer about it, says :-
Mr. Parsons [of Northampton] hath promised to some, that he will do two things; * * one is that the Block House be de- molished, or at least slighted, (although the garrison is truly the best, or most probable means of our security that ever the govern- ment afforded us;) the other is to obtain the dismission of the Com- missioners of Sewers. [A local quarrel at Northampton. ]
About this time there was a great scare in Connecticut. May 18th, one Griswold was captured near Litchfield by two Indians who called themselves Scatacooks. They took him twenty-six miles northward. In the night he escaped, bring- ing off the guns and ammunition of his captors, with great stories of the Indians, about parties out on our frontiers and that they should take him to Canada in ten days. When near home on his return he saw two more Indians. In great alarm Gov. Saltonstall writes Col. Stoddard, May 20th and May 21st, repeating Griswold's stories and saying that several other parties of Indians had been seen since Griswold's capture. He details his action in sending out scouts, and posting guards about Litchfield and Simsbury. May 23d, Major Tal- cott writes Partridge he has fifty men ranging the frontiers ; has got notice of an intended conference at Albany.
In the matter of securing Indian allies the Schuylers were the chief agents of Massachusetts. Col. John writes to Stod- dard and Partridge :-
SAREGTOGUE, May 18, 1724
Hon. Srs This comes by Maskimit the Indian & is chiefly to aquaint you that I have advices that ye Cagnawago, Rondox Scawin- dees Indians are by the way & I hourly expect ym here, of which please to aquaint hendrick & Ampamit ye Indians. I would also think propper if you would think fit to send any proper person heth- er that might hear by word of mouth what they say ymselves. Here are severall of our Mohawks Sachems who also would be glad if you would send anybody hether on sd acct
I pray send ye bearer hereof back again immediately & hope you1l favor mee with a Line by him I have paid him here for his journey. I have not to add So I remaine with much respect
Gentlemen Your honors Sevt JOHN SCHUYLER.
412
FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
This movement of the Indians was probably in response to the belt sent in November, 1723. This letter was received in the night of May 21st. At three o'clock in the morning it was dispatched to the Governor by Partridge and Stoddard, who say, " Inasmuch as the consequences of this meeting will greatly affect this government we thought it most necessary to send it forward with all speed 'tis probable that there will be present a great number of the Indians at that meeting (either of the 5 nations, or from Canada) so that the charge of subsisting them will be greatly enhanced, if they should stay long at Albany, waiting in expectation of some gent from Boston."
May 22d, the Governor directs Col. Stoddard and Capt. Kellogg to attend the meeting, and act in concert with Schuy- ler in the matter ; to keep him constantly informed of affairs there, and of any movements of the Indians; and he also ad- vised Schuyler of that action. Stoddard had not waited for this order. On receiving Schuyler's letter, he at once hastened to Albany, where he arrived May 24th. Capt. Kellogg, with Capt. Ebenezer Pomroy, left Northampton for Albany, May 25th. A post left Albany May 30th, by which Stoddard writes Dummer that,-
The Gen'in now here have had a notable difficulty about sending for the chiefs of the five nations, but on perusal of Col Schuylers In- structions they thought they would justify there sending for them especiall considering the necessity of their being present, for if they sh not be here its probable that the French Indians would not treat at all, and the five nations would be greatly disobliged
If affairs are prudently managed at this treaty 'tis hopeful that the Eastern Indians will be obliged by fair or foul means to forbear fur- ther acts of hostility: If not our Indians will be greater than ever. there will be nothing further to be done for several days therefore I propose to return on the beginning of the next week.
The reason Col. Stoddard desired to shirk further respon- sibility appears in the following letters, which also give an inside view to the matter in hand. They are addressed to Governor Dummer :-
ALBANY May 30 1724
Sr We came hether on thursday last and found five Indians newly arrived with the Enclosed Message from Cagnawago and Sekohandie which was delivered to the Commissioners of Indian affairs, who sent for us and told us that by some mistake the message was delivered to them that they had not sent for them, neither could they send for the Five Nations without an order from their govr & it is not reason
413
CONFERENCE AT ALBANY.
that N. Y. should be at the charge of feeding them wch wd happen if they sent for them. Wherefore examining the treaty made at Boston last year we find that the 5 Nations gave a belt of wampum "to be sent to Canada to draw the French Indians to Albany " & so if the 5 Nations were not here the whole would fall through, we took the liberty of sending for the 5 Nations without waiting to hear from Boston
JOHN SCHUYLER
EBENEZER POMROY JOSEPH KELLOGG
Knowing the reason why Stoddard would not act with them in this proceeding, they write another letter to Dum- mer the same day,-
S' Col Stoddard is here upon the spot and notwithstanding what he has wrote yr honor about Returning homeward next week we hope he will be persuaded to stay, and if he should [illegible] he thinks the government did not do him justice in finding as much fault with his accpts, or at least with the Commissary accompts last year. Whereas he spent so little Its great pitty he should not be at the Conference for he is more knowing: and as well able to serve the government as almost any in ye government
Excuse our boldness who are your honors Humble & obedient Servts
The same parties write a third letter the same day to Dum- mer, saying, "here we Remain Waiting your Honors Or- ders." These letters were dispatched by post to Boston.
June 5th, Dummer sends to Gov. Burnett of New York a formal notice of the belt the Mohawks left for Col. Schuyler to take to the Canada Indians and informs him that Col. John Schuyler and Col. John Stoddard have been appointed to act for this Province at the coming Conference. He hopes Gov. Burnett will aid in it as he can.
Schuyler and Stoddard report progress to Dudley :-
ALBANY June 19, 1724
On Tuesday last the Chefts of Cagnawago Skehandie, Rondox, Nepinsing Indians came hether. The next morning we had a short Conference with them, Copies of what was sª is Inclosed.
Yesterday the Commissioners sent for Col Stoddard & Capt Pom- roy and read to them the minutes of these Indians answer to a Mes- sage formerly sent from the Commissioners, the Substance of which we have enclosed. by which it plainly appears that Govr Vaudrouile designs that, if we have peace, it shall be by his direction. it is like- wise apparent to us the Commissioners for Indian affairs do aim at the Hon" of peace being made by their influence. And we doubt not our Government will think it reasonable that they themselves have some direction in an affair of their own. but it seems a great Pitty that an opportunity of being at Peace should be lost by a Struggle
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FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
who should have the honor of it. we presume that in case the French Indians should propose to us the delivery of the Hostages |in Boston from the East] that the government will allow us to Assure them (that upon the Eastern Indians submission, and giving sufficient Se- curity for there good behavior) the Hostages will be set at liberty at the same time they restore the English Prisoners.
The Commissioners doe pretend to a readiness to serve our gov- ernment according to their power, yet they plainly tell us that they have been overlooked by our Government, and that the respect due to them hath not been formaly paid them. They endeavour to make us believe that they have the whole direction of the Six Nations & it seems that they have never [informed?] the Nations with ye Resolve of ye Council of New York, that the five Nations should send such a Number of there young men (to our assistance) as they could con- veniently spare, altho they long since had a copy of it, nor with the Order of Govr Burnett agreable to sd Resolve.
The Canada Indians say that they think that Skonodoah is much discouraged for he has been fifteen days since at Maseeskuk, and that none of the Maseeskuk Indians would go with him. they imag- ine that he will endeavour in case he Proceeds on his journey, to take a Prisoner and not attempt to kill any Body. Some of them say they should be glad that the first bullet that is shot may go through Sken- ondoah's Body
Upon hearing of the Parties going to war we gave order to a Ma- qua Sachem to enlist a greater Number of Indians than our govn' had ordered, supposing it necessary to take this opportunity to En- gage them in our interest, and supposed it might be well (if your Hon's approved of it) to post some of them at Nthfield and release some of the English Soldiers, immagining that if a few more were drawn into our party it would not be in the power of the people here to prevent the Nations engaging in the war with us.
We have heard divers times from Onieata (the Second nation of the Iroquois) that they wait the Coming of the Chiefs of the Upper Nations, which they daily expect, their delaying their Coming will necessarily Enhance the Expense of the government. We think it needful that Govr Burnett be aquainted with the state of our affairs which shall be done from hence (if opportunity present) that our bus- iness may not be so embarrased as it hath been.
We has been as particular as we could that you should be the bet- ter advantaged to know what further Instructions are necessary for the conduct of
Your Humble Sevants JOHN SCHUYLER JOHN STODDARD
By the same post Capt. Pomroy writes Col. Partridge, giv- ing some more particulars. "Schonodoah " is evidently an Abenaki, trying to raise a war party in Canada, to which the chiefs here are opposed. He says the chiefs of the four tribes mentioned above came last Tuesday :-
In answer to ye Commissioners of Albany Belt of Wampum: they in ye name and in behalf of ye four tribes aforesaid, have Laid down
415
PLOTS AND COUNTER PLOTS.
the hatchet of war aganst New England [one sent from the East?| to ye sd Commissioners : and they further add yt Skonanda [seems? ] some disgust at quarel with a Sachem: was resolved to go to war against there desire and minds * * * We have further inteligence that fifteen days ago Skonanda was at Masixqouoch and could get none of those Indians to joyn with him and there is but six Indians with him.
Tis good for to be very watchful and Careful in Scouting, especial- ly the Indians if Posable to surprise him. if not to way lay him on his Return Soe his utter Ruin I think is desired almost universally in this City by ye aforesaid tribes of ye Canada Indians & ye five Nations. tis almost universally determined yt Skononda is a great Coward.
We are waiting ye Coming of ye Six nations & our Coms have now sent an Express to Boston Informing what ye Canada Indians said to ye Commissions. our Affairs Labor under Difficultys, but we hope for a good Issue, and am your honors
Hum1 Sert EBEN" PUMROY.
Sir Tis concluded that this be immediately dispatched to Capt Dwight [at Fort Dummer] that he with ye Indians may take meas- ures accordingly Hendrick you may tell his daughter is well.
Schuyler and Stoddard write again to Dummer :-
June 18, 1724
Col. Stoddard did according to his purpose (which was mentioned in our last) send a letter to Govr Burnett a Copy of which is enclosed
The Chefs. of the Tribes (except the Senacas of which we could have no Certain Account) being advised we met with them yesterday and [advised?] as our business, but made no great proficiency therin and on the last night the Senacas Came to Town. We hope we shall be ready to speak to the Canada Indians to-morrow, and shall persue our business as much as the Temper of the Indians will allow.
We have endeavoured to Engage some of the five Nations (of greatest influence) by hopes of private gratuities to appear strenous- ly in our Interest.
We have enlisted Seven Maquas and three Onietas in the Service of our Provee. they are waiting the issue of this Conference but we will endeavour to persuade them to go to the Blockhouse forthwith. We hope we shall gain several others, Hendrick tells us that upon hearing the news from Canada their young men grew Angry.
While we were waiting came in the Express from Boston with the Paquet from yor Hon', We shall carefully observe the present as well as our former Instructions which we secured by our first Express.
We are your Hon's most Humble and Obedient Servants
JOHN SCHUYLER JOHN STODDARD
On the 24th the Deputy Secretary Communicated a Copy of a Re- solue of the Council of New York, wherein the Commissioners were directed to afford us there assistance in drawing off the Cagnawago Indians from the Eastern Indians and that they should be present at al Conferences, and see what we propose to say to the Indians before it was delivered, and that nothing should be done that should hurt the trade and Interest of New York J.S.
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FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
tis probable that our business with the Nations will be finished be- fore the Express can return hether.
The Dutch burghers of Albany could be safely trusted- without instructions-to look after their trade and other in- terests regardless of consequences to any body else. The charge of selfishness was often brought against them by the other colonies. The question of war or peace was always considered in its supposed effect on their Indian trade.
De Vaudreuil it seems, could not prevent a treaty with the Caghnawagas, but he could prevent a peace with the Abena- kis, and later practically nullify the treaty.
Provision was made by the General Court, June 3d, to " procure a chaplain for the Block House, More especially to Indian natives residing thereabouts in the true christian Re- ligion," he to be a " Person of Gravity, Prudence & Ability." A salary of £100 was allowed.
June 9th, a pressing letter was to be sent to Connecticut asking aid in defending Hampshire county. Gov. Saltonstall replies, June 11th, that he will send soldiers, or, what he thinks better, money, as the men at Deerfield and Northfield are so much better acquainted with Indian hunting.
June 13th, Massachusetts voted to raise ninety-nine more men and to keep up scouting all along the frontier ; "that the twenty-five men under the command of a Lieutenant at Deer- field, be employed in scouting round that town, and for se- curing the people thereof and of Hatfield and Westfield in their harvest."-This must be of hay.
Meanwhile the Commissioners at Albany had been so suc- cessful in their mission, that on the 3d of July a treaty was made with the Canada Indians, and a covenant entered into with the Five Nations, by which peace was to be secured. Concerning this agreement, Gov. Burnett of New York writes August 9th, 1724 :-
Those Canada Indians solemnly promised not to make war any longer on Boston, and our Five Nations undertook to send Deputys to the Eastern Indians, who are now at war with Boston, to per- wuade them to come to a peace; and in case they will not make one, to threaten them permptorily, that they, the said Five Nations, will compel them to it by force of arms.
De Vaudreuil, writing of the same transaction to the War minister at Paris, says: The English "have just renewed their alliance with the Iroquois, and obtained their promise
417
THE SETTLERS WARNED.
to wage war against the Abenakis." De Vaudreuil makes a merit of having broken up this peaceful prospect, and is com- mended for it by the Minister and King.
There was no cessation of hostilities during these negotia- tions. The woods on the frontiers were filled with war par- ties, though constantly traversed by English scouts. Desert- ers from the Scatacooks had gone to Canada, and were per- fect guides for the marauders. This tribe, located about twenty miles above Albany, was partially made up of Po- cumtucks and Nipmucks, driven off in Philip's War, who in times of peace hunted in their old haunts, mingled freely with the English, and were intimately acquainted with their roads and fields, as well as the ravines and swamps where an enemy could skulk in safety.
One good result of the Conference at Albany was the in- formation that came to our men of the Indian raids from Canada. The following letter from Col. Partridge was occa- sioned by a post from Capt. Pomroy,-
HATFd June 15 1724
Honorable Sr on the 13 Ins at 10 o'clock at night we were Sur- prisd with news from Albany per a letter from Capt Pomeroy which inform of Severall pties of the Enemy Coming this way & intend an attack on some of the Towns & particularly on Northfield, which news I immediately posted to Deerfield and Northfield & to the fort above Northfield & since to Sundrld advising them to be on there guard & there Soldrs to scout out the more full account of this news I understand is sent by Col Stoddard by the way of Westfd to yrself. I am of opinion that Sunderland, Hadly, Hatfield & Northampton should have 5 or 6 men each to be in pay, to scout out in the adja- cent woods and fields to discover the approach of the Enemy having no men but the men belonging to sayd Towns & all of them out up- on there Occasions to get there Bread & that with the perrill of there lives or beg there bread in a little tyme, but where I know not if it comes to that of dependance is by tilling the ground
This was sent by Capt. Dwight. Even with the notice and extra precaution it was impossible to prevent a surprise. The assailants had all the advantage of a choice of time and circumstance. Like a flash of lightning they struck and disappeared.
Honorable Sr
HATFIELD June 20 1724
On the 18th Inst at 10 o'clock in the forenoon the Enemy made an assault in Hatfield on some of our men at a mowing Field about 3 miles from Town at Nehe Waits swamp lot where he with severall men & carts were loading hay. They killed Benj Smith son of Jo-
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FATHER RASLE'S WAR.
seph Smith & have taken Aaron Wells & Joseph Allis Captives as we judge because all the rest Escaped home & these two are not to be found. They also killed two oxen of one of our Temes & drew of, the men that was there judge there was 8 or 10 of the Enemy. We have sent immediately to Deerfd & Northfd & the Fort above Deerfd immedeately sent out 20 men into the Western Woods & we from hence have sent out 17 men, from hence [sic] with provisions for ten days prsute of the sd Enemy or discovery of any pties of the Enemy. I presume this Enemy will take a Westward course clear out of the Reach of all or Upper forces So or unguarded Towns are in a evil case & although we have some men of or own in Northampton Had- ly, Hatfield Sunderland & Westfield yet we have none but what have Occasions abroad in the Fields so that our Towns all the day are so emtred of men that we are very much exposed & the Enemy seem to shape there course upon the lower Towns and our men abroad at their work in a moments tyme may be shot down before anything can be seen who it is that doth it
In my let" by Capt Dwight of the 13th [ 15th? ] inst I proposed for some Reliefe & gave my Reasons I shall not need to ad expecting every hour yr Honors directions in the prmeses. I think we may say the Lord of Mercy upon us & doubt not yr care & consideration of our circumstances the seat of the war seems to be here
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