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 62
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630
THE LAST FRENCH WAR.
1754. In the summer of this year Dinwiddie again sent Washington over the mountains, this time with a Major's commission, and a small force to drive off the invaders. Aft- er some success the Major was obliged to surrender his com- mand to a large force of the French. On the first scent of blood the border Indians put on the war paint and the whole frontier was in danger from their incursions.
In June, William Shirley, Governor of Massachusetts, is- sued orders for the towns to lay in a stock of ammunition and prepare for their own defense. In August he put Col. Israel Williams in command of all the forces raised or to be raised for the defense of Hampshire county, and the line of forts on the northern frontier was strengthened under the direction of Elijah Williams of Deerfield, who, on the 27th of Septem- ber was commissioned major. Deerfield was made the depot for military stores for the northwest frontiers, Maj. Elijah Williams appointed Commissary, and a company of soldiers put under him for their defense. This company appear to be from Connecticut and under the command of Ensign John May. Shirley sends a lieutenant's commission to Sergeant John Hawks, "whom," he says, "I have a good knowlidge and opinion of," and Col. Israel Williams put him in com- mand of the forts at Colrain with twenty men. Lieut. Hawks made his headquarters at Fort Morrison, the most northerly defense there. Forts Pelham and Shirley were considered badly located, and were deserted and dismantled, "the swivel guns there to be taken care of by the governor."
Sept. 6-9 Col. Israel Williams writes Secretary Willard that,-
The people of the new settlements have generally withdrawn; some few have shut themselves up in poor forts and palisaded houses * * What Fall-town people could not get into Lieut. Sheldon's fort are withdrawn * * Some remain at Charlemont & are picketing a house & some of the inhabitants remain * *
* Pits- feld deserted * * 6 Indians seen at Southampton yesterday [8th. ] [He writes Shirley, Sept. 12:] It is open war with us & a dark and distressing scene opening. A merciless miscreant enemy invading us in every quarter.
A particular description of the defense at Charlemont, al- luded to by Col. Williams, will give a good idea of the " forts" of the period.
Othniel Taylor had a house 38 x 16 feet, his brother Jona-
631
FORTS AND MOUNTS.
than one 26 feet square, both presumably one story, and of logs. These were moved to a suitable position and left 60 feet apart, facing each other east and west, the south ends be- ing on a line. A palisade ran from house to house, enclosing a parade between them, 60 x38 feet, containing a well. This was the citadel. Another palisade, 140 x 80 feet, enclosed the whole, the outer line being about 25 feet from the houses. On the southeast corner of Jonathan Taylor's house was a mount, or watch box, 15 feet high and 5} square. One-half of its width projected beyond the house south and east, thus flanking two sides of the citadel. Probably a mount was sub- sequently built at the northeast corner of Othniel Taylor's house to defend the north and west sides, but none appears on the plan. This was at East Charlemont. At the west part of the town, Gershom and Seth Hawks made the same arrangement. Garrison soldiers for both were furnished by the Province.
At Colrain, Hugh Morrison picketed his house and built a watch box 23 feet high. Fifty feet square were added to the South fort, and still the people say they "have not garrisons enough for half the people," although Fort Lucas and Mc- Dowell's forts were open to them.
Corporal Preserved Clapp of East Hadley, [Amherst] was sent with ten men to Huntstown, [Ashfield] but there was no fort there. The corporal from the college town says they "garded the inHabitance vn til We had a De-smishon from them." Maj. Ephraim Williams was stationed at Fort Massa- chusetts, and all the frontier towns were provided for by the Province. "38 pair of Indian shoes for the scouts at Fort Massachusetts, and ye line of forts, at 4s 4d, and a deer skin to mend them at Ss Iod," were charged to the Commissary General. Col. William Williams had left Deerfield and was now at Blandford, with forty-seven men, serving with a cap- tain's pay.
The alarm had been precipitated by the capture at No. 4, Aug. 30th, of Ebenezer Farnsworth, Peter Labaree, James Johnson, his wife and three children, and Miriam Willard, a fifteen-year-old sister of Mrs. Johnson. A fourth child was added to the list of captives the next morning, while the party was at the present town of Reading, Vt. A stone with the following inscription marks the site of this camp :-
632
THE LAST FRENCH WAR.
This is near the spot Where the Indians encamped the Night after they took Mr. Johnson Family, Mr. Labaree & Mr. Farnsworth, Aug. 30, 1754, and Mrs. Johnson was delivered of her child Half a mile up this Brook. When trouble's near the Lord is kind, He hears the captive's Cry; He can subdue the Savage mind And learn it sympathy.
The child was named Elizabeth Captive Johnson. The Indians, eleven in number, were of the St. Francis tribe.
1755. This was a year of great activity and great disaster in the colonies. Plans were laid by Gov. Shirley, who was Commander-in-chief in America, to push the French in every quarter. Expeditions were planned against Du Quesne, Ni- agara, Crown Point and Acadia. All but the latter failed. Details will be given only where Deerfield people are con- cerned. The western frontier garrisons were continued es- sentially as in 1754. Maj. Williams remained Commissary and Deerfield the center of operations. Powder and lead were carted here from Boston, as appears by his account book.
Gov. Shirley began operations early. Feb. Ioth he sent directions to have Capt. Ephraim Williams and Capt. Phineas Stevens each raise a company for his regiment, and to march with them to Col. Lydias's farm and build a fort for the protection of stores to be gathered there for the Crown Point expedition. This farm, I suppose, was on the Hudson, at the "great carrying place," the site of Fort Edward. From this place they were to cut a road to the upper end of Lake George, where Fort William Henry was afterwards built.
Shirley offered to make Williams the "Captain Lieuten- ant" of his own company, and, to "engage him heartily, will give him the perquisites of the company." The Colonel, Lieut. Colonel, and perhaps the Major, had each his own company, and presumably in addition to the regular pay, a captain's pay and the "perquisites"; the "Captain Lieuten- ant" doing the work and getting the honor of a captain, with the pay of a Lieutenant. The men to be enlisted for Shirley's crack regiment must be "not under 18 or over 35, sound men, not under five feet four inches in their stockings, & no Roman Catholic." The bounty was f10, but they may give
633
THE PARTING OF THE WAYS.
£15 rather than fail, "but the £5 must be a gift from you" which will be " allowed by the governor."
Feb. 10th, Maj. Elijah Williams sent Ensign Joseph Bar- nard to Boston for £530, which he had expended in repairing the line of forts. The Major was the active member of a committee appointed for that purpose. March 5th, the Major charges Lieut. John Hawks "five quarts of rum for Daniel Ward, a Sick Soldier, and one quart for his Lame Leg."
March 7th, Capt. Ephraim Williams writes Shirley that he cannot enlist the best men unless they can be assured that they shall not be called south, and that he or Stevens shall command them, "agreeable to the former arrangment." He has heard that "your first lieut. is coming over," which will prevent his obtaining the promised position, for he will not take an inferior commission and is not anxious for the one offered-not he. March 11th, Shirley replies that the rumors are true, and that he cannot do what he promised ; is sorry and will do what he can for him "in the other service to the Northward." Here was the parting of the ways for Capt. Williams. One would have taken him to a French prison, through Oswego; the other led to a bloody grave at Lake George.
March 15th, Commissary Williams charges the Province for " 15 lbs. powder & 303 lbs. lead & 3 doz. flints, del'd Lt. Hawks for Morrison's fort." March 18th, he charged for the same amount delivered each to Othniel Taylor, for Taylor's fort ; to Andrew Lucas, [for Fort Lucas?]; to Joshua Hawks, for Hawks's fort: to John Burke, for Burke's fort. Among other supplies given out during the winter were nine gallons of rum to Lieut. Hawks for Colrain; 19 gallons to Lieut. Burke, for Sheldon's fort; 20 gallons to Ensign May for Rice's fort, Charlemont.
March 29th, Shirley writes Col. Israel Williams that he is going to meet Gen. Braddock, and wants his aid in selecting officers for a regiment to go north. He says, "it will be a great pleasure to have Maj. Ephraim Williams engage as one, and I can't be content without having the officers of one regiment from your parts, and Maj. Hawley is going up to settle the affair with you." After a hot contention among the " Lords of the valley," in which Hawley was offensively prominent, the matter of the staff officers, was settled, accord-
634
THE LAST FRENCH WAR.
ing to the roster given below, with their monthly wages :-
Colonel Ephraim Williams, Deerfield and Hatfield, £12 16 0
Lieut. Colonel, Seth Pomeroy, Northampton, 10 13 4 Major, Noah Ashley, Westfield, 9 I 4
Surgeon, Thomas Williams, Deerfield, 10 O
0
Surgeon's Mate, Perez Marsh, Hadley, 5
6
8
Chaplain, Stephen Williams, Longmeadow, 6
8
4
Commissioner of Hospitals, Eleazer Burt,
5
O
4
Adjutant, Philip Richardson, 2
2
S
Armorer, John P. Bull, Deerfield, 2 0 0
The wages of the line officers at this time were, for a cap- tain, £4, 16s; lieutenant, £3, 4s; ensign, £2, 2s, 8d; ser- geant, £1, 14s, Id ; corporal, £1, 9s, 1od; clerk, £1, 14s, Id; drum major, £1, 145, 1 d ; drummer, £1, 9s, 1od ; private, £1, 6s, 8d.
There was doubtless a fair proportion of other Deerfield men in this regiment, but the number is not ascertained. At this time, Deerfield was also largely represented by both officers and men in the line of forts.
May 31st, Col. Williams had orders to march his regiment to Albany. As the colonial troops concentrated there for the invasion of Canada, the frontiers of New England were left open, and the Indians swarmed in on all sides. Ebenezer Hinsdale, whom we have met as the chaplain at Fort Dum- mer, the builder and owner of Fort Hinsdale, and who is now a colonel, says that he is,-
Moved with indignation to think that a few barbarous wretches should make such havoc on our Frontier as to kill and captivate our people, kill our cattle and fire their guns in hearing with great au- dacity, as we hear they Daily Do at No. 4 and other places and none to Repell or Silence them.
The indignant colonel is now sick at Deerfield and Madam Hinsdale is with him at their house on the lot where E. C. Cowles now lives. Here both were safe. But their principal estate was at the "Cellars," or Fort Hinsdale, where their crops and cattle were daily exposed to Indian depredations, or neglect from fear of the enemy ; and when the colonel be- came convalescent, his brave wife, a daughter of the "Re- deemed Captive," determined to go and take charge of their affairs at this post of danger. June 5th, the Colonel writes to Col. Israel Williams, that he is better, and "able to ride when set on a horse ;" that his wife has gone to his fort, " not being easy to stay away these difficult times." He wants
635
THE DISASTER AT CHARLEMONT.
" Lieut. Clesson and Deacon Sheldon sent out on a scalping encouragement, they being well acquainted with the Indian descents upon us, both by West and Black rivers." He offers to advance money to fit them out, and take his pay from the bounty they get on the scalps they may harvest. One of them might perchance be that of his brother-in-law Amrusus, who not long before had been seen in the valley.
June 11th, Moses Rice, the first settler of Charlemont, with his son Artemas and grandson Asa and a lad named Titus King, went on to the meadows to hoe his corn. After plac- ing their guns against some logs at one end of the rows of corn, Moses, with his grandson to ride horse, went to harrow- ing, while the others used their hoes. Phineas Arms of Deerfield, a garrison soldier who had gone out as a guard, walked, musket in hand, back and forth across the cornfield, scanning the coverts and peering into the ravines at either end. Meanwhile from the hill above a party of Indians were watching all these movements and taking in the situation of affairs. Stealing down a ravine on the border of the hill they lay hid until the workmen were at the farthest from their guns, and at the right moment they rose and fired. Arms was struck in the head and fell dead and Moses Rice was badly wounded. The two boys were captured, while Artemas Rice ran for his life and escaped to Taylor's fort. Moses was tak- en a short distance and killed, but the boys were carried to Canada. From Taylor's fort the sad news was dispatched to Deerfield, and twenty-five men from there reached Taylor's that night, and in the morning of the 12th went to the scene of the disaster. Nothing could be done but speak words of comfort to the bereaved and bury the dead, who were laid side by side on a fair slope overlooking the Pocumtuck river.
Phineas Arms was son of William of Deerfield, born at the "South End" in 1731. According to a tradition he had been impressed to go on the Crown Point expedition-doubtless in Col. Williams's regiment-but through friends at court he had been transferred to the less dangerous post at Charle- mont, where his cousin was living as the wife of Sergt. Oth- niel Taylor. The bullet which reached Arms's brain is now in Memorial Hall. It was found in his skull while putting in the foundations for a monument which Orlando B. Potter, a descendant of Moses Rice, was about to erect over the graves
636
THE LAST FRENCH WAR.
of Rice and Arms. This monument was dedicated by the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Aug. 2d, 1871.
On getting the news of the attack at Charlemont, Shirley ordered the garrisons in the forts to scout constantly, and authorized large scalping parties to fit out for a thirty days' scout.
June 21st, news was received that a large party had left Crown Point for this region. Joseph Dwight writes from Stockbridge that tracks had been found about there. "One track, prodideously large, 11 inches by actual measure- ment." This track would not be more than an average now, and the query is, was the Indian foot a very small one, or were the feet of the English so much smaller then than now that this track of 11} inches was a noticeable one?
June 27th, an attack was made at Bridgman's fort in Hins- dale. Caleb Howe was killed and Benjamin Gaffield drowned in trying to escape across Connecticut river ; Jemima, wife of Howe, with seven children; Eunice, wife of Gaffield; and Submit, wife of Hilkiah Grout, with her three children, were captured and taken to Canada. Mrs. Howe is known as the "Fair Captive," a prominent character in romantic history. Mrs. Grout was daughter of Nathaniel Hawks of Deerfield, whence the family had removed to Hinsdale about 1751. Three days later the Indians made an attack on Keene, in which an aunt of Mrs. Grout, Thankful, daughter of Eleazer Hawks, was involved. By the bravery of Capt. Wm. Symes the enemy were driven off, after taking Benjamin Twitchell captive and killing many cattle. Seth Field writes from Northfield to Maj. Williams at Deerfield that "the enemy are thick about No. 4-Great Meadows-Walpole and Hinsdale."
July 5th, Maj. Williams writes to Col. Israel Williams that the scouts report making frequent discovery of signs of the Indians about Fall Town, Colrain and Charlemont, and that Indians are seen every day about Fort Massachusetts. He hears,-
From Albany last evening, by John Arms and others, that Col. Lydius informs that there are large numbers of Indians out, some say 300, some 4 or 500, and that one party of these Design for Deer- field, &c., all which accounts together with the account I sent you a few days ago from Mr. Field, has so alarmed the people that there are always some of them applying to me to seek and send them some relief, but, as it is not in my power, should be glad if you would
637
THE COLONEL GUARDS THE MINISTER.
give orders that there should be a long scout from these parts up West river, even to the head of it, or to the height of land, where I doubt not the enemy lie secure. I have no dependence on any per- sons going out on the scalping act, unless you so far encourage it as to appoint a set of officers equal to the service, which I hope you will. We have so few men for gards at Deerfield and Greenfield and other places that the inhabitants are discouraged & think that they shall lose almost all the crops they have on the ground. What to do, or say to them I know not-hope Sir you have some directions from the governor before he left the Province to raise succors in such a time of distress as it is now in the Poor Distressed Frontiers. Please Sir to let me know by Ens. Childs what I shall say to the people. These in the utmost haste, from, Sir, your assured frend & Servent, ELIJAH WILLIAMS.
[July 8th, Col. Williams, who must have other than the above offi- cial news from Deerfield, writes to Maj. Williams :- ]
I am sorry the people of Deerfield are deaf to the notices of their danger * I am not disposed to judge those of my neighbors who differ in sentiment from me; nor to determine the causes, whether from pique, or conceit, or weak understanding. Yet as I have the care of the frontiers committed to me in a twofold capaci- ty I shall endeavor the safety of the whole & to persue such meas- ures as I shall apprehend will contribute thereto-I look upon it as reasonable that the minister & his family should be cared for better than his people are disposed to, or than he may expect from his neighborhood. I therefore direct you to post 3 of the Soldiers at his house until further order, which I esteem as serving the whole-
I have been exceeding loath to do anything whereby any of man- kind should have the least color to say, I had a particular regard to my friends. [Mr. Ashley's wife was his sister. ]-But considering that Gent as the minister of Deerfield, his situation in the Town, & the peculiar circumstances of his family-these I say determined me to give the above order without a motion from him, or any one else. Those people who will collect themselves & act the prudent & nec- essary part for their protection and safety, I am determined shall be watched and guarded, if others being now sufficiently warned tho they are constrained to do something for their neighbors' safety, go without. To suppose our enemies intend nothing further by all their efforts is to believe just as some did a few weeks past, the ef- fect of which has proved fatal to 'em.
I am, Sir, your assured friend & Servant, Is WILLIAMS.
About July 4th, a small party of men from Fort Massa- chusetts "fired upon some Indians & killed one as they sup- posed & after a weeks pains found him & got his scalp." July 11th, Capt. Isaac Wyman, from Fort Massachusetts writes Col. Williams about an Indian scalp "found about a mile from where he was shot down." He enclosed the fol- lowing names as of parties having an interest in the affair : "Ens. Barnard, Sergt. Taylor, Clerk Chapin, John Wells,
1
638
THE LAST FRENCH WAR.
Gad Corse, Elijah Sheldon, Benj. King, Enoch Chapin, Paul Rice, Seth Hudson, Jabes Warren, Gideon Warren, Isaac Searl."
The following, without date, is taken from a fly leaf in an account book of Ensign Joseph Barnard. No reference to this exploit is found elsewhere :-
Last night at ten, being upon the watch, I discovered Six men who appeared to be in the Indian habit. After I had cocked my gun and got ready to fire, I cald Stand, three Several times, upon which they made of. I fired after them & cald to arms, at which shot I had the good fortune to strike two of them so that they could not Budge of [apace?] But fell into my hands presently.
July 22d, Col. Hinsdale had an express from his wife at Hinsdale, detailing how four men, guarded by three soldiers, at about 60 rods from the fort getting pickets, were set upon by a party which got between them and the fort. John Har- diclay, a soldier, and John Alexander, a citizen, were killed, and Jonathan Colby captured. She says in a P. S. :-
Hardiclay was found dead upon the spot, with both his breasts cut off, and his heart laid open. One of the inhabitants was found within 60 rods of the fort and both scalped. We fired several lar- rums and the great gun at Fort Dummer was shot. Thirty men from Northfield came to our assistance and helped to bury the dead. They followed the Indians, found Colby's track, who was barefoot. They found no blood, which gives us reason to hope that Colby is well. The rest escaped to the fort. ABIGAIL HINSDALE.
It was probably the same party that a day or two later killed Daniel Twitchell and John Flint at Walpole. One of the two was cut open, his heart slashed in pieces and laid on his breast.
July 22d, news was received of the death of Braddock at Fort Du Quesne, on the 9th, when his army was defeated and a remnant only saved by the bravery and skill of Washing- ton. The frontiers were drained of men to keep up the army of invasion at Albany. The garrisons were employed in constant scouting, very little could be done in guarding peo- ple at their labor, and the greater part of the harvest was lost.
July 29th, Col. Williams writes Lt. Gov. Phips that,-
The people are much distressed and much grain must be lost for want of guards-I expect many will venture hard to save their corn, not knowing to support without it, without which multitudes will be
639
THE GENERAL SITUATION.
ruined-The people conduct with caution and prudence-of late- as I ever knew them-They are sufficiently fortified & are at great expense in hiring guards. No mischief has happened since the dis- aster at Charlemont-tho they have made frequent attempts-I fear they will be too cunning for us.
Aug. 2d, Maj. Elijah Williams writes that Lieut. Clesson was ready to go out on a scalping expedition and was await- ing orders.
Aug. 4th, while a party of Greenfield people were out at work with a guard, Samuel Wells tied his horse and left his coat at some distance from the others. This was observed by lurking Indians who were preparing an ambush to catch him when he came for his horse, but they were discovered by the guard. Such constant and extreme vigilance was the price of life or liberty.
Col. Hinsdale, who had gone to relieve his wife of the charge of Fort Hinsdale, writes that the Indians are all round them, killing cattle, &c., and " was so bold here last week as to return our watchword in the night, 'Sharp-all is well.' A good harvest but the crop must be lost unless a guard is sent."
Aug. 5th, John Catlin, in a letter from Fort Massachusetts, says the scouts have cleared the coast about there-says he has learned that "one of the skulks, who killed Phips at the Great Meadow rec'd his death wound and died at Crown Point." [See ante, p. 540.]
Aug. 7th, Capt. Nathan Willard is here en route for Boston, after help. Maj. Williams writes by him to Phips, showing the real need of more soldiers. He gives the situation of the people at the north and says,-
The Inhabitants of Gf'd are in great distress & are daily obliged to find guards themselves, beside the soldiers that are allowed them -who are all but two out every day on the guard; only two left to keep the garrisons * * I am informed by Colrain people that * the Indians have been about ye South fort & have called out to ye watch one or two nights, wh looks to be very strange conduct in an * enemy * * We at Deerfield being reduced by so many of our peoples being gone into the Service of the Province that we have but about 70 men left in the town & how we shall be able to to get hay to keep our stock and seed our ground I know not-Hope the Province will afford us some relief.
These in haste, Capt. Willard being in waiting. From your as- sured friend & Sevt, ELIJAH WILLIAMS.
Aug. 8th, Lieut. Matthew Clesson had his scout of fifteen
640
THE LAST FRENCH WAR.
men at Morrison's fort and "sent for Mr. McDowell to pray with them before they went out." He led them to the head waters of Deerfield river and over to the head of West riv- river, found tracks of Indians and lay some days in ambush, but came back via Forts Dummer, Hinsdale and Sheldon, reaching Deerfield the 22d, without seeing an Indian. Mc- Dowell's house had been picketed and a garrison placed there.
Aug. 20th, Acting Governor Phips writes Col. Williams :-
I think it very necessary that ministers on our frontier should be protected, which has been in all times of danger the care of the gov- ernor * * You will give such orders as may be necessary for the succor of Mr. McDowell & his family, at Colrain. This is a good place for scouting parties to go out & come in.
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