USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > History of Greenfield : shire town of Franklin county, Massachusetts, Vol. I > Part 10
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The returned captives were received with great rejoicings by the people of Boston, and they were called before the General Court which voted " that 20 s. be allowed each pris- oner this day returned from captivity."
Again in the spring of 1707 Ensign Sheldon was called upon to go to Canada, but upon his arrival there he learned that the French were fitting out a great expedition to attack Port Royal, and the result of his mission was wholly fruitless; in fact he was kept under espionage until the close of the campaign. Upon his return he was granted 300 acres of land " in consideration of his good services." *
As soon as the news of Reverend Mr. Williams' return to Boston reached Deerfield, steps were taken to induce him to re- establish his residence in town. The town took the following action January 9, 1707: "Att a Legall Town meeting in Deerfield It was agreed and uoted yt ye Towne would build a house for Mr. Jno Williams as big as Ens Jno Shelbon's, a back room as big as may be thought convenient : It was
* For interesting sketch of Ensign Sheldon, see Vol. 1, page 405, P. V. M. A. Pro- ceedings.
100
ATTACK ON HAVERHILL
[1707,1708
also uoted yt Ens Jno Sheldon Sar Thomas ffrench and Edward Alln ware chosen a Comity for carring on said work."
An appeal was made to the General Court for aid in reset- tling Mr. Williams, and a grant of twenty pounds was voted in response.
The General Court also allowed thirty pounds for the re- building of the fortifications of Deerfield.
The home government had at first blamed Governor Vaud- reuil for bringing on this war with the English colonies; now however they urged him to prosecute it with greater vigor. He was directed by the war commissioner to send out more maraud- ing parties and he added to his dispatch, " If you could go out yourself and attack them, his Majesty would be glad of it," and in another communication he told him that the King " ex- pected to receive news of some expedition against them, and is not satisfied with the inactivity in which you remain, with such numerous forces as you have."
In response to these sharp demands Vaudreuil raised a large army of French and Indians which he placed under the com- mand of Hertel de Rouville and sent them forth against the English frontiers. In order to conceal his destination De Rou- ville divided his forces, sending one party up the St. Francis river and the other party, consisting mostly of French Mohawks and other Indians (over whom Colonel Peter Schuyler of Albany had much control) by the way of the lakes. Colonel Schuyler was the firm friend of the English, and had at all times secret agents among the French, and had already sent information to Boston of the intended raid. The secret envoys of Schuyler met the invading army on the lakes and presenting a valuable belt were successful in pursuading them not to attack the English. The chiefs upon their return declared that an infectious disease had appeared among the Indians and they turned back and the army dispersed. Very many of the Indians in the other party also deserted, but De Vaudreuil ordered De Rouville to push on and attack some town. So on the 29th of August, 1708, he
101
FAILURE OF EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA
1708]
surprised the inhabitants of Haverhill, and succeeded in kill- ing about forty settlers and taking many prisoners. Retreating about sundown, he was pursued by the settlers who killed two French officers (one being De Rouville's brother) and seven men, took a third officer prisoner, and released several of the captives.
The frontier was put in a good condition for defence, but no part of De Rouville's men made their appearance in the valley. Luckily for the English the annual French storeship, the Seine, was captured by them in 1705, containing "two millions of wealth." The loss of these supplies made it impossible for Vaudreuil to send forth marauding parties against the English settlements, and a year of comparative peace ensued. Captain Jonathan Wells and those men who had been in the service of the Colony were paid and dismissed July 27, 1705.
Six Deerfield men, on a scout near Cowass, fell into an am- bush and Martin Kellogg for the second time was taken into captivity. He killed one Indian before his capture, and a Connecticut soldier named Barber, having received a fatal wound, got upon his knees and shot the Indian who had fired upon him, and both were found dead near each other.
On the 26th of October, Ebenezer Field of Hatfield, while travelling to Deerfield was killed near Bloody Brook.
In 1709 certain that no lasting peace could be had until severe punishment had been administered to the French and Indians of Canada, both the mother country and the Colonies made extensive preparations for a joint naval and land attack upon their troublesome neighbor. General Nicholson was placed in command of the land forces and a large army was gathered at the foot of the lakes, where he built three forts, and constructed for use in the transportation of his army across the lakes, hundreds of canoes and boats. Thus employed he waited impatiently for weeks for some intelligence from the fleet which the government had promised should co-operate with him in his movements. The English fleet which was to
102
[1709
MEHUMAN HINSDALE AGAIN A CAPTIVE
attack Quebec had in fact at the last moment been sent to Portugal, and the season had so far waned that a successful movement of the army could not be looked for, so the army was retired from the field and dismissed.
On April II, 1709, as Mehuman Hinsdale was “ driving his teem from Northampton loaded with apple trees, without fear of indians (the leaves not being put forth) was met by two indians about half a mile from the pine bridge who took him prisoner and cariª him away into ye west woods. The indians were civil & courteous to him on ye journey. They arrive at Shamble within about eleven days & an half after they took Mr. Hinsdell. From Shamble they carrid Mr. Hinsdell to Oso, where he was obliga to run the Gauntlett (as they call it) for near three quarters of a mile, but he ran so briskly as not to receive a blow till he came near the Fort when he was met by an indian, who taking hold of ye line (that was round his neck and hung upon his back) pullª him down, and so he was struck by one fellow ; but after he was got into ye Fort, he was set in ye midst of a company and obliged to sing and dance & while thus employd, he was struck a very severe blow upon the naked back, by a youth yt was of such an age as to think of engaging in some warlike expedition, but this being con- trary to their usual custom (he having performd ye ceremony of running ye gauntlett) was resented not only by Mr. H. ye sufferer, but by ye indians in generall &c. From this Fort Mr. H. was carrid to the French Govenour who knew him (for this was ye 2ª time of Mr. Hinsdell's captivity) and told him he expectª a full account of news from him, especially about an expedition (which he expected was on foot). Ye governour told him if he would give him a full account of what news there was in his country, he would treat him with respect, but if he found he did not, he would use him worse than a Devill &c. But Mr. H. endeavored as best as he could to avoid giving him an account &c. But when Mr. Whiting of Bellerica was brot into ye country by ye indians and gave an
103
CAPTIVES SENT TO FRANCE
1709-1712]
account of an expedition on foot, Mr. H. was taken and put into ye dungeon &c. (After a while Gen1 Nicholson sent an indian as a spy into yt country who was to endeavor to draw off ye indians from ye French, and join with Gen11 Nicholson, this plan-(this is erased, but gives a clue to the story).
" After awhile ye indians desired of the Governour, that they might have Mr. H. to burn, (pretending they should fight the better if they could burn an Englishman) and he was delivered to the indians, who were plotting to leave ye French & go over to Gen11 Nicholson & ye Dutch, and designed to have made use of Mr. H. to have introdud them. All was kept private from the French, & Mr. Hinsdell was led away towards Montreal from Quebeck. The indians communicated their design to Mr. H. who was overjoyd with the account (for he thought of nothing but being sacrificed by them) & en- couragd it, but before they were ready to execute yt design a certain indian fell sick, and in his sickness making confession to a priest, discoverd ye plot, and so all was dasd. The fellow yt was the projector of it (being one that had come from Albany, or from some of the five nations to them) had timely notice, so as to escape to Shamble, where he putt a trick upon ye of- ficer of ye Fort, pretending to him that he was sent from ye governeur, to make what discovery he could of ye English, - upon which ye officer supplyª him with arms, amunition & provision and he had been gone but a little while into the woods before his pursuers (the plot being wholly ript up) came after him, but yet he was gone, so as to escape his pursuers. Mr. H. was taken from ye indians and again committed to prison, and the next year Mr. H. and Mr. Joseph Clesson were sent to France in a man of war-and in France he met with great kindness, particularly from the Ld intendant at Roshelle, and after a while they were shipd at Saint Meloes for London, where they met with great kindness especially from Mr. Agent Dummer, who interceedd with the Lords of the Admiralty, who orderd them on board of one of the Queens
104
CAPTAIN WRIGHT'S SCOUT
[1709
Ships which brought them to Rhode island whence they got home in Safty to their families, after Mr. Hinsdell had been absent from his family abt three years and a half." Mr. Hinsdale was the first white child born in Deerfield. He reached home in October, 1712. In June, 1709, Joseph Cles- son,* named in this relation, was taken prisoner together with John Arms, t near where afterward Fort Stocking stood. The relation was in the handwriting of Reverend Stephen Williams of Longmeadow, who did so much to preserve the incidents of the early wars.
April 26, 1709, Captain Benjamin Wright left Deerfield with about fifteen men for a scout toward Canada. The party went as far as Chambly and had several sharp engagements with the enemy, killing several, and losing Lieutenant John Wells and John Burt, and several were wounded. A most in- tensely interesting account of this expedition may be found in Sheldon's History of Deerfield, from which the foregoing re- lations have been selected.
When the party whom Captain Wright encountered returned to Canada, " feeling piqued" De Vaudreuil says, "They asked me to let them go on an excursion with some fifty of the most active Frenchmen and allow Sieur de Rouville and de la Pierre to command. I assented on the spot." He says the party went to "guerrefille," (Deerfield) "where having prepared an
* Province Laws, Chapter 105, 1712.
Resolved that the Sum of Twenty Pounds be allowed & paid out of the Publick Treasury to Joseph Clesson in full of his Petition for Charges & Expenses to obtain his Liberty from the Indians, for his necessary Support & Passage Home being taken Prisoner about three Years since, Carried to Canada & from thence transported to Old France. (Passed November 3.)
Chapter 102, passed the same day, allowed Martin Kellogg £ 25 and chapter 103 allowed Mahumin Hinsdale £6-15.
t Province Laws, Chapter 22, 1710.
The following Resolve past in the house of Representatives in Favour of John Armes late Prisoner with the French at Canada, Read & Concur'd; viz :
Resolved That the Sum of Six Pounds and Six Shillings, be Allowed, & paid out of the publick Treasury to the Honble Samuel Partridge Esqr for the use of the sd Armes. (PassedJune 17.)
105
" OLD MASTER WOTTANAMON " KILLED
1712]
ambush, they caught two alive " (Joseph Clesson and John Burt). Hutchinson refers to this affair as follows : " In June one of the Rouvilles with 180 French and Indians made another attempt on Deerfield to destroy or carry away pris- oners ; . but the enemy was discovered at a distance and beat off, the inhabitants bravely defending themselves." Penhallow says " but the town being alarmed they valiently resisted with the loss of only one man and another wounded." From the circumstances as related by Hutchin- son and the taking of the prisoners here, it seems certain that the encounter took place just northeast of this village.
In 1711 Old and New England once more undertook the subjugation of Canada. General Nicholson again gathered his host of four thousand men at the foot of the lakes, and forty transports filled with troops sailed from Boston; but ten of these were lost in the St. Lawrence and with them a thousand men, the remainder of the army returning without striking a blow. The only good result to the Colony was, that no invasion took place during the year.
In 1712, Captain Thomas Baker with thirty Deerfield men accomplished a most daring scout to the upper waters of the Merrimac, returning to Boston, May 8, with the scalp of " old master Wottanamon " who held Stephen Williams and
*" The whiligig of time brings in his revenges."
In April, 1712, " Capt. Thomas Baker of Northampton, in the County of Hamp- shire, in Massachusetts, set off with a scouting party of thirty, four men, passed up Connecticut river, and crossed the heights of land to Pemigewasset river. He there discovered a party of Indians, whose sachem was called Walternummus, whom he at- tacked. Baker and the Sachem levelled and discharged their guns at each other at the same instant. The ball from the Indian's gun grazed Baker's left eyebrow, but did him no injury. The ball from Baker's gun went through the breast of the Sachem. Im- mediately upon being wounded, he leaped four or five feet high, and then instantly fell dead. The Indians fled to the river; Baker and his party pursued, and killed every one of them. They had a wigwam on the bank of the river, which was nearly filled with beaver. Baker's party took as much of it as they could carry away, and burned the rest. Baker lost none of his men in this skirmish. It took place at the confluence of a small river with the Pemigewasset, between Plymouth and Campton, which has since had the name of Baker's river." [Farmer's & Moore's collection. Vol. III, p. 100.]
106
GREYLOCK'S RAID
[1712
others when in captivity .* After long continued negotiations an exchange of prisoners was arranged with the French Gov- ernor, and July 10, Lieutenant Samuel Williams,* Jonathan Wells, John Nims and Ebenezer (?) Warner escorting the French prisoners which were held by the Colony, left Deer- field for Canada. They made a successful journey and return- ing reached Boston September 24, having with them nine English captives. Lieutenant Williams was but 23 years of age.
The last raid during this war was made by Greylock, a no- torious Pocumtuck chief who fled at the conclusion of King Philip's war. Greylock had with him twelve men. Sergeant Samuel Taylor of Deerfield, out with a scout to the westward, was waylaid and attacked, and Samuel Andros was killed ; Jonathan Barrett was wounded and with William Sandford taken prisoner to Canada. Lieutenant Williams being still there when the prisoners arrived, they were redeemed and re- turned from captivity in September.
This ended hostilities in the Connecticut valley during Queen Anne's war.
October 29, a proclamation was issued commanding the cessation of hostilities, and the treaty of Utrecht was con- cluded March 30, 1713.
During this war Deerfield had lost sixty-one persons killed, nine wounded, and one hundred and twelve had been in cap- tivity. (Sheldon.)
Hostilities had hardly ceased in the fall of 1712 before the
* Province Laws, Chapter 113, 1713.
Upon a Representation of Coll. Samuel Partridge, That in July, 1712, by Order of his Excellency, he sent Lieu. Samll Williams since Decd, Jonathan Wells, Eleazer Warner & John Nimes to Canada about the Exchange of Captives, Praying Consider- ation for their Service & Expences & Allowance to be made them accordingly.
Resolved that the Sum of Thirty Pounds be allowed & paid out of the publick Treasury to Mr. John Williams in full for what was due to his son Lieu. Samuel Wil- liams decd. To Jonathan Wells & John Nimes to each of them the Sum of Eleven Pounds ten Shillings; And to Eleazer Warner the Sum of Thirteen Pounds, In full for their Services & Expenses. (Passed November 3.)
107
1713]
REV. JOHN WILLIAMS' MISSION TO CANADA
Indians, anxious to trade, flocked into the settlements with their peltries, baskets and trinkets, tendering them in barter for the provisions and goods of the settlers. It was with dif- ficulty that the authorities could restrain the strong desire for retaliation by the settler who had seen his wife or child mur- dered by these fiends, when in some drunken revelry the In- dian boasted of his prowess during the late war and claimed credit for his sagacity and bravery as a great warrior. The settlers looked upon them with disgust and suspicion and kept them under strict surveillance by men appointed to keep close watch of their actions.
There were many captives yet remaining in Canada, either from their own choice or under the secret coercion of the Jesuit priests. Great efforts were put forth both by the gov- ernment and by individuals to secure their return to their old homes. Fear that the captives would succumb to the constant solicitation of the Jesuits, caused the churches to be active in securing the return of the captives. Especially were the pub- lic interested in the return of Eunice, the seventeen-year old daughter of Reverend John Williams. So great was Mr. Wil- liams' * fear and sorrow, and so powerful his influence that on November 5, 1713, he and Captain John Stoddard of North- ampton were appointed Commissioners to proceed once more to Canada for the purpose of securing the release of the re- maining captives.
* Province Laws, Chapter 107, 1713.
Ordered that Mr Williams of Deerfield & Major John Stoddard be sent to Que- beck to attend Monsr Vaudreeil in Order to the Return of the English Prisoners there, And that they be attended by an Interpreter & four able Men, as shall be al- lowed by the Governour & Council, And that they forthwith proceed on their Jour- ney with Credentials Letters & Instruction for that Service. And the Representatves are desired to consider the Encouragement proper to be advanced to them & for their Charges thither ;
And further Voted that Five shillings per Day be allowed to Mr Williams & seven Shillings to Major Stoddard & their necessary Expences, And sixty Pounds between advanced to fit them for their Journey; To the Interpreter Three Shillings per day & four Pounds for his Outset; To each of the Attendants two shillings per Day & Three Pounds for their Outset. (Passed October 30.)
.
108
[1713
EFFORTS TO RECOVER EUNICE WILLIAMS
They were accompanied by Captain Thomas Baker, Martin Kellogg, Eleazer Warner and Jonathan Smith and also by Hendrick, a noted Mohawk chief, who had very great influ- ence with the members of the tribe who held Eunice prisoner. After six months spent in the use of all the arts of persuasion and diplomacy the Commissioners could devise, they were compelled to return with but twenty-six of the captives; leav- ing behind more than a hundred who could not be persuaded to abandon the free life of the forests. To many, their recol- lections of New England and their native homes were but a dream, their love of kindred had faded completely out, and they preferred the condition of semi-civilization in which they existed, to what they felt to be the circumspect and cheerless existence tendered them by their kindred. Priestcraft had accomplished its work upon them. No effort of Mr. Williams could sway his daughter to return to her old home. She had recently married Amrusus, an Indian, and subsequently be- came the mother of a numerous family. Her story will be found in Miss Baker's works.
CHAPTER XII
GREEN RIVER MILL AND LAND GRANTS
I T will be remembered that the town granted to Joseph Parsons in 1699 the right to erect a corn mill upon Green river, " for ye space of twelve months." Whether Par- sons built the mill at that time or not is unknown. In the ancient times, there were two considerable falls on Green river, one where the present grist mill stands, and one at the Wiley & Russell place.
As Parsons had built a mill on Mill river in the south- western part of Deerfield, the votes in relation to his dealings with the town are somewhat confusing ; but, from the subse- quent action of the town, it would seem that he did build a mill on Green river before 1700 and that it stood at the Wiley & Russell place. December 2, 1700, the town granted Parsons leave " to build a grist mill upon Deerfield River, at a place called Sutliefs Falls." Whether built or not does not appear, but January 6, 1713-14, his bargain with the town was cancelled, and three days later, (according to the town records,) the town "granted to Capt. Wells ye Green River stream to set a corn mill upon;" and also voted him fifty pounds as a gratuity.
" The town of Deerfield doe hereby grant unto sd Jona. Wells and to his heirs ye stream aforesaid so long as they shall maintain a corn mill upon it to doe ye towns work, not- withstanding ye town doth reserve to themselves a liberty to set a saw mill upon ye same stream provided work men of ye
109
110
[1714
MILL SET UP ON GREEN RIVER
occupation together wh a committee chosen by the town for ye purpose doe judge yt a saw mill may be built there without any considerable damage to ye corn mill ; he ye said Wells having the first offer of ye place for saw mill, &c (not to be rated for said mill for town charges).
" Witnesses, TH. FFRENCH,
" ABL. BARNARD. Signd. ELEIZER Hawks, THOS. WELLS.
" MERCY CHILDS.
" At a Legal Town Meeting Jany 6th, 1713-14. The town made choice of Sergt Edward Allen, Benoni Moore & Daniel Beamon to go up with the workmen to View the plan to see whether a Saw Mill might be set there without damage to the Corn Mill.
" At a Legal Meeting in Deerfield March 8, 1713-4. The town made choice of Ed Allen, Benoni Moore & Dan1 Beamon to view the Road from Deerfield River to the place where the Corn Mill is to be set to find the most convenient way to it & have power to lay it, as may be most convenient for the Mill & Country Road-Voted in the affirmative.
April 23, 1715, " The town then agreed yt there should be a mill set upon Green River about 60 or 100 rods above the other mil." (The Wiley & Russell place is evidently referred to by the words " other mil.")
" At ye same Meeting the Town voted yt they would build a dam for Capt. Jonathan Wells on ye place above mentioned & sd Capt. Wells stands obliged as in ye former bargain & ye Town shall have all ye old dam." (This must have been where the grist mill now stands.)
Sixty pounds was raised to pay the expense and a committee chosen to do the work. Wells was to have one twelfth part of Indian corn, one fourteenth part of rye and provender, one sixteenth of wheat and one eighteenth of barley malt. He was to be free from town rates for the mill, and to have the stream as long as he should keep the mill in good condition
111
THE EQUIVALENT LANDS
1713, 1714]
to do the town's grinding. In case of default " except in case of extraordinary providence," the property was to revert to the town.
There was also granted to Captain Wells " a piece of land on ye west side of Green river adjoining to sd river above and below ye mill dam, also taking in a half round piece of Land under ye high hill on ye east side or corner of Petty's plain. There was also granted to Captain Wells " a home lot c'n'ting ten acres on ye east side of ye Green river where it may be most convenient provided it does not infringe upon any highway. Voted in ye affirmative."
Northfield and Swampfield (Sunderland) were resettled in 1713 and 1714. In running the line between Massachusetts and Connecticut, the surveyors took in 105,793 acres which proved to belong to Connecticut, and Massachusetts agreed to lay out its equivalent in other parts of the Colony. Fifty- one thousand eight hundred and fifty acres were laid out in what is now Belchertown and Pelham and was sold out at auction by Connecticut agents for a little over three half pence per acre. Massachusetts then claiming the southern half of Vermont and New Hampshire, 43,943 acres were laid out above Brattleboro, and were known as the "Connecticut Equivalent Lands."
Deerfield Records, Page 44.
(Following an entry made March 30, 1680.)
A record of the Home lots up Green River the South side of the street to begin at the west end. Ebenezer Wells ye Ist lot ; David Hoit 2nd ; William Brooks, 3rd & 4th; Edw'd Allyn 5th.
The Rest on that Side not taken up.
On the North side to begin at the west end. Sam11 Smeed ye Ist; the Mill Lot 2nd ; Jos & Robt Goddard 3d. & 4th .; John Severance 5th .; Jeremiah Hull 6th .; John Allyn 7th .; there was twenty lots laid out in all.
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