History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 133

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534

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Such an order sounds very strangely in these days. But two hundred years ago such regulations con- formed to the sentiment prevalent in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay.

And in 1692 a law of the province gave settlement to persons who sojourned in any town three months with- out having been warned by the constable to depart. And in 1736 it was enacted that the inhabitants who took in strangers should in twenty days notify the select- men thereof. Prior to these enactments it seems that

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

the towns adopted orders upon the whole subject of the admittance of inhabitants, servants, and appren- tices. At this time notifications and warnings were not very frequent ; Wrentham being "far into the country," few strangers probably found their way hither. Later in its history arrivals were more nu- merous and warnings more frequent. One is here copied :

" WRENTHAM, January the 20, 1758.

" We the subscribers would In Form the Selecttmen In Be- half our Honered Father Pelatiah man that He Hez brought into This Towne from Dedham gilyard Morse and Taffey Morse children of the late Widow Morse.

" DANIEL MAN, " MILATIAH MAN."

Having progressed thus far the inhabitants had a gen- eral meeting in February, 1673-74, and passed votes as to the mode of assessing estates for the support of the minister, requesting of the church in Dedham the use of their lands here for Mr. Man, for preventing the waste of timber, for repair of highways, and for fen- cing the lots of settlers. John Thurston was chosen surveyor of highways; Samuel Sheeres and Joseph Kingsbury, fence-viewers. Measures were also taken for herding cattle, for keeping out-of-town cattle off the common lands, for the ringing of swine, and for building a pound.

In 1674 an Indian named Matchinamook asked that he might have some place to live in, and " full liberty" was granted him "to go to a place called Harry's Plantation, or at the head of Ten-Mile River, near to the Pattene Line, there to improve three or four acres of land during his lifetime."

All these votes were subject to the approval of the court's committee. In this year some further nego- tiations were had with Crossman regarding the corn- mill, as previously related ; and in 1674 and 1675 the votes for the encouragement of a blacksmith were passed.

Swanzey was attacked and nine of her inhabitants killed, and on the 24th of June the abandoned houses were burnt. Soon afterwards a part of Taunton, Middleborough, and Dartmouth were destroyed. Mendon was also attacked, and it is said four or five persons killed.

In 1675-76 the General Court, in consideration that many Indians were "skulking about our plantations, doing much mischiefe and damage," offered a bounty of three pounds per head, or the Indian so taken, to every person who should surprise, slay, or bring in prisoner any such Indian."

It was probably about this time, and not long before their withdrawal, that the valorous little colony cov- ered itself with glory in the famous attack at Indian Rock. The story is as follows :

A man by the name of Rocket being in search of a strayed horse in the woods, about three miles north- east from Wrentham village, discovered a trail of In- dians, forty-two in number, towards the close of the day directing their course westward. Rocket, undis- covered, followed the trail until about the setting of I the sun when they halted, evidently with a design to lodge for the night. The spot chosen was well situ- ated to secure them from a discovery. Rocket watched their movements until they laid themselves down to rest, when with speed he returned to the settlement and notified the inhabitants. They being collected, a consultation was held, whereupon (the women, the infirm, and the children being secured in the fortified houses) it was agreed to attack the In- dians early the next morning. The little army con- sisted of thirteen ; at its head was a Capt. Ware. Rocket was its guide. They arrived upon the ground before daylight, and were posted within a short musket-shot of the encamped Indians, with orders to reserve their fire until the Indians should arise. Be- tween daybreak and sunrise the Indians rose, nearly all at the same time; when, upon the signal given, a full discharge was made, which, with the sudden and unexpected attack and slaughter, put the Indians into

This latter year was undoubtedly one of anxiety to the little town of Wrentham. " Early in the spring of 1675," says Drake, " Sassamon's body was found in Assawomset Pond, in Middleborough." He was an | the greatest consternation, so that in their confusion, Indian preacher, a professed convert to Christianity, attempting to effect their escape in a direction oppo- site to that from which the attack was made, several were so maimed by leaping down a precipice from ten to twenty-feet among the rocks that they became an easy sacrifice. Some of the fugitives were over- taken and slain. And it is related that two of them being closely pursued, in order to elude their follow- who had learned something of the English tongue. Having learned from his countrymen that they in- tended to make war upon the English, he communi- cated that knowledge to the Governor of Plymouth, and by Indian laws this forfeited his life. Three In- dians were executed for this murder on the 8th day of June, 1675, according to the same authority, the , ers, buried their bodies all except their heads in the act having been committed Jan. 29, 1675, N. S. Until this execution the natives had not engaged in any acts of open hostilities. But soon afterwards

waters of Millbrook (about one mile from the first scene of action), where they were killed. It is prob- able that these were likewise injured by their precipi-

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tation from the rock. One Woodcock discharged " Samuel Fisher was appointed to take down in writ- ing what shall be agreed on this day." It was ordered that a list of voters should be made, and absentees from town-meetings were to be fined ; grants his long musket called a buccaneer at a single fugitive Indian at the distance of eighty rods, and broke his thigh-bone and afterwards dispatched him. After the battle there were numbered of the Indians killed | of land were to be recorded ; fences three feet high, upon the field or by the fall from the rock, twenty ; some say twenty-four. Not one of the inhabitants was killed.

Dr. James Mann, to whom we are indebted for this account of the fight at Indian Rock, says there is an intelligent man eighty-seven years of age (Dea- con Thomas Mann), who in his youth was acquainted with Rocket, and perfectly well remembers that on account of the above adventurous deed he received during his life an annual pension from the General Court. A granddaughter of Capt. Ware, of the name of Clap, was also living, aged ninety-four years, who well recollected to have heard the story related when quite young, as a transaction in which her grandfather bore a conspicuous part. He adds there are men now living (at the date of his communica- tion) who well remember to have seen bones in abundance of the unburied Indians left upon the spot where the action happened.

In March, 1676, the inhabitants left their homes, so lately established here and with so much difficulty, on account of the alarming attitude of the natives. Up to this date eighteen births had been recorded, and the small number of families who were without any means of defense against the savages prudently with- drew. The war against the English was now fairly initi- ated by Philip. Having stirred up the native Indians from Mount Hope to Hadley, he led them against the settlements of the whites, and prolonged the contest for nearly a year. The settlements were brought to the verge of destruction. Twelve or thirteen towns were entirely ruined, six hundred houses burned, and six hundred men fell in battle. The neighboring town of Medfield was attacked and some twenty whites killed, and more than half the houses were burned or otherwise destroyed. Wrentham lay in the track from Mount Hope to Medfield, and was in danger. The withdrawal of the inhabitants was in season ; " no lives were cut off by the heathen." But the Indians came after the inhabitants were gone, and burned all their dwellings but two, which were saved because, according to tradition, the party attacking be- lieved they had been infected with the smallpox.

We get some knowledge of the condition of our town, and of the manner of administering its affairs more than two hundred years ago, from the record of a town-meeting held before the inhabitants aban- doned the place, viz., in 1674-75. At this meeting

and sufficient to turn lawful cattle, should be built ; cattle should be herded and a herdsman appointed, the minister's salary provided for, and additions made to it as inhabitants and improvements should increase, that the meadows should be laid out; that births, marriages, and deaths should be registered ; appointed surveyors of highways and fence-viewers, and men to burn the woods. They also voted that Mr. Man should have his ten cow-commons heretofore prom- ised, and that four days' work should be done upon the highway. These votes were approved by the committee, of which it will be remembered two of the inhabitants were members, whose importance in the little community was thus recognized and acknowl- edged. One of these was Samuel Fisher, who was appointed also to keep a register of births, marriages, and deaths. Even thus early a list of voters was to be made, and under the laws of the colony but little difficulty could arise in determining who were voters.

The General Court ordered, " to the end that the body of commons may be preserved of honest and good men, that noe man shall be admitted to the free- dome of this body polliticke but such as are members of some of the churches within the lymitts of the same." And in 1635, " that none hut freemen shall have any vote in any towne in any action of authority or necessity," etc .; and " for the yearly choosing of assistants the freemen shall use Indian corn and beans, the corn to manifest election, the beans contrary." Quakers and others who refused to attend public wor- ship were made " uncapable of voting in all civil assemblise during their obstinate persisting in such wicked ways and courses and until certificate be given of their reformation."

It was voted upon Mr. Man's request, in 1675, that the common rights and lands heretofore granted to him for improvement should become his absolutely if he remained in Wrentham seven years. Cornelius and Samuel Fisher bargained for his ten cow-com- mons, agreeing to pay therefor five pounds and five shillings-£1 10s. in wheat, five shillings in money, and £3 10s. in merchantable Indian corn.

The last meeting of the inhabitants prior to aban- donment of the place was holden on the 19th of Jan- uary, 1675-76, and on March 30th they left on ac- count of the Indian war.1

1 The book-keeper made this entry : " March ye 30, 1676, ye inhabitants ware drawn of by rason of ye Endian worre."

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

And on the 2d of February, 1675-76, the Pru- dential Committee met and appointed the first Tues- day in March following to be a meeting of the pro- prietors at Dedham in reference to their replanting there again. On the 6th of March, 1677, at the proprietors' meeting in Dedham, the question being put whether "they would go on with Wren- tham plantation again if there were peaceable times," the answer was by all present that they would bear charges there as formerly, and divers of them ex- pressed themselves " willing to return if Mr. Man would return with them, and a considerable number would ingage in that worke." Upon further debate it was decided that a committee be chosen to present the case of Wrentham to the honorable General Court for their advice and concurrence in order to the re- building the towne again."

They also made a division of their meadow lands. In this division only forty-five persons drew lots. In 1660 the number of proprietors was eighty. Sixteen years had made changes in the ownership of lands.

From this time until January, 1677, no important public transactions concerning Wrentham took place. At that time the "Proprietors and those that were formerly inhabitants of Wrentham" met, and the in- habitants were asked whether " they would go on to rebuild and inhabitt Wrentham." Their answer was as follows :

"We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, having formerly had our residence in Wrentham, but by those sad and sollame dispensations of God's providence were removed, yet desire a worke for the honour of God and the good and comfort of our- selves and ours might be again ingaged in and promotted att that place. Therefore our purpose is to returne thither, God willing. But knowing our own inability for so great and waytie a worke, both in respectt of our insufficiency for the caring on of new plantation worke, and the dainger that may yet be renewed upon us by the heathins breaking out on us, thinke it not saffe for us to returne alone, except other of the proprietors joyne to go up along with us, or send inhabitants to ingage in that work with us." Subscribed by Elizcar Met- calf, Daniell Haws, Daniell Wight, Saml. Fisher, William Macknah, Elizear Gay, Samuell Man, Cornelius Fisher, Joseph Kingsbury, Robert Ware, John Aldis, John Payne, Benjn. Rocket, Nath. Ware, John Ware, Michell Wilson, Samuel Sheeres.

This faithful record informs us who the first in- habitants were. And although driven from their homes by the " heathins" and obliged to take quar- ters with their Dedham friends, they nevertheless preserved their organization, choosing John Ware and Samuel Fisher to join with the court's com- mittee, Eleazar Gay, constable, and the faithful Sam- uel Fisher to keep the town book.

The proprietors responded favorably to the appeal of the inhabitants, and a committee was appointed to

treat with Mr. Man. He very wisely required that a goodly number of competent persons should go back as a principal condition of his own return ; and also that a suitable dwelling-house should be prepared for him ; that there should be no delay as heretofore in the payment of his salary. This of the proprietors. Another condition of great importance he annexed, to wit : that they should sell their interest to settlers in good faith. Other conditions were made to the proposed inhabitants, such as the improvement of his land, providing fifty loads of wood, care of his cattle, and a chosen manager of his out-door business. And if they failed to perform these he was to be at liberty.

As to the first proposition, it was stated that the former inhabitants have determined to return to Wrentham, and that others purpose to join them, and that this is all the "incouragement that can at present be expected." The other terms were sub- stantially accepted by both the proprietors and in- | habitants.

A rate was made probably in 1679 for the building of Mr. Man's house at two shillings per common. Forty-five were taxed for this purpose, including the church at Dedham. The amount assessed was fifty- two pounds fifteen shillings and sevenpence, of which fourpence per common was to be paid in money, the rest to be one-third part in wheat and rye, the other two-thirds in Indian corn. Mr. Man himself was taxed one pound. John Thurston, a non-resident, it seems was the largest taxpayer, the amount assessed him being three pounds sixteen shillings.

In 1680 a house-lot and ten cow-commons, with the privileges thereto belonging, were granted to Mr. Man, to be " absolutely his." Constables were made to account for the rates collected by them, and it was determined that highways should be made through the six hundred acres. Rules also for supplying Mr. Man's wood were adopted. Votes for the preserva- tion of grass upon the common lands, for the encour- agement of a saw-mill, for a clerk of the rietts (writs), and a brand-mark for their cattle. The book-keeper was ordered to procure a "copy of the purchase of Wrentham, Indian title, when and of whom it was purched" (purchased). Mr. Man was to have the benefit of the church-lot. Constables, fence-viewers, book-keeper, etc., were appointed. A herd of milch cows was to be kept " in the towne." On account of the scarcity of timber no one could cut off the com- mon land upon penalty of five shillings per tree. Lands were to be fenced in general fields, each man bearing his proportion of the expense, according to the number of his acres. Bounds between town and in- dividuals were to be renewed once in three years.

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WRENTHAM.

A part of the former inhabitants had returned in March, 1680, as appears from the following entry of the book-keeper : " The inhabitants, such as were then come to Wrentham being meat [met] to agree of rais- ing an addition for the finishing Mr. Man's house and chimnis according as they had formerly ingaged, they agreed that a rate should be made for that end, and that it should be leavied upon the commons, for that several of them that had ingaged whose names are upon record were not yett come to dwell here and thereby theire rateabell estate is not in towne."

The First Meeting-House .- In March, 1681, the committee having met at Dedham, and being informed that the inhabitants of Wrentham were suffering " great inconvenience for want of a suitable place to attend the worship of God, it is ordered that a con- venient house be forthwith erected." The cost was to be borne in part by the proprietors and in part by the inhabitants. In March, 1682, they concluded that,-

" The bigness of the house shall be as followeth, viz., 36 foote in length and 26 foot wide, with 16 foot stude suffichantly brasted (braced) and all other suffichant timber suitabel for such an house; to stand the north side of Mr. Man's house. And they granted to John Woodcock a parcel of land as nere the place where the meeting-house shall stand as may be con- veniently had, that he might sett a small house up for theire refreshment on the Sabbath day when they come to attend upon the worship of God."

This was the first vote regarding the building of the meeting-house, which they thought might be in- closed by the 15th of September next following and finished by March 1, 1684, but a dozen years had passed before its completion.

In 1684, to "prevent unnecessary discourse," a committee was appointed to ascertain what debts were due to and from the town before the war, and to do as God shall direct them." They also ordered three dividends of land, viz., timber and woodland, plow- land, and meadow or swamp land ; and having chosen their book-keeper, prudential committee, constable, and agent for the minister's business, they chose also a committee to assess a tax for the payment of his sal- ! ary, the only object for which a tax was at this time assessed, there being no school at this early period, and the highways being made and repaired by the personal labor of the inhabitants. A committee was appointed to " looke to the boys upon the Sabbath in time of exercise to keep y™ from playing and also to sweep the meeting-house."

Liberty was given to certain persons to build a gal- lery in the meeting-house. It thus appears that this first meeting-house was erected and occupied in 1684, although far from being finished.

In 1685 there was a general meeting of the pro- prietors and inhabitants "att Wrentham meeting hous," when it was determined that the common land between the two great ponds "shall lie common for thé proprietors." Secondly, that they would " sett out four or six acres of their now common land near the metting hous, with twenty or twenty-five acres of other upland and swamp or swampy land for the en- couragement of a school, which was not to be diverted to any other use or purpose whatsoever." These lands and the proceeds of their sale, let it be said to the honor of the good people of this town, never have been diverted by them from the use to which they were thus applied, but now make a part of the fund whose income is appropriated to the support of schools.

It was ordered that the meeting-house should be used for a watch-house. They provided also for a stock of ammunition, voted to establish the stocks for the punishment of offenders, to pay for " billiting" soldiers at the time of the Indian war, and to pay bounties for " wolves that have been killed." Eleven wolves were killed. John Ware was allowed one pound four shillings and ninepence for his disburse- ments or services in building Mr. Man's first house, from which it would seem that Mr. Man had been a householder here before Philip's war, his first house having been burned by the Indians.

In the same year the inhabitants presented a peti- tion to the General Court praying that they might be authorized to chose selectmen, as in other places, rep- resenting that the committee appointed to have the care over them, although very useful in " yt capacity, yet they are crazy and infirme in body, and cannot be got together so often as we stand in need of, etc."

The General Court in answer granted " that they may have liberty to chous men as in other places."

In 1686, selectmen were chosen for the first time. They were Samuel Fisher, John Blake, John Fair- banks, John Guild, and John Ware. And now the town began its real independent existence, being deemed at last capable of acting without guardians. They appointed a committee " to goe the bounds be- tween Dorchester "and Wrentham, and renewe the markes as the law directs." They voted bounties for killing blackbirds, adopted orders concerning cedar timber, and fined certain persons for neglecting work upon the highways and for cutting grass upon com- mon land and for other trespasses. The town had at this time forty-two pounds of powder and one hun- dred of lead. A committee was appointed to go to Rehoboth (since Attleborough), and examine the title to lands in the west part of the town. There

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

was but little money in the plantation, and the salary of the good minister was so much in arrear that the town " doe nominate their friend and neighbor, Sargt. Samuel Fisher and do desire and impour him to de- mand and upon refusal to address himself to ye Gov- ernor and Council for advice and make his report to the Town."

On the 1st day of March, 1687, there was a meet- ing of the inhabitants "to consider the matter of clearing the Enden [Indian] title to their lands." Samuel Fisher and John Ware were chosen a com- mittee " to take care in the town's behalf and manage the clearing and confirmation of the Town's title to ye lands in ye town bounds according to ye agree- ment with Dedham at the first settling of Wrentham."

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE .- " Forasmuch as Thomas Awas- amogue a Natick Indian in the last year being 1687, made claim to some of our lands which was bought of Philip Sagamor and payd for according as the law then provided for ye Endians the town being called together to consult yr own interest, ther was a committee chosen to inquir into the matter, which Com- mittee (after some inquiring and also treating with said Thos. Awasamogue) presented to the town divers Evydances [evi- dences] and wrightings both of English and Endians for ye making the thing mor clear which Evydances are insarted as followeth.

" 1. Philip Sachem to Major Lusher and Lieutenant Fisher.1

" 2. The following order, Wollomonopoag, 10, 9, 69.

" To the Selectman of Dedham-these are to request you to pay to this barer for ye use of King Philip five pounds, five shillings mony and five in Trucking eloath att mony price with a third Pt advanced.

" JOHN THURSTON, SR., & others."

"3. Receaved of this bill ye 16 of November 1669 in refer- ance to the pay of King Philip of mount hope ye full and just sum of five ponds and five shillings in money and twelve yards in trucking cloath, three pounds of powder and as much lead as to make it up to - which is in full satisfaction with ten pounds that he is to receive of Nathaniel Pan [Paine] of Seconek for all the rights of land claimed by Indian title from the town or within ye limits belonging to the town of Dedham which is due by any claim to King Philip or heirs or assigns in witness hercof I have here sett to my hand this 16 Novemb. 69 " In presents of us.

" JOSHUA FISHER & others " PETER INDIAN his C mark."

Then follow sundry depositions,-

1. " Nathaniel Colburn, aged 70 years and upward (Dedham, March, 1687), testifie that I, being at Wollomonopogue when King Philip did make sale of thos lands, which ware in ye bounds of Dedham, to those men which Dedham Selectmen had sent up to trade with King Philip respecting ye same, and

1 This is the letter previously inserted on page 626, in which Philip wished his white friends to send him a " holland shirt to wear to Plimouth Court and offering to sell his land at Wollo- monopoag." There is also an entry under dateof 8th of 9th mo., 1669, that Philip's notice was received and a committee ap- pointed to treat with him at Wollomonopoag, and the report of the committee and the ordering of a rate to pay Philip.

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 133

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534