USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > North Brookfield > History of North Brookfield, Massachusetts. Preceded by an account of old Quabaug, Indian and English occupation, 1647-1676; Brookfield records, 1686-1783 > Part 12
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I There is more reason for calling the conflict of 1675-6 a Quabaug and Nashaway War, than King Philip's War. Philip's power was broken at the outset. The Wampanoags, his own tribe, deserted him. His trusty allies, the Narragansetts, favored his cause at first, but were driven into active support by the English attack on their fort Dec. 19. The Quabaug Alliance heartily espoused, and never deserted the cause, till it became hopeless.
2 N. Thomas' Letter, in Mather's King Philip's War.
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FIRST SETTLEMENT, 1660-1676.
day, Aug. 5, as appears from the following letter written by Maj. Pynchon Saturday, Aug. 7 :
" I have just now intelligence brought me by our Indians, that Philip with 40 of his men is now at a place called Ashquoack a little on this side of Quabaug, somewhat to the southward of our way thither, and not much, being but a little off the way: and I suppose not above 23 miles off this town ; and thereabouts he resolves to settle, if he be not disturbed ; because as is a place of food ; ye English of Quabaug their corn being hard by, and the Indians have another great Cornfield hard by on the southward side, and not far southward are more Indian Cornfields ; he came two days ago to this place and there pitches. It is not far from Memenimissee which is a little to the northwest of Quabaug, where Philip's brother is, and Mattaloos with 200 soldiers and upwards. Our Indians judge that either Philip will go to them at Memenimissee, or that they will come to Philip at Asquoasch, which the Indians think is rather the more convenient place, and so they make 250 soldiers.
To Gov. WINTHROP OF CONNECTICUT."
JOHN PYNCHON
Undoubtedly Philip was informed by scouts of the raising the siege of Brookfield by Maj. Willard on Wednesday night, and of the concen- tration of the allies at the stronghold at Menameset, and deemed it pru- dent to join them there, which he did on Friday. "King Philip and about 40 men . . . joined the Nipmuck Indians in a swamp ten or twelve miles north of Brookfield on the 5th [6th ] of August." 1
The Relation of George Memicho, before referred to, is here given more in full : "Upon Friday the 5th [6th] of this instant (August) Philip and his company came to us at this swamp, six miles from the swamp where they killed our men. Philip brought with him about forty men, but women and children many more, the number I cannot tell. Philip's men were about 30 of them armed with guns, the rest had bows and arrows. He observed there were about ten of Philip's men wounded. Philip was conducted to the swamp by two Indians, one of them Caleb of Tatumasket, beyond Mendon. The Indians told Philip at his first coming what they had done to the English at Quabaug ; then he presented and gave to three sagamores, viz. John, alias Apequinash, Qua- nansit, and Mawtamps, to each of them about a peck of unstrung wam- pum, which they accepted. Philip, as I understood, told Quabaug and Nipmuck Indians, that when he first came towards the Nipmuc country and left his own, he had in his company about 250 men, besides women and children, including the Squaw Sachem [Weetamoo] and her com- pany, but now they had left him, and some of them were killed, and he was reduced to 40 men, besides women and children. I heard also that Philip said, if the English had charged upon him and his people at
I N. H. Hist. Soc. Coll. II. 8.
IOI
RELIEF OF BROOKFIELD.
the swamp in his own country one or two days more they had been all taken, for their powder was almost spent : he also said, that if the Eng- lish [under Capt. Henchman] had pursued him closely, as he travelled up to them, he must needs have been taken." I
From this date Philip disappears from our neighborhood. The whole region lying north and west of Menameset was an Unknown Land to the English, where the whole force of natives was safe from pursuit, and in easy communication with the tribes in Worcester county, and the Connecticut valley ; and their scouts were on every hilltop in the daytime, and near every settlement and army post in the night.
To take up the dropped thread of our narrative : Capt. Wheeler states that on Monday afternoon, just after his Indian pursuers reached the town, some mounted travellers who were on the way to Connecticut via Brookfield, saw them burning some houses and killing some cattle at the east end of the town, and heard several guns shot off further within the town, and judging that the inhabitants were in peril and themselves in danger, immediately returned to Marlboro' and gave the intelligence before the foot messenger Curtis reached there, which was the cause of Maj. Willard's timely coming. Maj. Pynchon at Springfield got word of the ambush from some friendly Indians, on Tuesday, but no tidings from the town till Wednesday the 4th. He says :
" Aug. 4th, just now at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, Judah Trumble who went last night in the night to Quabaug is returned : he went within 40 rods of the houses, and discerned Coy's house and barn burnt and saw two houses more burnt ; saw one Indian with a gun, but no English ; at this dis- mal sight he returned, and his horse tiring came in on foot much spent . . . our people are much scattered . .. we earnestly request you to send what force you may judge needful either to relieve the English yet left, if any be alive at Quabaug, or to pursue these Indians. Speedy succor is necessary. JOHN PYNCHON
To the GOVERNOR OF CONN. COLONY."
The relief brought by Maj. Willard on Wednesday night has been already detailed. Ephraim Curtis hastened on from Marlboro' and re- , ported to the Governor in Boston ; and Capt. Thomas Lathrop of Bev- erly, and Capt. Richard Beers of Watertown, each with a full company, were ordered to Brookfield, and reached there Saturday, Aug. 7. Capt. Thomas Watts of Hartford, with 40 dragoons and a company of 30 Indians, came to Springfield Aug. 6, and with Lieut. Thomas Cooper and his troop of 27 men and ten Springfield Indians, marched the next day to Brookfield ; so that by Saturday night, there were (not counting Wheeler's small force) not less than 300 well armed men in camp on
I MS. Narrative of George a Christian Indian, taken prisoner in the Ambushment of Capt. Hutch- inson.
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FIRST SETTLEMENT, 1660-1676.
Foster's hill. On Sunday the 8th, this force marched northward to the Menameset country, but found no Indians. On Monday the 9th, Capt. Samuel Mosely with a full company reached Brookfield and reported to Maj. Willard. The Major, fearing that the hostiles had moved west towards the English settlements, decided to send a part of his forces to the River ; and Lathrop and Beers immediately started for Hadley, and Watts for Springfield, leaving Willard and Mosely at Brookfield. The next day, Aug. 10, Capt. Wheeler, with the well men of his troop and some of the wounded, including Capt. Hutchinson, started for Marl- boro', which he reached on the 14th, and where Capt. H. died on the 19th. Probably some of the houseless inhabitants went to Spring- field on their way to Suffield with Capt. Watts ; the Warners and Young- love to Hadley with Capt. Lathrop ; and the Prichard and other eastern families towards the Bay with Capt. Wheeler. Captains Lathrop and Beers found all quiet on the River, and immediately returned to Brook- field ; and Aug. 14 Maj. Willard organized another expedition to go in search of the Indians by a simultaneous movement to the north and west. The force comprised the men under Lathrop, Beers and Mosely. In a letter dated Aug. 16, Capt. Mosely gives these details :
" The day before I cajme from Quoahbaugh - I martched In company with Capt. Beeres and Capt. Laytrop To the Swamp wheare they left me,1 & tooke their martch to Sprinkefilld [Hadley]- & asoone as they ware gone I tooke my martch Into the Woods about 8 mills beyond the Swamp where Capt. Huttchenson & the rest ware yt ware Wounded & killed . .. we did find a prsell of Wigwams beyond the Swamp aboutt 20- wch we burntt &c"
Capt. Mosely then retraced his steps to Brookfield, and the next day started for Lancaster and Dunstable. Captains Lathrop and Beers went to Hadley ; but returned to Brookfield Aug. 21 or 22; and the next day marched back to Hadley. Maj. Pynchon writes from Spring- field Aug. 22 :
" Capt. John Allyn - Sr, In ye night a post was sent me from Hadley that our forces are returned ; Capt. Watts thither, and the Bay forces to Qva- baug. Nothing done but about 50 wigwams they found empty wch they have burnt. They write from Hadley they expect nothing but ye enymy to insult & fall upon ye remote Towns ; that they are in great fears ; . . . Sus- pect our Indians yt went out to be feareful or false or both ; say yt ye sheep at Squakeake are driven away since ye soldiers were there: Suspect the enymy to be betweene Hadley and Squakheak, at Paquayag, about 10 miles from Great River" .. .
[Directed] " These for Mr. John Allyn at Hartford. Hast. Post Hast."
I There is evidence that a branch of the Nashaway and Quabaug trail struck off to the south of west near the westerly source of Winnemisset brook, by which there was a short cut to the Quabaug and Hadley Path. If so, the " Swamp where they left me " would be near that fork of the Nashaway trail.
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QUIET AT QUABAUG.
The following letter from the Massachusetts Council gives us an insight into Brookfield affairs at this date.
" Maj. WILLARD. Sir: We received two or three letters from you, wherein we understand that our forces cannot meet with the enemy. The Lord humble us under His afflictive hand. Touching the ordering and dis- posing the forces under your command, we cannot particularly direct you what to do, only in general we hope you will endeavour to your utmost to disrest the enemy. Also we think it incumbent upon you to employ your garrison to fortify your quarters at Quabauge what you may. And also we propose whether it be not advisable to send a ply of soldiers to the Nip- muck towns of Wabquassitt and Manexit where there is good store of corn possibly some Indians may be about those places to get food ; and if you can engage any persons English or Indians by promise of reward to scout abroad to discover where the enemy lurkes and to bring you tidings before a great body march to them, and if they do march upon any discovery will it not be best to march in the night as secretly as you can, and when you come near the enemy, to leave an ambushment there, and by a retreat after a little charge to draw the enemy into the ambushment. And furthermore we advise if you send to the towns where the corn grows not to cut it up, but rather preserve it, for it being near ripe cutting up will not destroy it. And tho' at a distance, yet we conceive the scarcity among divers English is like to be such that necessity will put some to fetch it from thence.
We have inclosed a letter to Maj. Pynchon, which we desire you to pe- ruse and seal, whereby you may perceive our apprehensions touching send- ing forces to secure those towns. But yet we advise (if you think fit) to ride up with a guard to Springfield, and give Maj. Pynchon a visit and encourage him and the people in those parts. Touching supply of those small partic- ulars you send for, order is given to the Committee to send them. So com- mitting you to the Lord, desiring his presence with you and guidance of you, with our love and respects to yourself and the rest of your officers we remain
Pray do your best endeavour to send the wounded men homeward as soon as is possible.
E. R. S.
AUGUST 24, 1675."
All was quiet at Quabaug and Menameset. The lurking-place of the Indians was only known when their empty wigwams were found ; yet as events proved, they kept within striking distance of the English planta- tions, and always were encountered by our captains at points the least suspected.1 There was nothing of value left to tempt them to make another assault on our town ; and the scene of conflict was transferred to the Connecticut valley, and was opened there at an unexpected moment.
I ." Partly by the treachery of some of the Indians that came to their assistance, that seemed to favor the English but rather acted in behalf of the enemy, and partly by the subtilties of the enemies themselves, who could easily by their scouts discover the approach of our soldiers, and by the nimble- ness of their feet escape them, our soldiers could never meet with any of them." - Hubbard.
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As before noted, Capts Lathrop and Beers went to Hadley Aug. 23. The Indians were then gathered at a fort about midway between North- ampton and Hatfield. As a precautionary measure, rather than from a belief in their hostile intentions, it was judged best to disarm the Indians then in the fort. And on the next day a parley was held, and a formal demand for the surrender of their arms was made. The Indians objected, and demanded time till the next morning for consideration, when a final answer would be given. Distrusting their sincerity, the officers deter- mined to surround the fort, and secure their arms by force, if need be. " Whereupon Capts Lathrop and Beers, with whom the thing was left, at midnight sent over to our officers [at Northampton] to draw as nigh the fort as they could without being perceived, and they would do the like on Hatfield side, and so at break of day come upon them : but before they came, the Indians were fled, having killed an old sachem who was not willing to go with them. The captains resolved to follow them, and pursued a great pace after them, with about an hundred men. They intended to parley with the Indians ; but on a sudden the Indians let fly about forty guns at them, and were soon answered by a volley from our men ; about forty ran down into the swamp after them, poured in shot upon them, made them throw down much of their luggage, and after a while, our men, after the Indian manner, got behind trees and watched their opportunities to make shots at them. The fight continued about three hours ; we lost six men upon the ground, though one was shot in the back by our own men ; a seventh died of his wound coming home, and two died the next night, nine in all.1 . .. After this fight we heard no more of the Indians till the first of September, when they shot down a garrison soldier at Pocomptuck, that was looking after his horse, and ran violently up into the town, many people having scarcely time enough to get into the garrisons. That day, they burnt most of their houses and barns, the garrisons not being strong enough to sally out upon them, but killed two of their men from the forts.
The next day [Sept. 2] the Indians set upon several men that were gone out of the fort at Squakheag; they slew eight of our men, but made no attempt upon the fort.
The next day [Sept. 3] this onset being unknown, Capt. Beers set forth [from Hadley] with about thirty-six men and some carts [with the intention] to fetch off the garrison at Squakheag; and coming the next morning [Sept. 4] within three miles of the place, were set upon by a great number of Indians from the side of a swamp, where was a hot dispute for some time. Our men having lost their Captain [Beers, who was killed about three quarters of a mile southeast from the swamp] and some others, resolved at last to fly, and going to take horse [the
I This fight took place in the town of Whately, southward of Sugar-loaf, Aug. 25.
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SITUATION IN SEPTEMBER, 1675.
troop horses had been left two miles to the rear] lost several men more, I think about twelve ; the most that escaped got to Hadley that even- ing ; next morning another came in, and at night another that had been taken by the Indians, and loosed from his bonds by a Natick Indian ; he tells that the Indians were all drunk that night [on the rum found in one of the carts], that they mourned much for the loss of a great captain, that the English had killed twenty-five of their men. Six days after, another soldier came in, who had been lost ever since the fight, and was almost famished, and so lost his understanding that he knew not what day the fight was on. [In all, 21 were killed, and 17 saved.]
On the 5th of September [Sunday] Maj. Treat set forth [from Had- ley] for Squakheag with above an hundred men; next day coming nigh Squakheag, his men were much daunted to see the heads of Capt. Beers' soldiers upon poles by the wayside. ... Coming to the fort, he concluded forthwith to bring off the garrison ; so they came away the same night, leaving the cattle there, and the dead bodies unburied, since which, seventeen of their cattle came a great part of the way themselves, and have since been fetched into Hadley." 1 Stoddard's Letter, Sept. 15, 1675.
Maj. Willard continued in command of the garrison at Brookfield (with a visit or two at Springfield and Hadley to attend councils of war) till the 7th or 8th of September, when he returned to his duties in Mid- dlesex county. The following letter from Maj. Pynchon to Gov. Lev- erett, graphically describes the situation, at this date :
SPRINGFIELD, Sept. 8, 1675.
. . " You cannot be enough sensible how these Indians here do rage, and if forces be not out to give check, it is to be feared they will quickly be busy in firing all our towns, and we shall not be like to hold it without a strong garrison.
The Lord effectually humble us, the little success of our forces speak we are not yet truly humbled : and that our forces and Connecticut forces return again in such a manner as if they were afraid when the Indians were there, and yet do nothing. What shall we say - Is the Lord about to ruin us and to leave us to be destroyed? It is matter of lamentation some of our people speak of breaking up, and will be gone, and discouragements enough are on all. The Lord turn us to himself. You will have all matters by Maj. Willard, with whom I had laboring to have come, but yet I am obstructed of all hands, and yet am fit for nothing. I run a venture in sending this after Maj. Willard, fear it is hazardous, and doubt all passage their way will be stopped.
I When Maj. Willard came to the relief of Brookfield, the cattle which had been frightened away by the yells and firing of the Indians, fell into his rear and followed his troopers to the town. In this and later Indian wars, the people were always alarmed, when the cattle ran furiously out of the woods towards the villages.
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FIRST SETTLEMENT, 1660-1676,
P. S. Altho' I may not for the breaking up the garrison at Quabaug, yet it being done, and all the corn destroyed there, whether the settling it again will countervail the charge, may be considered."
Probably all the wounded soldiers and the remainder of the inhab- itants (except the Ayres family whose house was standing and appears to have been fortified) went down towards the Bay with Maj. Willard ; and it is evident from his letter that Maj. Pynchon understood that the garrison at Brookfield was to be broken up.
The condition of affairs was gloomy enough to discourage the stoutest hearts ; the Indians were always on the alert, and had things their own way ; and Pynchon's forebodings were soon to be realized. Sept. 18, Capt. Lathrop with 80 young men, most of them "the very flower of the county of Essex," in convoying some grain from Deerfield to Hat- field, was set upon by 500 Indians at Bloody Brook, and himself and 63 of his company and attendants slain. The ambush was laid in the same manner as the Surprise of Capt. Wheeler, and probably was planned by the same sachems. Sept. 26, Maj. Pynchon's farm-house and barns on the west side of the river, with all the hay and grain, were set on fire by Indians and consumed. Oct. 5, Springfield was burnt. To quote from Pynchon's letter of Oct. 8: "On the 4th, our soldiers which were at Springfield I had called off, leaving none to secure the town, because the Commissioners' order was so strict, [and they marched to Hadley]. That night a post was sent to us that 500 Indians were about Springfield intending to destroy it the 5th. With about 200 of our soldiers I marched down to Springfield, where we found all in flames, about 30 dwelling houses burnt down and 24 or 25 barns, my corn mill, saw mill and other buildings. Generally men's hay and corn are burnt, and many men whose houses stand had their goods burnt in other houses which they had carried them to. Lieut. Thomas Cooper and two more are slain, and four persons wounded. As soon as said forces appeared the Indians all drew off, so that we saw none of them. We sent out scouts that night and the next day, but discovered none." Oct. 19, Hatfield was assaulted; "The Indians hoping no less than to do the like mischief to them, they had newly done to Springfield." They killed two or three scouts belonging to the town, and six of Capt. Mosely's men. But after burning a few barns and some other buildings, they were driven off.
If the purpose of deserting Brookfield had been entertained, the threatening state of affairs, and the importance of the place as an out- post, and shelter for passing troops and travellers, induced a re-consid- eration ; and soon after Maj. Willard left, a small company under Capt. Jonathan Poole of Reading was sent up to re-establish the garrison.
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CONDITION OF ENGLISH TROOPS.
Very little can be learned of the situation of things here, or of Capt. Poole's movements. The following papers, found in the State Archives, are presented, verbatim et literatim.
"TO THE COMISARY AT MARLBURY Sur we want drawers and wast- cots, and I am forced to let men goo home to fetch clothing becas they want and have no suply Sur I pray send sum solt tobackow and bred by thes persons I pray send me the runlet of lickers for the army will drene us doutless not els but rest yours
JONATHAN POOLE Capt 30:7:75
"FOR THE HONORED COUNCILL
Honored Sirs After my humbl Duty presented these are to inform the hond Councill that Capt Pool have sent to me four times for things specified in the note inclosed which I had none of but bread and liquors which he have had but the other things I have none of and now the Rum is all gon he have had seven gallons of Rum allredy and the souldiers and posts passing to and agen and the army have had the rest Alsoe our men at the garrison want shoos and stockins and shurts very much they complaine to me dayly to goe home and supply themselves but I dare not let them goo becaus sum have gon on that account and com not againe namely John Boudage of Roxbury and John Orres a smith of Boston and one Samuel Casten is run away I sent to Mr Davison to acquaint athority with it but I heare noe more of it heare is but littell of any thinge in the Magaseen and if it please the Hond Councill to give me order to re- move what is left to my hous it would be less trouble to me and if any thing else be sent I may have it heare at my own hous I have set the garrison souldiers to fortify about my hous now they have ffortyfied the Magazeen all- ready by my order and soe I intend to imploy them for the defence of the Town I humbly pray this Hond Councill to send a suply for the souldiers here and at quoboag or direction how they shall be suplyed Capt Wayt comanded me to returne James Cheavers ffor absenting himself after he had prest him whom I have sent to make his own defenc
Your humble Servant JOHN RUDDUCK Marlborough Octob the Ist 1675."
Capt. Poole and his company, then reduced to 35 men, left Brookfield and marched to headquarters at Hadley Oct. 10 or II. In the post- script to a letter received at Boston Oct. 14, Capt. Appleton says : " I communicated thoughts with Maj. Pynchon about the garrison placing at Brookfield. And although we judge it would be some relief and com- fort to our messengers going post, yet considering the great charge which must necessarily be expended upon it ; and that they have no winter pro- visions there for the keeping of horses, without much use of which we see not how they can subsist ; we have not seen cause to order any garrison thither, nor (for aught that appears) shall do ; except we have some special direction from yourself for it." And in the answer of the
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Council, dated Oct. 15, they say : "We are satisfied in your deserting Quabaugue."
It appears that the garrison had been supplied in part with beef which belonged to the Brookfield settlers. The following entry is found in the Colony Records : "Oct. 13, 1675. In answer to the petition of Samuel Warner & Thomas Parsons, the Court judgeth it meete to allow Samuel Warner eight pounds for two oxen, & four pounds for other cattle, in all twelve pounds, & Thomas Parsons to be allowed for his cattle, to be paid by the County Treasurer." Another entry is found under date June 1, 1677 : "In answer to the petition of Susanna Ayres, late of Quoboag, widow, alias Brookfield, humbly desiring the favour of this Court that what she expended on & the souldiers had of her for the country's use, as five pounds ten shillings in swyne, by Capt. Poole's order, as also seventeen shillings & seven pence Ephraim Curtis had for himself & company & horses, on the country's account, with what Major Willard had, which will appear by the account, she may be paid & satisfied for - the Court grants her request."
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