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 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98
The following Extract from the Council Records, is in place here : " Aug. 1, 1693. Upon Consideration of the late outrage committed by some Indians upon divers of the Inhabitants of Quabaug, and applica- tion from some of the principal Inhabitants of Mendon that the Friend Indians of the neighboring Plantations may be concentrated within cer- tain Limits, and be put under the oversight of some of the English, as well for their own security, as that the Enemy may better be known.
I Mass. State Archives, LXX. 197.
1
153
DWELLINGS ENCLOSED IN A STOCKADE.
Advised and Ordered
That the Indians of Hassanamesit be forthwith drawn in within the Town of Mendon ; and the Indians of the Plantation of Tohkokomoowadchunt be forthwith drawn into the Town of Wood- stock ; and be under the inspection and oversight of the Military Com- mission Officers and Selectmen of the said Towns, taking suitable care for the preservation of their Corn, and that none of the said Indians do pre- sume to pass out of the limits assigned them, without the knowledge of those appointed to take the oversight of them, and having one English- man at least to accompany them."
It appears that eight soldiers were assigned to keep garrison at Brook- field, according to the advice of the Council.
It was the general plan adopted by the authorities of the Colony, for the safety of the Frontier Towns at this crisis, to collect all the resident families into a compact neighborhood, so that all the dwellings could be enclosed in a stockade. This plan was suggested in the Court's instruc- tions to the Committee, dated May 20, 1691 ; but was not carried into. effect. It is believed that the surviving families located near the Wool- cotts' were brought to the garrison, on which all depended for protection, and perhaps lodgement at night. Probably two sentries were stationed on " Warding Rock " for day-watching, and the remaining soldiers were. employed in scouting and guarding the men in the harvest-fields, and for night-watches. Autumn was coming on ; and Indian raids were not much apprehended after the fall of the leaves, till the deep snows fell, so- that they could come on rackets. Then there was another period of comparative immunity, from the breaking up of winter, till the leaves put forth in June.
The garrison was maintained here, year by year, varying in number from 6 to 10 men, according to circumstances, and the activity of the Indian enemy. Daniel Tosh [McIntosh] died this year.
1694. - Only scanty records are found of the condition and doings of the Brookfield settlers, for this year ; and it is not likely that any new comers were added to their small number. The garrison soldiers were billeted on the families ; and while they afforded protection to field work, and safety to the homes, they drew largely on the scanty supply of provisions.
Thomas Gilbert of Brookfield, John Hitchcock, James Warriner and Samuel Parsons of Springfield were allowed from the State treasury, " for services at Quabaug, 10 shillings each."
The only clew we have as to the nature of these " services," is the fact that some time during the year, Samuel Owen and John Lawrence (whose brother Thomas was killed the last summer, as already related) went into the woods in search of a man who was missing, when they
¥54
SECOND SETTLEMENT, 1686-1718.
were set upon by a lurking band of Indians, and Lawrence was killed,' but Owen escaped. - Such were the perils and discouragements under which the families here held their homes !
1695. The general condition of affairs on our frontiers, this year, is set forth in the following letter of Col. Pynchon.
SPRINGFIELD, Sept. 13, 1695.
" .. . We know Indians are lurking about, and are satisfied that some number of them are waiting to get some booty, for besides some seen at Northampton, as also at Hadley, there have been some about Springfield : twice, one hath been seen. But upon any appearance, we range all the woods about, besides that, our daily scouting out 4 men aday on horses by Towns ... for these Towns are daily infested by the enemy ; so it is not prudent to emty our towns of men . . . by so many at Deerfield and Brookfield. . .
To HON. WM. STOUGHTON, Lieut. Gour."
JOHN PYNCHON.
1696. - " Decr. 16. Ordered, for defence of our Hampshire frontier towns against the French and Indians next summer - That from the first of June to the first of November [the period when the trees are in full leaf ], 25 men be detached to keep garrison at Deerfield, and 10 men at the garrison at Brookfield."
Stephen Jennings, from Hatfield, settled on the Prichard home-lot this year.
1697. - " Paid Col. John Pynchon for several soldiers that served at Brookfield, from April 12, 1697, to December 4, and for billeting said soldiers-£118. 0. 0.2
1698. - The Peace of Ryswick was signed Sept. 11, 1697, and was proclaimed in Boston Decr 10. But it was not formally proclaimed in Quebec, till Sept. 22, 1698 ; and in the mean time the French and Indians continued active hostilities against our Frontiers.
A garrison of 6 men was maintained at Brookfield, from June 30 to Sept. 30, and billeted upon the families.
Asking for a Minister. This year we find several new names among the Brookfield settlers, which added strength to the Plantation ; and while their condition is "low in the world," yet they evince a determi- nation to lay firmly the foundations of social order and prosperity. The following Petition has important historical and moral significance, both as to the prevalent sentiment of Brookfield men, and the understood policy of the Government to secure religious ordinances to all inhabitants.
"The Petition of the Inhabitants of Brookfield to the Hond General Court assembed at Boston Novr 1698 Humbly Sheweth
I Administration on the estate of John Lawrence was granted to his widow, Sarah, Oct. 10, 1694.
2 Mass. State Archives, CXXII. 113.
155
PETITION ASKING FOR A MINISTER.
Firstly, That we seeme to be called of God, to continue our habitation in this place : We are low in the world, and it would be a breaking thing to our estates to remove to any other plantation ; And the Land here is very capable of entertaining a considerable body of people : tho' Inhabit- ants have been slow to come to us by reason of ye War, yet the land is very Incouraging, capable to afford a comfortable subsistence to many ffamilies.
2. That it is an Intolerable burden, to continue as we have done with out the preaching of the Word ; God doth require his people to attend not only ffamily worship but His publick worship : it is the ordinance of God that on the Sabbath Day there should be an holy convocation ; and that his Word be preached by those that are able & faithful, and our necessitys put us upon it earnestly to desire it: both we and our Children need the Instruc- tions, rebukes and encouragements of the Word : the darkness and dead- ness of our own hearts, together with the many snares that are in the world are an experimental conviction to us that we need al those helps & advan- tages that God hath sanctifyed for our good.
3. That we are not able at present to maintain the Worship of God : We are but twelve ffamilys : And are not of estate sufficient to give sutable en- couragement to a Minister : We are willing to do to the outside of our ability ; but tho' we do as much as can be expected from us, it will not amount to such a summ as a Minister may reasonably require for his labour.
4. That if this Hond Court would please to pity us, And grant us some help for a few years, for the maintenance of a godly able Minister, besides the advantage that it may be to these few familys that are here, it would be a means to draw many other Inhabitants to us, whereby we shal be so far assisted that we may of ourselves be able to uphold the Worship of God, and not be burdensome to others.
Under these considerations we humbly beg that this Hond Court would exercise compassion to us, & assigne some reliefe to us out of the Publick Treasury, which we shal look upon not onely a testimony of your zeal for the Worship of God, but alsoe of your tender compassion to the souls of those whom God hath made you ffathers of: And your Petitioners shal ever pray &c.
SAMMEL OWEN
THOMAS BARNS
HENRY GILBERT
STEPHEN GENNINGS
JOHN WOOLCOTT
JAMES PETTEE
SAMLL DAVICE
WM BARNS
THOMAS PARSONS
THOMAS RICH
ABIJAH BARTLETT
DANL PRICE
JOHN CLARY JOHN PETTEE
JOSEPH MARKS
In General Court, Read Nov. 23, 1698. In answer to the above petition
Ordered, that there be twenty pounds paid out of the Publick Treasury of this Province towards the support of an orthodox minister for one
156
SECOND SETTLEMENT, 1686-1718.
year, to commence from the time of the settlement of such minister amongst them.
Sent up to the Honbl the Lieut. Govr & Council for Concurrence
NATHL BYFIELD, Spkr
Read in Council Nov. 24th 1698, and Voted a Concurrence with the Representatives.
ISA ADDINGTON Secy.1
As will soon appear, the employment of a minister was delayed, and preaching was not established till 1701. The new comers this year were : Samuel Davis, who bought the Joseph Mason estate; Thomas Parsons, perhaps of Windsor, who had been living in Enfield ; Abijah Bartlett ; John Clary, whose father was killed by Indians at Northfield Aug. 16, 1688 ; James and John Pettee, from Springfield, whose mother had married Samuel Owen - they were much in the wars ; Thomas Rich, who had a grant of a home-lot " at the east end of the Old Plantation ; " died 1702 : his widow Mary married Joseph Jennings ; the children wrote the name La Rich. William Barns, a brother of Thomas, remained here a short time, and removed to Conn. Benj. Thomas of Springfield, bought one-half of the Younglove house-lot.
1699. - In March 1699, An Act was passed by the General Court, to prevent the deserting of the Frontier Towns by the inhabitants. Brook- field is named as one of the towns referred to.
1700. - The Bay Path. "To his Excellency, Richard, Earl of Bel- lomont :
Wee the subscribers being verry senceable of the inconven- iencys that may happen in as much as the stated Road to Conitticot especilly Betwixt Wooster & Brookfield is verry much incumbered with Trees ffallen & many Rocky Swamps & other impassable Obstructions to Travellers, Drovers & others, & hazzarding life or limb of both men and Horses & other Creatures to great Losses & Damages, Humbly propose that there bee a Suteable allowance Granted to repaire & amend sd Road, at least to the sum of - pounds, Out of the Publique Treasurie of this Province, which we Humbly leave to consideration, & Subscribe
JOHN PYNCHON
SAML PARTRIGG
JOHN CLARKE
ISAAC PHELPS
SAMLL MARSH
MAY 29, 1700.
The General Court voted, the sum of £5, for mending the Road
1 Mass State Archives, XI. 132.
1
I57
ASKING FOR TWELVE MILES SQUARE.
aforesaid where it is needed, so that it be rendered passable : And the Gentlemen Petitioners are appointed a committee to do the work."
Extract from Council Records. - " Whereas the General Assembly at their session Nov. 15, 1698, passed a Resolve, that there be paid out of the publick Treasury, the sum of £20, towards the support of an orthodox minister at Brookfield, for the space of one year -
Advised and consented, that His Excellency issue forth his warrant to pay unto John Pynchon and Samuel Partridge Esqrs, of a Committee for managing affairs at Brookfield aforesaid, the said sum of £20, to be by them imployed for the use aforesaid. June 10, 1700."
But the employment of a minister was still further delayed.
The new comers this year were Benjamin Bartlett, Jehoida Bartlett, sons of Benjamin and Deborah of Windsor, and Samuel Wheeler.
1701 .- TO THE HON. BL Wm STOUGHTON, etc.
The humble petition of the Committee and Inhabitants of Brookfield Sheweth
Whereas by the Providence of God, by allowance from the General Court and our own necessities and inclinations, we have and are now settled at Brookfield, and altho' we are now but few in number, yet here is accommodations for a considerable Township ; being new in our begin- nings, and through the difficulties and hazzards of the times, people tho' otherwise well inclined to come & settle here, yet have been slow in motion this way, by reason whereof we labour under many difficulties at present - Therefore move to this Court that they would be pleased to grant us some allowances for our incouragement & help, as followeth :
First, that we may in some measure be in a capacity to obtain the benefit of an Orthodox ministry of God's Word (which we are in neces- sity of) That this Court would grant us such allowances towards the maintenance of such an one a year or two or three, which together with what we might do amongst ourselves might incourage a minister to set- tle amongst us, which would tend much to advantage both as to Eccle- siastical and Civil affairs.
Second, With reference to publick Charges amongst us, That this Court would order that all men that make good a claim of a proprietie within the bounds of our place might be ingaged to bear their part in due proportion of all charges arising, and when notified of their Rate or proportion, be obliged to pay on the place from time to time, or quit their lands, etc.
Third, That this Court do settle and state the bounds of our Township, the centre to be the place where the first Meeting-house stood, and to extend six miles East, West, North and South, viz. twelve miles square, extending from said centre as aforesaid.
These things we apprehend might be a means to promote the welfare
158
SECOND SETTLEMENT, 1686-1718.
of our place, so as in time we might be beneficial to the publick interest of the Province, and the granting of which will oblige your poor sup- pliants, as in duty bound for your Honours ever to pray
JOHN PYNCHON SAMLL PARTRIGG JOHN HITCHCOCK In the name of the Committee.
Henry Gilbert, Thomas Barns, Thomas Rich, Sam" Davis, Steven Jen- nings, Abijah Bartlet, Sam" Wheeler, Benj. Bartlet, Samuel Owen, Thomas Parsons, Thomas Gilbert.
BROOKFIELD, May 26, 1701.
Read in Council, June 11, 170I
And Resolved, That the Committee for regulating the plantation of Brookfield take order that there be an exact Platt made by a sworn Sur- veyor, of 8 miles square, with a description of certain lines for bound- aries, and the quality of the land, to be laid before this Court at their next session, that so the Court may then further consider of ascertaining the Grant for the said Plantation.
I. ADDINGTON Secy
The House of Representatives Concurred
NEHEMIAH JEWETT Speaker."
The survey and laying out of the Township, eight miles square, was performed by John Chandler. This Plot was mislaid or lost ; and in 1719 another survey and Plot, following the old lines, was made by Tim- othy Dwight, and the boundaries of the town established by the General Court.
A Minister employed. From an incidental statement in the Records, it appears that the Committee drew £20 from the Province treasury, and engaged Rev. George Phillips to preach, for the term of one year. So that the date, June 1701, may be regarded as the commencement of the stated ministry of the Word in Brookfield, after the Second Settle- ment.
Mr. Phillips, born June 3, 1664, was son of Rev. Samuel Phillips of Rowley, and grandson of Rev. George Phillips, the first minister of Watertown; was graduated at Harvard University in 1686; preached awhile at Jamaica, L.I. ; probably preached in Brookfield only one year ; was ordained pastor of the church in Brookhaven, L.I., in the late autumn of 1702, where he remained in the ministry till his death in 1739.
The engaging a minister to establish religious ordinances, and the prospective enlargement of the area of the town by which valuable lands would be opened to settlement, added to the quiet that had prevailed
159
QUEEN ANNE'S WAR.
on the frontiers for the last two years, held out the prospect of prosperity and permanence ; and a considerable number of new men came on this year, and bought old rights, and received land grants. John Perry of Watertown located near the Woolcotts ; Joseph Banister of Marlborough bought and built on the South side of the old country road near Edward Walker ; Thos Bettys (b. Wenham) located near John Perry ; Edward Kellogg of Hadley built where Ebenezer How afterwards lived ; Robert Emmons and John Hamilton became residents. Several others received grants, but forfeited them by staying or moving away.
1702. - The peace which followed the Treaty of Ryswick was of short duration. England declared war against France, May 4, 1702. The news, which reached Boston June II, was known in Canada at an earlier date ; and the French Governor lost no time in stirring up the smothered Indian hatred of the English, and preparing for raids on our frontiers. And for the next ten years, the Hampshire county settlements were doomed to suffer all the atrocities of savage warfare ! This war was known in history as Queen Anne's War.
It appears that a small garrison (probably consisting of town's people) had been maintained at Brookfield, during the interval of active hostili- ties. A considerable number of Indians (former residents and their friends) had returned, and built wigwams, and were hanging round the plantation. The show of preparation for defence, would have its moral influence on the savages ; and would assure the doubts of prospecting whites. Probably with the retirement of Mr. Phillips, a request was made to the Governor for continued aid in supporting a minister. And June 27, 1702, the General Court passed the following Act :
" Whereas the Plantation of Brookfield, lying on the Great Road be- twixt this her Majesty's Province and the Colony of Connecticut, being a usual and necessary stage for Travellers and Posts passing betwixt the two Governments, is anew beginning to be setled, and yet unable to sup- port itselfe without receiving some Assistance from the Government being a Garrisoned place -
Resolved that the sum of £20 be allowed and paid out of the Pub- lick Treasury of this Province towards the support of a Chaplain to that Garrison for the present year.
Consented to J. DUDLEY."
It will be noticed that the grant is made for " the support of a Chap- lain to the Garrison." What was the reason for this designation ?
Under this authority, Rev. Joseph Smith was appointed Chaplain, and served nine months, for which he was paid £15. He continued in office till Oct. 1705, receiving annually £20 from the Province Treasury. He was son of Lieut. Philip Smith of Hadley, b. in 1674, graduated at
160
SECOND SETTLEMENT, 1686-1718.
Harvard University, 1695, taught school in Hadley and Springfield, where he married Esther Parsons. Mar. 8, 1702-3, he bought of John Younglove of Suffield, " a tract lying near the middle of the Town Plot [in Brookfield] in the place where the first of the Town-plot was placed before the destroying of it by the Indians, the said land being granted to my hond father Mr. John Younglove, deceased - this piece being one- half of it, and all my right." Mr. Smith was ordained pastor of the Church in Cohanzy, N.J., May 10, 1709, and became pastor of the Sec- ond Church in Middletown, Ct., Jan. 15, 1715. In 1716, he sold his estate in Brookfield to Capt. Thomas Baker.
June 26, a Petition was sent to the Governor from the Deerfield set- tlers, asking " for help and relief in our present distress occasioned by a prospect of war."
The result was as follows :
"IN THE COUNCIL JULY 2D 1702
Upon a representation made by the inhabitants of Deerfield in the County of Hampshire, the most westerly frontier of the Province, that a considerable part of the Line of Fortification about their Plantation is decayed and fallen down, praying for some assistance in rebuilding and setting up the same, for that they are apprehensive of some evil designs forming by the Indians, an unwonted intercourse of Indians from other Plantations being observed :
Advised, That his Excellency do write to John Pynchon Esq., Col. of the Regiment of militia in that County, directing him forthwith to send his Lieut. Col. to Deerfield aforesaid, to view the Palisado about that town,' and to stay there some short time, to put the Inhabitants upon the present repair of the said fortifications in all places where it is defec- tive, and to cover them with a scout of ten men by turns out of the next towns whilst they are about the said work, and to assure them of all ne- cessary support ; and to take the like order as to Brookfield, saving the scout."
There is no reason to doubt that Col. Pynchon fulfilled his orders " as to Brookfield ; " and that the old Gilbert fort was repaired and strength- ened.
The following important letter was found in the State Archives, Vol. LXX. p. 576.
I This palisade, made of small logs set firmly in the ground, and pinned to a railing near the top, was built in May, 1693; the whole measure or compass of the enclosed fort was 202 rods, and cost 5 shillings per rod.
LETTER OF JOHN PERRY TO GOV. DUDLEY. 161
JOHN PYNCHON TO SAMUEL PARTRIDGE.
" SPRINGFIELD Oct. 6, 1702.
. . That my Farm at Coy's hill may now be settled, wherein Capt. Hawley with yourself will contrive that it may be issued and settled to me. I earnestly request that these things for me may not be neglected or delayed, for I am growing old, and am not well now.'
" From Brookfield they have sent to me, to give them an order for Mr. Smith their minister's due from the Country. I told them the sec- retary must give out the order of Court, and I will write to you to get it, that the Treasurer may pay it, which I pray you take care about. Also their constable, John Woolcott, sends to me for direction what he shall do with goods that he distrains for Mr. Smith's Rate, because there is nobody under oath there, which may easily be rectified and supplied when you are there : Wherefore I desire you to appoint meet persons for appraisers, and give them their oaths."
New comers. Besides the Rev. Mr. Smith, there settled in B. this year, Henry Taylor, probably from Boston, who received 40 acres Up- land and 20 a. meadow, and built on the south side of the road, west of the Woolcott's ; Edward Walker, from Charlestown, who bought 20 a., " one half of Henry Taylor's homestead ;" became a leading citizen, and received grants in all of 456 acres. He brought with him a family of grown sons and danghters, who m. and settled in B. He was a sol- dier in the Narragansett Fight, Dec. 19, 1675, and in 1735, he was an applicant for one of the Narragansett township grants. John Green also received a 60 acre grant this year, and later 95 a. [See forward under 1708.]
1703. - A letter, of great historical value, has been discovered in the State Archives, Vol. LXX. p. 618.
JOHN PERRY TO GOVERNOR DUDLEY.
" BROOKFIELD, Jan. 4, 1702-3.
Sir. We having a few rambling Indians frequenting our place whose words & carriage is such as gives reason to suspect them to be evil minded men and disposed to mischief, as my bounden duty is - So I presume to acquaint your Excellency with some of their sayings, hoping your Excel- lency's gracious acceptance and favorable construction : Their names the one is Joseph Ninnequabon, who was the man the last year that received a wampum belt of our Enemyes, and presented it to the Moheggs to ingage them in a war against us, for which the Authority imprisoned said Ninne- quabon many weeks, the then plott being discovered by our Moheeken ffriends, that storm went over. Now he is this day chalenging considerable lands in our Township, and profering them to sale : The other Indian is called Caleb, he also makes claim of Lands, threatening that if we again mow their
I " Col. John Pynchon, Esq. died Jan. 17, 1702-3, in the 77th year of his age."
162
SECOND SETTLEMENT, 1686-1718.
meadows, they will burn our hay; and if we make improvement of their land, they will make war, and the next summer we shall see Indian Town built upon Coys hill, and also there will be war next year; the above men- tioned hill is in our Township : It is said that Ninnequabon was bred & born at New Roxbury [Woodstock, Ct.] which was the place of his predecessor's residence, and Caleb is a Narragansett ; therefore we see not how they can challenge Land in this place : The abovesaid Caleb, I the subscriber being at work in my field, he took the advantage of a knoll of ground to come upon me unseen, and then with a fell countenance terible to look at drew forth a pistol which he had secretly hid and snapt at me to my amazing, but went his way doing me no further harm. There is another Indian whose name is Moaumaug, who told Mr. Buroe a ffrench gentleman, that he had been at Canada this last summer, and the ffrench had given him a gun, a coat and a hatchet, to ingage him against the English. There are other Indians, com- panions to the above named, as Collosion & Sollomon and Nappalanus and black James and Succomugg. These Indians are designed to draw off norward to be out of your Excellency's reach; for they are informed that your Excellency desires to settle them, which they declare against. If your Excellency be pleased to send to the inhabitants of this place, you may be better informed. I have not made known this to my neighbors, lest through indiscretion some of them acquaint the Indians with it. So craving your Excellency's pardon for troubling you thus far
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.