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 3
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Before giving a description of the several villages occupied by the Quabaugs, it may help the reader to get a clear idea of the Indian geog- raphy of the place, and show the relation of our tribe to the tribes living on the east and west, if we trace, somewhat minutely, the principal Trails or Paths by which the natives crossed the country, and which were fol- lowed by the early white explorers and settlers.
Indian Trails. - The inland trail in Massachusetts, of which we have the earliest account, is what was known as the "Old Connecticut Path." It ran from Cambridge, up the northerly bank of Charles river to Wal- tham Centre, thence to the north end of Cochituate pond in Framing- ham, thence south-westerly through South Framingham, Hopkinton, Grafton, Dudley, Woodstock, Conn., and so on to Hartford. This trail first comes into notice on this wise. In the fall of 1630, Gov. Winthrop's colony fell short of provisions. The hillsides of Woodstock were fa- mous for their bountiful crops of Indian corn ; and the old chief of the Wabbaquassets, hearing that the English at the Bay were in great want, and would pay a good price for corn, filled large sacks from his full gran- aries, and, with his son and other Indians, carried the heavy burdens on their backs to Boston, " when there was but one cellar in the place, and that near the Common." Their route was the one already described And this Indian trading-expedition brought this path to the knowledge. of the whites, who made it their way of travel to the Connecticut valley. John Oldham followed this trail in 1633, "lodging at Indian towns all the way." The pioneer settlers of Wethersfield went this way. Rev. Messrs. Hooker and Stone with their large company went this way, June,
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INDIAN TRAILS AND PATHS.
1
1636. The path had now become so well defined, that they drove their cattle, and carried much household goods. " Mrs. Hooker was borne through the wilderness upon a horse-litter " ( Trumbull, I. 55).
A well-defined trail from Mount Hope and the Narraganset country, known as the Providence Path, struck the Old Connecticut Path in or near Woodstock. Another trail, known as the "Nipmuck Path," came from Norwich to the same point. From here, a branch trail struck off to the north-west through Southbridge into Sturbridge, where it parted, one track going westerly past the lead mines, to Springfield ; the other keeping a north-westerly course, and crossing the Quinebaug river near Fiskdale, into Brimfield, through the Capt. Abraham Charles farm, the Deacon Tarbell farm to the southerly slope of Indian hill, over the southerly slope of Hubbard's hill, and passing just north of "Steerage Rock," to the bend in Quabaug river near the mouth of Elbow brook, and so on to "the Falls" in Connecticut river, now Holyoke city. This northerly branch continued to be a well-known Indian trail till the time of King Philip's war, and was the white man's bridle-path and cartway till after the settlement of Brimfield in 1701.
Another early through trail is named by Winthrop (Journal, II. 325), under date, 1648 : "This year a new way was found out to Connecticut by Nashaway which avoided much of the hill way." This road left the Old Connecticut Path in the town of Weston, and ran through Sudbury Centre and Stow to Lancaster (Nashaway), thence through Princeton, the south part of Barre, the north part of New Braintree, to Wekabaug pond in West Brookfield; and thence, crossing Quabaug river near the Milk Condensing Factory, it went to the W. A. Patrick place, and so through the south central part of Warren, entering Brimfield just north of Hubbard's Hill, and struck the southern trail (before described), east of Steerage Rock, and so continued to Springfield. A branch of this path ran from Lancaster through Holden to Quabaug pond in East Brookfield. From Weston to Lancaster, this was an English highway ; but westerly from Lancaster it evidently followed old Indian trails. This continued to be an important line of travel, till the "Bay Path " was laid out in 1673. The laying-out of this new path - which so quickly be- came an important factor in our local history - is thus recorded : " At a county court holden at Charlestown, Dec. 23, 1673, John Stone, Sen., of Sudbury, John Woods of Marlborough, and Thomas Eams of Framing- ham, .. . were appointed and impowered to lay out an highway for the use of the country leading from the house of John Livermore in Water- town, to a Horse Bridge (then being) near the house of Daniel Stone, Jun., and thence the nearest and best way to Marlborough, and thence to Quabaug." This new path left the Old Connecticut Path at "Happy Hollow " in Wayland, and ran through North Framingham, Mail
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QUABAUG: INDIAN OCCUPATION, 1647-1665.
borough, Worcester to Brookfield, where it parted, one branch following the old trail through Warren to Springfield, and the other leading through Ware and Belchertown to Hadley.
Besides these long through paths, there were numerous cross-trails and by-ways, which served the various exigencies of savage society, and inter-tribal wants and wars. For these early trails held the same relation to the native villages, as our established lines of travel do to our towns. They will come into prominent notice, when we speak of the settlement of Brookfield, and narrate the course of the Indian war-parties, and the Eng- lish messengers and troops in 1675-6 ; and they will often serve to ex- plain hostile movements and strategy, otherwise difficult to be understood.
The Quabaug Villages. It will be seen that the principal dwelling- places of our tribe were either directly upon, or within easy reach of one or other of these old trails. And while no one of these villages had claims to be regarded as the social or commercial metropolis, it is evi- dent that the original seat of the tribe, from which the name is derived, was at the "red-colored ponds " in Brookfield, now known as Wekabaug, Quabaug, and South ponds.
Wekabaug, in West Brookfield. This was the site of the largest of the Quabaug Indian villages. The native word Wekapauke means " at the end of the pond," and is descriptive of the place, not of the water ; i.e., it was the name given by the Indians to their wigwam site "at the end of the pond." The giving this name to the pond itself, by the Eng- lish, was a misapplication of terms, very common in our present nomen- clature, and grew out of an easily explained misapprehension - though it would be very embarrassing, if we had exact knowledge of the fitness and force of the Indian name-words. From contemporary accounts, and the condition of things existing here eighty years ago, as described by the then residents, and from the signs not yet obliterated, it appears that the main cluster of Indian wigwams was built on the bluff or high plain at the southerly end of and adjoining the pond. This was a dry spot, and sheltered from the north winds by a fringe of hemlocks and pines of large growth. The location met all the essential conditions of a permanent residence, and a large community. The handy Lashaway was a good fishing-place ; the adjacent plain was unsurpasssd as plant- ing ground ; the neighboring hills and swamps were full of game. And at their departure, the natives left in the soil hereabouts, abundant evi- dences of their long occupancy, and household appointments. The piles of fire-stones' indicated the wigwam sites, and bothered the settler's
1 " The most constant and most unmistakable evidence of habitation is the presence of fire-stones. Before contact with the whites, the natives used for culinary purposes, vessels of wood, bark, clay, or stone. To seethe their food, these were supplied with cold water, into which heated stones were put, one after another, until the water boiled." Hon. George Sheldon. These stones were usually about the size of a quart measure. A couple of bushels of them were placed in the centre of the wigwam,
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EVIDENCES OF INDIAN OCCUPATION.
plow. Great quantities of domestic utensils, such as stone kettles, drinking-cups, gouges, pestles, axes and awls have been turned up, many of which are still preserved. Two steatite kettles, in perfect preservation, were found on the westerly part of the plain, by Gilbert F. Lincoln, which are now in the Amherst College cabinet. A still larger one, of peculiar form, more recently exposed by the plow (and slightly broken) is in possession of B. P. Aiken, on whose premises it was found. Some per- sonal ornaments, and a few winged stones, known as ceremonial stones or ensigns, have been found here - one especially fine, and about five inches in length, is in possession of W. A. Blair. These peculiar relics may be significant of high official rank, or may have had a connection with mystic ceremonies and games, of which the Indians were passion- ately fond.
A notable wigwam site, connected with this Wekabaug village, lay to the south-east, about three-fourths of a mile, and just across the river. It occupied a spot about thirty rods east of the house of G. F. Lincoln. A cool, living spring supplied water. Large heaps of " chips " indicate that this was the workshop for making arrow and spear points, knives, piercers, etc., abundance of which were found in the soil. Many ste- atite cups, pieces of clay pottery, a well-finished pipe, and other utensils and ornaments have from time to time been unearthed here, a large and valuable collection of which, together with relics gathered from the pond site, and other places, is now in possession of David F. Lincoln. There is a well-preserved tradition that a wigwam was standing on this spot, and was occupied by an Indian family, as late as 1745.
Tradition locates the burial-place of this clan on the bluff at the north-easterly end of the pond; and a number of skeletons were plowed up here by the early settlers. But the spot is too far removed from the main village site, to answer the Indian's idea of conveniency for burying his dead. Probably these interments were made to meet some exigency, as of a battle. And such a conclusion is in keeping with the fact that the position of this bluff, with its steep slopes, points it out as well suited for a strong defensive fort. And that it was so used, is indicated by the still visible remains of several " barns " on the ter- race at its south-easterly foot. These Indian barns or granaries - often mentioned in our descriptions of native village sites - were circular excavations in the ground, used for storing provisions, such as corn, nuts, and dried fish. The smaller ones were three to five feet in diame- ter by an equal depth ; the larger were ten to fifteen feet in diameter by five to ten feet deep. In digging, the sides were left slightly con-
on which their fire was built, and thus they were constantly ready for use. From repeated heating and cooling, they acquired the reddish, honey-combed appearance which makes it easy to distinguish them.
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QUABAUG: INDIAN OCCUPATION, 1647-1665.
verging, and when the soil was tenacious, were not likely to cave in ; but in a sandy soil, it was common to line the sides with a coating of clay mortar, which was hardened by artificial heat, and is now often found unbroken. These barns were commonly set in the sloping sides of a knoll or bank, to secure dryness, and the better to shed rain. A con- siderable number were placed close together, in order that they might be protected from bears and other enemies by a picket. When filled, they were covered with poles and long grass, or brush and sods.
There are good reasons for believing that Wassamegin (Massasoit), the old sachem of the Wampanoags, came to Wekabaug village about the year 1657, and was the acknowledged ruler here till his death. The particulars of this advent will be given in its chronological order.
And circumstances clearly indicate that this was the residence and particular domain of Shattoockquis, the sachem who was in power and signed the deed to the English purchaser in 1665. That he remained here for the next ten years, is probable ; and if so, he lived on friendly terms with his white neighbors, each race cultivating its own cornfields, and maintaining its own peculiar social and civil ideas and customs, with- out serious friction. It is also probable that he was one of the "old men " who had learned to respect his civilized friends, and was disposed to treat with Ephraim Curtis on his diplomatic mission to the Quabaugs in July, 1675 ; that he was overruled by the young braves, especially Mettawamppe, his co-ruler, who had " challenged some interest " in the lands here, and perhaps was his successor; who certainly was the chosen leader of the hostile band that destroyed the town.
Quobagud, or Quobacutt. The other large and permanent Qua- baug village within our present town limits, which became noted in our annals, was located in the east part of Brookfield, at the south-easterly end of Quabaug pond,' and east of the canal connecting this with South pond. The distinctive remains of Indian occupancy are still plainly visible. The top of the bluff where the main part of the wigwams stood is still a waste of drifting sand, bare of vegetation, except where some white-pines have lately taken root, and the briers and sedges are main- taining a precarious foothold.2 Piles of fire-stones, showing the alter- nate action of fire and water, still indicate the spot in the centre of the wigwam, where the savages huddled for warmth in winter, and the
I The name Podunk, applied in modern times to this pond, is a misnomer; the word podunk meaning " place of burning," i.e., burning captives. It is rightly applied in the original deed of the town to a meadow.
2 The spots of drifting sand, which have remained a barren waste for two hundred years, are relied on as among the certain signs of permanent Indian village sites. The cause of the continued barren- ness may have been, in part, the household fires. These were built as follows: a pit was dug, into which a bushel or two of small stones was put, on which the wood was placed. These stones becom- ing hot, would disseminate the heat through the surrounding earth for a considerable space, and thus burn out the life of the soil. Other causes, not well understood, may have contributed to the result.
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QUABAUG VILLAGE.
squaws cooked the family meal. The spring for supplying water is in the ravine on the easterly side. The place of two large barns or gran- aries, used for storing provisions, can readily be identified. As far back as any one remembers, this vicinity abounded in Indian relics of various kinds. One or more skeletons have been unearthed ; and careful search would doubtless discover the village burial-place. Parts of aukooks (steatite kettles), and specimens of baked clay pottery, and personal ornaments, point to the existence here of the higher refinements of savage society.
From intimations in his own account, and a more definite reference in Gookin's History, there is little doubt that this village is the Quobagud, where the apostle Eliot came to preach in 1649; and where, through his other visits, or more likely through the labors of the Christian Indians of Natick, so much of the "good seed of the word " was sown, that Gookin could write in 1674 : "Quobaug (the south-east part of Brook- field) is another Indian town which is coming on to receive the Gospel." Probably David, mentioned by Wheeler in his Narrative as one of the " chief sachems " here, ruled over this domain ; and through Mr. Eliot's influence, had taken a Christian name, and exhibited so much of Chris- tian principle and honor, in his intercourse with the white planters, as to win the confidence of Sergt. Ayres, - only to turn traitor at the eleventh hour.
To the north of the pond, in the fork of Seven-mile and Five-mile brooks, there was formerly a steep conical hill, called Fort hill. The top showed signs of having been artificially levelled, and surrounded by a rude breastwork. It probably was originally an Indian fort, and may have been utilized by the whites, for a like purpose, at a later period. The East Brookfield railroad-station and freight-yard now occupy much of the site, the earth having been removed for filling.
The "little meadow at the north end of the pond Quaboag, which meadow is called Podunk," named in the Indian deed, is not easily identified, nor does reliable tradition point it out. The name signifies " place of burning." And in other localities where the same designa- tion is given, it is known that captives taken in war, were tortured to death by fire. Probably such was the origin of the name here. And the use of the word gives us intimation that this clan of Quabaugs, at some date earlier than 1665, had an encounter with an enemy clan, was successful, brought home captives which were tied to stakes in this meadow, the fagots collected, the circle of begrimed braves formed around the victims, the death-dance performed, and amidst the fiend-like yells of savage exultation, the torch applied. But as History is silent in the matter, it is best that Imagination should not attempt to draw the sad picture.
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QUABAUG: INDIAN OCCUPATION, 1647-1665.
Ashquoach. This important Quabaug village, often named in the early records, was situated on Indian hill, north of Great (now Sher- man's) pond in Brimfield, and a short distance from the old Brookfield (now Warren) line. It was directly upon the great Indian trail from Woodstock (the Wabbaquasset country) to the Great Falls at Holyoke ; and but a little way south of the trail from Wekabaug to Springfield. Its location and abundant resources for food made it a favorite baiting- place for the native travellers, being a day's journey from Maanexit in Woodstock, and a like distance from Agawam, Chikuppe, and the Great Falls.
This Indian town comes into notice in 1648, and has a direct connec- tion with our Brookfield history for the ensuing twenty-eight years. The sachem, first named, was Quacunquasit, who applied to the Massachu- setts government for aid, as will appear in the letter of William Pynchon, to be hereafter inserted. Probably he is the same whose name is written Quaquequunset in 1661. The town was distinguished for its great corn- fields, and its defensive fort ; and was known in the records as Quabaug Old Fort, till the Indians removed to their " new seat " on Menameseek river in the summer of 1675. The planting-ground was at the north- easterly, westerly, and southerly shores of the pond, where are many acres exactly suited for tillage with the native stone or shell hoes. Mr. Pynchon's statement is : " Ashquoach lies somewhat southward of our way to Brookfield, and about 23 miles from Springfield ; ... the Indians have a great cornfield hard by on the southward side, and not far south- ward are more Indian cornfields."
Both written records and tradition concur in the representation that this was the stronghold of the tribe, and a permanent abiding-place. An examination of the ground shows that the fort must have been built on the highest point of the hill, where there is a rocky eminence, easily defended on all sides. The view in every direction was extensive, and a watchman could readily detect the approach of friend or foe. A spring of water - the essential adjunct of an Indian fort-comes out at the foot of the precipice. There is a good place for wigwams in the shel- tered depressions of the south-easterly slope of the crown of the hill, and also lower down on a kind of shelf extending easterly from the spring for thirty or forty rods. Both this shelf and the depressions above appear to have remained nearly bare of any new growth of trees, till a comparatively recent period - a fact common to Indian wigwam sites.
The messengers and agents sent by the English authorities to the Qua- baugs, often mention their stop at Quabaug Old Fort. And the place is memorable as the refuge of King Philip, Aug. 5, 1675, when on his flight from Pocasset, with a handful of followers. It was surmised that he intended to remain here to recruit ; but finding that the warriors
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QUASSUCK-PUTIKOOKUPPOG.
had gone, leaving behind only the squaws and old men, and that the English troops were astir at Springfield, he went the next day (Friday, Aug. 6 - wrongly given by most writers as Aug. 5) to the new Quabaug settlement, eighteen miles to the northward, on Menameseek river.
There was another Ashquoach, which is named in the Indian deed of 1665, as being on the line between the head of Naltaug brook and Quabaug pond. This description would place it at the extreme southern point of West Brookfield. Whitney, History of Western, says : "There have been some vestiges of the aboriginals discovered on an extensive hill in the easterly part of this town, which was taken from Brookfield. On ploughing the ground a few years since, large beds of clam-shells were discovered under the soil, which appeared to be placed at equal distances from each other ; these, together with Indian utensils found there, prove that this was a place of their resort and dwelling." No additional account of this wigwam site has been found ; nor has the writer been able to identify the spot where the remains were exhumed.
Quassuck. According to a letter written by William Pynchon in 1644, there was a small cluster of Indian wigwams and a cornfield in Sturbridge, a little way south of Quassuck pond (now called Lead-mine pond), close to the place where the ore was afterwards worked. The ruling sachem then was Namaswhat.
Putikookuppog. A larger village of the Quabaugs was situated on the south bank of the Quinebaug river, near the present line between Sturbridge and Brimfield. The hill here, called Indian-field hill, and sometimes Janes's hill, had large planting-fields, and from the signs observed in later times, was evidently a permanent dwelling-place of the natives. Many relics, of various kinds, have been found here. From the location and other circumstances, it is natural to conclude that this was the residence of the sachems Wattalloowekin and Nakin, who, in 1655, sold one thousand acres of their land, including this village site, to the apostle Eliot - a transaction to be given in detail in its proper place. In 1675, the ruling sachem here was Conkganasco (Konkewas- co), who signed a treaty of peace June 24, and July 16 was found at Menameset, as one of the hostile leaders, so soon to fall upon the Brookfield settlers.
Another Quabaug village is thus described by Mrs. Eunice P. Cutter of Warren : "There was an Indian settlement at the eastern base of Colonel's mountain in the north-west part of Warren, near the town- farm house. It was in a sunny spot, sheltered by hills on the west, north-west and east. Two cool springs supplied never-failing water. Three trails led from the village - one to the Menameseek river for salmon (this was the English bridle-path to Hadley) ; one over Coy's hill to Wekabaug pond for bass and pickerel; and the third down
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QUABAUG: INDIAN OCCUPATION, 1647-1665.
Blackmar brook, and across Quabaug river, to intersect the old trail to Springfield. An Indian's lodge was standing here as late as 1746, at which date their burial-place was well defined. Stone utensils, arrow and spear points were then abundant in the soil."
Besides these clearly marked village sites, there are other places where single wigwams or small clusters were pitched, and occupied for a longer or shorter period. One such site was at "Indian plain," on the Edmands place, near Horse-pond brook. Appearances indicate that a large wigwam had stood here for a long time. There is a cool living spring in the swale hard by. When Samuel Edmands plowed this field for the first time, eighty years ago, his oxen sank into a deep bed of ashes on the north-easterly side of the lot.
A cluster of wigwams stood below the Hodges place, in the south- west corner of Brookfield, near the Sturbridge line.
The Rock House, in the north-west of West Brookfield, has a probable connection with our Indian history. It is a remarkable, craggy ledge of rock left by the old upheaval, with an overhanging roof, fifteen feet of the outer edge of which broke off, and now stands on end, leaving a covered space sufficient to shelter a hundred persons. There is a tradition that this place was used by the Indians as a winter resort and stronghold.
Removal to Menameset. In the latter part of June, or first of July (after June 25), 1675, the able-bodied warriors of these Quabaug clans suddenly left their ancestral towns, and concentrated at the " Mename- seek country," on the old Nashaway trail, in the north part of New Braintree, and adjacent part of Barre. As is evident from the letter of William Pynchon, dated 1648, the Quabaugs then claimed the territory, and had a settlement on Ware (Menameseek ') river. Their removal, then, was neither a relinquishment of old, nor an acquirement of new lands ; but a change of base, in order to meet the necessities of the new alliance, offensive and defensive, which the tribe had made with the Nashaways and Nipnets. The purpose and results of this alliance will appear when we come to King Philip's war.
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