USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Rehoboth > History of Rehoboth, Massachusetts; its history for 275 years, 1643-1918, in which is incorporated the vital parts of the original history of the town > Part 9
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A deserter from Philip betrayed the place of his concealment to which he guided the English, reaching the swamp about mid- night. Church arranged an ambuscade for cutting off the enemy's retreat and sent Capt. Golding to "beat the cover." His men crept on all fours towards the camp of the savages until one of Philip's sentinels was seen and fired upon, when the sleeping Indians were aroused, and Philip, half-dressed, led his men to the open side of the swamp, coming face to face with two of Capt. Church's men. An English musket missed fire; that of the Sa- konnet ally beside him sent its bullet into the heart of the great chieftain, and he fell face foremost into the mud and water of the swamp. The name of the savage who killed him was Alderman, who is said to have been the same who betrayed his hiding-place.
It was under these circumstances that the aged sub-chief, the ever faithful Annawan, first came to the notice of Captain Church, his attention being attracted to the veteran warrior by his brave efforts to conduct an orderly retreat, and "Iootash! Iootash!" loudly repeated by the aged chief caused Captain Church to ask his Indian ally, Peter, who that was that called so, who answered, "It was old Annawan, Philip's great Captain, calling on his sol- diers to stand to it and fight stoutly." So ably did the old chief bring off his men through a part of the swamp Church had left un- guarded, that nearly all were enabled to escape.
Instead of leaving Philip's body where it fell, the English dragged it out roughly to a dry spot and there offered to the dead sachem indignities unworthy of Christian men. By order of Captain Church he was chopped in quarters, beheaded and left 6
82
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
unburied. His head and one hand were given to Alderman as a reward, and, according to Church, he "got many a penny" by showing the hand. The head was stuck on a pole at Plymouth, to be an object of derision for many years.
When one reflects on deeds like these, recalling that the royal sachem's noble wife Wootonekanuske, sister of the princess Wee- tamoo, his brother's wife, with his boy of tender age, were sold as slaves to hard masters in far off Bermuda, he is at least reminded of Sylvester's thrust (Vol. 2, p. 337), that "The English butchers and slave-dealers of the United Colonies proved themselves no whit better than the poor, untutored savages they plotted so suc- cessfully to annihilate."
Thus fell the great sachem of Mount Hope, the most illustrious of his race in North America, and the most powerful enemy ever encountered by the English settlers, who but for Indian deserters to guide them into his carefully concealed haunts and turn against him his own savage tactics, would without doubt have extermi- nated the whole English race in New England. He was a man of superior talents, a great organizer and a mighty king of men, in whom rested the confidence and hope of the federated tribes. The early writers of his character were enemies whose intense prejudice led to a false coloring of motives and actions. As the trusted head of a nation, how could he submit to annihilation with- out a struggle? It is high time that his vast achievements received their due meed of praise.
This sanguinary war had cost the Colonies heavily in men and property. The record reads: thirteen towns destroyed, six hun- dred dwelling-houses burnt, and six hundred men slain in the flower of their strength, so that almost every family in New Eng- land was called upon to mourn the loss of a relative or friend.
The small remnant now left of Philip's forces was commanded by Annawan, who had narrowly escaped with fifty or sixty men from the swamp where Philip was killed. After skulking about from place to place for the next two weeks, he was captured by Captain Benjamin Church and his party, Aug. 28, 1676, at a place since known as Annawan's Rock in the easterly part of Rehoboth, at the northern end of Squannakonk Swamp. This rock is on the Bay State Electric line running from Taunton to Providence, and about one and one-half miles east of the Annawan Grange and Tavern. A sign by the way-side now indicates the spot. The
DEA. ASAHEL BLISS
SA
ANNAWAN ROCK
WALTER BLISS FROST
83
KING PHILIP'S WAR
rock is of conglomerate structure, running north-east and south- west about eighty feet, and from fifteen to twenty-five feet in height, of easy ascent on the west side, but on the southeast side broken somewhat precipitously with a fall of some six or eight feet. The difficulty of descent is often exaggerated, for one can easily get down by taking hold of the bushes or the edge of the rock.
The retreat was ideal, being close to the swamp and on the steep side of the rock, with small trees growing about the base, but with space for mats to be spread for a resting-place. It would hardly have been discovered by pursuers, unless piloted by Indian deser- ters or prisoners. Captain Church had set out from Plymouth in company with his lieutenant, Captain Jabez Howland, to round up this roving band of Indians. Crossing over from Pocasset, he scouted northward with his few Indians through Mount Hope and Poppasquash Neck. Having separated from Lieutenant Howland, he soon captured one of Annawan's Indians and a girl who consen- ted to lead them to his retreat at the swamp. On reaching the summit of the rock at eventide, Church saw the object of his pur- suit by the light of their fires. They were divided into three parties, resting at a short distance from each other, their guns leaning against a cross-stick and covered from the weather by mats. Over their fires the women were cooking their supper. He saw that Annawan had formed his camp by felling a tree against the clefted rock and setting a row of bushes up against it, making a sort of arbor where he, his son, and some of his chiefs had taken their lodging. Church, trusting to divine Providence and his Indian guides, resolved to descend among them. Hearing the noise of pounding corn in a mortar in the camp, he thought it might favor his movements. Ordering his Indian prisoner, whom he calls "the old man," and his daughter, who knew the place well, to lead the way with their baskets at their backs as they had often done before, he and his men, a Mr. Cook of Ply- mouth and six Indians, followed in their rear. As Church suddenly leaped from the rock with his tomahawk in his hand, old Captain Annawan started up with the cry, "Howah, I am taken!" Im- mediately securing their guns, Church called on them all to sub- mit and promised them good treatment. They, supposing them- selves to be surrounded, readily yielded and became his prisoners. "What have you for supper?" he asked Annawan. "I am come to sup with you." He replied, "Taubut," and ordered his women to
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
prepare supper for his visitors, and inquired whether he would have horse-beef or cow-beef. He replied "cow-beef." While his men slept, Church, although greatly needing sleep himself, kept vigil with old Annawan. After a long conversation Annawan arose and walked a little way back from the company, and Captain Church began to suspect some ill design; but he at length returned with something in his hands and falling upon his knees before Captain Church he addressed him thus: "Great Captain, you have killed Philip and conquered his country, for I believe that I and my com- pany are the last that war against the English, so suppose the war is ended by your means, and therefore these things belong to you." He then presented him with what he said was Philip's royalties, with which he was wont to adorn himself when he sat in state. The first was a beautifully wrought belt nine inches in breadth, and of such length that when put upon the shoulders of Captain Church it reached to his ankles. This was considered at that time of great value, being embroidered all over with wam- pum of various colors, curiously wrought into figures of birds, beasts and flowers. The second belt was also of exquisite work- manship, with which Philip used to ornament his head, and from which flowed two flags which decorated his back. A third belt was a smaller one, with a star upon the end of it, which he wore upon his breast. All these were edged with red hair, which Anna- wan said was got in the country of the Mohawks. To these splen- did regalia were added two horns of glazed powder and a red cloth blanket.
The next morning Church met his lieutenant coming from Taun- ton and sent most of his company and his prisoners by him to Plymouth, while he himself took Annawan and half a dozen of his Indian soldiers and went to Rhode Island; but within a few days all were together at Plymouth. The capture of Annawan was practically the end of the war, although hostilities continued for some time after, especially in parts of Maine and New Hamp- shire. In this exploit, Captain Church undoubtedly rendered the government a great service, and we gladly accord him the honor he deserves; but as the physical difficulty of reaching Annawan at the rock has been exaggerated, so has the chivalry of his cap- ture. In view of all known facts the enterprise takes on a slightly commercial tinge. The Government allowed thirty shillings a head for every Indian slain or captured, and Thomas Church, the.
85
KING PHILIP'S WAR
captain's son and amanuensis, thus complains: "Methinks it was a scanty reward and poor encouragement," and he adds: "For this march they received four shillings and sixpence a man, which was all the reward they had, except the honor of killing Philip." And moreover, Annawan knew that he had reached the end of his rope, having but a small supply of arms and ammunition, destitute of provisions, his numbers growing daily less by capture and desertions, and with no hope of ultimate escape. Thus con- ditioned, the old valor was lacking; there was no spirit of resis- tance, and not a gun was fired nor a tomahawk raised. It was the surrender of a spent force.
Captain Church had promised to intercede for his distinguished captive, but in spite of his entreaties the brave old chief, who had been captain under three great sachems, was ignominiously ex- ecuted by the English at Plymouth: "a dastardly act, "says Bay- lies, "which disgraced the Government."
Another Wampanoag chief was Tuspaquin, sachem of Assa- wamset, also called "the Black Sachem," who married Amie, daughter of Massassoit. He was induced to come in and surren- der by the solemn promise of Mr. Church that his life should be spared and that he would perhaps make him a captain, and hav- ing given himself up he was immediately beheaded. Thus was the pledge of the Government to him shamefully and ruthlessly violated. "When Captain Church," says his historian, "returned from Boston, he found to his great grief the heads of Annawan, Tuspaquin, etc., cut off, which were the last of Philip's friends."
After this time a few Indians lurking around Seekonk and Rehoboth were all that were heard of in Plymouth Colony. These killed some swine and horses, probably for food; but they were readily overcome by the friendly Indians without any loss of life on the part of the English.
A pathos too deep for words attends the extinction of the In- dian tribes of New England. Once they were the masters and owners of these fair lands, the gift to them, as they believed, of the Great Spirit, containing their homes and the sepulchers of their fathers. As independent nations and lovers of freedom they roamed these virgin forests, adorned with lakes and rivers and lofty hills, never dreaming that cruel white men would come and in the name of civilization rob them of their precious heritage. But they were conquered, and the remnant of their posterity
--- -
86
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
driven far westward; and now, although nearly 250 years have passed, the problem of their racial destiny is still unsolved.
The names of the Rehoboth soldiers who served in Philip's war have been preserved, and are as follows:
Those engaged in the Narra- gansett expedition were:
Those who served under Major Bradford were:
John Fitch,
Jonathan Wilmarth,
Jasiel Perry,
Stephen Paine, Jun.
Thomas Kendrick,
Samuel Miller,
Jonathan Sabin,
Silas T. Alin,
John Carpenter,
Samuel Palmer,
John Redeway,
James Redeway,
John Martin,
Enoch Hunt,
John Hall,
Samuel Walker,
John Miller, Jun.
Nicholas Ide,
John Ide,
Noah Mason,
Joseph Doggett,
Samuel Sabin,
Sampson Mason, Jun.
Thomas Read,
Isaac Pierce,
Israel Read,
William Hoskins,
George Robinson,
Nathaniel Wilmarth.
The following catalogue gives the names of those who, at one period of the war, made advances of money, together with the sums they advanced. It shows that many of those who served as private soldiers in the war also advanced money to sustain it:
George Kendrick,
£11 13s. 1d.
Preserved Abell,
£7 15s. 1d.
Jonathan Fuller,
1 18 8
William Buckland, 2 9 0
Jo. Miller, sen.
6
5
4
Joseph Buckland,
6
3
0
Samuel Peck, 9 2 8
Rice Leonard,
2
0
6
James Gilson,
4 18 2
An. Perry,
14 (
2
Thomas Willmarth, sen. 6 12 3
George Robinson,
4 12
0
Francis Stephens, 1 10 6
William Carpenter,
8 17 3
David Beers,
17 8
John Titus, sen.
5
6
3
Samuel Carpenter,
11 19
5
Richard Martin,
1
5
4
Widow Sabin,
1
7
6
John Ormsby,
2 15
0
Deacon Nathaniel Cooper, 8 0
0
Josiah Palmer,
1 10 10
Robert Miller, 5 17 6
13
5 10
Thomas Read,
8 14
4
Stephen Paine, jun.
10 11
5
Joseph Sabin,
1
.17
0
John Kingsley, 2 4 0
Gilbert Brooks,
3 14 10
Moses Reade, 4 . 10
David Smith,
4 17 5
John Reade, sen. 13 18 11
James Redeway, sen.
5 14 4
William Sabin,
15 5 8
1
13 6
4
John Perem,
1 13 10
Joseph Peck, 2 10 0
John Savage, 2
6
8
Thomas Grant, 9
0
John Butterworth, jun.
3 11
5
Wid. Mason, Wid. Rachael Read, with a gun lost,
4 30
Benjamin Buckland, with } 4 3 10 the loss of a gun,
Wid. Abraham Perem,
14 2 0
John Fitch, with the loss of a gun,
Preserved Abell,
Samuel Perry,
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KING PHILIP'S WAR
Nathaniel Paine,
£100 0s. Od.
Noah Mason,
15s. 0d.
Samuel Reade,
17 10
John Jonson,
16
6
Thomas Willmarth, jun.
7
4
Jeremiah Wheaton,
3
0
John Willmarth,
1
2
4
Obadiah Bowen,
2 17
8
Joseph Chaffee,
1
8
8
Nathaniel Foulsom,
5
6
Samuel Bullock,
12
3
Eben. Amidown,
1
6
John Carpenter,
1
18
6
John Crossman,
2
6
John Titus, jun.
2
7
7
Benjamin Sabin,
1
0
6
Nathaniel Chaffee,
3 16
6
James Redeway, jun.
5
0
Robert Fuller,
4 10
3
William Blanding,
7
0
Richard Bowen,
4 4 8
Daniel Smith,
37 11
7
Rebecca Hunt,
1 7 10
John Peck,
4 12
6
John Hall,
1
6
Deacon Walker,
26 00
0
Samuel Sabin,
4 14
2
John Allen, jun.
16
9
Eldad Kingsley,
9
4
John Dogget,
11
1
31
Wid. Carpenter,
6
0
6
Samuel Newman,
4 17 10
Daniel Allen,
14
0
Samuel Homes,
9
0
Total
484 5 5
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
The London pamphlet, published in Feb., 1676 (anonymous).
A Brief History of the War with the Indians in New England, by Increase Mather, D.D. 1676.
The History of the Indian Wars in New England, by Rev. William Hubbard, 1677. Notes by S. G. Drake, 1865.
The History of King Philip's War, by Benjamin Church, 1716. Also with Notes by Dr. H. M. Dexter, 1865.
The Old Indian Chronicle. Introduction and Notes by Samuel Gardner Drake. Boston, 1867.
Indian History and Genealogy, by General Ebenezer W. Pierce of Freetown. North Abington, Mass., 1878.
Soldiers in King Philip's War, by George M. Bodge. Leomin- ster, Mass. Printed for the Author, 1896.
Indian Wars of New England, by Herbert Milton Sylvester. 3 vols. Boston, 1910.
This, with a few extracts from the town records, closes the history of all the events to be found in the annals of Philip's war, relating to Rehoboth. The history of the town from the period of Philip's war till near the commencement of the war of the Revolution possesses little that is either novel or interesting. A few extracts from the town records are nearly all that we are able to give on this period.
"June 12, 1675. The town being met, being lawfully warned, chose the town council and the townsmen to take care for the pro- vision of the soldiers that are put to answer the warrant; and that they shall make a rate for the defraying of the charges both for
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
their soldiers clothes and other necessaries, and for any charges about the former soldiers."
"June 16, 1676. The town engaged a surgeon for three months, who promised to be helpful to the town and do his best endeavour, with the help of God, to cure any of our towne that may be woun- ded by the enemy"; and the town was to pay him "three pounds in money, for to procure instruments, and medicines for healing, and also an accommodation of a suitable place, and his diet and twenty shillings a month."
"February 2, 1676-7. It was agreed upon by the town, that the county rate should be made as much as the town hath been out of charges relating to the late war, and that the soldiers' wages be put into it."
"November 13, 1677. It was voted that Lieutenant Hunt and Ensign Nicholas Pecke should assist the Deacons to go from house to house to make inquiry, what persons have or will do, for this present year, for the maintenance of our Reverent Pastor; to see whether it will amount to fifty pounds; and also to take care that it may be effectually paid in season."
At the same meeting it was voted also "that Daniel Smith should write to the young gentleman at Dorchester, to signify to him, that it was the town's desire that he would be pleased to come up and teach a school according to those former invita- tions that our Reverend Pastor made to him."
"It was also voted, that an invitation might be given to Mr. Man for to be helpful in the work of the ministry for this winter, and that the townsmen should take care for to endeavour to affect it; and if Mr. Man cannot be obtained, then the townsmen shall endeavour to obtain any other suitable person for the work of the ministry this season."
April 12, 1678. "The town manifested their earnest desire that Mr. Angier might be treated with by the townsmen, and encouraged to tarry with us untill we see how the Lord will deal with our Reverend Pastor; the town desiring, that, if it might be, that some hold may be taken of him with speed, that we might not be left destitute: the town manifesting their approbation of him and his labors in the work of the ministry."
The town also voted, that Deacon Walker, John Woodcock, Anthony Perry, and Samuel Peck should be added to "the com- mittee for finishing the meeting house."
April 16, 1678, the Reverend Noah Newman, the second min- ister of Rehoboth, died, having filled the sacred office from the year 1668 till the commencement of the illness which terminated
89
ANNALS AND RECORDS
in his death. The little that can now be collected concerning him has been given. A letter written by him to Mr. Cotton of Plymouth, on the day after "Pierce's Fight," giving an account of those slain in that battle, was referred to at page 76, in the account of the Indian war. He was interred in the old burying ground near the Congregational meeting-house in East Providence.
"April 29, 1678. It was voted that Mrs. Newman, the relict of our late Reverend Pastor, shall have fifteen pounds for this present year, and a sufficiency of wood brought to her gate, if she please still to abide with us, and thus to be paid according to present subscription." It was also agreed upon that the towns- men shall agree with Mrs. Newman in the town's behalf for the diet of Mr. Angier."
"June 20, 1678. The town unanimously agreed that Mr. Angier should have forty pounds a year for his encouragement, and his diet; and ten pounds of the forty in money, if God incline his heart to settle amongst us in the work of the ministry. And this proposal was made for the present, persons manifesting themselves to be freely willing for the future to augment to the aforesaid sum, according to their ability and Mr. Angier's neces- sity. And the townsmen and Deacon Walker were chosen to treat with Mr. Angier about it.
"Lieut. Hunt and Ensign Peck were chosen, and desired to go down with Mr. Angier, the next week, and to do as then is requisite to be done in order to the settlement of Mr. Angier.
"It was also agreed that there should be a six-acre lot, in con- venient time, laid forth below the burial place, for a building of a house for the ministry."
It appears from the tenor of the records, that Mrs. Newman soon removed from Rehoboth. She probably removed to Brain- tree (now Quincy), the place of her nativity. August 30, 1678, there is a vote of the town recorded, appointing several persons as a committee "to treat with any person or persons that shall be employed by Mrs. Newman, concerning her house and lands."
January 17, 1678-9, also, "It was voted, for the encouragement of Mr. Samuel Angier to settle amongst us in the work of the minis- try, if it please the Lord to incline his heart thereunto, to purpose unto him to give him forty pounds in money, either to the pur- chasing of the house and lot which were Mr. Noah Newman's, if it please him to buy it, or towards the building of another house and settling himself."
It was at the same time "voted by the town that Mr. Angier shall have the use and improvement of all the lands and mead-
90
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
dows, and all the privileges belonging to the pastors and teach- ers' lot, as long as he doth continue in the work of the ministry amongst us. It was also voted, that Mr. Angier shall have sev- enty pounds a year for his salary, ten pounds of it in money, and sixty in country pay, as it passeth between man and man."
"June 25, 1679. The town voted, that Mr. Angier shall have, for the two following years, seventy pounds for each year; ten pounds of it in money, and fifteen of the sixty as money, and the rest of it as it passeth between man and man, and a sufficiency of wood to be brought to his house.
"The town chose Gilbert Brooks a deputy to attend the Gen- eral Court."
"July 24, 1679. The raters chosen were Mr. Daniel Smith, John Peck, Ensign Nicholas Peck, Gilbert Brooks, and William Carpenter."
"May 18, 1680. Lieut. Peter Hunt and Ensign Peck chosen deputies." "Lieut. Peter Hunt, Ensign Nicholas Peck, and Gilbert Brooks, selectmen." "Mr. Daniel Smith, John Reade, Lieut. Hunt, Ensign Peck, Gilbert Brooks, John Peck, and An- thony Perry, townsmen.
"The townsmen acquainting the town, that they had a treaty with Mr. Edward Howard to teach school, acquainted the town with the said Mr. Howard's terms, viz: twenty pounds a year in country pay, and his diet, besides what the court doth allow in that case. The town then did vote and agree that his proposals were accepted, and that the speediest provisions should be made for his maintenance; Mr. William Sabin freely proffering to diet him the first quarter of the year.
"It was also agreed upon that William Blanding should have half an acre of land upon the common, to build a house upon the edge of Rocky Hill. Lieut. Hunt, Samuel Carpenter, and John Peck were chosen to lay out the said land, and set the ex- pense of it, and also to perfix him a time when he shall build; which if he neglect, he shall forfeit the land to the town again."
This is the first time that the name "Rocky Hill" occurs in the town records. This name is still given to a hill or elevation of some extent, about a mile northwest of "Palmer's River" meet- ing house; and from the character of its surface, no one can dispute its title to the cognomen "rocky."
"October 22, 1680. Voted that the burying place should be fenced in with a stone fence."
December 16, 1680. A committee was chosen by the town "to sell the meeting-house"; this committee consisted of Mr. Daniel
91
ANNALS AND RECORDS
Smith, Lieut. Peter Hunt, Ensign Nicholas Peck, Gilman Brooks, and Anthony Perry.
"May 16, 1681. Ensign Nicholas Peck and Gilbert Brooks were chosen deputies to the General Court; and Lieut. Peter Hunt, Ensign Nicholas Peck, and Gilbert Brooks, selectmen.
"The same day it was voted and consented to, that the select- men should endeavour the utmost to re-engage Mr. Howard to keep the school another year."
"September 2, 1681. Mr. Daniel Smith, Ensign Nicholas Peck, Gilbert Brooks, Thomas Cooper, Jr., and William Carpenter, chosen raters for the year."
May 17, 1682. There is, of this date, recorded in the town book a meeting of the proprietors of the "North Purchase," when William Carpenter was chosen "clerk of the community" and sworn.
May 25, 1683. "William Carpenter was chosen, and added to the former committee that was chosen by the town to sell the meeting-house."
December 13, 1683. "At a town meeting the townsmen pre- sented Mr. Taylor, a schoolmaster, and the propositions that he and the townsmen treated upon, viz: that he should have for the present year £5 in money, £10 as money, and his diet: upon which the town voted that he should be engaged for the year; upon which agreement of the town the townsmen met the first of December, 1683, and did fully agree with the said Mr. Taylor for to keep school one year upon the terms aforesaid."
"May 19, 1684. Sergeant Jonathan Bliss was chosen by the town, and added to the committee to sell the meeting-house.
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