USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Lancaster > History of the town of Lancaster, Massachusetts : from the first settlement to the present time, 1643-1879 > Part 8
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" Upon this Master Rowlandson accepted of the town's invitation, and gave them thanks for their grant, and agreed to the motion concerning his maintainance, and promised to abide with them in the best manner the Lord should enable him to improve his gifts in the work of the ministry."
These proceedings evince the grave deliberation of the people, and the popularity of Mr. Rowlandson, after four years of trial. But it appears that there was one exception to the
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THE CHURCH. - THE SCHOOL.
general unison, for it is recorded in the Middlesex county court Records, in this very year of 1658, as found by Mr. Willard, that Mary Gates, daughter of Stephen Gates, " for bold and unbecoming speeches used in the public assemblies, and especially against Mr. Rowlandson, the minister of God's word there," upon evidence of John Prescott and others, was convicted. She acknowledged the offence, and was discharged, on paying for the attendance of the wit- nesses.
Though the people desired their minister to abide and settle with them; and though Mr. Harrington supposed that he accepted the invitation, yet it is nearly certain that he was not ordained and installed until 1660. There was no church here before that time, and according to usage, minis- ters were not ordained without a call of the church ; and as a general thing, without an ordaining council. In the Rec- ords of Dorchester, under date of August 26, 1660, it is written that "Roger Sumner was dismissed " from the Dor- chester church, that " with other Christians at Lancaster, a church might be formed there." It is the settled conclusion now of all writers on the point, that the church was organ- ized in Lancaster, and the first minister ordained in the autumn of 1660. Here he continued in faithful and unbroken service till the massacre scattered the survivors. His life and character will find a place on a subsequent page.
The teaching of the church must be supplemented by the training of the school. Without an educated laity, the clergy will become a priestly tyranny. Without an educated clergy, the people will become a superstitious and vicious mass of beings, needing the control of force. Given an intelligent population, and an educated and godly clergy, we have the conditions needed for the highest possibility of human soci- ety. This our fathers knew full well, and they came to this country with the purpose of founding churches and colonies on the broad and solid basis of intelligence and religion. With them it was a first principle that all the children should
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
be taught to read, and all the people be able to peruse and understand the laws of the commonwealth, and the Word of God. In view of this great fact, it is astonishing to find men who speak of the fathers of the New England colonies as ignorant and narrow-minded men. Their principles and their laws show the value they placed on universal and free education. Their practice was in harmony with their prin- ciples. "The Fathers who colonized Massachusetts Bay," says the Hon. Horace Mann, "made a bolder innovation upon all pre-existing policy and usages than the world had ever known since the commencement of the Christian era. They adopted special and costly means to train up the whole body of the people to industry, to intelligence, to virtue, and to independent thought." The general court, in 1642, the year before a few persons from Watertown began to fell the trees in the woods of Lancaster, passed an act enjoining the towns to see that every child should be educated. The selectmen were required to " have a vigilant eye over their brethren and neighbors, to see first that none of them shall suffer so much barbarism in any of their families, as not to endeavor to teach, by themselves or others, their children and apprentices, so much learning as may enable them per- fectly to read the English tongue, and [obtain ] a knowledge of the capital laws ; upon a penalty of twenty shillings for each neglect therein." By the same act parents were required to give religious instruction to their children ; and farther it was enacted that " all parents and masters do breed and bring up their children and apprentices in some honest, lawful call- ing, labor, or employment, either in husbandry or some other trade, profitable for themselves and the commonwealth; if they will not, or cannot train them up in learning to fit them for higher employments."
The law of 1642 laid a penalty upon parents and masters who neglected the education of the children and apprentices under their care, but it did not make the schools free, nor did it impose a fine upon the towns which failed in the duty
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AN EDUCATED PEOPLE.
to support schools. But many of the towns, as Roxbury and Boston, made most liberal provision for the education of the young.
A step farther was taken in 1647 when the support of free schools, for every child of suitable age, was made com- pulsory, and in towns containing fifty householders a teacher was to be appointed " to teach all such children as shall resort to him to write and read." A town having a hundred householders was required to maintain a free grammar school of such a high grade that its master should be " able to instruct youth so far as they may be fitted for the university."
It may be said that these laws concerning schools did not apply to towns so sparsely settled as Lancaster, during the seventeenth century ; but, in the first place, it can be truly answered, that the settlers here came from towns where schools were in operation. Their children were trained, or according to the phrase then used, "nourtured," in the com- mon and grammar schools. It is probable also that there were families enough here before the massacre, to bring the town under the law of 1647. But in the second place, the families in small towns were under the requirements of the act of 1642, imposing a penalty of twenty shillings on all heads of families who failed to teach their children letters. As a matter of fact, the great body of men in Lancaster between 1652 and 1660 had been taught at home or at school. Among the fifty-seven men who subscribed to the Covenant on pages 51 and 52, only three made their mark. There is no reason for supposing that their wives and daughters could not read and write as well as themselves. John White was a "goodman " and not of the rank of " master," like Mr. Rowlandson, Mr. Tinker and Major Willard ; but his daughter Mary, the wife of the minister, was certainly a woman of some culture. She had read good books, and could express herself as a woman of thought and sensibility, in clear, terse and fitting language. What reason is there for believing that she was better educated than her
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sisters, Mrs. Kerley, Mrs. Divoll and Mrs. Drew? Is there any ground for thinking that the children of goodman White were more familiar with books and the pen, than the children of Prescott, Kerley, Sawyer, Houghton, or the larger part of the other families? In those days the mothers taught their children at home, until there were families enough to make up a school, when the services of a "school dame" were secured.
The character, manners and customs of the early settlers next claim attention. The influence of the minister in those days, was so great in every regard that a correct esti- mate of him will help in understanding the manners and character of the people. The Rev. Joseph Rowlandson was probably born in England, in 1632. The name of his father was Joseph, and of his mother, Bridget. They came into Lancaster in 1657, perhaps because their son was here. Their son Thomas was killed in the general massacre. Joseph, the minister, received a liberal, or as then styled a " University education," and took his first degree at Harvard college in 1652, and if the date of his birth be correct, in the twenty-first year of his age. His relative scholarship cannot be known, because he was the only member of his class who graduated ; but it can be said safely that he took the highest honors. That he was a man of nimble wit and ready pen, is proved by a singular occurrence. In his senior year, September, 1651, he wrote a pasquinade in prose and verse, which was called a " scandalous libel " on some person obnoxious to himself, and perhaps to others. This was posted on the door of the meeting-house in Ipswich. It seems that the object of his satire, (which may be found in the edition of Mrs. Rowlandson's Removes, of 1828,) was a man of doubtful veracity, which fact is hinted by the follow- ing curious collocation of words. " When he lived in our country, a wet eel's tayle and his word were something worth ye taking hold of." For this " scandalous libel " he was con- victed by the court, and sentenced to be whipped, pay a fine
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A CANDIDATE SIX YEARS.
of five dollars, and the costs, amounting to thirty shillings. The sentence was not inflicted, as the young collegian made a proper apology. This affair does not seem to have hurt his reputation, as it did not reveal a bad character. Pro- bably his " libel " would be considered in our day as a mere squib, written by a lively student. Our political papers are daily spiced with attacks far more libellous, but they pass by as idle wind. But in those days decorum was guarded by law, and the young were taught to hold their wits in subjection.
It is supposed that Mr. Rowlandson spent the next year or two in reading divinity with some respectable and learned minister, in accordance with the custom of the time. It is quite possible that he studied, under the guidance of presi- dent Dunster, after his graduation. In his day the students were required to converse in Latin, and they were in the daily habit of translating the Hebrew Bible into Greek without the use of a lexicon. President Dunster was one of the ablest and most learned men that has ever presided over old Har- vard. He held the office and was the principal instructor from 1640 to 1654, two years after the time when Rowlandson took his degree. The young minister began to preach in Lancaster in 1654, and continued until a church was formed in 1660, when he was ordained. Thus we find him established in the ministry after six years of trial, a period longer than the average duration of pastorates in many of the neighboring churches, in recent times. Here he lived and labored about sixteen years longer, enjoying the confidence and respect of his people, who constituted the whole community. That he was respected away from home seems to be indicated by the fact that in 1672, when the Old South church of Boston was in need of a council to settle matters of considerable conse- quence, which had arisen between it and other churches in the vicinity, the Rev. Mr. Rowlandson was present as a cler- ical member. A sermon preached by him in 1678, near the close of his life, was published in 1682. This was one of the " lesser composures" which Cotton Mather mentions as
7
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
indicative of his authorship. His library was very respect- able in the number of its volumes, and doubtless also in the value of their contents. It would be interesting to find a catalogue, and thus learn what he loved in literature, and from what sources he kept his own mind informed and invigo- rated for the benefit of his people. After the destruction of this town he was settled in Wethersfield in Connecticut, where he died in 1680. The church made liberal provision for his widow and children. His descendants were living there as recently as 1813.
While here he was surrounded by many relatives and friends. His father's family have been mentioned. By his marriage with Mary White, he became connected with an important family, since Capt. John White, senior, was the largest property-holder in the town, and the father of several children. Another of his daughters, Elizabeth, was the wife of Henry Kerley ; and the three Kerleys, father and two sons, held more property than any other family. Two other daughters, Mrs. Drew and Mrs. Divoll, were married and settled in the town. In short, about seventeen-some say nineteen-persons, (not including old Mr. White, who died the year before,) who were related to Mrs. Rowlandson, were murdered or taken captive at the time of the massacre. The minister and his wife were blessed with a family of children, -three or four -who were exceedingly dear to them, as is abundantly evident in the thrilling narrative of her " Removes."
They were surrounded by an industrious and virtuous people. Nearly all were farmers. It appears that John Prescott, in addition to his farming, had a store which he bought of Symonds & King, the first who had a "trading- place " here. Besides, he was the first blacksmith, and he set up the first grist mill and the first saw mill in the region. People came to his mill as far as from Sudbury. Mr. Tinker was a trader in Pequid ; probably he kept store in Lancaster. It is supposable that he might have bought out the much
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CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE.
occupied Prescott, as he lived in close neighborhood. Ralph Houghton was a surveyor, and town and proprietors' clerk. The Hon. Simon Willard, or " the Major," as he was generally styled, resided here ten or twelve years, although absent often in the civil and military business of the colony. He was a pillar in church and state. The settlers generally belonged to the great middle class which is the strength of a country. The town by degrees, had become respectable in numbers and character. They were thriving and moral. The log houses which were a necessity before the erection of the saw mill, in 1659, soon gave way to more comfortable habitations. Gardens were cultivated, and· orchards were planted without delay. Persons living have seen the old apple trees which formerly marked the site of Mr. Rowland- son's house.
The inhabitants were good neighbors, living close together and rendering kindly offices in health and sickness. They trained their children well in the ancient way. They could read and they all read the Bible, which is a library in itself. They were educated by the necessities of their daily life. They were deeply interested in all the fortunes of the Bay, and of the sister colonies. The successive revolutions in England ; the mighty march of events under the great Protector, and the coming in of Charles with the "regimen of harlots," as the news slowly floated across the ocean, furnished food for thought and conversation.
The town had its own life and incidents. Local gossip was rife enough for comfort or provocation. The love affairs of the young were known through all the plantation, and unhappy widowers made work for match-makers. If Henry Kerley, quarreling with an affianced maiden, tore up the post on which his publishment was posted, and tossed it into the river, that caused a general buzz; and when the quarrel was made up tongues wagged again.
A public scandal was a general grief. In those days there was much visiting between families. If they had no holidays
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
except Thanksgiving, yet they enjoyed more seasons of rec- reation than do we, their descendants. Frequent journeys were made, on horseback, to Boston and the lower towns, to visit the homes and friends of former days. Bees, rais- ings, huskings, trainings, hunts and fishing parties, as well as weddings and other festive occasions, often brought them together in social and cheering scenes. Funerals also, which must be more numerous where births are most frequent, since all who are born must die, while saddening to the heart, were the occasions of sympathy and served to bind the families in closer and more affectionate neighborhood.
The Sabbath, with its public and social assemblies, 'was a delight. Mrs. Rowlandson, referring to her feelings while in captivity, says : "Upon the Sabbath days I could look upon the scene, and think how people were going to the house of God to have their souls refreshed ; and their homes, and their bodies also. I remember how, on the night before and after the Sabbath, when my family was about me, and relations and neighbors with us, we could pray and sing, and refresh ourselves with the good creatures of God." What a vision of pious cheerfulness in the days of old !
Such were the people who two hundred years ago, lived in this beautiful valley, and on its sloping hill-sides. Here they tilled the soil, and reared their families. From the first they had dwelt in safety, fearing no visible enemy, except bears, wolves and wild-cats. They had been at peace with the Indians, and had found them convenient neighbors. By them their tables had been supplied with fish and wild game, and some rude articles of manufacture which the ingenuity of savages could produce. There is no proof that the settlers had encroached upon them, or interfered with their hunting, fishing or planting. It is quite possible, however, that the natives began to feel that the increasing number of whites would soon crowd them out of their wonted haunts. Nor would it be strange if at some time, a reckless fellow offended the susceptible Indians' pride, and provoked revenge. There
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INDIAN RAID IN 1675.
is however nothing of this kind on record to account for the change in the conduct of the natives towards the settlers.
The founders of Plymouth had lived in peace with the Indians during half a century. The settlers of Salem, Boston and vicinity had been on good terms with them from the beginning. Sholan, the sachem at Washacum, welcomed the English to this place, and sold them an extensive tract of territory. His deportment towards the settlers never changed, and he was held in esteem by his white neighbors. Matthew, his nephew, walked in his steps ; but Shoshanin, or Sam, as he was commonly styled, the grandson of Sholan, became estranged, and was ready to listen to the machinations of king Philip, who went up and down the country, and as some writers report, as far as Canada, in the fall and winter of 1674-5.
It would be out of place to give an account of the origin and progress of what is known in history as king Philip's war. What occurred in Lancaster comes properly into the history of the town. Being on the frontier, with no settle- ment on the west this side of the Connecticut valley, it was much exposed to the attack of an enemy who lurked in the woods, and only emerged to strike a deadly blow, and then hide again in its secret retreats.
The war broke out in June, 1675, by an attack on Swansey, near Mount Hope, the home of Philip. Not far from this date an English spy among the Indians learned from Monaco, a one-eyed Indian, that in about twenty days the natives were "to fall upon Lancaster, Groton, Marlborough, Sud- bury, and Medfield, and that the first they would do, would be to cut down Lancaster bridge, so as to hinder the flight of the inhabitants, and prevent assistance from coming to them."
The storm of war actually burst upon this town on the twenty-second day of August, old style, 1675. On that day eight persons were killed in different parts of the town. These are their names : George Bennet, grandson of Mr. Linton,
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
William Flagg, Jacob Farrar, Joseph Wheeler, Mordecai McLoud, his wife and two children. The location of some of these victims cannot be precisely determined. Mr. McLoud had a house lot not far from the house of Edward Phelps, at the east end of the North Village, and it is probable that he occupied it. There is some reason for supposing that Bennet's home was near the North Village bridge. Jacob Farrar lived on the Neck road, somewhere north of the house of S. R. Damon. Wheeler's home was probably in Bolton, and Flagg had land on George hill in the neighborhood of the house of Charles E. Blood. But these facts do not ab- solutely fix the spot where the strokes of death were given. This was probably a stealthy movement of the Indians, who killed as many as possible before an alarm was given, and then slunk away into the darkness of the forest or the · swamp.
War being thus actually upon them, what preparations did the people make for defence? Had they any military organization? There were, according to the estimate of Willard, more than fifty families in Lancaster at the outbreak of the war. A vote of the town "at a training" has been cited on a former page. There were several garrisons or block-houses, in different neighborhoods, to which the fami- lies could resort, on occasions of alarm. But situated remote from other towns, the people were in a poor condition for defence from a wily and numerous foe. The few soldiers stationed here by the general court added but little to their strength. The event proved their weakness, for though they defended themselves with dauntless bravery, this only served to aggravate their doom, inasmuch as it excited the Indians to make fearful reprisals.
It may be a convenience to the reader to have the location of the garrisons pointed out in this connection. One was the minister's garrison, D, its site being familiar to all. An- other, called Sawyer's, was just behind the house, E, of John A. Rice. It was on Thomas Sawyer's land, and the road
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UNEXPECTED ATTACK.
was west of it in those days. A third was in Clinton, and on the land of John Prescott. The fourth was on the north side of the river, near the corner by the house, F, of Dr. Thompson. At the John White place, H, on the Neck road, was a fifth. There may have been one or two others remote from the central part of the town.
When the first attack was made on Lancaster, in August, O. S., the people were obliged to depend upon their own ef- forts. At this time Major Willard, who had removed to his home at Nonacoicut, now Ayer Junction, was on an expe- dition for the defence of Brookfield and Springfield. Thus it was that the place was left defenceless just at the time when the savages fell on the inhabitants with ruthless vengeance.
In about six months, on the tenth of February, 1675-6, the second act in the tragedy opened, more awful and bloody. It was in the depth of winter, and most of the colonial troops, exhausted by the last campaign, were at home, or in winter-quarters. Major Willard was engaged in civil affairs in Boston, and broken by hard service, he did not long sur- vive after the ruin of the town he had loved and served so long and so faithfully. Thus it happened that Lancaster was almost as defenceless as in the preceding autumn. A few houses had been garrisoned, but the people were not very vigilant, supposing that the severity of the weather would keep the Indians in quiet till the opening of spring. In this they were deceived. The natives living in various parts of the town to the number of twenty-five or thirty families, or from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and eighty per- sons, were now in league with, or under the domination of Philip. By their knowledge of the approaches to the place, the enemy were able to make a plan of attack.
On the evening of February 9, the people retired to rest, as usual, with perhaps some eye to watchfulness. Whether they gathered into the garrison, that night, or hurried thither, at alarming signs, on the break of day, is not known. But it is certain that early in the morning of the tenth, king
.
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
Philip, followed by fifteen hundred warriors of the Wam- panoag, Narragansett and Nipmuc tribes, made a desperate assault on Lancaster. They invested the town in five differ- ent places. Three only of these can be fixed. The first was probably at Wattoquoddoc, southwest part of Bolton, where Jonas and John Fairbanks and Richard Wheeler were killed. Wheeler had a garrison house. The second known point of attack was at Prescott's garrison, now in Clinton, about twenty-five rods east of the old counterpane mill, now called the Clinton Yarn Mill, and near the house of Dea. Parkhurst, on Walnut street. Here Ephraim Sawyer was killed. Henry Farrar and a Mr. Ball and his wife, were slain in an unknown locality ; but perhaps one of them fell in South Lancaster, on the east side of the main street, where was the house of one of the Farrar families.
The main attack was on the house of the Rev. Mr. Row- landson. This was the central, fortified house, and it was vulnerable on one side. The destruction of this house, and the murder or capture of its inmates and defenders, would be a mortal blow to the plantation. This house was on the land now owned by Mr. Thayer, and about half way between his house and the Sprague bridge. The meeting-house, C, was on the north brow of cemetery hill, on the east side of the road, while the garrison, D, was on the west side of the road, and nearly three-fourths of the distance between the road and the pond, and a few feet south of the spot where a single pine tree utters its lonely sighs over the scene of massacre and death. The place is marked by the letter D on the map. But in order that the spot may be identified, if the map should be lost, the following report of a survey made by Edward H. Lincoln, civil engineer, May 24, 1878, is here inserted.
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