USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Northfield > History of the town of Northfield, Massachusetts : for 150 years, with an account of the prior occupation of the territory by the Squakheags : and with family genealogies > Part 10
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Squakheag.
ried Weetamoo, a sister-in-law of Philip, were with Canonchet, and had a considerable number of personal adherents. They reached the camp north of Brookfield near the middle of February, where they remained about two weeks. The Nashaways left Wenimisset Feb. 9, to attack Lancaster, and watch the Massachusetts Bay force which was preparing to invade the Nipmuck country. Ascertaining from scouts that the mounted troops under Maj. Thomas Savage were to march for Quaboag about the 28th, the main body of In- dians at Wenimisset started on the 27th for the north. This band comprised the Quaboags, the Narragansetts, some Grafton Indians, and a miscellaneous crowd, in all not less than 2000 souls.'
Major Savage reached Quaboag March 2, where he met the Con- necticut troops under Major Treat. The united forces went to Wenimisset, but " found no Indians." They then pushed towards Paquayag : but the savages, by a feigned attack, drew them off on a wrong trail, so that the whole great company of Indians got over Miller's river, and out of harm's way, before the Major came to the fording place, March 6.
This manoeuvre of the Indians, by which our troops were success- fully foiled, deserves a more detailed notice in this connection. When the English army, under Majors Savage and Treat, started from Quaboag March 3, the Indians were encamped in a swamp about 17 miles away and 8 miles south of Paquayag. They were encumbered by "the old and the young, some sick and some lame, many had pappooses at their backs ; the greatest number (at this time with us) were squaws, and they travelled with all they had, bag and baggage." " Some carried their old decrepit mothers, some carried one and some another. Four of them carried a great Indian upon a bier ; but going through a thick wood they were hindered and could make no haste, whereupon they took him upon their backs, and carried him . one at a time, till we came to Bacquag river."?
They reached this river a little after noon, on the 3d. This was on Friday ; and the making of rafts and ferriage of this vast multi- tude took till Sabbath evening. Where, all this while, were our Eng- lish dragoons ? Mrs. Rowlandson says : "The Indians chose out some of their stoutest men, and sent them back to hold the English army in play whilst the rest escaped." This covering party, in conjunction with the scouts left near Wenimisset, kept Maj. Savage at bay, or on false scents for two whole days, so that they did not
: This enumeration is based on the statements of the two spies, as corroborated by Gookin and other authorities. It is believed to be under rather than over the true number.
2 Mrs. Rowlandson's Narrative.
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History of Northfield.
reach Paquayag till some time in the forenoon of Monday. As they came up to the river they saw on the other side the smoke of the wigwams, which the retreating Indians had set fire to ; but they did not cross. Our authoress writes : "this river put a stop to them. God did not give them courage or activity to go over after us." It should be said, that the river was swollen by the spring freshet, and crossing by horse must have been difficult and hazardous. The Massachusetts council were deeply chagrined at the signal failure of this expedition. In a letter to Maj. Savage at Hadley, dated March 31, they say: - " Leaving Capt. Turner in Capt. Poole's place, with the rest of the army we expressly command you to draw homeward, and endeavor in your return to visit the enemy about Pachquake (Paquayag), and be careful not to be deceived by their lapwing statagems, by drawing you off from the rest to follow some men."?
The Indians, relieved from pursuit, went leisurely to Squakheag, which they reached the next day, Mar. 7.
In the mean time, Philip and his allies had returned to the Con- necticut valley. According to some authorities he was attacked by the Mohawks and driven from his winter quarters above Albany.2 However this may be, word was sent him by Mautamp the Qua- boag sachem, that the Narragansetts had broken with the English, and advising him to meet them at Squakheag.3 He reached here the middle of February. He staid about 3 weeks on the fortified bluff known as Philip's hill, which he left Mar. 8, and moved up the river 4 or 5 miles to the. Coasset, before named, where he remained till about April 10.
The gathering of the Indians here was a notable event of the war, and memorable in the annals of Squakheag. The head chiefs of two of the leading New England tribes, the Wampanoags and the Nar- ragansetts, here joined hands and hearts for the struggle, which both of them knew was for life or death. All the personal adherents of Philip and his kinsman Quinnapin, appear to have been in attendance with their chiefs. Canonchet, son of the renowned Miantonimoh, and hereditary sachem of the Narragansetts, was attended by the flower of that once terrible clan. His uncle Pessacus, now just passed the prime of life, was with him, in the capacity of chief counsellor. Sancumachu, a Nonotuck sachem, and now the acknowledged leader of the Pacomptocks and Agawams, was here with a considerable part
1 Mass. Archives, LXVIII, 192.
2 Drake's Hubbard, 1, 217.
' Quannapohit's Relation, Ms. copy, in Conn. Archives.
* He was born about 1623.
.
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Squakheag.
of the united tribes. Mautamp and his Quaboags, now firm sup- porters of Philip, were here. Some of the Nashaways, Hassaname- setts, Naticks, and stragglers from other clans were here, making, with the Squakheags, an immense multitude. From reliable data, it is believed that from the 9th to the 25th of March, there were not less than 2500 Indians, including women and children, at Nawelet's old village sites about the mouth of the Ashuelot and on the opposite side of the Connecticut. Mrs. Rowlandson could well say, as she started to cross the river near Rock island, "I could not but be amazed at the numerous crew of pagans that were on the bank on the other side." Yet the company that came with her was more than double in numbers to the company already there.
It was a critical time with the savages. The chiefs had to deter- mine two important matters, viz., the plan of the season's campaign ; and how to make secure and provide subsistence for the non-comba- tants, who largely outnumbered the warriors.
The snow was gone ; and with it the deer and the larger game disappeared in the forests. The stock of grain was substantially con- sumed ; and they were now feeding on groundnuts, and the peas, horses and sheep stolen in the raids upon Northampton, and the ad- jacent settlements. When Philip invited Mrs. Rowlandson to dine with him, he gave her "a pancake, about as big as two fingers ; it was made of parched wheat, beaten, and fried in bear's grease." Scouting and raiding parties were kept out all the time. Northamp- ton was assailed March 14. But besides burning buildings, and kill- ing a few settlers and soldiers, they made no great spoil.
At a council of chiefs, it was decided to hold this part of the valley as a common rendezvous, and an abiding-place for the old men, squaws and children. They could eke out a living till the fishing season came ; after which they had no reason to fear a scarcity of provisions till the last of summer. To insure supplies for the autumn and winter, Canonchet, who appears to have been the master-spirit, proposed in the council that all the west-plantations upon Connecticut river, formerly occupied as fields by the Indians, and recently taken from the English, should be planted with Indian corn.' As the last year's crop was gone, it was a problem how seed should be obtained. There was abundance in store at Seaconk ; but none were willing to. run the hazard of fetching it thence. As narrated in a preceding chapter, Canonchet offered to go with a band of 30 men, and bring up the required amount. He left Squakheag about the 25th of
' Drake's Hubbard, 11, 56.
.
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History of Northfield.
March ; was deserted by a part of his men ; was surprised by the English at Pawtucket ; was taken to Stonington, where he was exe- cuted, and his head sent to Hartford.' The Indians however, pro- cured a sufficiency of seed-corn. Quinnapin's maid went to the Narragansett country, and after an absence of three weeks, returned with a peck and a half. Perhaps Canonchet's men brought what more was needed.
This month of March, 1676, was a dark time for the Massa- chusetts and Plymouth colonies. The Nashaways and their allies, from their fastnesses near Wachusett, destroyed Groton the 13th, and were threatening other towns : a force of Narragansetts was burning and slaying near Providence ; and the Nipnets were at work around Springfield. The authorities at Boston appear to have been ignorant of the whereabouts of Philip ; and imagined him to be in command wherever mischief was done. In this state of uncertainty and difficulty of raising sufficient troops to protect the widely scat- tered points of exposure, the Massachusetts council proposed to bring the five remaining towns of Hampshire county into two. Northamp- ton and Hatfield were to concentrate at Hadley ; Westfield was to be transferred to Springfield. The Northampton and Westfield people strongly remonstrated against removal ; and their cause being espoused by the Connecticut council, the plan was abandoned.
There was now a large number of English prisoners in the hands of the Indians at Squakheag and Pacomptock. Thomas Eames's two daughters, taken at Framingham Feb. 1 ; those taken at Lan- caster Feb. 10, and at Medfield Feb. 21 ; some from Springfield, and others, were at one or other of the Indian camps.
March 28, the Connecticut council sent the following letter to the chiefs at Squakheag :
To Sucquance," Wequaquat,3 Sangumachu 4 and Wanchequit 5 at Suckquack- heage, thefe :- Intelligence is come to us that you have some Englifh (efpe- cially women and children) in captivity among you. We therefore fend this mefsenger, offering to redeem them either for payment in goods or wampum, or by exchange of prifoners.
We defire y" ans" to this our mefsenger, what price you demand for every man, woman and child, or if you will exchange for Indians.
1 Drake's Hubbard, 1, 182 : 11, 59, 60.
" The same as Pessacus.
3 A Springfield sachem.
4 A Nonotuck sachem.
5 A Squakheag sachem.
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Squakheag.
If you have any among you that can write y' ans" to this our mefsage, we de- fire it in writing, and to that end have fent paper pen and ink by the mefsenger.
If you let our mefsenger have free accefs to you and freedom to a fafe return, we are willing to do the like to any mefsenger of yours - Provided he come unarmed, and carry a white flag upon a ftaff vifible to be feen."
A written answer to this proposal was received at Hartford, by the hand of Tiawakesson ' April 30. The answer was evasive ; its im- port being to ascertain what the English were willing to pay, rather than to fix a price for captives. Probably the real object was delay. The next day, May I, a second letter, of similar import as the first (only the head chief " at Suckquackheage " was called Pessacus in- stead of Sucquance) was sent by Tiawakesson ; and an answer was demanded within 5 days. Here the correspondence ended .- Some of the captives escaped'; some were afterwards redeemed ; and some (including Thomas Eames's oldest daughter) never returned.
As before stated, Philip and Quinnapin, with their warriors and a part of the younger squaws, and a considerable band of Narragansetts, left the valley about the 10th of April, and started for Paquayag and Wachusett.
The names of the sachems left in command, are given in the letter from the Connecticut council already quoted. Pessacus, from his high birth or age, or both, appears to have been the recognized head chieftain. He remained, with a large portion of the Narragansetts, through the spring. Besides the two names given in the text, he is salso known as Sucquanch, Cosucquanch, and Mossup. Rev. Jame Fitch, writing May 29, says : " Philip's men and the Narragansetts are generally come to Wachusett and Quaboag ; only Pessicus one of the chief of the Narragansett sachems did abide up at Pocomptock with some few of his men."2 In August, Menowniett in his testi- mony says : " Ninety North Indians, and Sucquance with them are gone to Paquayag on the Hudson river. He (Sucquance) is very sick."3 The next year he was killed by the Mohawks, in the wilderness about 20 miles above Piscataqua, when going eastward, and was buried by order of Maj. Waldron.+
: His name is sometimes written Watawaikeson. He is styled "agent of Pessacus," " messenger of Sucquance." He was a Narragansett; a counsellor of Sunck Squaw, and a man of great native shrewdness. He left Squakheag in June ; was slain Sabbath, July 2, 1676, with Sunck Squaw, and others .- Conm. Col. Rec., 11, 458.
" Comn. Col. Rec., 11, 447.
3 Comm. Col. Rec., 11, 472.
4 S. G. Drake in Book of the Indians.
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History of Northfield.
An Indian, captured by Capt. Holyoke near Skipmuck, April 27, stated to Samuel Marshfield, that the Indians " had three forts this side Wassquackheag ; that the number of Indians at Deerfield and on the river was 3000, of whom 1000 were men. He saith there are none but our River Indians, the Narragansetts, Nipnets, Quaboags, and such tribes as are known to us, that are engaged in the war. They are bare of provisions, but furnished with ammunition by the Dutch.1 He saith they for the most part are desirous of peace if the English would propound for it ; that they would soon bring in Philip's head if that would be acceptable to procure peace. He saith there are many lurking about the towns. He saith that one of the forts is near the river bank, the other two are not far one from the other."? These confessions of Indian prisoners are not reliable. But subse- quent events proved that many of these statements were true ; and that the numbers were not greatly exaggerated. ...
About the first of May, the Indians appear to have separated into four principal parties. One remained at Squakheag, for planting and fishing ; one went to Pacomptock, mainly for planting ; one to Pa- quayag, for the same ; and a large crowd gathered at Pasquamscut falls, for fishing. The parties at Pacomptock and Squakheag began planting their corn the 9th or 10th of May ; and before the end of two weeks they had finished planting a wide area. Rev. Mr. Rus- sell writes, May 22: " Our scouts report that they have planted as is judged 300 acres of choice ground at Deerfield." This estimate was probably three times too large. No estimate of the number of acres planted at Squakheag has been discovered. As our clans were largely engaged in catching and drying fish, their cornfields were probably less in extent than those at Deerfield.
This was a busy and joyous time along the banks of the river, from the mouth of Pauchaug brook to the head of Elmer's island. The red man's chief desire for "plenty to eat," was daily met by the up- ward rush of shad and salmon ; and all anxiety for the immediate future was relieved by the surplus which his squaw would hang up to dry in the smoke of his wigwam fire. He was in safe quarters. For the bands stationed below were an effectual guard against sur- prise by the whites. The whole of the planting and fishing season passed ; and the Indians here were not disturbed.
" The Dutch sold powder and lead to the Mohawks, who, in turn sold to our Indians, so that Gov. Andross's indignant denial of the charge that " the Albany people supplied our enemies with ammunition," was both true and false.
2 Mass. Archives, LXVIII, 202.
.
Squakheag.
But evil was impending over the fishing party at the falls, below the mouth of Miller's river. Rev. Mr. Russell of Hadley wrote, under date of May 15, 1676: " This morning about sunrise came into Hatfield one Thomas Reede a soldier who was taken captive when Deacon Goodman was slain (at Hockanum, about the first of April). He relates that they are now planting at Deerfield and have been su these three or four days or more - saith further that they dwell at the falls on both sides the river -are a considerable num- ber, yet most of them old men and women. He cannot judge that there are on both sides the river (at the falls) above 60 or 70 fighting men. They are secure and scornful ; boasting of great things they have done, and will do. There is Thomas Eames's daughter and her child (a younger sister) hardly used ; one or two belonging to Medfield, and I think two children belonging to Lancaster. The night before last they came down to Hatfield upper meadow, and have driven away many horses and cattle, to the number of four score and upwards as they judge. Many of these this man saw in Deer- field meadow, and found the bars put up to keep them in. This being the state of things, we think the Lord calls us to make some trial what may be done against them suddenly, without further delay ; and therefore the concurring resolution of men here seems to be to go out against them to-morrow night so as to be with them, the Lord assisting, before break of day." This purpose of the Hadley people was carried out three days later.
There were special reasons why the Indians felt secure just at this time. Most of the Massachusetts troops under Maj. Savage, and the Connecticut troops under Maj. Treat had been withdrawn, and returned home. Only about 160 men, under command of Capt. William Turner, now garrisoned the Hampshire towns. Besides, negociations for the redemption of captives were pending between the Connecticut authorities and the Indian chiefs ; and it was pre- sumable that no hostilities would be commenced against the Indians till this matter was arranged. And on the night of the 18th, the party at the falls had gorged themselves " with new milk and roast beef, having lately driven away from Hatfield many of their milch cows, as an English woman confessed that was made to milk them."?
At this fortunate juncture, about 160 mounted men - one half inhabitants and one half soldiers - under Cant. William Turner and Capt. Samuel Holyoke, started Thursday evening May 18, for the Indian fishing camp. With Benjamin Wait and Experience Hins-
' Drake's Hubbard, 1, 230.
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History of Northfield.
dale as guides, the troops left Hatfield, marched up the west side of the river, crossed the Deerfield and Green rivers, and halted about half a mile from the head of the falls. Leaving their horses a little to the west of Fall river, under a small guard, they climbed an abrupt hill and came upon the back of the camp about day-break. "They found the Indians secure, yea all asleep without having any scouts abroad ; so that our soldiers came and put their guns into their wig- wams, before the Indians were aware of them, and made a great and notable slaughter.""
" Some got out of the wigwams and fought, and killed one of the English ; others did enter the river to swim over from the English, but many were shot dead in the waters, others wounded were therein drowned, many got into canoes to paddle away, but the paddlers being shot, the canoes overset with all therein ; and the stream being violent and swift near the falls, most that fell overboard were carried upon the falls. Others of them creeping for shelter under the banks of the great River, were espied by our men and killed with their swords; Capt. Holyoke killing five, young and old, with his own hands."?
The victory seemed complete. But just as our troops were about to retire to their horses, a report was started that Philip with a thou- sand Indians was approaching ; and " a panic terror fell upon many of them, and they hastened homewards in a confused route." Capt. Turner and 37 of his men were slain - all but one after they left the falls. The loss of the Indians was much greater. Menowniet testified that 40 Norwottucks (meaning River Indians) and Quaboags, and 10 Narragansetts were slain at the falls. This included only warriors, and was probably 10 below the actual loss. The number of women and children, shot in the wigwams, and destroyed in the attempt to cross the river was estimated as high as 150. Mr. Judd, who carefully analyzed the facts, concludes that " 180 Indians, old and young, perished at the falls that morning." It was their heaviest loss in any action during the war, in these parts : and one from which they never recovered.3
& Mather's Brief History.
" Drake's Hubbard, 1, 231.
'Of the men, directly connected with Northfield history, in this fight, were Nathaniel Alexander, James Bennett, Philip Mattoon, Joseph Kellogg, Samuel Boltwood, Stephen Belding, Wm. Clarke, John Lyman, Cornelius Merry, Joseph Warriner. In 1736, the General court granted to the survivors of this fight, and their descendants, a township, which in commemoration of the event was named Fall-town, since incorporated under the name of Bernardston.
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Squakbeag.
The savages however, were not yet disheartened. They quickly gathered at least 250 warriors ; and on the 3oth of May appeared at Hatfield, where they burnt many houses, killed 5 men, and drove away many horses and cattle.
The same party attacked Hadley June 12, but were repulsed.
. No account can be gleaned from any sources, of the final departure of the Indians from their rendezvous at Cowasset and near the Great bend. They are known to have remained here till about the first of ยท July.
The death of King Philip, August 12, was the signal for the genc- ral dispersion of the savages in this quarter. But before the news could have reached Hadley, Capt. Swain had sent out a company of 30 men to cut down the growing corn, and destroy the dried fish at Squakheag. They finished this work by the 15th of August, but saw no Indians.
............
AN INDIAN FURT.
CHAPTER IV.
Resettlement of Squakheag, 1685-90.
THE COMMITTEE'S POWER EXTENDED -RULES FOR SETTLERS - LAND GRANTS - NAMES OF GRANTEES - THE TOWN BOUNDS EXTENDED SOUTHWARD -DIVI- SION OF OUTLANDS - FORT - MILLS - NEW DEED FROM M.SAMET - PLAY OF TOWN STREET -PURCHASE OF NAWELET'S LAND - KILLING OF SIX PARSONS BY INDIANS - ANDROS'S VISIT TO HADLEY - REV. WARHAM MATHER - TES- TIMONY OF GREY-POOSE AND OTHERS - THE WINDING-UP .- 1690 TO 1713.
FTER its desertion and destruction in 1675, the town " lay waste " for 7 years, before any movement for re- settlement was made. In the mean time two members of the Committee in charge of the plantation, viz., William Allis and Isaac Graves had died ; and of the settlers, Samuel Wright, Joseph Dickinson and James Bennett were killed by the Indians, as before narrated. Others had given up their rights and settled perma- nently elsewhere. Most of the proprietors, or their heirs, however, still held on to their grants, and at no time relinquished the purpose of rebuilding the town.
1682. As preliminary to a resettlement of the place, in the spring of 1682 the original proprietors sent a petition to the General court, asking that the vacancies in the Committee might be filled, and the Committee impowered to act in the premises. And at its session May 24th, the court ordered :
" Whereas, upon the petition of the inhabitants of Northampton and others, in 1672, a plantation was granted to them upon Connecticut River, at a place there called Squaheage, and a Committee appointed! and empowered by this Court to order and regulate the affairs of chat plantation all this Court asks further order - now, forafmuch as the major part of faid Committee are Jest, upon the petition of the proprietors, this Court judgeth it meet and do hereby nominate and appoint Enfign John Lyman, Sergt John King and Serg' Preferved Clap to fupply the place of the decesfed, and to join with the remaining pat of the former Committee, and that they or the major part of chema thall inne the full power of the former Committee."
It is not known that the Committee took any definitive activa during this year.
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Resettlement of Squakheag.
1683. In the spring of 1683,
"The Committee with the proprietors, having met feveral times about it, and after much agitation, they ordered and agreed as follows :
1. That there fhall be 40 familys fettled in the town plot, and every man to have an equal proportion, and every home-lot to be 20 rods wide.
2. They did agree to throw up Pauchaug and the upper divifion in the Great Meadow by the town, to incourage more inhabitants to join with them for the better fettling of the place.
3. That every perfon that has 60 acres granted of interval land, fhall fettle two inhabitants upon it.
4. They did alfo agree to go again thither with their families, by the 10th day of May 1686, or else to leave their lands.
5. That if there be any alter their minds, or not performing the condition of fettling two familys upon 60 acres, they fhall have the remainder of their land at the further end of the plantation."
" After thefe orders and agreements above written, we granted lots as followeth, that is to fay, only interval land [in addition to home lots] :-
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