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 27
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Although a large company was in garrison at No. 4, snow-shoes - an essential for winter service - had not been furnished them. Learning this fact, and knowing the helplessness of the soldiers to pursue, a party of about 20 Indians came down on the deep snow, and March 15, attacked 8 men who had gone about 60 rods from the fort to cut wood. Charles Stevens, son of Capt. Phinehas, was killed, Nathaniel Andros wounded, and Eleazar Priest taken captive.
Roll of Capt. Jofiab Willard's Co. at Fort Dummer, Feb. 12, to July 1, 1748.
Capt. Jofiah Willard
Daniel Elmer
Lieut. John Sergeant
Simeon Knight
Sergt. Nathan Willard
Robert Cooper
William Willard
Jofeph Willard
Clerk. Oliver Willard
Andrew Gardner Jr.
Samuel Afhley
Wilder Willard
Jofhua Wells
Valentine Butler
Daniel Sergeant
John Alexander
Ebenezer Putnam
Jofeph Rofe
Robert Bafford
Ebenezer Alexander Jr.
Mofes Brewer
Simon Willard
John Fletcher
Eleazar Stratton Mofes Cooper Hezekiah Elmer
Andrew Gardner Sen. Chaplain
Jofeph Kellogg, Interpreter.
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The Old French and Indian War.
March 29, Lieut. John Sergeant, his son Daniel, Moses Cooper, Joshua Wells and another, started from Fort Dummer down the scout path to Colrain, for the purpose of cutting some ash timber for oars and paddles. When a little more than a mile from the fort, they were fired upon by an ambush of 12 or 15 Indians. Moses Cooper was mortally wounded at the first fire, but managed with the help of a comrade to reach the fort. Lieut. Sergeant and the two others retreated slowly, firing as they went. The woods were thick and the savages well covered. Wells was soon killed. The Lieut. encouraged his son with the assurance that help would be sent from the fort ; dared the skulking enemy to come out and fight like men, and firing as often as an Indian showed himself. When near the fort, Lieut. S. was killed and his son taken captive.
The next day, a company of 7 Northfield men, Capt. Ebenezer Alexander, Aaron Belding, Moses Wright, Moses .Dickinson, Robert Cooper, Thomas Alexander and Jonathan Belding, went up to Fort Dummer, found and buried the lieutenant and his comrade.
Lieut. Sergeant's life had been an eventful one. In a petition to the General Court, dated Nov. 29, 1738, asking for a grant of land, he says : About the beginning of Queen Anne's War, y' petitioner's father [Digory Sergeant] then [1704] living in Worcester, had the misfortune, with your petitioner's mother and one brother, to be killed by the Indian enemy : At which time y' petitioner with 5 bro- thers and sisters were taken into captivity, where y' petitioner re- mained 12 or 13 years. When inclined to go home met with great opposition as well from the papists as Indians : Yet he came home and was at the sole cost of his redemption : That upon his arrival into this his native country he was put into the service under Capt. Kellogg, [and afterwards under Capt. Willard] and so remains to this time : That he has been three times to Canada.in the service of the Province since his redemption ; and when the Truck-house [one of the small houses within the stockade] was burnt in 1737, he lost greatly."" A grant of 200 acres above Northfield was made by the legislature. The land appears to have been laid out at the lower end of Fort Dummer meadow. He built a house on this grant, where his family was living at the time of his death. In 1763, Wid. Abi- gail and the other heirs sold the estate to Capt. Samuel Hunt of Northfield. It is described in the deed as " 161 acres with buildings thereon, which was a grant to the proprietors of Lunenburg in 1731."
The following petition of Col. Josiah Willard will explain why no help was sent to Lieut. Sergeant, and throw light on matters directly connected with our annals.
' Mass. Archives, LXXII, 470, also LXX1, 765.
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History of Northfield.
" Fort Dummer, April 5, 1748.
" May it pleafe y" Excellency and Honors :
" Thefe come humbly to inform you that fome time ago I was appointed fub- commiffary to take care of billeting the foldiers at Northfield and above the line upon Conn. river ; and according to the beft of my fkill I have faithfully ferved my country therein hitherto, tho' it has been attended with the utmoft difficulty and trouble. The people of Northfield were very unwilling to billet foldiers for lefs than others did, as they had been forced to do before, when they come by their provifions very dearly and were forced to buy of other towns and bring up to Northfield to billet fo many men as paffed and repaffed, and the fcouts from Northfield to Townsend. I therefore told them that they might depend on it to have equal juftice with their neighbors confidering their circum- ftances. But I would give them 26 fhillings per week (old tenor) but hoped they would be confidered and have more ; but by information learn that the General Court in their laft feffion have granted them but 25 fhillings per week and to Deer- field 28 fhillings from whom Northfield has been fupplied with provifions, and to Fall-town their next neighbor 30 fhillings. Now it is well known that it is impoffible for Northfield to billet cheaper than either of thefe places and hardly fo cheap ; befides they have been kept out of their money fo long till provifions are near double in the price ; if their money had been paid laft September they could have fupplied themfelves with provifions for this year for little more than half what they muft now give. And they have not their money yet : and this is very finking and difcouraging to ye people ; and therefore pray that they may have equal juftice and mercy with the reft of their neighbors, and that they may not be fingled out to be borne down and diftreffed under their difficulties. I humbly pray it may be confidered that others have had 30 fhillings per week when they have raifed all their own provifions, and at the fame time Fort Dum- mer has had but 24 fhillings tho' they fetch their provifions 50 miles. I pray it may be further confidered what great difcouragements are laid in my way of providing a fupply for No. 4, and other garrifons. If I am rightly informed the legiflature have granted but 20 men to Fort Dummer, which renders it im- poffible to have guards to bring or carry ftores ; and the men are fo few at Northfield that it is impoffible to have men from thence at any price at all ; and I can hear nothing of Capt. Hobbs's men ordered to No. 4; and No. 4 muft fuffer for want of provifions ; and befides this, I am often ordered to keep up a fcout to Colrain, and fometimes out weft of Fort Dummer ; all which things are impoffible to be done with 20 men. I defire alfo to inform that I have but 600 pounds Province money in my hands to fupply No. 4 for fix months paft and to fupply No. 4, the Afhuelots and Fort Dummer for the future. I defire alfo further to inform that by his Excellency's direction to me given to enlift 20 men for Fort Dummer until men could be preffed and fent up. Of preffed men I have but one ; and two that did enlift have gone away not thinking themfelves obliged to tarry any longer ; and when thofe 5 men were gone out for timber to make oars and paddles for the boat and canoe, I had but 8 men left befides what were fick with the meafles when the enemy made
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The Old French and Indian War.
their attack on thefe 5 men, 3 of whom they killed and took another captive. * No. 4 was not fupplied with provifions before winter fet in ; and the fnow coming fo foon after the river was froze and fo deep, and the river not ftrong enough to drive up provifions, that I was forced to have it carried upon Indian fleys, there being no poffible paffing by land."
" In the Houfe of Reprefentatives April 14. Read, and ordered, that thofe perfons in the town of Northfield who have billeted foldiers by agreement with the within named Jofiah Willard, be allowed 7 fhillings [new tenor] per week for said billeting. And that the Commiffary General be directed to take fpeedy and effectual care that the forts mentioned be fupplied with provifions in the beft manner he is able."
Letter from Col. Stoddard dated April 11, 1748.
" I was fending Col. Tyng's 22 men to Afhuelot ; but confidering that their bufinefs was chiefly to defend a garrifon, and that the diftrefs of the people at Northfield [from the non-arrival of the Conn. troops] was great, and that their circumftances did inconceivable more demand help, they having no foldiers, I directed them to tarry there a few days, till I could know whether they were likely to have men any other way.
" A Northfield man was with me a few days ago, and tells me that there are 9 or 10 men chiefly belonging to that place that are defirous to go in queft of the enemy fometime in this month. They propofe to go till they meet with fome of them, and if they have not an opportunity fooner to go into Canada. They are fome of the likelieft men in our county ; and having no opportunity to wait upon the Court to afk their encouragement, they propofe, if y" Excel- lency approve of their going, to proceed on their journey, and truft to the gene- rofity of the government when they return. But what they are defirous of is that they may have the fame encouragement that Capt. Melvin's men have, if the government think they deferve it."
The governor replied April 20, approving of the propofed fcout, and fent a blank commifion, to be filled out, when the proper man to command it fhould be determined on. But the plan lingered ; and the men joined Capt. Melvin's company.
Roll of Capt. Eleazar Melvins Co. of Rangers, from Mar. 26, to June 13, 1748.
Capt. E. Melvin, John Bell,
Lt. John Fletcher,
Reuben Kidder,
Nathan Collar,
Ens. Benj. Roff, Jofeph Kidder, Afa Merritt,
Nath1 Boynton, Mofes Wright,
" Jonas Holden,
Edmond Jordan,
Daniel Mann,
" John Howard,
Jofeph Petty,
" Ifaac Taylor,
Oba. Wood, Jofeph Wilfon,
Samuel Severance,
John Stratton.
Clerk, John Dodd, Thomas Fletcher,
Benj. Hoar,
Nath1 Fofter,
Serg. Aaron Ward,
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History of Northfield.
CAPT. MELVIN'S SCOUT. - Having made his preparations, Capt. Melvin selected 18 of his best men, including the 4 from Northfield, and started from Fort Dummer May 13, camped that night at No. 2 ; and the next day reached No. 4. Here he was joined by Capts. Stevens and Hobbs, with 60 men ; and on Sabbath evening about sunset started for the mouth of Black river. The united force fol- lowed up the Indian road along the banks of this stream, and crossing the divide, struck the main branch of Otter Creek, where the party separated, as had been previously arranged. Capts. Stevens and Hobbs and their men went down on the east side of Otter Creek, while Capt. Melvin crossed the stream and set out for Crown Point. He discovered signs of the enemy, and came upon a deserted camp ; but reached the shore of the Lake without opposition. When nearly opposite Crown Point, he discovered two canoes with Indians, one of them about 60 rods from the shore. Going in plain view of the fort, he fired several volleys into the canoe. This bold defiance to the garrison, with his small band, was heroic, but imprudent. A force of not less than 150 Indians at once started to intercept him. This was May 25. Capt. Melvin now made haste to return. The next day, finding the savages on his trail, he struck for the south branch of Otter Creek, and on the 30th crossed the height of land and came upon a branch of West river. Supposing they had foiled their pur- suers, and being weary and faint, they halted at half past nine in the morning of the 31st, on the banks of West river, took off their packs, and while some were lunching, others begun shooting the salmon then passing up the stream. Of a sudden, the Indians poured in a volley from behind some logs and trees not more than 40 feet dis- tant. Melvin's men fired and scattered. The Captain himself ran down the river, and up the opposite bank closely pursued. His belt was carried away by a shot or the stroke of a hatchet, by which he lost all his bullets but one. The rout of his men was complete. Melvin got into Fort Dummer about noon the next day ; one of his men had already come in, and eleven more arrived before night.
Six of Melvin's party were killed outright : viz. Sergts. Howard and Taylor, John Dodd, Daniel Mann and Samuel Severance. Joseph Petty was so severely wounded as to be unable to travel. His comrades got him to a spring, where they put some pine boughs for him to lie on, and set up others as a sort of wind-break, placed a pint cup of water in reach, and told him to live if he could, till they should return with help.
Word got to Northfield by the middle of the afternoon on the Ist, and Mr. Doolittle sent a messenger with a letter to Hatfield that
261
The Old French and Indian War.
night. About 30 of the inhabitants of Northampton, Hadley, Hat- field and Deerfield rallied, and with such of the soldiers as could be spared from Deerfield and Fall-town, and a number of men from Northfield, reached Fort Dummer on the 2d ; but Capt. Stevens with a large force of his men coming in opportunely, the men from below returned home, and Capt S. at once started for the scene of Melvin's disaster. They found and buried all the dead except Sergt. Petty. As he was one of the most respected citizens of Northfield, our people resolved to know his fate. A company was at once or- ganized consisting of Lieut. Samuel Hunt, Lieut. Ebenezer Alexander, Lieut. William Wright, Lieut. Benoni Wright, Sergt. Phinehas Wright, Corp. Moses Field, Moses Smith, Moses Dickinson, Moses Belding, Peter Evens, Daniel Brooks, Gaius Field, Simeon Lyman, Thomas Stebbins, Dr. Ebenezer Field, Moses Wright. They started June 5, going on horse- back, and were out 4 days. They found the body and buried it. This fight took place about 33 miles from Fort Dummer up West river. Hall, in his History of Eastern Ver- mont, locates it within the bounds of Londonderry, Vt.
In view of this afflictive Providence, and the sickness then pre- vailing in the town, a fast was appointed and held at Northfield Thursday June 16, at which Rev. Mr. Ashley of Deerfield preached.
For convenience of reference in studying the events of the next few weeks, the following muster-roll is inserted here.
Roll of Capt. Jofiab Willard fr's Co. at Afbuelot, Feb. 10, to Oct. 26, 1748.
Capt. Jofiah Willard Jr.
Thomas Criffon Jr., Nathaniel Hills,
Lieut. William Syms,
Nath1 Fairbanks, Afahel Graves,
Jethro Wheeler, Benj. Nichols,
Sergt. Thomas Taylor, William Smead,
James Jewell, Thomas Robbins,
Clerk, Jeremiah Hall,
Hezekiah Elmer,
Jofiah Crofby,
Corp. Thomas Criffon, Benoni Wright,
Samuel Hill,
Jofeph Barron,
David Nims,
Wm. Livingfton,
Timothy Fletcher,
David Bacon,
Benj: Hoagg,
John Ellis,
Wm. Blanchard,
Henry Stevens,
Wm. Bickford,
Matthew Wyman,
Joel Johnfon,
Reuben Walker,
Jos. Richardfon, William Hunt,
Tonas Holton,
Daniel How Jr.,
Thomas Thoyets,
İfaac Rice, James Eaton,
Eben" Fletcher,
John Evens, James Burt,
Robert Ewers, John Edgehill, John Robert, Aaron Ward, John Froft,
Jeremiah Butler,
Robert Tyler, Samuel Hall,
Benj. Barrett,
Sam' Hoflinton,
Henry Chandler,
William Hill, James Billing, Simcon Green,
Elijah Holton,
Jona. French,
: John Scott, Andrew Allard, Eliph. Corbin, John Henry, Benjamin Ofgood, Jona. Lawrence Jr. John Pullard.
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History of Northfield.
June 16. A squad consisting of 12 of Capt. Willard's men and 2 of Capt. Hobbs's rangers, in going from Ashuelot to Fort Dummer by way of Col. Hinsdell's fort, was waylaid opposite the mouth of Broad brook by a large party of Indians. The ambush was not dis- covered : and our men were taken by surprise. Three were killed and scalped, viz. Joseph Richardson, John Frost and Jonathan French all of Billerica ; seven were taken prisoners, one of whom, Wm. Bickford, was killed where the Indians camped the first night, and his body found and buried a month later. Four escaped across the river to Fort Dummer, one of whom, Daniel Farmer, a ranger, was severely wounded in the thigh, and was brought on a horse the next day to Northfield to be treated by Mr. Doolittle.
In answer to "the Great Gun" at Fort Dummer, a relief party immediately started from Northfield. It consisted of Capt. Ebenezer Alexander, Lt. Hezekiah Stratton, Lt. William Wright, Sergt. Phi- nehas Wright, Benj. Brooks, Eben' Field Jr., Moses Evens, Lucius Doolittle, Simeon Alexander, Thomas Alexander, Moses Dickinson, Jonathan Belding, Israel Warner, Samuel Stratton, William Holton, Daniel Brooks. They found and buried the three dead bodies, and scoured the country to the east and north in search of wounded men. They " found great signs of the enemy," showing that a large body had been ambushing Hinsdell's and Fort Dummer for several days.
Of the captives, Mark Perkins of Concord, a ranger, returned home in October, Matthew Wyman of Dorchester returned Oct. 5, Benj. Osgood of Billerica, and Wm. Blanchard of Dunstable reached home Oct. 15, Henry Stevens of Chelmsford returned Nov. 12 ; Joel Johnson of Woburn got home early in October. All the pri- soners were stripped of their arms, and most of their clothing at the first camping place. They reached Canada about the first of July. Stevens was thrown into prison, where he lay till Aug. 27. Johnson was made "to run the gauntlet," as were Wyman, Blanchard and Osgood, and all were feeble, emaciated, and unfit for labor on their return. Osgood died in a few weeks from the effects of abuse and want of proper nourishment during his captivity.
A DARK TIME .- These were dark days to our people on the frontier. The attacks made in such rapid succession, and the signs discovered on all sides showed that the Indians were abroad in great force. The full foliage of the underbrush gave them secure cover ; and their uniform success gave them courage. And they had learned the peculiar tactics of each of our captains and commanders of forts. They knew where to look for carelessness, and recklessness, and
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The Old French and Indian War.
cowardice, and want of foresight. They knew the condition of each garrison ; and when they set an ambush, they knew whether a relief party might be expected promptly or tardily.
And added to the other difficulties of our situation in the valley, at this juncture on June 19, Col. Stoddard died. He was an experi- enced and efficient officer ; and had in a high degree the confidence of the people and the authorities. His second in command, Lieut. Col. Eleazar Porter, in the opinion of those best qualified to judge, " had not a genius for war." He was however appointed colonel, with the expectation that he would decline, which he did after a few months ; and Nov. 16, Maj. Israel Williams of Hatfield was placed at the head of the Hampshire regiment. Col. Porter's friends claimed that he was not fairly treated by the governor, which helped further to complicate matters, at this critical time. Col. Williams was a man of mark, and an able officer ; but he was a man of positive ideas and plain words, and was unpopular with the other regimental command- ers, and with his subordinates. The Connecticut officers at North- field and Hinsdell's fort positively refused to obey his orders. Extracts from his letters, to be shortly given, will indicate the peculiarities of his temper and manners.
Such disagreeable facts are commonly left out of histories, and the bright side of things presented. But issues turn on mistakes and jealousies and insubordination, as often as on foresight and fidelity. And to leave out all the frailties and frictions is to hide the secret springs of actions and events, and render much of both written and unwritten history incomprehensible.
CAPT, HOBBS'S EXPEDITION .- The disaster which happened to Capt. Melvin's company, did not appear to dampen the spirits of the scouts. He was able to promptly recruit a new company of 26 men. The service, with all its hazards, was tempting ; and men readily become inured to danger ; and through a community of interest, are ambitious to avenge the past. Capt. Humphrey Hobbs, with a com- pany of Rangers had headquarters at No. 4. The roll of his com- pany (given for purposes of reference) is as follows :
Capt. Humphrey Hobbs, Lieut. Ifaac Parker,
" Wm. Peabody,
Ens. Alex'. Stuart,
Sergt. Eleazar Collar,
Mofes Willard,
Mofes Wheeler,
Corp. Samuel Nutting, Oba. More, 'James Marvel, Thomas Walkup, Uriah Morfe,
" Enos Town,
Thomas Robinfon,
Nathan Walker,
! Eli Scott, Henry Pudney,
:. Samuel Graves, Jr. Nach1 Sheple,
Rich. Cree, Aaron Hofmer,
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History of Northfield.
Richard Watts,
John Martyn,
Nathan Melvin,
Benj. Taylor,
Jouas Fletcher,
Hugh Linds,
Jacob Nutting,
Jethro Ames,
Ifaac Peabody,
William Durant,
Amos Wood,
Ralph Rice,
Ifaac Davis,
William Bearns,
Eben" Mitchell,
Jona. Parker,
Charles McLain,
Robert Bancroft,
Abel Farrar,
Mark Perkins, Daniel Simmons,
Noah Curtis,
Reuben Brown, Martin Afhley,
Samuel Flint,
Jofeph Farwell,
Simon Holden,
Samuel Tulos,
Daniel Farmer,
John Whitney Jr.
Samu.1 Gunn,
James Farnsworth,
William Burt,
Dan1 McKeeney,
Jacob Ames,
Nathaniel Sartell,
Benj. McIntire,
Jacob Melvin,
Sam1 Butterfield.
Capt. Hobbs with 40 of his men set out from No. 4, Friday June 24, to scout the woods in a south-westerly direction as far as Fort Shirley. On the 26th, they halted at a place about 12 miles west from Fort Dummer. It seems that a party of Indians under a half- blood named Sackett, had struck his trail ; but, though unaware of any pursuit, Hobbs, who was wary as well as brave, had posted a sentinel in his rear, while his men ate their midday lunch. The driving in of his picket was the first intimation that danger was near. But Hobbs instantly formed his men, ordering each to take his tree for cover. The Indians greatly outnumbered the whites : and con- trary to their usual caution rushed forward with a shout. They were received by a well directed fire, and several fell : when they also took shelter behind the trees and shrubs. The two leaders were well acquainted. Sackett could speak English, and repeatedly called upon his antagonist to surrender, threatening the entire destruction of his men in case of refusal. Hobbs bid him defiance; and dared him to come on and take his men. The fight lasted four hours, when by a fortunate shot Sackett was wounded. Upon which the Indians with- drew, carrying off their dead and wounded. They retired in silence, which meant an acknowledgment of defeat. Hobbs lost 3 men killed, viz. Samuel Gunn, Ebenezer Mitchell and Eli Scott. Four were wounded ; Samuel Graves Jr. of Sunderland was shot in the fore- head, by which his brains came out ; yet he recovered, though he was ever after subject to fits ; Daniel McKeeny was shot through the thigh and disabled for life ; Nathan Walker of Sudbury had an arm broken : and Ralph Rice received a slight wound.
Hobbs and his men remained in their cover till nightfall, when, there being no signs of a renewed attack, they gathered up their packs, carried the dead and wounded about half a mile, where the
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The Old French and Indian War.
dead were concealed under some old logs, " as well as we could do it in the dark ;" and after marching about two miles further they encamped for the night. Starting early in the morning, they reached Fort Dummer about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The wounded,men were sent on to Northfield and put under the care of Mr. Doolittle.
This bold adventure infused a new life into the desponding garri- sons and people, and was the theme of universal congratulation.
SERGT. TAYLOR'S ENCOUNTER .- As already intimated, the season was unusually sickly. In the early part of July one half of the in- habitants and the soldiers in garrison at Northfield were unfit for duty ; and the same was true of the garrison at Fort Dummer. This, in connection with a spirit of insubordination which showed itself among the Connecticut troops posted at Northfield and vicinity, made our people exceedingly weak-handed. The last, of June, the Chevalier de Repentigny, Ensign of foot, is ordered by the French governor at Montreal " to go to war upon the territories of New England, with a party of 26 Canadians and 80 Indians, of whom we have given him the command." Sieur Raimbault, who had lately returned from a successful raid, was attached to this party, and as will appear, was of great service in selecting the right place for an ambuscade. The equipment of the savages was as follows: 80 muskets ; 80 breech-clouts ; 80 prs. mittens ; 100 deer skins : 8 1bs. vermillion ; 80 wood-cutters knives ; 80 Ibs. powder ; 80 Ibs. ball ; 80 Ibs. lead-shot ; 80 collars for carrying ; 80 awls; 80 toma- hawks ; 400 flints ; 80 powder horns ; 100 needles ; 3 Ibs. thread ; 80 war-clubs ; 8 axes ; 4 prs. scissors; 80 Ibs. tobacco ; 8 iron cooking pots ; 8 canoes ; and 13 day's provisions. This force made directly for the Connecticut valley ; and took a position on the high- lands to the eastward of Fort Dummer.
A part of Capt. Loomis's company had been in garrison for a number of weeks at Hinsdell's fort ; but at this juncture, he with- drew them without leave, which left this post with only the resident families. Maj. Partridge ordered Capt. Leeds to send 10 of his men from Northfield, to keep the place temporarily ; but he refused, because Fort Hinsdell was above the Massachusetts line.
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