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 30
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I would neglect Shirley and Pelham forts becaufe the Indians were fcarce ever known in y" laft war to come down Deerfield river, and that road is very bad, and almost impaffable. Shirley is rotten, and if maintained, muft be re- built. That at Morrifon's will anfwer as well, and can be much cafier fup- plied. If a fort were built on the top of Hoofuck mountain, it would fhorten the fcouting, and anfwer as well as y" propofed line through Charlemont.
I propofe two forts between Fort Maffachufetts and Hudson's river.
As to ye forts above y" Line ; If New Hampshire would fupport them, it might be well ; but the advantages that would arife to this government by doing it would not countervail the expenfe, nor leffen the charge we muft be at in defending our frontiers on y" eaft fide of y" River, where they can be much eafier and cheaper fupplied with provifions. Notwithftanding the fort at No. 4, the enemy can and will come down Black river, Williams river or Weft river, go over ealt, or turn down fouth without hazard, and return with like fecurity the fame way, or go above.
The grand defign Col. Stoddard had in garrifoning No. 4, was, that parties .
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might be fent out from there to waylay the roads from Crown Point, and faid there ought to be 100 men pofted there well fupplied, 50 to be out at a time. But he lived to fee himfelf difappointed. The government never did afford a fufficient number of men for that purpofe ; and it was with the utmoft difficulty provifions were obtained for thofe that were there ; inany were loft there, and in going there, without doing any great good. That fort might divert the enemy fometimes : but till the French join openly with the Indians, they will not fight forts much ; but in fmall parties carry on a fealping war, and the more com- pact the better it will be for us."
This plan virtually abandoned all the settlements above the state line ; and took care of the towns within our own jurisdiction. But New Hampshire still refused to protect the river towns, now holding rights under her charters ; and Massachusetts would not consent that No. 4, and Dummer should be left wholly undefended. It was de- cided to maintain a garrison at these posts ; and there were eventu- ally four forts at Northfield ; two garrisons - Sheldon's and Burk's - at Fall town ; three at Colrain - Morrison's, the South, and Lucas's ; three at Charlemont - Taylor's, Rice's and Hawks's; two at Pon- toosuck, etc. And there were above the line, Bridgman's and Sart- well's block-houses, and Hinsdell's fort ; and already or soon to be built, forts at Great Meadow (Putney), Walpole and Keene.
The bounties offered by the Massachusetts legislature to regular troops were as follows : For every male Indian prisoner over 12 years old delivered at Boston, 50 pounds ; for every scalp of such Indian, 40 pounds ; for every female prisoner of any age and for males under 12, 25 pounds ; for every scalp of such female or boy 20 pounds. But the main reliance for offensive warfare during this struggle, was placed on companies of Rangers who should scout from fort to fort, and waylay the Indian paths. The following encouragement and rules of service for such companies were prescribed :
" That for the encouragement of volunteers to enlift and form themfelves into companies to penetrate into the Indian country, in order to captivate and kill the Indians of any of the tribes this government has declared war againft, 30 day's provifions fhall be given to every and all the companies raifed as afore- faid, provided that none of the faid companies fhall confift of lefs than 30 men, and that the faid companies fhall be held to perform a fcout of at leaft 30 days upon every march, unlefs fome fpecial reafon (for the good of the fervice) fhall appear for their returning in a lefs time : And that the officers of each company fhall be alfo held to keep a Journal of each of their marches or fcouts, and ex- hibit it in courfe under oath to the captain general. And for every captive taken by faid companies or by any detachment or party of any of faid com- panies, which fhall be brought to Bofton and delivered to the governor, there
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fhall be paid out of the public treafury the fum of 220 pounds ; and for every fcalp brought in as aforefaid, the fum of 200 pounds."
The most noted of these ranging companies are Lyman's, Burk's, Rogers's, Rice's, Putnam's, John Stark's and Wm. Stark's. Some of their Journals are a record of hardships and perils ; of waylaying an Indian trail for days together ; of watching on the mountain tops for camp smokes ; of winter marches on snow-shoes and lodging at night in the open air or under brush huts ; of quickness of sight and hearing, and promptness of action, that show human endurance, and reveal the perfectness of discipline, and self-reliance, and contempt of danger, to which men united in a common purpose, can be brought. In stratagem and finesse, they were little if at all inferior to the In- dians ; in combat on equal terms, they were greatly superior."
Deerfield was made the depot of stores for the forts and garrisons on the west side of the river ; and Northfield no longer held the cen- tral military position which she had during the earlier wars.
1754. June 21, Gov. Shirley issued orders to the commanders of regiments, to make a thorough inspection of the state of the militia and report to head-quarters. The several towns were also required to supply themselves with the full stock of ammunition required by law.
NEW FORTS AT NORTHFIELD .- As before related, the forts at Northfield were taken down in 1753, because " the town would have no further use for them." But the mistake was soon discovered. When the news of the capture of the Johnson family at No. 4, Aug. 30, reached Northfield the next day, the selectmen issued a warrant dated Sabbath, Sept. I, calling a town meeting for Monday Sept. 2, " at seven o'clock in the morning, that being assembled they then and there may agree to build forts in such places as they shall appoint, if they see meet." It was voted to build four forts at the following places, viz. Capt. Ebenezer Alexander's, Rev. Mr. Hubbard's, wid. Lydia Doolittle's and Samuel Field's. Voted, to choose a committee to apply to the legislature for aid to pay for the same.
Work was at once commenced ; and the four forts, consisting of mounts and a surrounding line of strong pickets, were finished in the course of the ensuing winter and spring.
August 31. Capt. Israel Williams (who held the two commissions of captain of the local militia, and colonel of the regiment) ordered out his company ; and they were stationed as follows - most of them from date to March 14 : Lieut. John Hawks with 29 men at Colrain ;
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Ensign John Burk with 15 men at Fall-town ; Sergt. James Patrick with 14 men at Greenfield ; Ens. John May with 22 men at Char- lemont ; Sergt. Noah Strong with 13 men at Southampton. There was a garrison at Fort Massachusetts ; and Corp. Preserved Clap with 9 men was stationed at Huntstown while the people were gathering their harvest.
At this date, No. 4 had 32 families, with a tolerably strong fort, but no soldiers to man it (Capt. Phinehas Stevens was spending the year at Northfield) ; Fort Dummer was occupied by Sergt. Nathan Willard and 7 men with their families ; Col. Hinsdell and several families were living at his fort, which was in good repair, except that the line of pickets was somewhat decayed ; Bridgman's and Sartwell's block-houses were in good repair, and occupied by families. North- field was left in charge of its own militia company, then in command of Capt. Samuel Hunt, with Seth Field as lieutenant, who succeeded to the captaincy in 1756.
On the alarm the first of September, the families that had settled on their farms in what is now Vernon, Vt., and Hinsdale, N. H., left their exposed homesteads, and sought shelter in the town or at one of the forts. The Coopers, and Shattucks, and Fairbanks Moore went to Fort Dummer ; the Wrights, Beldings and some others went to Hinsdell's fort ; and the Evenses and Thomas Taylor built a stock- ade around John Evens's house, which was the resort of Capt. Joseph Stebbins and his family. Ens. Stratton removed back to Northfield street.
POTATOES .- The culture of this tuber began in Northfield about this date. The potato was unknown in New England till 1718, when it was introduced by a colony of Scotch emigrants who settled at Nutfield, now Londonderry, N. H. Some of these people removed to Pelham, Mass., and some to Colrain about 1738, and commenced its cultivation at those towns. For a great many years it was regarded by our people as unfit for food ; and did not come into common use till after the Revolution. In 1754 Moses Field sold 1} bushels of potatoes for 15 shillings ; in '66 he sold 15 bushels at one shilling per bushel.
The church members living at No. 4, desirous of observing the ordinances, came down to Northfield with their pastor elect, Mr. John Dennis, and were organized into a church December 4, 1754, and Mr. D. was ordained. He was dismissed by a . council held at Deerfield March 31, 1756. Mr. Dennis was truck master at Fort
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George, province of Maine, 1745 ; was appointed chaplain at Fort Richmond April, '46.
1755. Jan. 29, The church in Northfield voted, That no stranger coming and dwelling among us shall commune with us in special ordi- nances more than 12 months, without bringing a certificate from the church to which he or she belongs, of their good and regular standing, unless they shall offer satisfying reasons for their refusal.
Troops were ordered to be stationed on our frontiers as follows : 4 men at Fort Dummer ; 40 at Fort Massachusetts ; II at Pontoo- suck ; 24 at the three garrisons in Charlemont ; 24 at the three gar- risons in Colrain ; 14 at the two garrisons in Fall-town ; 20 at Northfield and Greenfield.
Four military expeditions were planned in the spring of this year ; one against the French in Nova Scotia ; a second against Fort Du Quesne ; a third against Crown Point ; and a fourth against Niagara. Northfield furnished her full quota of men to the first and third of these expeditions. Lieut. Elias Alexander with the Northfield men, sailed from Boston with Gen. Winslow's division May 20, and reached the Bay of Fundy, June I. Fort Beau Sejour was immediately in- vested, and surrendered after a siege of 4 days. The name of this fort was changed to Fort Cumberland. The following letter, written by Lieut. Alexander to his wife, contains some particulars of interest :
"Camp at Fort Cumberland
Loving wife :
Auguft 14, 1755.
After due regards to you and duty to my parents, I would inform you that I am well in health, bleffed be God for it. Our fon Elijah has been very fick, but is got better, and I hope like to be well foon. We ftill remain in camp, and it is moft likely we fhall tarry here all winter. The French that are in this place are obliged to take up arms for us or go off, which they refufe to do, and they will be fent to France immediately. All their effects are forfeited to King George. They have a great number of cattle and horfes which will be for our ufe. We have about 400 confined in the fort, and partys of our men are out daily bringing in the reft. All the French that are in Meanefs ' and any where elfe in this country mult bear the fame fate.
All the men that came from Northfield are well except Grandy ; he has been fick, but is like to get well. I have wrote feveral letters home, but have no return. I long to hear from you, and defire you to write a hundred letters, out of which I may perhaps get one. Being in hatte fhall conclude with my hum- ble regards to my children and all friends, none excepted. So I remain,
Y' loving hufband till death,
ELIAS ALEXANDER."
' Minas is on the bay of the same name on the south east side of the Bay of Fundy, 30 leagues from the entrance of Annapolis.
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The letter was addressed : "To Mr. Thomas Alexander at Northfield in New England. To be left at Mr. Duits in Boston at the sign of the white horse."
The expedition against Crown Point was put under command of Gen. Wm. Johnson ; but for various reasons, the summer was wasted in inaction. As an inducement to enlistments, the Massa- chusetts government offered to furnish each man at the time of enlist- ing, I blanket ; 24 shillings to such as provide themselves with good arms ; £12 for arms and bounty ; and one month's advance pay on the first muster. Wages were to commence at the date of arrival at the rendezvous. The expedition was popular with our people, and great numbers enlisted. The Hampshire regiment, under Col. Ephraim Williams, marched for the rendezvous at Albany, about the middle of June, which left the valley frontiers almost defenceless and offered inducements which the Indian enemy were not slow to accept.
The Scaticooks (Scagkooks) had joined the St. Francis early in the spring : and the united tribes took this occasion to begin their depre- dations. June 11, they attacked a party of men at work in a meadow in the upper part of Charlemont, killed Capt. Moses Rice and Phine- has Arms, and captured Titus King and Asa Rice.
June 27, the Indians beset Bridgman's fort. The fort, which was strongly built and well picketed, was then occupied by three families, viz. Caleb How, wife Jemima and 7 children (including 2 daughters of Mrs. How by her former husband William Phipps), Hilkiah Grout,1 wife and 3 children, Benjamin Garfield,2 wife and I daughter. In the morning the three men, with two sons of Mr. How, went to work in a meadow on the bank of the river a little above the fort. They started on their return about sunset. How and his boys were on horseback, and had got a little ahead of the others. When rising the meadow hill to the northward of the fort, they were fired upon by the concealed ambush. How received a shot in the thigh which brought him to the ground ; when the Indians fell upon him, scalped him, and striking a hatchet into his head left him for dead. The boys were taken alive. The other two men attempted to escape by crossing the river. Grout succeeded ; but Garfield was drowned. As soon as it grew dark the Indians went to the fort, and making the proper signal (which they had learned by skulking around the gate) were admitted, and made prisoners of the women and children. The
: Hilkiah Grout was b. at Lunenburg, Mass., July 23, 1728 ; m. Submit Hawks of Deerfield.
* Benj. Garfield was probably son of Benj. and Bethia (How) Garfield, b. at Mariboro. May 6, 1718 ; m. Eunice Cooley daughter of Benjamin.
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fort was then fired, and the captives started on the way to Canada.' The next morning a party of men found Mr. How alive ; and took him across the river to Hinsdell's fort, where he soon after died.
" On one of the last days of June," an attack was made on the fort at Keene, then in command of Capt. William Syms. The savages were beaten off ; but in their retreat they killed many cattle, burned several buildings, and captivated Benjamin Twichel.2
July 22. The Indians ambushed Hinsdell's fort. The following letter gives the particulars :
To Gov. Wentworth :
Deerfield July 22, 1755.
I this inftant received an exprefs from my wife at Hinfdell's fort informing me that about 9 o'clock this morning a party of Indians attacked 7 men within 100 rods of the fort, who were out to get a few polts to complete the new picket- ing of the fort : they had 4 on guard and 3 with the team. They had drawn but one ftick before the enemy fired upon them, and having got between them and the fort endeavored to prevent them getting in. Four of the men were foldiers and three inhabitants ; one foldier named Heath, and one inhabitant, viz. Amafa Wright efcaped to the fort. The foldiers that are miffing are Jona- than Colby, Hardway (Hardiclay ?) and Quimby. The inhabitants miffing are two : we hope fome may be hid and come in ; but one of the foldiers fays he faw the Indians take off two or three as he ftood in the fentry box of the fort.
P. S. Mr. Hardway was found dead upon the fpot with both his breafts cut off and his heart laid open. One of the inhabitants (John Alexander) was found within 60 rods of the fort, and both fcalped. We fee Colby taken off by the Indians. We fired feveral larums, and the Great Gun at Fort Dummer was fhot. Thirty men from Northfield came to our affiftance, and helped to bury the dead. They followed the Indians, and found Colby's track who was barefoot. They found no blood, which gives us reafon to hope Colby is well. 'The reft is efcaped to the fort. ABIGAIL HINSDALE.
Col. Hinsdell adds, " we are loath to tarry here merely to be killed."
July 22 or 23, two men were killed by the Indians at Walpole, N. H. Daniel Twichel and John Flint went back upon the hills one and a half miles from the street, to cut timber for oars. Both were shot dead ; one was scalped, the other cut open, his heart taken out and laid in pieces upon his breast.
July 25. Seth Field writes :
Since the difafterous tidings from Ohio, and the delay of the Crown Point forces, the mifchief done above us together with our circumstances, has fo dif-
1 Mrs. Jemima How was known as " The Fair Captive." For interesting particulars of the journey, imprisonment and release, see her Narrative in Belknap's Hist. of New Hump- shire, vol. III.
2 Mass. Archives, LXXVII, 727.
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couraged the hearts of our people that they are almoft ready to give up all and care only for their lives. A fine harveft is on the ground, and likely to be loft for want of a guard. The few foldiers we have are conftantly on duty, and not half fufficient lo guard the laborers. Afks that one of the companies of Rangers that are between the Connecticut and the Merrimack rivers may be fent to fcout for a few weeks to the northward of Northfield : fays Capt. Rice of Rutland is ready to come. * *
August 17. A large body of Indians (stated at 400) ambushed the house of John Kilburn in Walpole. There were in the house, which was situated about half a mile from Col. Bellows's fort, Kilburn, his wife Ruth, his son John and daughter Hetty, a man by the name of Peak and his son. This handful of people in a small log house, sus- tained the constant fire of the large body of savages from dinner time till sunset - returning the fire with such determination and fatal ef- fect, that the enemy then withdrew, taking his dead and wounded with him. Peak was wounded in the thigh, which for lack of surgi- cal care, caused his death on the fifth day."
Among the names of men belonging to Northfield and vicinity in the Crown Point expedition this year, are the following : In Capt. Elijah Williams's company, June 12 to Nov. 21 ; Lieut. Seth Field, Corp. Eleazar Patterson, Gideon Shattuck, Richard Carey, Nathaniel Cham- berlain, Daniel Shattuck Jr., Zadock Wright, Moses Wright, Eben" Severance, Hilkiah Grout, Joseph Perry, William Sanderson, Aaron Scott, John Sergeant, Fairbanks Moor, Daniel Sergeant, John Kathan, Daniel Gun, Elisha Scott, James Porter. In other companies ; Ens. John Stratton, Sergt. Joseph Alexander, Pedajah Field, Joseph Burt, Samuel Hunt Jr., Asa Stratton, John Beamont, Noah Belding, Benoni Wright Jr., Elias Bascom, Shammah Pomeroy and Simeon Knight, were in Capt. Joseph Dwight's company. Jonathan Belding was in Capt. Samuel How's company, Aug. 1I to Dec. 27.
Having spent two months in gathering stores, etc., Gen. Johnson marched from Albany, and reached the south end of Lake George the latter part of August. While here he received news that a body of 2000 French and Indians under Baron Dieskau had landed at White- hall, and were marching towards Fort Edward. At a council of war held on the morning of Sept. 8, it was resolved to send a detachment of 1200 men under command of Col. Ephraim Williams, to intercept the French. This detachment fell into an ambuscade ; and Col. Williams, Hendrick a Mohawk sachem, and 46 men were killed, 24 were wounded, and others were missing. Among the killed were Ens. John Stratton and his brother Asa. Flushed with his temporary
1 Hall's Hist. of Eastern Vermont, PP. 739-42.
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success, Baron Dieskau pressed forward and made an attack in force on Johnson's camp. For four hours the battle raged with the great- est fury : when the Baron ordered a retreat. Dieskau was wounded and fell into the hands of the English. The French loss was set down at 400 killed and 200 wounded and 30 prisoners. The loss of the English in both engagements was 216 killed, 96 wounded, and 15 missing.
Offensive operations soon after ceased : and Gen. Johnson after partially finishing Fort William Henry, on the bank of the lake, and posting a garrison there, dismissed his troops. The result of the cam- paign was highly beneficial, as it showed the provincial troops that in fair fight they were more than a match for the French regulars.
Dec. II. A detail of soldiers from Capt. Israel Williams's company was stationed at Northfield to do garrison duty, who continued in service here till Mar. 22, '56 : Sergt. Joseph Allen, William White, Seth Smith, Benj. Wells, Stephen Belding, Joseph Bodman, Medad Field, Obadiah Wells, Amos Tute, Zech. Gilson, Nathaniel Dickinson, Samuel Stevens.
Some New Hampshire troops were in service on the river frontier, for a time during the fall, as appears from the following letter, dated Hinsdale Dec. 23, 1755, addressed to Gov. Benning Wentworth :
" Y' Excellency was pleafed to order me the billeting of Capt. Winflow and men while on thefe frontiers, and alfo Capt. Neal and company, while at my garrifon and places adjacent. They have all fubfifted here during their ftay and were furnifhed with provifions on their return to carry them home, except the time Capt. Neal's men were at Charleftown, when Lieut. Parker provided for them. EBEN' HINSDELL."
Learning that New Hampshire had decided to furnish no further aid to these towns, Col. Hinsdell in behalf of the rest of the inhabit- ants of Hinsdale, sent the following petition to the governor of Massa- chusetts.
Hinfdell's Garrifon Jan. 1, 1756.
Yr petitioners entered into poffeffion and improvement of thefe lands under your grant and encouragement for many years paft. They have been protected from time to time in the improvement of them by your provident care : That by the running of the new Province line, the township of Northfield was bi- fected, and y" petitioners in confequence excluded from y' Province : and even fince the running of the line they have received a kind protection from you when neglected by the Province of New Hampshire.
We are living in one of the moft expofed places in thefe paris : are in the road of the enemy's defcent on the Englifh frontiers by the way of Otter creek and Weft river. Aithough No. 4 be 30 miles above us on the Connecticut river,
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yet the diftance from Crown Point to us by Weft river is near the fame as to them by Black river : And as their defcent upon us is eafy, we fuffered much by them in the laft war ; and in the fummer paft the greateft number has been killed or captivated from this place of any other in thefe parts.
We have been confiderably protected in the fummer pait by men from New Hampfhire guarding us while gathering our crops : but, notwithitanding, 18 of our fmall number were killed or taken, fome of our buildings and a number of our cattle deftroyed : And now thofe forces have been withdrawn for fome months paft, and we are wholly deftitute. We are not able to protect ourselves, and have little hope of protection from New Hampfhire, * * and we are encour- aged to feek to you not only from y' wonted goodnefs toward us, but becaufe we have one of the beft fortifications for the covert of men that might be em- ployed in fcouting up the known roads of the enemy for the feafonable dis- covery or interruption of them in their approach towards the Englifh fettle- ments, whether in fummer or winter. Unlefs we have y" kind affiftance, we cannot continue here, but muft depart to fome other parts we know not whither."
1756. But the people of Hinsdale were not alone in their anxiety about the coming season. Northfield had received so poor protec - tion from the troops during the last year, that her situation appeared desperate, unless some effectual means were taken early - as the fol- lowing letter will show :
To Col. Ifrael Williams,
" Northfield, Jan. 27, 1756.
Hond Sir: Whereas the time of year draws near in which we have reafon to expect the enemy will make terrible attempts upon the frontiers, fo we of this town have great reafon to fear we fhall fuffer the firft fhock from them, in as much as we are very weakhanded and lie open to the enemy, and none to guard us and none to make difcovery of them till they are upon us : - we humbly beg of you Sir, (in behalf of the town) to ufe your utmoft endeavors that we may be well protected by a fufficient number of foldiers to fcout this winter, and to guard us in our hufbandry in the enfuing fpring and fummer, and that we may not be a gap open as in times paft. Sir, you are well acquainted with our fituation and difficult circumftances, and you cannot but know it was impofible for us to be well guarded in our labors by fo few men as was allowed us laft fummer. We truft Sir, you have a real concern for our intereft and welfare, and will heartily ferve us in the beft manner you can. We now herein apply ourfelves to you, and beg your favor and influence, and fubicribe our- felves
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