USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > History of the town of Plymouth, from its first settlement in 1620, to the present time : with a concise history of the aborigines of New England, and their wars with the English, &c. > Part 2
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CONTENTS OF INDIAN HISTORY.
lish troops raised, and Gen. Joseph Winslow appointed chief com- mander ; his instructions and orders, 382. Narraganset tribe form alliance with Philip, 384. The English troops prepare for battle. Philip's fort and camp described. Gen. Winslow's army marches to attack the enemy ; the conflict is awful ; two captains and a number of men are killed at the first onset; the English fall back, but again rally, and renew the attack, and gain the victory, with immense slaughter of men, women and children, 385. Result of the memo- rable Narraganset swamp fight, 386. Extreme suffering of Gen. Winslow's army, 387. Predatory warfare kept up by the Indians ; Clark's house assaulted and the people slaughtered, 387. Bravery of Capt. Church, 388. Philip attempts to surprise Taunton. He loses many of his men, with his wife and son captured, and is himself driven into a swamp, 388. Philip is killed, beheaded, and quartered ; his character, 389. Great sacrifices of the English, 390. Uncharita- ble remarks of Dr. Mather, 391. Treatment of Indian prisoners, 392. Capt. Church boldly resolves to hunt in the forest for Anna- wam; finds him in his den and captures him, 393. Annawam makes a speech, and delivers to Capt. Church King Philip's regalia, 394. Josselyn's account of Philip and his dress, 394. Annawam beheaded atPlymouth, and Tispiquin put to death contrary to the entreaty of Capt. Church and the laws of honor, 395. Cruel treatment of Phil- ip's son, 396. Anecdote of King Philip; Roger Williams's letter in favor of the Indians, 397. Sam Barrow executed, 397. Anecdote of Indian Sachems, 398. Extract of a letter from Capt. Gerrish, 399. Curious letter, 399.
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
PART I.
THE imperious causes, justly assigned by the Pilgrims for their abandonment of their native country, and the numerous cruel obstacles, which they were called to encounter, even in their attempts at emigration, have been at various periods, and by the pens of able historians, promulgated to the world. I shall there- fore omit these particulars without apology. It was in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth, King James and Charles the First, that the wicked dominion of tyranny and oppression, both in church and state, had become so intolerable, that a portion of their subjects in the north of England, were compelled to aban- don the soil of their fathers, and subject themselves to the mis- erable condition of exiles in a foreign land. This little band of pilgrim brothers, cheerfully sacrificed all they held dear in their native land, for the inestimable enjoyment of civil and religious liberty. They constituted themselves into a church, of which Mr. John Robinson was the pastor, and under extreme embar- rassment and difficulty, effected their emigration to Hol- land, and took up their residence in the city of Leyden, in the year 1610, where they remained in peaceful and quiet enjoy- ment about eleven years. Having numerous and insurmounta- ble objections to the country of the Dutch, as a permanent resi- dence for themselves and posterity, they deliberately decided on the ever memorable enterprise, of transporting themselves to this remote and unexplored region, where they might enjoy their worship, and opinions unmolested; well aware, that their religion and virtue might make the wilderness, and the solitary place be glad, and the desert rejoice, and blossom as the rose. And where, I would ask, is the event in Divine Providence, more worthy of particular and grateful commemo- ration?
It is a delightful task to retrospect to those interesting scenes, where in every step we can discover a christian faith, and holy
2
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. [1617, 18, 19
zeal, and in every exigence the guidance and protection of Al- mighty power and wisdom. While the establishment of a colony, and an independent church, were their primary objects, it was or- dained by God, that our fathers should be, in silence and in peace, the founders of a nation. It is my agreeable employment to search the records of our ancestors, and collate the memo- rials of their cheerless days, to follow our pious fathers, and their immediate descendants, through the vicissitudes of two centuries, and compare their forlorn condition with the improv- ed state of society in our own times. Not a step do we take, but we trace the footsteps of the pilgrims; our possessions were their possessions; not the town only, but the whole country is a monument of their noble sacrifices. In portraying the history of the town, we disclose the essential elements of the puritan character, and demonstrate the magnanimous spirit, by which the puritans were actuated and sustained. In the year 1617, the church under Mr. Robinson, employed Mr. Robert Cush- man, and Mr. John Carver, as their agents to the Virginia Company, to obtain a grant of territory for settlement, and, at the same time, security from the king, that they should enjoy religious freedom. They met with many impediments, and returned in May, 1618, with encouragement from the Vir- ginia Company relative to a grant of territory, and a simple promise, on the part of the crown, 'that the king would connive at them, and not molest them, provided that they carried peace- ably;' but toleration would not be granted by public authority under his seal. In February, 1619, Mr. Cushman and Mr. Bradford were despatched on the same business. After long attendance, they obtained a patent, which was then taken out in the name of John Wincob, a religious gentleman in the family of the Countess of Lincoln, who intended to accompany them, but was providentially prevented. This patent, therefore, was never used, but carried, however, to Leyden for the people, and such friends and merchants as should adventure with them, to consider, with several proposals for their transmi- gration made by Mr. Thomas Weston of London. Finding all their efforts for obtaining a patent adequate to their wants and circumstances fail them, they negotiated with the Virginia Company for a tract of land within the limits of their patent, and resolved to commit themselves in faith and confidence to the protecting arm of Almighty power, and encounter the perils of the ocean, directing their course to Hudson's river. Their sufferings and perils during the voyage, and after their arrival, were unparalleled, but they were supported by a noble fortitude and a consciousness of a faithful discharge of religious
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
1620]
duty. ' Of all the monuments,' says an elegant writer, 'raised to the memory of distinguished men, the most appropriate, and the least exceptionable, are those whose foundations are laid in their own works, and which are constructed of materials, sup- plied and wrought by their own labors.'* It is incumbent, therefore, on the historian, to transmit faithfully and impartially to posterity the genuine materials, that the noble fabric may with facility be constructed and rendered conspicuous. If the glorified spirits of our forefathers can be supposed sensible to what passes in this world, where they acted their part, they must enjoy the most sublime recompense, in the knowledge that, by the wisdom and goodness of God, the little band of pilgrims have been multiplied to millions, and that their posterity are per- mitted to assemble in superb edifices to sing their maker's praise, and recount the toils and virtuous principles of the pious founders of our empire. The vessels designed for the transpor- tation of the emigrants across the Atlantic, were the Speedwell, of 60 tons, of which Mr. Reynolds was master, and the May- flower of 180 tons, of which Mr. Jones was master. A govern- or, and two assistants were chosen for each vessel, whose duties were to preserve regular order among the passengers, and direct the disposal of the provisions, and other necessary concerns. The emigrants being prepared for their departure, the Speedwell received them on board at Delfthaven, in Hol- land, July 22d, 1620, and proceeded to Southampton, in Eng- land, where they found the Mayflower prepared to accompany them. At the quay at Delfthaven, a multitude of people assem- bled to witness the embarkation of the first company destined to people the new world, and to unite their sympathies and prayers for their safety and prosperity. At the moment of their going on board, Mr. Robinson fell on his knees, and with eyes overflowing with tears, in a most fervent and solemn prayer, committed them to their Divine protector.
" The winds and waves are roaring : The pilgrims met for prayer ; And here their God adoring, They knelt in open air."
Whose imagination can paint a scene so vibrating to the chords of sympathy? Parents and children on bended knees, imploring the protection of heaven, when about to be separated forever from their dearest friends and possessions, and go they know not whither!
* Hon. Josiah Quincy, in the life of his father.
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
[1620
The two ships sailed from Southampton in company on the 5th of August, 1620, but they had not proceeded far, when the Speedwell was found to be too leaky to perform the voyage, and both vessels put into the harbor of Dartmouth, where the leaks were stopped. After which, they again proceeded on their voyage, but the same vessel again proved unseaworthy, and they both repaired to Plymouth harbor, where the Speed- well was discharged from the service, and all those who were unwilling to proceed on the voyage were dismissed with the Captain of the Speedwell, who, from bribery, probably, proved himself unfaithful to his trust, and the whole company was crowded into the Mayflower. This ship, after many disheart- ening vicissitudes, sailed from Plymouth, the last English port, September 6th, 1620, but, on her voyage, had to encounter contrary winds and boisterous storms, by which she suffered great damage, and was exposed to imminent danger. With much difficulty, she was repaired at sea, and enabled to per- form the voyage. The adventurers made the land of Cape Cod, * the 9th of November. After some deliberation between the master and passengers, it was resolved to tack about, and di- rect their course to the South, according to their original destina- tion to Hudson's river. But soon finding themselves among dan- gerous shoals and breakers, and the season being far advanced, they abandoned this design, and on the 11th of November, Old Style, { anchored safely in the harbor of Cape Cod, being in number 101 English settlers, including 28 females, who
Cape Cod received its name from Captain Gosnold, who caught abundance of Codfish there when he discovered it in 1602.
+ Explanation of Old and New Style.
The correction of the Calendar by Pope Gregory, in 1582, was not adopted by the British Parliament till 1751, when it was directed that eleven days in September, 1752, should be retrenched, and the third day of that month reckoned the fourteenth. This mode of reckoning was called New Style, or the Gregorian account, and the year was made to commence on the first of January, instead of the 25th of March, as formerly. The Old Style, or Julian account, is so called from Julius Cæsar, who regulated the Calendar about 40 years before Christ. Before the year 1752, there was sometimes a confusion in dates, being difficult to determine, whether January, February, and a part of March closed the year, or began the new one. Hence the mode of double dates, as March 20th, 1676-7. This would be 1676, Old Style, because it would lack five days to complete the year, but in the New Style it would be '77, because, according to that style, the year commenced the first day of January, and March would be the third month of the new year. The double dating has not been practised since the year 1752.
In the Massachusetts Colony, our ancestors numbered the days of
17
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
1620]
accompanied their husbands, and 42 children and servants. The number of males qualified to act in state affairs being for- ty-one. On their arrival, their spirits aspired to heaven, and falling on their knees, they blessed God, who had brought them over the furious ocean, and delivered them from many perils and miseries. The original destination of the settlers was Hud- son's river, that they might be within the Virginia patent; but according to the positive assertion of Secretary Morton, the captain was bribed by the Dutch Governor to conduct them to New England, and thereby place them beyond the protection of any English charter. This Providential event, however, proved auspicious to their enterprise and future prosperity, as the na- tive inhabitants of the place had been destroyed by pestilence a few years before, whereas the natives at and near the Hudson, were so numerous, that a landing there would have proved ex- tremely hazardous, if not absolutely impracticable. * On the day of their arrival at Cape Cod, they landed 15 or 16 men, . headed by Captain Miles Standish, well provided with arms, to procure wood, and to reconnoitre the place. They immediate- ly commenced repairing their shallop, that they might explore the harbors and shores. Well apprised of the value and neces- sity of a form of civil government to restrain the vicious and strengthen their momentous undertaking, these honest-hearted people, before leaving the cabin of the Mayflower, but not be- fore solemnly invoking the Throne of the almighty, unanimous- ly subscribed to the following judicious compact providing for equal and social rights, and promising subordination and obe- dience to the laws. This first essay in the civilized world to found a republican constitution of government, ought in justice to immortalize the names affixed to the instrument which has proved the charter of our liberties.
the week, beginning as the 1st, 2d, 3d, &c. to the 7th, which is Sat- urday, and the months, according to the Roman Calendar, beginning with March as the 1st, 2d, 3d, &c. to February, because they wished to avoid all memory of, or reference to, heathenish and idol names.
* November, 17th, 1620, William Butten, a youth, and servant to Samuel Fuller, died at sea, being the only passenger who died on the voyage.
December 15th, died, Edward Thompson, servant of Mr. White, the first death after their arrival at Cape Cod.
December 17th, died, Jasper, a son of Mr. Carver.
18th, drowned, Dorothy Bradford wife of Mr. Wm. B. 19th, died, James Chilton.
January 1st, 1621, died, Richard Britterige, the first who died in Plymouth harbor.
2 *
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH. [1620
' In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under- written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ire- land, king, defender of the faith, &c. having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the christian faith and honor of our King and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do, by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and of one another, cove- nant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof, do enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws and ordinances, acts, constitu- tions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony, unto which we promise all due subjection and obedience. In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names, at Cape Cod, the 11th day of November, in the year of the reign of our sove- reign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini, 1620.'
This compact was subscribed in the following order by
No. in Family.
No. in Family.
Mr. John Carver, f 8
* Thomas Rogers, 2
Mr. William Bradford, t Q
Mr. Edward Winslow, t 5
* John Ridgdale, į 2
Mr. William Brewster, }
6
* Edward Fuller, t 3
Mr. Isaac Allerton, f 6
* John Turner, 3
Capt. Miles Standish, ¡ Gł
John Alden, 1
Mr. Samuel Fuller, 2
* Mr. Christopher Martin, į 4 5
Mr. William Mullins, t
* Moses Fletcher,
1
* John Goodman, 1
1
* Thomas Williams,
1
Gilbert Winslow, 1
* Edward Margeson, 1
Peter Brown, 1
* Richard Britterige, 1
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, t 8
* Edward Tilly, İ 4
* John Tilly, t 3
* Richard Clarke, 1
Francis Cook,
Richard Gardiner, 1
+ Those with this mark brought their wives.
Those who died before the end of the next March are distin- guished by an asterisk.
* John Crackston,
* Mr. William White, t 5
(Besides a son born in Cape Cod harbor, and named Peregrine)
Francis Eaton, } 3
* James Chilton, ¡ 3
John Billington, t 4
* Degory Priest,
Mr. Richard Warren, 1
John Howland, (of Carver's family,)
George Soule, (of Edward Winslow's family )
* Thomas Tinker, f 3
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
1620]
No. in Family.
* John Allerton, 1 1
* Thomas English,
Edward Dotey, Edward Leis-
No. in Family. ter, (both of Stephen Hop- kins's family.)
' This brief, and comprehensive, and simple instrument estab- lished a most important principle, a principle which is the foun- dation of all the democratic institutions of America, and is the basis of the republic; and however it may be expanded and complicated in our various constitutions, however unequally power may be distinguished in the different branches of our va- rious governments, has imparted to each its strongest and most striking characteristic.
Many philosophers have since appeared, who have, in labor- ed treatises, endeavored to prove the doctrine, that the rights of man are unalienable, and nations have bled to defend and en- force them, yet in this dark age, the age of despotism and su- perstition, when no tongue dared to assert, and no pen to write this bold and novel doctrine, which was then as much at defi -. ance with common opinion as with actual power, of which the monarch was then held to be the sole fountain, and the theory was universal, that all popular rights were granted by the crown, in this remote wilderness, amongst a small and unknown band of wandering outcasts, the principle that the will of the majority of the people shall govern, was first conceived, and was first prac- tically exemplified.
The pilgrims, from their notions of primitive christianity, the force of circumstances, and that pure moral feeling which is the offspring of true religion, discovered a truth in the science of government which had been concealed for ages. On the bleak shore of a barren wilderness, in the midst of desolation, with the blast of winter howling around them, and surrounded with dan- gers in their most awful and appalling forms, the pilgrims of Leyden laid the foundation of American liberty. '-Baylies, vol. i. p. 29.
John Carver was elected to officiate as Governor for one year. Seventeen days elapsed before the shallop could be repaired fit for service; during the interval, the new comers employed them- selves in exploring the shores in the long-boat, and traversing the woods on Cape Cod. On Monday, November 13th, the women were set ashore to wash, and their shallop brought on shore for repairs. The men formed a company to travel into the interior to view the land, and endeavor to discover the in- habitants: they were commanded by Capt. Miles Standish, well armed, and master Jones, of the Mayflower, being desirous of joining in the excursion, was made their pioneer. They spent
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
[1620
two or three days ranging the woods, and saw five Indians at some distance, but they were shy and kept out of reach. They discovered no houses, but found a large iron ship's kettle, and near it a considerable quantity of variously colored Indian corn in the ears, buried under ground in handsome baskets. This was a new article to the settlers, and they availed them- selves of the opportunity to supply their wants. They carried away the kettle and a quantity of corn, with the honest inten- tion of replacing them when opportunity should offer, which they eventually did.
The place which they visited was Pamet River, now in Truro. Whilst wandering in the woods they observed a young sapling bent down to the earth, and some acorns strewed underneath. Stephen Hopkins said it was a deer trap; Mr. William Bradford, afterwards governor, stepping too near, it gave a sudden jerk up- wards and caught him by the leg ; it was said to have been a pretty device, made with a rope of Indian fabric, and having a noose so ingeniously contrived as to answer all the purposes of entrap- ping deer. When the shallop was fit for service, 34 men em- barked in her, and the long-boat, on an excursion to explore the shores in search of a.place for settlement. They landed at the mouth of Pamet River, in Truro, to which they gave the name of Cold Harbor, the weather being extremely cold and stormy. From thence they marched several miles into the woods, without making any satisfactory discovery, but shot two geese and six ducks, which served them well for supper. In their travels they found sundry sand heaps, under which they found Indian corn, and named the place Corn Hill. They found also two or three baskets of Indian wheat, a bag of beans, and a bottle of oil. From this store they took to themselves about ten bushels of corn and beans, which afforded them essential relief, and supplied them with seed corn, for which they resolved to make restitution. Having marched 5 or 6 miles into the woods, they saw neither houses nor inhabitants, but came to a large square, having the appearance of a capacious burial-place. On digging in the ground, they met with mats, a bow, a carved board, bowls, trays, dishes, and trinkets. Under a large new mat were two bundles; on opening the largest, there was discovered a quantity of fine red powder, in which was enveloped the bones and skull of a man. The skull was covered with yellow hair, and there were bound up with it a knife,.a pack-needle, and pieces of old iron. It was bound up in a sailor's canvass cas- sock, and a pair of cloth breeches. The red powder was a kind of embalment, and yielded a strong but not offensive smell. *
A French ship had been wrecked on the shore of Cape Cod a
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
1620]
In the lesser package was the same kind of powder, and the bones and head of a little child; about the legs and some other parts were bound strings and bracelets of fine white beads: there were also a little bow and some trinkets. Whilst searching in the woods, two of the sailors discovered two Indian houses, from which the inhabitants had lately departed. They were formed with long young sapling trees, bended, and both ends stuck into the ground, and covered, tops and sides, with well-wrought mats. Within were found wooden bowls, trays, and dishes, earthern pots, hand-baskets made of crab-shells wrought together, also an English pail or bucket. Here were also deers' heads, horns and feet, eagles' claws, two or three baskets full of parched acorns, and pieces of herrings, and other fishes.
It now became a question with the settlers whether Cape Cod should be adopted as their permanent residence, or search be made for a more eligible situation. In their deliberation on the occasion, different opinions resulted. In favor of the place it was alleged, 1st, that the harbor was convenient for boats though not for ships: 2d, there was good corn ground, as was evident by the remaining stubble: 3d, it was a place of profitable fishing; for large whales of the best kind for oil and bone, came daily along side and played about the ship. The master and his mate, and others experienced in fishing, preferred it to Greenland whale-fishery, and asserted that were they provided with the proper implements £3,000 or £4,000 worth of oil might be obtained: 4th, the place was likely to prove healthful, secure and defensible. But the last and special reason was the unfavor- able season, it being winter, and the weather was so exceedingly tempestuous, cold and stormy, that every movement was attended with imminent danger. And whether a more convenient place could be found, was very doubtful, as no one was acquainted with the country. On the other hand, it was urged, 1st, that the shore was so shallow that the men were obliged to wade in water over their knees in going to and from their shallop, by which many had taken colds and coughs, whereof some had died: 2d, there was a place called Agawam, alias Angawam, (Ipswich,). about 20 leagues to the northward, which had been reported as having an excellent harbor for ships, and better soil and fishing: 3d, there might be at no great distance a better seat, .. and it would be unfortunate to locate where they should be
few years before, from which they probably obtained the iron kettle and carved board, &c. The skull, with the yellow hair, undoubted- ly belonged to one of the seamen wrecked in the French ship, three of whom it appears were suffered to live for sometime among the natives.
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