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 37
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Massasoit was the most renowned, and the most meritorious chief of his time, and a firm friend to the English settlers dur- ing his life. He was not famed so much for war exploits, as for his mild, humane and peaceable disposition, for his love of his people, and moderation of government. Dignified in his conduct and manners, and wise in his policy, his dominion and influenca were extended over many neighboring tribes, who acknowledged him as their tutelar father and protector, depend- ing on his authority to sanction all their expeditions and adjust all their difficulties. Massasoit, was the earliest and most gen- erous friend of the Plymouth Pilgrims. His grant of an ex- tensive territory made to the first settlers, when entire stran- gers, was a noble act of friendship, and his fidelity to the famous treaty of 1621, during the continuance of his life, and then transferring the same obligation to his sons, form an instance of moral and political virtue little to be expected from an un- civilized chieftain. When the Pilgrims landed on the shore they took possession of a portion of Massasoit's country called Patuxet, now Plymouth. It may be supposed that this intru- sion of strangers excited a share of anxiety as well as of curi- osity in the mind of the chief, and it required a degree of wis- dom and prudence to determine the course to be pursued. In March, 1621, the King sent a petty chief named Samoset, who had been a captive in England, to make observations on the new comers. He entered abruptly among the English and addressed them in their own language. About five days after- wards, Massasoit presented himself accompanied with 60 men with bows and arrows, but approached with great caution, stop- ping on Strawberry hill within view of the settlers. Governor Carver sent Mr. Edward Winslow to hold conversation with him, carrying presents for the king and his brother Quadequi- na, who was with him. Massasoit was well pleased with this interview, and Mr. Winslow agreed to remain as a hostage in the hands of Quadequina while the king was conducted to an interview with Governor Carver, who received him with drum and fife, and with much favor and respect, and treated him with the best refreshments in his power. The two personages kissed
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each other and a treaty of mutual benefit was at once conclud- ed. (See page 35.) In July following, Mr. Winslow and Ste- phen Hopkins with Squanto for interpreter visited Massasoit at Pokanoket, carrying for his acceptance a trooper's red laced coat, and a copper chain.
This interview was exceedingly pleasing to both parties, and the king's pride was greatly elated by his new coat and chain, and his people were equally well pleased with the proud appear- ance of their king. In 1623, Massasoit was seized with sick- ness which brought him to the brink of the grave. On this oc- casion he was visited by his good friend, Mr. Edward Winslow, and Mr. John Hampden. Mr. Winslow, with extraordinary kindness and skill, ministered to his relief, and performed almost a miraculous cure, which laid a foundation for a lasting friend- ship for his benefactor and for the English in general. In grat- itude for this favor he informed Mr. Winslow of a combination of Indians for the destruction of the English settlers. Not a single incident recorded by any writer to the disparagement of his character has ever come to our knowledge. It was by his consummate sagacity, and the intrinsic dignity and energy of his character, and the kind qualities of his heart, that he was enabled to control the extravagant passions of his savage peo- ple, and win their personal confidence and affection. There appears to have been no record of the precise date of Massa- soit's death. Hubbard supposes that he died about 1656; oth- ers say 1669; but as late as May 21st, 1661, his name is found in the records of the United Colonies .* He must have been at that time about 80 years of age, and we know of no mention of him after that date. He is supposed to have acted as chief Sagamore, over the Wampanoag tribe during 50 years or more, and in that station he evinced a correct judgment, prudence, and a benevolent mind. But he ever manifested a great aver- sion to the Christian religion; no reasoning or persuasion, could induce him to forsake the idolatry of his fathers, and he enjoin- ed on his children to remain steadfast to their own religion. Massasoit and his neighbors, the Narragansets, were implaca- ble enemies, and the Narragansets being by far the most pow- erful, Massasoit was much indebted to the English, whose guns awed them into a peaceable behavior, and he appeared to be sensible of his obligations.
In 1639, Massasoit, or Ousamequin (as then called,) and his eldest son Wamsutta, afterwards called Alexander, came to the court at Plymouth, on the 25th of September, and desired
* Drake's Indian Biography.
31*
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that the ancient treaty which had been made in 1621, might remain inviolable, to which they promised that they would faith- fully adhere The Sachem, and his son, did also promise to the court that they would not heedlessly, and unjustly raise any quarrels, or do any wrongs to other natives to provoke them to war; and that he or they shall not give, sell, or convey any of his or their lands, territories or possessions to any person or persons without the knowledge or consent of the government of Plymouth. These conditions, the said Ousamequin, and his son, for themselves, and their successors, did faithfully promise to observe and keep; and the whole court, in the name of the whole Government, and people, did then ratify and confirm the aforesaid ancient league and confederacy; and did also further promise to the said Sachem, and his son, and his successors, that they will from time to time, defend them and their succes- sors, against all such as shall rise up against them to wrong or oppress them unjustly. Thus this chief, from extreme anxiety, to preserve a firm and lasting peace with his English neigh- bors, not only for himself, but for his posterity, caused his eld- est son to enter into the same engagement with the English, and afterwards when his other son arrived at manhood, he was careful to enjoin the same policy on him also.
In 1649, Ousamequin sold to Captain Miles Standish, Sam- uel Nash, and Constant Southworth, all of Duxbury, a tract of land usually called Saughtucket, seven miles square, which comprises the town of Duxbury. The price paid to Ousame- quin, was seven coats, of a yard and a half each, nine hatch- ets, eight hoes, twenty knives, four moose skins, and ten and a half yards of cotton cloth. The place of Massasoit's residence was Mount Hope or Pokanoket, or Sowans, in the vicinity of Titicut on Taunton river, about 40 miles from Plymouth, but occasionally he resided at other places.
In the year 1619, Captain Thomas Dermer was sent out from England by Sir Ferdinando Gorges, on account of the Presi- dent and Council of New England, in a ship of 200 tons. He had on board Squanto, a Pokanoket Indian who had been kid- napped by Captain Hunt, in 1614, and sold as a slave at Mala- ga. In a letter to Purchas, Capt. Dermer says, ' When I ar- rived at my savage's native country, finding all dead, I trav- elled along a day's journey to a place called Nummastaguyt, where finding inhabitants, I despatched a messenger a day's journey farther west to Pokanoket, which bordereth on the sea; whence came to see me two kings, attended with a guard of 50 armed men, who being well satisfied with that my savage and I discoursed unto them, gave me content in whatever I demanded.
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Here I redeemed a Frenchman, and afterwards another at Masstechusitt, who three years since escaped shipwreck at the northeast of Cape Cod.' The two Indian kings were probably Massasoit and his brother Quadequina as they resided at Po- kanoket.
Much of the detail relative to the character of Massasoit has been given in other pages of this volume.
The Pequots inhabited the most southern part of New Eng- land which comprehended what is now the state of Connecticut. They were once ' a very war-like and potent people.' Their chief Sachem was Sassacus, whose name was terrible to all the neighboring tribes till the English, by the assistance of the Mohegans and Narragansets, vanquished the whole tribe in the year 1637. The scene of this Pequot war was in the town of Groton in Connecticut where the Indians had fortified them- selves in the strongest manner. They had murdered Captains Stone, Norton, and Oldham, before the English determined to subdue them. In the summer of 1637 Connecticut and Massa- chusetts united their forces, the former under Capt. John Ma- son, and the latter under Capt. Israel Stoughton, and the expe- dition was commenced. Capt. Underhill being stationed at Say- brook fort, shared in the attack. The English forces consisted of seventy-seven men and were joined by 500 Indians. On the 26th of May before day-light they arrived at the Indian fort while all within were asleep in their wigwams, and the barking of a dog awakened them to receive the naked swords of their foe. The English entered the fort sword in hand, and accord- ing to Capt. Mason's history, the Indians in their terrible sur- prise made but a feeble resistance, their cry was ' Owanux ! Owanux! Englishmen! Englishmen!' Instantly on entering the fort the English began their slaughter, sparing not women or children, following them from wigwam to wigwam, they put them to the sword while endeavoring to hide themselves, and no mercy was shown them. At length fire was put to their wigwams, and the flames spreading rapidly over the whole fort, the wounded, the dead, and the helpless were consumed in one awful conflagration. Many who attempted to escape the flames were shot down by those who were stationed on the outside for that purpose. The number of miserable wretches who perish- ed in this terrible conflict was about 600 ;* of the English two only were killed and about twenty wounded. Sassacus, him- self being in another fort fled to the Mohawks, by whom he was beheaded. Captain Stoughton according to Mason's account
* Were the savages ever guilty of a more barbarous act than this?
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.
gained but little credit in this affair. He addressed the Gov- ernor of Massachusetts as follows. 'By this pinnace, you shall receive forty-eight or fifty women and children, unless there stay any here to be helpful, &c. There is one, I former- ly mentioned, that is the fairest and largest I saw amongst them, to whom I have given a coat to clothe her. It is my de- sire to have her for a servant if it may stand with your good liking, else not. There is a little squaw that Steward Culacut desireth, to whom he hath given a coat. Lieut. Davenport also desireth one, to wit, a small one, that hath three strokes upon her stomach, thus :- III +. He desireth her if it stand with your good liking. Sosoman, the Indian, desireth a young little squaw, which I know not.' Shortly after the the termination of the war the Pequots appeared no more as a nation.
The Narragansets, possessed the country about Narra- ganset Bay, including Rhode Island, and other Islands in that vicinity, and a part of Connecticut. Canonicus was their great warrior Sachem. This tribe is described by our early histori- ans 'as a great people,' capable of raising 4000 warriors. Canonicus lived to an advanced age, and died according to Gov. Winthrop, June 4th, 1647. He discovered a generous mind in receiving Rev. Roger Williams when in great distress, and affording him a friendly protection. Mr. Williams men- tioned his name with respect and acknowledged his obligation to him thus in a manuscript letter to the Governor of Massa- chusetts. After observing that many hundreds of the English were witnesses to the friendly disposition of the Narragansets, he says: 'Their late long lived Canonicus so lived and died in the same most honorable manner and solemnity (in their way) as you laid to sleep your prudent peace-maker Mr. Winthrop, did they honor this their prudent and peaceable prince; yea, through all their towns and countries how frequently do many and oft times of Englishmen travel alone with safety and loving kindness?' On one occasion Canonicus thus addressed Roger Williams: ' I have never suffered any wrong to be done to the English since they landed, nor never will. If the English speak true, if he mean truly, then shall I go to my grave in peace, and I hope that the English and my posterity shall live in love and peace together.' 'His heart,' says Mr. Williams, 'was stirred up to love me as his son to the last gasp.' Howev- er partial Canonicus may have been to Rev. Mr. Williams, he was not uniformly friendly to the settlers in general. It appears in Gov. Winslow's Good News from New England, that in Feb- ruary, 1622, this chief sent into Plymouth, a bundle of arrows bound together with a rattle snake's skin. This was received
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as it was intended, a challenge for war. Gov. Bradford filled the rattle-snake skin with powder and shot and returned it to Cunonicus, with a message of defiance which produced the de- sired effect. Canonicus was so frightened that he dared not touch the article and soon returned it to Plymouth and became silent and peaceable. (See page 45 of this vol.)
Potok, according to Mr. Drake in his Indian Biography, was a chief of the Narragansets, who was a notorious opposer of the promulgation of the Christian religion among that tribe. At an English treaty, he was said to have urged that the English should not send any among them to preach the gospel, or call upon them to pray to God, but they refusing to concede to such an article, it was withdrawn. Potok was an active warrior in Philip's war, and was the Indian that Hubbard speaks of as a great counsellor, who informed of the number of Indians slain in the great swamp fight, and who he says was taken and exe- cuted; but according to Drake, 'he came in voluntarily, no doubt with the view of making friends again with his enemies, but was sent to Boston, where he was, after answering all their inquires, put to death without ceremony.'
Massachusetts tribe. Chickataubut, was a sachem of consid- erable note among the Massachusetts tribe, and one of those who, in 1621, acknowledged themselves the subjects of King James. He was Sachem of Passonagesit (Weymouth, ) where his mother was buried. In Drake's Indian Biography the fol- lowing is related from Thomas Morton's New Canaan. In the first settling of Plymouth, some of the company in wandering about upon discovery, came upon an Indian grave, which was of the inother of Chikataubut. Over the body a stake was set in the ground, and two huge bear skins sewed together spread over it; these the English took away. When this came to the knowledge of Chikataubut, he complained to his people and de- manded immediate vengeance. When they were assembled, he thus harangued them: ' When last the glorious light of all the sky was underneath the globe and birds grew silent, I be- gan to settle, as my custom is to take repose; before mine eyes were fast closed, me tho't I saw a vision, at which my spirit was much troubled, and trembling at that doleful sight cried aloud; Behold ! my son, whom I have cherished, see the paps that gave thee suck, the hands that clasped thee warm, and fed thee oft, canst thou forget to take revenge on those wild people that hath my monument defaced in a despiteful manner; dis- daining our ancient antiquities, and honorable customs. See now the Sachem's grave lies, like unto the common people of ignoble race, defaced. Thy mother doth complain, implores
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thy aid against this thievish people newly come hither; if this be suffered I shall not rest in quiet within my everlasting hab- itation.' Battle was the unanimous resolve, and the English were watched and followed from place to place, until at length as some were going ashore in a boat, they fell upon them, but gained little advantage. After maintaining the fight for some time, and being driven from tree to tree, the chief captain was wounded in the arm and the whole took to flight. This action caused the natives about Plymouth to look upon the English as invincible, and was the reason that peace was maintained so long after."
When Boston was settled Chikataubut visited Governor Win- throp, and presented him with a hogshead of corn. Many of his ' sanops and squaws' came with him, but were most of them sent away after they had all dined, Chikataubut probably fear- ing they would be burdensome, although it thundered and rain- ed and the Governor urged their stay. At this time he wore English clothes, and sat at the Governor's table, where he be- haved himself soberly, &c. as an Englishman. "Not long after he called on Governor Winthrop and desired to buy of him a suit of clothes for himself, the governor informed him that 'English Sagamores did not use to truck;' but he called his tai- lor and gave him orders to make him a suit of clothes; where- upon he gave the governor two large skins of coat beaver. The clothes being ready, the governor put him into a very good new suit from head to foot, and after, he set meat before them; but he would not eat till the governor had given thanks, and af- ter meat he desired him to do the like, and so departed."
Awashonks. This personage was a female chief, or Squaw Sachem, of Sogkonate, situated at the northeast side of the Narraganset bay. She seems to have possessed considerable abilities and great influence over her own and neighboring tribes. In her territories Mr. B. Church, afterwards Captain Church took up a temporary residence and formed an acquain- tance with this chief, by whom he was held in great respect.
In July, 1671, Awashonks entered into articles of agreement with the Plymouth court, to which she subscribed her hand in presence of Samuel Barker and John Almy, and she was re- quired to surrender her arms in ten days. In August following she addressed a letter to Governor Prince as follows :
' August 11th, 1671. Honored Sir, I have received a very great favor from your Honor, in yours of the 7th instant, and as you are pleased to signify, that if I continue faithful to the agreement made with yourselves at Plymouth, I may expect all just favors from your Honor, I am fully resolved, while I live,
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with all fidelity to stand to my engagement, and in a peaceable submission to your commands, according to the best of my poor ability. It is true, and I am very sensible thereof, that there are some Indians who do seek an advantage against me, for my submitting to his Majesty's authority in your jurisdiction, but being conscious to myself of my integrity and real inten- tions of peace, I doubt not but you will afford me all due en- couragement and protection. I had resolved to send in all my guns, being six in number, according to the intimation of my letter; but two of them were so large, the messengers were not able to carry them. I since proffered to leave them with Mr. Barker, but he not having any order to receive them, told me he conceived I might do well to send them to Mr. Almy, who is a person concerned in the jurisdiction, which I resolved to do; but since then an Indian, known by the name of Broad-faced Will, stole one of them out of the wigwam in the night, and has run away with it to Mount Hope; the other I think to send to Mr. Almy. A list of those that are obedient to me, and, I hope and am persuaded, faithful to you, is here enclosed. Hon- ored Sir, I shall not trouble you farther, but desiring your peace and prosperity, in which I look at my own to be included,
I remain, your unfeigned servant,
AWASUNCKS.'
To this letter the Governor replied with some expressions of disapprobation, and closed with good advice and caution. In the spring of the year 1675, King Philip, preparing for war against the English, sent six messengers arrayed in warlike dress to negotiate with Awashonks, to unite her forces with his in the war. She immediately assembled her counsellors and order- ed a great war dance. She complimented Mr. Church with an invitation to be present on this great occasion. He took with him a man who was acquainted with the Indian language and repaired to the place where he found a large number of people and Awashonks herself in a foaming sweat leading the dance; but on his arrival she stopped short and having seated herself she ordered her chiefs into her presence, and then informed Mr. Church that Philip had sent six of his men to urge her to join him in the war, pretending that the Plymouth people were raising a great army to invade his country, and she applied to him for the truth of it. Church assured her that there was no foundation for the report, and that he believed war was not thought of amongst the head men at Plymouth. She then or- dered Philip's messengers into her presence, and informed them of what Church had said, at which they were much offended, and a warm talk ensued. Church was so unguarded as to ad-
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vise Awashonks to put to death the six messengers, and put herself under the protection of the English. She refused to adopt this rash advice, and a tumult was excited; one of her men, called Littte-Eyes, attempted to murder Church, but was prevented. The chief, however, thanked Church for his infor- mation and advice, and agreed to put herself under the protection of the English, and desired him to repair to Plymouth to make the necessary arrangements. But before this could be com- pleted, the war was commenced by Philip, and the benevolent Awashonks was unhappily involved in it as her only alternative. This was a source of great grief to Capt. Church, as he was well aware that she entertained no partiality or attachment to Philip, and he resolved to avail himself of the first favorable op- portunity to attempt to detach her from his interest. The war operations for a long time prevented his carrying his plan into execution. When at length he communicated to a few friends his determination to visit Awashonks, and applied to the govern- ment of Rhode Island for a permit, they were astonished at his presumption and refused to grant him permission, deeming it madness in him thus to throw away his valuable life. He wished to take with him a man who was versed in the Indian language, but the government utterly refused him that liberty. Firm in his daring resolution, he took his own man and two friendly Indians only, and providing himself with a bottle of rum and a roll of tobacco, departed for the camp of Awashonks at Sogkonate, now Woods-Hole. The chief had been apprised of his intention, and the few Indians which he first met gave him their hands in token of friendship; they pointed to a retired place to hold a consul- tation, which he had no sooner reached, than he found himself entirely encompassed by a body of armed savages, who rose up from the high grass and bushes where they had been placed. These warriors were in complete warlike array with their faces painted and hair trimmed. None but a heart of adamant, one would suppose, could withstand such an awful scene. But Church, with uncommon presence of mind and a stern counten- ance, addressed himself to Awashonks, saving that he understood she desired to see him about making peace with the English. She said, 'yes.' Church then desired that her men might lay aside their arms, as was customary while discoursing of peace. This was immediately complied with, but caused much murmur- ing in their ranks. Having set down together, Church pro- duced his bottle of rum, and drank to the chief and passed it to her; but she desired him to drink again, and watched him nar- rowly to see whether he swallowed; he assured her that there was no poison in it, and she then partook freely of the contents
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of the bottle, and passed it among her attendants. The tobacco being next distributed, all appeared to be happy, and to unite in social glee. But this was soon interrupted by a lusty fellow, who of a sudden approached and raised his war-club to beat out the brains of Mr. Church, but he was seized and his club wrest- ed from him. His plea was, that his brother had been killed in battle, and that Church was the man who killed him, and he would have his blood; but Church explained and endeavored to pacify him. An agreement was now concluded, and Awashonks agreed to serve the English 'in whatever way she was able,' provided ' Plymouth would firmly engage to them, that they and all of them with their wives and children should have their lives spared, and none of them transported out of the country. The chief captain now came forward, and expressed the great respect which he had for Captain Church, and said, 'Sir, if you will please to accept of me and my men, and will head us, we will fight for you, and will help you to Philip's head before the In- dian corn be ripe.' The result of these transactions was a last- ing friendship between Awashonks and Captain Church and the English government.
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