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 38

Author: Thacher, James, 1754-1844
Publication date: 1835
Publisher: Boston : Marsh, Capen & Lyon
Number of Pages: 424


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 38


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Counbitant, or Corbitant. This distinguished Sachem resided at Mattapoyst, on a neck of land in the present town of Swan- sey, or Rochester. He was considered as inimical to the Eng- lish settlers, viewing them as intruders and enemies to his race, and being well aware that should the English be permitted to obtain a permanent possession of the country, the natives must eventually abandon it or be altogether extirpated. It does not appear that this Sachem was in any way endowed with power- ful means of warfare. In the first part of this volume will be found some account of this Sachem, as related by Governor Winslow, who visited him in his cabin.


The Nausets were a small tribe occupying Cape Cod. Their Sachem was Aspinet. He manifested his friendly disposition to the English settlers as early as July, 1621, when John Billing- ton, a boy, was lost in the woods. See page 41.


Canonchet, was a head Sachem of the Narragansets, and a great warrior. He commanded a party of Indians in 1675, who killed Capt. Pierce, of Scituate, and most of his company. Soon after this exploit, he was captured by Capt. Denison, of Stonington. When a youthful soldier of the company came up to him and asked several questions,-' You too much child, no understand matters of war,' said the Sachem ; 'let your cap- tain come, him I will answer.' When informed that it was de- termined to put him to death, he said, 'He liked it well, that he should die before his heart was soft, or he had spoken any thing unworthy himself.'


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There was one instance which occurred in about 1630, in which the Indians manifested extreme kindness of feeling towards the English. 'Richard Garrett, and several others, from Boston, were shipwrecked on Cape Cod. Some of them died of their hardships. The Indians buried the dead with much difficulty, the ground being hard frozen, and literally nursed the survivors back to life; and after curing and strength- ening them, secured the remains of their dead companions against wild beasts, and then guided them fifty miles through the woods to Plymouth.'-( Baylies.)


Alexander, was the immediate successor of his father, Ousa- mequin, and inherited his dominions and his seat at Mount Hope; but he was devoid of his father's good qualities, and his career was short, and his end disastrous. All that is known of his life and character, is comprised in the following unfortunate transaction. It appears that in the year 1662, Alexander had given cause to suspect, not only that he was unfriendly, but that he was actually contriving mischief against the English; and, moreover, according to report, he had solicited the Narragan- sets to engage with him in his designed rebellion. Hereupon Captain Willet, who lived near to Mount Hope, was appointed to confer with him, and to desire him to attend the next court in Plymouth for their satisfaction, and his own vindication; he seemed to take the message in good part, professing that the Narragansets, who he said were his enemies, had put an abuse upon him, and he readily promised to attend at the next court. But when the day for his appearance arrived, he went over to the Narragansets, his pretended enemies. This circumstance could not but increase the suspicion of his unfaithfulness, and the Governor and Magistrates ordered Major Josiah Winslow to take a party of armed men and bring Alexander to Plymouth for examination. The Major accordingly took ten men from Marshfield, intending to add to his number in the towns nearer to Mount Hope. But when they were about midway between Plymouth and Bridgewater, at a hunting house, they found Alexander and many of his men, (Hubbard says eighty,) well armed, but their guns were outside of the house. Major Wins- low, having possessed himself of the Indians' arms, entered the house and accosted the Sachem, and made him acquainted with his instructions. He fell into a raging passion, and insisted that the Governor had no reason to credit rumors, and to send for him in that manner, nor would he go to Plymouth but when he saw cause. The Major replied, that his breach of word touching his appearance at Plymouth court, and at the same time going to the Narragansets, his pretended enemies, in-


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creased the jealousy concerning him. In the firmest tone, Major Winslow commanded the Sachem to submit to his or- ders, promising him kind treatment if he complied, but with a pistol at his breast, threatening him with instant death if he again refused. Upon this, his interpreter, a discreet Indian, knowing his Sachem's passionate disposition, interposed and prevailed on him to submit, requesting only that he might go like a Sachem, attended by his men, which, though hazardous, was granted. The weather being hot, the Major offered him the use of a horse; but his squaw and other Indian women be- ing in company, he said he could go on foot as well as they, provided that the horses might be made to conform with the slow step of those on foot. The party rested several times by the way, and Alexander and his Indians were refreshed with food by the English; and the royal prisoner was treated with all proper respect and attention. Having arrived at Marshfield, Major Winslow, instead of sending him to prison, took him and his train to his own house, aud afforded them entertainment till Governor Prince could arrive from his residence at Eastham. ' Yet,' says Dr. I. Mather, ' proud Alexander, vexing and fret- ting in his spirit that such a check was imposed on him, he sud- denly fell sick of a fever.' When sick, he was nursed in the tenderest manner, and Dr. Fuller was desired to prescribe for his relief. But, as his sickness continued, he was, by the de- sire of his friends, permitted to return home, on engaging to appear at the next court at Plymouth. Soon after his return, (but according to Hubbard before he got half way home,) he died. The foregoing is the purport of Dr. I. Mather's account of this transaction, and the same is corroborated, without es- sential variation, by Hubbard's history of New England. But it has since appeared, that there was a document in reserve, which places this unhappy affair in a different point of light.


The document referred to is a letter, but without date, writ- ten by the Rev. John Cotton, of Plymouth, to Dr. Mather, which has recently been published by Judge Davis, in his edi- tion of Morton's Memorial, page 426, and is as follows:


' Major Bradford (who was with Mr. Winslow when Alexan- der was surprised) confidently assures me, that in the narrative of de Alexandro, there are many mistakes, and fearing lest you should, through mis-information, print some mistakes on that subject, from his mouth I this write. Reports being here, that Alexander was plotting, or privy to plots against the English, authority sent to him to come down. He came not. Where- upon Major Winslow was sent to fetch him. Major Bradford with some others went with him. At Muuponset river, a place


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not many miles hence they found Alexander, with about eight men and sundry squaws. He was there about getting canoes. He and his men were at breakfast under their shelter, their guns being without. They saw the English coming, but con- tinued eating; and Mr. Winslow telling their business, Alexan- der freely and readily without the least hesitancy consented to go; giving his reason why he came not to the court before, viz: because he waited for Captain Willet's return from the Dutch, being desirous to speak with him first. They brought him to Mr. Collier's that day, and Governor Prince living remote, at Eastham, those few magistrates who were at hand issued the matter peaceably and immediately dismissed Alexander to re- turn home, which he did part of the way; but in two or three days after, he returned and went to Major Winslow's house, intending thence to travel into the Bay and so home; but at the Major's house he was taken very sick, and was by water, conveyed to Major Bradford's, and thence carried upon the shoulders of his men to Tetequit river, and thence in canoes home, and in about two or three days after died.'


The discrepancy between the contents of Mr. Cotton's letter and the narrative which Dr. Mather had formerly published, appears altogether irreconcilable, and it will be found difficult for the historian to transmit to posterity a just and satisfactory statement of all the circumstances pertaining to this subject.


King Philip and Philip's War .- Philip, alias Metacomet was the second son of Massasoit, and after the death of his brother Alexander in 1662, he succeeded as chief of the Wampanoags. He occupied the celebrated place called Montanp, or Mount Hope in the vicinity of Bristol, Rhode Island. This eminence is very steep on all sides, and a huge rock of a singular form is attached to the mountain, having the appearance of an immense dome. Philip inherited many good traits of the character of Massasoit his father, but to these were superadded the noble qualities of a bold and courageous warrior, and his popularity was so great, that when the Pokanoket government was con- ferred on him, a multitude of his Sachems and people assem- bled, and the event was celebrated by uncommon rejoicings and revelry. According to a received tradition King Philip went in 1665 to Nantucket with his retinue to kill an Indian by the name of John Gibbs, for committing sacrilege in mentioning the name of a deceased Sachem contrary to the Indian laws. He landed at the west end of the Island, intending to travel along shore to the east part of the Island where the criminal lived, who, having got information from one of his friends, fled to town and was concealed by Thomas Macy. The English


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inhabitants then assembled, held a treaty with Philip and bought of him the criminal, and gave all the money that there was on the Island at that time, being 19 shillings, and the King return- ed in peace and was satisfied. One of the earliest measures of King Philip was, to appear with his uncle before the Plymouth court, following the example of his father and brother. (See page 119.) "He expressed an earnest wish for the continu- ance of peace and amity; and pledged himself, as the court did also upon the other hand, to use all suitable measures for effect- ing that desirable purpose. For several years after this, the intercourse between the two parties went on, ostensibly, as it had done in former times, though probably not without some distrust upon both sides. The first public interruption of this harmony occurred in 1671, during which season Philip was heard to complain, openly, of certain encroachments by the English upon his hunting grounds.


About the same time, rumors were circulated that his sub- jects frequently assembled at various places in unwonted num- bers; and were repairing their guns, and sharpening their hatchets. The Plymouth Government were alarmed. They sent messengers to communicate with the Massachusetts Gov- ernment, and at the same time other messengers to Philip, not "to fetch him before the courts," as in the case of his brother, but to ascertain his intentions. . He seems to have paid a dig- nified regard to this measure. On the 10th of April, a mes- sage was received from him, inviting the officers of the Ply- mouth Government to a conference. It was received by the latter at Taunton, where also were several gentlemen, des- patched by the Massachusetts Government, with instructions to mediate between the contending parties. Governor Prince, of Plymouth, sent word back to Philip, who was tarrying meanwhile at what is now called Three-mile river, about four miles from Taunton Green-that he was heartily disposed to treat with him, and expected that the Sachem would come for- ward for that purpose; and his personal safety was guaranteed in case he should do so. Philip so far complied with the re- quest, as to advance a considerable distance nearer the village. He then stationed himself at a place called Crossman's Mill, placed sentinels on a hill in his rear, and again despatched mes- sengers to the Governor, desiring an interview. This the town's people, who could scarcely be restrained from falling forthwith upon the Indian party, would not permit. At last the Massa- chusetts Commissioners, volunteering to take the supposed haz- ard upon themselves, went to Philip and persuaded him to con- sent to a conference. This was on condition that his men


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should accompany him, and that the business should be done in the meeting-house, one side of which was to be reserved for the Wampanoags, and the other for the English. The council took place agreeably to these arrangements, in the old meeting-house of Taunton. The English stood upon one side, solemn and stern in countenance, as they were formal in garb; and oppo- site to them, a line of Indian warriors, arrayed for battle; their long black hair hanging about their necks, and their eyes gleaming covertly with a flame of suspicion and defiance scarcely to be suppressed. Philip alone was their orator. He denied that he entertained any hostile design against the Eng- lish, and promptly explained his preparations for war, as intend- ed for defence against the Narragansets." But such argu- ments and evidence was produced as to prove his assertions to be entirely false .* This greatly surprised and intimidated him, and he then affected to admit all that was alleged against him, and though he refused to make compensation for past aggres- sions, he and four of his counsellors subscribed an acknowledg- ment that he had violated and broken the covenant by which his father and brother before him submitted themselves to the King's Majesty of England, and to the Colony of New Ply- mouth, by taking up arms against them. After making a prop- er confession of his unfaithfulness and folly, he solemnly re- newed the covenant with his ancient friends, and the friends of his father, and as a pledge of his future faithfulness, he agreed to resign up to the government of New Plymouth all his Eng- lisharms, to be kept for their security, so long as they might see reason.


There can be no doubt but Philip had, at the time of signing this confession, war with the English in contemplation, and that the confession was a mere finesse that he might gain time to complete his preparations.


In August of the same year, Philip made a visit to the Mas- sachusetts government, who he knew were umpires in this af- fair, and had the address to press on them the belief, that he had no hostile designs against the English, and the parties then agreed to the following articles of accommodation, September 19th, 1671.


1. We, Philip and my council, and my subjects do acknow !- edge ourselves subject to his Majesty the King of England, and the government of New Plymouth and to their laws.


* For the above quotation, I am indebted to a very respectable work, entitled " Lives of the Indians, by B. B. Thacher, Esq." Vol. i. p. 146.


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2. I am willing and promise to pay unto the government of Plymouth one hundred pounds in such things as I have; but I would entreat the favor, that I may have three years to pay it in, for as much as I cannot do it at present.


3. I do promise to send unto the governor, or whom he shall appoint, five wolves' heads, if I can get them, or as many as I can procure until they come to five wolves yearly.


4. If any difference fall between the English and my people, then I do promise to repair to the governor of Plymouth to rec- tify the difference between us.


5. I do promise not to make war with any of the Indian tribes, but with the governor of Plymouth's approbation.


6. I promise not to dispose of any of the lands that I have at present, but by the approbation of the Governor of Ply- mouth. For the true performance of the promises, I do hereby bind myself, and such of my council as are present, ourselves, our heirs and our successors, faithfully, in witness thereof we have hereunto subscribed our hands, the day and year above written.


PHILIP and three others subscribed to the above by their marks.


In presence of the Court and divers Magistrales, &c.


It was not probably long after the foregoing agreement, that Philip addressed to Governor Prince the following letter, though it is without date.


To the much honored governer mr. thomas prince dwelling at plimouth.


honorored Sir


King philip desires to let you understand that he could not come to the court for tom his interpreter has a pain in his back that he could not travel so far, and philip's sister is very sick. philip would intreat that favor of you and any of the majestrates if any english or engians speak about any land he pray you to give them no answer at all the last summer he made that promise with you that he would not sell no land in seven years time for that he would have no english trouble him before that time he has not forgot that you promise him he will come asune as possible he can to speak with you and so I rest your very loving friend philip dwelling at mount hope nek.


The late Isaac Lothrop, Esq., of Plymouth possessed the above original letter from Philip, which was probably penned by Sassaman his secretary. It was published in the Massachu-


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setts Magazine, for 1789. Judge Davis's edi. of Memorial, page 288.


All these precautions however served but to protract the commencement of the contest, it having become perfectly evi- dent that either one or the other of the parties must very shortly acquire the supreme dominion; and that either the white or the red people must yield.


Of the war which ensued, and which is so well known in the history of the Colonies as Philip's War, we have the authority of Church, Hubbard, Mather, and others for the following details.


There appears to have been no open hostile preparations, nor interruption of harmonious intercourse between the parties dur- ing the period of two or three years after signing the foregoing agreement by Philip, ' but during that time,' says Mr. Baylies, ' Philip had the enterprise to undertake, and the address to ma- ture one of the greatest plans that was ever conceived by a savage, for the purpose of exterminating the English; it pro- posed a general union amongst the Indians of New England ;- of this confederacy he was to be chief. Though the Sachem of a petty tribe, he raised himself to a prouder eminence than was ever attained by the aboriginal race in North America. The Narragansets had engaged to join Philip with their whole strength which amounted to an effective force of 4000 warriors. The spring of 1676, was the period fixed for commencing this great undertaking, but the plot was prematurely developed, and Philip was forced to commence the war before he was pre- pared, and under many disadvantages.'


The first open hostilites were caused by the tragical fate of John Sassamon. He was one of the praying Indians who had received a tolerable education, was employed as an Indian preacher and schoolmaster. According to Hubbard, he was 'a cunning and plausible Indian well skilled in the English lan- guage.' He possessed however but little stability, and left the English on account of some dissatisfaction and joined Philip. Dr. I. Mather says that 'apostatizing from the profession of Christianity he lived like a heathen in the capacity of Secreta- ry to King Philip.' But it was not long before he deserted his post and returned again to the English bearing with him such evident signs of repentance, that he was reconciled to the pray- ing Indians, and baptised, and received as a member into one of the Indian churches; 'yea' says Mather, 'and employed as an instructor amongst them every Lord's day.' Sassamon be- ing the confidential Secretary of Philip, was doubtless entrusted with his secrets, and he informed the governor of the Sachem's


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hostile intentions, and of the plot which was ripening for the extermination of the English; but enjoining the strictest secre- cy, well aware that his life would be the forfeit if detected by Philip. The Governor and his council, resolved to send for the Sachem to appear at Plymouth, that inquiry might be made into the truth of the allegations. But he did not think proper to obey the summons, and it was soon discovered that Sassa- mon was murdered. His body was found under the ice in As- sawomset pond in Middleborough; his hat and gun were left on the ice to prevent suspicion, but the body being taken up and examined the neck was found broken, and other marks of vio- lence were discovered. An Indian named Tobias, one of Phil- ip's counsellors, his son, and another Indian were apprehended as the perpetrators of the murder. They were tried at a court holden at Plymouth in June 1675, six grave Indians being on the jury. The culprits were found guilty, condemned and ex- ecuted at Plymouth. One of them before his execution con- fessed himself guilty, but the other two denied all knowledge of the act to their last breath. There was one point of evidence given by Rev. Dr. I. Mather, that would not at the present day, have the smallest influence with any jury. ' When Tobias,' says the learned Divine, 'came near the body, it fell a bleeding on fresh, as it had been newly slain; albeit, it was buried a consider- able time before that.'* Here the reader may pause while I of- fer the following from Mr. Drake's Indian Biography, (new edition.) 'It is an error that the jury that found them guilty were half Indians.' He cites from the records as follows :- ' It was judged very expedient by the court, that, together with this English jury above named, some of the most indifferent, grave and sage Indians should be admitted to be with the said jury, and to help to consult and advise with, of and concerning the premises: their names are as followeth, viz: one called by an English name Hope, and Maskippague, Wannoo, George Wampye and Acanootus; these fully concurred with the said jury in their verdict.' The names of the white men composing the jury were William Sabine, William Crocker, Edward Stur- gis, William Brooks, Nathaniel Winslow, John Wadsworth, Andrew Ringe, Robert Vixon, John Done, Jonathan Bangs, Jonathan Shaw, and Benjamin Higgins.


Thus it appears that the jury was composed of twelve white men conjointly with four Indians. Their verdict was, 'Wee of the jury one and all, both English and Indians doe jointly


* The body was buried and after some days disinterred that it might be more particularly examined.


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and with one consent agree upon a verdict.' 'This execution so exasperated King Philip, that from that day after he studied to be revenged on the English, judging that the English au- thority had nothing to do to hang an Indian for killing another.'


It was the intention of Philip that the war should take place the next year, when he and his allies would he fully prepared; but immediately after the above unhappy event, great prepara- tions were made on both sides for a sanguinary warfare. Early in the spring of 1675, the Pokanokets were observed in arms about Mount Hope, and the neighboring tribes were collecting, and it was not long before a party of Indians offered some in- sult to an Englishman at Swansey, who discharged his musket and wounded one of them. Thus the tragedy was opened June 24th, 1675, upon a fast day, and the people were fired upon on their return from meeting by the Indians. One person was killed, and two wounded; two others, going for a surgeon, were killed, and in another part of the town six others were killed the same day. To ravage, burn and destroy, seemed now to be the design of the savage tribes. The town of Swan- sey, a part of Taunton, Middleborough, and Dartmouth, were soon burnt and the inhabitants dispersed. Philip had formed alliances with such numerous tribes of savages, that he was enabled to assemble a formidable force, menacing all New Eng- land with destruction. The English now resorted to all possi- ble means for defence. In every town houses were surrounded with palisades and strongly garrisoned for the security of fami- lies, yet tragical scenes kept the inhabitants in constant alarm. Dwelling houses, although garrisoned, were consumed, and men, women and children cruelly butchered by savage hands. An armed force among the colonies was deemed indispensable, and troops were raised in the following proportion: Massachu- setts Colony, 557; Plymouth, 158; Connecticut, 315. Gen- eral Josiah Winslow was appointed commander-in-chief of the army, and Captain James Cudworth commanded the Plymouth forces. The instructions to General Winslow, by the commis- sioners of the United Colonies, were as follow:


' You are, at the time appointed, to march with all convenient speed, with the forces under your command, to the Narragan- set country, or to the place where the head-quarters or chief rendezvous of the enemy is known to be. And having ac- quainted your officers and soldiers with your commission and power, you shall require their obedience thereunto; and see that they be governed according to rules military, that all profane- ness and disorder in your camp and quarters be avoided as much as in you lyeth, and impartially punish the breaking forth there- of in any.




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