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 4
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January 1st, 1621 .- About this date Francis Billington hav- ing mounted the top of a tree on a high hill, discovered at a distance, as he supposed, another great sea, and on the eighth January went with one of the master's mates to take a view of of the place. They found the water divided into two lakes, the larger five or six miles compass, the smaller, three miles.
January 12th .- Two of the settlers, John Goodman and Peter Brown, being abroad gathering thatch, came to a lake of water, (probably Murdock's pond) near which they discovered a fine large deer; their two dogs chased the animal, and they follow- ed till they were lost, and could not find their way back. They wandered till night, being lightly clad, and without weapons or food, amidst frost and snow; and were obliged to make the cold earth their bed, and the clouds their covering. In the night they were greatly alarmed by noises which they supposed to be the roaring of lions. In their fright they mounted a tree for safety, which they found to be an intolerably cold lodging, and they sometimes walked under the tree in readiness to climb, holding their bitch by the neck lest she should rush into the lions' paws. But fortunately the lions came not, and at an early dawn they renewed their wanderings, which they contin- ued through the day. At night they reached the settlement almost famished with cold and hunger, having mistaken the howling of wolves for the roaring of lions.
Their friends at the settlement, being greatly alarmed on account of their absence, sent out ten or twelve armed men, who traversed the woods all day in vain, and returned with strong apprehensions that they were taken by the Indians. It was not long after the arrival of the planters, that the natives assembled all their pawaws in a dark swamp, to curse the new comers; for three days they continued their horrid incantation, and consigned the English to utter destruction. It is to be regretted that we cannot ascertain the spot where this swamp was located, nor the particular tribe that acted in this diabolical business.
January 14th .- The settlers had the misfortune of losing their common house by fire, from a spark, which falling among the dry thatch, entirely consumed it. It was remarkable, that, at
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the moment of this disaster, Governor Carver, and Mr. William Bradford were sick in their beds. The floor of the house was covered with beds and bedding, muskets were loaded, and a quantity of powder was stored within, yet little damage was sustained. The people on board the ship, seeing the fire, and unable to come on shore by reason of low tide and very tem- pestuous weather, were under painful apprehensions that the savages had attacked them. It being Sunday, and the major part of the people on shore, they performed public worship in their settlement.
January 19th .- John Goodman, who had been lost in the woods, took it into his head again to ramble into the woods ; having a spaniel with him, it was soon attacked by two wolves. The dog flew to the legs of his master for safety, and he having no weapon, snatched a stick for defence; the wolves sat some time on their tails grinning and snarling at the affrighted man, but at length suffered him to escape.
The wife of Capt. Standish, and some others of their num- ber, died this month.
February .- Twelve Indians were discovered in the woods, but no interview could be had with them. A general meeting was called to establish some military arrangements, and Miles Standish was chosen Captain, and vested with command ac- cordingly. During the meeting, two Indians presented them- selves on the top of the hill, on the opposite side of the brook, and made 'signs for the English to come to them, but, on the approach of Capt. Standish and Mr. Hopkins, they fled.
21st .- Capt. Jones, of the Mayflower, brought on shore one of the greatest pieces of cannon, called a minion, and he and his sailors assisted the settlers to drag that, and another piece, up the hill, with three small pieces, which they mounted for defence.
The settlers suffered extremely this month by sickness and death: no less than seventeen * of their number died during the month; and the sick were destitute of almost all the comforts which their miserable condition rendered indispensable. Their sufferings were increased by the want of well persons to per- form the duties among the sick, there being, at one time, not more than six or seven in tolerable health. But it is recorded, that Standish and Brewster manifested the tenderest concern, and devoted themselves, with unwearied assiduity, to the relief and comfort of their suffering brethren, not declining the mean- est office. In March, 1621, fifty-five only survived of the one hundred and one who came in the Mayflower.
* Of this number was Mary, wife of Isaac Allerton, who died Feb. 25th, O. S.
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March 3d,-The weather was fair and warm, and the plant- ers were delighted to hear the singing of American birds in the woods.
16th .- Much surprise was excited by the appearance of an Indian who boldly walked to the rendezvous, and cried out cheeringly in broken English-'Welcome Englishmen, welcome Englishmen.' This was Samoset, a Sagamore, who had come from Monhiggon, (District of Maine,) where he had learned something of the English tongue from the Captains of the fishing vessels, on that shore, and he knew by name most of those commanders. This was the first savage with whom the whites had obtained an interview. No incident could have diffused greater joy in the hearts of the disconsolate and the infirm; it seemed like an angelic herald to the sick and dying. Samoset discoursed as though he possessed a general knowl- edge of the whole surrounding country, and the numbers and strength of the several tribes. He said that the place they now occupy is called Patuxet, and that about four years ago all the natives died of an extraordinary plague; that there was neither man, woman, nor child remaining in the territory, of which the English had now possessed themselves. He was a tall, erect man, and had a bow and two arrows. The English treated him with their best food and drink; and as he was inclined to tarry all night, they provided him a lodging and watched his movements. The next day he returned to a neighboring tribe, from whence he said he came last. He represented the Nausets as being highly incensed and provoked against the English, three of whom were, about eight months ago, slain by the Nausets. Their enmity was caused by one Hunt, a master of a ship, who, a few years ago, deceived the natives, and under pretence of trading with them, got twenty of the people of this very place, Patuxet, and seven from the Nausets, on board his ship, and carried them off and sold them for slaves, at twenty pounds a head .*
* Thomas Hunt commanded one of the ships, with which Capt. Smith came to New England, in 1614. Smith sailed for England in July, and left Hunt with directions to procure a cargo, and pro- ceed to Spain. His atrocious conduct is thus related by Prince, from Smith, Mourt, &c. " After Smith left New England, Hunt gets 20 Indians on board him at Patuxet, one of whom is called Squanto or Squantum or Tisquantum, and 7 more of Nauset, and carried them to Malaga, sells them for slaves at £20 a man, which raises such an enmity in the savages against our nation, as makes further attempts of commerce with them very dangerous." " Smith, humane and generous as he was intrepid, indignantly reprobates the base conduct of Hunt." Many of these helpless captives, it appears,
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On his departure, the English gave him a knife, a bracelet, and a ring; and he promised to return soon and bring other natives with him, with such beaver skins as they could collect. Not many days after, being Sunday, Samoset returned with five tall savages, dressed in deer skins, their hair cut short before, but long to their shoulders behind, and ornamented with feath- ers and fox-tails, and the principal had a wild-cat's skin on one arm. Their faces were painted in various colors and figures. They left their bows and arrows at some distance from the settlement, according to the charge given by the English to Samoset. They made signs of amity and friendship, and amused the English with their dancing and singing, who in return gave them a suitable entertainment. They brought with them some corn, parched, and reduced to a fine powder, called Nokehike or Nocake which they eat mixed with water; and they had a little tobacco in a bag, of which they drank* frequently. They brought with them, also, all the tools be- longing to the English, which had been taken when left in the woods. They offered a few skins to trade, but, being Sunday, the English dismissed them soon, desiring them to return with more skins, which they promised. But Samoset either was sick, or feigned himself so, and would tarry till the next Wednesday, when the English gave him a hat, a pair of stockings and shoes, shirt, &c. and sent him to inquire why his friends did not return.
Thursday, April 2d .- Samoset arrived, bringing with him Squanto, alias Tisquantum, the only surviving native of Patuxet, who was one of the twenty captives carried away by the infamous Hunt; he had been in England, and could speak a little English. Three others came with him, and brought a few skins to "truck," and some red herrings, newly taken and dried, but not salted. They gave information, that their great Saga- more, Massasoit, was approaching, with Quadequina, his broth- er, and all their tribe, and, within an hour, the king appeared were rescued from slavery by the benevolent interposition of some of the Monks in Malaga. Squanto was probably one, who was thus relieved and liberated. He found a friend in Mr. Slaney in England, by whose assistance he was enabled to return to his native land, on board of Captain Thomas Dermer's vessel in 1619.
The term drinking tobacco is frequently used in the records. In the year 1646, we find this entry in the Plymouth records. " Anthony Thacher and George Pole were chosen a committee to draw up an order concerning disorderly drinking tobacco." It undoubtedly means smoking tobacco. An aged man in this town who was a great smoker used to term it drinking tobacco.
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on the top of an opposite hill, and had in his train sixty men, which he displayed to view. This hill is on the south side of Town brook, and is called Watson's hill, but the brook, which they forded, is now covered with an arched stone bridge. Both parties being unwilling to advance, Squanto went over to Mas- sasoit, and returned with the message, that he desired peace and a trade with the English. The governor then sent Mr. Edward Winslow, with a pair of knives and a copper chain with a jewel in it, for the king, and for Quadequina, a knife and a jewel to hang in his ear, a pot of strong water, a quantity of biscuit, and some butter, all of which were well received. Mr. Winslow addressed Massasoit in the name of king James, as- suring him, that the king saluted him with words of love and peace, and did accept of him as his friend and ally ; and that the governor desired to see him, and confirm a trade and peace with him as his next neighbor. Massasoit was well pleased with the speech, and after eating and drinking, gave the remains to his people. He looked on Mr. Winslow's sword and armor with a desire to buy them, but he refused to gratify him. Massasoit now left Mr. Winslow in the custody of Quadequina, his brother, and came over the brook with twenty men, leaving all their bows and arrows behind them. Captain Standish and Mr. Williamson, with six musketeers, met the king at the brook, and each party saluted the other, when the king was conducted to a house then partly built, where were placed a green rug and three or four cushions. Governor Carver now appeared with a drum and trumpet, and a few musketeers. After salutations, the governor kissed the king's hand, who, in return, kissed him, and they seated themselves; but the king all the time trembled for fear. The governor called for some strong water and drank to him, and he drank a copious draught, which made him sweat a long time after. Massasoit and his people having partaken of some fresh meat, the following terms of peace were mutually agreed to.
1. That neither he, nor any of his, should injure, or do hurt, to any of the English.
2. If any of his did hurt to any of ours, he should send the offender, that we might punish him.
3. That if any of our tools were taken away, when our people were at work, he should cause them to be restored, and if ours did harm to any of his, we should do the like to them.
4. If any did unjustly war against him, we would aid him; if any did war against us, he should aid us.
5. He should send to his neighboring confederates, to certify
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them of this, that they might not wrong us, but might be like- wise comprised in the conditions of peace.
6. That when their men came, they should leave their bows and arrows behind them, as we should do our pieces when we went to them.
Lastly, that doing thus, king James would esteem him as his friend and ally .* The above treaty was pleasing to the Sachem and approved by his people .¡ In his person, the king was a lusty, able-bodied man, and in his countenance, grave. His attire differed little from that of his people, except a great chain of beads of white bone about his neck. 'His face was painted with a dull, red-like murry, and oiled, both head and face, so that he looked greasily.' He had in his bosom, hang- ing in a string, a large, long knife; he marvelled much at the trumpet, and made some attempts to sound it. All his followers were painted of divers colors, some were clothed with skins, and some were naked. Samoset and Squanto tarried all night with the English; and the king and his people, with their wives and children, spent the night in the adjacent woods. They said that within eight or nine days, they would come and set corn on the other side of the brook, and dwell there all summer. That night the English kept a good watch, but no danger occurred, and the next morning several of the savages visited the English, with the hope, as supposed, of obtaining some food. Some of them said the king wished some of the English to come and see him. Captain Standish and Isaac Allerton went venturously, and were welcomed, and presented with three or four ground-nuts and some tobacco. Massasoit, being at war with a potent adversary, the Narra- gansets, manifested every disposition to be at peace and friend-
* ' The New Plymouth associates, by the favor of the Almighty, began the colony in New England, at a place called by the natives, Apaum, alias Patuxet ; all the lands being void of inhabitants, we, the said John Carver, William Bradford, Edward Winslow, William Brewster, Isaac Allerton, and the rest of our associates, entering into a league of peace with Massasoit, since called Woosamequin; Prince or Sachem of those parts: he, the said Massasoit, freely gave them all the lands adjacent to them, and their heirs forever.' ['Preface to Plymouth laws, declaring the warrantable grounds and proceed- ing of the government of New Plymouth.']-Holmes's Annals.
+ This treaty, the work of one day, being honestly intended on both sides, was kept with fidelity as long as Massasoit lived, but was afterwards (in 1675) broken by Philip, his successor.'-Belknap's Biography. The character of Massasoit will be found in the appendix.
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ship with the English, whose fire-arms were a great terror to his enemies.
At a meeting in April on common business, Mr. Carver was confirmed in the office of governor for one year.
The Mayflower was detained a considerable time, in conse- quence of sickness and deaths among the seamen, more than one half of their number having died during the winter, and Mr. Jones, the master, was unwilling to commence his return voyage until the survivors had recovered their health. He sailed on the 5th of April, and arrived in England on the 6th of May. Not one of the settlers expressed a desire to return to their native country, but all remained true to the pledge to their brethren whom they left in Leyden, and made every pos- sible exertion to prepare comfortable accommodations for their reception.
The first offence committed and punished since the arrival of the colonists, was by John Billington, who shipped on board the Mayflower at London, and was not of the company. He was charged with contempt of the captain's lawful commands, and of opprobious speeches. He was tried by the whole com- pany, and sentenced to have his neck and heels tied together; but, on humbling himself and craving pardon, and it being his first offence, he was released from his painful situation before the time had expired. In the spring of this year, the colonists planted 20 acres with Indian corn, being the first planted in New England, of which they had a good crop. They were iustructed in the manner of planting by Squanto, but were un- successful in their first trial with English grain, by reason, as is supposed, of the lateness of the season, and bad quality of the seed.
On the fifth of April this year, Governor Carver was taken sick in the field while engaged in planting, and died in a few days. His death was extremely afflictive, and he was univer- sally lamented. He was one of their wisest counsellors, and most indefatigable laborers. His remains were consigned to the earth, with all the affectionate solemnity which circumstan- ces, at the time, would permit, and with the discharge of all their fire-arms. Many able pens have been employed in por- traying his character. According to Dr. Belknap, ' he was a man of great prudence, integrity, and firmness of mind. He had a good estate in England, which he spent in the migration to Holland and America. He was one of the foremost in ac- tion, and bore a large share of suffering in the service of the colony, who confided in him as its friend and father. Piety, humility, and benevolence were eminent traits in his character,
4
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and it is particularly remembered, that in the time of general sickness, which befel the colony, and with which he was affected, after he had himself recovered, he was assiduous in attending the sick and performing the most humiliating services for them, without any distinction of persons or characters.'- His affectionate wife, overwhelmed with grief and sorrow, sur- vived but six weeks after his death. He sustained the office of governor four months and twenty-four days only. His pos- terity have been very numerous. 'One of his grandsons lived to the age of one hundred and two years, and about the middle of the last century, (1775) that descendant, with his son, grandson, and great grandson, were all at the same time at work in the same field, whilst an infant of the fifth generation was within the house at Marshfield.'-Belknap's Amer. Biog. At the death of governor Carver, the whole number of deaths was as follows :
December, 6 ; January, 8 ; February, 17 ; March, 13. Of this number were 21 of the subscribers to the civil compact, and in April governor Carver was added to that number. The whole number of survivors at this time was 55. Mr. William Bradford, while yet a convalescent from dangerous sickness, was chosen governor of Plymouth, as successor to governor Carver, and Mr. Isaac Allerton was chosen his assistant.
On the eighteenth of June, two culprits were arraigned be- fore the company for trial. These were, Edward Dotey and Edward Leister, servants of Stephen Hopkins, who had fought a duel with sword and dagger, in which both were wounded. They were sentenced to have their head and feet tied together, and to remain in that situation for twenty-four hours, without food or drink. Even this slight punishment for an offence so criminal was remitted by the governor, after one hour's endur- ance, in consequence of their pleadings and promises, and the earnest desire of their master.
A Journey to Pokanoket; forty miles. This place was other- wise called Sowams. It was deemed advisable to send a friendly deputation to Massasoit, in order to ascertain the exact place of his residence, and his strength and disposition, and to cultivate and perpetuate a league of peace and amity between the two parties, and to procure corn for seed. For this pur- pose, the governor made choice of Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins, to be accompanied by Squanto, as guide and interpreter. The deputies commenced their journey on the second or third day of July, taking a horseman's coat of red cotton, laced with slight lace as a present to the chief, and reached Namasket, a part of Middleborough, fifteen miles dis-
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tant, in the afternoon. The native inhabitants received them with joy, and entertained them in their best manner, giving them a kind of bread, and the roes of shad boiled with musty acorns. The natives complained greatly of the damage they sustained in their corn by the ravages of the crows, and desired to see the experiment of shooting them with English guns; about four- score of these birds were soon brought down, to the great amusement of the natives. The gentlemen proceeded on their journey eight miles further, and at sun-set, reached a fishing wear at Titicut, on Taunton river, where abundance of bass was caught. The natives received them in a friendly manner, and supplied them with fish, but destitute of houses, they took lodgings in the open field. An interchange of friendly civili- ties took place. The land on this river appeared rich and fertile, but the native inhabitants had a few years before been swept off by pestilence. Massasoit had his residence on this river. The next day they resumed their march, accompanied by six volunteer savages, and, having travelled six miles by the river side, they come to a fording place at low water. Here they were struck with the valor and courage of two savages on the opposite side of the river, two only remaining alive at that place, both aged-one above three score. Seeing a company of men entering the river, they ran to meet them at the bank, where, with shrill voices and manly courage, they charged with their bows, and demanded if they were enemies, and pre- pared to take advantage while in the water. But finding them friends they welcomed them with such food as they had, and the English bestowed on them a small bracelet of beads. The six savages proved useful companions to the ambassadors during their tedious march, affording them much assistance in crossing rivers, and offering to carry their clothes and guns to relieve them from fatigue and heat. The country through which they passed abounded in good timber, consisting of oak, walnut, fir, beech and chesnut, of immense size; also fine springs of water, but was without inhabitants. Having arrived at a village in Massasoit's territory, they were treated with a meal of fish and oysters, whence they proceeded to Pokanoket; but the chief was absent. One of the English attempted to charge his gun. The women and children fled, and could not be pacified, till he laid it asíde, and the interpreter assured them of their safety. But on the arrival of Massasoit, they saluted him by a full dis- charge of muskets, and he received them with every mark of favor and respect; and having clothed him with the laced red coat, and put the chain about his neck, he was delighted with the figure he made, and his people viewed their king with
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pride and wonder. In reply to their message, the chief assured them that it was his desire to continue in peace and friendship, and that he would direct his people to that effect, and would send seed-corn to Patuxet, as desired. He then addressed his own people as follows :- ' Am not I Massasoit, commander of the country around you? Is not such a town mine, and the people of it? Will you not bring your skins to the English?' After this manner he named at least thirty places, to every one of which they gave an answer of assent and applause. At the close of his speech, he lighted tobacco for the envoys, and proceeded to discourse about England and the English king, wondering that he would live without a wife. He talked also of the Frenchmen, bidding the English not to suffer them to come to Narraganset, for it was king James's country, and he was king James's man. Night approaching, and Massasoit having provided no food, as he had been absent from home, the gentlemen desired to retire to rest. The lodging place was on a platform of plank raised a foot from the ground; and their companions were Massasoit and wife and two other In- dians, and they were more weary of their lodging than of their journey. The next day many of the petty sachems and a large party of the people assembled to amuse themselves and the strangers with their games for skins and knives, and one of the English fired at a mark, and they were much surprised to see so many shot holes. At noon, Massasoit brought home two fishes, which he had caught, and these formed the repast for forty people, and the only meal afforded to the messengers for two nights and a day; yet he importuned them to tarry longer. But feeling the want of food, and anxious to keep the ensuing sabbath at home, and moreover despairing of sleep, as the fil- thy lodgings, the noise of the savages singing themselves to sleep, the annoyance of the pestiferous insects within doors, and musquitoes without, left no chance for repose; and think- ing that should they protract their visit, they might not be able to return for want of strength, on Friday morning, before the sun's rising, they took leave and departed, leaving the chief both grieved and ashamed that he could entertain them no bet- ter. Squanto was retained to collect articles for traffic and Tockamahamon appointed to guide them to Plymouth, where they arrived after two days' journey.
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