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 40
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After the death of Philip, the government appointed a day of thanksgiving, and they awarded to Captain Church the miser- able pittance of 30s. for each Indian captured and killed, for his invaluable services and imminent perils to which he had ex- posed himself for the benefit of the public. The remains of Philip's forces were now commanded by Annawan, long noted for his savage ferocity and numerous murders. He was one of Philip's great captains, and he narrowly escaped with 50 or 60 men from the swamp when Philip was killed. Wolf-like, he was prowling in the wilderness and rushing from his secret haunts to devour and destroy. The brave Captain Church was now desired to raise a small party of volunteers to hunt for this savage in the forests and swamps. His former worthy lieutenant, Jabez Howland, and a few of his old soldiers as- sured him that they would hunt with him as long as there was an Indian left in the woods. A few prisoners were soon taken, who informed that Annawan was ranging from swamp to swamp, never lodging ' twice in a place.' Church, calling his few men together, inquired, whether they would willingly go with him and give Annawan a visit.' 'All answered in the affirmative,
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but reminded him that they knew this Captain Annawan was a great soldier, that he had been a valiant Captain under Philip's father; and that he had been Philip's chieftain all this war.' And further, that he was a very subtle man, of grcat resolution, and had often said, that he would never be taken alive by the English. They moreover reminded Captain Church that the soldiers who were with Annawan were resolute fellows, some of Philip's chief soldiers, and they very much feared that to make the attempt with such a small number, would be hazardous in the extreme. Mr. Cook, belonging to Plymouth, being asked by Church what was his opinion of the undertaking, replied,- ' I am never afraid of going any where when you are with me.' Captain Church, with unshaken resolution remarked to them, ' That he had a long time sought for Annawan but in vain,' and doubted not in the least but Providence would protect them.
Church, with his small party consisting of six Indians, and Cook, the only Englishman, proceeded and soon captured one of Annawan's Indians, and a girl, who consented to conduct them to the retreat of Annawan, and his company of 50 or 60 men. Their den was situated in Rehoboth, about eight miles from Taunton green, in an immense swamp of nearly 3,000 acres, in which was a small piece of upland, covered almost entirely by an enormous rock, which is still called Annawan's rock. This on one side presents an almost perpendicular precipice of 25 or 30 feet in height, on the other side it was less inaccessible and Church with two of his Indians ascended to its summit, from which he discovered the object of his pursuit, and his whole company by the light of their fires. They were divided into three parties laying at a short distance from each other; their guns leaning against a cross stick and covered from the weather by mats. Over their fires their supper was cooking. To any other man than Church a descent into this infernal den would be deemed an act of unjustifiable rashness. To him indeed the attempt was appalling, a forlorn hope, for if in sliding down the rock he should be discovered, instant death would be his fate, and if he should reach their camp with his six Indians and one Englishman, what would prevent the immediate sacrifice of the whole party? Church, however, being a man of religious zeal and full in the faith of the protection of Divine Providence, re- solved on the perilous experiment. Hearing the noise of pounding corn in a mortar in the Indian camp, he thought it might favor his movements. He ordered his Indian prisoner, and his daughter, who were well acquainted with the place to lead the way, with their baskets at their backs as they had often done before, and Church and his men followed close in their
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rear; holding on by the bushes that grew from the fissures of the rock, resting when the pounding ceased and advancing when that was renewed. Church suddenly leaped from the rock into the midst of his enemies, unharmed, with his tomahawk in his hand; instantly the old captain Annawan started up cry- ing out ' Howoh, I am taken.' Church and his men immediate- ly secured their arms, and then calling on all the Indians to submit, who in their panic, supposed the English far more nu- merous than they were, yielded themselves as prisoners, and to prevent their making resistance they were told that Captain Church had encompassed them with his army, and that resist- ance would be in vain, but if they submitted peaceably they should receive good treatment. To this they readily consented, and surrendered up their guns and hatchets. Having thus far settled this great affair, Church asked Annawan, what he had for supper, saying, ' I am come to sup with you.' Annawan replied, ' Sanbut,' and ordered his women to provide supper for Captain Church and his company, inquiring whether he would eat cow beef or horse beef; he replied cow beef. Church and his little party remained in the Indian camp during the night, in the midst of his prisoners, being in number ten to one of his own men, but without sleep although he had not slept for the last 36 hours. His men were soon asleep, but Annawan was awake. Finding that Annawan could converse in the Eng- lish language, they held much conversation together for more than an hour, when the chief retired, and being absent some time, Church became very anxious, suspecting some ill design. But he returned and falling on his knees before him, he thus addressed Church in English. "Great Captain, you have kill- ed Philip, and conquered his country, for I believe that I and my company are the last that war against the English; so sup- pose the war is ended by your means; and therefore these things belong to you." He then presented him with what he said was Philip's royalties, with which he was wont to adorn himself when he sat in state, and he thought himself happy in having an opportunity to present them to him. The first was a beautifully wrought belt nine inches in breadth, and of such length, that when put about the shoulders of Captain Church it reached to his ancles. This was considered at that time of great value, being embroidered all over with wampum of vari- ous colors, curiously wrought into figures of birds, beasts and flowers. The second belt was also of exquisite workmanship, with which Philip used to ornament his head, and from which flowed two flags which decorated his back. A third belt was a smaller one, with a star upon the end of it, which he wore upon
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his breast. All these were edged with red hair, which Anna- wan said was got in the country of the Mohawks .* To these splendid regalia were added two horns of glazed power and a red cloth blanket. The next morning, Church marched with his prisoners for Taunton; on their way they met with Lieutenant Howland, according to appointment, who was not a little sur- prised at this great exploit, having despaired of ever seeing him again alive: Church kept Annawan under his protection and conducted him to Plymouth as a prisoner of no small importance. ' Thus,' says Baylies, ' was this most daring enterprise success- fully . achieved by the prowess of one man. The capture of Annawan terminated the war, for all the subsequent expeditions were in pursuit of flying and skulking enemies. The English race in New England was saved from destruction, and placed in safety; for this great service Church received the thanks of the General Court of Plymouth, and nothing else! And he had also the mortification to find all his entreaties and prayers for the life of Annawan utterly disregarded, and this unfortu- nate chief, the last of the New England Indians, was beheaded at Plymouth-a dastardly act which disgraced the Government.' After this service, Captain Church induced Tispequin, another distinguished chief, to surrender himself as a prisoner. Tispe- quin was a noted Pawaw, and had impressed his simple people with the notion that his person was invulnerable to bullets ! When he surrendered, Church, thinking he might be useful to him, invited him to join his service, and encouraged him that his life would be spared, and that he would make a captain of him. 'He came in,' says Mr. Hubbard, ' upon hopes of being made a captain under Church, but upon trial (which was the condition on which his being promised a captain's place did de-
* Mr. Josselyn in his account of two voyages to New England, says of the Indians, 'Their beads are their money ; of these, there · are two sorts, blue beads and white beads ; the first is their gold, the last is their silver. These they work out of certain shells, so cun- ningly that neither Jew nor Devil can counterfeit. They drill them and string them, and make curious works with them, to adorn the persons of their Sagamores and principal men, and young women, as belts, girdles, tablets, borders for their women's hair, bracelets, necklaces, and links to hang in their ears. Prince Philip, a little before I came away for England, (1671,) coming to Boston, had a coat on and buskins set thick with these beads, in pleasant wild works, and a broad belt of the same ; his accoutrements were valued at £20.'
'The English merchant giveth them 10s. a fathom for their white, and as much more, or near upon for their blue beads.' See descrip- tion of Wampum in first part of this vol.
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pend) he was found penetrable by the English guns, for he fell down upon the first shot, and thereby received the just reward of his former wickedness.' Respecting this extraordinary transaction, so irreconcilable with the laws of honor and pro- bity, Judge Davis makes the following just remarks :- ' This pitiful evasion, it may be hoped, belongs wholly to the histori- an; we are unwilling to believe that the authorities of the coun- try would have resorted to such unworthy equivocation.' But an interesting inquiry is, what was the destined fate of King Philip's son? It appears that government were not prepared to dispose of this innocent youth, without the opinion and advice of learned Divines. The Rev. Mr. Cotton, of Plymouth, and the Rev. Mr. Arnold, of Marshfield, rendered their united opin- ion to the following purport :- ' They humbly conceive, on se- rious consideration, that children of notorious traitors, rebels, and murderers, especially of such as have been principal lead- ers, and actors in such horrid villainies, and that against a whole nation, yea, the whole Israel of God, may be involved in the guilt of their parents, and may, Salva republica, be adjudged to death, as to us seems evident by the scripture instances of Saul, Achan, Haman, the children of whom were cut off by the sword of justice for the transgressions of their parents, although, con- cerning some of those children, it be manifest that they were not capable of being co-actors therein.'
The opinion of the Rev. Increase Mather, in a letter to Mr. Cotton, October 30th, 1676: ' If it had not been out of my mind when I was writing, I should have said something about Philip's son. It is necessary that some effectual course should be taken about him. He makes me think of Hadad, who was but a little child when his father, (the chief Sachem of the Edomites) was killed by Joab; and had not others fled away with him, I am apt to think that David would have taken a course, that Hadad should never have proved a scourge to the next generation.' But the Rev. James Keith, of Bridgewater, interposed as a more auspicious pleader in the cause of human- ity. In a letter to Mr. Cotton, he says, ' I long to hear what became of Philip's wife and son. I know there is some diffi- culty in that Psalm, 137, 8, 9, though I think it may be consid- ered whether there be not specialities, and somewhat extraordi- nary in it. That law, Deut. 24. 16, compared with the com- mended example of Amaziah, 2d Cron. 24. 4, doth sway much with me, in the case under consideration. I hope God will di- rect those whom it doth concern to a good issue. Let us join our prayers at the throne of grace with all our might, that the Lord would so dispose of all public motions and affairs, that his
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Jerusalem, in this wilderness, may be the habitation of justice, and the mountain of holiness, that so it may be, also, a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down.' Mr. Keith was happy in his reference to 2d Chron .: 'But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses,' &c.
It is consoling to our feelings to know that in the issue of this singular discussion, the life of the innocent boy was spared, although that life was fur a price doomed to slavery. We readily coincide with Hon. Judge Davis in the following senti -. ment. 'The question, thus seriously agitated, would not, in modern times, occur in any nation in christendom. Principles of public law, sentiments of humanity, the mild influence of the gospel, in preference to a recurrence to the Jewish dispen- sation, so much regarded by our ancestors in their delibera- tions and decisions, would forbid the thought of inflicting pun- ishment on children for the offences of a parent.'-Memorial, Ap. p. 455. Perhaps one exception may be admitted in the above remark, that of the unfortunate French Dauphin, in 1793.
Sam Barrow was a famous warrior in Philip's war, and for a long time dreaded as a ferocious enemy by the inhabitants. He was at length captured by Captain Church at Cape Cod. Church, in his history, says, that ' he was as noted a rogue as any among the enemy.' Church told him that the government would not permit him to grant him quarter, because of his in- human murders and barbarities, and therefore ordered him to prepare for execution. Barrow replied, that the sentence of death against him was just, and that indeed he was ashamed to live any longer, and desired no more favor than to smoke a whiff of tobacco before his execution. When he had taken a few whiffs, he said, ' I am ready,' when one of Church's . In- dians, being prepared, sunk his hatchet into his brains.
The Rev. Roger Williams was a staunch friend to the natives, and was a great favorite among them. In Drake's Indian Biog- raphy is published a manuscript letter from this gentleman to the Governor of Massachusetts, dated Providence, 5. 8. 1654, which is as follows:
' At my last departure for England, I was importuned by ye Narraganset Sachems, and especially by Nenecunant, to present their petition to the high Sachem of England, that they might not be forced from their religion; and for not changing their re- ligion, be invaded by war. For they said they were daily vis- ited with threatenings by Indians, that came from about Mas- sachusetts; that if they would not pray, they should be destroy- ed by war.' 'Are not all the English of this land, (generally)
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a persecuted people from their native soil? and hath not the God of peace and the father of mercies made the natives more friendly in this than in our native countrymen in our own land to us? have they not entered leagues of love, and to this day continued peaceable commerce with us? are not our families grown up in peace amongst them? upon which I humbly ask, how it can suit with christian ingenuity, to take hold of some seeming occasions for their destruction?'
These primitive sons of the forest were the first possessors and masters of the country, and were not unworthy of christian sympathy as a vanquished people, who were not altogether des- titute of commendable qualities. They were impressed with the belief that they were placed on these lands by the Great Spirit, and that they were given them for their sole benefit, and that no persons can, consequently, have a right to dispossess them of their native patrimony, their rightful hunting ground, and containing the sepulchres of their fathers. They were in- dependent nations, and attached to their rights and liberties, which, with their lives, they valiantly defended. But they were conquered, and their posterity have been compelled to recede rapidly before a civilized people, relinquishing every prospect, every object that could be dear to their hearts. The small re- mains of the aborigines seem to be doomed to banishment, and to perish by lingering desolation in the unexplored wilderness, until the race shall be extinct! This subject will now be closed by the following anecdote, which shows that the present gener- ation know how to appreciate the welfare enjoyed by their an- cestors, and how to deplore the hard fate to which their descend- ants are destined. In the year 1789, a number of Indian Sa- chems assembled at New York, on a mission to President Wash- ington. General Knox, as secretary at war, invited them to a dinner at his table. A little before dinner, two or three of the Sachems, with their chief or principal man, went into the bal- cony, at the front of the house, from which they had a view of the city, the harbor, Long Island, and the adjacent country. On returning into the room they appeared dejected. General Knox, noticing this, said to the chief, 'Brother, what has happened to you? You look sorry! Is there any thing here to make you unhappy ?' He answered, ' I will tell you, brother. I have been looking at your beautiful city, the great water, and rivers, your mighty fine country, producing enough for all your wants; see how happy you all are. But then I could not help thinking that this fine country, and this great water was once ours. Our ancestors once lived here, they enjoyed it as their own posses- sions in peace; it was the gift of the Great Spirit to them and
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their children. At length the white people came here in a great canoe. They asked only to let them tie it to a tree, lest the waters should carry it away; we consented. They then said some of their people were sick, and they asked permission to land them, and put them under the shade of the trees. The ice then came, and they could not get away. They then begged a piece of land to build wigwams for the winter; we granted it to them. They then asked for some corn to keep them from starving; we kindly furnished it to them, they promising to go away when the ice was gone. When this happened, and the great water was clear, we told them they must now go away with their big canoe; but they pointed to their big guns round their wigwams, and said they would stay there, and we could not make them go away. Afterwards more white people came. They brought spirituous and intoxicating liquors with them, of which the Indians became very fond. They persuaded us to sell them some land. Finally, they drove us back from time to time, into the wilderness, far from the water, and the fish and the oysters; they destroyed the game, our people have wasted away, and now we live miserable and wretched, while you are enjoying our fine and beautiful country. This it is that makes me sorry, brother! and I cannot help it.'
The following is copied from the American Remembrancer, being an impartial collection of facts published in London dur- ing the Revolutionary war, for the year 1782, vol. xiv. p. 185. Boston, March 12.
Extract of a letter from Captain Gerrish, of the New Eng- land militia, dated Albany, March 7.
" The peltry taken in the expedition, will, you see, amount to a good deal of money. The possession of this booty at first gave us pleasure; but we were struck with horror to find among the packages, eight large ones containing scalps of our unfortu- nate country folks, taken in the three last years by the Seneca Indians, from the inhabitants of the frontiers of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and sent by them as a present to Colonel Haldimand, Governor of Canada, in order to be by him transmitted to England. They were accompanied by the following curious letter to that gentleman:
' Tioga, January 3d, 1787.
' May it please your Excellency,-
' At the request of the Seneca chief, I herewith send to your Excellency, under the care of James Hoyd, eight packages of scalps, cured, dried, hooped and painted, with all the triumphal marks, of which the following is the invoice and explanation:
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' No. 1. Containing forty-three scalps of Congress soldiers, killed in different skirmishes. These are stretched on black hoops, four inches in diameter, the inside of the skin painted red, with a small black spot, to note their being killed with bullets. Also, sixty-two of farmers, killed in their houses; the hoops painted red, the skin painted brown and marked with a hoe, a black circle all round, to denote their being surprised in the night, and a black hatchet in the middle, signifying their being killed with that weapon.
' No. 2. Containing ninety-eight of farmers, killed in their houses; hoops red, figure of a hoe to mark their profession, great white circle and sun, to show they were surprised in the day time, a little red foot, to show they stood upon their de- fence, and died fighting for their lives and families.
' No. 3. Containing ninety-seven of farmers; hoops green, to show they were killed in the fields, a large white circle with a little round mark on it for the sun, to show it was in the day time; black bullet mark on some, a hatchet on others.
'No. 4. Containing one hundred and two of farmers; mix- ture of several of the marks above, only eighteen marked with a little yellow flame, to denote their being of prisoners burnt alive, after being scalped, their nails pulled out by the roots, and other torments. One of these latter supposed to be of an American clergyman, his band being fixed to the hoop of his scalp. Most of the farmers appear, by the hair, to have been young or middle-aged men, there being but sixty -seven very grey heads among them all, which makes the service more es- sential.
' No. 5. Containing eighty-eight scalps of women, hair long, braided in the Indian fashion, to show they were mothers; hoops blue, skin yellow ground, with little red tadpoles, to represent, by way of triumph, the tears of grief occasioned to their rela- tions; a black scalping knife or hatchet at the bottom, to mark their being killed by those instruments. Seventeen others, hair very grey ; black hoops, plain brown color, no marks but the short club or casse-tete, to show they were knocked down dead, or had their brains beat out.
' No. 6. Containing one hundred and ninety-three boys' scalps, of various ages; small green hoops, whitish ground on the skin, with red tears in the middle, and black marks; knife, hatchet, or club, as their death happened.
' No. 7. Containing two hundred and eleven girls' scalps, big and little; small yellow hoops, white ground; tears, hatchet, club, scalping knife, &c.
' No. 8. This package is a mixture of all the varieties above-
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mentioned, to the number of one hundred and twenty-two, with a box of birch bark, containing twenty-nine little infants' scalps, of various sizes; small white hoops, white ground; no tears, and only a little black knife in the middle, to show they were ripped out of their mothers' bellies.
'With these packs the chiefs send to your Excellency the following speech, delivered by Conicogatchie, in council, in- terpreted by the Elder Moore, the trader, and taken down by me in writing:
'Father !- We send you herewith many scalps, that you may see we are not idle friends. A blue belt.
' Father !- We wish you to send these scalps over the water to the great King, that he may regard them and be refreshed, and that he may see our faithfulness in destroying his enemies, and be convinced that his presents have not been made to an ungrateful people. A blue and white belt, with red tassels.
' Father !- Attend to what I am now going to say. It is a matter of much weight. The great King's enemies are many, and they grow fast in number. They were formerly like young panthers. They could neither bite nor scratch. We could play with them safely. We feared nothing they could do to us. But now their bodies have become as big as the elk, and strong as the buffalo. They have also great and sharp claws. They have driven us out of our country for taking part in your quar- rel. We expect the great King will give us another country, that our children may live after us, and be his friends and child- ren as we are. Say this for us to our great King. To enforce it, give this belt. A great white belt, with blue tassels.
'Father !- We have only to say further, that your traders ex- act more than ever for their goods; and our hunting is lessened by the war, so that we have fewer skins to give for them. This ruins us. Think of some remedy. We are poor, and you have plenty of every thing. We know you will send us powder and guns, and knives and hatchets. But we also want shirts and blankets.' A little white belt.
' I do not doubt but that your Excellency will think it proper to give some further encouragement to these honest people. The high prices they complain of, are the necessary effect of the war. Whatever presents may be sent for them through my hands, shall be distributed with prudence and fidelity.
' I have the honor of being your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, JAMES CRAWFORD.'
SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS UNIVERSITY SPECIAL COLL F74.P8 T4 1835 History of the town of Plymouth, from it
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SPECIAL COLL F74.P8T4 1835 Thacher, James, 1754-1844. History of the town of Plymouth, from its first
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