USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Groton > Proceedings of the centennial celebration at Groton, Mass., July 4th, 1876, in commemoration of the destruction of the town, March, 1676, and the Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776. With an oration by Samuel Abbott Green > Part 6
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Lancaster, and that now he would burn that Town of Groton, and the next time he would burn Chelmsford, Concord, Water- town, Cambridge, Charlstown, Roxbury, Boston, adding at last in their Dialect, What Me will, Me do: not much unlike the proud Assyrian (if his power had been equal to his pride) some- time threatned against Jerusalem, but was by the remarkable providence of God, so connfounded within a few months after, that he was bereft of his four hundred and fourscore (of which he now boasted) and only with a few more Bragadozio's like himself, Sagamore Sam, old Jethro, and the Sagamore of Quobaog were taken by the English, and was seen (not long before the writing of this) marching towards the Gallows (through Boston Streets, which he threatened to burn at his pleasure) with an Halter about his neck, with which he was hanged at the Towns end, Septem- ber 26. in this present year 1676. So let thine Enemies perish O Lord, and such contempt be poured on all them that open their mouthes to blaspheme thy holy Name.
Things looked with a pritty sad face about those parts at this time ; yet though the Righteous fall seven times, let not their Enemies rejoyce, for the Righteous shall rise again, but their wicked Enemies shall fall into mischief, and risc no more. It was ebbing water with New-England at this time, and a while after ; but God shall turn the stream before it be long, and bring down their Enemies to lick the dust before them.
After this April 17. Captain Sill, being appointed to keep Gari- son at Groton, some Indians coming to hunt for Swine, three Indians drew near the Garison house, supposing it to have been deserted, were two of them slain by one single shot made by the Captains own hands, and the third by another shot made from the Garison. [Pages 72-76.]
The following paragraph is taken from " A Table " in Hub- bard's " Narrative," and is found on the fourth page after page 132.
Groton, surprized March 2. as is related pag. 60. & 61. [72-76?] the place consisting of about 60. families, was soon after deserted, yet are there 14. or 15. houses left standing to this day, though not inhabited for the present. pag. 73.
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6. - PAGE 26.
The humble petition and request of the greatest number of the former inhabitants of ye Towne of Groton
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Humbly sheweth to the Honored Generall Court setting in Bos- ton : as followeth viz :
We who have been great Sufferers, by ye hand of God, in the late wars by our heathenish enemyes, as is well knowne to all : &c by which we have bin enforced, to flye before enimyes; to our great & greivous losse, & trouble. By ye good hand of God to us, have had so much repreave, & respitt, as we have many of us, had ye liberty & oppertunity, to returne to the places, though not ye houses of our former abode. And now being under & exercised with many and great difficultyes ; Apprehending it our duty, to addresse ourselves ; not onely to our heavenly father ; but carthly fathers also, in this time of need : do humbly begg our case may be seriously considered, & weighed, & that some direction, and releife may be affoarded unto us.
Some of us ye Inhabitants have ventured : our lives some while since to returne againe, and many others have followed us, whose welcome company is rejoycing unto us. Yett our poverty, & the nonresidence of others, doth occation us great & unavoidable trouble. We have (through Gods goodnesse, & blessing our en- deavours, & attempts) procured & obtained the ministry of ye word amoung us ; & have bin at some considerable charge about it. And are willing (if God please) to keep, & maintaine, it amongst us. Butt there is some discouragements, upon sundrey accounts. We have had severall towne meetings to consult the good, & wel- fare of the towne & place & how things may be caried on, as to defraing publiq charges, And it hath bin, voated in our meetings (our visible estate being small) to lay it on ye lands, yt so an equal- ity in some respect might be reached unto. This is by ye most judged to be the present best yea ye onely present possible way for us to proceed in. which we desire your honoured selves to putt yo countenance of authority upon. As also That our late dredfull suffering ruines, and impoverishments may by your honoured selves be so fare minded & considered, that we may for the present (till we a little recover ourselves) be releised from Countrey charges. We would be rightly understood, as to our first request That the way by lands accomodations for the levying towne charges may be stated butt for ye present few years, till God by his provi- dence may alter our capacity & condition : Thus craving pdone for this our boldnesse That successe & a blessing may Attend you in all your affaires ; That God will accomplish his promises & built ye wast places, sett up his house & ordinances whence they have been removed delight to build, & plant us againe & not to pull us
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downe & pluck .us up That we may yett see This our Jerusalem a quiett habitation Thus prayeth your humble & unworthy petition- ers :
Att A towne meeting at Groton JAMES PARKER May 20"! 1679 Ther red & voated by the inhabitants : Select man And clarke in ye name of ye rest.
[Massachusetts Archives, LXIX. 224.]
In answr to this Pet" It is. ordered by this Court yt for 3 : yeares next comeing in all levyes made for y^ benefit of ye sa place & ye maintenance of Gods ordinances there, those yt have lands there & are not ressid' upon ye place shall pay rates for y' Lands ther as those do y' are ressid' and yt the Inhabitants there ressidt be abated one single rate p' ann. to yo country for ye like times The mag- is's have past this their brethren the deputyes hereto consenting
EDWP RAWSON Secret 29th May 1679.
The deputs Consent hereto provided that the cattle upon the place be lyable to pay rates also wth reffer ence to the consent of o'. Honred magistrs hereto
WILLIAM TORREY Cleric. 30th May 1679 Consented to by the magist EDWD RAWSON Secret. [Massachusetts Archives, LXIX. 229.]
7. --- PAGE 28.
Josiah Parker of Groton testifyes that he is very well acquainted wyth ye Indian now in prison named Jacob Nonantinooah & that he Can say of his certain knowledge yt he hath seen him every month since yº last Indian warr began, except it was when he ye said Jacob was in ye Countrey service under ye Comand of Capt" Noah Wiswall in ye years Eighty nine & Ninety : allso if he be required he Can produce severall y' Can testify ye same Hee further saith that as far as it is possible to know an Indian he is a friend to the English & hath manifested the same both in word an Action & whereas severall of ye Inhabitants of Groton have been out in ye woods on hunting they have taken this said Jacob wth them who in ye night hath showne his Care more than any of them in his watch-
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fullness ; expressing himselfe to them that it did Concerne him so to do, for if they were Surprised by ye enemy Indians he should be worse dealt wth then the English ; also many other Instances might be mentioned.
JOSIAH PARKER
GROTON Decmbr. Sth. 1691
The testimoneys of Josiah Parker aged. 36: years: and of Joseph Parker aged 40 years : Thomas Tarball aged. 25 : years or thereabouts ; testify concarning Jacob Indein now in prison ; that the two winters last past ye sa Jacob has bin gineraly in our towne with his famely Except when he was out a hunting and then the sª Joseph Parker or sd Tarball were out with him or som other Inglesh men who have geeven sd Jacob a good coment as to his care and wachfulnes as to ye enemy boath by night and day and by the best inquiery that we can make sd Jacob has never bin out a hunting above once without som English Compancy with him & then he was not gon above a fortnight and that was about two years sence ; the which if caled too am redy too testify upon oath pr me
JOSIAH PARKER
GROTON Decmbr. Sth. 1691
Concarning the man that has accused the Indeins in prison he is a man litell to be credeted for on the: 241 day of this Instent at Evening : Left Boweres and : I, at Mr. Sumeis'is at charlestowne discorsing him namly Abraham Miller about ye sª Indeans : and, teling hini that he was mistaken for thes Indeans ware not at Can- edy at that time when he charged them ; sª Miller sd Zoundes that if ever he saw them Indens again out of prison he would kill them : and beinga litell cautioned to be sober minded he broke out with an oath that if he ware but out of ye countrey himselfe ; he wished the Indeans would knock out ye braines of every porson in Newe England. This was spock before Mr. Sumers & his wife and sev- erall outhers ; ye sd porson being asked whether he was not in a passion some time after he Replyed no he ware of ye same mind still that if he was out of ye countrey he did not care if all the Rest ware knocked their braines out - to which if caled to am redy too testify upon oath. Pr me
JOSIAH PARKER
[Massachusetts Archives, XXX. 323.]
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8. - PAGE 29.
Jer. Sweyne writes from " Berwick att Salmon Falls Octob' 15. S9"
that " it is supposed yt small party of Indians may be in ye ches- nut cuntry beyond Groaton."
Upon information there is but little work for a Commissary at Groton the Representatives do agree & order that the Comissary there ; be discharged from said Imploym1 :
Ordered by the Representatives That Captne Jaccob Moore wth his Company at Groton be forth wth drawne off and discharged de- sircing the Honed the Gov" & Councill Consent
Novembr .; 6: 1689: EBENEZER PROUT Clerk Consente to by the Gov! & Councill
Is! ADDINGTON Secty [Massachusetts Archives, XxxV. 56, 71, 73.]
Six soldiers were posted in this town, under Thomas Hinchman, Nov. 17, 1692. Two additional men were allowed, August, 1695, when there were ten soldiers in town, and four troopers to scout. There were eight men posted here for "y" Deffence of ye Fron- tiers," June 10, 169S.
[Massachusetts Archives, LXX. 184, 261, 3So. ]
9. -- PAGE 29.
The following reference to the assault on the town in 1694 is found in the report, made October 26, by M. Champigny to the Minister Pontchartrain. The original document is in the Archives of the Marine and Colonies at Paris; and I am indebted to Mr. Francis Parkman, the distinguished his- torian, for the copy of it.
These Indians did not stop there; four parties of them have since been detached, who have been within half a day's journey of Boston [i.c., at Groton], where they have killed or captured more than sixty persons, ravaged and pillaged every thing they found, which has thrown all the people into such consternation that they are leaving the open country to seek refuge in the towns.
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A "Relation " of an expedition by Villieu also mentions the assault. A copy of the paper is found in the State Ar- chives, in the volume marked, "Documents collected in France," IV. 251. The writer gives the date of the attack as July 30, which is three days later than is usually assigned. He says : -
On the 30, the Indians of the Penobscot, not having taken as many prisoners and as much booty as those of the Kennebec, because they had not found enough to employ themselves ; at the solicitation of Villieu and Taxous, their chief, some fifty of them detached themselves to follow this last person, who was piqued at the little that had been done. They were joined by some of the bravest warriors of the Kennebec, to go on a war party above Boston to break heads by surprise (casser des têtes a la surprise), after dividing themselves into several squads of four or five cach, which cannot fail of producing a good effect. -
Having crossed Merrimack, on the 27th of July [1694] they fell upon Groton, about 40 miles from Boston. They were repulsed at Lakin's garrison house, but fell upon other houses, where the peo- ple were off their guard, and killed and carried away from the vicinity about forty persons. Toxus's two nephews were killed by his side, and he had a dozen bullets through his blanket, according to Charlevoix, who adds, that he carried the fort or garrison and then went to make spoil at the gates of Boston; in both which facts the French account is erroneous.
[Hutchinson's " History of Massachusetts," II. 82.]
IO .- PAGE 31.
The DEPOSITION of JOHN LONGLEY, Yeoman. [No 4]
John Longley, of Groton, of about fifty-four Years of Age, testifies and saith, That he was taken Captive by the Indians at Groton, in July 1694, and lived in Captivity with them more than four Years ; and the two last Years and an half at Penob- scott, as Servant to Madokawando of said Penobscott; and he was always accounted as Chief, or one of the chief Sachems or Captains among the Indians there : And I have often scen the Indians sitting in Council, where he always sat as Chief; and
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once in particular I observed a Present was made him of a con- siderable Number of Skins of considerable Value, as an Ac- knowledgment of his Superiority.
JOHN LONGLEY. Middlesex ss. Groton, July 24th, 1736.
DEACON John Longley above named personally appearing made, Oath to the Truth of the above written Testimony.
Before me BENJAMIN PRESCOT, Justice of Peace.
[A Defence of the Title of the late John Leverett, Esq., &c., by Samuel Waldo, of Boston, 1736, page 27.]
II. - PAGE 33.
The Petition of Josiah Parker of Cambridge humbly sheweth
That whereas in the year 1693 [1694?] the Indian enemy made an assault upon the Town of Groton in which among others James Parker Jun' Brother to yo' humble Pet"? was killed with his Wife, several of his Children also were then carryed away Captive, one of which named Phinchas Parker something less then a year ago was (by a Master of a Vessell belonging to Ipswich) redeemed from the Indians at ye Eastward; which said Master has been re- imbursed by yo! Pet" wych is to the Value of about six pounds in Moncy.
The carnest request of yo! humble Pet"? to yo! Excellency & to this Honbe Court is that you would please to consider him & that allowance may be made him out of the publick Treasury for what he has disburst. Also he desires humbly that you would please something to consider the said Phinehas who is a poor Orphan now about twelve years old and is likewise lame of one of his Leggs occasioned by ye cruelty of ye Salvages and it is very ques- tionable whether ever he will be cured, & has little or nothing left him of his Fathers estate for his support If therefore what has here been suggested by yo' humble Pet" may be accordingly con- sidered & granted, it will greatly oblige him, as in duty Bound,
Ever to Pray &c
JOSIAH PARKER [Massachusetts Archives, LXX. 401.]
In answer to this petition, dated May 31, 1699, it was voted, three days afterward, that six pounds of money be allowed out of the public treasury.
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12. - PAGE 34.
To The Honored & great Assembly now setting in Boston The humble petition and Request of Stephen Holden of Groton
Honored Srs It having pleased the Almighty God to order it that myselfe & my two biggest sons thô small were taken captives by the Indian enemyes from our towne of Groton and being with the Esterne enemy & my 2 sons about one year & ten moneth when thô it was my portion to escape with my life thro Gods mercy be- yound what I did expect or look for & I think fared better than some other English yett great hardship and difficultyes I under- went. but being very desirous with one of my sons that was there to gitt home If it might be fore the English vessells came I was necessitated to give my promise to my Indian Pilates whom I sat- isfyed att Richmans Island by English that I borrowed of there thre pound & twelve shillings If I might have ye boldnesse I would humbly crave That It might be payd out of Publiq stock I should take it thankfully att your hands Thus with my thank- fullnessc to God that both myselfe & both my children he hath graciously returned to our home againe commend your honours and concerments into ye hands & wishing ye Presence & benidic- tion of ye soveraine God I take Leave & subscribe myselfe your. humble servant & suppliant
STEPHEN HOLDEN
GROTON May 27th 1699
It was voted, June 6, 1699, by the General Court, that the petitioner be allowed the sum he asked for.
Among the names of the captives received on board the "Province Gally," Jan. 17, 1698-9, at Casco Bay, were "John Houlding of Grotten " and "Tamasin Rouce of Grot- ten." It is recorded, a week later, that "Steven Houlding of Grotten " and " Steven Houlding Junr of ditto" are "yet in the Indian hands."
[Massachusetts Archives, LXX. 398, 399, 400.]
13. -- PAGE 35.
On Wednesday night [October 25] an English man was kill'd in the Woods at Groton by the Indians which were afterwards
descryed in the night by the Light of their Fires, by a Person Travailing from Groton to Lancaster, and judged they might be about Thirty in number ; pursuit was made after them, but none could be found.
[" The Boston News-Letter," October 30, 1704, No. 28.]
14. - PAGE 35.
To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq Capt General and Govern™ in Cheif in and over her Majestyes Province of the Massachusetts Bay &c. and to the Hoble the Council and Representatives of sa Province.
Wee the inhabitants of the Towne of Groton cannot but with all thankfulness acknowledge the great Care that his Ex'cy and Gov- ernmt hath taken for our Preservation and defense in these times of danger. Notwithstanding all which, wec have bin by our Enemy extreamly impoverished not being capable of making those improvements which are necessary for our subsistance, but our Outlands upon which wee have a Considerable dependance lye neglected ; and many of us are reduced to the Last necessity ; Our Stocks are like to Suffer much in the Winter; and are in great fears that wee have mett wth Considerable losses in them already from the Enemy and wee are now at Extream Charge in the Set- tling of our Minister ; So that wee are greatly reduced and impov- crished ;
Wee would therefore humbly intreat that our Languishing Cir- cumstances may be taken into your Consideration ; and that our proportion of the Publique tax may this year be remitted to us ; and wee hope that not only our present afflicted State but our future dutyfull deportment will be Such as may testifie for us, and afford yo! hon's Satisfaction in so notable an instance of Charity, and Compassion
JONAS PRESCOTT JONATHAN LAWRENCE JNº FARNESWORTHI SAM! PARKER Select
NATH. WOODS
ROBT. ROBBINS men
In behalf of the Towne of Groton ;
[Massachusetts Archives, CXIII. 391.]
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To his exalancy Joseph Dutly esquir captain genarall comander in in and ouer hur maiesties prouines of the masiacheusits bay in new Ingland and to the honorable counsil and raprasantitifes in genarall court asambled at boston this Instant Desember 1704.
The humble patition of the Inhabitants of the town of groton in . the county of midlsax in the prouians aforesd humbley sheweth
I That wharas by the all desposing hand of God who orders all things in infinit wisdom it is our portion to live In such a part of the land which by reson of the enemy Is becom uary dangras as by wofull exsperiants we have falt both formarly and of late to our grat damidg & discoridgmant and spashaly this last yere hauing lost so many parsons som killed som captiuated and som ramoued and allso much corn & cattell and horses & hay wharby wee ar gratly Impouerrished and brought uary low & in a uary pore ca- pasity to subsist any longer As the barers herof can inform your honors
2 And more then all this our paster mr hobard is & hath been for aboue a yere uncapable of desspansing the ordinances of God amongst vs & we have aduised with the Raurant Elders of our nayboring churches and thay aduise to hyare another minister and to saport mr hobard and to make our adras to your honours we haue but litel laft to pay our deus with being so pore and few In numbr athar to town or cuntrey & we being a frantere town & lyable to dangor there being no safty in going out nor coming in but for a long time we have got our brad with the parel of our lives & allso broght uery low by so grat a charg of bilding gar- isons & fortefycations by ordur of athorety & thar is saural of our Inhabitants ramoued out of town & others ar prouiding to remouc. axcapt somthing be don for our Incoridgment for we are so few & so por that we canot pay two ministers nathar ar we wiling to liue without any we spand so much time in waching and ward- ing that we can doe but litel els & truly we have lived allmost 2 yers more like soulders then other wise & accapt yours honars can find out som bater way for our safty and support we cannot uphold as a town ather by remitting our tax or tow alow pay for building the sauarall forts alowed and ordred by athority or alls to alow the one half of our own Inhabitants to be under pay or to grant lib- crty for our remufe Into our naiburing towns to tak cor for oursalfs all which if your honors shall so meet to grant you will hereby gratly incoridg your humble pateceners to conflect with the many trubles we ar ensadent unto
wharfore your humble pationars humbly prays your axcalancy
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& this honared court to tak this mater into your scares consedra- tion and grant releef acordingly and your pationars shall as in duty bound foreur pray
by order of the town of groton
JONAS PRESCOTT JAMES NUTTING JOSEPHI LAKEN SAMUEL PARKER
Jan? 24 1704 Read.
In the House of Representatives. JanT 3: 1704
In Answer to the Petition on the other side
Resolved That there be allowed, and Paid out of the publick Treasury, the sum of Twenty Pounds, to the Town of Grotton to Encourage & Assist them in Procuring another Minister, to help them under the present Disability of their Pastour M'. Hubbard, & Ten Pounds more be allowed & Paid out of the publick Treas- ury, to Jonathan Tyng Esq. & M: Nathan! Hill, to be by them pro- portionably distributed to such of the s! Town, as in the Judgment have been greatest sufferers, in the late outrages made upon them by the Enemy Sent up for concurrence.
In Council.
JAMS CONVERSE Speaker Read and concurr'd.
4th January. 1704. [Massachusetts Archives, LXXI. 107, IOS.]
Is4 ADDINGTON Sccry
15. --- PAGE 40.
To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq: Cap! General and Gov- erno! in Chief in & over her Majties Provinces of the Massachusetts- Bay &ra in New England To the Honble her Majtes Council in sd Province and To the Honble the House of Representatives now con- vened in General Assembly within & for said Province
Octob: 25? 1704
The Humble Petition of John Sheplecy of Groton Sheweth
That when Major Taylor was at Groton, having drawn off most of his men from the place and marched to Col. Tyngs yo! Peti- tioner and Thirteen men more being some reaping and ye rest Warding in a ffield at Groton aforesa the Indians to the number of about twenty came upon them when yo! Petitioner and the rest
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betook themselves to their Arms, and three others being along with yo! Petitioner, the Indian ran round the ffield & met them & the s" Indians made several shott at the English, but amongst the rest one lusty stout Indian with a holland shirt on ran about S or 10 Rodd side by side with yo! Petitioner & the other 3 men in his Company, about 10 Rodd to the right hand of them when he fired upon us, and as soon as he had fired yo". Petitioner fired being loaded with a slugg & another of the Company at the same time fired a Bullet at him whereupon the sd Indian fell down and cryd out ; Those now 3 of our first Company kill'd or carryed away, Afterwards ye sd Indian was found dead & a slugg & Bullet in his Body his Scalp being sent up to his Excellency by Major Taylor.
Yo! Petitioner therefore humbly prays yo! Excellency & Hon's to take the premises into yo! Considerations and he may be al- lowed such Encouragem: for his service herein as the Law allows or as to yo! Excellency & Hono": in yo. Wisdoms shall seem meet. .
and yo! Petitioner shall pray &"
JOHN SHEPLEY. Octob !. 26th 1704. In Council,
Read and sent down.
On the back of the petition is written : -
In the House of Representatives
Octo! 27: 1704 Read and
Resolved That the sum of four Pounds be allowed and Paid out of the publick Treasury to the Petition! and the like Sum of four Pounds to Samuel Butterfield, who this House is Inform? did assist in the killing of the Indian mentioned in the Petition, and that no other or further sum be allowed for the killing of the s.ª Indian
JAMS CONVERSE Speaker
Sent up for Concurrence in Council.
Die pdict.
Read and Concurr'd Is! ADDINGTON Secry.
[Endorsed] Jolin Shepley's Petition Octo! 1704.
[Massachusetts Archives, XXX. 496, 497.]
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16. - PAGE 40.
"In a List of Frontier Garrisons Reviewed by Order of His Excellency the Governour, In Novemb" 1711," the fol- lowing statistics are given of Groton : -
No
Garisons
Familys
Inhabits 6
I
25
2
Deacon Whittney
4
8
-
32
3
Lieu' Lawrance
I
I
-
2
4
Cap' Prescott
4
8
I
41
5
Samuel Parker
3
8
0
27
6
M: Bradstreet
I
I
3
IO
7
M! Hubbards
3
12
O
32
S
M' Lakins
7
9
I
30
9
Ens& Shipple
6
7
2
30
II
Corp® Tarboll
4
6
2
23
12
M' Holdings
I
3
2
12
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