USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Rehoboth > The History of Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, 1836 > Part 11
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" His sons [i. e. Woodcock's] were at work in a corn-field near the house. The Indians, concealed in a woodt adjoining the field, approached to its borders and fired upon them. The workmen fled to the garrison, leaving the dead body on the field. The Indians to gratify their spite against the family, cut off the son's head, stuck it on a long pole, which they set up on a hill at some distance in front of the house and in full view of the family, to aggravate their feelings as much as possible. From this time Woodcock swore never to make peace with the Indians. He ever after hunted them like wild beasts. He was a man of resolute and determined character ; and tradition says, that not a few fell victims to his vengeance, and a sacrifice to the manes of his murdered son.
" This attack was in May.Į The body of his son, (whose name was Nathaniel) was buried on the spot where he fell,
* Hubbard's Narrative, p. 146. For a description of Woodcock's garrison, see page 77.
t " Now the meadow on the east of the turnpike, below the bridge."-Note. # " Nath. Woodcock slain in May, 1676."-Rehoboth Record of Deaths and Burials.
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nearly in the centre of the yard, which has ever since been re- served for a burying ground."
Nehemiah Sabin,* of this town, was slain by the Indians, in June : the day on which this slaughter occurred, and the eir- cumstances attending it, I have not been able to learn.
The two following incidents, relating to the Indians, which are said to have occurred at one of the garrison-houses, dur- ing the Indian war, are so distinctly marked by tradition as to be worthy of preservation. They occurred at the garrison- house, which stood near the house of Mr. Welcome Allen, be- tween that and the Orleans Factory. In what part of the In- dian war they took place is not certain.
A woman, engaged in " turning cheese," in the upper story of the garrison house, had slipped the boards, which formed the window-shutter, for the purpose of admitting the light; and, while in the act of turning a cheese, and as she held it raised edgewise in her hands, an Indian who was lurking near the house, and observed the boards at the window removed, fired a ball at the window, which passed through the middle of the cheese without injuring the woman or any one in the house.
At another time, when the Indians were known to be prowl- ing in the vicinity of the garrison-house, and had prevented the cows from returning at evening, with the design of drawing the men from the garrison in search of them; one of the men at the garrison, taking a loaded musket, and going out at the door (it being dark), ordered a candle to be set at one of the port holes ; and as the person who placed it there retreated hastily, an In- . dian who was lurking near, observing the light, fired at it, and shot so near that the wind of the ball extinguished the blaze. The man who was watching with the loaded musket at the door, fired at the flash of the Indian's gun, and wounded him, the ball grazing the whole length of his back as he was leaning forward. The Indian, wounded, raised a loud cry, and he and his companions fled with great precipitation.
"About the end of June," says Hubbard, [p. 169] " news was brought to Boston that Philip, with a small party of his men lurked about Swanzey or Rehoboth, and that he might easily be taken; an Indian offering to bring them to the place where they might find him ; whereupon soldiers were instantly sent away from Boston, who spent some time in searching all
* " Nehemiah Sabin slain and buried in June, 1676."-Rehoboth Record of deaths and burials.
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the woods on that side of the country, but at last were forced to return, having missed what they aimed at. Plymouth colony likewise sent out soldiers upon the same account, under Major Bradford, who by the help of some Indians of Cape Cod, always true to the English interest, not only escaped an ambush , laid for them, whereby most of them might have been cut off, but slew many of those that laid in wait for them, without any loss to themselves."
The Indian war in this quarter was now fast drawing to a close. Philip, the prime mover of the war, was slain on Satur- day morning, August 12, 1676, at Mount Hope; and Anna- wan, the last and bravest of his generals, was taken captive, on Monday evening of the 28th, in Rehoboth. The rock where he was taken is still known to all the country round by the name of "Annawan's rock." This rock lies in the south-easterly part of Rehoboth, near the confines of Dighton, a few rods south of the new turnpike from Taunton to Providence, about eight miles from the former, and ten miles from the latter, place. It is on the northern border of a great swamp, called Squanna- konk, by which it is rendered inaccessible except on the north- ern side. This side can be seen from the turnpike, and is easily ascended, sloping gradually away from its summit to its base, at an angle of about 35º. The whole rock extends north-east and south-west 70 or 80 feet, and its height is 25 or 30 feet. It is composed of sand and pebbles. A part of its south-east side projects a little over its base, while, on the north-east, it seems at no very distant period, to have tumbled down in large clefts. Near its south-east extremity is an opening of an angular form, resembling the corner of a room, with sides nearly perpendicular : in this it is said Annawon and his men had encamped. In one of the perpendicular sides of this opening is an excavation or fissure, narrow at the bottom, and widening gradually upwards, and commencing so near the ground as to make a very conve- nient seat. This is called "Annawan's chair ; " for it is said that in this Annawan used to sit. Within the large angular open- ing or corner, some years since, stood a large tree, covered for several feet from the ground with the names of many who had visited the rock, and whose passion for immortality had prompt- ed them "to give in trust their names" to this reverend senti- nel of the place. But the "September gale" of 1815, pros- trated this ancient chronicler of the rock, and an uprooted stump now marks the place where it stood. It is probable that this
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tree grew since the days of Annawan, as it occupied a large share of the angle. Small bushes still grow from the seams on the top and in the steep side of the rock, as in the days of Church. Till lately a thin scattering wood grew around it; and near to the east and south, was a thick forest, which seemed to make it, even then, a fitting abode for savages. But these have within a year or two all yielded to "the woodman's axe," and the retreat of Annawan now looks lonely and desolate. It is fre- quently visited by the curious and the gay ; and the rock where the rude Indian once trod is now often pressed by the soft foot of the American fair. The nearest inhabitant to this rock is Dea- con Asahiel Bliss.
Annawan was of the tribe of the Wampanoags, and had been greatly distinguished as a warrior and counsellor under Mas- sassoit, and was " Philip's great captain" in the present war. He is first mentioned in the annals of Philip's war, by Church, in describing the skirmish in which Philip was slain : "One of the enemy, who seemed to be a great surly old fellow, hallowed with a loud voice, and often called out, " Iootash ! Iootash ! " Captain Church called to his Indian, Peter, and asked him who that was that called so ? He answered, that it was old Anna- wan, Philip's great captain, calling on his soldiers to stand to it, and fight stoutly." The best authority for the circumstances of the capture of Annawan is found in the account written under the direction of the old warrior,* to whose valour the glory of the achievement belongs.
"Captain Church," says the narrative, " had been but a little while at Plimouth, [after the death of Philip,] before a post from Rehoboth came to inform the Governour, that old Anna- wan, Philip's chief captain, was with his company ranging ahout their woods, and was very offensive and pernicious to Rehoboth and Swanzey. Captain Church was immediately sent for again, and treated with to engage in one expedition more. He told them their encouragement was so poor, he feared his
* Col. Benjamin Church was born at Duxbury, (Mass.) in 1639, and died Jan. 17, 1717, in the 78th year of his age, at Little Compton. R. I. He mar- ried Miss Alice Southworth, and had five sons and a daughter. His daring and intrepidity can scarce find an equal in our annals. He was particularly distinguished in Philip's war, and was afterwards sent on an expedition against the eastern Indians. [Church's Hist. of Philip's war.] William Church, Esq. of Providence, R. I. and Church Gray, Esq. of Seekonk, are lineal de- scendants of this hero; the former by the father's, and the latter by the moth- er's side.
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soldiers would be dull about going again. But being a hearty friend to the cause, he rallied again, goes to Mr. Jabez Howland, his old lieutenant, and some of his soldiers that used to go out with him, told them how the case was circumstanced, and that he had intelligence of old Annawan's walk and haunt, and want- ed hands to hunt him. They did not want much entreating, but told him they would go with him as long as there was one Indian left in the woods. He moved and ranged through the woods to Pocasset.
" It being the latter end of the week, he proposed to go on to Rhode Island, and rest until Monday ; but on the Lord's day morning,* there came a post to inform the captain, that early the same morning, a canoe, with several Indians in it passed from Prudence Island + to Poppasquash # neck. Captain Church thought if he could possibly surprise them, he might probably gain some intelligence of more game; therefore he made all possible speed after them. The ferry-boat being out of the way, he made use of canoes. But by that time they had made two freighits, and had got over about fifteen or sixteen of his In- dians, the wind sprung up with such violence that canoes could no more pass. The captain seeing it was impossible for any more of his soldiers to come to him, he told his Indians, if they were willing to go with him, he would go to Poppasquash, and see if they could catch some of the enemy Indians. They were will- ing to go, but were sorry they had no English soldiers.§ So they marched through the thickets that they might not be dis- covered, until they came unto the salt meadow, to the northward of Bristol town, that now is, then they heard a gun ; the captain looked about, not knowing but it might be some of his own com- pany in the rear. So halting till they all came up, he found it was none of his company that fired.
" Now, though he had but a few men, he was minded to send some of them out on a scout. He moved it to Captain Light- foot to go with three more on a scout ; he said he was willing, provided the captain's man, Nathaniel, (which was an Indian
* August 27th.
t An island in Narraganset Bay, to the southwest of Warren and Bristol, about six miles in length.
# A long narrow neck or peninsula, extending into the Narraganset Bay, on the west of Bristol, and between Bristol and Warren.
§ They had one or more Englishmen in their company, as will be presently seen.
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they had lately taken,) might be one of them, because he was well acquainted with the neck, and coming lately from among them, knew how to call them.
"The captain bid him choose his three companions, and go ; and if they came across any of the enemy, not to kill if they could possibly be taken alive, that they might gain intelligence concerning Annawan. The captain with the rest of his compa- ny moved but a little way further toward Poppasquash, before they heard another gun, which seemed to be the same way with the other, but farther off; but they made no halt until they came unto the narrow of Poppasquash neck ; where Captain Church left three men more to watch, if any should come out of the neck, and to inform the scout, when they returned, which way he was gone.
" He posted the remainder of his company, half on one side of the neck, and the other with himself went on the other side, until they met ; and meeting with neither Indians nor canoes, returned big with expectations of tidings by their scout. But when they came back to the three men at the narrow of the neck, they told their captain the scout was not returned, and had heard nor seen any thing of them : this filled them with thoughts of what should become of them. By that time they had sat and waited an hour longer, it was very dark, and they despair- ed of their returning to them.
" Some of the Indians told their captain, they feared his new man, Nathaniel, had met with his old Mount Hope friends, and was turned rogue. They concluded to make no fires that night, (and indeed they had no great need of any,) for they had no victuals to cook,-not so much as a morsel of bread with them.
" They took up their lodgings scattering, that if possibly their scout should come in the night, and whistle, (which was their sign) some or other of them might hear them. They had a very solitary, hungry night ; and as soon as the day broke,* they drew off through the brush to a hill without the neck. And looking about them, they espied one Indian man come run- ning somewhat towards them. The captain ordered one man to step out and show himself. Upon this the Indian ran right to him ; and who should it be but Captain Lightfoot, to their great joy. Captain Church asked him what news? He answered, " Good news ; " they were all well, and had catched ten In-
* Monday, August 28th.
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dians ; and that they guarded them all night in one of the flank- ers of the old English garrison ; * that their prisoners were a part of Annawan's company, and that they had left their families in a swamp above Metapoiset neck, t and as they were marching to- wards the old garrison, Lightfoot gave Captain Church a partic- ular account of their exploit, viz : that presently after they left him, they heard another gun, which seemed towards the Indian burying place ; and moving that way, they discovered two of the enemy laying of a horse. The scout clapping into the brush, Nathaniel bid them sit down, and he would presently call all the Indians thereabout him. They hid, and he went a little dis- tance back from them, and set up his note and howled like a wolf. One of the two immediately left his horse, and came running to see who was there ; but Nathaniel, howling lower and lower, drew him in between those that lay in wait for him, who seized him. Nathaniel continuing the same note, the other left the horse also, following his mate, and met with the same. When they caught these two, they examined them apart, and found them to agree in their story ; that there were eight more of them come down into the neck to get provisions, and had agreed to meet at the burying place that evening. These two being some of Nathaniel's old acquaintance, he had great influence upon them, and with his enticing story, (telling what a brave captain he had, how bravely he lived since he had been with him, and how much they might better their condition by turning to him, &c.) persuaded and engaged them to be on his side ; which, indeed, now began to be the better side of the hedge. They waited but a little while before they espied the rest of theirs coming up to the burying place ; and Nathaniel soon howled them in, as he had done their mates before.
" When Captain Church came to the garrison, he met his lieutenant, and the rest of his company. And then making up good fires they fell to roasting their horse beef, enough to last them a whole day, but had not a morsel of bread, but though salt they had, (which they always carried in their pockets, which at this time was very acceptable to them).
* This fort was built in June, 1675, by the Boston and Plymouth troops, who were sent to the defence of Swansey, on the first breaking out of the war.
t In Swansey.
# Mr. Jabez Howland. From this it appears that Church had at least one Englishman with him in this expedition, and we shall presently see that he had another.
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" Their next motion was towards the place where the prison- ers told them they had left their women and children, and sur- prised them all, and some others that were newly come to then. And upon examination they held to one story, that it was hard to tell where to find Annawan, for he never roosted twice in a place.
" Now a certain Indian soldier, that Captain Church had gained over to be on his side, prayed that he might have liberty to go and fetch his father, who, he said, was about four miles from that place, in a swamp, with no other than a young squaw. Captain Church inclined to go with him, thinking it might be in his way to gain some intelligence of Annawan ; and so taking one Englishman and a few Indians with him, leaving the rest there, he went with his new soldier to look after his father.
" When he came to the swamp, he bid the Indian go to see if he could find his father. He was no sooner gone, but Church discovered a track coming down out of the woods ; upon which he and his little company lay close, some on one side of the track, and some on the other. They heard the Indian soldier making a howling for his father, and at length somebody answer- ed him ; but while they were listening, they thought they heard somebody coming towards them : presently they saw an old man coming up with a gun on his shoulder, and a young woman fol- lowing, in the track which they lay by. They let them come up between them, and then started up and laid hold of them both. Captain Church immediately examined them apart, tell- ing them what they must trust to, if they told false stories. He asked the young woman, what company they came from last ? She said, "From Captain Annawan's." He asked her how many there were in company with him when she left him ? She said, " Fifty or sixty." He asked her, how many miles it was to the place where she left him ? She said, she did not under- stand miles, but that he was up in Squannaconk swamp .*
"The old man, who had been one of Philip's council, upon examination, gave exactly the same account. Captain Church asked him if they could get there that night ? He said if they
* This is a large swamp in the south-easterly part of Rehoboth. Itis on a small piece of upland, nearly enclosed by this swamp that "Annawan's rock " is situated. Mr. Drake in his " Book of the Indians " [book iii. c 3, p. 48.] has estimated this swamp to contain "nearly 3000 acres." There are two other swamps near this, one on the north, the other on the south, or south-west, neither being far separated from it, which taken with this, may make nearly the estimate ; but " Squannaconk alone does not contain more than a third of that space.
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went presently, and travelled stoutly, they might get there by sunset. He asked whither he was going ? He answered, that Annawan had sent him down to look for some Indians, that were gone down into Mount Hope neck, to kill provisions. Captain Church let him know that these Indians were all his prisoners.
" By this time came the Indian soldier and brought his father and one Indian more. The captain was now in a great strait of mind what to do next; he had a mind to give Annawan a visit, now he knew where to find him. But his company was very small, but half a dozen men beside himself, and was under a necessity to send somebody back to acquaint his lieutenant and company with his proceedings. However, he asked his small company that were with him, whether they would willingly go with him and give Annawan a visit : They told him, they were always ready to obey his commands, &c. but withal told him, that they knew this Captain Annawan was a great soldier ; that he had been a valiant captain under Asuhmequin,* Philip's father ; and that he had been Philip's chieftain all this war. A very subtle man, of great resolution, and had often said, that he would never be taken alive by the English. And moreover they knew that the men that were with him were resolute fel- lows, some of Philip's chief soldiers; and therefore feared whether it was practicable to make an attempt upon him with so small a handful of assailants as were now with him. Told him farther, that it would be a pity, that, after all the great things he had done, he should throw away his life at last. Upon which he replied, that he doubted not Annawan was a subtle and valiant man ; that he had a long time, but in vain, sought for him, and never till now could find his quarters, and he was very loath to miss of the opportunity ; and doubted not but that if they would cheerfully go with him, the same Almighty prov- idence that had hitherto protected and befriended them, would do so still, &c.
" Upon, this with one consent they said, they would go. Capt. Church then turned to one Cook, of Plymouth, (the only Englishman then with him,) and asked him what he thought of
* His name has been variously written, as Asuhmequin, Ossamequin or Osa- mequin, Oosamequen, Osamekin, Owsamequin, Ousamequine, Ussamequen, Wasamegin, &c. But the name by which he is most commonly known in his- tory, is Massassoit, or Massasoit. For an account of the life of this " good old chief," see Drake's Book of the Indians.
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it ? He replied, "Sir, I am never afraid of going any where when you are with me." Then Capt. Church asked the old Indian, if he could carry his horse with him ? (For he conveyed a horse thus far with him.) He replied that it was impossible for a horse to pass the swamps. Therefore he sent away his new Indian soldier with his father, and the captain's horse, to his lieutenant, and orders for him to move to Taunton with the prisoners, to secure them there, and to come out in the Rehoboth road, in which he might expect to meet him, if he were alive and had success.
" The captain then asked the old fellow if he would pilot him unto Annawan ? He answered, that he having given him his life, he was obliged to serve him. He bid him move on, and they followed. The old man would out-travel them so far sometimes, that they were almost out of sight; looking over his shoulder, and seeing them beliind, he would halt.
"Just as the sun was setting, the old man made a full stop and sat down ; the company coming up also sat down, being all weary. Captain Church asked, " What news ?" He answered, that about that time in the evening, Captain Annawan sent out his scouts to see if the coast were clear, and as soon as it began to grow dark, the scouts returned ; and then (said he) "we may move securely." When it began to grow dark, the old man stood up again, and Captain Church asked him if he would take a gun and fight for him ? He bowed very low, and prayed him not to impose such a thing upon him, as to fight against Captain Annawan, his old friend. But says he, "I will go along with you, and be helpful to you, and will lay hands on any man that shall offer to hurt you."
It being now pretty dark, they moved close together; anon they heard a noise. The captain stayed the old man with his hand, and asked his own men, what noise they thought it might be ? They concluded it to be the pounding of a mortar. The old man had given Captain Church a description of the place where Annawan now lay, and of the difficulty of getting at him. Being sensible that they were pretty near them, with two of his Indians he creeps to the edge of the rocks, from whence he could see their camps. He saw three companies of Indians at a little distance from each other, being easy to be dis- covered by the light of their fires. He saw also the great Annawan and his company, who had formed his camp or ken- neling place, by falling a tree under the side of the great cliffs
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of rocks, and setting a row of birch bushes up against it ; where he himself, his son, and some of his chiefs had taken up lodg- ings, and made great fires without them, and had their pots and kettles boiling, and spits roasting. Their arms also he discov- ered, all set together, in a place fitted for the purpose, standing up on end against a stick lodged in two crotches, and a mat placed over them, to keep them from the wet or dew. The old Annawan's feet and his son's head were so near the arms as almost to touch them.
" The rocks were so steep that it was impossible to get down, but as they lowered themselves by the boughs and the bushes that grew in the cracks of the rocks. Captain Church, creep- ing back again to the old man, asked him, if there were no pos- sibility of getting at them some other way ? He answered, " No." That he and all that belonged to Annawan were or- dered to come that way, and none could come any other way, without difficulty or danger of being shot.
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