USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume I > Part 11
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"But the thoughts of my going homeward ( for so we bent our course) much cheered my spirit, and made my burden seem light, and almost nothing at all. But (to my amazement and great perplexity) the scale was soon turned, for when we had gone a little way, on a sudden my mistress gives out. She would go no further, but turn back again, and said I must go back with her, and she called her Sannup, and would have had him gone back also. But he would not, but said he would go on, and come to us again in three days.
"My spirit was upon this, I confess, very impatient, and almost outrageous. I thought I could as well have died as went back. I cannot declare the trouble that I was in about it, but yet back again I must go. As soon as I had an opportunity, I took my Bible to read, and that quieting Scripture came to my hand, Psal. 46, 10. 'Be still, and know that I am God.' Which stilled my spirit for the present. But a sore time of trial, I concluded, I had to go through.
"My master being gone, who seemed to me the best friend that I had of an Indian, both in cold and hunger, and quickly so it proved. Down I sat, with my heart as full as it could hold, and yet so hungry that I could not sit neither,
DOANE'S FALLS, ROYALSTON
THE OAKS, TIMOTHY PAINE MANSION
Now the home of Timothy Bigelow Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Worcester. Built just before the Revolution, it was the home of a famous family of Loyalists, where the birthday of English King or Queen was marked by a toast to the Royal Highness for generations after the United States became an independent nation Photo by Paul W. Savage
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but going out to see what I could find, and walking among the trees, I found six acorns, and two chestnuts, which were some refreshment to me.
"Towards night I gathered me some sticks for my own comfort, that I might not lie cold. But when we came to lie down they bade me go out, and lie somewhere else, for they had company (they said) come in more than their own. I told them I could not tell where to go. They bade me go look. I told them if I went to another wigwam they would be angry and send me home again. Then one of the company drew his sword, and told me he would run me through if I did not go presently. Then was I fain to stoop to this rude fellow, and to go out in the night, I knew not whither. Mine eyes have seen that fellow afterwards walking up and down Boston, under the appearance of a friend-Indian, and several others of the like cut.
"I went to one wigwam, and they told me they had no room. Then I went to another, and they said the same. At last an old Indian bade me come to him, and his squaw gave me some ground nuts. She gave me also something to lay under my head, and a good fire we had, and through the good Provi- dence of God, I had a comfortable lodging that night. In the morning, another Indian bade me come at night, and he would give me six ground nuts, which I did. We were at this place and time about two miles from Connecticut River. We went in the morning to gather ground nuts, to the river, and went back again that night. I went with a good load at my back ( for they when they went, though but a little way, would carry all their trumpery with them). I told them the skin was off my back, but I had no other comforting answer from them than this, that it would be no matter if my head were off too.
She Hears From Home-"About this time (at Hinsdale, New Hamp- shire) they came yelping from Hadley, where they had killed three English men and brought one captive with them, viz., Thomas Reed. They all gathered about the poor man, asking him many questions. I desired also to go and see him, and when I came, he was crying bitterly, supposing they would quickly kill him. Whereupon I asked one of them whether they intended to kill him. He answered me they would not. He being a little cheered with that, I asked him about the welfare of my husband. He told me he saw him such a time in the Bay, and he was well, but very melancholy. By which I certainly understood (though I suspected it before) that whatsoever the Indians told me respecting him was vanity and lies. Some of them told me he was dead, and they had killed him. Some said he was married again, and that the Governor wished him to marry, and told him he should have his choice, and that all were pursuaded I was dead. So like were these barbarous creatures to him who was a liar from the beginning.
"As I was sitting once in the wigwam here, Philip's maid came in with the child in her arms, and asked me to give her a piece of my apron, to make Wor .- 7
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a flap for it. I told her I would not. Then my mistress bade me give it, but still I said no. The maid told me if I would not give her a piece, she would tear a piece off it. I told her I would tear her coat then. With that my mis- tress rises up, and takes up a stick big enough to have killed me, and struck at me with it, but I stepped out, and she struck the stick into the mat of the wigwam. But while she was pulling of it out, I ran to the maid and gave her all my apron, and so that storm went over.
"Hearing that my son had come to this place, I went to see him, and told him that his father was well, but very melancholy. He told me he was as much grieved for his father as for himself. I wondered at his speech, for I thought I had enough upon my spirit in reference to myself, to make me mind- less of my husband and every one else, they being safe among their friends.
Mohawks Attack Powder Messengers-"He told me also that a little while before his master, together with other Indians, were going to the French for powder, but by the way the Mohawks met with them and killed four of their company, which made the rest turn back again, for which I desire that myself and he thank the Lord. For it might have been worse for him had he seen sold to the French, than it proved to be in his remaining with the Indians.
"I went to see an English youth in this place, one John Gilbert, of Spring- field. I found him lying without doors upon the ground. I asked him how he did? He told me he was very sick with a flux, with eating so much blood. They had turned him out of the wigwam, and with him an Indian papoose, almost dead (whose parents had been killed) in a bitter cold day, without fire or clothes. The young man himself had nothing on but his shirt and waist- coat. This sight was enough to melt a heart of flint. There they lay quivering in the cold, the youth round like a dog, the papoose stretched out, with his eyes and nose and mouth full of dirt, and yet alive and groaning. I advised John to go and get to some fire. He told me he could not stand, but I per- suaded him still, lest he should lie there and die. And with much ado I got him to a fire, and went myself home.
"As soon as I was got home, his master's daughter came after me to know what I had done with the English man. I told her I had got him to a fire in such a place. Now I had need to pray Paul's prayer, 2 Thess. 3:2, 'That we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men.' For her satisfaction I went along with her, and brought her to him. But before I got home again, it was noised about that I was running away and getting the English youth along with me. As soon as I came in they began to rant and domineer, asking me where I had been, and what I had been doing, and saying they would knock him on the head. I told them I had been seeing the English youth, and that I would not run away. They told me I lied, and taking up a hatchet, they
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came to me and said they would knock me down if I stirred again, and so confined me to the wigwam. Now I may say with David, 2 Sam. 24:14, 'I am in a great strait.' If I keep in, I must die with hunger, and if I go out I must be knocked in head. This distressed condition held that day and half the next. And then the Lord remembered me, whose mercies are great.
"Then came an Indian to me with a pair of stockings that were too big for him, and he would have me ravel them out, and knit them fit for him. I shewed myself willing, and bid him ask my mistress if I might go along with him a little way. She said, yes, I might, and I was not a little refreshed with that news, that I had my liberty again. Then I went along with him, and he gave me some roasted ground nuts, which did again revive my feeble stomach.
"Then my son came to see me, and I asked my master to let him stay awhile. He told me that he was very hungry, but I had nothing to relieve him, and bid him go into the wigwams as he went along, and see if he could get anything from them. Which he did and, it seems, tarried too long, for his master was angry with him, and beat him, and then sold him. Then he came running to tell me he had a new master, and that he had given him some ground nuts already. Then I went along with him to his new master, who told me he loved him, and he should not want. So his master carried him away, and I never saw him afterwards till I saw him at Piscatauqua in Portsmouth.
"That night (at Hinsdale) they bade me go out of the wigwam again. My mistress' papoose was sick, and it died that night, and there was one benefit in that there was more room. I went to a wigwam, and they bade me come in, and gave me a skin to lie upon, and a mess of venison and ground nuts, which was a choice dish among them. On the morrow they buried the papoose, and afterward, both morning and evening, there came a company to mourn and howl with her, though I confess I could not much condole with them.
"We began this remove ( from Orange to Athol) with wading the Baquag (Miller's) River. The water was up to the knees, and the stream very swift, and so cold that I thought it would have cut me asunder. I was so weak and feeble, that I reeled as I went along, and thought there I must end my days at last, after my bearing and getting through so many difficulties. The Indians stood laughing at me staggering along. But in my distress the Lord gave me experience of the truth and goodness of that promise, Isai. 43:2, 'When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overthrow thee.' Then I sat down to put on my stockings and shoes, with the tears running down mine eyes, and many sorrowful thoughts in my heart. But I got up to go along with them.
"Quickly there came up to us an Indian, as who informed them that I must go to Wachusett to my master, for there was a letter come from the
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Council to the sagamores about redeeming the captives, and that there would be another in fourteen days, and that I must be there ready. My heart was so heavy before that I could scarce speak or go in the path, and yet now so light, that I could run. My strength seemed to come again, and recruit my feeble knees, and aching heart. Yet it pleased them to go but one mile that night, and there we stayed two days.
Indian Horsemen Raise False Hopes-"In that time came a company of Indians to us, near thirty, all on horseback. My heart skipped within me, thinking they had been Englishmen at the first sight of them, for they were dressed in English apparel, with hats, white neckcloths, and sashes about their waists, and ribbons upon their shoulders; but when they came near, their was a vast difference between the lovely faces of Christians, and the foul looks of those heathens, which much damped my spirit again.
"They said, when we went out, that we must travel to Wachusett this day. But a bitter weary day I had of it, traveling now three days together, without resting any day between. At last, after many weary stops, I saw Wachusett hills, but many miles off. Then we came to a great swamp, through which we traveled, up to the knees in mud and water, which was heavy going to one tired before. Being almost spent, I thought I should have sunk down at last, and never get out; but I may say, as in Psal. 94:18, 'When my foot slipped, thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.' Going along, having indeed my life, but little spirit, Philip, who was in the company, came up and took me by the hand, and said, 'Two weeks more and you shall be mistress again.' I asked him if he spoke true? He answered: 'Yes, and quickly you shall come to your master again,' who had been gone from us three weeks. After many weary steps we came to Wachusett (south of the mountain), where he was, and glad I was to see him. He asked me when I washed me? I told him not this month. Then he fetched me some water himself, and bid me wash, and gave me a glass to see how I looked, and bid his squaw give me something to eat. So she gave me a mess of beans and meat, and a little ground nut cake. I was wonderfully revived with this favor showed me, Psal 106:46, 'He made them also to be pitied, of all those that carried them captives.'
"My master had three squaws, living sometimes with one, and sometimes with another one: this old squaw, at whose wigwam I was, and with whom my master had been those three weeks. Another was Weetamoo, with whom I had lived and served all this while. A severe and proud dame she was, bestowing every day in dressing herself neat as much time as any of the gentry of the land; powdering her hair, and painting her face, going with necklaces, with jewels in her ears, and bracelets upon her hands. When she had dressed herself, her work was to make girdles of wampum and beads. The third squaw was a younger one, by whom he had two papooses.
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"By that time I was refreshed by the old squaw, with whom my master was. Weetamoo's maid came to call me home, at which I fell aweeping. Then the old squaw told me, to encourage me, that if I wanted victuals I should come to her, and that I should lie there in her wigwam. Then I went with the maid, and quickly came again and lodged there. The squaw laid a mat under me, and a good rug over me. I understood that Weetamoo thought that if she should let me go and serve with the old squaw, she would be in danger to lose, not only my service, but the redemption pay also. And I was not a little glad to hear this, being by it raised in my hopes, that in God's due time there would be an end of this sorrowful hour. Then came an Indian, and asked me to knit him three pair of stockings, for which I had a hat and a silk handkerchief. Then another asked me to make her a shift, for which she gave me an apron.
Governor's Second Letter-"Then came Tom and Peter, with the second letter from the Council, about the captives. Though they were Indians, I got them by the hand, and burst out into tears. My heart was so full that I could not speak to them, but recovering myself, I asked them how my hus- band did, and all my friends and acquaintances? And they said: 'They were all very well but melancholy.' They brought me two biscuits and a pound of tobacco. The tobacco I quickly gave away. When it was all gone, one asked me to give him a pipe of tobacco. I told him it was all gone. Then began he to rant and threaten. I told him when my husband came I would give him some. 'Hang him Rogue' (says he) 'I will knock out his brains, if he comes here.' And then again, in the same breath, they would say, that if there should come an hundred without guns, they would do them no hurt. So unstable and like madmen they were.
"When the letter was come, the sagamores met to consult about the cap- tives, and called me to them to enquire how much my husband would give to redeem me. When I came I sat down among them, as I was wont to do, as their manner is. Then they bade me stand up, and said they were the General Court. They bid me speak what I thought he would give. Now knowing that all we had was destroyed by the Indians, I was in a great strait. I thought if I should speak of too little, it would be slighted, and hinder the matter; if of a great sum, I knew not where it would be procured. Yet at a venture I said twenty pounds, yet desired them to take less. But they would not hear of this, but sent the message to Boston for twenty pounds I should be redeemed.
"It was a Praying Indian that wrote their letter for them. There was another Praying Indian who told me he had a brother that would not eat horse, his conscience was so tender and scrupulous (though as large as Hell for the destruction of poor Christians). There was another Praying Indian, who when he had done all the mischief that he could, betrayed his own father into
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the English hands, thereby to purchase his own life. Another Praying Indian was at the Sudbury fight, though, as he deserved, he was afterward hung for it. (At Sudbury fight Captain Samuel Wadsworth, of Milton, and Captain Samuel Brocklebank, of Rowley, with some thirty men were killed in ambush.)
"It was their usual manner to remove, when they had done any mischief, lest they should be found out. And so they did at this time. We went about three or four miles, and there they built a great wigwam, big enough to hold a hundred Indians, which they did in preparation to a great day of dancing. (At south end of Wachusett Lake, near Redemption Rock.) They would say now amongst themselves that the Governor would be so angry for his loss at Sudbury, that he would send no more about the captives, which made me grieve and tremble.
"My sister being not far from the place where we now were, and hearing that I was here, desired her master to let her come and see me, and he was willing to it, and would go with her. But she being ready before him, told him she would go before, and was come within a mile or two of the place. Then he overtook her, and began to rant as if he had been mad, and made her go back again in the rain, so that I never saw her till I saw her in Charles- town. But the Lord requited many of their ill doings, for this Indian, her master, was hanged afterward at Boston. The Indians now began to come from all quarters, against their merry dancing day. Among some of them came one Goodwife Kettle. I told her my heart was so heavy that it was ready to break. 'So is mine, too,' said she, but yet said, 'I hope we shall hear some good news shortly.'
"I could hear how earnestly my sister desired to see me, and I as earnestly desired to see her, and yet neither of us could get an opportunity. My daughter was also now about a mile off, and I had not seen her in nine or ten weeks, as I had not seen my sister since our first taking. I earnestly desired them to let me go and see them. Yea, I entreated, begged, and persuaded them, but to let me see my daughter, and yet so hard-hearted were they, that they would not suffer it. But through the Lord's wonderful mercy, their time was now but short.
John Hoar Gets Warm Reception-"On a Sabbath day, the sun being about an hour high in the afternoon, came Mr. John Hoar, the Council per- mitting him, and his own foreward spirit inclining him, together with the two forementioned Indians, Tom and Peter, with their third letter from the Coun- cil. When they came near I was abroad. Though I saw them not, they presently called me in, and bade me sit down and not stir. Then they caught up their guns, and away they ran, as if an enemy had been at hand, and the guns went off apace. I manifested some great trouble, and they asked me what was the matter? I told them I thought they had killed the Englishman
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(for they had in the meantime informed me that an Englishman was come). They said no, they shot over his horse and under, and before his horse; and they pushed him this way and that way at their pleasure, showing what they could do. Then they let them come to their wigwam. I begged of them to let me see the English man, but they would not. But there was I fain to sit their pleasure.
"When they had talked their fill with him, they suffered me to go to him. We asked each other of our welfare, and how my husband did, and all my friends ? He told me they were all well, and would be glad to see me. Amongst other things which my husband sent me, there came a pound of tobacco, which I sold for nine shillings in money. For many of the Indans for want of tobacco, smoked hemlock and ground-ivy. It was a great mistake in any who thought I sent for tobacco, for through the favor of God, that desire was overcome.
"I now asked them, whither I should go home with Mr. Hoar? They answered 'no,' one and another of them. And it being night, we lay down with that answer. In the morning, Mr. Hoar invited the sagamores to dinner, but when he went to get it ready, we found that they had stolen the great- est part of the provisions Mr. Hoar had brought out of his bags in the night.
"And we may see the wonderful power of God in that one passage, in that when there was such a great number of Indians together, and so greedy of a little good food, and no English there but Mr. Hoar and myself, that they did not knock us in the head, and take what we had, there being not only some provision, but also trading cloth, a part of the twenty pounds agreed upon. But instead of doing us any mischief, they seemed to be ashamed of the fact, and said it were some Matchit Indian that did it. Oh, that we could believe that there is no thing too hard for God! God showed his power over the heathen in this, as he did over the hungry lions when Daniel was cast into the den.
Weetamoo and Quennapin Dance-"Mr. Hoar called them betime to dinner, but they ate very little, they being so busy in dressing themselves, and getting ready for their dance. Which was carried on by eight of them, four men and four squaws. My master and mistress being two. He was dressed in his Holland shirt, with great laces sewed at the tail of it. He had his silver buttons, his white stockings, his garters were hung round with shillings, and he had girdles of wampum upon his head and shoulders.
"She had a Kersey coat, and covered with girdles of Wampum from the loins upward. Her arms from her elbows to her hands were covered with bracelets. There were handfuls of necklaces about her neck, and several sorts of jewels in her ears. She had fine red stockings and white shoes, her hair powdered and face painted red, that was always before black. And all the
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dancers were after the same manner. There were two other singing and knocking on a kettle for their music. They kept hopping up and down one after another, with a kettle of water in the midst, standing warm upon some embers, to drink of when they were dry. They held on till it was almost night, throwing out wampum to the standers by.
"At night I asked them again, if I should go home? They all as one said 'No,' except my husband would come for me. When we were lain down, my master went out of the wigwam, and by and by sent in an Indian called James Printer, who told Mr. Hoar that my master would let me go home tomorrow, if he would let him have one pint of liquor. Then Mr. Hoar called his own Indians, Tom and Peter, and bid them go and see whither he would promise it before them three. And if he would, he should have it. Which he did, and he had it. Then Philip smelling the business called me to him, and asked me what I would give him to tell me some good news, and speak a good word for me. I told him I could not tell what to give him. I would anything I had, and asked him what he would have? He said two coats and twenty shillings in money, and half a bushel of seed corn, and some tobacco. I thanked him for his love. But I knew the good news as well as the crafty Fox.
"My master, after he had had his drink, quickly came ranting into the wigwam again, and called for Mr. Hoar, drinking to him, and saying he was a good man. And then again he would say, 'Hang him rogue.' Being almost drunk, he would drink to him, and yet presently say he should be hanged. Then he called for me. I trembled to hear him, yet I was fain to go to him, and he drank to me, showing no incivility. He was the first Indian I saw drunk all the while that I was amongst them. At last his squaw ran out, and he after her, round the wigwam, with his money jingling at his knees. But she escaped him. But having an old squaw he ran to her. And so through the Lord's mercy, we were no more troubled that night. Yet I had not a com- fortable night's rest. For I think I can say I did not sleep for three nights together.
"On Tuesday morning they called their General Court (as they call it) to consult and determine whether I should go home or not. And they all as one man did seemingly consent to it, that I should go home, except Philip, who would not come among them."
So Mary Rowlandson's captivity ended. She thus describes her departure : "At first they were all against my going home, except my husband would come for me. But afterwards they assented to it, and seemed much to rejoice at it. Some asked me to send them some bread, others some tobacco, others, shaking me by the hand, offering me a hood and scarf to ride in, not one moving hand or tongue against it. Thus hath the Lord answered my poor desire, and the many earnest requests of others put up unto God for me.
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