USA > Maine > The history of the state of Maine; from its first discovery, A. D. 1602, to the separation, A. D. 1820, inclusive, Vol. I > Part 54
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In this affray, Sagamore Mattahando, also an old Powow, and five Indians were killed. One canoe was capsized, from which five of them were drowned ;- and four others were made prison- ers. Waldron preserved his goods, and took from the Indians about 1,000 pounds of beef and some other booty. But the chastisement partook of a severity, which the provocation by no means justified ; nor could it be dictated by motives of sound policy. It must have reminded the Indians of the mock-fight at Dover, and served to increase their prejudices. One of his pris- oners was the fair sister of Madockawando, whose influence with her brother, had he not been absent on a long hunting tour, might have effected a release of captives. Megunnaway, grown hoary in crimes, was shot .*
On their return to Arrowsick, they killed two Indian plunderers Waldron at found there, put on board the large guns, several anchors, a quan- Arrowsick, fortifies. tity of wheat and boards which had escaped the flames, and sent a captive squaw to Teconnet fort; demanding in their names an exchange of prisoners. They likewise left, under Capt. Sylva- nus Davis, a garrison of 40 men upon the main, where it was lately settled, and returned to Boston, March 11, without the loss March 11. of a man ; carrying with them the body of Capt. Lake, entirely Boston. Returns to preserved by cold.
As the Mohawks were in amity with the English, and an uni- The Mo- versal terror to all the New-England tribes ;t it was thought to into service. hawks hired
* Hubbard's Indian Wars, p. 410.
¿ The whole number of Mohawk fighters, or warriors of the Five Na- tions, A. D. 1677, were estimated at 2,150 .- Chalmers.
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[VOL. I.
A. D. 1677. consist with maxims of the wisest policy, to persuade them, if possible, into the public service. The measure was recommended by Sir Edmund Andros, the Duke's Governor of New-York and Sagadahock,* and fifteen of them were at length taken into em- March 16. ploy; who appeared, March 16, in the vicinity of Amoskeag- falls, on the Merrimack. They first hailed the son of Wonnolan- set, who, being unable to understand the language, took fright and fled ; they all firing two rounds at him without effect. Unac- Blind Will quainted with the friendly character of Blind Will, and the Indians killed. about Cocheco, they next attacked him and eight of his tribe, then employed by Waldron to make discoveries, and only a part of them escaped alive. The death of Blind Will, one of the slain, was the less lamented, because of his supposed duplicity ; though his general conduct had always been in consistency with his professions. In any point of view, the event was unfortunate, as the introduction of the Mohawks to our assistance was altogether im- politic. Religious people thought there was great impropriety in applying to the heathen for help.t The news of their arrival upon our frontiers spread, almost with the rapidity of lightning, through the New-England and Nova Scotia tribes. All were ex- cited to greater activity and watchfulness ; and our Indian allies, in view of the late fatality, aggravated by a report of their being hirelings into the war, became highly jealous, that an indiscriminate extermination was intended .¿ Any longer retention of the Mo- hawks in service was evidently forbidden by every principle of prudence-by every particle of good sense.
A view of the past and anticipations of the future, were equally gloomy. Ere the snow had entirely disappeared, the ravening savages had singled out their victims, and were impatient to re- new the work of destruction; York, Wells, and the new garrison opposite Arrowsick, being the principal objects of their vengeance. Indeed, if we except those places, Kittery, Newichawannock, and Winter-harbor, we may enquire what other places in Maine were not already wasted or deserted ?
To bury the bodies of the murdered inhabitants, which had lain above ground upon Arrowsick, more than seven months, a large part of the opposite garrison proceeded to the Island, not suspecting dan- ger. But they were soon fired upon ; an ambush intercepted
Nine killed on Arrow- sick.
* 1 Trumbull's Conn. p. 326.
Į Hubbard's N. E. p. 630-1.
+ Hubbard's Indian Wars, p. 410.
549
OF MAINE.
CHAP. X.]
their retreat to their boats; and nine of them were shot down A. D. 1677. upon the spot .* The survivors were soon after removed by order of government to other places, perhaps to Casco-fort, Black-point, or Winter-harbor ;; and Capt. Swaine with 60 men, including ten Naticks, was despatched from Piscataqua eastward, to afford relief, succor, or support, where either was most needed.
About the same time, April 7, seven men were killed in the April 7. outer fields of York, two miles from town, engaged in the first in York. labor of spring. It was a feat which partook of great audacity ; for that town being more environed by settlements than others, had suffered less than they ; still supposing, for the same reason, no great danger to be apprehended.
Seven killed
But the town, which the savages seemed to have marked out Attack upon this year for early and utter destruction, was Wells. From their Wells. first entering it, April 6, when they killed three, to the end of the month, they made attacks upon the people and their garrison several times. On the 13th, John Weld and Benjamin Storer April 13. were killed by them. Two or three approaching a man and boy, who were fowling in the marshes, were first espied by the boy, when the man was half-sitting and fixing his flint. Springing up as the boy spoke, he aimed his gun directly at them, crying out, ah, you rogues, I've been looking for you ;- when they, being startled by this bold rebuff, turned and fled. The fort was com- manded by Lieut. Swett, a brave and vigilant officer-always alert and active for the safety of the inhabitants. Seeing a strolling Indian, who was in fact a decoy, Swett despatched eleven of his men towards the place, to make discoveries. By ventur- ing too far, they fell into an ambush, when two were shot dead, and one mortally wounded. Hearing the report of the guns, Swett sent out auxiliaries, who killed five or six, and would have done thorough execution, had not an Irishman sung out, here they be !- here they be !- which so alarmed them, that they with- drew and sheltered themselves among the thick trees and bushes.
After the garrison had been re-established at Black-point, and May 16. the command of it accepted by Lieut. Tappen, a man of great courage ; the Indians beset it, May 16, with an uncommon bold- set; and ness and pertinacity. The siege was continued three days in suc- ed.
Black-point garrison be-
Mugg kill-
* Hubbard's Indian Wars, p. 410.
+ 1 Belknap's N. H. p. 127, says to Boston.
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A. D. 1677. cession ; the assailants determining to force a surrender, or perish in the attempt. In this most obstinate encounter, three of the English were slain and one taken, who was barbarously tortured to death. One of the enemy brought to the ground, by particu- lar aim, was then supposed to be old Simon-afterwards found to be the celebrated Mugg. The loss of this leader so damped the courage of his companions, that they, in despair of victory, departed. Mugg had alternately brightened and shaded his own character, until the most skilful pencil would find it difficult to draw its just portrait. To the English this remarkable native was friend or foe-and among his own people, counsellor, peacemaker, fighter, or emissary, just as self-interest or the particular occasion might dictate. His address was inspiring, and his natural good sense and sagacity partially inclined him to be an advocate for peace.
York and Well ; as- sailed
By repulses, the Indians learned precaution, though defeat seldom crippled their spirits. The party, after Mugg's death, di- vided,-eleven canoes full of Indians, proceeded eastward, to glean in the waste places of their spoils, and five hastened away to Wells and York ; where, within a few days, they killed seven persons, and took two captives. Finding six friendly Indians, May 28th, lying in a state of intoxication, they made prisoners of them, but at last left them in the woods, after a day's journey of 20 miles, through fear of the terrible Mohawks.
Civil affairs.
Though the town of Kittery was represented, this year in the General Court, by John Wincoln, also York and Wells, by Sam- uel Wheelwright, and the administration of justice was continued in Yorkshire ; the inhabitants of Devonshire had left their homes, and all the judicial regulations in that county were at an end.
Black-point battle.
For the defence of Black-point, and the security of Winter- harbor, the General Court ordered a company of 40 men to be recruited, 200 Christian Indians taken into service, and all such able-bodied men enlisted, or impressed, as could be found, who had migrated from the Province of Maine .* The command of the forces, including the Indians, was given to Capt. Benja- min Swett and Lieut. Richardson. They arrived at Black-point on the 28th of June in high spirits.
June 28.
It is a rule of policy in fighting the Indians to gain time. Aware
¥ 4 Mass. Rec. p. 109, 116.
551
CHAP. XX. ] OF MAINE.
of the maxim, and informed of the fact, that the savages had A. D. 1677. been seen hovering around the place, Swett, at the head of one division, and Richardson the other, joined by some of the inhab- itants,* led out the whole, the next morning, upon the declivities June 29. of a neighboring hill. A large decoy, supposed to be the main body of the Indians, feigned a retreat, and were pursued by Swett and Richardson, till they found themselves between a thicket and a swamp, in a most exposed situation. Instantly, from an am- bush on each side, great numbers rising with a war-whoop, fired at once upon the two divisions, in which there were many young or inexperienced soldiers, and the whole were thrown into con- fusion. But though the ranks were broken, the engagement was sharp and protracted. Richardson was presently slain, and many on both sides soon shared the same fate. Swett fought the ene- my hand to hand ; displaying upon the spot, and in a retreat of two miles, great presence of mind as well as personal courage, in repeated rallies of his men, in his exertions to bring off the dead and wounded, and in defence of his rear, upon which the savages hung with destructive fury. At last, wounded in twenty places, and exhausted by loss of blood and by fatigue, he was grappled, thrown to the ground, and barbarously cut in pieces at the gates of the garrison. With this intrepid officer, fell sixty of his men, forty English and twenty Indians, being two thirds of the whole number in the engagement. Seldom is the merit of a military officer more genuine-seldom is the death of one more deeply lamented.+
The triumphant savages, in their next movement, spread them- The Indians selves along the seacoast from Wells to Casco-bay, resolved to ing vessels. take 20 fish- try the favors of fortune upon the water. They were neither sailors nor skilful oars-men ; yet, by frequenting the harbors in the night-time, they were enabled to seize, in the month of July, July. about twenty fishing vessels at anchor,-the greater part of which belonged to Salem.# Each of them carried from three to six men, who might have made a successful defence, had they not been taken by surprize ; or, as one author says, ' had they either 'courage or skill to fight any thing but fish.'§ In fact, four did
* Making 90 English in all .- Folsom, p. 160.
{ Hubbard's N. E. p. 634 .- 1 Belk. N. I. p. 128 .- 6 Coll. Mass. Hist. Foc. p. 263.
# 6 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 263,
§ Hubbard's N. E. p. C35.
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A. D. 1677. make a brave resistance ; having several men killed, and carry- ing nineteen others into Salem wounded. Hence, a large vessel, equipped like a war-ship and manned with 40 seamen, was des- patched to recapture the prizes, and give the enemy battle :- A vain enterprize-for the unskilful captors, finding the ketches too heavy to be managed with paddles, and being unable otherwise to manage them, had taken out all the valuable articles and aban- doned the whole of them. If most of the ketches were recov- ered, it is certain the crew of the cruiser while out, never saw a single Indian.
"The good policy of Gov. An- dros.
Such were the calamities and distresses of the summer, 1677, through the Province ; when alleviation arose from an enterprize unanticipated. Fearful that the Duke's Sagadahock Province in its present deserted condition, might be seized upon by the French or other foreign nation, Sir Edmund Andros, in June,* sent a military force from New-York to Pemaquid, with orders to take possession of the country, and build a fort at that place. When the garrison was finished, he placed in it " a considerable number of soldiers," established a custom house there,t and recommended an intercourse and traffic with the natives. The commander finding them to be pacific and tranquil, entered into an agreement, early in August, with some of the Sagamores ;} in consequence of which, fifteen captives were surrendered, and the vessels detained by them, were permitted to return home.
August.
A. D. 1678. Peace of Casco.
The harmony which prevailed through the autumn and winter, between the parties, and the pleasures of tranquillity and safety enjoyed, strongly induced other Indians to think of peace ;§ and in the spring, Major Nicholas Shapleigh, of Kittery, who had succeeded Frost in the command of the Yorkshire regiment, Capt. Champernoon and Capt. Fryer of Portsmouth, were appointed commissioners by the government of Massachusetts, to settle a peace with Squando and all the Sagamores upon the Androscog- gin and Kennebeck. They met the Indians at Casco, and entered into articles of peace, April 12th, 1678, by which,|| 1. the cap- tives present were to to be surrendered, and those absent released without ransom ; 2. all the inhabitants. on returning to their homes,
* But Belknap's N. H. p. 158, says it was "in August."
+ 1 Hutch. Hist. p. 292.
# 4 Mass. Rec. p. 147.
§ Hubbard's N. E. p. 637-9 .- Philip's war ceased this winter, at the westward.
|| Neal's N. E. p. 407.
553
OF MAINE.
CHAP. X. ]
were to enjoy their habitations and possessions unmolested ; but A. D. 1677. 3. they were to pay for their lands to the Indians, year by year, a quit-rent of a peck of corn for every English family, and for Major Phillips of Saco,* who was a great proprietor, a bushel of corn.
Though the close of king Philip's war in Maine was the cause Close of of universal joy, the terms of peace were generally considered ip's war. by the English, to be of a disgraceful character,-nevertheless, preferable to a predatory warfare and its consequent deprivations and calamities. Nor were the exactions of the Sagamores un- just. The Aborigines, it was acknowledged, had a possessory right to the country ; large tracts had been taken from the Soko- kis, the Anasagunticook and Canibas tribes, as well by en- croachment as by purchase; and their remarkable successes through the late war, might very properly embolden them to dic- tate these hard conditions of peace.
The losses sustained through the country, eastward of Piscat- aqua, were various and great. About 260 were known to have been killed or carried into captivity, from which they never re- turned. There were probably many others, the accounts of whose deaths have never been noticed, or transmitted to poster- ity. Numbers were severely wounded, who survived ; and an hundred and fifty or more, at different times, were made captives who were released. The dwellinghouses at Cape-Neddock, Scarborough, Casco, Arrowsick, Pemaquid and several other places were reduced to ashes. Possessions were laid waste, domestic animals killed, and a great amount of property plun- dered or destroyed. The cost of the war in Maine, to the colo- ny government, was £8,000, besides incidental losses. +
* 1 Belk. N. H. p. 129 .- Erroneously Pendleton.
+ 4 .Mass. Rec. p. 147-359 .- The loss and damnage of Philip's war to all the colonies, are estimated thus :- losses of men, 600; 1,200 houses ; 8,000 cattle ;- cost £150,000. Loss to the Indians, 3,000 lives .- Hutch. Coll, p. 493.
VOL. I. 57
king Phil=
554
THE HISTORY
[VOL. 1.
CHAPTER XXI.
The purchase of Maine by Massachusetts displeases the King- Andros, Governor of New-York and Sagadahock-Affairs of Maine-State of the country-Last County-Court-Gorges' char- ter resumed-T. Danforth elected President-Difficulties in the way of, a new administration-E. Randolph's demeanor-North- Yarmouth confirmed -- President Danforth takes possession of Fort-Loyal-A Provincial government established-The Coun- cil-Articles of settlement-Public Officers-An instance of per- secution-Grants of Lands-Patriots of Massachusetts accused before the king-Her Charter vacated-Demise of the crown, Charles II. succeeded by James II .- Pejepscot purchase made- Troubles with the Indians feared-Treaty with them-New Ad- ministration under Dudley-He is superseded by Sir Edmund Andros-His character.
A. D. 1677: The pur- chase of Maine dis- pleases the king.
THE purchase of Maine by the colony of Massachusetts was in several respects an important event. It settled a troublesome controversy with Gorges ; it established an incontrovertible right to the soil of a country containing more square miles than the colony itself ; and formed a connexion with its inhabitants by legal ties. But the bargain greatly displeased Charles II., the reigning king. Desirous, as he was, to make provision for the Duke of Monmouth, his beloved natural son, and being with that view engaged in treaty at the time, with the proprietor, he was so much affronted, when he was informed of the transfer, that he reprimanded the agents for their disloyal interference, and required them to assign it unto the crown, upon payment of the sum they had given. He even pressed the demand ; stating in a letter to the colony government, ' We were much surprized, while ' listening to the complaints of Mr. Gorges, that you should pre- ' sume, without asking our royal permission, to purchase his inter- ' est in the Province of Maine; acquainted, as you know we are, ' with some effects of the severe hand you have holden over our 'subjects there .*
* Hutch. Coll. p. 451, 581 .- There had been a proposition to convey the Province of Maine and New-Hampshire to the king, with a design of
555
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XXI.]
But this authoritative address had no great influence upon the A. D. 1677. government and people of the colony. They were not strangers to their rights. The purchase was open and fair-made at the desire of the provincials themselves, when they were driven to extremities by an Indian war, and when nearly all the assistance and protection they were receiving, proceeded from Massachusetts.
Edmund Andros, ducal Governor of New-York and Sagada- A. D. 1678. hock, under James, the brother of the king, was without doubt Gov. of N. Andros, his minion, and a foe to the proprietors of the purchase. For, Sagada- York and besides taking possession of the provincial territory and establish- hock, ing a fort at Pemaquid, Andros manifested a strong disposition to monopolize the trade and fishery, and discountenance a return of such settlers, as appeared determined to yield allegiance to Mas- sachusetts. In this repulsive policy, her concurrence was claimed by him ; but the General Court boldly declared, ' we shall never ' prevent our people from settling their proprieties in that section, ' whether upon the Islands or the main, within our jurisdic- ' tion.'*
An uniform course of measures was steadily pursued. The May. General Court, during their session in the spring, admitted, as usual, three associates for Yorkshire ; invested Major Waldron with magistrate's authority to administer the qualifying oaths to them and the town commissioners, for that county and Devon- shire ; and delegated Thomas Danforth to preside, the current year, in the County Courts. Maine was then attracting great public attention ; and at the adjournment, in October, the late October. purchase was formally ratified and confirmed by the General Court. In fulfilment of the stipulations, the legislature author- ized the colony-treasurer to effect a loan of the consideration money, and pledge the accruing customs, with the public credit, for security. The assignment being effected in the midst of an Indian war, was obtained at a low price ;t yet the taxes, debts,
Affairs of Maine.
making provision for the Duke of Monmouth .- Collins' Letter to Gov. Lev- erett, July 28, 1674. * 4 Mass. Rec. p. 147, 173, 193.
t 1 Doug. p. 389 .- The establishment of Fort Loyal on the Neck, [Fal- mouth] on its south westerly shore, not far from the end of the bridge to Purpooduck, and the maintenance of a garrison therein, were an additional charge. The Province of Maine agreed to maintain 6 soldiers ; and Mas- sachusetts 7, including the Captain, Sergeant, Gunner and 4 privates, the expense of the latter being estimated at £400 per annum.
556
THE HISTORY
[VOL. I,
A. D. 1678. burdens, and the people's uncommon indigence, occasioned by that war, rendered it doubtful whether the money promised could be raised without a re-sale ; so great was the sum of £1,250 at that time in view of a war-worn, exhausted community. The leg- islature therefore, invested the Governor and Assistants with dis- cretionary power, to make a disposition of the entire Province, if necessary, either by transfer or pledge, to effect a reimburse- ment of the loan .* There were no capitalists nor foreign mer- chants at this period in the country. 'New planters from Eng- ' land had rarely come over for many years past ; nor had any Irish, ' or Scotch foreigners of late become settlers ; moreover, our own ' traders were neither numerous nor wealthy. Few vessels were " built in the country over 100 tons' burthen;'t and there was a scarcity of circulating medium,
A. D. 1679. Last County Courts un- der Massa- chusetts.
The gentlemen clothed with judicial authority for the eastern Province, in 1679, were Joseph Dudley and Richard Waldron, Commissioners-Edward Rishworth, John Wincoln, Joshua Scot- tow, and Samuel Wheelwright, Associates ; at whose last session in a County Court, holden at York, under the colony government, before the administration was changed-the circumstances of one case, decided in July, are worthy to be related.
July. A trial.
James Adams of York, affronted with one of his neighbors, Henry Simpson, determined to avenge himself upon two of his unoffending sons, whose ages were between six and nine years. His contrivance and crime were the more satanical as they were deliberate. In a solitary place, 4 or 5 miles from the dwelling- houses of the inhabitants, he built of logs beside a ledge of per- pendicular rocks, a pen or pound, several feet in height, inclined inwards from the bottom to the top. After this, he decoyed the boys into the woods under a pretence of looking for birds' nests, and had the art to draw them within the pound,¿ where he left them confined, to perish with famine and suffering. The chil- dren were soon missed, and the alarmed inhabitants searched the woods for them thoroughly, more than forty-eight hours without success. The boys, presently aware of their wretched situation, made various trials to get out, and at length by digging away
* 1 Hutch. Hist, p. 296 .- Ile says " to reimburse the expense of defend, Ing it."
t Chaliners, p. 436, 437, # The place has been since called " the Devil's Invention."
557
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XXI.]
with their hands, the surface of the earth underneath one of the A. D. 1679, bottom logs, effected their escape. They wandered in the woods three days : being at last, attracted to the seashore, by the noise of the surf, where they were found.
The depraved criminal was soon arrested, and after conviction received this sentence .- " The Court having considered your in- " human and barbarous offence against the life of the children, " and the great disturbance to the country, do sentence you to " have thirty stripes well laid on ; to pay the father of the chil- " dren £5 money-the treasurer of the county £10, out of " which, the expenses of postage and searching the town are to " be discharged ;- also pay the charges and fees of the prison ; " and remain a close prisoner during the Court's pleasure, till " further order." The same month sureties entered into recog- nizance of £100, before two of the Associates, " conditioned to " send him, within twenty-one days, out of the jurisdiction."*
The eastern Indians had now been pacific and tranquil upwards of a year ; and the fugitive inhabitants of the Province were re- turning to their late habitations and places of abode. But as hostilities might be easily renewed, and were much feared, no new settlement was permitted to be commenced, without a license from the Governor and Assistants, or from the County Court.
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