Brookfield Town (part 5 of 18)

The rest of the Quabaugs - probably Conkganasco's clan - appear to have joined the company of savages that retreated to the westward. Maj. Pynchon, in a letter dated Aug. 15, 1676, says: "On Saturday, Aug. 12, a great parcell of near 200 Indians were discovered within 3 or 4 miles of Westfield. . . . They went over the Great River on rafts at the foot of the great Falls between us and Hadley Aug. 11. . . . Their trail comes from the Nipmuck country." Maj. Talcott came in opportunely ; and with 60 soldiers and as many Indians followed the trail, having learned from an old Indian whom he captured that there were " between 50 and 60 fighting men, and 100 women, besides children" in the enemy's ranks. He overtook them at Housatonick river, and in the fight slew 40, of whom 25 were warriors, and took 15 captives; some others were also taken near the road, who informed that " the enemy's design was to go over Hudson's river to a place called Paquaige, where it's said there is a fort, and complices ready to receive and shelter them ; and there they intend refreshment and recruits." Among the captives taken was "the treacherous sachem of Quabaug," says one historian ; but he was liberated, and lived to get his revenge in 1693.

" Capt. Hunting: - Upon sight hereof you are ordered with those English and Indians under your command, to march into the Wachuset Country, making diligent search for the enemy whom you are by all means to destroy, as also all the corn you can find there : And from thence you shall march to Quabaug doing the like there, using all caution and circumspection for your own security and prevention of surprisals ; and having accomplished this service with the blessing of God, you are then to return.

taking such way home as may be most probable to lead to any further service, if your intelligence and the providence of God so guide. And for your further strengthening, the garrison now at Marlboro are ordered to accompany you and to be under your command. Dated in Boston nth of Au"-ust 1676. Edw. Rawson Secy y '

Under date of Aug. 15, 1676, Maj. Pynchon writes: "Then also [Aug. 12] Maj. Talcott's army came in (who has, they say, cut down all the Indian corn about Quabaug, &c."

Chapter Iv

The Original Planters did not Return. - Names of all Settlers and Grantees down to 1718, with Annals, Personal and General, of Indian Raids, Civil and Ecclesiastical Affairs, etc.

AFTER the desertion of the place in the summer of 1676, Brookfield lay waste for ten years. Such of the first planters as survived, and the families of those that were slain by the Indians, left their wrecked homesteads, and found dwelling-places elsewhere, many with friends in the eastern towns where they had formerly resided, others in Hadley and Sufifield. And the demands of these new homes, and the dark and bloody associations of their forced abandonment, prevented any attempt to return and re-claim their homesteads. And the Quabaug Lands, under the circumstances, had no marketable value. The only thing to do was to wait the turn of events.

" For the greater comfort and safety of all people who are intended to resettle the villages deserted in the late war, or the planting any new Plantation within this jurisdiction

" It is Ordered and Enacted by this Court and the Authority thereof. That no deserted town or new Plantation shall be inhabited until the people first make application unto the Governour and Council, or to the County Court within whose jurisdiction such Plantation is. And the Council or County Court are hereby ordered and impowered to appoint an able and discreet Committee [at the charge of the people intending to plant], which Committee are ordered and impowered to view and consider the place or places to be settled, and give directions and orders in writing under their hands, in what form, way and manner such town shall be settled or erected, Wherein they are required to have a principal respect to nearness and conveniency of habitation for security against enemies, and more comfort for Church Communion & enjoy-

" And all such planters are hereby injoined to attend and put in practice such orders and directions as shall be given by such Committee, upon the penalty of one hundred pounds fine to the Country to be inflicted upon them by order of the Council or County Court, for their neglect or refusal to attend this Order.

The effect of this order of the General Court, and the utter discouragement of the broken-up colonists, appear in the fact that, of the original undertakers, only one family, viz. that of John Ayres, returned to Erookfield as permanent inhabitants. And they did not hold and occupy the old homestead on Foster's hill. The other grantees or their heirs, either sold their allotments and rights, or abandoned them altogether.

As will be seen, the re-settled Plantation, while retaining the old name, claimed no town rights under its old charter. Indeed this charter was virtually revoked by the Act of 1679. The place was put in charge of and continued under the care of Prudential Committees, appointed by the General Court, for the period of thirty years.

The official Book or Books of Records of these early Committees are lost. And the sources of authentic information relative to this period, earlier than 1 713, are: some scattered papers, and attested copies of original Land Grants ; the deeds, and wills, and Court records in the Registries at Springfield and Northampton ; letters, petitions and reports, and orders of the Governor and Council, preserved in the State Archives. These documents speak for themselves ; most of them have never been published; and as the best and only true picture, now possible to be obtained, of the men and measures of the date under consideration, careful abstracts or full copies of these official papers will be inserted in their chronological order.

1 686. - This is the earliest date named in the records, showing that the re-settlement of Brookfield was actually begun. The first comers were mostly young men, looking for a place to start in life ; or those who had been soldiers in King Philip's War, and who saw the lands while they were stationed here in garrison, or in the marches and countermarches of their respective companies. They came largely from Marlborough, from Essex county, and from Suffield, Springfield, and Hadley, whither the eadier grantees had retired. And thus coming from different quarters, these second planters lacked the social ties and accord of purpose which characterized the Ipswich colony. And, as will appear, this lack of social unity proved a source of weakness for many years, and greatly hindered the growth of the town.

Petition Of James Ford

The following Petition, found in the State Archives, is without date ; but the internal evidence, and coincident facts indicate that it was presented to the General Court at the spring session of 16S6.

Whereas there was a Township formerly granted by the Hon'^' General Court, at a place called by the Indians Quabaog, & by the English Brookfield, which was settled, but by the Incursions & Outrages of the Indians was depopulated and layd waste, & hath been so for many years : the Ancient Inhabitants wholly deserting the same, and it being a place very commodeous for scittuation in the Road to Springfield, &c. and may be beneficial and profitable as well to the Country as to particular persons : and whereas some are already seated and others would be willing to settle the said place againe were there some encouragement from the Hon' Council, and some to guide & order the prudential Affaires for such a Plantation.

Yo"" Petitioner humbly requests your Hon" would be pleased to appoint and impower some prudent and able persons as a Committee to admit Inhabitants, and order the Affaires of the place, in forming y« Towne, granting Lotts, & directing & ordering all matters of a prudential Nature till such time the Place be settled, and a competent number of Inhabitants & persons of discretion to order the affaires thereof, and yo"^ Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray &c.

Mr. Younglove, Goodm [Edward] Scott, Hezekiah Dickinson, and Tho. Hovey of Hadley, formerly Inhabitants, if the Hon'J Council see cause to allow of y"" w'^" some others now residing there, to be a Committee, or whoever else." '

The petitioner, James Ford, was a soldier in the war of 1675-6 : perhaps he is the man who was stationed at Marlborough, holding a position of some responsibility at the garrison, June 12, 1676.^ He appears to have made only a temporary residence in Brookfield, as he was in Hadley 1691. The names suggested to the Court as Committee were Hadley men, former grantees and present land-holders of Brookfield. Mr. Younglove was one of the Committee, in the First Settlement ; and probably the reason for suggesting those names was that the First Committee was mostly composed of townsmen. [Of course. Ford himself expected to be named as one of said Committee.] The other persons referred to, as " already seated " in Brookfield, appear to have been, John Woolcott, Jr., and perhaps his brother Joseph, who located on the well-known " Woolcott Place; " Samuel Smith, Jr., who took land east of the Woolcotts ; Joseph Mason, who pitched west of the Woolcotts, on the south side of the old Country road, his land running south to the river meadow ; John Lawrence (a brother-in-law of Smith) , who built still further to the west, but " not far from Joseph Woolcott's " (to quote his own words) ; and John Clements. Part of these men were undoubtedly " squatters," whose families were staying elsewhere, waiting a confirmation of land titles.

The action of the Council in the case, is found in Council Records, Vol. II. p. 85. "November 9, 1686, Maj. John Pinchon, Joseph Hawley, Capt. Samuel Glover, Mr. Samuel Marshfield, Mr. Samuel Ely, & Mr. John Hitchcock all of Springfield are appointed a Committee for settling the Town of Quabaug, & the Petition of the said Town is granted, and the aforenamed Gentlemen are to receive the claimes of the old Inhabitants, grant Lotts to others, & give necessary orders for the more orderly settlement of the said Towne."

This action of the Council settles the question, that inhabitants were living at Brookfield in the year 1686, and in sufficient numbers to warrant the appointment of a Committee of distinguished gentlemen, with full powers to order the settlement of the place. And, as will appear, this Committee entered upon its duties, appointed one of its number as Measurer, and actually made grants of Lands early the next spring.

1687. - In addition to the names given in last year's list (all of whom probably received Grants and located the same - though Ford disappears from the list of inhabitants in 1691, and Clements in '93')) ^^^ following settlers appear to have come on and taken up grants in 1687 : John Woolcott, Sen. (from Newbury), Daniel Price (from VVatertovvn), and John Killum,- who located near each other, and near Lawrence and Mason. Perhaps Hezekiah Dickinson built the frame of a house on the Prichard home-lot, which he had purchased. The following minute, taken from the Committee's Record Book, throws important light on the situation: "May 27, 1687, granted to Mr. Woolcott 40 acres upland, bounded E. by Smith's land ; N. by Smith's and Common land, and W. by his son John's land."

- Oct. 6, 168S. George Collon of Springfield bought a gray horse of John Kilum of Brookfield, for a yoke of steers. Killum, or Kilham, was born in Wenham.

Opening Of King William'S War. 1 39

and the inference is a fair one, that grants had been made and located to the other settlers. And thus the fact is accounted for, that a considerable cluster of houses was standing in the Woolcott neighborhood, from the outset of the Re-settlement. And the obvious reason for choosing this location was, that the claims of old Inhabitants to the home-lots on Foster's hill and the adjacent plains and meadows, had not yet been adjusted.

1688. - The new comers this year appear to have been : Samuel Owen, from Springfield, who located in the fork of the roads east of Warding Rock; Daniel Tosh [Mcintosh], who built north of the old Tho. Gilbert place ; Matthew and Isaac Tomblin, and perhaps Josiah Beamon.

This year was memorable for the opening of the struggle known as King William's War ; and for the advent in these parts of the usurper Sir Edmund Andros, and his formal assumption in this county of the civil and military power.

Several of the frontier towns, destroyed in King Philip's War, had been re-settled. Deerfield was re-occupied in 1682-3; Northfield was rebuilt in 1684-5. They had but few inhabitants as yet, and were but poorly fortified, and thus offered a strong temptation to the French authorities of Canada, who instigated the Indians to harass these exposed English plantations. The distractions of the New England colonies, attending the arbitrary measures of Gov. Andros, greatly encouraged the governor of Canada. It was even suspected that a secret understanding between them existed. If so, the premature commencement of hostilities, the discoveries made by our sharp-witted scouts, and the opportune deposition of Andros frustrated the plot, and postponed the more active operations of the war. War came however, with all the horrors of French and Indian atrocities, and lasted till 1698.

About the 24th of July, a party of eleven Indians, who had formerly belonged to Penacook, Pacomptuck and Quabaug, came down the Connecticut river, stopping for a night in Deerfield.^ July 27, five peaceable Indians dwelling at Spectacle Pond near Springfield, were found murdered ; but no trace could be found of the murderers. The next day a party of savages was discovered in camp, by Micah Mudge of Northfield, about a mile from that village. They were fully armed, surly and vengeful, but kept their own counsels, only saying "they were going to Penecook, and that some lately came from there."

Aug. 16. Six persons, three men, two women and a girl, were murdered by Indians, at the upper end of Northfield town street. One of the men was John Clary (father of the John Clary who was killed at Brookfield in 1709), and the girl was his daughter Sarah aged 15.

They were few in numbers, and living somewhat scattered, and had as yet built no garrison house for their protection. And two of the eleven Indians, seen near Northfield, had been recognized as Quabaugs, viz. Cungowasco (now called Wawanwejagtuck) and Wahacoet. Would they make their next assault on the whites who occupied their ancestral lands ? I quote from Pynchon's Diary and Account Book :

"Aug. 17, 1688. Being ye same day yt tidings came to me which was y* Northfield was invaded, I sent Post to Ouabaug, viz. The. Powell - which is 2 days & Horse.

Aug. 17. I sent away Lieut. Tho. Colton with 16 soldiers from Springfield to Northfield, to surprise & take ye Indians & pursue yn etc. who were upon ye service 6 days - which is 96 days 96 Horses

Aug. 19. I sent 6 men to Ouabaug, ye people there being about to remove, ordering and requiring their continuance, only I sent to fetch off such women as desired to come away. The men sent were Tho. Powell, Eben. Graves, John Stiles, James Petty, Joseph Petty & Tho. Gilbert, who were in ye service 2 days apiece & horses

Aug. 30. Hezekia Dickinson Post from Brookfield, with Capt. Nicholson's second letter: one day comeing & one day back, & ye extremity of ye wet made it a day more, so he is to be allowed for his horse & himself

Sept. 5. I sent to Quabaug 5 bushels of Indian corn according to Capt. Nicholson's order, for supply of the garrison there, which Mr. Woolcott there placed, sent to me for.

Sent two firelock guns to Quabaug to supply such as had none, according to Capt. Nicholson's order. The men [above named and many others] and horses were sent out from Springfield . . .

Sept. 20. Samuel Phelps & William Randal coming this evening from the Bay, & informing me yt ye Inhabitants of Quabaug were in some danger, & they being weak and few could not send on purpose, but by these travellers, desiring them to acquaint me with their wants, and 3 Indians were seen there last night skulking and running into a swamp, as before yt the same day, they discovered many tracks of Indians; and desiring some assistance of men &c

Sept. 21. I accordingly sent to their relief, & to scout out, & to make fortification there, these men, viz. Henry Gilbert to command, John Hitchcock, James Warriner, Tho. Gilbert, Eben. Parsons, Sami. Parsons. These returned the 27th of Sept., so were in service 7 days apiece

Gilbert'S Fort Built

The '"'fortification " referred to above, was what is known as Gilbcrfs Fort, so called because Dea. Henry Gilbert took a house-lot and built and lived adjoining it on the west. It stood on the old centre schoolhouse lot in West Brookfield, at the intersection of North Main and Maple streets. It appears to have been a fort of considerable size, with barracks for soldiers and for families who should be driven in for safety, the whole surrounded by a strong stockade.

Gov. Andros, who was in New York Oct. i, "had advices that men were raised in Boston without his orders, and sent to Casco Bay to assist the Christians there against the Indians who had committed some disorders thereabouts," and determined to go overland to Boston. He left New York about Oct. 8 ; spent a brief time in Hartford with Col. John AUyn and the other " principal officers and magistrates " of Connecticut - held a consultation with Col. Pynchon (then acting under a commission from Andros) at Springfield, and reached Hadley the 14th. He sent a message to Wm. Clarke of Northampton, chairman of the Committee for Northfield, requiring said Committee to appear before him, and "to give an account by what power they have acted in order to the re-settlement of that town."

Squabague, Oct. 16, 1688 Lt. Col. John ALLYN fivein themomingat Hartford Sir, I have this night received advice from Boston that the iitii instant one man was found killed by Indians to the eastward at Cape Porpus, and several others missing who are feared to be lost, the Indians being still out, but do not yet know their number, or of others joined with them. But could not direct this information to yourself, together with the enclosed to Capt. Nicholson, & Maj-Gen'. Winthrop, which desire you to forward by Express, of which presume the bearer a fit person for one, &

From Brookfield, Andros went to Worcester and Marlborough, and reached Boston "about noon of the Wednesday before Oct. 29." John West, in a letter to Col. John Allyn of Hartford, refers to the Governor's letter from Squabauge, and adds : " the 3 horses that came to Boston from Hartford must be allowed for 13 days at is. per day - the guides and their horses being already paid for."

[The revolution which drove King James from the throne, and placed William and Mary there, began in Nov. 1688. The king abdicated Dec. II, and William and Mary accepted the crown Feb. 13, following. April 18, 1689, the people of Boston seized Andros, and restored the old governor, Simon Bradstreet.]

After the restoration, a committee of the General Court reported, that the expenses of the garrison at Brookfield, during Sir Ed. Andros' administration [remaining unsettled] were ^4. 2. 6.

16S9. - No record is found of any new comers at Brookfield this year. The fort, built the last September, afforded some protection ; but in the disturbed state of affairs the inducement to " break ground " there was small.

Hostilities raged on the Eastern frontiers ; mainly the work of the French and their Indian allies of Canada. It was deemed an important object to retain the goodwill of the Five Nations, especially the Maquas. And in August, this year, three agents from Massachusetts and one from Connecticut, with Maj. Pynchon at the head, were sent to Albany, to make presents to the Maquas and to the River Indians or Scagkooks living in the neighborhood. The deputation left VVeslfield Aug. 2 7, escorted by ten troopers, and were absent over four weeks. There was the customary palaver; and our agents gave the Indians 500 lbs. of powder, 1,000 lbs. of lead, 150 yds. of duffel, 500 guilders in wampum, 90 shirts, and 40 lbs. of tobacco, besides presents privately made to the sachems, and a public entertainment of beef, pork, bread and beer to the warriors. The expenses of the deputation in all amounted to ^327. But the promised alliance with the English proved " a broken reed to depend upon."

The white settlers at Albany in turn became alarmed, and sent to New England for help. Connecticut gathered about 66 men, and 24 were drafted from Hampshire county, and the company, under command of Capt. Jona. Bull, marched from Westfield Nov. 18. On reaching Albany they found a deadly feud raging among the white inhabitants, and that the people at Schenectady had neglected even the ordinary means of defence. Part of Capt. Bull's men were stationed at S. ; and on the night of Feb. 8, 1690, the place was assaulted by a large body of French and Indians, and about 62 were barbarously murdered, and 28 made prisoners. Five of Capt. B.'s men were killed, and five taken. Among the latter were Joseph Marks and Samuel Beamon. Marks, who on his return settled in Brookfield, was carried to Canada, where he was held in captivity for more than a year. After his return to Mass. he received from the Province treasury ;^5.

1690. - John Woolcott, Sen., died this year. Anxiety and alarm prevailed in our frontier towns ; and about the first of July the re-settled plantation of Northfield was again given up, and the people came down the river, and were scattered among the stronger towns.

Early in the year, the plan was conceived of reducing Canada to the subjection of the crown of England. Massachusetts raised and equipped over 2,000 troops for the expedition, which was to be conducted partly by ships by way of the St. Lawrence, and partly by an overland march. Owing to the inefficiency of the commanding officers (and other causes), the land force did not go farther than Lake Champlain, and the naval force did not reach Quebec till October ; and the troops becoming discouraged, and many of them sick, the enterprise was abandoned. The Province was much impoverished by the necessary expenditures, and the people disheartened by the failure.

1 69 1. - Henry and Thomas Gilbert were inhabitants of Brookfield this year, and Thomas Barns came on in the summer, as appears from the following record, " coppied out of Samuel Marshfield's measuring Book by Col. Pynchon ; as follows : Aug. 27, 1691, measured to Tho* Barns 40 acres upland, N. of the old road, W. of Matthew Tomlings &c." The Gilberts came from Springfield. Thomas located east of Samuel Owen ; Henry built on the south side of the highway and near the fort. Barns came from Marlborough, and pitched on the north side of the highway, nearly opposite to Henry Gilbert.

"May 20, 1691. In answer to the Petition of the Inhabitants of Squabaug alias Brookfield, Col. John Pynchon, Mr. Joseph Hawley, Sam' Marshfield, John Hitchcock and Samuel Ely, formerly appointed a Committee for regulating the settlement of the Plantation of Squabaug alias Brookfield, are continued, and impowered to that service, taking effectual care so to direct and order the said settlement with that compactness and near situation of the dwellings that they may all be drawn into a line of a garrison, and made capable of defence against the Indian and French enemy."'

This action of the General Court was made apparently necessary by the overthrow of Government, under Andros, and the annulment of the old charter ; and the order of continuance and renewal of powers, gave official sanction to past as well as future acts of the Committee.

The direction for placing the houses of the settlers in such nearness and compactness that the whole might be surrounded with a stockade, was not carried out. Gilbert's fort was convenient for refuge to the families that were clustered around Owen's tavern ; but the Woolcott village was left unprotected, and fell a prey to the Indians, as will soon appear.

"Sept. 29, 1691. Brookfield constable sworn. Whereas there hath beene considerable occation of serveing attachments & summons & Other Writts for Cor'^^ upon the inhabitants of Brookfield & No officer is there to Execute such writts & therefore persons needing such services have beene forced to apply themselves to y^ County Marshall & the ffees are verry chargeable to y^ persons that improve him Therefore to ease such Hke charges this Co""'^ appointed Thomas Gilbirt of s'^ Brookfield to officiate in the Constables work in s^^ Town for this yeare or till another be appointed, who tooke y^ Constables oath accordingly : -

" ffor as much as y^ Continuall passing of travellers to & from y<= Bay through Brookfield doth in good Sobrietie bespeak for a retailer of strong drink to be allowed for y' place this Co'''* doe grant a lycence while [till] y^ next March Cor'* to Sam" Owen to sell drinke provided he take serious care to keepe good rule «&: order in all his soe selling &c." \_Coinity Court Records^

May it please y"" Honours to consider our condition which is low & mean not Able to order And so well to Manage our Affairs as we wish we were : And Authority from time to time hath given us the favour to appoint a Committee to whom we might Address in all Cases which in difficult Cases hath been to our Great Advantage. And in respect at the present Measures which we Are now to Attend in obedience to their Majs Royal Charter which of his Royal favour he hath granted to the Province of the Mattachuset [former orders being now void : Therefore we now petition y'' Honours that a Committee might still be ordered to Consider of And order our Publick Affairs : And we would not take on us to instruct or to counsell y'' Honours in matters of such nature wherein we Are so Ignorant : But the former Committee which was by wise Authority appointed over us hath been to our good satisfaction. But their being two of them removed from us by death, we desire there may be one or two more Added to them (If you see cause to Accept at and Approve of the former) : which if you grant you will much oblige your Petitioners

The Former Com'** were Col. Pynchon, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Ely, Mr. Hawley, Mr. Hitchcock. There are since Dead, Mr. Ely & Mr. Marshall. We desire may be added, Capt. Partridge & Mr. Pumrey."

Oct. 12, 1692. The Inhabitants of Brookfield and the Committee unite in sending the following Petition to the General Court : " Your Petitioners having made some essay to the Re-settling s'^ place, & finding some difficulties arise of which as follows, viz. Considerable quantities of the most suitable land to encourage Inhabitants under pretended former titles upon which those that claim not coming and settling themselves and bearing all charges : which use is an obstruction to us that are here : therefore we intreat the Court to confirm or allow the former Committee and those added to them in full power to order and dispose and at their set time to confirm or make null any former or present Grant upon the performance or neglect of such conditions as by them are judged advantageous for the promoting the place, and that the place may be filled up with such inhabitants as will come and be helpful in bearing of charges, and whomsoever holds Lands may help to bear charges in proportion to what he hath, and the rather we humbly request y"" Honours' encouragement as aforesaid, earnestly desiring the place may go on and increase, and be enabled to promote the Worship of God amongst us, having some encouragement we shall speedily have a Minister of God's Word amongst us and may in time be better capacitated to serve God and the King & Queen with our persons & Estates, and for y"^ Honours ever pray and remain y'' Humble Suppliants.

" In Answer to the Petition of the Inhabitants of Brookfield, Voted, that Col. John Pynchon, Lt. John Hitchcock, Mr. Joseph Hawley, Mr. Medad Pomery and Capt. Sam" Partridge be re-established as a Committee to order their affairs as to their settlement till they are become fit to order affairs amongst themselves as a town ; and all proprietors whatsoever that according to former Grants claim any Lands there shall bear their share of charges for the Minister or other publick charges that are for the promoting of the publick good of the place." '

The new names in the foregoing list of inhabitants, are Joseph Marks, who had formerly lived in Springfield, and was just returned from captivity in Canada ; Ebenezer Smith, who probably had taken his brother Samuel's grant; and Ichabod Smith, who had purchased Nov. ii, 1691, the John Warner home-lot and rights. The Smiths were from Hadley.

Later in the year, Mr. Woolcott was released from the fine for speeches against authority, on account that his house and most of his moveable goods were destroyed by fire.

The eldest daughter of John Killum of Brookfield is apprenticed to Samuel Parsons of Springfield, and his eldest son to Ebenezer Parsons of S."

1693. - The order of the General Court of last year, authorizing the taxing of all the granted lands in the township, led to some transfers of ownership. Apr. 15, 1693, Hezekiah Dickinson and wife Abigail, now returned to Hadley, sell to Stephen Jennings of Hatfield, for ^27. 5. o, the old Prichard home-lot with a frame upon it, and numerous lots of upland and meadow, amounting in all to 104 acres. Probably Jennings did not immediately come to reside.

The Indian Assault on the Woolcott Family. In the summer of this year a stunning blow fell upon the unprotected inhabitants of Brookfield. A skulking band of about 40 savages came down from the North, and after lying in ambush for a week, watching the movements of the people and the situation of their dwellings, suddenly surprised the families of Woolcott, Mason and Lawrence ; killed Thomas Lawrence, Joseph Mason and his son, the wife and two little children of Joseph Woolcott, and carried away Daniel Lawrence, and the wife and infant child of Joseph Mason. The infant was killed the first night out.

The particulars of this murderous raid ; and the pursuit, and rescue of the captives, are best told by Maj. Pynchon, in letters preserved in the State Archives.

On the evening of the 27th inst., John Lawrence from Brookfield came to me with tidings of Mischief done there. The account he gave me was that about noon the 27th of July, Joseph Woolcott came from his own house (which was 3 or 4 miles) to the garrison house, with one of his children in his arms, crying Arm ! Arm ! and said he doubted his wife and other children were killed by the Lidians, he seeing 2 or 3 Indians after her, so snatched up that child and come away himself being shot after and pursued, only turned into a swamp and hid from them. Upon which relation of his, this said John Lawrence being then at Owen's house by the garrison, resolved to go and see how matters were at his own house towards and not far from Woolcott's : and in the way before he came at his own home, found his brother killed and scalped, and two Indians walking towards him, whereupon he returned presently to the garrison ; and staying there about half an hour, hasted to Springfield, telling me that in that time none came into the garrison besides Joseph

Indian Assault On Woolcott Family

Woolcott, and that all there made but 5 men, who were in extreme hazard, if I sent not men to them presently : In the night, not an hour after John Lawrence, or thereabouts, came in here, a traveller, one Cooke, who was going to the Bay, saying that about noon on July 27th, he was at the garrison house at Quabaug, went thence onward towards the Bay, not knowing or hearing any thing, he being gone out thence just before Woolcott came in ; and when he came as far as VVoolcott's house, within 20 rods of it, he saw many Indians, the yardful, stood still awhile, and seeing no English with them mistrusted them, counted them to be at least 40 or 50, and so turned about his horse to go back, when presently the bullets flew about him as thick as hail, so he hastened to the garrison where he stayed but a little while and came to Springfield, telling me the garrison was in great hazard, being but 6 men, and no ways able to hold it against so many. Whereupon I forthwith ordered 20 men out of Springfield, 10 out of Westfield the next town all troopers : Sent post immediately to Hadley &c. for as many more there, ordering their march to Quabaug and there join ours &c. Ours (I being up all the night) were got ready by morning with 8 that came from Westfield about sun rising. These 28, all well mounted and well fixed went together yesterday to Brookfield, Capt. Colton their leader and for them also from the upper towns ; whom I now this day understand attended to my order, rallying up to the number of 30 : but could not be ready so soon, and were after those from Springfield.

I feared (according to the intelligence I had) we were too weak, if they met not to join. But now this day towards evening, a messenger sent to me from Brookfield gives me this account : That those I sent from Springfield arrived there yesterday about 2 of the clock in the afternoon ; finding the garrison well and not touched, presently were upon the discovery, and finding no Indians, improved besides some scouting, themselves that afternoon in burying the dead. They found Thomas Lawrence dead, Joseph Mason and his eldest son, Joseph Woolcott's wife and two children, six in all, which they buryed : 3 or 4 persons not found, whether killed or carried away, know not. When Capt. Colton had performed this service yesterday being the same day he went from Springfield, returning to the garrison about sundown : the soldiers from Hadley, Northampton &c. came in : Just upon which a man that adventured out of the garrison upon the hills, spies 6 Indians as he said ; came back and acquainted therewith ; presently Capt. Colton sent out to discover, found the man to have spoken truth, perfectly discerning their tracks in the long grass which they could very well follow : But it growing dusky and too dark to proceed, returned, and intended this morning to take the tracks and pursue the enemy, who went northward, probably are Canada Indians, and that party which in the Frenchman's examination (sent from Albany) were mentioned, viz!, 30 ready to come towards these parts under a cliief Indian called La Plato, with 10 more to follow them, and I suppose have been about Deerfield, but finding soldiers &c. durst not attempt there.

This morning the rain prevented Capt. Colton's march after the enemy, early as he intended. But the man (who is come to me) tells me that it clearing up, he was getting ready and fitting to pursue them. I pray God they may overtake the enemy and have a good success against them.

The people at Quabaug have sent to me by this man for advice whether to draw off or stay there. Drawing off will be ruinous to what they have ; staying may be hazardous and ruinous to their persons. They would draw off, or stay, according to order. Drawing off will be a publick Damage as in other respects so in respect of the road and for travellers. Continuing there will call for some men to keep their fortification, it may be about 6 or 8 may be sufficient. I request your Excellency's advice and order ; what you appoint shall be exactly attended. I understand the inhabitants are willing to be ordered one way or other, and till your Excellency's pleasure is known, I intend only to appoint Capt. Colton to leave 6 or 8 men, and so return on Monday after he shall have finished his pursuit of the Indians, which I hope this day or tomorrow will be over, and probably you may hear of the issue or success of their pursuing the enemy by the messenger that I shall order to bring this letter to your Excellency before I can write again. . . .

Extract from the Cotincil Records. "July 31, 1693. A letter was this day received from Maj. Pynchon of Springfield, giving an account of a late Outrage and murder committed by some Indians upon divers of the Inhabitants of Quabaug ah. Brookfield, to the number of 8 or 9 men women and children being found murdered and wanting. And that he had ordered about 50 of the Militia of his Regiment out in pursuit of them, praying direction concerning the rest of the inhabitants there -

Advised, that 8 or 10 soldiers be posted in garrison there, for their better security, and that they be allowed three shillings per week a man for their billeting."

Last night Capt. Colton from Brookfield with the soldiers I had put under his command, came well Home ... I gave in my last to your Excellency, an account of the attack on Quabaug by some Pagans, and my sending Capt. Colton in pursuit ... I shall begin now with the account of his expedition from Brookfield ah. Quabaug, wliich will lead to whom were the assailants. On Saturday July 29, Capt. C. began his march out of Quabaug, about 10 in the morning, with 42 men well resolved, having left 16 at the Garrison there because he knew not certainly that the Indians were drawn off. To make sure work went to Woolcott's house whereabouts the enemy kept their Rendezvous ; found their tracks to go through Woolcott's lot, followed the same, and finding it very plain and the way good at first setting out. Cheerfully improved it, soon came to the place where the enemy took up their lodging first, after they had done the mischief at Quabaug, viz. on Thursday night last, which was about ten miles northerly from Woolcott's house, where they killed Mason's child which they had took away, the mother as also young Lawrence about 18 years of age being then captives with them, where after a very small halt, our men on the chase came nextly to the Place the enemy as they suppose dined the next day their second day from Quabaug ; there they killed a mare of Henry Gilberts which they had taken to carry their loads, and there also they had broken the Drum taken from Lawrence's house. Our soldiers still pursuing came to a Great Pond about 30 miles or more off Quabaug, where they found the enemy lodged that second night. Here they found a horse of Masons killed, and fresh tokens of them, their fire not out &c., which incouraged our soldiers much, though the way now most hideous, sometimes swampy, then stony and horribly brushy, scarce passable for Horses, yet went about 6 or 7 miles further that Saturday, all together, with their Horses. But finding they could make no riddance in such way with horses whom also for want of shoes began to be lame. Being set for the design, they left all their horses and men that could not foot it ; 19 men Capt. Colton dismissed or shortened his number so many, ordering them to bring the horses after. The Capt. with the 23 most likely men pursuing the enemy on foot, lightening themselves of their coats and without victuals, hastened away that if possible they might come upon the Indians before (or discover them in the) Night. But Night came before any Indian could be seen or overtaken, and the Capt. having gone 7 or 8 miles very briskly in bad way after he had left his Horses, was forced to take up lodging, not knowing how far off their Horses might be, that could scarce be got along in that extreme bad way (though the Horses came up within two miles of the foot that Saturday night, which was the third night that the enemy had been gone from Quabaug)

In the morning, being Lord's Day, July 30th, the brisk Captain having men resolutely bent, persuading themselves they were near the enemy and knowing their horses would make a lumber, though he wanted his men, resolved not to stay, but sets out early, and very privately goes on in that dismal way, by the time he had gone about a mile and a half, came upon the enemy in a most hideous thick woody place, where till within 3 or 4 rods of them they discovered them not till they heard them laughing. Presently the Capt. made signs to his few men to come up and compass them about, who did accordingly, about 10 of his men only just at his heels, the Place obscure, the enemy hardly to be seen having also cut down bushes to shelter themselves, yet made shot upon them, as many of our men as had advantage. The rest of our men also readily coming up gave them volley also, just as the Indians riss up being at breakfast, about sun a quarter of an hour high. Our men could not all make shot at once, those that at first had not opportunity did it at the Indians beginning to budge away, none of our men failing. And the Indians not knowing or discerning them till the bullets were in some of their bodies, and others of them alarmed by the volleys our men gave, ran away, not having opportunity to fire on our men. 'The Captain says the enemy fired but one gun, tho' some of our soldiers say another was fired, and that the Indian quivered so that he could not hold his gun steady ; However they all ran away that had life to do it, presently at an instant, and in such a hideous thicket that our men could not see or find an Indian more : Our men killed 4 of them certain outright, which the Captain saw and is sure of others and most of the soldiers say there were 6 killed outright, with one that being wounded one of our men ran up to and dispatched with his hatchet. Many of them were sorely wounded, and no doubt ran into holes to die, for our men say the brush in many places was bloody which it is was hardly possible to go in or make discovery ; and Capt. Colton says he saw blood on the ground as well as bushes. The Indians ran away so suddenly being surprised, that they left their powder and ball, some judge all, not having taken it into their hands that morning, tho' some of them snatched up their guns. Also the - , our men got from them and burnt them. Our men brought away 9 guns, 20 hatchets, 4 cutlashes, 16 or 18 horns of powder, besides two bark's full neatly covered, about i pound or 2 pounds in a bark. Our men have regained our two captives the enemy carried away, Mason's wife, and young Lawrence, and so returned bringing them back in safety : Leaving plunder which they made unserviceable, not being able to bring it off. Upon their return they met their horses come up within 2 miles of them. But it was not possible to go to the place with them, and so returned no more thither."

" The Relation of the woman. Mason's wife (for the young man was tired amazed and dull) who is a trusty and intelligent woman, is. That these Indians that were at Quabaug were only 26 of them : four more of their company at first, went off from them, say they belonged to Canada, were from Pemaquid : Designed to fall upon Nashaway, but that two of their scouts whom they sent thither, brought them word they were there watchful and in careful posture, whether they were there or no some of them questioned, they fell out about it, could not agree whither to go, were strangers, and somewhat at a loss. At last upon a high Hill climbing to the top of a tree they discovered a house (which if so must have been Lawrence's), so bent their way to Quabaug. Lay about the Place six days, and at last did the Mischief, would not go near the Fortification ; told Thomas Lawrence If he would tell them truly what men were in it, they would spare his life. He told them six. Then presently they knockt him down and scalped him : She says her husband having no weapon beat them off with his hand only a great while, till they cut his hand, and they were very cowardly afraid to meddle with her ; that if she had any weapon she thinks she might have made her escape : Many things she had of them, one of them speaking good English, - as that an Indian called Capt. John was a Rogue to them, & they wisht they could come at him to cut him in pieces, &c. They told her that the Canada Indians had been at Deerfield about two months since, aad done Mischief there, ^ when they see the English there go against their own Indians, and the English suspected their Indians, and had imprisoned two of them, though the Mischief done there was by Indians that come from Canada, who presently returned after they had done the Mischief at Deerfield and were all got safe home to Canada. They inquired of her what was become of the Indians in prison ; she answered them she knew not (for indeed that day they were in prison) .^

They told her they would keep the lad, young Lawrence, to carry their burdens to their canoe, and then would kill him, for they should go 5 or 6 days on water, and over a great lake like a sea : The last night which she was with them they told her they were within a day and a half or two days' journey of their canoe ; and now they cared not if 200 English came after them in that place, it was such a place that they should there kill them all that came to them. - And indeed it was a dangerous place for our men. If God's providence had not ordered it that the Indians saw them not till the English that went silently were upon them, and fired first, to their amazement in being so surprised that they run from their arms and ammunition. 'Tis God, and not our 20 men that hath done it. To Him be all the Praise, who orders things well for us, remembering mercy in the midst of judgment.

I am too tedious, pardon the same, and accept of my real desire to be serviceable in rendering the best account. The woman being left at Quabaug; the soldiers' horses being lame they could not bring her off; I have all from others, not having spoken with her myself: I suppose the constable himself (for want of a ready hand) will be the messenger : he may give account of some particulars that I have missed. I direct him to speak with the woman, and acquaint you if any thing more : - The people at Brookfield desire a garrison, or to be fetched off. I waite your pleasure.

For his services in this expedition, " Capt. Thomas Colton, his officers and soldiers therein employed, as a reward of their good services were granted as follows : The forty men that pursued the enemy, the sum of ^40 and the plunder recovered from the erfemy, to be equally shared amongst them, over and above their stated pay. And in addition, ;£io was granted as a gratuity to Capt. Colton."

No more daring exploit against the Indian enemy was performed during this war. With no trusty guides, and no personal knowledge of the country ; following the trail made by the treacherous foe, through swamps and among rocks and tangled underbrush ; and when his horses gave out, stripping off coats, knapsacks and rations, and pressing forward where his men could only go in single file ; and opening fire, with only ten of his men come up, upon (as he supposed) fifty well-armed savages - is an example of stern courage and heroism, worthy of everlasting remembrance. It is to be regretted that the names of his gallant band of soldiers are not on record.

And it would much gratify historical curiosity, if the " most hideous thick woody place " where the Indians were surprised by Capt. Colton, and the captives rescued, could be identified. From his description of the country, it is evident that the route of the retreating savages lay via. Menameset, through Hardwick, Dana, New Salem, etc., towards the place where their canoe was left on the Connecticut river, above Northfield. This was the line of an old trail ; and some hints by contemporary writers indicate the belief that this was the route. Capt. Partridge, writing Aug. i, speaks of Capt. Whiting and Capt. Wells being sent out the day before, with 30 men, " intending fully to search those Eastern woods of Northfield, and will if they light of those villians did the Mischief at Brookfield, give them a second brush." Probably the place of rescue was in the present town of New Salem.

The following Extract from the Council Records, is in place here : "Aug. I, 1693. Upon Consideration of the late outrage committed by some Indians upon divers of the Inhabitants of Quabaug, and application from some of the principal Inhabitants of Mendon that the Friend Indians of the neighboring Plantations may be concentrated within certain Limits, and be put under the oversight of some of the English, as well for their own security, as that the Enemy may better be known.

Dwellings Enclosed In A Stockade. 1 53

That the Indians of Hassanamesit be forthwith drawn in within the Town of Mendon ; and the Indians of the Plantation of Tohkokomoowadchunt be forthwith drawn into the Town of Woodstock ; and be under the inspection and oversight of the Military Commission Officers and Selectmen of the said Towns, taking suitable care for the preservation of their Corn, and that none of the said Indians do presume to pass out of the limits assigned them, without the knowledge of those appointed to take the oversight of them, and having one Englishman at least to accompany them."

It was the general plan adopted by the authorities of the Colony, for the safety of the Frontier Towns at this crisis, to collect all the resident families into a compact neighborhood, so that all the dwellings could be enclosed in a stockade. This plan was suggested in the Court's instructions to the Committee, dated May 20, 1691 ; but was not carried intO' effect. It is believed that the surviving families located near the VVoolcotts' were brought to the garrison, on which all depended for protection, and perhaps lodgement at night. Probably two sentries were stationed on "Warding Rock" for day-watching, and the remaining soldiers were employed in scouting and guarding the men in the harvest-fields, and for night-watches. Autumn was coming on ; and Indian raids were not much apprehended after the fall of the leaves, till the deep snows fell, sothat they could come on rackets. Then there was another period of comparative immunity, from the breaking up of winter, till the leaves put forth in June.

The garrison was maintained here, year by year, varying in number from 6 to 10 men, according to circumstances, and the activity of the Indian enemy. Daniel Tosh [Mcintosh] died this year.

1694. - Only scanty records are found of the condition and doings of the Brookfield settlers, for this year ; and it is not likely that any new comers were added to their small number. The garrison soldiers were billeted on the families ; and while they afforded protection to field work, and safety to the homes, they drew largely on the scanty supply of provisions.

Thomas Gilbert of Brookfield, John Hitchcock, James Warriner and Samuel Parsons of Springfield were allowed from the State treasury, "for services at Quabaug, 10 shillings each."

The only clew we have as to the nature of these " services," is the fact that some time during the year, Sanmel Owen and John Lawrence (whose brother Thomas was killed the last summer, as already related) went into the woods in search of a man who was missing, when they were set upon by a lurking band of Indians, and Lawrence was killed,' but Owen escaped. - Such were the perils and discouragements under which the families here held their homes !

"... We know Indians are lurking about, and are satisfied that some number of them are waiting to get some booty, for besides some seen at Northampton, as also at Hadley, there have been some about Springfield : twice, one hath been seen. But upon any appearance, we range all the woods about, besides that, our daily scouting out 4 men aday on horses by Towns . . . for these Towns are daily infested by the enemy ; so it is not prudent to emty our towns of men ... by so many at Deerfield and Brookfield. . . .

1696. - " Dec. 16. Ordered, for defence of our Hampshire frontier towns against the French and Indians next summer - That from the first of June to the first of November [the period when the trees are in full leaf], 25 men be detached to keep garrison at Deerfield, and 10 men at the garrison at Brookfield."

1697. - "Paid Col. John Pynchon for several soldiers that served at Brookfield, from April 12, 1697, to December 4, and for billeting said soldiers - p^'^iS. o. o.-

1698. - The Peace of Ryswick was signed Sept. 11, 1697, and was (proclaimed in Boston Dec"" 10. But it was not formally proclaimed in Quebec, till Sept. 22, 1698 ; and in the mean time the French and Indians continued active hostilities against our Frontiers.

Asking for a Minister. This year we find several new names among the Brookfield settlers, which added strength to the Plantation ; and while their condition is " low in the world," yet they evince a determination to lay firmly the foundations of social order and prosperity. The following Petition has important historical and moral significance, both as to the preval&nt sentiment of Brookfield men, and the understood policy of the Government to secure religious ordinances to all inhabitants.

Petition Asking For A Minister

Firstly, That we seeme to be called of God, to continue our habitation in this place: We are low in the world, and it would be a breaking thing to our estates to remove to any other plantation ; And the Land here is very capable of entertaining a considerable body of people : tho' Inhabitants have been slow to come to us by reason of ye War, yet the land is very Incouraging, capable to afford a comfortable subsistence to many ffamilies.

2. That it is an Intolerable burden, to continue as we have done with out the preaching of the Word ; God doth require his people to attend not only ffamily worship but His publick worship: it is the ordinance of God that on the Sabbath Day there should be an holy convocation ; and that his Word be preached by those that are able & faithful, and our necessitys put us upon it earnestly to desire it: both we and our Children need the Instructions, rebukes and encouragements of the Word : the darkness and deadness of our own hearts, together with the many snares that are in the world are an experimental conviction to us that we need al those helps & advantages that God hath sanctifyed for our good.

3. That we are not able at present to maintain the Worship of God : We are but twelve ffamilys : And are not of estate sufficient to give sutable encouragement to a Minister : We are willing to do to the outside of our ability ; but tho' we do as much as can be expected from us, it will not amount to such a summ as a Minister may reasonably require for his labour.

4. That if this Hond Court would please to pity us, And grant us some help for a few years, for the maintenance of a godly able Minister, besides the advantage that it may be to these few familys that are here, it would be a means to draw many other Inhabitants to us, whereby we shal be so far assisted that we may of ourselves be able to uphold the Worship of God, and not be burdensome to others.

Under these considerations we humbly beg that this Hond Court would exercise compassion to us, & assigne some reliefe to us out of the Publick Treasury, which we shal look upon not onely a testimony of your zeal for the Worship of God, but alsoe of your tender compassion to the souls of those whom God hath made you ffathers of: And your Petitioners shal ever pray &c.

In General Court, Read Nov. 23, 169S. In answer to the above petition Orde7-ed, that there be twenty pounds paid out of the Publick Treasury of this Province towards the support of an orthodox minister for one

As will soon appear, the employment of a minister was delayed, and preaching was not established till 1701. The new comers this year were : Samuel Davis, who bought the Joseph Mason estate ; Thomas Parsons, perhaps of Windsor, who had been living in Enfield ; Abijah Bartlett ; John Clary, whose father was killed by Indians at Northfield Aug. 16, 1688 ; James and John Pettee, from Springfield, whose mother had married Sarcuel Owen - they were much in the wars ; Thomas Rich, who had a grant of a home-lot " at the east end of the Old Plantation ; " died 1702: his widow Mary married Joseph Jennings; the children wrote the name La Rich. William Barns, a brother of Thomas, remained here a short time, and removed to Conn. Benj. Thomas of Springfield, bought one-half of the Younglove house-lot.

1699. - In March 1699, An Act was passed by the General Court, to prevent the deserting of the Frontier Towns by the inhabitants. Brookfield is named as one of the towns referred to.

Wee the subscribers being verry senceable of the inconveniencys that may happen in as much as the stated Road to Conitticot especilly Betwixt Wooster & Brookfield is verry much incumbered with Trees ffallen & many Rocky Swamps & other impassable Obstructions to Travellers, Drovers & others, & hazzarding life or limb of both men and Horses & other Creatures to great Losses & Damages, Humbly propose that there bee a Suteable allowance Granted to repaire & amend sd Road, at least to the sum of - pounds, Out of the Publique Treasurie of this Province, which we Humbly leave to consideration, & Subscribe

Asking For Twelve Miles Square

Extract from Council Records. - " Whereas the General Assembly at their session Nov. 15, 1698, passed a Resolve, that there be paid out of the publick Treasury, the sum of ^20, towards the support of an orthodox minister at Brookfield, for the space of one year -

Adzn'scd and consented, that His Excellency issue forth his warrant to pay unto John Pynchon and Samuel Partridge Esq''% of a Committee for managing affairs at Brookfield aforesaid, the said sum of ;^20, to be by them imployed for the use aforesaid. June 10, 1700."

Whereas by the Providence of God, by allowance from the General Court and our own necessities and inclinations, we have and are now settled at Brookfield, and altho' we are now but few in number, yet here is accommodations for a considerable Township ; being new in our beginnings, and through the difficulties and hazzards of the times, people tho' otherwise well inclined to come & settle here, yet have been slow in motion this way, by reason whereof we labour under many difficulties at present - Therefore move to this Court that they would be pleased to grant us some allowances for our incouragement & help, as followeth :

First, that we may in some measure be in a capacity to obtain the benefit of an Orthodox ministry of God's Word (which we are in necessity of) That this Court would grant us such allowances towards the maintenance of such an one a year or two or three, which together with what we might do amongst ourselves might incourage a minister to settle amongst us, which would tend much to advantage both as to Ecclesiastical and Civil affairs.

Second, With reference to publick Charges amongst us. That this Court would order that all men that make good a claim of a proprietie within the bounds of our place might be ingaged to bear their part in due proportion of all charges arising, and when notified of their Rate or proportion, be obliged to pay on the place from time to time, or quit their lands, etc.

7%/r^, That this Court do settle and state the bounds of our Township, the centre to be the place where the first Meeting-house stood, and to extend six miles East, West, North and South, viz. twelve miles square, extending from said centre as aforesaid.

of our place, so as in time we might be beneficial to the publick interest of the Province, and the granting of which will oblige your poor suppliants, as in duty bound for your Honours ever to pray

Read in Council, June ii, 1701 And Resolved, That the Committee for regulating the plantation of Brookfield take order that there be an exact Piatt made by a sworn Surveyor, of 8 miles square, with a description of certain lines for boundaries, and the quality of the land, to be laid before this Court at their next session, that so the Court may then further consider of ascertaining the Grant for the said Plantation.

The survey and laying out of the Township, eight miles square, was performed by John Chandler. This Plot was mislaid or lost ; and in I 7 19 another survey and Plot, following the old lines, was made by Timothy Dwight, and the boundaries of the town established by the General Court.

A Minister employed. From an incidental statement in the Records, it appears that the Committee drew ^20 from the Province treasury, and engaged Rev. George Phillips to preach, for the term of one year. So that the date, June 1701, may be regarded as the commencement of the stated ministry of the Word in Brookfield, after the Second Settlement.

Mr. Phillips, born June 3, 1664, was son of Rev. Samuel Phillips of Rowley, and grandson of Rev. George Phillips, the first minister of Watertown; was graduated at Harvard University in 1^6; preached awhile at Jamaica, L.I. ; probably preached in Brookfield only one year ; was ordained pastor of the church in Brookhaven, L.I., in the late autumn of 1702, where he remained in the ministry till his death in 1739.

The engaging a minister to establish religious ordinances, and the prospective enlargement of the area of the town by which valuable lands would be opened to settlement, added to the quiet that had prevailed on the frontiers for the last two years, held out the prospect of prosperity and permanence ; and a considerable number of new men came on this year, and bought old rights, and received land grants. John Perry of Watertown located near the Woolcotts ; Joseph Banister of Marlborough bought and built on the South side of the old country road near Edward Walker ; Tho^ Bettys (b. Wenham) located near John Perry ; Edward Kellogg of Hadley built where Ebenezer How afterwards lived ; Robert ?2mmons and John Hamilton became residents. Several others received grants, but forfeited them by staying or moving away.

1702. - The peace which followed the Treaty of Ryswick was of short duration. England declared war against France, May 4, 1702. The news, which reached Boston June 11, was known in Canada at an earlier date ; and the French Governor lost no time in stirring up the smothered Indian hatred of the English, and preparing for raids on our frontiers. And for the next ten years, the Hampshire county settlements were doomed to suffer all the atrocities of savage warfare ! This war was known in history as Queen Anne's War.

It appears that a small garrison (probably consisting of town's people) had been maintained at Brookfield, during the interval of active hostilities. A considerable number of Indians (former residents and their friends) had returned, and built wigwams, and were hanging round the plantation. The show of preparation for defence, would have its moral influence on the savages ; and would assure the doubts of prospecting whites. Probably with the retirement of Mr. Phillips, a request was made to the Governor for continued aid in supporting a minister. And June 27, 1702, the General Court passedthe following Act :

" JV/iereas the Plantation of Brookfield, lying on the Great Road betwixt this her Majesty's Province and the Colony of Connecticut, being a usual and necessary stage for Travellers and Posts passing betwixt the two Governments, is anew beginning to be setled, and yet unable to support itselfe without receiving some Assistance from the Government being a Garrisoned place -

Resolved that the sum of ;z{^20 be allowed and paid out of the Publick Treasury of this Province towards the support of a Chaplain to that Garrison for the present year.

Under this authority. Rev. Joseph Smith was appointed Chaplain, and served nine months, for which he was paid ^15. He continued in office till Oct. 1705, receiving annually ;^20 from the Province Treasury. He was son of Lieut. Philip Smith of Hadley, b. in 1674, graduated at

Harvard University, 1695, taught school in Hadley and Springfield, where he married Esther Parsons. Mar. 8, 1702-3, he bought of John Younglove of Sufifield, " a tract lying near the middle of the Town Plot [in Brookfield] in the place where the first of the Town-plot was placed before the destroying of it by the Indians, the said land being granted to my bond father Mr. John Younglove, deceased - this piece being onehalf of it, and all my right." Mr. Smith was ordained pastor of the Church in Cohanzy, N.J., May 10, 1709, and became pastor of the Second Church in Middletown, Ct., Jan. 15, 1715. In 1716, he sold his estate in Brookfield to Capt. Thomas Baker.

June 26, a Petition was sent to the Governor from the Deerfield settlers, asking " for help and relief in our present distress occasioned by a prospect of war."

Upon a representation made by the inhabitants of Deerfield in the County of Hampshire, the most westerly frontier of the Province, that a considerable part of the Line of Fortification about their Plantation is decayed and fallen down, praying for some assistance in rebuilding and setting up the same, for that they are apprehensive of some evil designs forming by the Indians, an unwonted intercourse of Indians from other Plantations being observed :

Advised, That his Excellency do write to John Pynchon Esq., Col. of the Regiment of militia in that County, directing him forthwith to send his Lieut. Col. to Deerfield aforesaid, to view the Palisado about that town,' and to stay there some short time, to put the Inhabitants upon the present repair of the said fortifications in all places where it is defective, and to cover them with a scout of ten men by turns out of the next towns whilst they are about the said work, and to assure them of all necessary support ; and to take the like order as to Brookfield, saving the scout."

There is no reason to doubt that Col. Pynchon fulfilled his orders " as to Brookfield ; " and that the old Gilbert fort was repaired and strengthened.

' This palisade, made of small logs set firmly in the ground, and pinned to a railing near the top, was built in May, 1693; the whole measure or compass of the enclosed fort was 202 rods, and cost 5 shillings per rod.

. . . That my Farm at Coy's hill may now be settled, wherein Capt. Havvley with yourself will contrive that it may be issued and settled to me, I earnestly request that these things for me may not be neglected or delayed, for I am growing old, and am not well now.'

" From Brookfield they have sent to me, to give them an order for Mr. Smith their minister's due from the Country. I told them the secretary must give out the order of Court, and I will write to you to get it, that the Treasurer may pay it, which I pray you take care about. Also their constable, John Woolcott, sends to roe for direction what he shall do with goods that he distrains for Mr. vSmith's Rate, because there is nobody under oath there, which may easily be rectified and supplied when you are there : Wherefore I desire you to appoint meet persons for appraisers, and give them their oaths."

New comers. Besides the Rev. Mr. Smith, there settled in B. this year, Henry Taylor, probably from Boston, who received 40 acres Upland and 20 a. meadow, and built on the south side of the road, west of the Woolcott's ; Edward Walker, from Charlestown, who bought 20 a., " one half of Henry Taylor's homestead ; " became a leading citizen, and received grants in all of 456 acres. He brought with him a family of grown sons and daughters, who m. and settled in B. He was a soldier in the Narragansett Fight, Dec. 19, 1675, ^^*^ ^^ ^735' ^^ ^^^ ^" applicant for one of the Narragansett township grants. John Green also received a 60 acre grant this year, and later 95 a. \^Qt forward wxi^^x 1708.]

John Perry To Governor Dudley

Sir. We having a few rambling Indians frequenting our place whose words & carriage is such as gives reason to suspect them to be evil minded men and disposed to mischief, as my bounden duty is - So I presume to acquaint your Excellency with some of their sayings, hoping your Excellency's gracious acceptance and favorable construction : Their names the one is Joseph Ninnequabon, who was the man the last year that received a wampum belt of our Enemyes, and presented it to the Moheggs to ingage them in a war against us, for which the Authority imprisoned said Ninnequabon many weeks, the then plott being discovered by our Moheeken ffriends, that storm went over. Now he is this day chalenging considerable lands in our Township, and profering them to sale : The other Indian is called Caleb, he also makes claim of Lands, threatening that if we again mow their meadows, they will burn our hay ; and if we make improvement of their land, they will make war, and the next summer we shall see Indian Town built upon Coys hill, and also there will be war next year; the above mentioned hill is in our Township : It is said that Ninnequabon was bred &born at New Roxbury [Woodstock, Ct.] which was the place of his predecessor's residence, and Caleb is a Narragansett ; therefore we see not how they can challenge Land in this place : The abovesaid Caleb, I the subscriber being at work in my field, he took the advantage of a knoll of ground to come upon me unseen, and then with a fell countenance terible to look at drew forth a pistol which he had secretly hid and snapt at me to my amazing, but went his way doing me no further harm. There is another Indian whose name is Moaumaug, who told Mr. Buroe a ffrench gentleman, that he had been at Canada this last summer, and the ffrench had given him a gun, a coat and a hatchet, to ingage him against the English. There are other Indians, companions to the above named, as Collosion &: Sollomon and Nappalanus and black James and Succomugg. These Indians are designed to draw off norward to be out of your Excellency's reach ; for they are informed that your Excellency desires to settle them, which they declare against. If your Excellency be pleased to send to the inhabitants of this place, you may be better informed. I have not made known this to my neighbors, lest through indiscretion some of them acquaint the Indians with it. So craving your Excellency's pardon for troubling you thus far

This letter is valuable as giving us authentic information of the presence of Indians among the Brookfield settlers at this date ; of their hostile disposition and intentions ; of their claim of ownership in their old fields and meadows ; and of the intrigues of the French authorities of Canada.

In relation to the claim of Ninnequabon, the following extract from the General Court Records has interest: "July 8, 1703. Ordered, that the late Committee for directing the settlement and affairs of the Plantation of Quaboag alias Brookfield, be and hereby are continued. And Maj. John Pynchon is hereby added to the said Committee, in the room of his father John Pynchon, Esq., deceased ; Saml Partridge, Esq., to be chairman of the said Committee. And the said Committee are hereby impowered and directed to hear the matter in difference betwixt Ninequabin Indian and the Inhabitants of sd Brookfield, referring to his claim of Lands, and to endeavour to compromise and adjust the same ; and to purchase his Right in behalf of the Province."

The following entry in the Province Treasury account, probably has reference to this business : " Paid Thomas How of Marlborough for Travel and expenses in a journey to Quaboag, and charges upon several Indians by him brought down by direction of his Excellency, to prevent

Frontiers Alarmed. 1 63

From entries in the same Treasury account, it appears that a considerable garrison began a new term of service here the first of March ; but no names are given, and no casualties reported.

To give a true picture of the alarm which pervaded our frontier settlements at this date, and the ways adopted and suggested for meeting the emergency, some extracts from letters written in October of this year, are here inserted. Rev. John Williams of Deerfield writes : " We have been driven from our houses & home-lots into the fort (there are but 10 house-lots in the fort), some a mile, some 2 miles, whereby we have suffered much loss ; we have in the alarms been several times wholly taken off from any business, the whole town kept in, our children of 12 & 13 years and under we have been afraid to improve in the fields for fear of the enemy. We have been crowded together in houses, to the preventing of indoor affairs being carried on to any advantage, & must be constrained to expend at least ^^50 to make any comfortable provision of housing, if we stay together in cold weather. ... I would humbly beg our people may be considered in having something allowed them in making the Fortification : we have mended it, it is in vain to mend, & must make it all new, & fetch timber for 206 rods, 3 or 4 miles, if we get oak : " . , .

Rev. Solomon Stoddard of Northampton writes : "The first proposal I make to your Excellency is, that our people may be put in a way to hunt Indians with dogs - Other methods that have been taken are found by experience to be chargeable, hazzardous and insufficient : But if dogs were trained up to hunt Indians as they do bears, we should quickly be senseble of a great advantage thereby. The dogs would be an extreme terror to the Indians ; they [are] not much afraid of us ; they know they can take us - & leave us ; if they can but get out of gun-shot, they count themselves in no great danger, how ever so many pursue them, they are neither afraid of being discovered or pursued. But these dogs would be such a terror to them, that after a little experience, it would prevent their coming, & men would live more safely in their houses, and work more safely in the fields and woods. In case the Indians should come near the Town, the dogs would readily take their track & lead us to them : Sometimes we see the track of one or two Indians, but cant follow it ; the dogs would discover it, and lead our men directly to their enemies . . . our men might follow with more safety . . . they would follow their dogs with an undaunted spirit, not fearing a surprise . . . the dogs would do a great deal of execution upon the enemy, & catch many an Indian that would be too light of foot for us.

fairly, after the manner of other nations, it might be looked upon as inhuman to pursue them in such a manner. But they are to be looked upon as murderers . . . they dont appear openly in the field to bid us battle, & they use those cruelly that fall into their hands ; they act like wolves, & are to be dealt withal as wolves."

Hatfield voted to fortify three houses on the Hill and six in the town ; to rebuild the palisade, and to build stairs into the turret of the meetinghouse, so that a ward or day-watchman might be stationed in the turret.

It is believed that the tower on " Warding Rock " was built at this time, to serve as a look-out for a ward, or day-watchman, whose eye could sweep the entire plain, where the great corn-field was.

Massachusetts offered a bounty of ^10 for Indian scalps, brought in by soldiers who were receiving wages and subsistence ; and ^20 to others. After March, 1704, scouts and rangers, who went out at their own expense, were paid ^100 for every Indian scalp brought in.

Brookfield also is in great necessity of some allowance to their Minister (who saith he cannot stay there except he have some allowance otherwise than the people can pay) . Especially now they are under such hazzards of an enemy to come upon them, and being but a small people. Moreover, if said Minister go from the people and garrison there, I look they will and must break up ; and the making that post destitute will not only animate the enemy, but shut the road for Travellers, especially to travel with such safety as now they do. This I humbly present to consideration, and subscribe Your servant

The new comers in 1703, were Joseph Rice (prob. son of Samuel and his 3d wife Sarah (White) Hosmer, b. at Concord May 16, 1678, m. at Boston, June 25, 1701, Mary Townsend), tailor, who had a grant of 40 a. upland and 20 a. meadow, and afterwards removed to Springfield ; Ebenezer Hayward, from Concord, son of Joseph, who built near the Joseph Mason place ; John Hayward, Jr., from Concord, who later built a grist mill on the new Mill brook. \_Forivard 1710.]

1 704. - This year opened gloomily for our frontier towns. On the morning of Feb. 29, the town of Deerfield was assaulted by a force of 200 French and 140 Indians, under De Rouville, and 17 houses burnt; 40 inhabitants and 9 soldiers killed; 5 soldiers and 106 inhabitants carried off, of whom 20 were killed or died on the way, 60 were redeemed, and the rest remained in captivity or disappeared.

Descent On Deerfield

As this affair paralyzed temporarily our Hampshire county settlements, and was the predominant factor of Brookfield history for that year, a succinct account of the tragedy is here given.

On information received from Col. Schuyler of Albany, that the enemy designed a descent on Deerfield, the authorities had posted a guard of 20 soldiers there. The snow was three feet deep, and badly drifted ; and the presence of so many soldiers lulled the people into a sense of security, which proved their destruction. The French and Indian army, 340 strong, came down on snow-shoes ; and leaving their sleds and packs with a small guard at the mouth of West river in Brattleboro', pushed on, and reached the bluffs overlooking Deerfield North Meadow, early in the night of Feb. 28, where they halted and bivouacked. When midnight came, De Rouville sent out scouts, who reported that the watch was patrolling the street. About two hours before day, the French commander had word that all was still. The watchman had gotie to sleep I An immediate assault was ordered. The snow had drifted up against the stockade, and climbing the drifts the Indians leaped over the palisades and were inside the fort, before any alarm was given. The stockade enclosed 12 or 15 houses, filled with sleeping families. x'\nd now commenced the slaughter of men, women and children. " The enemy immediately set upon breaking open doors & windows, took the watch & others captive, and had their men appointed to lead them away [to their bivouac] ; others improved [the time] in rifling houses of provisions, money, clothing, drink, & packing up & sending away ; the greatest part standing to their arms, firing houses, & killing all they could that made any resistance ; also killing cattle, hogs, sheep, and sacking & wasteing all that came before them."

The house of John Sheldon (known as the Old Indian House) for a time resisted the efforts to break it down ; but the Indians got in, and most of the family were taken. John, Jr., lately married, with his wife jumped from the chamber window ; she sprained her ankle, and could not escape ; but urged her husband to fly to Hatfield for aid. This he did, binding strips of woolen blanket about his naked feet as he ran.' ['' The light of the burning buildings at Deerfield, gave notice to the towns below, some time before we had news from the distressed people" - Hatjield Petition.'] The carnage continued till sun about an hour and a half high, when help came in the shape of 30 well armed men from Hatfield and Hadley, who "rushed in upon the enemy and made shot upon them, at which they quitted their assailing of houses and the Fort," and drew off to the halting place, which was about a mile from the town, where the captives and plunder were collected.

Of the III captives, 40 were not over 12 years of age, and twelve were under 5. The sufferings and horrors of the retreat march of 300 miles, to Canada, are graphically depicted in "The Redeemed Captive," a book published by Rev. John Williams, one of the captives, after his return.

Nine of the houses within the stockade were unburnt; two bricklined houses outside, and about a dozen or fifteen others at the south part of the town, escaped destruction. " The women and children at home are come off to Northampton, Hadley & Hatfield, also the wounded men & one wounded woman are in Hatfield under Dr. Hastings cure."

But for the positive orders of Col. Partridge, enforced by a large company of soldiers, impressed for the service from the other towns, Deerfield would have been deserted.

As soon as the snows melted, and the rivers opened, the French Governor sent another force consisting of about 20 Canadians and 50 Indians, to harass our frontiers. They surprised and killed John kWtn and his wife at " the Bars " in Deerfield, May 11. Two days later, " Pascomock Fort [at the northeast end of Mt. Tom in Northampton] was taken by the French & Indians, being about 72. They took and captivated ye whole Garrison, being about 37 persons. The English pursueing of them caused them to nock all the Captives on the head, save 5 or 6. Three, they carried to Canada with them, the others escaped, and about 7 of those knocked on the head Recovered, y^ Rest died. Capt. John Taylor was killed in the fight, and Sam' Bartlet wounded." Co. Recorder's Book.

Another larger army of French and Indians was sent out by Gov. Vaudreuil, "to lay desolate all the places on the Connecticut River," to quote his own words. But through the vigilance of Col. Partridge and the military authorities at Hartford, the Canadian was checkmated. All our towns were well garrisoned, and English scouts were constantly on the alert. But Indian spies and skulking parties were hovering about the settlements, waylaying all the principal roads, and picking off here and there a traveller or an imprudent soldier.

Thomas Bettys, a Brookfield man, was killed, on the old Hadley road, in Belchertown, July 29. He had been sent by Col. Partridge post to Boston, and was returning with important despatches from the Governor. The despatches were taken and carried to Canada, and made the basis of a report from Gov. Vaudreuil to the War Office in France.'

Sam" Barnard of Hadley says, that whereas my horse was taken on her Majesty's service to go Post to Boston with one Thomas Bettets, who coming homewards on the road was killed and my horse; and I have had paid me forty shillings out of the Pubiick Treasury ... I paid seven pounds for him, besides the damage I sustained for want of the horse . . . asks further remuneration." June 15, 1705, the Court granted the Petitioner forty shillings, in addition to the 40 shillings already paid.

Weak Condition Of Brookfield. 1 67

About this time, a considerable part of the enemy moved off towards the east, and July 31, they " besett the town of Lancaster in several places, and did much spoil."

During the entire summer, the county was full of troops, largely from Connecticut. All the Hampshire towns were called on for their full quotas, which were employed in scouting, and marching to threatened points, and doing garrison duty at home. The consequence was, the towns were cleared of old provisions ; and the out-lying planting-fields were left unplowed and untilled. And when harvest-time came, the harvests were wanting.

we hues names are underwriten do Humbly beage your Excelancy's faver and that you wod consider our weke condishone : the faver we beg is that we all ov us not that such of us as find thay are under such disadvantages that they cant subsist there might remove into some other towne where they may worke for there Hveinge. by the deficulty of the times we are reduste to such p'verty that we cant subsist except your onors wil plese to grant us wages as solders & pay for our diat for we raize litle or none of our provision by rezen of our being drawn so far frome our improvements of Lands, our families are so large and our means are so small that we cant live without sume other imploye than any we have at presant. and if the honoured Cort se coaus to put us in as solders we will as we do account it our duti conform to the order of authority - but we rather if it may be granted chuse to remove into other towns, and we humble intrete that the onors of the Corte would plese to grant us pay for our diat for the time we Iiave searvel^J as soldears. no more at presant but we remain youars as foUoweth

From minutes made on the paper, and from records of a later date, it is inferred that a considerable number of the petitioners were taken into the pay of the Province, and employed as standing guard or garrison soldiers, and in work about the Fort and garrisons. The large amounts drawn from the Treasury by Cols. Partridge and Porter show that more men were in the service here than would be required for simple garrison duty. From the Council Records it appears that " Muster Rolls " were returned to the Governor, covering this and succeeding years ; and it is matter of deep regret that these Rolls cannot now be found. Doubtless they contained full statistics of names, dates and services.

" July 24, 1 704. Ordered, that the Treasurer pay the sum of ^56. o. 5 to Lt. Col. Partridge, for subsisting the garrison at Brookfi eld from Mar. I, 1703 to June 10, 1704, the Acct. having been approved."

"July 12, 1704. A Muster Roll of the soldiers posted at Brookfield was presented, for wages due for service from Dec. 4, 1703, to June 21, 1704, amounting to ^166. 9. 8^d. Passed, and that sum ordered to be paid to Samuel Porter on behalf of the officers and soldiers above named."

"A Muster Roll of soldiers posted at Brookfield, for wages for service, and subsistence, from June 22, to Oct. 18, 1704, for Posts and other incidental charges, amounting to j[^2']\. 9. i - Ordered to be paid to Lt. Col. Sam -' Partridge." \_Coj{ncil Records.'] Col. P.'s acct. for wages and subsistence of soldiers at Brookfield and Springfield, from Oct. 20 to Jan. 31 was ^426. 15. 10.

Rev. Mr. Fiske, in his "Historical Sermon " delivered in 1775, speaks of " fortified houses," and " garrisons " in Brookfield ; and connects them with the events of Queen Anne's War. And as the houses themselves or their remains must have been in existence in his day (as Gilbert's Fort certainly was to a much later day), and men were then living whose memory reached back 70 years, we have no reason to question the facts so stated. He indicates quite clearly (taken in connection with the testimony of deeds on record) the location of two of these fortified houses ; one was on Foster's hill, near the old Ayres tavern stand, called "Jennings' garrison ; " and another was located on the old Country road, between the present South Brookfield village and the Woolcott place, and known as the " Banister garrison." They are referred to shortly after this date ; and there is a probability that they were built or put in good repair in the winter of 1704 or spring of 1705. There is an acct. "for wages paid sundry persons at Brookfield," of this date, amounting to about

These bullet-proof houses were dwellings, and constructed as follows : the frame, i.e., the sills, posts, girths and plates were of heavy hewn timbers. Instead of studs in the lower story, logs split in half were set upright, face and back alternately, so as to match by overlapping the edges. [Sometimes planks were used.] The space under the windows was filled in with bricks or planks. The lathing was nailed to the logs on the inside, and the boarding in like manner on the outside. The doors were of planks ; and the windows had inside shutters.

Rev. Mr. Foot, in his "Historical Discourse" delivered in 1828, names two other garrisons, viz. "Marks' garrison" and " Goss' garrison." He says : " Marks' garrison stood near the south west end of Wickaboag pond, on a knoll below the junction of the waters of the pond with the Quaboag river. It is related that one day Mrs. Marksbeing left alone, discovered hostile Indians in the neighborhood of the garrison waiting for a favorable opportunity to attack the settlement. She immediately put on her husband's wig, hat, great coat, and taking his gun, went to the top of the fortification, and marched backwards and forwards vociferating like a vigilant sentinel, alPs well / airs well / This led the Indians to believe that they could not take the place by surprise, and fearing the result of an open, or protracted assault, they retreated without doing any injury."

" Goss' garrison stood west of Wickaboag pond, near the residence of Isaac Gleason," now (1886) the Charles H. Fairbanks place. This fort (or more probably fortified house) was built by Philip Goss, who wasfrom Lancaster, and came to Brookfield in the fall of 1 704. He received* a grant of 60 acres, and pitched on this elevated spot on the " old Hadley Path."

Joel A. Jennings, Esq., gathered traditions and facts from his grandmother, Mrs. Zillah Jennings, which seem to warrant the conclusion that the house of Edw. Walker, Jr., which stood on the south side of the river, west of Mason's brook (N. of the house of Wm. B. Hastings) was "fortified." As Walker's grant here bears date Oct. 23, 1713, the house must have been built after the close of Queen Anne's War.

And as danger from the Indians was still imminent, it is likely that at least one house in each exposed district was plank-lined, and bulletproof.

The pay of field soldiers at this date was 6 shillings per week ; those in garrisons usually received but 5 shillings. The money allowance for food, varied from 3 shillings to 4s. 8d. per week. The rations allowed to garrison soldiers were : " i lb. of bread a man a day, allowing oneeighth for breakage ; two pieces pork each containing 2 lbs., to six men per day, and sometimes two pieces of beef, instead of pork, each containing 4 lbs. to six men per day ; 3 pints of peas for six men per day ; 2 quarts of beer to a man per day." Marching soldiers had a little more food allowed.