Medfield Town

Medfield Town

"IVyT ETACOM, son of Massasoit, called Philip by the English, on his accession professed himself friendly to the white settlers. It was soon evident, however, that he entertained hostile designs. Philip doubtless saw that, if the white settlements continued to extend, the days of aboriginal supremacy were numbered. He resolved to unite all the Indian tribes in this region for a general war against the English. He matured his plans, and in 1675 a great gathering of warriors took place near Wachusett Mountain.

The colonists were not ignorant of their danger ; and, in the General Court, many acts were passed having reference to the expected conflict. The dwellers in the outlying settlements began to take alarm. Some of those at Mendon, then the only settlement between Medfield and the Indian country, left their homes for places of greater security.

The first actual hostilities commenced at Swanzey, June 24; and several persons were killed. Other towns in Plymouth Colony were attacked during the summer. July 14, four or five persons of those who had remained at Mendon were slain, when the place was abandoned, and the empty houses burned by the enemy. From that time, Medfield was the outermost town.

and several towns were attacked. September i8, the slaughter at Bloody Brook took place, and Robert Hinsdale of Medfield was killed, together with his three sons.

.Later in the season, it was discovered that the Indians were gathering in great force at a fortified place in the midst of an extensive swamp in Rhode Island, where they were laying in stores, preparatory to a desperate onslaught upon the colonists in the spring. It was proposed to attack them at once in this stronghold, and break their power, if possible, before they were ready to begin their devastating work. The allied Colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut raised a force of a thousand men for this service. The men were impressed. A summons was left at the house of every drafted man, who was to report for duty the next morning. If any failed to appear, some other member of his family must take his place. November 30, the officers reported that the men had been raised and equipped, and were ready to march. The Massachusetts force, in six companies, was mustered on Dedham plain, December 9. Snow had already fallen, the weather was cold, and no time was to be lost. The next day they marched; and were joined by the Plymouth men and the troops from Connecticut at the place of rendezvous at North Kingston, R.I. They advanced at once through the deep snow toward the enemy's stronghold.

After spending the night of the i8th without any shelter, the cold being so intense that some of the men had their hands and feet frozen, the memorable attack was made, led by the Massachusetts men. The stockade was surrounded by a deep ditch, crossed, apparently, only by a single log, slippery with ice and snow, and swept by the enemy's fire. When the order was given for the charge, there was a race through the swamp for the honor of being the first man upon that log. The race was said to have been won by a soldier from Salem. As the men rushed forward, great numbers of them were picked off by the fire of the enemy within. Meanwhile, a friendly Indian led the way around to another and secret passage, and our troops entered the fort. Then came a hand to hand fight with the Indians, which lasted for three hours, resulting in their total rout. The stockade was then burnt, together with the wigwams and huts. About a thousand Indians perished in this contest. Eighty of the whites were killed, and a hundred and fifty wounded ; six captains were slain. An exploit more daring can scarcely be found in the history of warfare.

Could this victory have been properly followed up, the power of Philip would have been utterly broken ; but, owing to the deep snow, the great number of wounded men, and the exhaustion of our soldiers for want of provisions in that wilderness, they were obliged to abandon the pursuit and return home. The- Massachusetts men arrived at Boston on the 5th of February.

On the loth of February, they attacked Lancaster, left it a smouldering ruin, and carried captive its inhabitants. As soon as the news of that disaster reached Medfield, Mr. Wilson, perceiving the imminent danger of this town, wrote the following letter to the Governor and Council. The letter, in the original handwriting, is preserved in the State archives ; -

Honored Srs, - Prostrating my humble service vnto your Honors, I had not bin so bold (being so vnfit as I am,) to send these rude lines at present vnto you, while you are so busyed on the weighty concernes, and sad occasions respecting the Commonwealth and churches of God. But that wh. I haue to write is about the same things wch yourselfes, as the honored fathers of the country are taken vp with, studying night and day to compasse w' is most expedient and expeditious for the good and safety of the whole. Captain Oakes, coming fro Marlborough to our towne this second day night, we understand by him, (who lately came fro the grizely sight of the ruines of Lancaster,) of the imminent danger y' not only Malborough was in wh" he left them, but also of the towne of Medfeild, with the village of Sherborne on the other syde of the river, the common enemy (as he understands) bending towards Nipmuck, Sherborne also, by his and the reports of others being threatened next Thursday. Honored Srs, I write in the behalf of the towne. It is our humble request that your Honors would consider us in this juncture of time. We have not till now made such a motion as this, and could be glad y' were not such an occasion. Our towne is a frontier towne. The loss of Mendham hath disadvantaged vs. The losse of Medfeild will be a very greate blow ; what will become of the city if the hands of the country grow feeble.

Now the rode from Nipmuck is fair for these caniballs, be pleased for God's sake to remember us, and let some considerable sufficient force be sent to vs for our speedy releife, before it be to late, by the soonest, by the soonest that possibly can be, lest Medfeild be turned into ashes and the smoke of it amaze such y' shall behold it; Oh, let not one day passe without preparations herevnto, the they come in the night. Captin Oakes is not constantly with us, but is in severall motions fro hence to Marlborough, and thro' some difficultyes he meetes with in regard to fodder for horses, w""" is very scarce, would be glad your Honors would signify further of your minds w' he should do ; and by these meanes we haue no certain helpe at hand. ,

Not further to trouble your Honors, but hoping your compassionate . hearts will and do consider us, humbly returne our hearty thankef ullinesse and acknowledgemts for your vndeserved favour in sending out forces to visit us, and to scout about for discouery of our dangers, humbly begging the continuall assistance of the Almighty to be with you in all y'^ weighty concernes y' ly on yor hands, and smiles of the Lord's divine fauor on his poore distressed people.

This letter was written on Monday, one weelc before the savages fell upon the town. Governor Leverett responded by sending at once Captain Jacobs and his company of eighty men, who probably arrived here about the middle of the week. Captain Oakes, said to have been in command of a company of twenty horsemen, was also here. Besides these, Captain Gibbs, of Watertown, is mentioned as beinohere. About seventy-five of the inhabitants of the town were men capable of bearing arms at this time.

Hubbard mentions an incident which shows the excitement and apprehension that existed during those few days, as well as the current belief in omens and precursors :

The week before the attack upon Medfield there was heard a very hideous cry of a kennel of wolves round the town, which raised some of the inhabitants, and was looked upon by divers as an ominous presaging of the following calamity.

The forces which had been sent hither were scattered throughout the town, having 'been billeted at the different houses. It is said that on Sunday, the 20th, Mr. Wilson warned the people to be vigilant against surprise ; but the presence of so large a force of soldiery seems to have given them too great a sense of security. Tradition has it that, when the people came out of the meeting-house on that Sunday, they saw Indians on Noon Hill and Mount Nebo. This is not impossible, as both eminences are in full view from the village ; but it is understood that the savages came upon the town from a westerly direction. The scouting parties probably knew that they were in the neighborhood ; and perhaps -a few stragglers -were in the town, prowling about the woods that day.

It appears most likely that a guard was kept through the night ; and, as daylight appeared, supposing danger passed, it was taken off. But, during the darkness of the night, the Indians had crept stealthily among trees and bushes growing upon the unimproved land adjoining the homesteads, and, secreting themselves, were in readiness to attack every part of the town at a given signal. They then apparently waited for the guard to turn in at daybreak, when a general conflagration was to commence, and men, women, and children were to be massacred or made captives as they attempted to fly from their burning dwellings.

The fire first broke forth from the house of Samuel Morse, who lived about fifty rods eastward of the junction of Main and Pound Streets. He had risen early that Monday morning, and went out to the barn to feed his cattle. In doing this, he discovered an Indian hidden in the hay. He hastily turned his cattle out of the barn, took his family and fled to the garrison. No sooner had he done so than his buildings were on fire. This seemed to be a signal for the burning to commence, and in every direction the flames arose.

sound the alarm, caused the signal to be prematurely given. Had the savages been allowed a little more time to perfect their plans, many morq homesteads would have been invested, and would have shared a common fate.

List Of Those Whose Buildings Were Burned

Thirty-two houses, besides barns, two mills, and other buildings, were burned. As near as can now be ascertained, about the same number of houses remained standing.

Hubbard, minister at Ipswich, who wrote an account of the event two years afterward, says that " near half the town was burnt " ; also that " generally, when out-houses were burnt, the cattle were burnt also. A poor old man of near a hundred years old was burnt in one of the houses. Two mills were burnt," and "forty or fifty houses and barns."

There were several garrison houses or forts in the town. One is said to have been on Main Street, where Bradford Curtis now lives. Another was in the easterly part, near the termination of Foundry Street, remains of which are still plainly visible. There was one also on the west side, near Boggestow Pond, built by mne men in that vicinity.

Besides these is tradition of one on North Street, opposite the head of Dale Street, and another at the north end, on the estate owned by Lorenzo Harding.

Hubbard observes that "the loss sustained by mhabitants amounted to above two thousand pounds," but " that never a gainson house was lost in this surprisal, nor any of the principal dwellings, so as the chiefest and best of their buildings escaped the fury of the enemy."

List Of Those Who Were Killed

Elisabeth Smith, killed near the junction of South and Pound Streets, while fleeing with her infant child to the garrison. The child, left for dead, recovered.

only wounded, and some taken alive and carried off captives ; in some houses the husband running away with one child, the wife with another, of whom the one was killed, the other escaped. There were slain and mortally wounded seventeen or eighteen persons, besides others dangerously hurt."

As soon as the people were aroused to the perils which threatened, the cannon was fired as a signal to Dedham. After the second firing of this "greate gune," a panic seized the Indians; and they hastily retreated across the bridge over Charles River, setting the bridge on fire at one end to hinder our soldiers from pursuing them. Upon a hill west of the river, in full view of the smoking ruins, they roasted an ox, and held a savage feast. We know too well what such a feast often meant to the poor captives that had fallen into their hands, but we have no record of any such horrid barbarities being practised in this case.

Know by this paper that the Indians that thou hast provoked to wrath and anger will war these twenty-one years, if you will. There are many Indians yett. We come three hundred at this time. You must consider that the Indians loose nothing but their lives, you must loose your fair houses and cattle.

^This notice is supposed to have been the work of an Indian called James-the-printer. He had been taken when a child, and educated. Afterward, he was apprenticed to the printer's trade. When Philip's war commenced, he ran away from his employer, and joined the enemy to fight against the English. He afterward returned, and was pardoned.

No buildings were burned east of the meeting-house nearer than Benjamin Clark's, opposite the corner of Main and Pound Streets. On the south side of the village, two houses were burned between Pound and Philip Streets. All the houses on Bridge Street, and two on the road to Harbor Island, were destroyed. The house of Joseph Allen, near

Castle Hill, was set on fire, but was not consumed. All the other houses in that neighborhood were burned. On the west side of the river, Abraham Harding had raised a new house, said to have been the first frame-house on that side. The Indians passed farther north on their way to and from the bridge, and the new house escaped.

Isaac Chenery, one of the earliest settlers in this town, had removed, and lived at this time within the bounds of Dedham, near Medfield line, at the extremity of what is now Foundry Street. There is a tradition that, having seen the Indians lurking about his place, he took his wife and children in the darkness of the night, and secreted them under a great rock at some 'distance from his house. Coming back alone about the break of day, he saw the savages preparing to fire his buildings. He moved forward, and, beckoning to imaginary soldiers behind him, shouted, " Come on, boys, there they are ! " which so alarmed the Indians that they fled ; and his house and barn were saved.

in a hurry hast : you may please to understand that on the 2* day morning early, we were beset w'"" Indians a greate number to our amazement although we had considerable watches : I thinke about halfe the towne is fired : many wounded, severall slayne, after we had fyred : our greate gun twice for to warne dedham of our danger & anoth' it startled the Indians, at last after much spoyle y^ ran over the bridge, fired it as yy left it, ran to sherborne fired the rounds, we hope George fairbanks pallisade y' safe, w* the rest we know not are not w'hout an expectation of the tomorrow morning, it is thought y^ lay the way at dedham rode by those y' came fr° theure this night to se how it was w* us, so y* dedham is not w"'out greate danger ; y' is greate neede of helpe suddenly to keepe our town, or to follow them if quite gone. 2 mills burnt marched from Boston to Medfield, February 22, with sixtyfour men. Thence, leaving one of his men here sick, he went on to Marlborough. Of the two mills referred to, one was that of Henry Adams : the other was probably on Boggestow Brook.

Drake, in the Book of the Indians, says that the assault on Medfield was made under the command of Monaco, or " one-eyed John," as he was called. Hubbard relates that soon after this Monaco made a boast at Groton that he had burned Lancaster and Medfield, was then burning Groton, and that he would next burn Chelmsford, Concord, Watertown, Cambridge, Roxbury, and Boston ; adding, " What me will, me do." He did no't carry out his programme entirely, being taken prisoner and carried to Boston, where he was hanged on the 26th of the following September. The total destruction of property here by the assault has been estimated at ^9,000. The loss of life included several esteemed citizens; among them, two, Henry Adams and Timothy Dwight, who had been prominent in all town affairs from the year of its settlement.

As for other expenses several ways to the most of the soldiery at several times, sometimes 3 score, 4 score, I shall not insist on, but humble hand it to the wisdom of the honored Court.

savages roamed over the country in various directions, burning buildings and murdering the whites wherever opportunity offered. To suppress these marauders, a fresh force of horse and foot was sent out by the Governor and Council, April 27. On the 6th of May, it is said that the savages attempted to take the " stone house " or garrison, near Boggestow Pond. The soldiers, together with the friendly Indians of Natick, gave them such a repulse in that locality that they did not dare to risk another battle ; though it is said that, after the soldiers returned to their quarters at Medfield, they saw two hundred fires in the night. But they were never able afterward to engage them in battle. The weather at that season being very rainy, our men were unable to pursue the enemy ; and, a severe epidemic cold then prevailing through the country, the soldiers were released from duty on the lOth of May.

July 25, a party of men from Dedham and Medfield, assisted by a few friendly Indians, fought a decisive battle with Pomham and his braves in the woods some miles southward of this place. Pomham was the sachem of Shaomet (Warwick, R.I.), and was, next to Philip, the most dreaded of the chiefs. Most of his band were killed or made prisoners ; but he, refusing to be taken alive, was slain, raging like a wild beast. It is related of him that his strength and courage were so great that, " after he had been mortally wounded, so as himself could not stand, yet, catching hold of an Englishman that by accident came near him, he had done him mischief, if he had not been presently rescued by one of his fellows." On this occasion, fifteen Indians were killed, and thirty-five taken prisoners. Considerable plunder was also taken, including twelve pounds of powder which the prisoners said they had received from Albany two days before.

Through the summer, the war went on. Many of Philip's men were killed, and he began to be reduced to great straits. One of his followers suggested that he make peace.

This SO enraged Philip that he killed the Indian who made the suggestion. That Indian had a brother who instantly resolved to be avenged ; and he joined the whites, offering to lead them to the chieftain's retreat. Captain Church had captured Philip's wife and child, and they were sold into slavery in the Bermudas. August 12, the swamp where Philip had concealed himself was surrounded. He endeavored to escape; but the Indian whose brother Philip had killed sent a bullet through his heart, and, cutting off his head, bore it in triumph to Plymouth.

During the autumn, small scouting parties scoured the woods in every direction, to discover, if possible, any lurking bands of savages. Several Medfield men engaged in this service, and hunted the enemy in the neighborhood of Seekonk and Rehoboth.

These are to offer for your honorable information that upon investigation given unto us by our Captain George Barber, and out of a design to serve the country on our own charges and adventure wee last weeke went out in search of a band of the enemy whose track was found and in our search discovered five persons of the enemy, four of whom were armed, two of which enemy we took prisoners : and now humbly present to your honorables for compensation and liberty to dispose of and distribute the prize money among our fellow soldiers who are and ever will be a loyal soldiery to attend your honorable commands as are

During Philip's war, thirteen towns were wholly or partly destroyed, more than six hundred men were killed in battles, and a debt of half a million dollars was created. The destitution in the exposed towns was so great that the people of the Connecticut Colony sent a thousand bushels, of corn to be distributed for the relief of the needy in Massachusetts.

The only direct reference to the great event of the year is found in a vote directing "John Metcalf to carry to the General Court the town's address concerning our Lose by the Endien's Assalt on the 21-12, 1675." That address is not found in the archives at the State House. In the Colonial Records, September 6, we learn that a petition was received from the inhabitants of Medfield, which was referred to the October session. October 12, we have the following :-

The inhabitants of Medfield having petitioned, humbly craving the favor of the Court to consider their great losses by the Indian enemy the last spring, and abatement of their rates accordingly, it was ordered that Medfield be allowed toward their losses by the enemy the sum of

The town records show that John Pratt carried the " great gun " to Dedham. Sundry small grants of land were made, the south side of the old meeting-house was covered with shingles, and Eleazar Wheelock killed four wolves.