Thanksgiving is a special holiday for those of us with a New England background. It is a time when we give thanks for the many blessings that life has bestowed on us, just as it was for our ancestors. I think it is also appropriate to remember those who came before. The trials of an early New Englander, Thomas Dutton, Jr. are very revealing of what they suffered and had to be thankful for. King Philip's War, June 20, 1675 - April 12, 1678. Fought between the Indians who felt oppressed by English law and missionary efforts and the English who by 1660 had begun to produce their own food and develop commerce and fishing. About 500 settlers were captured or killed and between 10 and 20 towns were completly destroyed or abandoned. Thomas served during the war, and againt the Narragansetts, he was wounded in the swamp attack. He left a letter describing it: Bilerikye * this (1st) of 8th:(1678) To the honered governer & ye Rest of ye honered members of ye Generall Court now fitting in boston:this (2nd) 8th:1678 The petetion of Tho Dutton Junr: most humbley fheweth: thatt sum time in June :77: I was imprest into ye cuntrey ferves from Billeriky :& was first with fum others to the estward :under ye Command of the honered major clarke efq & the wise providence of ye allwise gov: so ordered yt I was in ye fattall feirmish: In which capt fwett: ye worthey comander: was flaine: and allmost all his offisers: with about 50 men besids &: 21 more yt were wounded [to my best Rememberance] of which my felf was one: I was fhott thurow the fide on my bilte: and thurow my Left knee & so ffell down wounded amongst ye rest not able to help my felf: I being of a child lame one my right thigh my hipp bone was putt out of Joynt and never sett againe fo yt I was now lame one both fides: besides ye fhott which went thurow my fide: as aforsed: I therefor hid my felf amongst ye bushes: not being able to ftand nor goe: the battell being over: the indians came forth out of ye fwamp and one of them espied me in a bush: and feing my gunn in my hand: aprehinded more danger ye there was: and fpake to the rest and they all ran away the which I perceiveing: with much deficoltie: crept into the fwamp and covered my felf with mudd & dirt: the Indians qicklie returned to the place to look for me: & fiered into the bush where the indian did fe me: & they fought diligentlye for me: but It pleased the lord: they coold nott find me: then in the night after all was ftill: I crept out of ye fwamp: towards the gareson about a mile & a halfe and whatt with my bleeding and great paine: I was not able to goe one rodd farther :it was the more deficolt for me to creep becase I was fhott thorow one of my knees :but there I laye doune & thought I must dye before morning but the lord who ordereth all things acording to ye counsill of his own will: fo ordered yt an other wounded foldier came bye me: in the night a letle before daye: and fo told my condetion to the Capt of the gareson: who fent forth men imediatelye: and found me: and brought me into the gareson who had much adoo to keep life in me: & I was fent by the first opertunitye to falem: where I came upon ye 2nd of July: from ye time till ye:28th: of Janeueray I Remained under ye hands of docter welds: as will appeare by his certeficate which I gave to ye honered counsell (2nd page) & I have sence that fpent fortie fhillings with other feirgens & it is not yett thorowly cured: and never like to have ye perfect use of my knee whilst I have days to live: & have binn able to doe butt letle these fiveteen months: my freinds are very poore: and not able to help me attall: I was alwayes brought up to husbandrey: & my fathers living upon rent: and his family vesited with ficknes & lamenes: untill he had fpent ye letle which he had: fum of ye honered members of this honered Court: know these things to be true: I fpeak with refferanc to my fathers povertye & my lamenes: foe yt I am in an evill case to gitt my living: but intend If pleas god to bless my indevers: to lern ye art of a fhuemaker: yt by fum honest means I may gitt a liveing: although I am now above :28: years of age: & I never received for all this time more ye :11sh: & :6d for those few dayes before I was wounded: now I besech your honers considder my case: I know nott whatt to doe: but I desire to trust in god: as also hope yt your honners of your grace will be pleased to bestow fum fmall matter upon me: as you have binn pleased to doe upon sum others in ye like case: although their case was not so badd as mine: further If your honners pleas to free me from training watching & warding: who being a poore mephibosheth lame one both my feet :much more mought a binn said: to fhew the mifferablenes of my condition: but I am laft to trouble your honners with more words then needs: I rest hopeing to find a comfortable answer: then fhall your fervant be dubley ablidged: to pray for your honners help & hapinis: as ye dutifull serevant: and most humble fupliant: Thomas Dutten iuner (signed) >From the notation at the end of the letter, it appears that the court allowed Thomas "fifteene pounds in Country pay..." He was also relieved of further military service. Massachusetts Archives, LXXIX:209-210 220 Morrissey Blvd. Boston, MA 02125 Transcribed from original by Robert E. Dutton