This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/4EB.2ACE/891.1 Message Board Post: Holland, Josiah Gilbert History of Western Massachusetts. The Counties of Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin & Berkshire Springfield, MA: Samuel Bowles & Company, 1855. Vol. I, 520 pp; Vol. II 619 pp, three parts. Call number 974.4, H71 Quoted from the Deerfield history, Vol II pp. 354 & 360, Outline History of Deerfield referred to by the author lists the following pages, transcribed here. See pages: Vol. 1, (transcription) Part 1 - pp. 84; 88 to 94; 135-6; 141-2; (transcription) Part 2 - pp. 148 to 157; 175-6 Surnames found in this transcription parts 1 & 2: Alexander, Alexander Jr., Allen, Alley, Allin, Allis, Amsden, Baker, Balch, Barnard, Barron, Barsham, Battis, Bayley, Beamont, Beers, Belding, Belding,* Bennett, Boltwood, Bridgman, Brooks Jr., Brooks, Brooks,* Broughton, Brown, Buckley, Burt, Button, Carter Jr.,* Carter, Carter,* Catlin, Chapin, Clarke, Clary, Clesson, Cluff, Cole. Corse Jr., Corse,* Crossman, Crowfoot, Crumpton, Denio, Dew, Dickinson, Dodge, Dudley, Dutch, Eastman, Everett, Farnell, Fearah, Fellows, Field Jr., Field, Foot, Foote, Frank,* a negro, Frary,* French Jr., French, French,* Friende, Gilbert, Gillet, Grainger Harriman, Harris, Hastings, Hawks Jr., Hawks, Hicks, Hinsdal, Hinsdale, Hinsdall, Hobs, Hoit Jr., Hoit, Homes, Hoyt, Hubbard, Hudson, Hurst, Hurst, Jr., Hurst,* Ingersol, Ingram, Jennings, Kellogg, Kilborne, Kimbal, King, Lambert, Lathrop, Levens, Litheate, Lyman, Manning, Marsh, Marshall, Mason, Mather, Mattoon, McCastreen, McIntosh, Menter, Merrik, Moseley, Mudge, Nims, Oates, Osph, Parthena, Parthena, (a negro) Person, Petty, Pitman, Plum, Plumer, Plympton, Pomeroy, Pomeroy,* Price, Richards, Rising, Root, Roper, Ropes, Rouville, Russell, Sadler, Scales, Severance, Shelden, Sheldon, Smead, Smeade, Smith, Stebbins Jr., Stebbins, Stevens, Stockwell, Stoddard, Swier, Traske, Treat, Tufts, Vaudreuil, Waite, Warner Jr.,* Warner, Waynwritt, Weller, Wellman, Wells, Weston, Whiting, Whitterridge, Willard, Williams Jr., Williams, Williams,* Wilson, Woodberry, Woolcott, Wright, *those who were killed before getting far from the town pp. 84; Chapter V. - King Philip's War. end of page 83 -Troops Come to the Rescue.- ...................The hunted chief was immediatley a gratified listener to the story of the massacre and the siege that had just transpired, and, to signify his approbation, he distrib- page 84 - Fight near Sugarloaf mountain uted, with royal munifience, a peck of unstrung wampum each, to three of the Mipmuck sagamores. But he was poorer in men than in treasure. He started from Mount Hope with 250 men. Some had left him, others were killed, and at that time only forty of his men stood around him. Philip acknowledged that if the English had fol- lowed him a day or two onger in the swamp, or even if he had been efficiently pursued when he left it, he must have been taken, as his ammunition was nearly exhausted. ....Major WILLARD and his force still remained at Brok- field, and had, in company with the auxillaries from Spring- field and the East, scoured the forests around without find- ing the enemy. The latter had fled Westward, towards the Connecticut. In consequence of this movement prob- ably, rather than from any specific suspicion of the inten- tions of the Indians about Hadley, Captain BEERS and LATHROP, pushed on to that town, and there had, under their command, 180 men. At last they became suspicious that the Indians there were only waiting for an opportunity to join in the schemes of Philip, of whose arrival among the Pocomtuck Indians at Deerfield the event proved they were aware. These suspicious were based on the facts tat they asked for no lands on which to plant corn as usual. that one of them had said there would be war that possession of the settlers, with whom they had bee in trusted, that "they gave eleven triumphant shouts after the burning of Brookfield, as their manner was, "that two of Philips's Indians had been admitted into their fort, and va- rious other equally suggestive circumstances. HUBBARD says that thes Indians first professed enmity to Philip, and offered to assist in fighting him, and that their duplicity was discovered by some friendly Mohegan Indians, allies of the English. Accordingly, they were ordered to deliver up their arms. Intimating their readiness to do this, though after considerable manifest hesitation, they deferred the matter until night, when it being the 25th of August, they secretly left their fort, and fled up the river. Their flight was discovered and the next day BEERS and LATHROP pursued them. Coming up with the fugitives near the base of Surgarloaf Mountain, in what is now know as South Deerfield, they fired upon them, and a hot engagement [top of] pp 85 - Fall of Capt. Beers- followed, in which the Indians lost twent-six killed, and the English ten. The remainder fled, and made good their escape to Philip, and ceasing from the pursuit, LATHROP and BEERS returned to Hadley. The names of nine of the soldiers killed at Deerfield were as follow: William CLUFF, Azariah DICKINSON, James LEVENS, Richard FELLOWS, Samuel MASON, John PLUMER, Mathew SCALES, Mark PITMAN and Joseph PERSON. pp. 88 to 94; [bottom of] page 87- The Bloody Brook Tragedy. ...........................Capt. LATHROP himself was from Salem. Deerfield was distant from Hadley about fiteen miles, and all arrived at their destination without disturb- ance. There, after threshing the grain the baggage wagons were loaded, and on the 18th of September the party set out on their return. During all their opeartions at Deerfield, no Indians had been seen, and with but little misgiving the return-march was commenced. But they had been watched, and their march and mission known. Arriving nearly opposite Sugarloaf Mountain, and in not remote vicinity of the scene of the fight with the fugitive Indians of Hadley, their path lay across a stream, on page 88 - Massacre at Bloody Brook which the events of that day conferred the name of "Bloody Brook." The stream was then overshadowed with trees, over which the native grape had clambered, and from which it displayed its tempting clusters. This brook-sidw thicket, like that which had been the scene of the successful ambuscade at Northfield, afforded the best possible opportunity for the operations of the Indians, and here, to the overwhelming number of seven hundred, they planted themselves. No scout had been sent in advance to look for danger, and no danger was suspected. The company marched entirely or partly across the morass, and then halted, either for rest, or to watch the passage of the laboring teams. Here they paused, within the very jaws of death, and tradition says that the soldiers climbed the trees to feast themselves upon grapes. This tradition has been commemorated in a rude painting that hung in the dining room of the old "Pocomtuck House" at South Deerfield, many years ago. Those who are deemed sound authority, however, contradict the tradition, and attribute the climbing of the trees to the teamsters. Traditions of this character, on the very ground of the events they per- petuate, always have a basis. Whether soldiers or team- sters were thus careless or not, all had halted and all were off their guard. ....Now was the moment for the murderous host. The im- palcable Philip was dobtless with them, and his was probably the signal gun that brought from every bush, and brake, and sheltering tree, the firery shower. Among the English, all was dire confusion. Many fell dead at the first discharge, and leaping from their lurking places, the savages rushed upon them with terrible slaughter. The troops, borken by death an dbroken by surprise scattered in all directions. Capt. LATHROP fell early, but, following his professed tactics - to fight Indians in their own way - the remainder of his men took each his tree, and resolved to sell his life at the dearest rate. One after another the In- dians fell beneath their unerring aim, and one after another themselves dropped away, each man the aim of a dozen Indian marksmen. But the contest was decided, and such of the English as could flee, fled. The wounded were coldy butchered, and there, as the result of the terrible massacre, lay ninety men, soldiers and teamsters, still warm page 89 with the boyant life that was theirs but an hour before, in the ghastly sleep of death. Only seven or eight of their companions escaped. The roar of the musketry rolled across the silent woods, and reached the ears of the garri- son at Deerfield. The valiant Capt. MOSELEY, with his little company, was immediately on the march for the scene of action, but when he arrived, the struggle was over, and the savages were engaged in stripping the dead. The whole body of Indians were together and in a position most favorable for Capt. MOSELEY's attack, which com- menced with a spirited and splendid charge. In compact order they cut their way through the enemy, inflicitng ter- rible slaughter on every side. Rapid in movement, and alsways together, they charged back and forth, until the savage host sought safety in flight. Reaching a swamp near by, they ralied again, and the action went on for sev- eral hours. But the ammunition of the Indians becoming exhausted, they retreated, and left the gallant hand of English, masters of the field. It is not unlikely that the arrival of Major TREAT from Hadley, with a hundred men, had its part in determining the savages to fly, for the rein- forcement fell immediately in with the final pursuit. The loss of the Indians wa estimated at ninety-six and the large majority of these must have been slain by Capt. Peter BARRON and John OATES. It was a gallant exploit, and a befitting revenge for the most terrible massacre of whites furnished by the annals of New England. .....The shades of evening began to fall upon the bloody field, and fancy only can call up the feelings pf the tired soldiers as they repaired to the spot where their old com- panions in arms, and in the social circle, lay reposing in a bloody death, their brows gashed with the tomahawk, their hearts' blood steeping the ground, and their ghastly faces looking still more shastly in the dim light that fell through the trees. A silent farewell taken of the murdered sleep- ers, TREAT and MOSELEY, with their men, proceeded to Deer- field. The command of Major TREAT was composed partly of Mohegan and Pequot Indians, and all slept in the Deer- files garrison that night. In the morning, they returned to the scene of the previous day's action, but before they arrived, a few Indians were on the ground, engaged in page 90 stipping the slain. These fled, at the approach of the soldiers, and the latter proceeded to the melancholy task of burying the dead. While about this work, on Robert DUTCH, of Ipswich, who was left for dead by both whites and Indians on the previous day, and from whose person every garment had been stripped, rose from the ground, his head and face covered with contusions and blood, and walked up to the soldiers, "to their no small amazement." He was then clothed, probabley fromt he bodies of his dead companions, subsequently taken back to the garrison, and survived his supposed death for several years. HUBBARD, in the religious spirit of his time, gives him this apostro- phe: "May he be to the friends and relations of the rest of the slain an emblem of their more perfect resurrection at the last day, to recieve their crown among the rest of the martyrs that have laid down and ventured their lives, as a testimony to the truth of their religion, as well as love to their country." ....The same old writer, to whom almost every subsequent historian has been indebted for the leading facts connected with this terrible affair, takes occasion to bestow no incon- siderable degree of blame upon LATHROP, and a propor- tionate degree of praise upon MOSELEY. So far as LATHROP was careless, and it is indisputable that he was so, he was undoubtedly in the blame. But HUBBARD discusses the relative merits of the military policy of the two command- ers. LATHROP's policy was to fight as the Indians fought- behind trees, and separately. To this policy the historian attributes the terrible slaughter that was made, on this occasion not only, but at the time LATHROP's action occurred with the fugitives from Hadley, near the same spot. MOSELEY's policy was that exhibited in his action - fighting in close order. The merits of the two systems are contrasted by the contrast of results. But it must by remembered that LATHROP's men, whatever may have been their action on the previous occasion alluded to, were on this, crippled at the first onset, and while the Indians were fully pre- pared for action they wer entirely unprepared. Capt. MOSELEY, on coming to the ground, was prepared, and the enemy, in the very excitement of victory, and engaged in their indignities upon the slain, in a measure off their guard. That MOSELY was the better soldier, is probable; page 91 - Celebration of the event and that his was the better system of policy, is more that likely; but censure applied to Capt. LATHROP for the scat- tering of his company at Bloody Brook, seems unjust, HOYT, who writes critically of the military operations of the times, is of this opinion, and Mr. HUBBARD's censure will find few indorsers. ....According to HOYT, the precise spot where the massacer occured was where the regular highway from South to Old Deerifeld crosses Bloody Brook. A rude monument was erected near the spot some time after the occurence, but time crumbled it, and nothing stood for many years to tell where fell the "Flower of Essex." But the residents of the locality could not always forget the precious blood in which their noble soil was baptized, and, accordingly, on the 30th of September, 1835, the inhabitants of Deerfield, Greenfield, Conway, Shelburne and Gill celebrated the anninversary of the sad event. A committee had previously been appointed to ascertain the precise spot, if possible, where in one grave Major TREAT and Capt. MOSELEY buried the slain. This committee were successful in attaining the object of their search. On digging down, the bones were found. They "were much decayed, or rather changed to terrene substances, still retaining their primitive forms, yet esily crumbled to dust by pressure of the fingers." The celebration of the day was signalized by the laying of the corner stone of a marble monument, and by an eloquent address by Hon. Edward EVERETT. The monument which rose upon this corner stone is twenty-six feet high, and has become a familiar object to passengers through the Con- necticut Valley. It stands a few rods North of the grave, on the East side of the road, and in the vicinity of the brook. Gen. HOYT of Deerfield, the able historian of the Indian wars, was present at the laying of the corner stone, and made a brief address. It was well that one whose name will always be honorably associated with the Indian history of the Valley should be a spectator of, and an active participant in , the occasion. The scene presented on the day of celebration was one of great interest. People flocked in from all the towns around, and many came from a great distance, to be witnesses of the ceremonials. But the red men were not there - the forest had passed away, and peace happiiness, plenty and security reigned on every page 92 hand. It was not marvelous that the orator, seeing and feeling the charge, and recalling the memory of those brave men who won with blood the pleasant fields around, and planted with noble toil the institutions enjoyed by their successors, should, in his rapt peroation, have exclaimed: - - "Oh, that we could call them back to see the work of their hands! Oh, that our poor strains of gratitude could penetrate their tombs! Oh, that we could quicken into renewed con- sciousness the brave and precious dust that moulders beneath our feet! Oh, that they could rise up in the midst of us - the hopeful, the valiant, the self-devoted - and graciously accept these humble offices of commemoration! But, though they tasted not the fruit, they shall not loose the praise of their sac- rifice and toils. I read in your eyes that they shall not be de- frauded of the renown. This might concourse bears wit- ness to the emotions of a grateful posterity. You simple monument shall rise, a renewed memorial of their names. On this sacred spot, where the young, the brave, the patriotic, poured out their life-blood in defense of the heritage which has descended to us, we this day solemnly bring our tribute of gratitude. Ages shall pass away; the majestic tree which overshadows us shall wither and sink before the blast, and we who are now gathered beneath it shall mingle with the hon- ored dust we eulogize; but the "Flower of Essex" shall bloom in undying remembrance; and with every century these rites of commemoration shall be repeated, as the lapse of time shall continually develop, in richer abundance, the fruits of what was done and suffered by our fathers." ....The following is the inscription upon the tablet of the monument at Bloody Brook: - -"On the ground, Capt. THOMAS LATHROP and eight men under his command, including eighteen teamsters from Deerfield, conveying stores from that town to Hadley, were ambushed by about 700 Indians, and the captain and seventy- six men slain, September 18th, 1675, (old style.) - -"The soldiers who fell were described by a cotemporary historian as a choice comapny of young men, the very flower of the County of Essex, none of whom were ashamed to speak with the enemy in the gate." - -'And Sanguinetto tells you were the dead - -Made the earth wet, and turned the unwilling waters red.' - -"The grave of the slain is marked by a stone slab, 21 rods - -South of this monument." page 93 ....Above the inscription are engraved the following words: "Erected, August 1838." The slab referred to in the in- scripton bears the simple memorial: "Grave of Capt. LATHROP and men slain by the Indians, 1675." It is, per- haps, a little singualr, that only about sixty of the names of those slain have been preserved in the archives of the State, and that Dr. Increase MATHER speaks of the burial of "about sixty persons in one grave." This, in connec- tion with the fact that som large a numberas ninety men were slain, seventy-six of whom were soldiers, is a remark- able coincidence. It would seem not improbable that the teamsters who were residents of the region were taken home for burial, and a portion of the soldiers transported to adjacent plantations. This, however, is conjecture. The names of the slain, as recorded, are as follow:-- ....Capt. Thomas Laythrop, Sergeant Thomas Smith, Samuel Stevens, John Hobs, Ipswich; Daniel Button, Salem; John Harriman, Thomas Bayley, Ezekiel Swier, Salem; Jacob Kilborne, Thomas Manning, Ipswich; Jacob Waynwritt, Ipswich; Benjamin Roper do.; John Bennett, Manchester; Thomas Menter, Caleb Kimbal, Ipswich; Thomas Hobs, Ipswich; Robert Homes, Edward Traske, Salem; Richard Lambert, Salem; Josiah Dodge, Beverly; Peter Woodberry, Beverly; Joseph Balch, Beverly; Samuel Whitterridge, Ipswich; William Dew, Sergeant Samuel Stevens, Samuel Crumpton, John Plum, Thomas Buckley, Salem; George Ropes, Salem; Joseph King, Thomas Alexander, Francis Friende, Abel Osph, John Litheate, Samuel Hudson, Adam Clarke, Ephriam Fearah, Robert Wilson, Salem; Stephen Wellman, Salem; Benjamin Farnell, Solomon Alley, Lynn; John Merrik, Robert Hinsdall, Samuel Hinsdal, Barnabas Hinsdall, John Hinsdall, Joseph Gilbert, John Allin, Manchester; Joshua Carter, Manchester; John Barnard, James Tufts, Salem; Jonathan Plympton, Philip Barsham, Thomas Weller, William Smeade, Zebediah Williams, Eliakim Marshall, James Mudge, George Cole. .....These names mis-spelt in many instances, and clumsily arranged, are the only record we have of those who thus laid down their lives in the service of the early plantations of the Connecticut Valley. Capt. LATHROP was one of the early settlers of the colony, and was sixty-five years old page 94 - Disafection of Connecticut when he died. His wife was one of the "eight persons made widows" by the massacre, but he left no children. pp. 135-6; Chapter VII - New Indian Difficulties, and Their Close. page 135 - Captures at Deerfield - Captives taken to Canada. 2nd paragraph... ....At this time, the people of Deerfield were preparing for Winter by re-building their houses. The Indians, with their captives, proceeded as far as Deerfield before night, and hilted in the woods East of the town. At about sunset, they entered the place, and John ROOT, one of four men who undertook to escape into a swamp, was taken and put to death. They then captured Serjeant John PLYMPTON, Wuentin STOCKWELL and Benoni STEBBINS, and joining them with the company of Hatfield captives, pushed on about three miles, and halted for the night. Crossing the Connecticut twice during the next day's march, they spent the second night at Northfield, West meadow. Pursuing the march Northward, they re-crossed the river, thus be- traying apprehensions of pursuit, bu that not appearing, they halted at about thirty miles above Northfield, built a shelter for themselves, and remained some time. to await the coming of a body of women and children, for who a detachment was sent to Wachuset Mountain. Benoni STEBBINS was detailed from the captives to accompany this expedition, and during its progress, managed to escape. About eight women and children arrived at last, and, after a halt to allow them rest, the wjole party pushed Northward. After a cold and weary pilgimage, the pris- oners themselves being subjected to frequent indignities and great hardships, all arrived at Sorel, a small French garrison in Canada, Sergeant PLYMPTON of Deerfield, how- ever, having been burnt at the stake near Chamblee, and his fellow captive, Dickinson of Hatfield, having been obliged to lead him to his terrible death. ....The distress of those in Deerfield and Hatfield, thus be- reft of neighbors, companions and children, was naturally intense. At last, by some means, they ascertained the des- tination of the captives, and Benjamin WAITE and Stephen JENNINGS, whose wives were among them, conceived the idea of reclaiming them. Accordingly, provided with a commission from the Governor of Massachusetts, they started, among the last days of October, on their tedious and hazardous expedition. They went to Albany, and page 136 - The Captives reclaimed - peace - Further Indian Troubles. after escaping from troubles which the jealousy of the Dutch brought upon them, placed temselves under an In- dian guide. They proceeded with great difficulty, up the Hudson, through Lake George, and down Lake Champlain, until, late in December, they arrived at Chamblee, a small French settlement. They found hat Mrs. Jennings and four other captives had been pawned to the French for liquor, at Sorel, while the remainder of the captives were among the Indians not far distant. Unable to secure all the captives without the assistance of the French authori- ties, they then pushed on for Quebec, and succeeded,at last, in getting the captives that survived, together, by the payment to the Indians of £200. The progress homeward was not undertaken until Spring, and was necessarily slow, but on the 22d of May, Quentin STOCKWELL wrote a letter from Albany, announcing to this wife his return to that point, and the safety of all the captives save PLYMPTON, Philip RUSSELL's child, and a daughter of Mrs. FOOTE. On the 23d, he wrote again urging his friends to come on and meet the party, and to "stay not for the Sabbath or shoeing of horses." The summons was promptly answered, by the captives had progressed as far as Westfield when they were met. The passage home was little else than a tri- umphal procession. Every plantation shared in the joy, and an enthusiastic participant in the general rejoicing, in writing to the Governor a statement of their return, ac- knowledged the insanity of pleasure which possessed him. ....It was but a few days after the attacks upon Hatfield and Deerfield, just related, that aparty of Indians attacked the mill at Hadley, but it was bravely defended, and they withdrew. From these repeated attacks, the settlers at Deerfield became discouraged, and again forsook their plantation, but their troubles for the time were over. In the latter part of 1677, the Indians indicated their readi- ness to make peace, and a Commission convened at North- amtpon for the purpose of treating with them. Major TREAT of Connecticut, accompanied by a guard of forty men,went up to join in the treaty. The Indians were promised protection and the enjoyment, unmolested, of such lands as they shoule re-occupy, provided they would become, and remain, subject to the English Government, and deliver up their English captives. The conference page 137 Failue of the conference. amounted to but little besides the delivery of a few cap- tives. The Indians could not humilate themselves, upon the scene of their old homes and hunting grounds, to the sway of their conquerors, and so departed. pp. 141-2; Chapter VIII - Peace- The Courts- King William's War Witch- craft- General Matters of Interest page 141 - the Indians at Deerfield - [end of the page] ....No other important demonstrations were made in this region until the 6th of June, 1693, when the Indians en- tered Deerfield, then the Northern settlement, Northfield page 142 - still remaining unsettled, and breaking into the houses of a Mr. WELLS and a Mr BROUGHTON, killed and wounded eight persons. In the following October, Martin SMITH of that town was captured and taken to Canada. In the year 1694, a French and Indian force under McCASTREEN, made an attack upon the fort at Deerfield, but beyond killing Daniel SEVERANCE, a lad, in the meadows, and wounding John BEAMONT and Richard LYMAN in the garrison, were able to do no damage. On the 18th of August, 1695, while a party of settlers were traveling from Hatfield to Deerfield, they were fired upon by a party of Indians, in the South part of Deerfield meadow, and Joseph BARNARD received a mortal wound. In the Autumn of 1696, two residents of Deerfield, named GILLET and SMEAD, were surprised by Indians while out hunting, who succeeded in cap- turing GILLET, and then, entering Deerfield village, they killed the wife and three children of Daniel BELDING, and took him and two other children prisoners. While devoted Deerfield was thus suffering under its annual decimation, the operations of Count FRONTENAC were directed much more fatally against other points of settlement, West and East, and were thus continued, year after year. The peace proclaimed between England and France, while it checked the hostilities of the French, had no effect upon their Indians, or those stragglers in New England who had been in their employ. In the Summer of 1698, a party of Indians attacked a man and a number of boys in Hatfield meadow, killing the man and one boy, and taking two boys prisoners. Taking the prisoners into their canoes, they paddled up the river. They were interceptied, when they had proceeeded about twenty miles, by a pursuing force, and both lads were rescued, though at the expense of the life of Nathaniel POMEROY - one of their deliverers. During a portion of these troublesom years, Connecticut kept a company of troops at Deerfield, and her gallant and liberal policy during this time, and, in fact, during the whole of Philip's War, is a matter to be gratefully remem- bered by every citizen of Massachusetts, and particularly by those of them who dwell upon the Connecticut. ....It is a notable fact, and one not at all difficult of ex- planation on philosophical principles, that during the con- tinuance of Philip's War, nothing was heard of witchcraft.