N00725:143
Decennium luctuosum. An history of remarkable occurrences, in the long war, which New-England hath had with the Indian savages, from the year, 1688. To the year 1698. / Faithfully composed and improved. ; [One line of quotation in Latin]
printed by B. Green for Samuel Phillips, 1699
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Ebenezer Bapson, about midsummer, in the Year, 1692. with the rest of his Family, almost every Night heard a Noise, as if persons were going and running about his House. But one Night being abroad late, at his Return home, he saw Two men come out of his Door, and run from the end of the House into the Corn. But those of the Family told him, there had been no person at all there; where upon he got his Gun, and went out in pursuit after them, and coming a little Distance from the House, he saw the Two men start up from behind a Log, and run into a little Swamp, saying to each other, ⟨p. 105⟩The man of the House is Come, now Else we might have taken the House. So, he heard, nor saw, no more of them. Upon this, the whole Family got up, and went with all speed, to a Garrison near by; and being just got into the Garrison, they heard men Stamping round the Garrison. Whereupon Bapson took his Gun, and ran out, and saw Two men again Running down an Hill into a Swamp. The next Night but one, the said Bapson going toward a fresh Meadow, saw Two men, which looked like French men, one of them having a Bright Gun upon his Back, and both running a great pace towards him, which caused him to make the best of his way to the Garrison, where being come several heard a Noise, as if men were Stamping and Running, not far from the Garrison. Within a Night or two after this, the persons in the Garrison, heard a Noise, as if men were throwing Stones against the Barn. Not long after this, Bapson, with John […], saw Three men, about a Gunshot off the Garrison, which they endeavoured to Shoot at, but were disappointed by their Running to and fro, from the Corn into the Bushes. They were seen Two or Three Nights together; but though the abovesaid strove to shoot at them, they could never attain it. On July. 14. Bapson, and Bro••, with the rest of the men in the Garrison, ⟨p. 106⟩saw within Gun-shot, half a dozen men whereupon all the men, but one, made Hast out of the Garrison, marching towards them▪ Bapson presently overtook two of them, which run out of the Bushes, and coming close to them, he presented his Gun at them, and his Gun missing Fire, the Two men Returned into the Bushes. Bapson then called unto the other persons, which were on the other side of the Swamp, and upon his call, they made Answer, Here they are! Here they are!
EBenezer Bapson, about midsummer, in the Year, 1692. with the rest of his Family, almost every Night heard a Noise, as if persons were going and runing about his House. But one Night being abroad late, at his Return home, he saw Two men come out of his Door, and run from the end of the House into the Corn. But those of the Family told him, there had been no person at all there; where upon he got his Gun, and went out in pursuit after them, and coming a little Distance from the House, he saw the Two men start up from behind a Log, and run into a little Swamp, saying to each other, ⟨p. 105⟩The man of the House is Come, now Else we might have taken the House. So, he heard, nor saw, no more of them. Upon this, the whole Family got up, and went with all speed, to a Garrison near by; and being just got into the Garrison, they heard men Stamping round the Garrison. Whereupon Bapson took his Gun, and ran out, and saw Two men again Runing down an Hill into a Swamp. The next Night but one, the said Bapson going toward a fresh Meadow, saw Two men, which looked like French men, one of them having a Bright Gun upon his Back, and both runing a great pace towards him, which caused him to make the best of his way to the Garrison, where being come several heard a Noise, as if men were Stamping and Running, not far from the Garrison. Within a Night or two after this, the persons in the Garrison, heard a Noise, as if men were throwing Stones against the Barn. Not long after this, Bapson, with John 〈…〉, saw Three men, about a Gunshot off the Garrison, which they endeavoured to Shoot at, but were disappointed by their Running to and fro, from the Corn into the Bushes. They were seen Two or Three Nights together; but though the abovesaid strove to shoot at them, they could never attain it. On July. 14. Bapson, and Bro••, with the rest of the men in the Garrison, ⟨p. 106⟩saw within Gun-shot, half a dozen men wher••pon all the men, but one, made Hast out of the Garrison, marching towards them▪ Bapson presently overtook two of them, which run out of the Bushes, and coming close to them, he presented his Gun at them, and his Gun missing Fire, the Two men Returned into the Bushes. Bapson then called unto the other persons, which were on the other side of the Swamp, and upon his call, they made Answer, Here they are! Here they are!
Bapson then running to meet them, Saw Three men walk softly out of the Swamp by each others Side; the middlemost having on a white Wast coat. So, being within Two or Three Rod of them, he Shot, and as soon as his Gun was off, they all fell down. Bapson then running to his supposed prey, cried out unto his Companions, whom he heard on the other side of the Swamp, and said, He had killed Three! He had killed Three! But coming almost unto them, they all rose up, and one of them Shot at him, and hearing the Bullet whizz by him, he ran behind a Tree, and Loaded his Gun; and seeing them lye behind a Log, he crept toward them again, telling his Companions, they were here! So, his Companions came up to him, and they all Ran directly to the Log, with all speed; but before they got thither, they saw them start up, and run every man his way; One of them run into the Corn, whom they pursued, and ⟨p. 107⟩hemmed in; and Bapson seeing him coming toward himself, Shot at him, as he was getting over the Fence, and saw him fall off the Fence on the Ground, but when he came to the Spot, he could no• find him. So they all searched the Corn; and as they were searching; they heard a great Discoursing in the Swamp, but could not understand what they said; for they spoke in an unknown Tongue. Afterwards, looking out from the Garrison, they saw several men Skulking among the Corn, and Bushes, but could not have a Shot at them. The next morning, just at Day break, they saw one man come out of the Swamp, not far from the Garrison, and stand close up against the Fence, within Gun-shot. Whereupon Isaac Prince, with a long Gun, shot at him with Swan-shot, and in a moment he was gone out of sight, they saw him no more. Upon this, Bapson went, to carry News to the Harbour; and being about Half a mile in his way thither, he heard a Gun go off, and heard a Bullet whizz close by his Ear, which Cut off a Pine bush just by him, and the Bullet lodged in an Hemlock Tree. Then looking about, he saw Four men Running towards him, one with a Gun in his Hand, and the other with Guns on their Shoulders. So he ran into the Bushes, and turning about, shot at them, and then ran away, & saw them no more. About Six men returned ⟨p. 108⟩from the Harbour with him, searching the woods as they went;
Bapson then running to meet them, Saw Three men walk softly out of the Swamp by each others Side; the middlemost having on a white Wast coat. So, being within Two or Three Rod of them, he Shot, and as soon as his Gun was off, they all fell down. Bapson then running to his supposed prey, cryed out unto his Companions, whom he heard on the other side of the Swamp, and said, He had kill'd Three! He had kill'd Three! But coming almost unto them, they all rose up, and one of them Shot at him, and hearing the Bullet whyss by him, he ran behind a Tree, and Loaded his Gun; and seeing them lye behind a Log, he crept toward them again, telling his Companions, they were here! So, his Companions came up to him, and they all Ran directly to the Log, with all speed; but before they got thither, they saw them start up, and run every man his way; One of them run into the Corn, whom they pursued, and
and they saw, where the Bullet had cut off the Pine-bush, and where it was lodged in the Hemlock Tree, and they took the Bullet out, which is still to be seen. When they were come to the Garrison, they went to look for the Tracks of the Strange men, that had been seen, and saw several Tracks; and whilst they were looking on them, they saw one, which looked like an Indian, having on a Blue coat, and his Hair Tied up behind, Standing by a Tree, and looking on them. But as soon as they spake to each other, he ran into a Swamp, and they after him, and one of them shot at him; but to no purpose. One of them also saw another, which looked like a French man, but they quickly lost the sight of him. July 15. Ezekiel Day, being in Company with several others, who were ordered to Scout the woods, when they came to a certain Fresh Meadow, two miles from any House, at some Distance from the said Meadow, he saw a man, which he apprehended to be an Indian, clothed in Blue; and as soon as he saw him start up and run away, he shot at him; whereupon he saw another rise up a little way off, who also run with speed; which together with the former, were quickly out of sight; and though himself, together with his Companions, diligently ⟨p. 109⟩sought after them, they could not find them. The same Day, John Hammond, with several other persons, Scouting in the woods, saw another of these Strange men, having on a blue Shirt, and white Breeches, and something about his Head; but could not overtake him. July 17. Three or Four of these Unaccountable Troublers, came near the Garrison; but they could not get a shot at them. Richard Dolliver, also, & Benjamin Ellary, creeping down an Hill, upon Discovery, saw several men come out of an Orchard, walking backward and forward, and striking with a flick upon John Row's Deserted House, (the Noise of which, was heard by others at a Considerable Distance;) Ell•ry counting them, to be Eleven in all; Dolliver Shot at the midst of them, where they stood Thickest, and immediately they dispersed themselves, and were quickly gone out of sight. July 18. Which was the Time, that Major Appleton sent about Sixty men, from Ipswich, for the Towns Assistance, under these inexplicable Alarms, which they had suffered Night & Day, for about a Fortnight together;
and they saw, where the Bullet had cut off the Pine-bush, and where it was lodg'd in the Hemlock Tree, and they took the Bullet out, which is still to be seen. When they were come to the Garrison, they went to look for the Tracks of the Strange men, that had been seen, and saw several Tracks; and whilst they were looking on them, they saw one, which look'd like an Indian, having on a Blue coat, and his Hair Ty'd up behind, Standing by a Tree, and looking on them. But as soon as they spake to each other, he ran into a Swamp, and they after him, and one of them shot at him; but to no purpose. One of them also saw another, which look'd like a French man, but they quickly lost the sight of him. July 15. Ezekiel Day, being in Company with several others, who were ordered to Scout the woods, when they came to a certain Fresh Meadow, two miles from any House, at some Distance from the said Meadow, he saw a man, which he apprehended to be an Indian, cloathed in Blue; and as soon as he saw him start up and run away, he shot at him; whereupon he saw another rise up a little way off, who also run with speed; which together with the former, were quickly out of sight; and though himself, together with his Companions, diligently
John Day testifies, that he went in Company with Ipswich and Gloucester Forces, to a Garrison, about Two miles and an Half, from the Town; and News being brought in, that Guns went off, in a Swamp not far from the Garrison, some of the men, with himself, ran to discover what they ⟨p. 110⟩could; and when he came to the Head of the Swamp, he saw a man with a Blue Shirt, and bushy black Hair, run out of the Swamp, and into the Woods; he ran after him, with all speed, and came several Times within shot of him; but the woods being Thick, he could not obtain his Design of Shooting him; at length, he was at once gone out of sight, and when afterwards, he went to look for his Track, he could find none, though it were a low miry place, that he ran over. About July 25. Bapson went into the Woods, after his Cattle, and saw Three men stand upon a point of Rocks, which looked toward the Sea. So he crept among the Bushes, till he came within Forty yards of them; and then presented his Gun at them, and S•ap't, but his Gun missed Fire; and so it did above a Dozen Times, till they all Three came up towards him, walking a slow pace, one of them having a Gun upon his Back. Nor did they take any more Notice of him, than just to give him a Look; though he snapped his Gun at them, all the while they walked toward him, and by him; neither did they quicken their pace at all, but went into a p••cel of Bushes▪ and he saw them no more. When he came home, he snapped his Gun several Times, sometimes with but a few Corns of Powder and yet it did not once miss Fire. After this, there occurred several ⟨p. 111⟩Strange Things; but now concluding they were but Spectres, they took little further Notice of them. [Several other Testimonies, all to the same Effect, with the Foregoing, my Friend has added, which for brevity I omit; and only add, The most considerable of these passages, were afterward Sworn, before one of Their Majesties Council.] Reverend and truly Honoured Sir, According to your Request, I have Collected a brief Account of the Occurrences, remarked in our Town, the last year. Some of them are very Admirable Things, and yet no less True than Strange, if we may Believe the Assertions of Credible persons. Tho' because of Great Hast, it is a rough Draught, yet there is nothing written, but what the persons mentioned, would, if duly called, confirm the Truth of, by Oath.
I might have given you a larger Account; only several who Saw and Heard some of the most Remarkable things, are now beyond Sea. However, I hope, the Substance of what is written, will be enough to Satisfy all Rational Persons, that Gloucester was not Alarumed last Summer, for above a Fortnight together, by real French and Indians, but that the Devil and his Agents, were the cause of all the Molestation, which at this Time befell the Town; in the Name of whose Inhabitants, I would take ⟨p. 112⟩upon me, to Entreat your Earnest Prayers to the Father of Mercies, that those Apparitions may not prove, the sad Omens of some future, and more horrible Molestations to them. May 19. 1693. SIR, Your very Humble Servant, J. E.
I might have given you a larger Account; only several who Saw and Heard some of the most Remarkable things, are now beyond Sea. However, I hope, the Substance of what is written, will be enough to Satisfy all Rational Persons, that Glocester was not Alarumed last Summer, for above a Fortnight together, by real French and Indians, but that the Devil and his Agents, were the cause of all the Molestation, which at this Time befel the Town; in the Name of whose Inhabitants, I would take ⟨p. 112⟩upon me, to Entreat your Earnest Prayers to the Father of Mercies, that those Apparitions may not prove, the sad Omens of some future, and more horrible Molestations to them. May 19. 1693. SIR, Your very Humble Servant, J. E.
NOW, Reader, albeit that passage of the Sacred Story, 2 Chron. 20.22. The Lord set Ambushments against the Children of Ammon, Moa•, and Mount Seir, and they were Smitten: is by the best Expositors thus understood; That there was the Ministry of the Holy Angels wondrously Employed in this matter; the Angels in the Shape of Moabites and Ammonites, fell upon them of Mount Seir, and upon this apprehended provocation they then all fell upon one another, until the whole Army was destroyed: Nevertheless, I entirely refer it unto thy Judgment (without the least offer of my own,) whether, Satan did not now Set Ambushments against the Good People of Gloucester, with Daemons, in the Shape of Armed Indians and French-men appearing to considerable Numbers of the Inhabitants, and mutually Firing upon them, for the best part of a Month together. I know, the most Considerate Gentlemen in the Neighbourhood, unto this Day, Believe this whole matter to have been a Prodigious piece of the Strange Descent from the ⟨p. 113⟩Invisible World, then made upon other parts of the Country. And the publication of this Prodigy among other Wonders of the Invisible World among us, ha's been Delayed until Now, that so the Opinion of our most considerate Gentlemen about it, might have Time for a thorough ••• coction: and that the Gentlemen of the Order of St. Thomas, may have no […] against it. But, be it what it will, they are not a few profane Squibs from the Sons of the Extravagant Bekker, that will be a fit Explication, for Things thus Attested, and so very Marvellous.
NOW, Reader, albeit that passage of the Sacred Story, 2 Chron. 20.22. The Lord set Ambushments against the Children of Ammon, Moa•, and Mount Seir, and they were Smitten: is by the best Expositors thus understood; That there was the Ministry of the Holy Angels wondrously Employ'd in this matter; the Angels in the Shape of Mo•bites and Ammonites, fell upon them of Mount Seir, and upon this apprehended provocation they then all fell upon one another, until the whole Army was destroyed: Nevertheless, I entirely refer it unto thy Judgment (without the least offer of my own,) whether, Satan did not now Set Ambushments against the Good People of Glocester, with Daemons, in the Shape of Armed Indians and French-men appearing to considerable Numbers of the Inhabitants, and mutually Firing upon them, for the best part of a Month together. I know, the most Considerate Gentlemen in the Neighbourhood, unto this Day, Believe this whole matter to have been a Prodigious piece of the Strange Descent from the
IN the year, 1693. His Excellency sent away Captain Convers, to draw off the fittest of the Officers and Soldiers, quartered in the East, for a March, and causing about Three Hundred and Fifty more to be Levied, gave him, what he had merited above a year ago; even a Commission of Major and Commander in Chief over these Forces. While Major Convers was at Wells, hearing of some Indians, that were seen in the Woods, he Surprised them all, and finding that they had cut off a poor Family at Oyster River, he gave the chief of them, something of what they also had merited. Going to Pemaquid, ⟨p. 114⟩after some service there, they Sailed up Sheepscote River, & then marched through the Woods to Taconet ▪ which being Deserted by the Indians, they ranged through many other Woods; but could meet with none of their Enemies. Repairing then to Saco, they began another Fort, which was carried on by that worthy Gentleman Major Hook, and the truly commendable Captain Hill, and proved a matter of Good Consequence unto the Province. While these Things were doing, some time in July, the Straggling Indians did some Spoil, upon Quaboag, a remote Village, in the Road unto Connecticut; but Advice being dispatched unto the Towns upon Connecticut-River, a party immediately Sallied out after the Spoilers, and leaving their Horses at the Entrance of a Swamp, whither by their Track they had followed them, they come upon the Secure Adversary, and killed the most of them, and Recovered the Captives, with their Plunder; and Returning home, had some Reward for so brisk an Action.
IN the year, 1693. His Excellency sent away Captain Convers, to draw off the fittest of the Officers and Souldiers, quartered in the East, for a March, and causing about Three Hundred and Fifty more to be Levied, gave him, what he had merited above a year ago; even a Commission of Major and Commander in Chief over these Forces. While Major Convers was at Wells, hearing of some Indians, that were seen in the Woods, he Surprised them all, and finding that they had cut off a poor Family at Oyster River, he gave the chief of them, something of what they also had merited. Going to Pemmaquid, ⟨p. 114⟩after some service there, they Sailed up Sheepscote River, & then marched through the Woods to Taconet ▪ which being Deserted by the Indians, they ranged through many other Woods; but could meet with none of their Enemies. Repairing then to Saco, they began another Fort, which was carried on by that worthy Gentleman Major Hook, and the truly commendable Captain Hill, and proved a matter of Good Consequence unto the Province. While these Things were doing, some time in July, the Straggling Indians did some Spoil, upon Quaboag, a remote Village, in the Road unto Connecticut; but Advice being dispatch'd unto the Towns upon Connecticut-River, a party immediately Salley'd out after the Spoilers, and leaving their Horses at the Entrance of a Swamp, whither by their Track they had followed them, they come upon the Secure Adversary, and kill'd the most of them, and Recovered the Captives, with their Plunder; and Returning home, had some Reward for so brisk an Action.
But now, the Indians in the East, probably Disheartened by the Forts Erecting that were like to prove a sore Annoyance to them, in their Enterprises; and by the Fear of wanting Ammunition, with other Provisions, which the French were not so Able just now to dispense unto them; and by a presumption that an Army of Maqua's, [part of those Terrible Cannibals to the West-ward, ⟨p. 115⟩whereof 'tis affirmed by those who have published the Stories of their Travels among them, That they have destroyed no less than Two Mi••ion Salvages of other Nations about them▪ through their being Supplied with Fire-Arms •••ore Hundreds of other Nations, lying between them, & the River Meschasippi• ] was come into their Country, because they found some of their Squaw's killed upon a Whortle berry Plain; and all the Charms of the French Friar then Resident among them, could not hinder them, from Suing to the English for Peace. And the English, being so involved in Debts, that they Scarce knew how to prosecute the War any further; took some Notice of their Suit. Accordingly, a Peace was made, upon the Ensuing Articles.
But now, the Indians in the East, probably Disheartened by the Forts Erecting that were like to prove a sore Annoyance to them, in their Enterprizes; and by the Fear of wanting Ammunition, with other Provisions, which the French were not so Able just now to dispence unto them; and by a presumption that an Army of Maqua's, [part of those Terrible Cannibals to the West-ward, ⟨p. 115⟩whereof 'tis affirm'd by those who have published the Stories of their Travels among them, That they have destroy'd no less than Two Mi••ion Salvages of other Nations about them▪ through their being Supplyed with Fire-Arms •••ore Hundreds of other Nations, lying between them, & the River Meschasippi• ] was come into their Country, because they found some of their Squa's killed upon a Whortle berry Plain; and all the Charms of the French Fryar then Resident among them, could not hinder them, from Suing to the English for Peace. And the English, being so involved in Debts, that they Scarce knew how to prosecute the War any further; took some Notice of their Suit. Accordingly, a Peace was made, upon the Ensuing Articles.
Province of the Massachusetts•Bay in New-England. The Submission and Agreement of the Eastern Indians, at Fort William Henry in Pemaquid the 11th. day of August, in the Fifth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord and Lady, William and Mary, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King and Queen, Defenders of the Faith, &c. 1693.
Province of the Massachusetts•Bay in New-England. The Submission and Agreement of the Eastern Indians, at Fort William Henry in Pemmaquid the 11th. day of August, in the Fifth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord and Lady, William and Mary, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King and Queen, Defenders of the Faith, &c. 1693.
Whereas a Bloody War ha's for some years now past been made and carried on by the Indians within the Eastern parts of the said Province, against Their Majesties Subjects ⟨p. 116⟩the English, through the Instigation and Influences of the French; and being sensible of the Miseries which we and our People are reduced unto, by adhering to their ill Council• ▪ We whose names are hereunto Subscribed, being Sagamores and Chief Captains of all the Indians belonging to the several Rivers of Penobscote and Kennebec, Amanascogin, and Sac•, parts of the said Province of the Massachusetts Bay, within Their said Majesties Sovereignty: Having made Application unto his Excellency Sir William Phipps, Captain General & Governor in Chief in and over the said Province, that the War may be put to an end; Do lay down our Arms, and cast our selves upon Their said Majesties Grace and Favour. And each of us respectively for our selves, and in the Name & with the free consent of all the Indians belonging unto the several Rivers aforesaid, and of all other Indians within the said Province of and from Merrimack River, unto the most Easterly Bounds of the said Province; hereby acknowledging our hearty Subjection and Obedience unto the Crown of England: and do solemnly Covenant, Promise and Agree to and with the said Sir William Phipps, and his Successors in the place of Captain General and Governor in Chief, of the aforesaid Province or Territory, on Their said Majesties behalf, in manner following, viz. ⟨p. 117⟩That at all time and times for ever, from and after the date of these Presents, we will cease and forbear all acts of Hostility towards the Subjects of the Crown of England, and not offer the least hurt or violence to them or any of them in their Persons or Estate: But will henceforward hold and maintain a firm and constant Amity and Friendship with all the English. Item. We abandon and forsake the French Interest, & will not in any wise adhere to, join with, aid or assist them in their Wars, or Designs against the English, nor countenance, succour, or conceal any of the Enemy Indians of Canada or other places, that shall happen to come to any of our Plantations within the English Territory, but secure them if in our power, and deliver them up unto the English.
That all English Captives in the hands or power of any of the Indians within the Limits aforesaid, shall with all possible speed be set at liberty, and returned home without any Ransom or Payment to be made or given for them or any of them. That Their Majesties Subjects the English, shall and may peaceably and quietly enter upon, improve, and for ever enjoy, all and singular their Rights of Lands, and former Settlements and possessions within the Eastern parts of the said Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, without any pretensions or claims by us or any other Indians, ⟨p. 118⟩and be in no wise molested, interrupted, o• disturbed therein. That all Trade and Commerce which hereafter may be allowed between the English an• Indians, shall be, under such Management an• Regulation as may be stated by an Act o• the General Assembly, or as the Governou• of the said Province for the time being, wi•• the Advice and Consent of the Council sha•• see cause to Direct and Limit. If any controversy, or difference, at an• time hereafter happen to arise between any […] the English and Indians for any real or suppose• wrong or injury done on one side or the other no private Revenge shall be taken by the Indian• for the same, but proper Application be made to Their Majesties Government, upon the place for Remedy thereof in a due course […] Justice, we hereby submitting our selves to […] ruled and governed by Their Majesties Law, and desire to have the benefit of the same. For the more full manifestation of our sincerity and integrity in all that which we have herein before Covenanted and Promised, we […] deliver unto Sir William Phipps, Their Majesties Governor as aforesaid, Ahassombame•t Brother to Edgeremett; Wenongahewitt Cousin to Ma•• ckawando, and Edgeremett, and Bagatawawongo•• also Sheepscoat John, to abide and remain in the Custody of the English, where the Governor
The above written Instrument was deliberately read over, and the several Articles and Clauses thereof Interpreted unto the Indians, who said they well understood, and consented thereto, and was then Signed, Sealed, & Delivered in the Presence of us,
John Wing. Nicholas Manning. Benjamin Jackson. Egereme•t Madockawando. Wessambomett of Navidgw••k. Weno•son of Teconnet in behalf of Mo••is. Ketterramogis of Narridgwock. Ahanquit of Penobscot. Bomaseen. Nitamemet. Webenes. Awansomeck. ⟨p. 120⟩Robin Doney. Madaumbis. Paquaharet, alias Nathaniel. John Hornybrook, Interpreter. John Bagatawawongo alias Sheepscoat John. Interpreter. Phil. Ounsakis Squaw. Interpreter.
John Wing. Nicholas Manning. Benjamin Jackson. Egereme•t Madockawando. Wessambomett of Navidgw••k. Weno•son of Teconnet in behalf of Mo••is. Ketterramogis of Narridgwock. Ahanquit of Penobscot. Bomaseen. Nitamemet. Webenes. Awansomeck. ⟨p. 120⟩Robin Doney. Madaumbis. Paquaharet, alias Nathaniel. John Hornybrook, Interpreter. John Bagatawawongo alias Sheepscoat John. Interpreter. Phill. Ounsakis Squaw. Interpreter.
A Years Breathing Time, was a great Favour of Heaven to a Country, quite out of Breath, with Numberless Calamities: But the Favour was not so Thankfully Enjoyed, as it should have been And now, The Clouds Return after the Rain. The Spectre that with Burning Tongs drove Xerxes to his War upon the Graecians, had not lost his Influence upon our Indians. The Perfidy of the Indians appeared first, in their not Restoring the English Captives, according to their Covenant; but the perfidious Wretches Excused this, with many Protestations. That which added unto our Jealousies about them, was, their Insolent carriage towards a Sloop, commanded by Captain Wing; and the Information of a Fellow called Hector, That the Indians intended most certainly to break the Peace, and had promised ⟨p. 121⟩the French Priests, taking the Sacrament thereupon, to destroy the first English Town they could Surprise. Rumours of Indians Lurking about some of the Frontier-Plantations, now began to put the poor people into Consternation; but upon an Imagination, that they were only certain Beaver Hunters the Consternation of the people went off into Security. 'Tis affirmed by English Captives, which were then at Canada, that the Desolation of Oyster-River was commonly talked in the Streets of Quebec, Two months before it was Effected; for the Spies had found no Town so Secure as That. And now, what was Talked at Quebec in the month of May, must be Done at Oyster-River in the month of July; for on Wednesday, July 18. 1694. the Treacherous Enemy, with a great Army fell upon that place, about break of Day, and Killed and Captiv'd, Ninety Four, (or, an Hundred) persons; about a Score of whom, were men belonging to the Trained Band, of the Town. Several persons Remarkably Escaped this Bloody Deluge, but none, with more Bravery, than one Thomas Bickford, who had an House, a Little Pallisado'd, by the River Side; but no man in it besides himself. He dexterously put his Wife, and Mother, and Children aboard a Canoe, and Sending them down the River, he Alone, betook himself to the Defence of his House, against many Indians, that made an Assault upon him. ⟨p. 122⟩They first would have persuaded him, with many fair Promises, and then, terrified him with as many Fierce Threatenings, to yield himself▪ but he flouted and fired at them, daring 'em, to come if they durst.
A Years Breathing Time, was a great Favour of Heaven to a Country, quite out of Breath, with Numberless Calamities: But the Favour was not so Thankfully Enjoyed, as it should have been And now, The Clouds Return after the Rain. The Spectre that with Burning Tongs drove Xerxes to his War upon the Graecians, had not lost his Influence upon our Indians. The Perfidy of the Indians appeared first, in their not Restoring the English Captives, according to their Covenant; but the perfidious Wretches Excused this, with many Protestations. That which added unto our Jealousies about them, was, their Insolent carriage towards a Sloop, commanded by Captain Wing; and the Information of a Fellow called Hector, That the Indians intended most certainly to break the Peace, and had promised
John Day testifies, that he went in Company with Ipswich and Glocester Forces, to a Garrison, about Two miles and an Half, from the Town; and News being brought in, that Guns went off, in a Swamp not far from the Garrison, some of the men, with himself, ran to discover what they ⟨p. 110⟩could; and when he came to the Head of the Swamp, he saw a man with a Blue Shirt, and bushy black Hair, run out of the Swamp, and into the Woods; he ran after him, with all speed, and came several Times within shot of him; but the woods being Thick, he could not obtain his Design of Shooting him; at length, he was at once gone out of sight, and when afterwards, he went to look for his Track, he could find none, though it were a low miry place, that he ran over. About July 25. Bapson went into the Woods, after his Cattel, and saw Three men stand upon a point of Rocks, which look'd toward the Sea. So he crept among the Bushes, till he came within Forty yards of them; and then presented his Gun at them, and S•ap't, but his Gun miss'd Fire; and so it did above a Dozen Times, till they all Three came up towards him, walking a slow pace, one of them having a Gun upon his Back. Nor did they take any more Notice of him, than just to give him a Look; though he snap'd his Gun at them, all the while they walked toward him, and by him; neither did they quicken their pace at all, but went into a p••cel of Bushes▪ and he saw them no more. When he came home, he snap'd his Gun several Times, sometimes with but a few Corns of Powder and yet it did not once miss Fire. After this, there occurred several ⟨p. 111⟩Strange Things; but now concluding they were but Spectres, they took little further Notice of them. [Several other Testimonies, all to the same Effect, with the Foregoing, my Friend has added, which for brevity I omit; and only add, The most considerable of these passages, were afterward Sworn, before one of Their Majesties Council.] Reverend and truly Honoured Sir, According to your Request, I have Collected a brief Account of the Occurrences, remark'd in our Town, the last year. Some of them are very Admirable Things, and yet no less True than Strange, if we may Believe the Assertions of Credible persons. Tho' because of Great Hast, it is a rough Draught, yet there is nothing written, but what the persons mentioned, would, if duely called, confirm the Truth of, by Oath.
That all English Captives in the hands or power of any of the Indians within the Limits aforesaid, shall with all possible speed be set at liberty, and returned home without any Ransome or Payment to be made or given for them or any of them. That Their Majesties Subjects the English, shall and may peaceably and quietly enter upon, improve, and for ever enjoy, all and singular their Rights of Lands, and former Settlements and possessions within the Eastern parts of the said Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, without any pretentions or clai•s by us or any other Indians, ⟨p. 118⟩and be in no wise molested, interrupted, o• disturbed therein. That all Trade and Commerce which her••after may be allowed between the English an• Indians, shall be, under such Management an• Regulation as may be stated by an Act o• the General Assembly, or as the Governou• of the said Province for the time being, wi•• the Advice and Consent of the Council sha•• see cause to Direct and Limit. If any controversy, or difference, at an• time hereafter happen to arise between any 〈…〉 the English and Indians for any real or suppose• wrong or injury done on one side or the other no private Revenge shall be taken by the Indian• for the same, but proper Application be made to Their Majesties Government, upon the place for Remedy thereof in a due course 〈…〉 Justice, we hereby submitting our selves to 〈…〉 ruled and governed by Their Majesties Law, and desire to have the benefit of the same. For the more full manifestation of our since•rity and integrity in all that which we have herein before Covenanted and Promised, we 〈…〉 deliver unto Sir William Phipps, Their Majestie• Governour as aforesaid, Ahassombame•t Brother to Edgeremett; Wenongahewitt Cousin to Ma•• ckawando, and Edgeremett, and Bagatawawongo•• also Sheepscoat John, to abide and remain in the Custody of the English, where the Governour ⟨p. 119⟩shall direct as Hostages or Pledges, for our Fidelity, and true performance of all and every the foregoing Articles, reserving Liberty to exchange them in some reasonable time for a like number, to the acceptance of the Governour and Council of the said Province, so they be persons of as good account, and esteem amongst the Indians, as those which are to be exchanged. In Testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our several Marks and Seals, the Day and Year first above written.
