to ascertain the cause, and was ambushed by them, as we have in the life of Philip related. At this time, "SAM, Sachem of Weshacum," and NETAUMP, are particularly mentioned as having been hanged at Boston. It was reported, (no doubt by the Indians, to vex their enemies,) that Mrs. Rowlandson had married Monoco. "But," the author of the PRESENT STATE, &c. says, "it was soon contradicted," and, "that she appeared and behaved herself amongst them with so much courage and majestic gravity, that none durst offer any violence to her, but on the contrary, (in their rude manner) seemed to show her great respect." In the above quotation from Mr. Hubbard, we have shown at what time several of the Nipmuck chiefs were put to death beside Monoco. OLD-JETHRO was little less noted, though of quite a different character. His Indian name was Tantamous. He was present at the sale of Concord (Mass.) to the English, about which time he lived at Natick. In 1674, he was appointed a missionary to the Nipmuks living at Weshakim, since Sterling, but his stay there was short. He and his family (of about 12 persons) were among those ordered to Deer Island, on the breaking out of the war the next year. Their residence then was at Nobscut Hill, near Sudbury His spirit could not brook the indignity offered by those English who were sent to conduct the praying Indians to Boston, and in the night he escaped, with all his family, into his native wilds. His son Peter had been so long under the instruction of the English, that he had become almost one of them. He deserted his father's cause, and was the means of his being exe"uted with the other Nipmuk sachems already mentioned. This occasioned Dr. I. Mather to say of him, "That abominable Indian, Peter-jethro, betrayed his own father, and other Indians of his special acquaintance, unto death." It seems he had been employed by the English for this purpose. About a month before the fall of Philip, the Nipmucks became fully aware of their wretched condition, who, on the 6 July, 1676, sent an Indian messenger to the English with a white flag. He came, says our Chronicle, "from Sagamore Sam of Nassoway (a proud Salvage, who two months since insulted over the English, and said, if the English would first begge Peace of him, he would let them have Peace, but that he would never ask it of them ;) This Indian was sent from him with Letters, desiring Peace of us, and expressely praying us in the name of Jesus Christ, and for his sake to grant it whose holy name they have so much blasphemed. Thus doth the Lord Jesus make them to bow before him, and to lick the dust. And having made mention of his letter it will not be unacceptable to transcribe some copies of the Letters sent by him, and others on this subject, which take as followeth. The reader must bear with their barbarisms, and excuse the omission of some expressions in them, that can hardly admit of good English." "The first Letter, July the 6th, 1676.† "Mr. John Leverett, my Lord, Mr. Waban, and all the chief men our Brethren, Praying to God: [This Mr. Waban is a Praying Indian, faithful, and a Ruler amonst them; by their Brethren praying to God, they mean those of the same Nation.] We beseech you all to help us; my wife she is but one, but there be more Prisoners, which we pray you keep well: Mattamuck his wife, we entreat you for her, and not onely that man, but it is the Request of two Sachems, Sam Sachem of Weshakum, and the Pakashoag Sachem. "And that further you will consider about the making Peace: We have spoken to the People of Nashobah (viz. Tom Dubler and Peter,) that we would agree with you, and make a Covenant of Peace with you. We have been destroyed by your Souldiers, but still we Remember it now, to sit still; do "Mr. Shattuck's Hist. Concord, 30. The tenor of the following letters, is very different from those in April previous, which I had discovered in MS. and printed in the former editions of the Book of the Indians. These were then unknown to me. 268 SHOSHANIM.-INDIAN LETTERS. [BOOK III. you consider it again; we do earnestly entreat you, that it may be so by Jesus Christ, O! let it be so! Amen, Amen.* 66 It was signed MATTAMUCK, his Mark N. Superscribed," ""To all Englishmen and Indians, all of you hear Mr. Waban, Mr. Eliott." "Second Letter. "My Lord, Mr. Leveret at Boston, Mr. Waban, Mr. Eliott, Mr. Gookin, and Council, hear yea. I went to Connecticot about the Captives, that I might bring them into your hands, and when we were almost there, the English had destroyed those Indians: when I heard it, I returned back again; then when I came home, we were also destroyed; after we were destroy'd, then Philip and Quanipun went away into their own Countrey againe; and I knew they were much afraid, because of our offer to joyn with the English, and therefore they went back into their own Countrey, and I know they will make no Warre; therefore because when some English men came to us, Philip and Quanapun sent to kill them; but I said, if any kill them, I'll kill them.t Written by Simon Boshokum Scribe." § Third Letter. "For Mr. Eliot, Mr. Gookin, and Mr. Waban. SAM SACHEM. Consider of this I entreat you, consider of this great businesse that is done, and my wonder concerning Philip; but his name is Wewesawannit, he engageth all the people that were none of his subjects: Then when I was at Penakook, Numpho John, Alline,¶ Sam Numpho, and others who were angry, and Numpho very much angry that Philip did engage so many people to him; and Numpho said it were a very good deed that I should go and kill him that *This surpasseth any thing, in supplication, that we have, from the poor Indians. They were truly sensible of their deplorable condition! Little to subsist upon-the northern and western wilderness so full of their native enemies, that a retreat upon those hunting-grounds was cut off all the fishing places near and upon the coast watched by their successful enemy-hence nothing now remained but to try the effect of an offer of unconditional submission!-This letter, however, must not be regarded as the language of the warriors, it was the language of the Christian Indians, in behalf of them and themselves. The name of this sachem approaching nearly in sound to that of the place since called Worcester, of which Sagamore-John was chief, almost induces the belief that he is the same. A sachem of the name having deeded Worcester to the whites in 1671, is additional proof. See the elaborate history of that town by Wm. Lincoln. Esq., now in course of publication. This letter will be regarded as an admirable specimen of Indian sentiment, and its value is much enhanced, as it unfolds truths of great value-truths that lay open the situation of things at this period that will be gladly received. Sum was a magnanimous sachem. So was Monoco. We doubt if any thing can in truth be brought against either, that would not comport with a warrior of their time, but they did not come within the limits of a pardon offered in the Proclamation! When messengers were sent to treat with the Indians for the redemption of prisoners, to prevent the evil such negotiation was calculated to produce, and which Philip, doubtless, foresaw, he ordered such to be summarily dealt with. Quanapohit was suspected for a spy, and Philip had ordered him to be killed, but Monoco said, "I will kill whomsoever shall kill Quanapohit." Shoshanim afterwards said the same when visited by Mr. Hoar and Nepanet, who were sent to treat for the ransom of Mr. Rowlandson's family. "If any kill them, I will kill them," that is, he would kill the murderer. But these kind offices were forgotten in the days of terror! The same person, whose name to the last letter is spelt Pottoquam, and in Book ii. Chap. vii., Betokam This stands in the MS. records, Wewasowanuett. See Book iii. Chap. ii. There is some error concerning this person's name. John U. Line means the same person, I think, in Gookin's MS. history. See Book ii. Chap. vii.; an account of several others here mentioned may there also be found. Joyned so many to himself without cause: In like manner I said so too. Then had you formerly said be at peace, and if the Council had sent word to kill Philip we should have done it: then let us clearly speak, what you and we shall do. O let it be so speedily, and answer us clearly. PUMKAMUN, or, JACOB MUTTAMAKOOG." "The answer the Council made them, was, 'That treacherous persons who began the war and those that have been barbarously bloody, must not expect to have their lives spared, but others that have been drawn into the war, and acting only as Souldiers submitting to be without arms, and to live quietly and peaceably for the future shall have their lives spared.' Sagamore Sam was one of those that sacked Lancaster, 10 February, 1676. His Indian name was at one time Shoshanim, but in Philip's war it appears to have been changed to Uskatuhgun; at least, if he be the same, it was so subscribed by Peter-jethro, when the letter was sent by the Indians to the English about the exchange of Mrs. Rowlandson and others, as will be found in the life of Nepanet. He was hanged, as has been before noted. Shoshanim was successor to Matthew, who succeeded Sholan. This last-mentioned sachem is probably referred to by the author quoted in Mr. Thorougood's curious book. In the summer of 1652, Reverend John Eliot intended to visit the Nashuas, in his evangelical capacity, but understanding there was war in that direction among the Indians, delayed his journey for a time. The sachem of Nashua, hearing of Mr. Eliot's intention, "took 20 men, armed after their manner," as his guard, with many others, and conducted him to his country. And my author adds, "this was a long journey into the wilderness of 60 miles: it proved very wet and tedious, so that he was not dry three or four days together, night nor day." One of the Indians at this time asked Mr. Eliot why those who prayed to God among the English loved the Indians that prayed to God "more than their own brethren." The good man seemed some at a loss for an answer, and waived the subject by several scriptural quotations. " We may be incorrect in the supposition that the sachem who conducted Mr. Eliot on this occasion was Sholan, as perhaps Passaconaway would suit the time as well. 0000 CHAPTER VI. Friendly Indians-CAPTAIN AMOs-Pursues Tatoson and Penachason--Escapes the slaughter at Pawtucket-Commands a company in the eastern war-CAPTAIN LIGHTFOOT-His services in Philip's war-In the eastern war-KETTENANITHis services-QUANNAPOHIT-His important services as a spy-MAUTAMPMonoco-NEPANET-Employed to treat with the enemy-Brings letters from them-Effects an exchange of prisoners-PETER CONWAY-PETER EPHRAIM. AMOS, commonly called Captain Amos, was a Wampanoag, whose residence was about Cape Cod. We have no notice of him until Philip's war, at which time he was entirely devoted to the service of the English. After the Plimouth people had found that Tatoson was concerned in the destruction of Clark's garrison, they sought for some friendly Indians who would undertake to deliver him and his abettors into their hands. Captain Amos tendered his services, and was duly commissioned to prosecute the enterprise, In 1647, three Indians were killed between Quabaog and Springfield, by other Indians. The next year, five others were killed about midway between Quabaog and Lancaster.— Winthrop's Journal, (Savage's ed.) Such instances were common among the Indians. Sure Arguments to prove that the Jews inhabit now in America-By Thomas Thorowgood, 4to. London, 1652. Sir Roger L'Estrange answered this book by another, entitled THE AMERICANS NO JEWS. 270 INDIAN STRATAGEMS.-LIGHTFOOT. [BOOK III. and to take into that service any of his friends. Meantime, Tatoson had fled to Elizabeth Island, in company with Penachason, another chief who was also to be taken, if he could be found. This Penachason was probably Tatoson's brother's son, sometimes called Tom, who, if the same, was also at the destroying of Clark's garrison. Yet the wily chiefs eluded the vigilance of Captain Amos, by flying from that region into the Nipmuks' country, where they joined Philip. To encourage greater exertion on the part of the friendly Indians, to execute their commission, it was ordered, that in case they captured and brought in either Tatoson or Penachason, "they may expect for their reward, for each of them four coats, and a coat apiece for every other Indian that shall prove merchantable." We have mentioned in a former chapter the horrid catastrophe of Captain Peirse and his men at Pawtucket. Captain Amos escaped that dreadful slaughter. He fought there with 20 of his warriors, and when Captain Peirse was shot down by a ball which wounded him in the thigh, he stood by his side, and defended him as long as there was a gleam of hope. At length, seeing nearly all his friends slain, with admirable presence of mind he made his escape, by the following subtle stratagem: Nanuntenoo's warriors had blackened their faces, which Captain Amos had observed, and by means of powder contrived to discolor his own unobserved by them. When he had done this, he managed, by a dextrous manœuvre, to pass among the enemy for one of them, and by these means escaped. What were Captain Amos's other acts in this war, if any, we have not learned; nor do we meet again with him until 1689. In that year, he went with Col. Church against the eastern Indians and French, in which expedition he also had the command of a company. Church arrived with his forces in Sept. at Casco, now Portland, and, having landed secretly under cover of the night, surprised, on the following morning, about four hundred Indians, who had come to destroy the place. Although the Indians did not receive much damage, yet, Governor Sullivan says, the whole eastern country was saved by the timely arrival of this expedition. In the fight at Casco, 21 September, eight of the English were killed and many wounded. Two of Captain Amos's men were badly wounded, and Sam Moses, another friendly Indian, was killed. There was another Indian company in this expedition, commanded by Captain Daniel, out of which one man was killed, who was of Yarmouth on Cape Cod.t * LIGHTFOOT, of the tribe of the Sogkonates, distinguished in Philip's war, was also in the service under Church at Casco; a memorable expedition, on more than one account. One circumstance we will name, as it well nigh proved the ruin of the undertaking. When, on the following morning, after the arrival of the forces, the attack was begun, it was, to the inexpressible surprise of the English, found, that the bullets were much larger than the calibre of their guns. This was a most extraordinary and unaccountable occurrence, and great blame was chargeable somewhere. In this wretched dilemma, the fight having already begun, Church set some at work making the bullets into slugs, by which resort he was able to continue the fight. It being high water at the time, an estuary separated the battle-ground from the town. The bullets were to be carried to the army engaged, in buckets, after being hammered. When the first recruit of slugs was made up, Colonel Church ran with it to the water's edge, and, not caring to venture himself to wade across, called to those on the other side to send some one to take it over to the army. None appeared but Lightfoot. This Indian dextrously repassed the estuary, with a quantity of powder upon his head, and a "kettle" of bullets in each hand, and thus the fight was maintained, and the enemy put to flight. In Philip's war, Lightfoot's exploits were doubtless very numerous, but few of them have come down to us. He volunteered to fight for the English, at Awashonk's great dance at Buzzard's Bay, already mentioned. When Littleeyes was taken at Cushnet, in 1676, Lightfoot was sent with him to what is + MS. letter of Captain Basset of the expedition. *Hist. District of Maine, 102. now called Palmer's Island, near the mouth of Cushnet River, where he held him in guard until he could be safely conducted to Plimouth. About the time Akkompoin was killed, and Philip's wife and son were taken, Church gave him a captain's commission, after which he made several successful expeditions. We now pass to characters hitherto less known, though perhaps of more interest. Very little was known of certain important characters among the friendly Indians of Massachusetts, which should have by no means been overlooked, until the discovery of Mr. Gookin's manuscript history of the praying Indians, not long since, and to which we have often referred already. We shall, therefore, devote the remainder of the present chapter to their history. JOB KATTENANIT seems first to demand attention. He was a Christian Indian, and lived some time at Natick, but was at one time a preacher at Magunkog, and belonged originally, we believe, to Hassanamesit. However that may have been, it is certain he lived there in the beginning of Philip's war, when that chief's men made a descent upon the place, with the intention of carrying away those Christian Indians prisoners. Job made his escape from them at this time, and came in to the English at Mendon. He had still three children in the enemy's hands, and he was willing to run any venture to release them. He therefore applied for and obtained a pass, assuring him safety, provided that, in his return, he should fall into the hands of the English scouts. Besides liberating his children, considerable hopes were entertained, that he might be enabled to furnish information of the enemy. It unfortunately happened, that, before he had passed the frontier, he fell in with some English soldiers, who treated him as a prisoner, and an enemy, even taking from him his clothes and gun, sending him to the governor of Boston; "who, more to satisfy the clamors of the people than for any offence committed," assigned him to the common jail, where he suffered exceedingly; himself and many others being crowded into a narrow and filthy place. After about three weeks, he was taken out and sent to Deer Island. The clamors of the people were indeed high at this time, and many accused Major Gookin, who gave him the pass, of being guilty of furnishing the enemy with intelligence. After the Narraganset fight, 19 December, 1675, the English were very anxious to gain information relative to the position of the enemy, and accordingly instructed Major Gookin to use his endeavors to employ some friendly Indian spies; who, after considerable negotiation among those at Deer Island, engaged Job again, and James Quannapohit, alias Quanapaug. Their reward was to be five pounds apiece! They departed upon this service before day, the 30th of December, and, during their mission, behaved with great prudence, and brought valuable information to the English on their return; but which, from intestine bickerings among the English, turned to small account. James Quannapohit returned 24th of January following, nearly worn out and famished; having travelled about 80 miles in that cold season, upon snowshoes, the snow being very deep. The information which he gave was written down by Major Gookin.* Among other matters, he stated that the enemy had taken up their quarters in different places, probably near Scattacook; and many others, including the Nipmuks, about Menumesse. The Narragansets had not yet joined Philip openly, but while James and Job were among the Nipmuks, messengers arrived from Narraganset which gave them much joy, for they expressed an ardent desire to join them and Philip in prosecuting the war. They said their loss in the great swamp fight was small. In three weeks, James learned, they would assault Lancaster, which accordingly came to pass, upon the very day which he said they intended it. He learned and thus divulged their plans to a great extent. A circumstance now occurred which obliged him to make his escape, which was this: He found a friend and protector in Mautamp, one of the Nipmuk chiefs, who, it seems, The same published in Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. 1. vi. 205–208. The same, probably, called Netaump, who was afterwards executed at Boston, at the same time with Sagamore-sam. See Hubbard, 35. |