The Account of John Stockwell
About Sun-set [September 19, 1677], I and another Man being
together, the Indians with great shouting and shooting
came upon us, and some other of the English hard by, at
which we ran to a Swamp for refuge; which they perceived, made
after us, and shot at us, three Guns being discharged upon me;
the Swamp being mirie, I slipt in, and fell down; whereupon an
Indian stept to me, with his Hatchet lifted up to knock me
on the head, supposing I was wounded, and unfit for Travel: It
happened I had Pistol in my Pocket, which (though uncharged) I
presented to him, who presently stept back, and told me, If I
would yield I should have no hurt, boasting falsely, that they
had destroyed all Hatfield, and that the Woods were full
of Indians; whereupon I yielded myself, and fell into the
Enemies Hands, and by three of them was led away to the place
whence I first fled; where two other Indians came running
to us, and one lifting up the But-end of his Gun to knock me on
the head, the other with his hand put by the blow, and said I was
his Friend. I was now near my own House, which the
Indians burnt last year, and I was about to build up
again, and there I had some hopes to escape from them; there was
a Horse just by, which they bid me take; I did so, but attempted
no escape, because the Beast was dull and slow, and I thought
they would send me to take my own Horses; which they did, but
they were so frighted, that I could not come near them, and so
fell again into the Enemies Hands, who now took me, bound me, and
led me away. Soon after, I was brought to other Captives, who
were that day taken at Hatfield, which moved two contrary
Passions, Joy, to have Company; and Sorrow, that we were in that
miserable Condition: We were all pinion'd and led away in the
Night over the Mountains, in dark and hideous ways, about four
Miles further, before we took up our place of rest, which was a
dismal place of a Wood on the East-side of that Mountain; we were
kept bound all that night, the Indians watching us, who, as they
Travailed, made strange noises, as of Wolves, Owls, and other
Birds and Beasts, that they might not lose one another; and if
followed, might not be discovered by the English.
About break of day we marched again, and got over the great River
Pecomptuck; there the Indians marched out upon
Trays, the number of their Captives and Slain, as there manner
is: Here I was again in great danger, a quarrel arising whose
Captive I was, and I was afraid I must be killed to end the
controversie; they then asked me whose Captive I was, I said
three
Indians took me; so they agreed to have all a share in me:
I had now three Masters, but the Chief was he that first laid
hands on me, which happened to be the worst of the company, as
Ashpelon the Indian Captain told me, who was always
very kind to me, and a great comfort to the English. In
this place they gave us Victuals which they had brought away from
the English, and ten Men were again sent out for more
Plunder, some of whom brought Provision, others Corn out of the
Meadows, upon Horses; from hence we went up above the Falls,
where we crost that River again, when I fell down-right Lame of
my old Wounds received in the War; but the apprehension of my
being killed by the Indians, and what cruel death they
would put me to, soon frighted away my pain, and I was very brisk
again. We had eleven Horses in that company, which carried
Burthens and the Women; we travailed up the River till night, and
then took up our Lodgings in a dismal place, being laid on our
Backs and staked down, in which posture we lay many nights
together; the manner was, our arms and legs being stretched out,
were staked fast down, and a Cord put about our necks, so that we
could not possibly stir; the first night (being much tired) I
slept as comfortably as ever; the next we lay in the
Saquahog-Meadows; our Provisions was soon spent, and
whilst we were there, the Indians went a Hunting, and the
English Army came out after us. Then the Indians
moved again, dividing themselves and the Captives into many
companies, that the English might not follow their Track;
at night, having crossed the River, we met again at the place
appointed; the next day we re-passed it, where we continued a
long time, which being about thirty Miles above Squag, the
Indians were quite out of fear of the English but
much afraid of the Mo-hawks, another sort of
Indians, Enemies to them.
In this place they built a strong Wigwam, and had a great
Daunce, as they call'd it, where it was concluded to burn three
of us; having provided Bark for that purpose, of whom (as I heard
afterwards) I was to be one, Serjeant Plumpton another, and
the Wife of Benjamin Wait the third; I knew not then who
they were, yet I understood so much of their Language, that I
perceived some were designed thereto; that night I could not
sleep for fear of the next day's work, the Indians (weary with
dancing) lay down and slept soundly. The English were all
loose, whereupon I went out for Wood, and mended the fire, making
a noise on purpose, but none awaked; I though if any of the
English should wake, we might kill them all sleeping; to
which end I removed out of the way all the Guns and Hatchets, but
my heart failing, I put all things where they were again. The
next day (when they intended to burn us) our Master and some
others spoke for us, and the evil was prevented at this time: We
lay here about three Weeks, where I had a Shirt brought me to
make; one
Indian said it should be made this way, another a
different way,
and a third this way, whereupon I told them I would make it
according to
my chief Master's order; upon this an Indian struck me on
the face
with his fist, I suddenly rose in anger to return it again, which
raised a
great Hubbub; the Indians and the English coming
about
me.
I was fain to humble my self to my Master, which ended the
matter.
Before I came to this place, my three Masters were gone a
Hunting, and I
was left with only one Indian (all the company being upon
a march)
who fell sick, so that I was fain to carry his Gun and Hatchet,
whereby I
had opportunity to have dispatched him, but did not, because the
English Captives had engag'd the contrary to each other,
since if
one should run away, it would much endanger the remainder: Whilst
we
were here, Benjamin Stebbins, going with some
Indians to
Wachuset Hills, made his escape, the tydings whereof
caused us all
to be called in and bound. One of the Indians Captains,
and always
our great Friend, met me coming in, and told me Stebbins
was run
away, and the Indians spoke of burning us; some were only
for
burning our fingers, and then biting them off; he said there
would be a
Court, and all would speak their minds, but he would speak last,
and
declare, That the Indian, who suffered Stebbins to
make his
escape, was only in fault; and bid us not fear any hurt should
happen to
us, and so it prov'd accordingly.
Whilst we lingered here-about, Provision grew scarce, one Bear's
Foot
must serve five of us a whole day; we began to eat Horse-flesh,
and
devoured several Horses, three only being left alive. At this
time the
Indians had fallen upon Hadley, where some of them
being
taken, were released, upon promised of meeting the English
on
such a Plain, to make further Terms: Captain Ashpalon was
much
for it, but the Sachins of Wachuset, when they
came, were
against it; yet were willing to meet the English, only to
fall upon
and destroy them. Ashpalon charged us English not
to
speak a word of this, since mischief would come of it. With
these
Indians from Wachuset, there came above fourscore
squaws, or Women and Children, who reported the
English
had taken Uncas and all his Men, and sent them beyond the
Seas;
whereat they were much enraged, asking us if it were true; we
deny'd it,
which made Ashpalon angry, saying he would no more believe
Englishmen. They then examin'd every one apart, and dealt
worse
with us for a time, than before; still Provision was scarce; at
length we
came to a place called Squaro-Maug-River, where we hoped
to find
Salmon, but came too late; this place I reckon two hundred miles
above
Deer-field, then we parted into two companies, some went
one
way, and some another; we passed over a mighty Mountain, being
eight
days in travelling of it, though we marched very hard, and had
every day
either Snow or Rain; we observed that on this Mountain all the
Water ran
Northward. Here we likewise wanted Provision, at length we got
over and
came near a Lake, where we staid a great while to make
Canoes,
wherein to pass over. Here I was frozen, and here again we were
like to
starve; all the Indians went a Hunting, but could get
nothing
several days; they Pawawed, or Conjured, but to no
purpose; then
they desired the English to pray, confessing they could do
nothing,
and would have us try what the Englishmans God could do: I
prayed, so did Sergeant Plumpton in another place, the
Indians reverently attending Morning and Night; next day
they
killed some Bears, then they would needs make us desire a
Blessing, and
return Thanks at Meals; but after a while they grew weary of it,
and the
Sachim forbid us; when I was frozen, they were very cruel
to me,
because I could not do as at other times.
When we came to the Lake, we were again sadly straightened for
Provision, and forced to eat Touch-wood fried in Bear's Grease;
at last we
found a company of Racoons, and then we made a Feast, the
Custom being that we must eat all; I perceived I had too much for
one
time, which an Indian that sate by observing, bid me to
slip away
some to him under his Coat, and he would hide it for me till
another time;
this Indian, as soon as he had got my meat, stood up and
made a
Speech to the rest, discovering what I had done, whereat they
were very
angry, and cut me another piece, forcing me to drink
Racoons
Grease, which made me sick and vomit; I told them I had enough,
after
which they would give me no more, but still told me I had
Racoon
enough, whereby I suffered much, and (being frozen) was in great
pain,
sleeping but little, and yet must do my task that was set me; as
they
came to the Lake, they killed a great Moose, staying there
till it
was all eaten, and then entered upon the Lake; a Storm arose,
which
endangered us all, but at last we got to an Island, and there the
Indians went to Pawawing, or Conjuring; the
Pawaw
declared, that Benjamin Wait and another were coming, and
that
Storm was raised to cast them away: This afterwards appeared to
be true,
though then I believed it not; upon this Island we lay still
several days,
and then set out again, but a Storm took us, so that we continued
to and
fro upon certain Islands about three weeks; we had no Provisions
but
Racoons, that the Indians themselves were afraid of
being
starved; they would give me nothing, whereby I was several days
without
any Victuals: At length we went upon the Lake on the Ice, having
a little
Slead, upon which we drew our Loads; before Noon I tired, and
just then
the Indians met with some Frenchmen: One of the
Indians, who took me, came and called me all manner of ill
Names,
throwing me on my back; I told him I could do no more, then he
said he
must kill me, which I thought he was about to do, for pulling out
his
knife, he cut off my Pockets and wrapt them about my Face, and
then he
helped me up, and took my Slead and went away, giving me a bit of
Bisket
like a Walnut, which he had of the Frenchman, and
told me
he would give me a Pipe of Tobacco; when my Slead was
gone, I ran
after him, (but being tired soon fell to a footpace, whereby the
Indians were out of sight; I followed as well as I could,
having
many falls upon the Ice; at length I was sp spent, I had not
strength
enough to rise again, but crept to a Tree that lay along, upon
which I
continued all the cold night, it being very sharp weather.
I now counted no other but I must here die, which whilst I was
ruminating
of, and Indian hollowed, and I answered; he came to me and
called
me bad Names, telling me if I would not go he must knock me on
the
head; I hold him he must then do so, he saw how I wallowed in the
Snow,
but could not rise; hereupon he wrapt me in his Coat, and going
back,
sent two Indians with a Slead, one said he must knock me
on the
head, the other said no, they would carry me away and burn me;
then
they bid me stir my Instep, to see if that were frozen, I did so;
when they
saw that, they said there was a Chirurgeon with the French
that
could cure me; then they took me upon a Slead and carried me to
the fire,
making much of me, pulling of my wet, and wrapping me in dry
coaths,
laying me on a good Bed; they had killed an Otter, and
gave me
some of the Broth, and a bit of the Flesh; here I slept till
towards day, and
was then able to get up and put on my Cloaths; one of the
Indians
awaked, and seeing me go, shouted, as rejoycing at it. As soon
as it was
light, I and Samuel Russel went afore on the Ice upon a
River, they
said I must go on foot as much as I could for fear of freezing;
Russel slipt into the River with one foot, the Indians
called him
back and dried his Stockins, and sent us away with an
Indian
Guide; we went four or five Miles before the rest of the
Indians
overtook us; I was pretty well spent, Russel said he was
faint, and
wondred how I could live, for he said he had had ten Meals to my
one; I
was then laid on the Slead, and they ran away with me on the ice;
the rest
and Russel came shortly after, whose face I never saw
more, nor
knew what become of him. About midnight we got near
Shamblee,
a French Town, where the River was open; when I came to
travel, I
was not able, whereupon an Indian who staid with me would
carry
me a few Rods, and then I would go as many, telling me I would
die if he
did not carry me, and I must tell the English how kind he was.
When we came to the first house, there was no Inhabitants; the
Indian and I were both spent and discouraged, he said we
must
now both die; at last he left me alone, and got to another house,
from
whence came some French and Indians, who brought me
in;
the French were very kind, putting my hands and feet in
cold
Water, and gave me a dram of Brandy, and a little Hasty-Pudding
and
Milk; when I tasted Victuals, I was very hungry, but they would
not suffer
me to eat too much; I lay be the fire with the Indians
that night,
yet could not sleep for pain; next morning the Indians and
the
French fell out about me, the Indians saying, that
the
French loved the English better than the
Indians:
The French presently turned the Indians out of
doors, being
very careful of me, and all the Men in the Town came to see me:
Here I
continued three or four days, and was invited from one house to
another,
receiving much civility from a young Man, who let me lie in his
Bed, and
would have bought me but the Indians demanded a hundred
Pounds; we travailed to a place called Surril, whither
this young
Man accompanied me to prevent my being abused by the
Indians;
he carried med on the Iced one day's Journey, for now I could not
go at
all; when we came to the place, the People were kind.
Next day, being in much pain, I asked the Indians to carry
me to
the Chirurgeon, as they had promised; whereat they were angry,
one
taking up his Gun to knock me down, but the French would not
suffer it,
falling upon them and kicking them out of doors; we went away
from
thence to a place two or three Miles of, where the Indians
had
Wigwams; some of them knew me, and seemed to pity me:
While I
was here, which was three or four days; the French came to
see me
and (it being Christmas time) they brought me Cakes and
other
Provisions; the Indians tried to cure me, but could not;
then I
asked for the Chirurgeon, at which one of them in anger struck me
on the
face with his fist; a Frenchman being by, who spoke to him
some
words, and went his ways; soon after came the Captain of the
place to the
Wigwam, with about twelve armed Men, and asked where the
Indian was that struck the Englishman, and seizing
him,
told him, he should go to the Bilboes, and then be hanged:
The
Indians were much terrified at this, as appeared by their
countenance and trembling; I would have gone far away too, but
the
Frenchman bid me not fear, the Indians durst not
hurt me.
When that Indian was gone, I had two Masters still, I
asked them
to carry me to that Captain, that I might speak in behalf of the
Indian; they answered, I was a Fool, did I think the
Frenchmen were like the English, to say one thing
and do
another? they were Men of the Words; but at length I prevailed
with them
to help me thither, and speaking to the Captain by an
Interpreter, told
him, I desired him to set the Indian free, declaring how
kind he
had been to me; he replied, he was a Rouge, and should be hanged;
then I
privately alledged, that if he were hanged, it might fare the
worse with the
English captives; the Captain said, that ought to be
consider'd,
whereupon he set him at liberty, upon condition he should never
strike
me more, and bring me every day to his house to eat victuals; I
perceived
the common People did not approve of what the Indians
acted
against the English: When he was free, he came and took me
about
the middle, saying, I was his Brother, I had saved his life once,
and he had
saved mine (he said) thrice; he then called for Brandy, and made
me
drink, and had me away to the Wigwam again; when I came
there,
the Indians one after another shook hands with me, and
were
very kind, thinking no other but I had saved the Indian's
life.
Next day he carried me to the Captain's house, and set me down;
they
gave me my Victuals and Wine, and being left there awhile by the
Indians, I shewed the Captain and his Wife my Fingers, who
were
affrighted thereat, and bid me lap it up again, and sent for the
Chirurgeon, who when he came, said, he would cure me, and dressed
it:
That night I was full of pain, the French were afraid I
would die,
five Men did watch me, and strove to keep me cheerful for I was
sometimes ready to faint; oft-times they gave me a little Brandy.
The next day the Chirurgeon came again and dressed me, and so he
did all
the while I was among the French, which was from
Christmas till May. I continued in this Captain's
House till
Benjamin Wait came, and my Indian master (being in
want
of Money) pawned me to the Captain for fourteen Beavers,
or the
worth of them, but such a day; which if he did not pay, he must
lose his
Pawn, or else sell me for one and twenty Beavers; but he
could get
no Beaver, so I was sold, and (in God's good time) set at
liberty,
and returned to my Friend in New-England again.
IN THE OLDEST GRAVEYARD IN HATFIELD ONE CAN FIND STONES MARKING THE BURIAL SITES OF SOME OF THESE EARLY SETTLERS
Go to Redemption of the Hatfield
Captives - 1677/78 for information on the rescue of the
Hatfield hostages.
References:
Wells, D. W. and R. F. Wells. 1910. A History of Hatfield
Massachusetts. F.C.H. Gibbons,
Springfield, Mass.
Stockwell, J. The Account of John Stockwell of Deerfield,
Massachusetts, Being a faithful
narrative of his experiences in the hands of the Waschusett Indians ---
1677-1678.
Privately Printed. Somerville, New Jersey.
Judd, S. 1905. History of Hadley. H. R. Hunting,
Springfield.
THE LONG TREK TOWARD CANADA
SEPTEMBER 19, 1677 - Instead of the reassuring sounds of
men coming home from the meadows for their mid-day meal, the air
was filled with the blood-curdling sound of a war whoop. After a
year of peace, the colonists along the Connecticut River had
rebuilt their homes, replanted their fields, and relaxed because
the threat of an Amerindian attack was past. King Philip was
slain and his warriors had been silenced.