The records of Oxford, Mass.; including chapters of Nipmuck, Huguenot and English history from the earliest date, 1630.

CHAPTER I. Chapters of "Nipmuck History."

Ladj Mary Armine [Armjne] of England, by her benefactions to the natives of the xs'ipinuck country for their education and chribtianization, becaine so interested in her life as to become a part of their history, as she was their patroness.

From an old record :

" Lady Armyne gave large yearly contributions to promote the carrying on of the work begnn in New England, for the conversion of the poor Indians in those parts. And this siie continued even to her dying day. And of the success of that undertaking she had an annual Account to her rejoicing."

Lady Armyne gave twenty pounds per annum to Rev. John Eliot for his Indian schools in the Nipmuck country at Natick and Hassaraanessit, now Grafton.

Lady Armyne, though so devoted in her charities to the heathen in the "far off Nipmuck country," was not unmindful of doing good at her own home in Lincolnshire, England. "No one followed more closely in the footsteps of her Divine Master, for like Him she went about doing good, for she took the height of her religion to consist in the height of love to God and man, and in close obedience to Christ and reliance on His Mediation."

In 16G2, when so many clergymen in England were ejected from their livings. Lady Armyne, though devotedly attached to the Church of England, came to Dr. Edmund Calamy of London, and brought five hundred pounds to be given to those dissenting clergymen and their families.

During her last illness, hearing of the E.ev. Richard Baxter's troubles as a dissenter from the Church of England, though the Lord Chancellor had proffered to him a Bishopric, Lady Mary sent her servant to him to hear of his case, before whose return to her, she had died.*

The quaint historian narrates of the life and time of Lady Armyne :

" This Honorable and Excellent Lady, was a branch of one of the most Antient, Noble, and Illustrious Families in England, whether we look to Descent, Degree, or Actings.

" The Family of the Talbots, for a long Tract of time, Earls of Shrewsbury, whose Heroick performances both in Civil and Millitary Affairs, done by them in their Native Country, are upon Record to the perpetuating of their Names and Renown. But especially their Conquests and Tryumphs in France were so signal, that the Memory of them continues until this day, and

* The life of Lady Armyne is found iu an ancient book, with the title, " The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons in this Later Age, Divines, Nobility and Gentry of both Sexes, by Samuel Clark, London (Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Princes Arms, Ludgate Street) 1682-3."

The introductory to the above volume closes with these words :

"It's a great work to learn to die safely and comfortably; even the work of all our lives ; my turn is near, and this preparation is my daily Study ; But it's the Communication of life, light and love, from Heaven, that must make all effectual and draw up our Hearts and make us ready, For which I daily wait on God. At the brink of the Grave and the door of Eternity. Jan. 16, 1682-3. "Richard Baxter."

Rev. Richard Baxter writes :

" I have not read over this Book being desired suddenly to write this Preface, and, therefore, undertake not the Justification of what I have not read. But I know so many of the Persons and Histories myself as makes me not doubt the Historical truth. Judge Hales and the Countess of Warwick (my great Friends) need no testimony of mine. I have desired the Book-seller to reprint the life of the Countess of Suffolk the daughter to the Earl of Holland, written by Bishop Rainbow, as an excellent pattern to Ladies.''

Nipimick History. -s

withal so dreadful, that Mothers quieted tlieir crying Children by telling them that Talbot came." *

* Talbot, Earl of Slirewsbury with Heniy V, left England and landed in France with an army of 6,000 men-at-arms and 24,000 foot, chiefly archers. After a furious battle the English took possession of Harfleur, August 14, 1415. Henry expelled the French inhabitants in order to people it with English.

Henry soon after finished his campaign by the victory of Agiucourt Oct. 25, 1415, which the English said, "shed everlasting glory on his head." No battle was ever fought more fatal to France; the killed are said to have amounted to 10,000 and 14,000 prisoners.

Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, was in command at both of these battles, being styled "the greatest captain of his age."

The Earl of Shrewsbury was a great favorite at the court of Henry VI. He presented Queen Marguerite of Anjou, the last of the proven- 9al queens, a volume of sketches executed by himself. On the title page Henry VI and Marguerite are represented as seated upon a low divan, ladies in attendence are jjictured in the background. Talbot kneels before the Queen ])resenting his volume. Henry and Marguerite are^ again represented in an allegorical picture. Marguerite and the ladies of her court as the Virtues. Marguerite as Faith and King Henry as Honor. As an embellishment daisies are painted in clusters, for every lady had her emblem flower, the fashion of the time, and the queen's cipher is surrounded by the garter and its motto.

On the King's marriage all the knights and nobles wore Marguerite's emblem flower, the daisy, in their caps, when they came on horse-back in a body to receive her as her escort into London. This must have been a very flattering compliment, and the King carried it still farther by having "Marguerites " engraved on his silver. In the reign of Henry VI, during the "Wars of the Roses," Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, who was most loyal to the house of Lancaster, was killed in battle and was mourned by all classes of people.

AN EPITAPH ' ' Upon the much-lamented Death of the Truly Honoukable, very

AGED, AND SINGULARLY PIOUS LaDY,

The Lady Mary Arminb, Who Dyed Anno Christi 1675." ' ' Hail Mary full of Grace, 'bove women blest ; A Name more rich in Saints than all the rest; An Army of them fam'd in sacred Story : All good, none bad, an unparallel'd Glory! The blessed Virgin well may lead the Van ; Next follows Mary the Bethanian ; Next Mary, Wife of Cleophas ; Another Mary was of James and Joses Mother How much is spoke of Mary Magdalen ?

Of Mai-y, John Mark's Mother, we read agen. At Rome a Mary commended by St. Paul; All Saints; yet not to pray unto at all.''

" A Mary was the Mother of our Lord.

A Mary 'twas laid up in heart his word.

A Mary 'twas that chose the better part.

A Mary 'twas that wept with broken heart. A Mai"y 'twas that did anoint Christ's feet; A Mary pour'd on's Head the Spicknard sweet. At Christ's Cross standing Maries three I find. When others fled, they were not so unkind. Christ dead, interr'd, at the Sepulchre door Two Maries stand, I find no Women more."

" So that from Cradle to the Passion; From Passion to the Resurrection ; From Resurrection to the Ascention, Observe you may a Mary still was one, The Army of such Ladies so Divine, This Lady said, I'le follow they all Ar-mine,"

*' Lady Elect! in whom there did combine So many Maries, might'st say all Ar-mine. Thou Motlier Sister, Spouse wa'st of the Lord, In that in Heart and Life thou kept'st his Word,

Nipmuck History. 5

With th' other Mary chose the better part; With Mary Magd'len hacl'st a most tender heart."

" On Christ a Mary spent all that she could; Tho- others grudg'd, more if she had she would, To th' Head above could'st not, on the feet below Thou did'st not spare much cost for to bestow. Thy name a precious Ointment, and the Armies Of Saints, and Angels are the Lady Armines."

" Now God and Christ are thine, and what's Divine In Heaven's enjoyment, Blest Soul ! Now All are thine."

Jo. Sheffield.

A Sketch of the Nipmuck Country.

Governor Winthrop writes of a " joui-iiey " made by himself, and in company with others, to a place now supposed to be Sudbnry, Mass.

January 27, 1632 (old style), "Winthrop in his journal writes : " The Governor and some company with bim went up by Charles River about eight miles above Watertown (after naming certain hills and streams presented to their view).

" On the west side of Mount Feake, they went np a very high rock, from whence they might see all over Neipnett and a very high hill due west about forty miles off." — VVinthrop's Journal, YoL 1, 68.*

It is stated in the year 1631 '• a Sagamore from the river Qonchtacut which lies west of the Naragancet, had visited Boston and had offered the Governor inducements in a promised tribute of corn and beaver skins to send some Englishmen to settle his country. As the Dutch had already made a settlement on the Quinnehtuck river known as the lands of the ' Dutch House of Good Hope ' " (now Hartford, Ct.).

* This, it would appear, was the first view of Wachusett mountain by the English, it being the first mention of the Nipmuck country by the colonists.

It also appears " there was an Indian trail of the Aga warns, Woronoaks, and other small tribes on the Qiionehticut (the long tidal river) who were on friendly terms with the powerful ]*^ipmogg or Nipmiick Indians and came into their country either to pay tribute or to pass through their wide domains."

The Neipnet, Neepmug or Nipmuck Indians, inhabited the country between the sea-coast and the towns about the Massachusetts bay eastward, and the Connecticut river westward. It is said the name Neipnet or Nipmuck in the Indian language signifies " fresh water," which caused the Indians of this interior portion of the country to be thus distinguished from those upon the sea-coast. The Nipmuck country extended beyond the limits of Worcester county; .as delineated on some ancient maps it was shown as extending westward beyond the Connecticut river, and on the north into New Hampshire. There is no doubt that the territory of this tribe of Indians was originally very extensive, stretching over the entire country between the Merrimac and Connecticut rivers.*

According to Rev. John Eliot " Nipmuck or Neipnet was a great country lying between the Conactocot and the Massachusetts."

From Major Gookin's account "The Neipnet region extended from Marlborough to the south end of Worcester county, and around by the Brookfields through Washakins (Nashua) to the northern boundary of the state."

Col. Church states " the Nipmuck country was the country about Dudley and Oxford."

" These Nipmuck Indians were seated upon less rivers and lakes, or large ponds where Oxford now is and towns near it." — Governor Hutchinson.

* The Nipmuck country included all of what is now Worcester county.

In an ancient edition of Hubbard's " Narrative of the Indian Wars," published in 1677, is prefixed a map of New England, being as the title expresses " The first map here cut."

Nipmuck History. y

In 1647 there is the following record of the Nipmuck Indians :

"The Nopmat (Nipnet or Nipmuck) Indians, having noe Sachem of their own, are at liberty, part of them, by their own choice, doe appertain e to the Narragansett Sachem and parte to the Mohegens."*

" The Nipmuck Indians included several tribes. The Naticks, Nashawajs, Pegans, Pawtuckets, Quaboags, Wamesits, Hassauamesits and Pennakooks.

" The Hassauamesits were in Grafton, a part of the territory of Sutton. The Naticks were located at Natick ; the Nashaways were on the Nashua river, from its mouth ; the Pegans were in Dudley (now Webster), on a reservation of two hundred acres of land; the Pawtuckets were on the Merrimac river where Chelmsford now is; the Quaboags were located in Brookfield ; the Wamesits were for a time on the Merrimac river, at Lowell ; the Pennakooks were on the Merrimac river near Concord." — Drake's Indian History.

* Records of the U. Col. Hazard, 11, 93.

In 1668 Roger Williams says, " that all the Neipmucks were unquestionably subject to Narrhigonset Sachems, and in a special manner, to Mejksah. the son of Canonicus, and late husband, to the old Squaw Sachem, now only surviving." Hubbard states the Nipmucks were tributary to Massasoit and to Philip, Sachem of Mount Hope.

"This Squaw Sachem, as is believed, was chief of those inland Indiana since denominated the Nipnets, or Nipmucks, and lived in 1631 near Wachusett Mountain." — Drake's North American Indiana.

The Indians in exchange for their land with the English demanded certain articles in return. The following deed was given to Capt. Miles Standish for the ancient town of Bridgewater, a part of Duxbury. An extract of tlie considerations, viz. : " Ousamequin, Sachem of the Contrie of Pocanauket." Ousamequin, which name Massasoit adopted during the latter part of his life, gave a deed of land to the English, usually called Saughtuckett. It was dated 1649.

The consideration for which the Sachem granted the deed was as follows :

A Treaty with the Nipmucks.

In 1643 Governor Winthrop relates tliat " At this court Cutsbamekin and Sqnaw Sachem, Mascononoco, Nashacowam and Wassamagon, two Sachems, near the great hill of the west, called (Warehasset, Wachusett,) came into the court and according to their former tender to the governor desired to be received under our protection and government, &c upon the same term that Pnmham and Sacononoco were ; so we causing them to understand the articles, and all the ten commandments of God, and they freely assenting to all, they were solemnly received, and then presented by tbe Court with 20 fathoms more of Wampum and the Court gave each of them a coat of two yards of cloth and their dinner ; and to them and their men every one of them a cup of sack at their departure, so they took their leave and went away very joyful." — Governor Winthrop's Journal, 2, 156.

In 1643 Massasoit resided with Nashoonon, chief of the Nipmucks.

In Winthrop's Journal Nashoonon is Nashacowam.

A more extended account of this early treaty is to be found in the records of the Massachusetts Bay.

" Wossamegon, Nashowanon, Cutshamache, Mascanomet & Squa Sachim did voluntarily submit themselves to us, as appeareth by their covenant subscribed w^*" their own hands, hear following & oth' articles to w'^'' they consented. Wee have and by these presents do voluntarily & w^'^ont any constraint or psuasions, but of o'' owne free motion, put o'^selves, o'' sub-

7 coats, a yd and half in a coat — 9 hatchets, — 8 Howes, — 20 Knives, — 4 Moose Skins — 10 yds and a half of Cotton.

" The land conveyed in the deed extending in length and the breadth thereof as followeth, tliat is to say; from ye weare at Sanghtuckett seven myles due east, and from said "weare seven (miles) due west, and from said weare seven myles due north and from said weare seven (miles) due south," etc.

Nipmuck History. 9

jects, lands & estates under the government & jurisdiction of the Massachusetts, to be governed & ptected by them, according to their just lawes & orders, so farr as wee shal bee made capable of understanding them ; & wee do pmise for o^'selves all o"" subjects and all o' posterity, to be true and faithfull to the said government & ayding to the maintainaiice thereof, to o'" best ability. & fro™ time to time to give speedy notice of any conspiracy, attempt or evill intention of any which wee shall (or) heare of against the same : and we pmise to be willing fro"' time to time to be instructed in the knowledg & worship of God, in witness whereof wee have hereunto put o" hands the S*'' of the first m°. a 1643-1644."

Certain Questions Ppounded to the Indians & Answers.

1. To worship ye onely true God, w*=^ made heaven & earth & not to blaspheme him.

An : We do desire to rev'ence y^ God of y® English, & to speake well of him, because wee see hee doth better to y® English than othe'' Gods do to others.

2. " Not so swear falcely.

An ; They say they know not w* swering is among y^.

3. Not to do any unnecessary worke on y® Sabbath day, especially w^^in y"" gates of christian towns.

An : It is easy to y "^ : they have not much to do on any day, & they can well take their ease on y* day.

4. To bono"" their parents & all their supio's.

An. It is their custome to do so, for the inferio's to bono'' their supio's

5. To kill no man w^'^out just cause and just authority lO The Records of Oxford.

An : This is good and they desire to do so.

6. To comit no nnclean lust, &c

An : Though sometime some of y™ do it, yet they count that naught, and do not alow it.

7. Not to steale

An ; They say to y* as to y^ G^'' quere

To suffer their children to learn to reade God's word y* they may learn to know God aright & worship in his owne way .

They say as opportunity will serve, and English live among y™ they desire so to do.

That they should not be idle

To these they consented, acknowledging y™ to bee good

Being received by us they psented 26 fathoms of wampum, & the Court directed the Treasurer to give them five coats, two yards in a coate, of red cloth & a potfull of wine. — Mass. Col. Records, Vol. II, p. 55.

Rev. John Eliot, a clergyman of Roxbury, JST. E., educated at Cambridge, England, became interested in the benevolent project of introducing Christianity into the Nipmuck country and in educating the natives, Mr. Eliot having acquired the rudiments of the Indian dialect, it is said, from native servants in his own family.*

He was accompanied in his "journeys" by his friend Major- General Daniel Gookin, an English gentleman, born in the county of Kent, who had at first made a settlement in Virginia, but came to Cambridge, N. E., in 1644. Maj. Gookin was the superintendent of all the Indians that had subjected themselves to the provincial government, and in Mr. Eliot's missionary visits to the Indians, he himself, at the same time, administered civil affairs among the natives.

* Mr. Eliot says that " an ludian taken in the Pequot wars, and who lived in Dorchester, was the first native who taught him words and was his interpreter."

"He took the most unwearied pains in his strange lessons from this

Nipniuck History. 1 1

In 1646 the General Court of Massachusetts " ordered and decreed that two ministers should be chosen by the elders of the churches every year, at the Court of Elections, and so to be sent, with the consent of their churches with whomsoever would freely offer themselves to accompany them in that service to make kuown the heavenly counsel of God among the Indians in a most familiar manner, by the help of some able interpreter, as might be most available to bring them to the knowledge of the truth, and their conversion to Jesus Christ, and for this end something might be allowed them by the General Court to give away freely to those Indians whom they should perceive most willing and ready to be instructed by them." — Palfrey's History of New England.

A week before it had passed this order Rev. John Eliot had niade his first essay in preaching to the Indians. A. young man who had been a servant in an English house, and understood his own language, and had a clear pronunciation, Mr. Eliot took into his family ; and having, with his assistance, translated the Lord's Prayer and the Decalogue, he soon acquired a knowledge of the Indian language.

Ten pounds were voted to Mr. Eliot as a gratuity from the Court in respect of his great pains and charge in instructing the Indians in the knowledge of God.

Rev. John Eliot obtained for the Indians a grant of land, to which he gave the Indian name Noonanetum [Rejoicing].

Daniel Gookin, who accompanied Mr. Eliot in his journeys, says : " The first place he began to preach at was Nonantum, near Watertown, upon the south side of Charles River,

uncouth teacher, finding progress very slow and baffling, receiving no aid from other tongues which he had learned in England, and which were so differently constituted, inflected and augmented."

Mr. Eliot also secured natives to reside with him in his family and to accompany him on his visits, to interchange with him words and ideas. — Memorial History of Boston, pages 260-261.

about four or five miles from Roxburj, where lived at that time Wabat), one of their principal men, and some Indians with him."

Mr. Eliot set out upon his mission in October, 1646, and sent out forerunners to apprise the Indians of his intentions.*

Waban, a grave and wise man of the same age of the missionarj'^ (forty- two), a person of influence, met him at a small distance from their settlement, and welcomed him to a large wigwam on the hill Nonanrum.

A number of Indians assembled here to hear the new doctrine.

After a short service of prayer in English, Mr. Ehot delivei-ed a sermon from Ezekial 37 : 9, 10 : " Then said He unto me, Prophesy unto the wind (to which the Indian term " Waban " is said to answer). Prophesy son of man, and say to the wind (say to Waban) thus saith the Lord God, Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon those slain, that they may live. So I prophesied, as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood upon their feet an exceeding great army." Having closed his sermon, he was desirous of knowing whether he had conveyed his sentiments intelligibly in a language so new to himself, he therefore inquired whether they comprehended his meaning, to which they replied : " We understood all."

Waban particularly received those happy impressions, which remained through life, and qualified him effectually to aid in the dpsign of (Christianizing) his countrymen.

" Having given the children some apples, and the men some tobacco, and what else they then had at hand, . . . they departed with welcomes."

* For speedily transmitting intelligence "the Indian messengers ran swiftly, and at every settlement fresh messengers are speeded away to reach the chief's wigwam. When within about a mile of the place the messenger commences hallooing, and all who hear begin to halloo, whereby a great concourse is soon gathered to hear the news."

Nipmuck History. 13

Before the end of the year three other visits were made. "As soon as ever the winter was passed," Mr. Ehot' s Labors were resumed.

John Wampus, a native, brought his son and several Indian children to the English to be instructed.

A school was soon established among them, and the General Court having given the neighboring Indians a tract of highland, called JSTonantum, and furnished them with various implements of husbandry. The Indians many of them professed Christianity, and the whole in the vicinity became settled, and the Indians conducted their affairs with pru.dence and industry, and they adopted the customs of the English, made laws, and had their magistrate.*

Mr. Eliot's efforts were put forth for the civilization as well as the Christian ization of the people. He encouraged the building of farm-houses, and the making of homes for separate families, the planting of gardens and orchards, the raising and utilizing of flax and hemp. — Palfrey, II, 336, 337.

Mr. Eliot in writing to the corporation of London, in 1649, says " that a Nipnet Sachem hath submitted himself to the Lord, and much desires one of our chief ones to live with him and those that are with him."

*John "Wampus was a Sagamore of the Hassanamesit tribe. He is mentioned as being some time of Hassanamesit.

"In January, 1666, Eobert Wayard, of Hartford, Ct., conveyed by deed, a tract of land situate in Boston, to John Wampus, an Indian of Boston, bounded on the common, etc., being 800 feet by 30, with a dweUing house thereon. This tract is now partly covered by St. Paul's church.

"The records of Suffolk county give further evidence of his concern in the sale and purchase of real estate.

"Tradition states John Wampus crossed the Atlantic and was in London, that he returned to New England in the same ship with a Dr. Sutton, that his health failed on his return, and that he received particular attention from him on this voyage. "

Mr. Eliot writes again to the same society in the year 1651 :

"There is a great country called Nipnet, where there be many Indians dispersed, many of whom have sent to our Indians desiring that some may be sent unto them to teach them to pray to God."

It would appear that in England there was a lively sentiment in favor of Christianizing the heathen Nipmuck " in these ends of the earth," as well as other natives in the new world, and that the occupancy of New England by the English adventurers should result not only in the accumulation of gold, but that Christianity should be promulgated " in this hideous and howling wilderness," and throughout their possessions in America.

In writing of New England, Captain Weymouth, an historian of the time, asserts, that " the result hoped for in planting settlements on these shores was to Christianize these dark regions of America," which were designated by the English as the West Indies.*

CHAPTER 11.

Records from the Royal Historical Society, London.

The Christian education of the Nipmuck Indians through tHe correspondence of Rev. John Eliot, and the publication in London of a series of the " Eliot Tracts."

*" The first royal charter for establishing the colony of New England had declared that to win and incite the natives of that country to the knowledge and obedience of the only true God and Saviour of mankind and the Christian faith is our royal intention and the adventurers' free profession, is the principal end of the plantation."

In July, 1649, such was the effect of the report from New England on Cromwell, Calamy and others, as well as on the Long Parliament, that an act or ordinance was found with this title :

"A Corporation for the promoting and propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in New England."

Thus the New England Company was established by the Long Parliament,

"All honor then to Cromwell and the Commons of England in Parliament assembled as the founders of the first Protestant mission to Pagans."

This society continued until the "Kestoration of the Monarchy," 1660.

A general collection or subscription was to be made through all counties, cities, towns and parishes of England and Wales, for the purposes of the corporation.

Nearly $12,000 were forthwith collected by voluntary subscription throughout England and Wales, and several manors, lands and houses were purchased. An amount of at least £11,430 was expended in the purchase of landed property at Eriswell, in Suffolk, and a farm at Plumstead, in Kent, as well as several houses in London.

All these purchases were conveyed to this parliamentary corporation, or to some of the sixteen members as its trustees.

The corporation appointed commissioners and a treasurer in New England, who received the income transmitted to them by the corporation of England for the maintenance of missionaries and school teachers among the natives till the restoration of Charles II.

It is said^ Mr. Eliot's first effort to form an Indian town at Nonantum in Newtown proved a failure in his instruction to the natives on account of its being so near Boston and other English settlements. The surroundings of a so-called Christian community were unfavorable to influencing the natives from heathenism to Christianit}'^, and he desired a position more remote, and petitioned for a grant at Natick, and in 1651 the General Court set apart two thousand acres of land for an Indian plantation.

In 1651 Rev. John Eliot removed to Natick. In 1660 a native church was formed in this settlement, and though Mr. Eliot was a clergyman, having the care of a church in Roxbury for twenty-iive years, he preached and taught the natives, establishing schools and native churches with Christian teachers.*

" These commissioners received from the London Society authority to establish a school for the natives at Cambridge. Young men among the Indians were received as pupils to be educated for teachers. The society distributed bounties to encourage education; they printed catechisms in the native language and furnished books for teachers." — Palfrey, I, 333.

"In 1658 Eliot's native teachers received two pounds each for their services, while Eliot received two pounds for Bibles, spectacles, and primers for the natives." — Palfrey, I, 333.

" The expenses of the London Society in this, the eighth year of its establishment, was five hundred and twenty pounds in salaries to teachers and the expenses of pupils in the Cambridge schools."— Palfrey, I, 333.

Records Received from the Royal Historical Society,

London.

" (May 29, 1660.) Then this Corporation, created by the Long Parliament, ceased.

" There was, therefore, a short cessation of the income, for the Royalist vendor of the property at Eriswell in Suffolk, re-

*Tradition states there is still to be seen at Natick the oak tree under which Mr. Eliot instructed the natives.