Indian Alarms in Woodstock, Connecticut
Thus in ten years the Roxbury colony was comfortably established, but
clouds were gathering. The long-continued war between France and England
incited their Indian allies to shocking atrocities. New England was
exposed to constant alarm and assault from the fierce Mohawks and restless
Canadian Indians. An isolated, frontier town like Woodstock was especially
exposed, and the insubordination of its own Indian residents added to
their uneasiness. These Wabbaquassets were inimical to Massachusetts and
her authority, but most fortunately at this epoch they were willing to
yield allegiance to Lieutenant John Sabin, half brother of Deacon Sabin,
who had established himself just over Woodstock line, within Connecticut
limits. Under his leadership Woodstock's military position was greatly
strengthened. Watch houses were fortified, scouts maintained, military
discipline enforced, the Indians looked after and brought within Sabin's
fortifications.
Woodstock's first serious alarm occurred in the August of 1696, just ten
years from the date of settlement. A band of marauders fell suddenly upon
the helpless Huguenots of Frenchtown (now Oxford). John Evans and John
Johnson were shot, the children of Johnson dashed against the chimney
jamb, their mother managing to escape to the river by the aid of her
brother. Stealing down the stream and through the woods, she reached
Woodstock in the morning with her tale of horrors. Quickly the news flew
through the Woodstock settlements. The inhabitants huddled within the
garrisons, tidings were sent to the authorities of Massachusetts and
Connecticut, and bands of armed men scoured. the woods and guarded exposed
positions. The arrival of Major Fitch with a few English soldiers and a
band of friendly Indians relieved immediate apprehension, especially as he
was able to exercise authority over the Wabbaquassets. He found they
numbered twenty-nine fighting men, and as their headquarters were with
Lieutenant John Sabin, he was able. to furnish them with arms and
ammunition under certain restrictions.
This beginning of tribulation was followed by a long period of insecurity
and alarm. In October, 1696, by act of assembly, Woodstock was accounted a
frontier and comprehended within the act to prevent the deserting the
frontier, by which its inhabitants were forbidden to leave the town
without special license, under very severe penalties. John Sabin was now
made captain and Peter Aspinwall lieutenant of the company, the latter
:serving many months in command of a company of scouts or rangers,
patrolling the woods of Massachusetts.
A very serious panic occurred early in 1700, arising from the very
suspicious conduct of the Wabbaquassets, who went away mysteriously with
their families and the treasure of the tribe, pretending fear and danger
from the Mohegans. Other indicacations pointed to a general combination
and insurrection of what were deemed friendly Indians in -New England, and
there was great apprehension that these Wabbaquassets had started for the
rendezvous. A hasty message brought to the relief of Woodstock Captain
Samuel Mason, with twelve English soldiers and eighteen Mohegans. He found
Woodstock in great excitement. James Corbin's well-known cart was on the
way from Boston, laden -with ammunition, and great fear was entertained
lest this military store might be captured by the enemy. After holding
counsel with Mr. Dwight, Captain Sabin and leading men of the town, it was
thought best to dispatch three faithful Wabbaquassets, viz., Kinsodock,
Mookheag and Pesicus, as messengers to the fugitives, urging them to
return and assuring them of their friendship and protection. A pass was
sent with them forbidding people to take their arms from them. News came
during the day that Corbin's cart was drawing nigh, and sixty armed men
went out to meet it and brought it in with great rejoicings. The friendly
messengers were probably successful, as nothing farther was heard of the
"resurrection and revolt of his Majes-ty's subjects," and Captain Mason
returned peacefully to New London.
The state of alarm continued several years. Major Fitch visiting Woodstock
in 1704, reported affairs there in bad condition, the people poorly
provided and much exposed, the women and children gathered into garrison
with but one man to guard them. Other inhabitants were out scouting or
laboring in the fields under arms. The families on the westward hill he
found in very difficult and disheartening circumstances, too remote to
come into town, and having no adequate fortifications. He thought needful
to leave fifteen men for the defense of the place, to serve alternately as
scout and guard, and desired the government of Massachusetts " to provide
the standing part at the several garrisons as to diet, and the marching
part with supper and breakfast when they came in." The sums levied upon
Woodstock for her subsistence and maintenance of this defense told heavily
upon her slender treasury.
Public affairs were much neglected during these anxious years. Town
meetings were almost wholly intermitted, common land left unfenced,
highways to run to waste, mill house out of repair. A few families removed
from town. A number of the older settlers were removed by death, viz.,
John Leavens, John Butcher, Deacon John Chandler, William Bartholomew,
Sr., Nathaniel Johnson, Sr., and others. By 1704 tranquility was so far
restored that the first school house was ordered, " 21x16, six or seven
feet high, on the hill southwest of John Carpenter's. . . . . to be
finished by Michaelmas next," Jonathan Peake, Jacob Parker, Arthur
Humphrey committee to manage the work (site on town land near the present
Plaine Hill cottage). John Holmes, John Johnson, Philip Eastman, Samuel
Perrin, Smith Johnson now served as selectmen; Matthew Davis, constable;
John Chandler, town clerk; Thomas Lyon, Thomas Eaton, surveyors. Philip
Eastman was sent as deputy to the general court. John Picker taught the
first school in the new school house, and was succeeded by Thomas Lyon.
Samuel Paine, Zachariah Richardson, James Hosmer, John and Peter Morse,
John Payson, John Child and other new settlers had come into possession of
home lots, made vacant by removal to growing settlements in Aspinock and
Mashamoquet. Deacon Benjamin Sabin and his large family of sons, Nathaniel
Gary, John Carpenter, Nathaniel Sanger, John Hubbard, Peter Aspinwall, the
sons of John Leavens, Samuel Paine and Samuel Perrin were among these
emigrants.
Back to: Woodstock, Windham
County, Connecticut History
Source: History of Windham County, Connecticut,
Bayles, Richard M.; New York: W.W. Preston, 1889 Back to: Windham County, Connecticut
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