Facing Off Indians & Englishmen in Early New England
Pequot War (1634-8) Mass Bay & Plymouth Colony allied with Narragansetts & Mohegans Mass Bay & Plymouth Colony allied with Narragansetts & Mohegans Indians in Connecticut River Valley fought over European fur trade Indians in Connecticut River Valley fought over European fur trade two English traders killed by Niantic Indians; Puritan militia attacked Niantic on Block Island two English traders killed by Niantic Indians; Puritan militia attacked Niantic on Block Island Pequot raided Connecticut villages (took captives at Wethersfield) Pequot raided Connecticut villages (took captives at Wethersfield) English massacred Pequot women & children at Mystic; Indian allies horrified English massacred Pequot women & children at Mystic; Indian allies horrified Pequot nation virtually destroyed Pequot nation virtually destroyed Indians unable to mount resistance Indians unable to mount resistance until King Philip’s War in 1675 until King Philip’s War in 1675
“Praying Indians” & “Praying Towns”
John Eliot: Minister to the Indians
Metacom’s Rebellion: The Native American War for Independence King Philip’s War (1675-6) King Philip’s War (1675-6) southern New England (MA & ME, CT, RI) southern New England (MA & ME, CT, RI) 50% of colonial villages attacked 50% of colonial villages attacked 3,000 Indians & 800 colonists dead 3,000 Indians & 800 colonists dead Metacom killed, family sent into slavery Metacom killed, family sent into slavery
Metacom/King Philip King Philip’s Seat (Rhode Island)
Great Swamp Fight December 16, 1675 December 16, 1675 victory for colonial militia victory for colonial militia 300 Narragansetts killed 300 Narragansetts killed
Metacom’s Rebellion: The Native American War for Independence New England Confederation, Mohegans, & Pequots New England Confederation, Mohegans, & Pequots versus versus Wampanoag, Nipmuck, Podunk, Narragansett, Nashaway Wampanoag, Nipmuck, Podunk, Narragansett, Nashaway Indians losing land to the colonists Indians losing land to the colonists Metacom’s father Massasoit & brother Wamsutta had kept uneasy peace Metacom’s father Massasoit & brother Wamsutta had kept uneasy peace Metacom Grand Sachem in 1662 Metacom Grand Sachem in 1662 “Praying Indian” John Sassamon told colonial officials Philip planning war; Sassamon found murdered “Praying Indian” John Sassamon told colonial officials Philip planning war; Sassamon found murdered 3 Wampamoags arrested, tried, hanged 3 Wampamoags arrested, tried, hanged Swansea destroyed by Indians Swansea destroyed by Indians Plymouth & Boston militia destroyed Mount Hope Plymouth & Boston militia destroyed Mount Hope bloody, high casualty rates bloody, high casualty rates “Praying Indians” sent to Deer Island where many died “Praying Indians” sent to Deer Island where many died left legacy of bitter feelings & fear left legacy of bitter feelings & fear
Captivity Narratives Mary Rowlandson captured during King Philip’s War with her 3 children met with Metacom ransomed after 11 weeks daughter Sarah died in captivity Lancaster, MA Published 1682
The Unredeemed Captive by John Demos The Redeemed Captive by Rev. John Williams The Redeemed Captive by Rev. John Williams Indian raid on Deerfield, MA (February 29, 1704) Indian raid on Deerfield, MA (February 29, 1704) French stirring up trouble against English with help French stirring up trouble against English with help of Indian allies of Indian allies Williams family slain or captured, later “redeemed” Williams family slain or captured, later “redeemed” Eunice Williams remains “unredeemed” Eunice Williams remains “unredeemed” little actual evidence of Eunice little actual evidence of Eunice narrative history narrative history
The Unredeemed Captive by John Demos Historic Deerfield, Massachusetts Historic Deerfield, Massachusetts
The Unredeemed Captive by John Demos The Raid The Raid The Flight into Captivity
The Unredeemed Captive by John Demos Kahwanake Lands Kahwanake Village
The Unredeemed Captive by John Demos Iroquois Longhouses
The Unredeemed Captive by John Demos Jesuits in New France