Programme, 1636, 1911; 275th anniversary of the founding of Springfield, Mass

F 74
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Copy 1

O^i/VJO^-^

CAuva^

OF THE FOUNDING OF

SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

^ >i

('c>()l,^^■s lliiTKi IN ISI14

HearTe! Hear Tel

FORASMUCH as it has pleased the Ahiiit-hty God to
brino; peace, plenty and prosperity to the ancient town
of Springfield upon the Kiver Connecticut, and whereas it was
two hundred and seventy-five years ago this day that y*^ town
was settled by William Pynchon and his companions.

'^tCrCfore. Be it known that tiiis day is set apart from all
others, to be observed in due form and proper spirit, without
undue pomp or pageantry, as becomes the ideals of our
forefathers.

And further, be it known, that as y'' town has lived in unity
of purpose so shall it live through the ages.

And therefore, Citizens of Sin'ingfield, observe this day by re-
joicing in the fullness of \our lives and the fruitfulness of your
labors. Greet your neighbors and the stranger within our
gates that all may be one and that one may be all.

Given this 26th day of Alay in the !:27oth year of the town
and the o8th year of tlu- city.

K. II. Lathkoi'. Mayor

God Save Springfield

Main Strf.ki \m) IImiiusov Avknle in ISHS

i^^th ^Anniversary Committees

C'oL. Arcws'i' II. (roKTrixci, C'/riinii(i?i

K\Ki{KTT K. Bf.ldixc;. Sccirttiry

A\ ii.i.iAM V. Adams Bukwf.u ("okcokax Joskimi (". Ai,i,i;\

Mati'ukw II. Fakuf.1,1, (ii;x. Kmiu'uy P. Ci.auk

CiiAKi.Ks 1}. Hitchcock \\'ii.i.iam M. Stf.vkxsox

(Al)|)nintf(l l)V Mavcih i;. 11. I.ATIIKOI')

Luncbron

I'allili K. SafFord, Clitiininin Kdwaril S. BraiUbril Charles T. Sliuan

Charles H. Hall James K. Miller

Cfrrrtsfo at d'catrr

Brewer Corcoran, Chalniiini Hwi^iht (). Gilmore E. N. Richards

E. L. Burke Kenneth Robbie

Clolirro fit 2ri)catrE

Geo. E. Howard, ChainiKUi Thomas W. Hyde Robert P. Marsh

Marvin C. Birnic Robert Medlicott James Kemptoii

Frederick Hopkins Gcorfj-e Robinson

iMetorical Loan liErbifait

Clifford B. I'otter, (l/diniKni Henry C. Hailc, I'iri-Cliiiii'iiuiii

HisToHu Ai. Din'Aur.MKN T — Prof. J. T. Bowne, Cli<tiniitni. Col. Stanhope E.
Blunt, Edwaril S. Brewer, Charles A. Frazer, Rev. J. H. Lockwooil. Oscar
B. Ireland, Hiller C. Wellnian, Mrs. James L. Johnson. Miss Ambia C.
Harris, Mrs. Frederick Harris. Mrs. Win. A. Lincoln, Mrs. Jamis H. L ar-
roll. Mrs. Win. G. Wheat. Mrs. Win. F. Adams, Miss Ida F. Farrar.
PoKTiiAiTS — Henrv A. Booth, ClnurnHtti, l^'rancke W. Uii-kinson, IJexter
P, Lillie, Charles H. Barrows, Robert O. Morris, Henry C. Haile, Harold
A. Lev, Mrs. Richard F. Hawkins, Miss 1\L Louise Dunbar, Miss Claribel
H. Smith. Mrs. A. H.Watson, .\riss Estella j\L Lapham, Mrs. Geo. Pirnie.
Art — Rev. Ur. Harwood Huntin^^ton, ClininiKui. Charles H. Hall. H. C.
Rowley. Frank G. Tobey. Rev. Dr. J. L. R. Trask, J. Stuart Kirkham,
Charles L. Goodhue, Mrs. A. A. Packard. Mrs. Frank H. Wesson. Mrs.
G. W. V. Smith. Mrs. A. B. Wallace. Mrs. H. H. Bowman, Miss Eleanor
A. Wade, Mrs. Edmond IL Smith.

SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

Founded by William Pynchon, 1636

Oi.n Kaii.koao Staikin am> (iuAUK C'i(ci>,sis(. is 1>^^

275//; Anniversary Committees

Inotorical i&ftftriirs

Henry Lasker. L'ha'tnnan Robert C. Pepper. SerreUu-y

Henry N. Bowman Kurt R. Sternberg

ADfascrbancfB in sSthOOlg — Joseph C. Allen

Sfaiarrbanrrs in ^Clnirrhria — Everett E. Beldino:

Jnbitations

Brewer Corcoran. Chalnium

Charles B. Hiteheock

©roijrams

A. L. S. Wood, Chiiiniuni Ralph R. French

Alfred L. S. Wood. Chainnan Ralph R. French
William E. Wallace

80rtial8

Brewer Corcoran, L'luunnan Charles B. Hitchcock Robert F. Day

Henry J. Beebe, Jr. Harold A. Ley William F. Adams

Gen. E. P. Clark

Kenneth Robbie
John B. Callashan

Everett E. Beldin<>-. Clinirmnii

/Flacs

J. T. Schauweker

Dccorationa — Oscar Buchhol/.

SToUin Criers
Col. CnAHi.ES L. ^'m ng, Chitif Crifi-

J. R. Ramsay
H. C. Cassidv
W. J. H viand
S. C. I'ike
W. T. Butnian
H. E. Cook
T. H. Flcminfi;
(W-or^e M. (lay
Henry Bryant
Earl W. Brvant
E. C. Hazeii
H. R. Dole

R. P. Smith
E. C. Davis
Louis Brams. Jr.
H. H. Knapp
C. 1). Root
lli'nr\- Packard
E. B.'Alvord
J. B. Ilarriiifiton
Walter Hicks
Harry Coolcy
Harry Cady

W. A. Leison
T. W. Burden
B. M. Collins
I-:. B. Calcf
E. R. Burner
J. V. ()"Hani<.n
T. .1. Lasarcs
J. J. Hughes
J. F. Foss
John Hodffes
1\. Carl Moore

l<l\lli iHllM 1'k 111 Ml lllll IS |N7

Programme for the Day

(j A. .\F. —Sunrise (inns will lire a Salute to be followi'd by
Salutes by tin- Whistles and IJells of the eity.

PkoCI.AMATIOX liV THK U\)\VX CuiEHS.

ExKUClSKS I\ ALT, IIIP: SciIOOLS.

(S. a. R. iSprafecrs

Central Hifjli Seliool and Wortliinjiton Strt-et, C"ol. John L. Rice.

Technical Hi<ih and Lincoln wSchool. Major U. M. Brewster.

Armory Strci't, Coniniandi'r Hein\\ M. Sniitli.

Barrows and Eastern Avi-nue. Horace Goodwin.

Belmont AveniK' and Kensin}>ton Avenue, James Anderson.

Buckingham, William B. Covil.

Carew Street, Janu-s B. Kceiu'.

Central Street aiul White Street, He\ . K. S. Withen^ll.

Chest luit Street. Oscar B. Ireland.

Kast Union Street, Orrison J. Tarhox.

Homer Street, Georfi'e 1). Shaw.

Hooker Street. T. S. Stewart.

Howard Street and State Street, J. W. Hersey.

Indian Orchard Cirammar. Rob Roy McGregor.

.lelTerson .\scnue. 'I'hecKlore Manee.

.School .Street. Col. S. C. W'arriner.

South .Main Street, Dwi-ht M. Chapman.

'l"a|iiey .Seiiool. John I',. .Stannai'd.

Wdliam Street. William H. Hawkins.

Pro(irammc for the I^av — continued

().;>() r. \i. — 15. WD ('o\( i;i!i' ()\ ('oil!!' S(ir.\i!i..

I3roijr!iin

I. .M\ii(ii, Colonel I'.stry ........ lUtijli)!

1. ( )\i:n iTHi:. W'illiiiii I'l-ll ....... HoKxiiii

'A. Si:i,i:iTioN. Til.' ('li(H-ol;ilc Soldier Sfraiiss

I. !'.( iioi:s rno.M iiii: M i:i noroi i tan ()i'i:i;a liorsi; . . . 'rolxiiii
'). Hkmixisi i:m i:s oi' Si on. and ...... (iuil/ni/

(i. HxmroNr: Soi.o. Selected ...... Ctrl«iiii scli'i

?. ("lUAND 1''aN-|ASI A. Me] ill istoplu'les ..... 'I'dlKllli

S. Si:i.i:crioN . Hriulit I'.yes ....... /Ih.scIiiki

!>. Ami:huan I'ani'asii-: ........ Ilirlurt

S I'. Ai. — KxKiicisKs IX CoiKT SciiAKK 'I'l I i:Ari;K.

1. CoNlKliT

HARDYS ORCHESTRA

2. Rkadim; (11 AsNnKiiSAiiv Pixu i.a.ma riox hv Town Cmiit

CHARLES L. YOUNG

S. Invocation. Pastor of tlu' I'irst C'iiiireli

REV. I)R. NEIL McPHERSON

4-. OiMNiNc; Ciioms. The Land of the Free . . . Whifmnrk

CALHOUN CLUB. Edwin N. Richards, D.rator

.'}. Addhkss

MAYOR EDWARD H. LATHROP

()'. Ai)i)iu:ss. Siirin<ifii-ld <)f the Past

CHARLES H. BARROWS

7. SoNc. Those Son^s My.Mother I'sed to Sins' • • ■ Siiii/li

E. A. SWIFT and CALHOUN CLUB

H. .Xdoress. Springfield of the Present

WILLIAM G. McKECHNIE

i). .\NNivKTiSARY PoF.M ..... t'lidrli'S (lonilrich Wh'it'nig
Read by REV. DR. PHILIP S. MOXOM

Id. Patimoik Midikv. Lest We For-iet . . I\ihrhi .V. IHrluirdu

CALHOl'N CLUB

II. Aw AiiDiNi, o! I'mzKs, I'or llie 1 listorical l'".ssavs by School Cliddreii

COL. GOETTING

I?. Ai)i)i{i:ss. Springfield ot the Future

C. W. BOSWORTH

l:i. .Vmehua

CALHOUN CLUB and tho Audience

IIisToitic Loan Ismiii'.ii' —

1(1 A. M. until 1(1 v. M. Wednesday. Thursday and i'riday. in the ('lia])el (f
the i'irst Church, Court Stju.ari-.

L()()KiN(; Kast from 185 i

I I,i\F.i.. MiNicirvT, lowm

I.EVKL. Ml NlCll'AI. ToWKR

I'lUMIlKNI .\llKlMI\'> \ 1^11 IN I-

Programme for the Day — eon tinned

%,^t ^pciiKfrs in t!jf l}iff^ ^r^oolo

AIoxDAi. Charles II. liaiTow s. " Tlu' P\ iirhous and the Set-
tleineiit of Spi-iniifield. "

TiKsDAV. Ileiii-y A. IJooth. "Lite in Sprini!,iiel(l in the
Colonial Days."'

^\'l•l)\*^. l'i-()f. Jaeol) T. l^)\\ne. ""The Settlers and the
Indians. ""

I'lMhAV. W'idi.nn (i. MeKeehnie. '" Si)i-in!4(iel(l ;ind Sluns*

lu'hellion. ""

ri;iiMi'ii,M. Am II. .'.Mm II A n \ i \ i i:^ \i; ■. . M

Spring field 1636 and 191 1

INCH the history of Sprinjifielil was written for the pro-
firaniiiie of the I'c-lehratioii of the i.iOth anniversary the city
has more than shared the proj^ress of the country. It has
jiTown from a population of 37. .577 in 1SH.5 to 8S,9>(j in 1910;
its property valuation has grown from •'?3(i.7S-i,-2()-2 in 1SS(>
to .S119.()S1,77S; its taxes in 1SS() amounted to S3.S(),4.S.5.i-2,
in 19I0 to SI, ;)7<>. 7(1,5 11. Tlu' tax rate has only increased
from Sli.SO on one thousand dollars to S1,5.S().

In these tweuty-fivt' years of its greatest growth the
city has experienced no ■"boom"" with its inevitable re;u--
tion; there have been no overwhelming disasters to retai'd
tile steady growth of Western Massachusetts' greatest city.
The railroad problem, solved by nu-ans of the Arch and
the re-establishment of grades sinc-e the history of 1SS(>
was written, again has been outgrown and the c-ity is deciding on a new
plan to embrace a Riverfront park and possibly the removal of tlu' rail-
road tracks to the west bank of tlu' river.

Thi' City Hall built in 1S,J4- was burned January ,5. 190.5 ;ind is being
replai-ed by a million dollar group that will be oiu- of the most beautiful
in the I'uited States. The exterior of tiie Auditorium has been completed
and tlu- clock tower has just reac-hed its height of .SOO feet

Since ISSfi the city has witnessed and taken its part in the development
of the trolly systi-m. automobik's and aero]ilanes. The country has
fought a war with vSpain. .Springhi-ld sent her fidl quota into Cuba, Porto
I{ico. the i'liiliiipines and the i-aiups of the Sout h and her sons won gen-
erous lani'els for themselves and their n.ative city.

In tile constructive history of tiu' city noti'worthx .icliie\ cnu-nts have
been m.ade in evei-y dep.iit iiuni . Tlie uierchants liave prosperi-d and
liirir ui.irkets lia\c wideiicd; tiie industries h;i\e increased in number,
\.ilue and \arict\ ; tlie scliool system has taken a position among the fore-
most in tlic (iiuntiy; forest Park lias been conceived and become a reality;
tlie city lias met ami coiKiuered its slum problem with jdaygrounds. boys'
club .•ind intelligent settlement work; the '".Siife and Sane fourth of July*'
idea, born here has been fostered and the Springheld celel>r;it ion is iiniipU'.
No city in the I'nited States boasts greater or more justit'i.able civic pride
than Springtiekl. where every citizen feels personal responsibility for tlie
governnuMit i.f his home tow n and li.as .-i ]il,ice in nnniici;ial business .•ind
pU-asure.

Springfield 1636 and 191 i

I'Ik' tollowiiij^- account of tlic scttlciiicnt of Siiriiigfickl is from Kind's
Haiulhook of Spriiijifickl aiul was j)rintc<l in the profiTaniiiic of the cele-
bration of thi' .'.>()th anniversary:

••On the (ilii of .Ma> . l(i;r/( l-'ivc years after tlu' settlement of Boston),
the iniiahitants of Koxljiiry had libei-ty ^iranted them to ri-movi- them-
selves to any jflai-e they shouki tiiink meet, not to prejudice another |)laii-
tation. provided they should continui- under the fiovernmi-nt of Massa-
c-husetts. In accordance with this permission, William Pynchon, a
I)atentee and ma<iistrate under the colony charter, and others, c-ame with
their families from Koxhury and located themselves, in the si)riTifi- of 1<)S(>.
at Sprinfitieid, tiien known by its Iiuiian name of A<>awam.

'•()n the lltii of .May. KiSfi. Mr. Pynchon. Henry Smith (Pynclion's
son-in-law), INIatthew Mitcliell. Jehu Hnrr. William Blake, lulnmrid \\'oocl,
Thomas UfFord anil John C'aijle si^iiu-d a written ajirt-ement of the settk--
nn'nt.

"None of the sif^nei'S of this aiireement, exc-ept Pynclion and Smith
remained here lon<;-. Most of them left within three years. Other settlers
came, and on the KJth of May twelve persons received allotments of land.

"Soon aftt-r tlieir arrival the settlers entered into ne<i-otiation with
the Indians for the purchase of a site for the plantation. The land was
valuabk- to the Intlians mainly as affording- a ran^e for hunting- and tishinfj,-,
and the fiatherin<i- of nuts and wild fruits that grew spontani-ously. In
addition, they had small patc-hes of c-ultivated ground, where they raised
their corn. They were willing to sell to the planters the land they re-
quired, reserving to themselves only such uses of it as they were accustom-
ed to enjoy.

"Accordingly, by a deed ext'cutcd witli due formality on the l.>th of
July. I().S(). — for the purjiort of which was expiaini'd to them l)y an Indian
interpreter from the Bay.— two of (lie "ancient Indians of .\gawam." for
themselves and ek-ven other Inilians wiio claimed to l)e proprietors of
the land, conveyed to William Pynchon. Henry Smith, anti Jeliu Burr,
their heirs and associates forever a large tract of land on botli sides of the
river, including the greater part of the land now oi-cupieil by the city of
Springfield. For this dei-d Pynchon and his assoc-iates paid a consideration
which was satisfactory to the Indians, and of which they never et)mplained.

"The first settlers built their houses on the westerly side of tlu' town
street, which was about eighty rods easterly of tiu' rivt-r anil substantially
j)arallel to it.

"Tiie first allotment of lands was maile in May, Ki;}*), to tiie I'ight
signers of the agreement, anil four otliers who had joineil them. As most of
these twelve jjcrsons left the })lantati()n soon, their allotment of land was
afterward greatly altered by anew division, which was the basis of the
permanent settlement. This new ili vision assigned to each man a home
lot extending from tlie street to the river, with a portion of the meadow
and upland of e((ual width on the i-asterly siile of the street. In general
these home lots wei-e eight rods wide. Pynchon and a few others had lots
nnich wider. The town street of that day corresj)onded. substantially with
the presi-nt Main street of the city, in its general course. Besides this
principal stri'et, there were three narrow lanes leading from it to thi> river.
These with greatly inereasetl width, are now represented by Kim street,
York stri'i't and Cyi)ress street. The only road running easterly from the
town street was in some i)art of its course the same as the ))resent State
street.

■'In 1()H() the |)lanlalion of Agawam was supposeil to be in the same
jurisdiction as Windsor, Ilai'tford and Wetln'rsfick! ; and the government
of tiu'se four towns was administereil by connnissioners appointed by tlie
Oeneral Court of Massachusetts. Pynchon anil Smith wvm members of
this commission, and Pynchon atteniled its session at Hartford. A more
accurate survey of the division-line between Massachusi-tts and Connect-
icut established the fact, that Agawam fell within the jurisdiction of
Massachusetts, anil k'ft the si-ttk-r here temporarily without an\ magis-

Springfield 1636 and 191 i

tr.itc, ami at slicli a ilislaiicc iVoni ll.c l!a\ as In lir iiracl ica 1 1\ lic\(iiu| lln-
ri'acli (if till- authorities tlicrc.

"In this exij^'cncy. tin- planlcrs of A^-awani met on tiic lllh of
l\-hniary. KiSf). and voted that .\li'. I'vnchdn should execute tlie office of a
niajiist rate ill the jilantation. \\il:hall the powers necessary to administer
justice unl il the (ienerai C'om-t shouiil ollierwise oi-(h'r. l'n(h-i- this au-
tlioi'ity Mr. I'ynchon acted until Jinic-. Kill, u hen he was duly coni-
niissioned by tiu- (leneral Court with sincilar powers.

■■()n the I Ith of A|iril. Kill, the name of the town was chamicd. 1)\ a
\uti' of the inliabitants. from .\>i-awam to Sprinfi-Hcld. 1 his is said to h.ave
been a coniphnK-nt to I'ynchon. wliose residence in iMi^land iiad Ixeii a
place of that name. Tiu- Cieneral Court reci)j;ni/,ed tiie town by tlie name
of Springfield in Kiil.

•"Prior to Kil-? tlu' bonndsof the tow n wh re (jiiirc indefinite. In KiUS, old
style. ( K)SJ) as time is now reckoned ) a committt'c, ap])ointed for the jiur-
pose, describetl the northern boundary as at a brook on the other side of
the river about a (piarter of a mile above the mouth of Ciiico])ee river.
'1 he brook at tlie lower iMid of the lon^i' meatlowon the east side of the river,
and the brook a little below on the west side, art- mentioned as the soutii-
erly boundary. No east or west boundarj' is ji'iven.

"In tlie year Kit? the General Court made very lar<ie additions to the
town of Sprin^iHi-k! : so that it included Westtield. Suffield. a consiiU'rable
part of Soutlnvick. and the whole of Wi-st 8prin<;field, Holyoke and
Agawani on the west side of the river; and the present Si)rinfiHeld, Chi-
copi'c. Entiekl. Somers. \\ ilbraham, I^udlow. Lon<;ineadow. anti II;uu|)(h-n
on the east side of the river.

"In the year K)49 tlie subject of witchcraft attracted some attention in
Spriuf^field One Mary Parsons, wife of IIuj;h Parsons, hati circulated a
report that a widow named Marshfii-ld, who hat! removed from Windsor to
Spiin<i-fiekl was <j,-uilty of witchcraft, an offence then punishable with death.
For this story the widow commenced an action before Mr. Pynchon. ajjainst
Mary Parsons ; and the magistrate finding- her guilty of this slander, sen-
tenced her to pay thri'e pounds to the jilaintilf. or else to he whipjicd twenty
lashes by the constable.

"Two years later, in May Ki.jl. Mary Parsons was iierself c-jiargcd
with the crime of witchcraft. She was indicted for having "used divers
devilish practices by witc-hcraft to the hiu't of Martha and Kebi't-kah
Moxon, two daughters of the minister, h'or this oflFence she was tried at
Boston before the Cieneral Court, but ac(iuitted for want of satisfactory
eviilence. I'pon the charge of murilering her own child, on which she was
charged at tlie same time, she was convic-ted. and st-ntencetl to death.

".Vliout this time ( Ki.jl ) Mr. Pynchon incurred the displeasure of the
(ienerai Court on account of a tiicological book, published in JMiglantl,
which was alleged to contain heretical sentiments. 'I'lie charge of heresy
was a very serious one at that day; and when Pynchon adnntted the au-
thorshiji of the work. and. after being admonisheil by the Court, and
dealt with by leading divines of the colony, selected toconvince him of his
errors, failed to make a satisfactory recantation of them, he felt himself to
be, and was. in no little peril. .\s flu- result of the dilluadty he li'ft Amer-
ica, and returned to h'.nglaud. in Ki.Ji. where he died a few ye.irs afterward.
Henry Sunth. his son-in-law. — although designafed as his successor in the
magistracy in Springfield. — anil Mr. Moxon. the nunister, accompanied
Pynchon to JMigland. Neither of them rc-turned to this country. I'wo
nu-mi)ers of Mr. Pynchon's fandly . remained in .Springlield. his son. .lohn
Pynchon, and his son-in-law h.lizur Ilolyoke.

".Vfter the dei)arture of Pynchon .and Snuth, SpiMnglleld w.as (hstilute
of any local magistracy. To pro\ iile for this exigency, the (ienerai Court.
in October KJ.V.;. ap])ointed three commissioni-rs as magistrates, to govern
the town. 'I'hese were John Pynchon. I'.lizur Ilolyoke and Samuel Ciia])in.

"In Kifin was built the tii'sf brick- buildim;- ever erected in Si»ringtield.
It was the dweliuiL;- house of , lohn Pxiiclion. who is called in tlie records

Springfield 1636 and 191 i

■'riif Worshipful Major ryiiclion" aiul. lati-r: "'I'lic Worshipful (oloiicl. '
Thf bricks used in tliis c-oustructioTi were iiiatlc in Northauiptoii. I'lir
carpiMitcrs and masons were from W'intlsor. 'I'hi' buildin}^- was li fci-t lon^'
and il ft'ct widf. The w alls were \crv thick and solid, rising about 11 feet
from the <ir()und to the caM's. IJic roof was very steep and the ridge was
about 11 feet in perpi-ndicular height above the garret floor. It was
tiesigneil to be a fortifieil house, and was actually used as such during the
Indian war.

"This building I'cniaini'd in the occupation of the I'ynclioiis until it was
tiemolislu-d, in 1S.'}1. to make room for a more modern house. It was long
known as the "old fort." The wooden house which hatl been the home of
William I'ynchon was connected with tlu- new brick housi' and made to
.serve as an appendage to it. It was removi'd in I SSI to the easterly part
of Cross street where in an altered statt'. in ISSU. it serves as a dwelling
house and lainitlry.

■■ I'ntil the year KfT.T. tlic rclat ions of the people of Springtield \\ith
tile Indians wert- amicable .and pleasant. The Indian sold his beavt'r antl
other turs to Pynchon. and, in return, purchased from him such goods ,as
Pynchon ki-pt in store as suited to the Intlian's needs. Firearms ami am-
munition only were prohibited articles. The redmen roamed the streets
of the town, and visited freely the houses of the whites. Xo cause of dis-
satisfaction or discontent was known to exist on the part of the Indians.
They had what was known as a fort in the southerly part of the town,
but this created no uneasiness on the part of their white neighbors. Prob-
alily the whole Indian j)opulation in the town and its immediate vicinity
did not exceeil two hunclreil ))crsons.

*"In l()7,j the disturbances fomenti-ti by I'liilip. the chief <if tin-
Wanipanoags. began in the soutlu-astern i)art of tlu- state, anil gradually
spread westward until they reached the valley of the Connecticut. Philip
himself was said to have visited the Agawam Indians, anil induceil them to
join the confederacy against the whites. About 800 hostile Indians were
secretly introdui'ed into their fort, and every preparation maile to assault
Springfielil and slaughter its inhabitants. The time was favorable for the
attempt. The soldiers who had been stationed here as a garrison were
ti'mporarily absent with Major P\ nchon. their commander, on an exi)eili-
tion about v?0 miles uptiie river, to check some iiostile di'monstrations there.
The intention of Philip's men became known to tlii' j)eo])li' at Wintlsor
through the disclosures of a friendly Indian; and timely warning was sent
to Springfield, and to Major Pynchon at Hadley. The people generally
took refuge in the fortified houses of which there were three, one of them
the Pynchon house and the others in the south part of the street. Three
men and one woman were killed by the Indians. Thirty-two houses anil
twenty-five barns were burned, with Major Pynchoir's i-orn-mill and saw-
mill.

"Discouraged by these disasters. occiu*ring just as winter was ap-
proaching, and fearful of the suftcring likely to follow the destruction of
their houses and stores which they had gatiu'red for the winter, many of
the inhabitants were inclined to abanilon the town, and seek a home else-
where. But wiser counsels pri'vailcd and most of them remained to repair
the losses they had sustained. After this nuinifestation of their treachery
the Indians withdrew from Sjiringticld."

Press of L o R I N »; - .\ X r k i. i, C o m r a n v . .s » /■ / n ;/ f i e I <l . M ass.

LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS

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