The first attack at Berwick was upon the dwelling house of Richard Tozier, situarted near the present South Berwick line. Mr. Tozier and the men of his neighborhood were absent at the time of the attack as they had gone to the aid of Saco when their help was requested. Mr. Tozier's family, left at home, consisted of 15 persons, all women and children. Upon his defenseless group the Indians fell wtihout warning. Their appearance was first discovered by a young unknown "heroess" who held the door fast against the Indians until they had chopped it down with thier hatchets. Though wounded, she managed to survive and find her way to another garrison where she was helped with her woulnds and restored to health. On the day following, the savages set fire to the house and buildings of Capt. Wilcoin and reduced them to ashes. Men from surrounding garrisons pursued the fleeing Indians without success. These two attacks roused the settlers to action. Troops were requisitioned and sent from Boston to aid the settlers, and everything possible was done to prepare for another attack. It is said that bounties were offered for Indian scalps in some sections.
A letter of the period indicates the difficulties of the times: "This is to inform you that Indians are just now engaging us with at least one hundred men and have already slain four of our men, Richard Tozier, James Berry, Isaac Botts and Tozier's son, and burned Benoni Hodson's house." They went on to request help urgently, ending their letter they that cannot sign thier letter then pray, signed "Roger Plaisted and George Broughten."
Mr. Tozier’s residence was the object of a second attack in the following month of October 16th, 1675. Mr. Tozier was killed and his son carried into captivity. Lt. Roger Plaisted, commandant of the garrison, sent some of his men after the Indians but, they fell into an ambush and escaped with the loss of three men dead. A further attempt by the garrison resulted in an attack by 15O Indians, and in the battle that followed, Mr. Plaisted, one son and another man were killed, a second son receiving wounds that eventually proved fatal. Mr. Plaisted and his two sons are buried on what was his own land on the battle ground on the present Route 236 in South Berwick. Their tombstones bear this inscription: "Near this place lies the body of Roger Plaisted who was killed by the indians October 16, 1675, age 48 years, and also the body of his son, Roger Plaisted, who was killed at the same time." In retiring, the Indians burned several buildings and killed a number of settlers.
excerpts taken from The Story of Berwick published 1963