No. 155. Captain Thomas Wheeler's Narrative. 1675.

A True Narrative of the Lord's Providences in various dispensations towards Captain Edward Hutchinson of Boston and myself, and those that went with us into the Nipmuck country, and also to Quabaug, alias Brookfield: The said Captain Hutchinson having a Commission from the Honoured Council of this Colony to treat with several Sachems in those parts in order to the public peace, and myself being also ordered by the said council to accompany him with part of my troop for security from any danger that might be from the Indians, and to assist him in the transaction of matters committed to him.

The said Captain Hutchinson and myself, with about twenty men or more, marched from Cambridge to Sudbury, July 28, 1675, and from thence into the Nipmuck Country. Finding that the Indians had deserted their towns, and having gone until we came within two miles of New Norwich on July 31 (we saw two Indians with a horse, whom we tried to speak with, but they fled, leaving their horse, which we took), we thought it not expedient to march further that way, but set our march for Brookfield, where we arrived on the Lord's day about noon.

From there, we sent out four men on August 1 to inform the Indians that we were not come to harm them, but to deliver a message from our Honoured Governor and Council and to receive their answer. We desired to come to a Treaty of Peace with them, they having professed friendship and promised fidelity to the English. The messengers returned with a promise from the chief Sachems to meet us the next morning about 8 o'clock upon a plain within three miles of Brookfield. However, their speeches and carriage discouraged many of our company.

On the morning of August 2, Captain Hutchinson, myself, and the rest of our company, along with three principal inhabitants of Brookfield, marched to the plain appointed. The treacherous heathen, intending mischief, did not come to the said place, failing our hopes of speaking with them there. We then considered whether to proceed further or return, as the Indians kept not their promise. The three men from Brookfield, strongly persuaded of the Indians' freedom from ill intentions, encouraged Captain Hutchinson to proceed towards a Swamp where the Indians then were.

When we came to the Swamp, we were suddenly ambushed. The Indians shot at us, killing eight men and wounding five, including Captain Hutchinson, myself, and my son Thomas. They also killed five of our horses and wounded others. We returned to the town as fast as the condition of our wounded men and the badness of the way would permit. We fortified ourselves in one of the largest and strongest houses in the town, where we resolved to keep garrison.

Within two hours of our arrival, the barbarous heathen pressed upon us in the house with great violence, sending in their shots like hail. They attempted to fire our house by hay and other combustible matter. We were forced to break down the wall of the house against the fire to put it out. They also shot a ball of wild fire into the garret of the house, which we quickly extinguished.

On August 3, they continued shooting and shouting, proceeding in their former wickedness, blaspheming the name of the Lord, and reproaching us. They fired the meeting house and barn, where they had fortified themselves, and burnt all the town except the house we were in and another unfinished one. They also made great spoil of the cattle belonging to the inhabitants.

On the evening of August 4, Major Willard with Captain Parker of Groton and forty-six men, along with five Indians, came to our relief. The Indians shot at them, killing only two of his company and a horse. We then brought the Major and his company into the house. The Indians continued their shooting for some time, but through the Lord's goodness, no more were killed or wounded within the house.

On August 5, the Indians, despairing of further success, left us. We cannot tell how many of them we killed, but one that was taken confessed that there were about eighty men or more killed and wounded.

We continued in the town till August 13, when Captain Hutchinson and myself, with most of those who had escaped without hurt, and some of the wounded, left for Marlborough. Captain Hutchinson died on August 19 and was buried the next day. The inhabitants of the town also removed to several places for safety.

Thus, I have endeavored to set down and declare both what the Lord did against us and what great things he was pleased to do for us. The Lord avenge the blood that hath been shed by these heathen. Praised be his name, that though he took away some of us, yet he was pleased to spare so many of us. May we sanctify his name in all his ways about us, that both our afflictions and our mercies may quicken us to live more to his glory all our days.