41 Indian Captivity (1677-1678)

We took a Swamp that was at hand for our refuge. The Enemy espying us so near them, ran after us and shot many Guns at us. Being in this Swamp that was miry, I slumped in and fell down whereupon one of the Enemy stepped to me with his Hatchet lift up to knock me on the head. I (as it happened) had a Pistol by me, which though uncharged I presented to the Indian who presently stepped back and told me if I would yield I should have no hurt. He said (which was not true) that they had destroyed all Hatfield and that the Woods were full of Indians, whereupon I yielded myself and so fell into the Enemy’s hands. And two other Indians came running to us. And the one lifting up the Butt end of his Gun to knock me on the head, the other with his hand put by the blow and said I was his Friend.

And soon was I brought into the Company of Captives that were that day brought away from Hatfield, which were about a mile off. Then were we pinioned and led away in the night over the Mountains in dark and hideous ways. We were kept bound all that night. The Indians dispersed and as they went made strange noises, as of Wolves and Owls and other Wild Beasts, to the end that they might not lose one another. And if followed they might not be discovered by the English. About the break of Day we Marched again and got over the great River [Connecticut] at Pecomptuck [Deerfield] River mouth and there rested about two hours. Here was I again in great danger. A quarrel arose about me, whose Captive I was, for three took me. I thought I must be killed to end the controversy. And thus was I fallen into the hands of the very worst of all the Company, as Ashpelon the Indian Captain told me. Which Captain was all along very kind to me and a great comfort to the English.

In this place they gave us some Victuals, which they had brought from the English. From hence we went up about the Falls, where we crossed that River again. We had about eleven Horses in that Company, which the Indians made to carry Burdens and to carry Women. We travelled up that River till night and then took up our Lodging in a dismal place and were staked down and spread out on our backs. And so we lay all night, yea so we lay many nights. They told me their Law was that we should lie so nine nights and by that time it was thought we should be out of our knowledge [familiar territory]. The manner of staking down was thus: our Arms and Legs stretched out were staked fast down, and a Cord about our necks so that we could stir no ways. The first night of staking down, being much tired, I slept as comfortably as ever. The next day we went up the River and crossed it and at night lay in Squakheag Meadows [Northfield].

Then the Indians moved again, dividing themselves and the Captives into many Companies, that the English might not follow their track. At night having crossed the River, we met again at the place appointed. The next day we crossed the River again on Squakheag side, and there we took up our quarters for a long time about thirty miles above Squakheag. And here were the Indians quite out of all fear of the English but in great fear of the Mohawks. Here they built a long Wigwam. Here they had a great Dance (as they call it) and concluded to burn three of us and had got Bark to do it with. And as I understood afterwards, I was one that was to be burnt. Sergeant Plimpton another, and Benjamin Wait’s Wife the third. That night I could not sleep for fear of next day’s work. The Indians being weary with that Dance, lay down to sleep and slept soundly. The English were all loose, then I went out and brought in Wood and mended the fire and made a noise on purpose, but none awaked. I thought if any of the English would wake, we might kill them all sleeping. I removed out of the way all the Guns and Hatchets; but my heart failing me, I put all things where they were again.

The next day when we were to be burnt, our Master and some others spoke for us and the Evil was prevented in this place. And hereabouts we lay three Weeks together. I was left with another Indian. All the Company being upon a March, I was left with this Indian who fell sick, so that I was fain to carry his Gun and Hatchet and had opportunity and had thought to have dispatched him and run away. But did not, for that the English Captives had promised the contrary to one another, because if one should run away that would provoke the Indians and endanger the rest that could not run away. Whilst we were here, Benjamin Stebbins going with some Indians to Wachuset Hills, made his escape from them. And when the news of his escape came, we were all presently called in and Bound. One of the Indians met me coming in and told me Stebbins was run away and the Indians spoke of burning us; some of only burning and biting off our Fingers by and by. He said there would be a Court and all would speak their minds, but he would speak last and would say that the Indian that let Stebbins run away was only in fault. And so no hurt should be done us, fear not; so it proved accordingly.

And we went over a mighty Mountain, we were eight days a-going over it and travelled very hard, and every day we had either Snow or Rain. We got through to Shamblee [Chambly] about midnight. Six miles of Shamblee (a French Town) the [Richelieu] River was open and when I came to travel in that part of the Ice, I soon tired. And two Indians ran away to Town and one only was left. He would carry me a few rods and then I would go as many. This Indian now was kind and told me that if he did not carry me I would die, and so I should have done sure enough. And he said, I must tell the English how he helped me. When we came to the first House there was no Inhabitant. The Indian spent, both discouraged, he said we must now both die. At last came some French and Indians and brought me in. The French were kind and put my hands and feet in cold Water and gave me a Dram of Brandy and a little hasty pudding and Milk. The French presently turned the Indians out of doors and kept me, they were very kind and careful and gave me a little something now and then.

The Indians tried to cure me but could not, then I asked for the Chirurgeon, at which one of the Indians in anger struck me on the face with his Fist. By and by came the Captain of the place into the Wigwam with about twelve armed Men, and asked where the Indian was that struck the English-man and took him and told him he should go to the Bilboes [shackles], and then be hanged. I spoke to the Captain by an Interpreter and told him I desired him to set the Indian free and told him what he had done for me. He told me he was a Rogue and should be hanged. Then I spoke more privately, alleging this Reason, because all the English Captives were not come in, if he were hanged it might fare the worse with them. Then the Captain said that was to be considered. Then he set him at liberty upon this condition, that he should never strike me more and every day bring me to his House to eat Victuals. My Indian Master being in want of Money, pawned me to the Captain for fourteen Beavers or the worth of them, at such a day. If he did not pay he must lose his Pawn or else sell me for twenty-one Beavers. But he could not get Beaver and so I was sold.

Source: A Story of Indian Captivity (1677-1678), by Quintin Stockwell, in Increase Mather, An Essay for the Recording of Illustrious Providences (Boston, 1684), 39-57. https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.45493/page/n521/mode/2up