Now Mr. Church's consort, and his then only son were till this time* remaining at Duxbury; and his fearing their safety there, (unless the war were more vigorously engaged in) resolved to move to Rhodeisland, though it was much opposed, both by government and relations. But at length the Governour, considering that he might be no less serviceable, by being on that side of the colony, gave his permit, and wished [that] he had twenty more as good men to send with him.

Then preparing for his removal he went with his small family to Plymouth to take leave of their friends, where they met with his wife's parents, who much persuaded that she might be left at Mr. Clark's garrison, (which they supposed to be a mighty safe place) or at least that she might be there, until her soon expected lying in was over; (being near her time.) Mr. Church no ways inclining to venture her any longer in those parts, and no arguments prevailing with him, he resolutely set out for Taunton, and many of their friends accompanied them. There they found Captain Peircet with a commanded *The beginning of March, 1676.

†This gentleman belonged to Scituate, as is seen in note to page 64. I have learned no particulars of him, except what are furnished in the Indian wars. It appears that he was now on his march into the Narraganset country, having heard that many of the enemy had collected at Pawtuxet, a few miles to the southward of Providence. He being a man of great courage, and willing to engage the enemy on_any ground, was led into a fatal snare. On crossing the Pawtuxet river he found himself encircled by an overwhelming number. He retreated to the side of the river to prevent being surrounded; but this only alternative failed: For the enemy crossing the river above, came upon their backs with the same deadly effect as those in front. Thus they had to contend with triple numbers, and a double disadvantage. Means was found to despatch a messenger to Providence for succour, but through some unaccountable default in him, or them to whom it was delivered, none arrived until too late The scene was horrid beyond description! Some say that all the English were slain, others, that one only escaped, which

party, who offered Mr. Church to send a relation of his with some others to guard him to Rhodeisland. But Mr. Church thanked him for his respectful offer, but for some good reasons refused to accept it. In short, they got safe to Captain John Almy's* house upon Rhodeisland where they met with friends and good entertainment. But by the way let me not forget this remarkable providence, viz., that within twentyfour hours, or thereabouts, after their arrival at Rhodeisland, Mr. Clark's garrison, that Mr. Church was so much importuned to leave his wife and children at, was destroyed by the enemy.†

Mr. Church being at present disabled from any particular service in the war, began to think of some other employ. But he no sooner took a tool to cut was effected as follows. A friendly Indian pursued him with an uplifted tomahawk, in the face of the enemy, who considering his fate certain, and that he was pursued by one of their own men, made no discovery of the stratagem, and both escaped. Another friend Indian seeing that the battle was lost, blackened his face with powder and ran among the enemy, whom they took to be one of themselves, who also were painted black, then presently escaped into the woods.. Another was pursued, who hid behind a rock, and his pursuer lay secreted near to shoot him when he ventured out. But he behind the rock put his hat or cap upon a stick, and raising it up in sight, the other fired upon it. He dropping his stick ran upon him before he could reload his gun and shot him dead. See Hubbard, Nar. 151, &c. It appears that Canonchet, a Narraganset chief, who afterwards fell into the hands of the brave Capt. Denison commanded in this battle. See Hist. Connect. 344.

* See note 2 on page 40.

† On the 12 March Mr. Clark's house was assaulted by the Indians, who after barbarously murdering 11 persons, belonging to two families, set it on fire. Mr. Hubbard, 155, says, that "The cruelty was the more remarkable, in that they had often received much kindness from the said Clark." Philip is supposed to have conducted this affair. About the time that that chief fell, 200 Indians delivered themselves prisoners at Plymouth, 3 of whom were found to have been among those who murdered Mr. Clark's family and were executed. The rest were taken into favour. Ibid. 216.

a small stick, but he cut off the top of his fore finger, and the next to it half off; upon which he smilingly said, that he thought he was out of his way to leave the war, and resolved he would [go] to war again.

Accordingly his second son being born on the 12th of May, and his wife and son [likely]1 to do well, Mr. Church embraces the opportunity of a passage in a sloop bound to Barnstable, [which]2 landed him at Sogkonesset,* from whence he rode to Plymouth, and arrived there the first Tuesday in June.†

The General Court then sitting, welcomed him, and told him [that] they were glad to see him alive. He replied, [that] he was as glad to see them alive; for he had seen so many fires and smokes towards their side of the country, since he left them, that he could scarce eat or sleep with any comfort, for fear they had all been destroyed. For all travelling was stopped, and no news had passed for a long time together.

He gave them an account, that the Indians had made horrid desolations at Providence, Warwick, Pawtuxet, and all over the Narraganset country; and that they prevailed daily against the English on that side of the country. [He] told them [that] he longed to hear what methods they designed [to take] in the war. They told him [that] they were par2 [who]

1 [like]

* Known now by the name of Wood's hole. It is in the town of Falmouth, not far to the eastward of Sogkonate point. Douglass wrote this name Soconosset, and Hutchinson Sucanesset. A small clan of Indians resided here from whom it took its name.

† Namely the 8.

We should not suppose that this was the first intelligence that the people of Plymouth received of the destruction of those places, as this visit was nearly 3 months after the destruction of Warwick, Providence, &c., and about 4 from the cutting off of Capt. Pierce; yet it might be the case,

ticularly glad that providence had brought him there at that juncture; for they had concluded the very next day to send out an army of two hundred men ; two thirds English, and one third Indians; in some measure agreeable to his former proposal-expecting Boston and Connecticut to join with their quotas.

In short, it was so concluded, and that Mr. Church should return to the island, and see what he could muster there, of those who had moved from Swanzey, Dartmouth, &c.; so returned the same way [that] he came. When he came to Sogkonesset, he had a sham put upon him about a boat [which] he had bought to go home in, and was forced to hire two of the friend Indians to paddle him in a canoe from Elizabeth's* to Rhodeisland.

It fell out, that as they were on their voyage passing by Sogkonate point, some of the enemy were upon the rocks a fishing. He bid the Indians that managed the canoe, to paddle so near the rocks, as that he might call to those Indians; [and] told them, that he had a great mind ever since the war broke out to speak with some of the Sogkonate Indians, and that they were their relations, and therefore they need not fear their hurting of them. And he added, that, he had a mighty conceit, that if he could get a fair opportunity to discourse [with] them, that he could draw them off from Philip, for he knew [that] they never heartily loved him. The enemy hallooed, and made signs for the canoe to come to them; but when they approached them they skulked and hid in the clefts of the rocks. Then Mr. Church ordered the canoe to be paddled off again, lest, if he came too near, they should fire upon him. Then the Indians appearing again, beckoned and

* From Woods hole or Sogkonesset to this island is 1 mile. † A little north of this point is a small bay called Church's cove, and a small cape about 2 miles further north bears the name of Church's point.

called in the Indian language, and bid them come ashore, for they wanted to speak with [them.]' The Indians in the canoe answered them again, but they on the rocks told them, that the surf made such a noise against the rocks, [that] they could not hear any thing they said. Then Mr. Church by signs with his hands, gave [them] to understand, that he would have two of them go down upon the point of the beach. (A place where a man might see who was near him.) Accordingly two of them ran along the beach, and met him there without their arms; excepting, that one of them had a lance in his hand. They urged Mr. Church to come ashore, for they had a great desire to have some discourse with him. He told them, [that] if he, that had his weapon in his hand, would carry it up some distance upon the beach, and leave it, he would come ashore and discourse [with] them. He did so, and Mr. Church went ashore, hauled up his canoe, ordered one of his Indians to stay by it, and the other to walk above on the beach, as a sentinel, to see that the coasts were clear. And when Mr. Church came up to the Indians, one of them happened to be honest George, one of the two that Awashonks formerly sent to call him to her dance, and was so careful to guard him back to his house again. [This was] the last Sogkonate Indian he spoke with before the war broke out. He spoke English very well. Mr. Church asked him where Awashonks was? [He said]2 "In a swamp about three miles off." Mr. Church asked him what it was [that] he wanted, that he hallooed and called him ashore? He answered, that he took him for Church as soon as he heard his voice in the canoe, and that he was very glad to see him alive; and he believed his mistress would be as glad to see him, and speak with him. He told him further, that he believed she was not fond of maintaining a war with the English, and that she had left Philip a 2 [He told him]

1 [him]