Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-09-08
was laid out in 1863, and one to Concord

It is said, renamed IN perfect peace and
harmony with the tribe of the Nashaways.
whose chief settlement was on the borders
of the Washacum. The population OF
Lancaster at this time probably exceeded
two hundred persons. The place was be-
coming favourite resort for the planter.
induced to take up his residence here by
the richness Of the soil, and the excellent
hunting and fishing grounds. Nature had
been bountiful in developing her resource
es, and aiding the efforts Of the planter.
Shoan, through life, was in habits Of strict
friendship with the inhabitants. and his
nephew and successor, Matthew, Inherit
ed the uncIe's character and disposition.
After the death of Matthew, Shoshanim
became chief sachem of the tribe. He
possessed bad heart -
q his thoughts were low
To vice industrious, blu. to noblsi deeds
Humorous and sIothfui.n
For. some cause he felt hostile to the En-
glish: whether this arose from the alIedg-
ed maignity of his character, or from
the feeling that inspired the master-spirit
Metacomet, that determined effort was
necessary to stay the progress of the En-
glish, and drive them from their recently
acquired possessions, cannot be ascertain
ed. Shoshanim, from his situation as the
chief sachem, could easily infuse his spir-
it and preudices into the tribe. The
Nashaways had aforetime been a great
people but succession of wars with the
Maqnas, the terrour of the northern In
dams, and with other tribes, had reduced
their numbers and the strong aDaterS of
the white man were fast destroying the
remnant that war had spared. 1t is safe
estimate that there were not more than
one hundred and fifty men, women, and
children belonging to the tribe in 1914.
The Nashaways had never been visited
by the apostle Eliot, or by Gookin. 1t is
not known that efforts were made by Mr..
Rowlandson, or any of the inhabitants. to
instruct the natives. Probably had any
been made, history or tradition would have
preserved the relation of them. There
was repugnance against the red men to
be overcome, knowledge of their Ian
guage TO be acquired, tolls and sufferings
to be encountered, and all these required
the firm, undertaking faith, tie patience
and perseverance of Eliot.
At this period Rev. Joseph Rowland
son was the clergyman of the town. He
was the son of Thomas Rowlandson, who
was made free May 2. 1888, and died at
Lancaster Nov. II, 1867. Mr.. Joseph
Rowlandsan was probably bosn in En-
gland. He was graduated at Cambridge
in 1862, aud was the only graduate OF
that year. After pursuing the study OF
theology, probably about two years, he
came to Lancaster to preach. This was
in the summer or fall of 1854. In Feb
ruary following (l2. ~ mo. 1854 he SUBJ
scribed the town covenant and received
his allotment of land. In 1856 his salary
was fixed at fifty pounds by the year. .
taking "wheat at sixpence per bushels
under the usual price. No church build
ing was erected till late in 1867, or early
in 1868. The delay was probably owing
to the small number of planters, whose
moderate means may have prevented an
early effort to build, and to settle minis
ter. Mr.. Rowlandson preached here sew
eral years, without being settled, and at
last giving up, as it would seem, all ex-
pectation of receiving an invitation, he re-
solved upon leaving the town. The re-
-. &c L. lotox,,;,,t;o,, ,l,r,,oJ tbo ooo1
people of the valley, and they Immediate
ly ia. 3 mo. 1851 summoned meeting,
and invited him to "settle amongst them
in the work of the ministry" by unani-
NOUS vote. He complied with the wishes
of the town. There is reason to believe,
however, that his ordination did not take
place till two years afterwards. A church,
as distinct from the congregation, was
gathered in September 1860. Mr.. Row.
landson, it is believed, possessed good tai
ents, and was faithful in the pastoral rela-
ton. No particulars in relation to his or
dination or ministry are in existence, with
in the knowledge ofthe writer. The ear
ly records of the town are lost, and those
of the church were probably consumed
when the town was destroyed. All that
is known is that he was an author of les
ser composures," and lived quietly with
his people more than twenty years from
his first residence in the valley. At the
time of the destruction Of Lancaster he
was at Boston, with number of friends,
soliciting military aid from the governour
for the protection of the town. Deep dis
tress came over him in an unexpected mo-
ment, and Frustrated his happiness and
his hopes for season.
In the narrative will be found full and
minute account of the severe sufferings of
Mrs. RowIandson severe for one brought
up in the lap of comfort, and surrounded
with the aids, and smiles, and kindnesses
of friends in the beaten path of civilized
and social life. STILL her snfferings were
not much greater than the Indians them
selves experienced. Her distress was the
result ofthe situation and condition Of the