Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-07-02
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FRIDAY. JULY 2. 1883.
BrOokheId.

gather
enjoy fraternal reunion. was the earliest settled
township in the county of Worcester, or between
Marlborough on the East, and Springfield and
NorIbampton on the West. and was about equi-
distant. or thirty miles from each place.
The nleasant and beautiful location of the land
thereabouts, with the conveniences for fishing IN
the numerous brooks, rivers, and lakes. had at
,racted the notice Of the abOrigines who had
made this their headquarters. and it was at the
earliest dates of our knowledge Of it (l64S) the
chief seat Of the Nipmuc Indians, tribe who oe-
cupied all the territory between the East line Of
Worcester county and the Connecticut river, and
Southwark far into Connecticut. This tribe was
undivided into several small factions, one Of
which. the Qusboag, resided upon the West and
North sides Of Wicaboag pond. (now in West
Brook6eld,) and were ruled by a chief named
Quacunquasit.
Some of the inhabitants Of the Cape Ann set
Element at Ipswich, attracted to this place, OBJ
tanned Of the General Court Of Election" at
Boston, May 20, 1860, grant of "six miles
square, or SO much land as shall be contained IN
such compass in place near Quaboag Pond,
provided they have twenty families there resi-
dent within three years, and that they have an
able minister settled there within said term"
tia supposed that some settlements had been
made here previously to this grant, but this is
the earliest historical evidence Of any, and from
this date the record has been somewhat full, and
it appears that from thence the settlement be-
came fixed fact
This settlement was located about half mile
Southeast from the present village West Brook
field, on what is now called Fosters Hill, from
its being the family residence of Hon. Jedediah
Foster, and his son, Hon. Dwight Foster, father
of the late Hon. A. D. Foster Of this city.
On the 10th Of November, 1865. ''Ensign
Thomas Cooper Of Springfield, for the use and
behoof of the present English planters at Qua
boag and their associates and successors and
heirs forever" bargained for and took deed from
Shattooekquis and Wattowampe Of this land ly.
ing mainly between the Quaboag pond (now
in South Brookfeld,) and Wckaboag pond, in
GLIDING the river then called "Lashaway,' with
all the ''wet meadows" lying besideit. and so ex-
tending North and East about three miles, and
South and West four miles, making territory Of
about FIVE BY seven miles, and paying therefor
"three hundred fathom Of Wampumpeage," or
wampum, then valued at five shillings per faith
ON.
The settlement increased in size till on Octo-
Der 18th, 1878, il was incorporated as town by
the name Of Brook6eld, and was then about ten
miles square, but as other towns were incorpora.
ted near it, the territory dimished in size, till
I74l, when the town Of Western (now Warren)
was incorporated. taking of its Southwest cor
ner, and leaving only about three-quarters of the
first incorporation to the old town Of Brookdeld.
which is now divided between the towns of (South)
Brook6eld, and North and West Brookfeld.
In 1875 the Nipmucks were brought under the
influence Of the renowned King Philip, and
Joined his great confederacy for the extermna-
ton Of the English settlers. They. however,
concealed their intention, and professed a desire
to continue at peace with the settlers, and an ar
rangement being made for treaty Of peace. Capt.
Hutchinson was appointed by the Governor and
Council to form the treaty, and arrived at Brook
field at the appointed time, August ID, 1875. with
a company OF twenty horsemen, to meet the In.
dian chiefs, and accompanied by some Of the prin-
ipal Inhabitants Of the town, unarmed, they
miles Northwest from the settlement, but as the
Indians failed to meet them at the appointed
place, they went forward toward their rendezvous,
when they were suddenly attacked by them from
an ambuscade, and eight men killed and three
mortally wounded, two Of the killed being set
tiers, aud among the wounded was Capt. Hutch
nson. The Others retreated to the settlement,
and, with the Inhabitants, took refuge in
house, which they hastily fortified with logs as
best they could. The Indians burnt all the other
buildings, some twenty houses, with their
barns, and the meeting house, and then attacked
the fortified house, without success, for, though
for three days they besieged it, and kept almost
constant shower Of bullets flying round it, they
made but little impression, killing only one man,
who carelessly exposed himself to their FIRE.
They then attempted to burn the house by thrust.
ing with long poles, cart loaded with ccmbust-
bles, against il, but heavy shower of rain saved
them from she consuming fame.
Late in the evening Of August 4th, Major Viii.
lard, with a company Of horsemen from Lancas-
ter, arrived, and the Indians fed, alarmed by an
exaggerated idea Of the numbers Of the compa
ny, growing out Of the fact Of their being REIN
forced BY the cattle Of the settlers that gathered
after them, and added much to the noise and
pomp Of the approaching relief.
Other relief arriving, the troops pursued the
Indians. but did not Overtake them, in conse-
uenee, as it afterwards appeared. Of the sudden
arrival Of King Phillip among them, and their
joining him In an expedition against the river
settlements. Two Of the leaders in this assault
were apprehended, and after trial for violation Of
faith we're executed In Boston about year after
wards. h
A garrison was maintained here till Winter,
when. by direction Of the General Court, the
people removed, and the settlement was suspend
ed for ten or Twelve years. when il again COM
menced. and IN continued in permanence till
the present day.
The inhabitants Of the Northeastern part of the
town we're made distinct parish in l74s, and
were incorporated as town, called North Brook
field in 1872. A separation in the remaining
portion took place in 1854, and two societies were
organized-the first, as the West, and the new
or third society as the South Parish and IN lS46
West Brook6eld was incorporated as a separate
town. and the South, though the last parish, took
the old name Of Brookfeld.
This old town, whose general history we have
90 briefly Misunderstanding many very interest
lag features for want Of room-was, Gin ye Older
tyne" town Of much note in this part OF tbs
state, but has not been able to maintain its su
premacy; and Worcester, though not settled I'll
some years after, and not possessing near the ma
..~.i .dvantaoes az Brook6eld bv beinO mad,