A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

Richard Davenport to Hugh Peter1
Davenport, Richard Peter, Hugh

1637-07-17

For his Reuerend Pastor Mr. Hugh Peeter at Salem
Deare and honored in the lord,

To whom (for christ and in him) I owe not onely any seruise but my selfe allso: and the desire of my soule is that hee in whom is my breath and beeing will helpe mee to walke worthy of this fellowship in Christ our hope: since my last letter to you (as before) soe since wee haue had still experence of gods blessed presence and grace with vs and shining vpon vs: it pleased our god 3 days after our Brother Graften left vs to direct our Course to Sea-brook fort to joyne with our Brethren of Conetecutt who stayd for vs there the same eueing being the sixt day of the weeke wee went toward Long Iland and sent in a shallop with an Indian to espy our enemy Sasacoos: but hee not beeing there wee had a Sachem came aboord vs who tould vs hee was gone thence to Quenepiacke and that himselfe would goe to bee our guide to find him out: which motion wee accepted of hee allso promising his willingnes that as Long Iland had payd tribute to Sasacas hee would procure it to vs. the next day being the lords day wee came to a harbour about 3 leagus short of quenepiak where wee lay that day that morning 4 Indians went out for spyes who tooke 2 pecott Indians whom after examination with 2 prisoners more wee put to death that night and called the place Sacheme head:2 the second day of the weeke wee came to que-ne-piacke and comming into the harbour wee saw a smoake on the shore and speedily landed and sent out spys who speedily returned and tould vs the weere Conetecutt Indians and brought downe 4 Indians with them: vpon the nuse wee repayrd to the barks.

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Yet the Counsell thought meet to send my selfe with 20 men to see the truth: which a little before day I did vpon one side of the Riuer found noe signe of Indians but wading ouer the Riuer after 2 houres seeking wee found som scouting pecotts it pleased god to deliuer to our hands 7 of them one sachem 5 wee slew 2 women wee brought aboard haueing taken all by Runing and in an extreame Raine.

as soone as wee gott aboard that day about 12 of Clocke wee were all landed on the other side to pursue Sasacoos that afternoone; the next day and the 5th day wee marched after them and haueing found the base Cowardlines of the Indians being out of hope of the enemy wee fell to cutting downe all the Corne in which time wee took in the corne a Pecott man very poore and weake hee tould vs of som squaws that weere not farr of: at the same instant some of our Indians tould vs they heard som cutting wood another way: whervpon part of the Company went to the one and part to the other: it pleased god to lead my Captain one way and my selfe another way with Captain Patricke: and Leiutenant Seilley with my Captain: it was our day to lead and after 2 miles march wee came where they were and soddenly coming to the place theire wigwams being vpon the edge of the swamp as soone as euer they saw vs they tooke the swamp, it pleased god it was not very great, and our Company did surround it:

For my part I judged best while the terrour was vpon them to fall in vpon them and calling a file of men entered the swamp: overtooke a man and a sachems Child and thrust him through with my pike twise: going further, I perseaued I had but 3 men with mee and soddenly one of them cryed out Leiutenant they kill mee they kill mee: with that I saw him haueing four stout Rougus vpon him downe the lord helped mee soone to make three of them repent their Closing, the fourth held him still and soe sheltred himselfe with the Englishman that I could not come to make a thrust at him yet after som tryall the lord gaue him his wound in the belly and soe left his prey: all which time a Crew stood shooting vpon mee at 12 foot distance they stook eleuen arroos in my Coat and hat and Cloths and flesh: onely 2 in my flesh: now all had left mee but god stood to mee and after this they left mee and runn and I retreated hauing onely a halfe pike and my Cutles: upon our shooting the Rest of our Company came thither and found vs about the swamp and the Indians in it: then the gott a Pecott and came to parley Sasacuos was gone: and all their women came out about ninescore it was and is lamentable to see into what condicion they haue brought themselus all seeking one anothers Ruine and euery one crying out of each other: then weere wee that were hurt sent to the pinaces about six leagus: and comming 454againe with them wee found the Company all well: many Indians killd and som runn away in the night: by what default I know not: yet I hope in mercy.

my owne wounds are one in the left arme through the arme close in the arme pitt which head was taken out in the vnder side my Arme with great paine the other is on the right side my brest which was through my Coat: which is not deepe 3 dayes I was in exeeding paine haueing the mussles hurt: but blessed bee god who hath not left mee but as hee hath giuen my life soe hee giueth mee now wonderfull amendment.

the souldiers that are hurt are two of Ipswich Tho: Sherman and Jon. Wedgwood whom god saued by mee the other Edw: Shorthose of Charlestowne my humble Request to you is that you remember my case and soule to the lord that hee that teacheth his people to profitt will teach mee how to vse this speciall deliuerance and a second Request that you cheere vp the spirit of my poore wife who I feare will apprehend worse then the thing is: if you shall bee pleased to accept of this rude intellegence to your selfe I doubt not but you will declare the somme of it to the Church: wee are now in the way to Pecott with allmost 100 Indian women and Children aboord Goodman Jackson and 45 souldiers when I know more you shall heare more: my Captain and Tho: Lauthoup salute you and the Church: thus with my humble Respects to my Colonell mr. Sharp and Ensign and all theirs and yours and all mine I rest Yours while I am

Richard Dauenport Ca. July 17, 1637

Conetecut men haue had their equall share in women and treys the princes treasurers are run from him with his wampum and hee and Momonottuk with 20 men are fled to the Mowhoak: wee haue Momonotuk squaw and childeren several words obliterated.

I pray tell my Colonell Mr. Ludlow is well who was at this business and narrowly mist a shott with an arrow.

1.

W. 4. 88; 5 Collections , I. 244–248. For Davenport, see 5 Collections , I. 244n.

2.

In the margin: “one of them was a Sachem.”

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