THE ORDEAL OF THE THOMAS EAMES FAMILY
Taken from the History of Framingham Mass.
Published by Framingham in 1887
King Philip's War broke out in June, 1675, and the relation of
individuals among our Indians to this war, has been developed into a
number of biographical sketches. The event however, of most direct
consequence to Framingham, is the destruction of the home and family of
Thomas Eames, Feb.1, 1675/6.
Mr. Eames had taken up lands and built a home on the southern slope of
Mt. Wayte, in 1669. He seems to have pitched there by the consent of Mr.
Danforth, with whom he was well acquainted, but had taken no lease. It
should be noted here that his house lot was on the land that Mr.
Danforth bought of Richard Wayte, and not on the land which he, (Eames)
afterward received by grant, and purchased of the Indians. His nearest
neighbors were the two Stone families farm, and Henry Rice, who lived a
short distance to the south of Salma D. Hardy's.
His family then consisted of a wife and not less than six children of
his own, and probably 4 children of his wife by a former marriage,
varying in age from 24 years to 7 months. Two children were born to him
in Framingham. His eldest son settled in Watertown; and before the
summer of 1675, it appears that one or two of his wife's children were
away at service, so that, at the time of the assault, eight or nine of
his own and one or two of his wife's children were living at home. This
accords with Mr. Eames own statement that he had lost a wife and nine
children, and also with the statement of his sons, that 5 of their
father's children were slain, and only four of those taken returned
from captivity, implying that at least one daughter was held a
considerable time after the taking. Some of the published accounts
differ from this, and from each other; but it has been deemed safe to
follow the statement of Mr. Eames and his sons, who certainly knew the
facts.
As soon as hostilities broke out, the Council at Boston sent four
soldiers to guard the scattered families on the Framingham Plantation.
The farmers were required to furnish them food and lodging in return for
the protection afforded. Probably the soldiers were quartered on Mr.
Eames. "On July 23, 1675, it was ordered that two of the four men
ordered to guard Eames and the farmers, be forthwith and hereby, are
remanded to guard Mr. (Rev. Edmund) Brown's house (at Sudbury), and
the other two to remain as they are till the court take furthur order."
As Mr. Eames was "maimed in his limbs," he was not liable to be pressed
into the service; but his horses were not exempt. And September 1st,
1675, he sends the following petition:
To the Honorable Council now sitting.
Devine providence having cast my lot in a place both remote from
neighbors in the woods, betwixt Marlborough and Medfield, and in a place
of no small danger in this day of trouble, when God hath so signally let
loose the heathens against his people everywhere. And it is my duty to
seek by all lawful means to preserve my family from the rage of the
enemy, and to provide for our welfare both at home and on our
journeyings, from place to place, which I cannot do with any comfort
without the horses I continually use; My humble petition therefore to
this honorable Council is, that I may have my horses free from the
press, to which they are continually exposed, whenever I travel to the
neighboring towns, nay, so that I cannot pass on a Sabbath, which in
every respect is grevous to me who am, your humble petitioner,
Thomas Eams
"The Council grant the petitioner freedom from the impress of his horses
at such times as he and his family coming to the public worship of God
in Marlborough or Sudbury."
The guard seems to have been withdrawn from his house; and on the last
week in January, Mr. Eames went with his horses to Boston, to procure
help and a supply of ammunition. February 1, a party of eleven Indians
came suddenly upon the defenseless family, burned the barn, cattle and
house, killed the mother and five children, and carried off five or six
children and as much plunder as they needed.
The family tradition is, that the mother had expressed the resolution
never to be taken alive by the savages; and that; true to her words, she
courageously defended her home, using hot soap and such weapons as were
at hand in the kitchen. According to the confession of one of the
murderers, the party, comprising 6 of the former residents at
Magunkook—had returned thither for some corn which was left in their
granaries, and finding that it had been destroyed, started at once,
partly for food and partly for revenge, towards the nearest English
settler. And it was probable that the stout resistance of the brave
woman so provoked them that they left nothing alive.
The children were carried to the neighborhood of Wachusett, and a part
of them to Wennimisset. Three of them found means to escape from their
captors, and returned in the course of a few months. One of these was
with the party of savages that attacked Sudbury the 21st of April. The
escape of another is thus related: "On the next day, (May 12), a youth
of about eleven years made his escape from the Indians, who was taken
prisoner when his fathers house was burnt and his mother murdered on the
first of February last; and though the boy knew not a step of the way to
any English town, and was in continual danger of the skulking Indians in
the woods, and far from the English, yet God directed him aright, and
brought him to the sight of Plantain (the herb which the Indians call
English Foot, because it grows only amongst us and is not found in the
Indian plantations); whereupon he concluded he was not far from some
English town, and accordingly following the Plantain, he arrived safely
amongst us."
(this eleven year old boy turned out to be our sixth great grandfather.)
Of the girls taken, some authentic accounts are found. Thomas Reed, a
soldier taken captive at Hockanum April 1, escaped from the Indians who
were in camp at Turner Falls, May 14th, 1676, reports; "There is Thomas
Eame's daughter and her child (younger sister), hardly used." Aug. 14th,
Joseph Wannuck-how his examination states: "That about two months since
he inquired concerning Goodman Eame's two daughters, and understood they
were at a great hill about middle way between Wachusett and Pennacook,
(Concord, N.H.), and were in good health and not in a starving plight."
William Jackstraw (same date) saith, that Mattahump (sachem of the
Quaboag) hath one of Goodman Eame's daughters, and Pumapen (former ruler
of Mungakok) the other, and they were alive at planting time, and he
thinks they may yet be towards the –at Auranes (Albany). *
There is evidence that these girls, and perhaps one boy were carried to
Canada, where the youngest, Margaret, was found by the agents sent by
the Colonial Government to effect the release of captives, and redeemed,
and returned home. The author agrees with Mr. Barry, that "It is quite
probable that one or more of the childrens result of preference on the
part of the captives, who became so accustomed to their change of life,
as to lose attachment to their English Society and friends. Hutchinson
states in his history that the captives who have been carried to Canada
have often received very kind usage from the French inhabitants."
An inventory of the loss of Thomas Eames, when his house was fired by
Indians at Framingham near unto Sudbury in the county of Middlesex, the
first of Feb 1675/6.
Imprimis--- A wife and nine children.
Item--- A house 34 feet long, double floors and garrett, and cellar, and
a barn 52 feet long, leantir'd one side and two ends, $100,00
Item--- 4 Oxen 24.00
Item--- 7 cows fair with calf 28.00
Item--- 2 yearlings 3.00
Item--- 1 Bull 2.00
Item---2 heifers fair with calf 6.00
Item---1 heifer 2.00
Item--- 8 sheep fair with lamb 3.12
Item--- 30 loads of hay in ye barn at 8s.per load 12.00
Item--- 10 bush. Wheate at 6s. p. bush. 3.00
Item--- 40 bush. Rye at 4s. 8d. p. bush. 8.00
Item--- 210 bush. Of Indian a 3s. p. bush. 31.00
Item--- Hemp and Flax in ye barn 1.00
Item--- Fire Arms with other arms and ammunition 6.00
Item--- Butter 20s.,Cheese 40s, 2 ½ barrels of Pork
Four flitches of Bacon 1.00
Item--- Carpenters and Joyner's tools 5.00
Item--- 2 great spinning wheels and 2 small wheels 4.s.
4.s. for cards 1.00
Item--- 6 beds 3 of them featherbeds and three flock, 6
Rugs and 12 blankets 12.00
Item--- one chest of lynen, with ye sheets and shifts 10.00
Item--- a livery cupboard with what was in it 2.00
Item--- My wife's linen and wearing apparel, and
Children's cloathing, and my own cloathing
With clothing that was my former wifes. 25.00
Item--- Pewter, Brasse, and iron ware 14.00
Item--- Churns and other Dairy vessels with other
Wooden lumber 5.00
This was a large estate for those days, and comprised all he possessed,
except the two horses and vehicle, and what money he had with him. As
indemnity, the General Court granted him 200 acres of land. He also sued
the Indians at law, and obtained from them, with consent of the court,
the tract of 200 acres lying near where his former habitation stood. He
also recovered three of his own children, Samuel, Margaret and
Nathaniel, and one of his wife's children, Zachariah Paddleford.
According to a list in the handwriting of Thomas Danforth, now on file
in the state archives, the Indians accused of participation in the
murderous assault were as follows:
Netus, Anneweaken, Aponapawquin (alias "Old Jacob"), Acompanatt (alias
James), Pakananumquis alias (Joshua Assalt), William Wannuckhow alias
(Jackstraw), Joseph Wannuekhow, Apumatquin alias (John), Pumapen,
Awassaquah, and Aquitekash. Of these, six were former residents at
Magunkook; and the fate of two of them, viz. Old Jacob and Pumapen, had
already been raratted. Anneweaken was killed before the time of their
trial. He was son of Des. Naous, and brother of Tuckapawillin, the
minister; and, according to Mr. Gookin, was at one time ruler at
Hassanamesit. He was the "another man" who, with Netus, was charged by
the Jackstraws with killing Mrs. Eames and her children, as will
presently appear.
August 11, 1676. Mr Danforth issued a warrant commanding the Constable
to apprehend Joshua Assalt, John Dublet, William Jackstraw, and two of
his sons Joseph and John, also Jackstraws wife, all of them late of Ma.
Eames for killing, burning etc., In case you can enquire out Peter
Ephriam's wife, warn her to come to me forthwith. Endorsement. I have
apprehended and taken William Jackstraw and his wife and two of his sons
Joseph and John, and also John Dublet, and warned Peter Ephriam's wife
to come, but Joshua Assalt, is, as I understand it, with the Army.
Job Hide…Constable
Of Joshua Assalt and Awassaquah, Mr. Danforth writes to Gov. Leverett:
"They confess that they were accessories; but the later is at the Pond's
sick, and the former is with Capt. Hunting at Marlborough. Goodman Eames
is very earnest that he may be attacked. I am in some doubt about the
expediency of it while abroad. Let me entreat you to five (language of
the day?) me your advise on the case. Dated Aug 14th, 1676."
William Jackstraw and his two sons were examined before Mr. Danforth
August 14, his minutes of the examination are as follows:
Joseph Indian, son to William of Mogocooke, being examined do say and
confess that himself with these others named in the margent (see list
above) were the persons that destroyed Thomas Eames' family in the
beginning of Feb. last. That the same was occasioned by the missing of
corn which they expected to have found at Moguncocke, & by the means
were provoked to come and do that spoil, killing of some and carrying
captive of the rest, and burning house, barn and cattle; and do confess
that he carried away on his back one of Eames' sons.
"Apumatquin, alias John, being examined, do confess the same thing."
"William Jackstraw, being examined, do confess the same thing as above."
Owns that his sons Joseph and John were present at the desolation of
Goodman Eames's family, and that himself was of the company, but kept
at a distance, a little way off in the cornfield."
"Isaac Beech being present at this examination do say Joseph above,
confessed the same thing to him and john Prentice."
For encouragement to Joseph, who was first examined to tell the truth,
(they at first denying all), I told him I would speak to the Governor to
spare his life in case he would tell me plainly how all this said matter
was acted.
"Taken the day and year above said, before Thomas Danforth, John
Speen-Interpreter. E.R. Secretery
Copy of Indictment:
"We the Grand Jury for our sovereign Lord and King, do present an indict
Joseph Indian of maguncog by the name of Joseph Indian, for: that he
not having the fear of God before his eyes and being instigated by the
devil did with other his accomplices on the beginning of Feb 6, last,
burn the house and cattle of Thomas Eames, and killed his wife and
children, contrary to the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King, his
crown and dignity, the laws of God and of this jurisdiction.
"The jury finds this bill, and have him to forwith tryal. Richard
Colicott foreman for the name of the rest of the jury."
William the father, and John were also indicted, and the three were
tried August 18, and convicted.
Sept. 5, they sent in the following petition. It has much historic
value, as showing the method of procedure in this case; and also as
throwing light on the proclamation of conditional amnesty, issued June
19, which is referred to in the petition of Thomas Eames' sons, and
referred to in the case of Old Jethro and others that surrendered at
Cochecho.
To the Hon. Court of Assistants, sitting in Boston, Sep 5th 1676.
The humble petition of William Wannuckhow, Joseph Wannuckhow, and John
Appamatahqeen, all prisoners at the bar:
Humbly implore your favor to hear and consider our application. We know
that your Honours are men of truth, fearing God, and will faithfully
perform your promises, especially when it concerns so great a matter as
the lives of men. You were pleased (of your own benignity) not for any
desert of ours, to give forth your declaration dated the 19, of June,
wherein you were pleased to promise life and liberty unto such of your
enemies as did come in and submit themselves to your mercy and order and
disposal, within a time limited, which afterwards was enlarged to a
longer time, and tidings thereof sent by James Prentice unto us, which
offers of grace, as soon as we heard of it we readily embraced it, and
came in accordingly, ourselves, wives and children, as Captain Prentice
and his men, with others, to whose house we were directed to come, are
ready to testify: and those orders of yours are upon record, the copies
whereof, we are ready to present. If it should be said that we are known
to be notorious in doing mischief to the English, we answer…none can so
say in truth, or prove any such thing against us. Indeed we do
acknowledge that we were in company of those that burnt Goodman Eames's
house. But we did not act in it. It was done by others, who were slain
in the war, and so have answered God's justice for their demerits, as
for our part, we came along with that company upon a necessary and just
occasion, to get our corn which we had planted, gathered and put up at
Magunquog. But finding our corn taken away, we intended to return, but
Netus and another man, that were our leaders, earnestly moved to go to
Goodman Eames farm for to get corn, and they said they did believe he
had taken our corn, but we were unwilling to go. But they by their
persuasion and threatening, carried us with them. But as we said
before, we never killed nor burned nor took anything there, but were
instrumental to save Goodman Eames his children alive. One of us
carried one boy upon our backs rather than let them be killed. This is
the truth of things, so that we cannot be reckoned among such as have
been notorious in doing mischief.
Indeed we were enemies, being tempted to go among them by the example of
our choice men Capt. Tom and others. But we had no arms and did not hurt
the English, as many others have done, that upon their submission to
your Honours upon promise of life and Liberty as we have done.
Therefore, we desire again to insist upon that plea, that we may receive
the benefit of your declarations before mentioned. Our lives will not be
at all beneficial to Goodman Eames. Those that slew his wife and
relations and burnt his house have already suffered death, and the
satisfaction of Goodman Eames in our death will not countervail the
honour and justice or authority of the country that may be blemished
thereby."
The testimony of Thomas Prentice Sr. aged about 55 years, doth testify
and say the Wm. Wannuckhow alias Jackstraw, and his son Joseph with his
wife and the rest of his children came unto my house and submit
themselves to the Council's order the twentieth of July last, which was
some few days after the return of James Prentice and Nehemiah who told
me they had left some Indians behind that desired to come in and submit,
but were hindered.
The following entry in Judge Sewell's diary, indicates the end of these
three men; "Sept. 21, 1676. Stephen Coble of Concord, was executed for
murder of Indians--- three Indians for firing Eames his house and
murder. The wether was cloudy and rawly acid, though little or no rain.
Mr. Mighil prayed; four others sat on the gallows, two men and two
impudent women, one of which, at least laughed on the gallows, as
several testified.
Netus, the leader of the marauding party, did not survive to be brought
to trial. He was killed March 27, at Marlborough, by a party of English
soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Jacobs. It should be added, that
the wife of Netus and the wife of Aquitakaan, accused of complicity in
the murder of the Eames family, were sold into slavery.
Taken from The History of Framingham, Mass.
Published by Framingham in 1887
*Note: Thank you Rose, for sharing this story with us. If anyone connects to this Eames family, feel free to email her at ROSE ADAMS.
