The Beagle Log, 17 January 2008 -- King Philips War

In a previous post, I promised some information on historical events. One event mentioned was King Philips War, 1675-1676. This conflict, on a per capita basis, was the most devastating conflict in North America. The conflict lasted 14 months, resulted in the death of 1 in 10 combatants, more than 10% of the colonist families homeless. Of some 90 Puritan towns, 52 had been attacked and 13 leveled. At least 600 Colonial men and as many as 2,000 women and children killed. Three Indians died for each colonist killed, many due to starvation, disease and exposure. (Two web sites on Philip are http://www.pilgrimhall.org/philipwar.htm and http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h578.html )

King Philip (Indian name was Metacomet) was the younger son of Chief Massasoit (the Indian chief who befriended the Mayflower Pilgrims in 1621). By 1670, there were about 50,000 colonists in New England. As you’d expect, there were growing number of encroachments on Indian land and culture. The Puritans approach was to subject the Indians to English laws and custom. My guess is that Indians were treated no worse than the common folk in England (which was not great in the 17^th century) but to them was a radical curtailment of freedoms and loss of access to hunting areas (concept of property ownership differed between colonist and Indians, the later did not practice/recognize individual ownership) .

After Philip’s older brother died in 1662 while being held by Plymouth officials, Philip became Chief of the Wampanoags. In June 1675 open hostilities broke out. By autumn, the Wampanoags were joined by other tribes and by November, the entire upper Connecticut Valley was once again Indian Territory. Natives allied with the colonists helped turn the tide of the war, which ended in 1676 when Philip was killed by a Wampanoag fighting with Captain Benjamin Church (a very distant relative)

What makes this interesting to me is the number of my ancestors directly involved in this conflict. In Hadley, which is located in the Connecticut Valley, several of my Smith’s were involved in hostilities, with some killed. Samuel Smith, mentioned in Historic Figures, was a Lieutenant in the local militia. Other non-smith ancestors were victims at “Bloody Brook” and participants in the Turners Falls fight. Although Turners Falls was a defeat for the colonist, the damage done to the Indians helped bring hostilities to closure. Other family lines were involved with battles in towns in today’s states of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

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Don

Hi Don

Just read your post. When you said King Phillip in your other post, I was thought you were talking about a french King but it becomes clear now. I have read about the Indians dying of starvation and disease but I didn't know that there was a war. I have heard of the Indian wars but they were a lot later. I love anything to do with history so Thank You.

Jean

Hi Don and Jean,

Don, this is very very interesting. Thanks so much. I'm interested too in the American history 17th-18th Century - especially the time around the earlest settlers from Europe. Like Jean, I didn't know that there was a Native American named "King Philip" or anything about that particular war. And its wonderful that you know about your ancestors whereabouts and involvement at that time. As soon as I have time, I'm going to have a look at the Historic Figures link you gave, to see what there is about your Samuel Smith. Though you might be wanting to post more stuff about him in the future. Hope so!! good stuff!!

Quite a lot of years ago - there was a fabulous TV Series "Centennial" - do you remember it? I did used to have the book too, but I don't seem to have that now. It started off with the story of two "mountain men" (is that the correct name??) one English, one Scottish. It was located in Colorado. They traded with the Native Americans. One of them married a Native American girl. Then the story followed through for about 3 or 4 generations of that family. I was fascinated by it, I wish they'd show it again on TV.

The actor who played the Scottish mountain man/trader is a well-known actor & I can't for the life of me think of his name right now. He is in fact American I think. My earliest memory of him was playing "Doctor Kildare". ooh what's his name?????

See you later

Carole wave

Carole,

I did not see the series but did read the book. "Centennial" was written by James Michener. Another excellent book of his is “Chesapeake”. Michener has written several historical novels, most are excellent in giving the history and sense of the times for the subject.

I don't know who the actor is, go to http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076993/ .

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Don

Hi

I remember the series "Centennial" a great programme, wish they would repeat it.

The actor name is Richard Chamberlain.

Luv Jean wave