ing given a faithful account of what they hear; and are upon that report moved to leave their habitation and corn at Pennacook. Sir I was very loth to trouble you and to expose myself to the censure and derision of some of the confident people, that would pretend to make sport with what I send down by Capt. Tom (alias Thomas Ukqucakussennum.)

I am constrained from a sense of my duty, and from love to my countrymen, to give the information as above. So with my humble service to your honor, and prayers for the safety of an endangered people,

I am, Sir your humble Servant

June 23, [1689].

THO: HINCHMAN.

Mr. Danforth communicated the information to Gov. Bradstreet, who, with the Council, ordered a messenger to Cochecho with the following:

BOSTON 27 June: 1689.

Honored Sir. The Governor and Council having this day received a letter from Major Henchman of Chelmsford, that some Indians are come in to them; who report that there is a gathering of Indians in or about Penecooke with designe of mischief to English, amongst the said Indians one Hawkins (Kankamagus) is said to be a principle designer, and that they have a particular designe against yourself and Mr. Peter Coffin which the Councill thought it necessary presently to dispatch Advice Thereof to give you notice that you take care of your own safeguard; they intending to endeavor to betray you on a pretention of Trade. Please forthwith to Signify the import hereof to Mr. Coffin and others as you shall thinke necessary and Advise of what Information you may receive at any time of the Indians motions. By order in Council,

The messenger hastened towards Cochecho; he would have been in season, but he was unavoidably detained at Newbury Ferry, and he reached the place only on the morning of the 28th.

"On the evening of the 27th June, 1689, two squaws, according to the previously arranged plan, applied at each garrison house for liberty to sleep in them: this was often done in time of peace, and they were readily admitted into Waldron's, Heard's, the elder Coffin's, and Otis's. At their own request, they were shown how to open the doors and gates, in case they wished to leave the house in the night. They told the Major that a number of Indians were coming to trade with him the next day, and Mesandowit, who was at supper, said, 'Brother Waldron, what would you do if the strange Indians should come?' 'I could assemble a hundred men by lifting up my finger,' carelessly answered the Major. No watch was kept, and the family retired to rest.

"In the hours of deepest quiet, the gates were opened. The Indians, who were waiting without, immediately entered, placed a guard at the gate, and rushed into the Major's apartment. Awakened by the noise, he sprang from his bed, seized a sword, and, though over eighty years old, drove them through two or three rooms; but, returning for other arms, they came behind him, stunned him with a hatchet, and overpowered him. Drawing him into the hall, they then placed him in an elbow-chair on a long table with a derisive cry,' Who shall judge Indians now?' They then obliged the members of the family to get them some supper; when they had finished eating, they cut the Major across the breast with knives, each one with a stroke saying, "I cross out my account." Cutting off his nose and ears, they thrust them into his mouth; and when he was falling down, spent with the loss of blood, one of them held his own sword beneath him: he fell upon it, and his sufferings were ended.” — Hist. Mem. No. 111, A. H. Q.

"After the death of Major Waldron and the removal of the family by the Indians, his house was burnt. Otis's garrison was captured in a similar manner to Waldron's. The owner, Richard Otis, was killed, either in rising up in bed or on looking out the window. His son Stephen and daughter Hannah were killed; the latter, a child of two years, having her head dashed against the stairs. The wife and infant child of Richard Otis, and two chil

dren of Stephen Otis (Stephen and Nathaniel), were carried captives to Canada. Three other daughters of Richard were carried away, but were recaptured in Conway. Heard's garrison was saved. The door had been opened and the Indians were entering, when William Wentworth, who had been awakened by the barking of a dog, pushed them out, shut the door, and, falling on his back, held it until the people came to his assistance. Two bullets passed through the door, but both missed him. The elder Coffin's house was similarly captured, but, as the Indians had no particular enmity to him, they contented themselves with pillaging his house. Finding a bag of money, they forced him to scatter it by handsful, while they amused themselves by scrambling for it. His son had refused to receive the squaws on the previous evening, but the Indians, coming to his house, threatened to kill his father before his eyes unless he surrendered: to save his father's life he did so. These captives were placed in an empty dwelling, but in the confusion they escaped. Of Paine's garrison, in its connection with this attack, we know nothing: Gerrish's escaped.

"Five or six houses were burnt, as were the mills upon the lower falls. Twenty-three persons were killed, and twenty-nine carried away captive. Their names were preserved only in part. Of the killed were Major Waldron, Abraham Lee (his son-in-law), Robert Evans, Richard Otis, Stephen Otis, Hannah Otis, Joseph Dug, Joseph Duncan, Daniel Lunt, Joseph Saunders, Joseph Buss, William Buss, William Arin, William Horn, and the widow of Thomas Hanson; of the other eight we know nothing.

"Of the captured were Joseph Chase, Mrs. Lee (daughter of Major Waldron), the wife of Tobias Hanson, the wife of Richard Otis, Sarah Gerrish, Christine and three other daughters of Richard Otis, Nathaniel Otis, Stephen Otis, and John Church. We cannot find the names of the remaining seventeen."— Hist. Mem. No. 116, A. H. Q.

Letter from Richard Waldron, Jun., Esq.

PORTSMOUTH, 28th June, 1689; about 8 o'clock, morning. Just now came ashore here from Cocheca John Ham and his wife, who went hence last night homeward [with Mrs. Heard] (they living within a mile of Major Waldron) and about break of day going up the river in a canoe, they heard guns fired but notwithstanding proceeded to land at Major Waldron's landing place, by which time it began to be light, and they saw about

twenty Indians near Mr Coffin's garrison, shouting and shouting, as many more about Richard Otis's and Thomas Pain's, but saw their way to Major Waldron's, where they intended immediately to secure themselves; but coming to the gate and calling and knocking could receive no answer, yet saw a light in one of the chambers and one of them say (looking through a crack of the gate) that he saw sundry Indians within the garrison which supposed had murthered Major Waldron and his family, and thereupon they betook themselves to make an escape, which they did, and met one of Otis's sons who also escaped from his father's garrison informing that his father and the rest of the family were killed. Quickly after they set sundry houses on fire. This is all the account we have at present, which being given in a surprise, may admit of some alterations; but doubtless the most of those at or about Cocheca are destroyed.

The above account was related to me.

RICHARD WALDRON, Jr.

Accompanying the preceding was the following:

Major ROBERT PIKE.

PORTSMOUTH, 28th June, 1689.

Honoured Sir,-Herewith send you an account of the Indians surprising Cocheca this morning, which we pray you immediately to post away to the honourable the governor and Council in Boston, and forward our present assistance, wherein the whole country is immediately concerned.

We are, sir, your most humble servants

RICHARD MARTYN.
Wm VAUGHAN.

RICHARD WALDRON, jr.

THO. GRAFTON.

SAMUEL WENTWORTH.
BEN HULL.

To the Honourable Major Robert Pike at Salisbury. Haste, post haste.

It was received by Major Pike, who forwarded the papers immediately to the Governor at Boston, with the following addition:

Much Honoured.

SALISBURY, June 28, 1689, about noon.

After due respect these are only to give your honours the sad accounts of the last nights providence at Cocheca, as by the enclosed, the particulars whereof are awful.

The only wise God, who is the keeper that neither slumbereth nor sleepeth, is pleased to permit what is done. Possibly it may be either better or worse than this account renders it.

As soon as I get more intelligence, shall, God willing, speed it to your honors, praying your speedy order or advice in so solemn a case. I have despatched the intelligence to other towns, with advice to look to yourselves. Shall not be wanting to serve in what I may. Should have waited on your honours now, had I been well. Shall not now come except by you commanded till this bustle be abated. That the only wise God may direct all your weighty affairs is the prayer of your honours' most humble servant.

ROBERT PIKE.

To the much honoured Syman Bradstreet, Esq. Govenour, and the Honoured Council now sitting at Boston, these present with all speed. Haste, post haste.

This paper is endorsed,

"Received about 12 at night, upon Friday the 28th June."

The following answer was returned to Portsmouth :

BOSTON, 29th June, 1689.

Gentlemen. The sad account given by yourselves of the awful hand of God, in permitting the heathen to make such desolations upon Cocheca, and destruction of the inhabitants thereof, being forwarded by the hand of Major Robert Pike, arrived the last night about twelve o'clock: notice thereof was immediately despatched to our out towns, that so they may provide for their security and defence: and the narrative you give of the matter was laid before the whole Convention, this morning, who are concerned for you as friends and neighbors and look at the whole to be involved in this unhappy conjuncture and trouble given by the heathen, and are very ready to yield you all assistance as they may be capable, and do think it necessary that (if it be not done already) you would fall into some form or constitution for the exercise of government, so far as may be necessary for your safety, and convenience of your peace, and to intend such further acts as the present emergencies require this Convention not thinking it meet, under their present circumstances, to exert any authority within your Province. Praying God to direct in all the arduous