NINE MEN’S MISERY - Bucklin Society

1 Page 1 of the second part of the book -the Historical ResearchNINE MEN SMISERY Victor FrankoPart Two: The Historical ResearchCopyright 2003 Victor Franko. All rights reserved except for license to Leonard Bucklin andJoseph Bucklin 2 of the second part of the book -the Historical ResearchPART 2 The Second half of this book is more reference than story. Eachsection of this half is chaptered by a question or a topic that is tied with theoverall nine Men s MISERY event / story. Many questions about the site hadremained unanswered before I had began my research in the shortdocumentary that I produced in the fall / winter of 2001. With help frommany local historians and a great deal of luck, I was able to shed much lighton many of these unanswered challenges that has plagued its overall including the identity of the 9 men, how the 9 men got to the Camp Swamp location, and who built the cairn were among the the research, I came upon most if not all theoriginal documented sources and historical telling that I could find on theevent.

2 From library to library, museums to historical societies, I managed tofind many interesting telling and retelling of the nine Men s MISERY included in this chapter are articles, letters, and manuscripts ofprimary / secondary bits of information about the that is written in this half of the book deals with thepassing of the un-blamed buck by past historians. (Note to reader: As I go through and begin to make changes in my firstdraft, I am reading along a correction letter that Father Laurence typed upfor me on his typewriter. It is here where he begins to worry about thelanguage I am using. The un-blamed buck scares him as he makes noteon the correction letter.)

3 He also makes note that his typewriting hisbeginning to though he asks that I note use this kind oflanguage, I fell it is a must. I am not pointing blame at historians forgratification. I am pointing blame to make my point and to shed some hope I do not offend, but instead, I hope to make promise with errors ofthe past.) Much is taken from past sources and torn apart with greatpleasure. In this half, I point the finger of blame at every source foundwithin the pages of history. By doing so, I hope to show the reader thetruth. Not only in the recent corrections made, but in the myths that thestory told to create a much more fictional account than what you just readof what occurred over 326 years ago.

4 Overall, I hope to accomplish a collection of complete referenceson the history of the event. By doing so, I wish to create this source ofinformation to better help the researcher in learning about the entire NineMen s MISERY 3 of the second part of the book -the Historical ResearchTHE (CORRENT / INCORRECT) NEWMAN LETTER TO JOSEPH COTTONOnce word was sent to Reverend Newman about the disaster ofPierce and his men, Newman waited no time to begin writing a letter toReverend Joseph Cotton of Plymouth. Cotton knew of Pierce s departure intoRehoboth to fight the Narragansett. The letter written by Newman wasdated Rehoboth 27, 67, meaning it was written on March 27 1676, thethnext day, or the late night that followed the bloody Sabbath.

5 The date holdsto be true, because Newman doesn t mention the attack on Rehoboth thatoccurred the next day by the hands of the Indians. The note looked to havebeen sent that day or early the next. If not, Newman could and should havementioned the most recent attacks on Rehoboth. The letter could have alsostressed the fact of the ever more need for handful of the earliest records dated during the turn of the20 century mentioned the letter. Newman s letter stands as a primarythsource to some of the existence of the men who made up Pierce s companyat his final fight. Others agree that Newman s note to Cotton shows thedisaster of March 26, 1676 in Old Rehoboth and the continuing struggle todefeat the English by the Indians.

6 The following is the letter documented and edited 226 yearslater:------------- State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at theEnd of the Century: A HistoryEdward Field Rehoboth 27, of the first 76 Reverend and dear Sir, I received yours dated the 20t of this instant wherein you gaveme a doleful relation of what had happened with you, and what adistressing Sabbath you had passed. I have now, according to the words ofyour own letter, an opportunity to retaliate your account with a relation ofwhat yesterday happened to the great saddening of our hearts, filling uswith an awful expectation of what further evils it may be antecedaneous to,both respecting ourselves and you.

7 Upon the 25 of this instant, went forth with a small party of his men and Indians with him, andupon discovering the enemy fought him, without damage to himself, andPage 4 of the second part of the book -the Historical Researchjudged that he had considerably damnified them. Yet he, being of no greatforce, chose rather to retreat and go out the next morning with a recruit ofmen. And accordingly he did, taking pilots from us that were acquaintedwith the ground. But it pleased the Sovereign God so to order it, that theywere enclosed with a great multitude of the enemy, which hath slain fifty-two of our Englishmen, and eleven Indians. The account of their names isas follows:From Scituate, eighteen, of whom fifteen were slain, viz.

8 : , Samuel Russell, Benjamin Chittenden, John Lothrop, GershomDodson, Samuel Pratt, Thomas Savary, Joseph Wade, William Wilcome,Jeremiah Barstow, John Ensign, Joseph Cowen, Joseph Perry, John Rowse,(Rose). Marshfield, nine slain, Thomas Little, John Eams, Joseph White,John Burrows, JosephPhillips, Samuel Bump, John Low, More------, JohnBrawer. Duxbury, four slain, John Sprague, Benjamin Soal, Thomas Hunt,Joshua Forbes. Sandwich, five slain, Benjamin Nye, Daniel Bessey, CalebBlake, Job Gibbs, Stephen Wing. Barnstable, six slain, Lieut. Fuller, JohnLewis, Eleazer C------ (probably Clapp) Samuel Linnet, Samuel Childs,Samuel Beraman. Yarmouth, five slain, John Matthews, John Gage, WilliamGage, Henry Gage, Henry Gold.

9 Eastham, four slain, Joseph Nessefield, JohnWalker, John M------ (torn off), John Fitz, Jr. (Fitch), John Miller Jr. ThomasMan is just returned with a sore sir, you have a sad account of the continuance of God sdispleasure against us: yet still I desire steadfastly to look unto him, who isnot only able but willing to save all such as are fit for his salvation. It is aday of the wicked s triumph, but the same word of God tells us histriumphing is brief. O that we may not lengthen it out by our sins. The Lordhelp us to join issue in our prayers, instantly and earnestly, for the healingand helping of our Land. Our Extremity is God s with our dearest respects to you and Mrs.

10 Cotton, and suchsorrowful friends as are with you, I remain: Your ever assured friend, Noah Newman ----------------- Written in 1902, the writings may have gotten their resourcesby a handful of historical accounts. I do not believe that the writer of thisversion read the original letter that has been available to read in the early20 century at the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester,thMassachusetts. (The original letter can be found under The Curwen familyManuscripts 1670-1684 Box 1 Folder 3), One of the first problems with thisversion is the dead soldiers that belonged to Scituate. Above, the writermentions eighteen, of whom fifteen were slain.