Soldiers in King Philip's war. Containing lists of the soldiers of ...

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the towns that he was unable to take his seat in the Council, and
sent them a letter of explanation. This letter is not found in the
archives, but the answer of the Council is as follows, giving some
idea of the contents.
" Sir. The Council received your letter and are sorry for your excuse for
not coming to the Council by reason of the state of Lancaster, which we
desire you to endeavour to the utmost of your power to relieve and succour.
We are useing our best endeavours to prepare more forces to send to distress
the enemy. You shall hear more from us speedily, and in the interim
we desire you to be in readiness if you should have a full command
over the forces to be sent forth from the Colony. 86 E R Secy
11 Feb. 1675."
The Council's letter was written the day after the attack upon
Lancaster, of which evidently they had not heard. Major Willard
was probably at this time at Groton or Chelmsford, where an attack
was daily expected, doing all in his power with the small force
at his command to protect these towns from surprisal. After the
attack upon Lancaster, a large party of the Indians swept down towards
Plymouth Colony, taking Medfield on the way, February
21st, and for the time distracting attention from the main body,
which, as soon became evident, were still in the vicinity of " Wachusett
Hills." On February 19th Major Willard and Capt. Par-
ker, in behalf of the people of Groton, send an earnest appeal to
the Council for help and advice. On the 21st the Major was present
at the sitting of the Court at Boston, and remained during the
session. He was at Cambridge on March 4th, and certainly did not
return to Groton till after March 7th, as on that day he was at the
Court of Assistants. It was probably by his endeavors that a levy was
ordered to be made on Norfolk and Essex counties (forty-eight from
Essex and forty from Norfolk). These forces were hastily collected,
and under the stress of the news of the attack upon Groton were
placed under the command of Capt. Joseph Cook, of Cambridge,
and ordered to report to Major Willard at Groton at once. This
action was taken by Major Gookin and Thomas Danforth, two members
of the Council living at Cambridge, and was approved by the
Council at their next meeting, March 16th.
On March 9th the Indians again appeared at Groton, doing some
mischief, and again on the 13th in full force, and destroyed all the
houses in town except the garrison houses, and one even of these,
from which, however, the people had escaped. I think that Major
Willard marched up from Watertown with Capt. Cook's force on
86 The last clause in the letter may show in what high esteem Major Willard was held by
the Council, both as a military leader and also for his wide influence among the people.
We cannot tell whether he declined the command when the expedition grew to larger proportions
and involved his withdrawal from the towns near his home, but it is safe to infer
that personal considerations either way did not signify with him when the Council demanded
his service. The expedition was not ready until February 21st, and then, as has been
related, Major Savage was appointed to command, and Major Willard was present at the
Council at that time.