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

No. XXVII.
LIEUT. PHINEAS UPHAM AND OTHER OFFICERS.
HHHOSE officers who Avere engaged in the service against the
J. Indians, in the war of 1675-1677, have now been mentioned in
connection with the soldiers who served under them. Generally
these officers have been taken in order as their names occur in the
accounts of Treasurer Hull, which have, from the beginning, formed
the basis of these papers. The history, therefore, does not follow
consecutive events ; but, as the material has been from the accounts
of the Treasurer, and from the Archives of Massachusetts Colony,
the story has followed the fortunes of the Massachusetts officers and
soldiers. Nothing beyond the mention of the soldiers and officers of
Massachusetts was at first contemplated ; but as the work has advanced,
lack of material from Plymouth and Connecticut Colonies
has alone prevented detailed accounts of their men and deeds.
Some of the officers and men of Massachusetts remain to be 6et
down in their order. Some of the names have occurred ineidentally
in connection with others. These with the men credited under them
receive mention below.
Lieut. Phineas Upham and his Command.
Lieut. Phineas Upham was the son of John Upham, who, about
the year 1635, settled in Weymouth, having wife Elizabeth and
several children. Phineas was born in 1635 or 1636. About 1648
and there
his father removed to Maiden, and there the son grew up ;
he married, April 14, 1658, Ruth Wood; and they had children :
Phineas, Nathaniel, Ruth, John, Elizabeth and probably Richard
and Thomas. Lieut. Upham was a man of more than ordinary
ability and influence, as the records, and references to his public
services in places of trust, prove. At the breaking out of the war
he held the rank of Lieutenant in the local company.
He was in command of men, and in service during the latter part
of the summer; and in September, 1675, led a company of thirtyeight
men out to Mendon to meet Capt. John Gorham of Plymouth
Colony, and the account of their service on that occasion is explained
in the following letters :