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

68
xxxv. 33G), and counting out Ayres, Pritchard and Coy killed
and Wilson wounded, we shall not be far out of the way in concluding
that the others were joined with the troopers in making up
the twenty-six, allowing for some changes by accessions to and removals
from town between 1673 and '75. The reported numbers
of four or five hundred Indians present, and eighty killed, will bear
reduction by at least one half, though the English carbines were
bravely effective.
The following fragment may be of interest here as showing the
presence of the celebrated pirate here just after the assault was over.
It is taken from the Mass. Archives, vol. 68, p. 7.
Boston, October y e 13, 1675.
To the honored Governer & Councell of the Massathusets Colony in New
England
These are to signyfie that Cornellius 82
[sic] Consort the Dutchman
was uppon the Contryes Servis Att quabauge and by the Councle of
Warre there was sent out Capt. of the for lorne And Afterward marched
to Grotton & Chemsfort According to my best Advice continud in the
Countryes Servis six weekes Cornellius being Reddy to depart the Country
& myself being here att boston the Major Willard being Absent I granted
this ticket.
Thomas Wheller, Capt.
Brookfield after the Attack.
Capt. Wheeler relates that soon after his own return from Brook-
field, "the inhabitants of the town also, men, women, and children,
removed safely with what they had left, to several places, either
where they had lived before their planting or settling down there, or
where they had relations to receive and entertain them," and " the
Honored Major Willard stayed several weeks after our coming
away." 83
The town was doubtless wholly vacated before the middle of Oc-
H*Wt~. *-&~. 88 -phis was the famous Cornelius Anderson, see ante, vol. xxxvii. p. 172, note. In the
great trial of the pirates he was constantly referred to as Cornelius Consort, i. e. Consort of
Capt. Rodcrigo, the chief of the pirates. The name Consort thus became his familiar cognomen
among the people and soldiers with whom he was very popular. Mr. Drake evidently
based his decision on the above paper, not having observed the " trial " documents.
I cannot tell on what occasion he led the forlorne, but it was after Capt. Mosely came, Aug.
11th or 12th, and before the 15th when he left. The Council of War was held after Capt.
Wheeler had gone, but now, Oct. 13th, being in Boston, Major Willard absent at Groton,
Mosely at Hatfield, Lathrop and Beers both slain, it devolved upon him to "grant the
ticket."
s3 A small garrison was undoubtedly maintained at the fortified house some time after
the withdrawal of the inhabitants, probably up to the 12th of October, and it is likely that
widow Susannah Ayres remained during that time, as is indicated by her petition and account
presented the Court in October, 1677, which charges supplies to soldiers under Ephraim
Curtis, Major Willard and Capt. Poole ; but some time before November 16th the place
was vacant, for the Council on that date instructs Capt. Appleton in his march homeward
from Connecticut River, if he comes by way of Quabaog, to drive down some of the cattle
and swine which they have heard have gathered about the house, as a relief to the " poore
people that are concerned therein." There is much material preserved in the Mass. Archives
bearing upon this point of the withdrawal of the garrison from Brookfield, in numerous
letters and orders of the Council to various officers, all giving evidence of the complete
desertion of the town about Oct. 12th. See especially correspondence with Capt.
Appleton and Lieut. John Ruddock, &c.; also petition of John Ayres's sons, Mass. Arch.
v