History of the Town of Fitchburg by Rufus Torey 1865 part 3


The Indian population was so extremely sparse, when this
territory began to be settled by the whites, that there is
no reason to believe that the geographical lines of the
different tribes were distinctly marked--they were
determined rather by tacit consent or general understanding.
Sometimes, when the hunting parties of one tribe pursed
their game into the limits of another, or caught their fish
in forbidden waters, then feeling of indignation were
enkindled in the bosoms of the aggrived party, and measures
of retaliation were concerted.  Hence feuds, not only
between individuals, but between whole tribes, arose and
bloody wars were originated.

There do not appear to be any well authenticated accounts
which tend to show that the Indians of any tribe ever made
any part of this town a permanent place of residence.  Stone
arrow-heads have been dug up in various places and other
implements of Indian manufacture have been found in the
field opposite to the house of Capt Philip F. Cowdin, but
not in sufficiengt numbers to authorize a supposition that
their owners ever permanently resided there.  The have,
however, left behind them sufficient relics for us to
conclude that they were neither ignorant no unmindfrul of
the excellent shad, alewives, or salmon-trout, which sported
in the waters of the Nashua nor of the deer and wild
turkeys, which found a shelter and covert under the branches
of the majestic pines which towered above our hills.

It may be an amusing speculation to inquire when the soil of
Fitchburg was first pressed by the foot of the white man.
In 1643, but little more than twenty-two years ofter the
landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, the region about
Lancaster was a subjection to Sholan, sachem of the Nashuas.
He had opened a speicies of traffic with the peole of
Watertown and for greater convenience in this respect he
invited Mr Thomas King, and others residing there to remove
to the fertile regions of the Nashua.  They complied with
his advice and commenced the plantation in 1643.  In 1653
the town then containing nine families was incorporated by
the name of Lancaster.  From this time the inhabitants dwelt
in peace, till the commencement of Philip's war, in 1675.

To the east of us, the town of Groton was incorporated in
1655.  Beyond these points which were on the verge of
civilization the white population did not extend for a
considerable time.  Perhaps some hunter from these frontier
settlements in his solitary pursuit after game may have
traversed our hills and penetrated the unknown wilderness;
but this is altogether conjecture.

February 10th, 1676, the Indians attacked Lancaster....

(to be continued)

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