' Ebenezer Prout was of Concord, Mass. Was a captain, representative in
1685, 1689-92, and clerk of the house. He died Nov. 3, 1702. (Savage, 3, 490).
He was of the same family as Joseph Prout, before mentioned.
'^ Isaac Addington of Boston. Born Jan. 22, 1645; "^- ^" '^^9' Elizabeth
Bowen. Was a representative in 1685, and speaker of the house, and ne.xt year
assistant. Under the new charter he was a councillor and secretary, and was
appointed chief justice in 1703. He died March 19, 1715. (Savage, i, 17, 18),
44 CAPTURE OF FORT LOYALL.
The following letters passed between the Massachusetts govern-
ment and tha officers at Fort Loyall :
" Boston : 14 Novem'' 1689.
Mr. John Alden,'
Yo" having received on board the Sloop Mary where of yo" are com-
mander a recruit of provisions and farther supply of Clothing for the fforce at
ffalmouth and other the parts adjacent yo" are desired, and ordered forthwith
to sayle with the said Sloop Mary into Falmouth in Casco Bay, and deliver the
said provisions and supply^ unto Mr. Joseph Prout Comissary upon the place.
And if Major Church be not beforehand came away yo" are to attend his order
for the transporting of such of his souldiers English and Indian that are to be
drawn off unto Plymouth,^ that belong unto that Colony, and so to return unto
Boston. If Major Church be come away ere yo'' arrivall yo" are to deliver the
Letters directed to him unto Cap"'' Hall and the chief e officers upon the place
and attend their orders for the bringing off such of the souldiers as are to come
home, and the spare arms belonging to the publique stores that are left in the
magazine w''' Mr. Prout is ordered to deliver unto you, and make what hast yo™
can by return with yo'' Sloop again to Boston
By order of the Govern'' & Council,
I. A. S."
(Vol. 35, p. 84, Mass. Archives).
"Boston 14 November, 1689.
Mr. Joseph Prout
These accompany Capt. John Alden in the Mary by whome
comes supply^ of Provisions & Clothing for the Souldiers that shall be posted in
the several Garrisons upon Major Church his drawing of with the rest of the
Forces. As also some goods for the purchasing of more provisions those of
' Capt. John Alden, of Boston, was the eldest son of John Alden, the noted
pilgrim from whom are descended all of the name in the United States. His
mother was Priscilla Mullins, whose romantic courtship and marriage is a
pleasing history in the traditions of Plymouth Colony. Capt. Alden was the
commander of the sloop Mary, employed in supplying the eastern garrisons
with stores, &c. He married widow Eliz. Everill, a daughter of Maj. Wm.
Phillips of Saco ; owned a saw mill, and spent a portion of his time there. He
was in the expedition of Sir Wm. Phipps against Nova Scotia in 1690. In 1692
he was accused of witchcraft, and imprisoned at Boston. He escaped and re-
mained in concealment for some time ; then returned and was bound over for
trial ; but the spell was broken, and he and one hundred others were cleared by
proclamation. He died in Boston in 1702. He had six children. (History of
Saco, pp. 184-186). (Drake's His. of Boston, pp. 499, 500).
^ Many of the soldiers, whites, and friendly Indians came from Plymouth
colony.
DESTRUCTION OF FALMOUTH. 45
the Inhabitants an accompt where of you will receive therewith from the Com-
mittee. In the disposal whereof while you are upon the place, you are desired
to take a particular accompt and take care that there be a proportioning of the
same to the several garrisons at Falmouth, Saco, Blackpoint, &c., according as
may be most needed. And plased to pay out of the goods now sent unto
Clois ' of Falmouth the value of three pounds or thereabouts in part satisfac-
tion for the beefe taken up of him for the use of the army. Also please to perfect
and send your accompts by Mr. Alden of what hath been taken up by the soul-
diers that so their debentures may be passed. As also send home all the spare
arms left by the souldiers in the magazines belonging to the publique stores.
Capt" Alden hath been detained here severall days in expectation that Major
Church would have been here before this time, having information that he was
coming by land,^ but hearing nothing of him, the Council have now dispatched
Mr. Alden yor coming away with him was not thought so convenient until the
garrison be settled there and then some fit person may be appointed to succeed
you whereof please to advise, that so you may receive orders by the next w'''* I
shall labour to forward with the tenders of respects
I am y'' friend & servt.
I. A., Sec. by order
of the Govr & Council!."
(Vol. 35, p. 85, Mass. Archives),
"To Isaac Addington, Esq.
Falmouth, 9th, 16, 16S9.
Sir
Yesterday in the Evening arrived the Mary the severall goods I have
this morning rec"^ most of them on shore I could have been glad if more bread
had been sent for our stock was reduced to a little more than one hhd. as for
pease we are quite out. I have been and still am endeavoring to purchase what
Small ppcles I can get for money or any other pay of my own that I have to
make for them, our meal was quite gone yesterday, and the Inhabitants not
willing to bring any in without some reddy payment upon w*^'* having a written
order from the Major. I Imployed the Constable to impress a side of beef w"='*
was on board a shallop bound westward belonging to Mr. Wallace * w<='' he was
' This was probably a member of the Cloice family. There were three here
of that name — John, Nathaniel and Thomas.
^This refers to the return of Major Church from the Kennebec and Andros-
coggin rivers, where he went against the Indians. (Willis, p. 2S0).
^Wallace. Several families of the name of Wallis lived at Back Cove and
Purpooduck Point at this time. (Willis).
46 CAPTURE OF FORT LOYALL.
careing to purchase cloathing for his famely, it coming abort, nine beaver ' I
promised him that he should be speedily paid w'"^ I desire may be fulfilled
when he comes to Boston with his boat for the same. As for sending the sev-
erall of the soldiers by Mr. Alden I doubt I shall not be ablr to accomplish. I
having been under great disadvantage by the severall ofiicers refusing to take
up for their companies and to give me a particular acct of the same, w'='" if they
had so don I should have been able before this time to have transcribed such
accts., but it has been my work daily to deliver to each man sundry trifles with
my own hand an acct. of w''^ cannot be so soon Sent as desired. I suppose if
the Honored Govr & Council should see cause to appoint Capt. Davis to re-
ceive what is left and to Inspect and render an acct. of the disposal of the same
he would not refuse it, he being the fittest man as I know of. I have not time
to enlarge being in a greater hurry than your selfe can hardly be senseable. I
desire that either orders to draw bills for provisions or a more full Supply of
goods be Sent to pay for them here. Some fall shoes Stockings mittings and I
doubt some more linen will be wanting among the soldiers all w*^'^ with what
ever else may be thought needful I hope will be sent by the first opportunity.
S. I am your humble servt.
Joseph Prout.
An hour glass in this garrison is greatly wanted.
Please to communicate what you think needful of the above s"! to the Honored
Govr & Councill."
(Vol. 35, p. 86, Mass. Archives).
To THE Honored Govr.
Province of Mayn, Falmouth, 9th )
1 8th, 1689. (
Sr I reed orders by Mr. Alden I have done what I could in settling
and transcribing the accts. of as many of the soldiers as I could. These belong-
ing to the Falmouth Soldiers comidg by Capt. Bas ^ though for want of him
to compare them and examine them make me somewhat doubtful about them
lest any or particular should be omitted. Some of our English Soldiers accts.
are here Inclosed with some Information to the Gentlemen of the Committee
about them I hope it will not be long before I shall receave orders for my
comming home where I hope I shall be able to give as good an acct. of my
stewardship as the circumstances w'^'* I have been under would admit. I sup-
pose if the Council see cause Capt. Davis will be willing to take the charge of
what remayns for the stores for the present. It will be needfull that some more
* Beaver skins were the currency then used in these times. They were good
legal tender.
^ Probably Capt. Bassett.
DESTRUCTION OF FALMOUTH. 47
bread be sent, the corn w'^^ came will stand in little stead except it can be
ground, v/'^^ I doubt will scarce be done here. Some of the soldiers are drawn
and drawing of; what goods are come I doubt will not be enough to supply the
soldiers with clothing but little of it can be spared towards the paying
for or purchasing meal, if goods had come for that end it would have been con-
venient that I should have had some Information concerning the price of beef
what to allow at as money, as for pease I suppose the cheapest way will be to
send some from Boston for I can hear of but few to be had here. I have but
time to Enlarge but hope that what is wanting will be considered of and and
sent pr the next, and at present remayne
Your Honors humble Servt.
Joseph Prout.
I have delivered to Mr. Alden 31 small arms being all yt I had left, with
me of the country."
(Vol. 35, p. 87, Mass. Archives).
"Falmouth, 21, 1689
Mr. Isaac Adington,
Sir, these may serve to inform something of the present State of affairs
here in Falmouth. Those soldiers left here are most of them men of 111 be-
havior and take little notice of of their commander Especially since their Capt.
went home though for my part I am of opinion their present disorder is the
effect of the want of that due method of Strict Government w"'' they should
have known before I would not reflect upon any man but I am fully ppsuaded
that if they are not speedily undr a prudent comander their carrage here will
be dishonorable to God and to the Country and unsafe for this Town, for
many of them do often swear that they will march away home & it is hard for
me to keep any of that supply of goods w'='> came last for the other Garisons,
they many of them threatning to pull down the store house and take what they
please, I wish that speedy care may be taken to rectify what is amiss This day
some of them were ppsuaded to go up to guard the mill while corn is grinding,'
and it is intended to continue a guard there (if pswation will do) untill a suffic-
ient quantity of corn be ground for to last the Town the whole winter, and then
wholy to leave off grinding therefore if it so thought convenient to send any
more corn here, move than it be cheifly of Indian, some ground and some un-
ground, as also such a quantity of bread as may be thought sufficient for the
winter here are now of Soldiers and listed Inhabitants seventy nine men in
' At that time there were no mills in this vicinity for grinding corn, except
wind-mills. The location of this mill is uncertain, but from the language used
it may be supposed to be on some elevated position. The high land on Free
street near the Anderson houses subsequently had a mill erected there, and
Free street was called wind-mill lane. This was probably the location.
48 CAPTURE OF FORT LOYALL.
this Town w^^'^ eat of the countrys bread, besides those at Spurwink, Black-
point and Saco Some fall shoes are desired & expected by some of the
soldiers, as also some stockings & some more shirt cloaths, as also some more
coats, breeches, neck cloaths, &c. The want of a compleat Invoque of the
several goods formerly sent with the price of each sort is a great advantage
for wth out I cannot send home the severall soldiers wth nor
have the accts herewith of the severall soldiers to be left with whom the
council shall apoynt too succeed me, when they see cause too send for me
home ■w'^^ I hope will be speedily. Wth due respects to yor self, this is all
at present from
Yours
Joseph Prout.
These soldiers now in the fort undr Capt. Davis are most orderly and under
the best command of any here and therefore I would not be understood to re-
flect upon him or those under his charge."
(Vol. 35, page 88, Massachusetts Archives.)
Capt. Simon Willard was appointed to the command of Fort
Loyall, and the following instructions given him, viz. :
" The Governour and Council of the Colony of the Massachusetts
Bay in New England
To Simon Willard, Captain.
Whereas you Simon Willard are appointed Captain of Foot Souldiers de-
tatched out of severall Towns within the said Massachusetts Colony for their
Majesties service was disposed and posted in several Garrisons at Falmouth,
Saco, Scarborough, and other places neer thereto adjacent within the Province
of Mayne for the security and defence of the said places and. the Inhabitants
thereof against the comon Indian Enemy, who have made open warr and are
hi actual hostility against their majesties subjects.
These are in their Majesties names to Authorise and Require you to take in
your care and conduct all the said Company of souldiers, and delligently to in-
fend that service for the safeguard and defence of the said places their majesties
subjects and Estates there, against the said Indian Enemies, their aiders and
Abbettors, and so fight, take kill and destroy the said Enemies as yo" may have
oppertunity. Leading exercising and ordering ye Inferiour officers and
souldjers, Comanding them to obey you as their Captain and chiefe Com-
ander, and yo" to observe and obey all such orders & Instruments as from
time to time yo" shall receive from the Governor & Council of this Colony.
In testimony where of the publique scale of the above s<l Colony is thereunto
affixed. Dated in Boston ye twenty fifth day of Novembr -Armo. Dom. 1689,
DESTRUCTION OF FALMOUTH. 49
In the third year of ye Reign of our Sovereign Lorde and Lady W™ & Mary by
the grace of God King and Queen of Engl<i Scotland, ffrance & Ireland, De-
fenders of ye faith &c.
S. Bradstreet,'
(Vol. 35, page 69, Massachusetts Archives). Govr.
"Instructions for Captain Simon Willard,
Whereas you are appointed Captain and Chiefe Commander of the soldiers
detatched for their Maj^if^ Service out of the colony of the Massachusetts now
disposed and posted in severall Garrisons at falmouth, Saco, Scarborough, and
other places neer thereto adjacent for the security and defence of the s<i places
and their Maj^ti^^ Subjects there against the Comon Indian Enemy &c.
" You are to take special care that all your Souldiers and inferior officers be
kept in good order under comand ; and that the worship of God be daily exer-
cised among them and all prophand Swearing and other vices and disorders be
Suppressed and duly punished. You are to order and take care that the Soul-
diers posted in the severall Garrisons and iitferiour officers that have the par-
ticular comand of them do carefully attend their duty in their respective Posts
in watching warding and Scouting for the safeguard and defence of the place
and their maj**^* subjects there and for repelling the Enemy upon any attack
made, and upon notice of the Enemys approach to march in a party or partys
against them if by the advice of your officers and the officers and cheife persons
of the place, with y* assistance of the Inhabitants, it shall be judged you have a
Sufficient strength to send forth against them, taking heed of being ambushed
by the Enemy or drawn out to engage them under disadvantage of numbers or
otherwise so the exposing of yourself or Souldiers. You are to take care that
there be a Suitable and proportionable supply of provisions that are or shall be
sent or disposed unto the severall Garrisons where your Souldiers are posted,
to be comitted unto the care of some faithful 1 persons there who may give forth
the same as shall be needed and at due allowance and keep a destinct and par-
ticular account thereof.
" You are to take all opportunity to advise the Goveror and Councill of all oc-
currences with you and of the state and condition of the several Garrisons and
w' supply be needed from time to time
Simon Bradstreet, Gov"'.
Boston, 28"* November, 1689.
Consented to by the Councill. Signed by their order.
Is». Addington, Secy."
(Vol. 35, p. 97, Mass. Archives).
' Simon Bradstreet was born in England in March, 1603; graduated at Cam-
bridge University in 1624; came to Massachusetts with Winthrop in 1630; was
chosen an assistant Secretary, 1630-36, Deputy Governor, 1673-8, Governor,
1679-86, and again after the revolution against Sir E. Andros, 1689-92; died
March 27, 1697. (Savage, i, 236).
50 CAPTURE OF FORT LOYALL. I
While thus Maj. Church and his associates were preparing with
what limited forces that they had at their command, for the ex- '
pected contest in the spring of 1690 with the Indians in Maine, |
far serious troubles were arising from their French neighbors on ■
the north against the English in New England, Callieres' who ,
some time previous had gone to France to lay before Louis XIV,^ \
the project of invading New York and New England, and destroy- ;
ing the white settlements there, found in the person of the French j
monarch an eager listener. He had espoused the cause of James \
II, was in a war with England, and any suggestions of an oppor- 1
tunity to inflict a blow upon the English in North America received I
from him attention and sympathy. Being, in the fall of 1689, j
about to send Frontenac back to Canada as its ruler, he gave him j
orders to that effect to carry out the plan of a war with New ■
England.3 '
t
Frontenac arrived in Canada October 12, 1689. An extract j
from the Paris Documents "^ give the following : " The order re- j
ceived by M. Le Compte de Frontenac s to commence hostilities '
against New England and New York, which had declared for the j
Prince of Orange, afforded him considerable pleasure, and were '.
very necessary for the country. He allowed no more time to ,
elapse before carrying them into execution than was required to i
' Callieres-Bonnevue. Louis Hector de, governor of Montreal in 1684, died in j
1703. (N. Y. Col. Man., ix, 743). ]
'^ Louis XIV. called the great king of France, was born Sept. 16, 1638, died 1
Sept. I, 171 5. The reign of Louis XIV has been styled the Augustan age of :
France, and it will certainly be ever illustrious from the splendid array of great j
men whom the king assembled around his throne. (Amer. Cyclopedia, x, pages •
655, 659). It was during the reign of this monarch that the important events
connected with the settlement of New France, the French and Indian wars of ••
the 17th century, and the attempted conquest of Canada by the English oc- ^
•curred. 1
3 N. Y. Col. Man., ix. 423. j
"N. Y. Col. Man., ix. 464. j
5 Count (Louis de Buade) Frontenac was the Governor of Canada, 1672-82. *
He was of a violent temper, and had many quarrels with his associates. He was
recalled back to France in 16S2. Louis XIV sent him back to Canada in 1689
under instructions to invade New England and New York. He was governor
1689-98. He repulsed Sir Wm. Phipps at the attack on Quebec in 1690, and
his administration of affairs was popular. He died at Quebec, Nov. 28, 1698,
lamented and beloved. (Parkman's New France).
DESTRUCTION OF FALMOUTH. $1
send off some dispatches to France. Immediately he determined
to organize three different detachments to attack those rebels at
all points at the same moment, and to punish them at various
places for having afforded protection to our enemies the Mohawks.
The first party was to rendezvous at Montreal, and proceed towards
Orange' (Albany). The second at Three Rivers, and to make a
descent on New York or some place between Boston and Orange
(Albany). (A note says this detachment entered New Hamp-
shire, where they burned a place called Salmon Falls). And a
third was to depart from Quebec and gain the seaboard between
Boston and Pentagonet (Penobscot), verging towards Acadia.
(This was the party that captured Fort Loyall). They all suc-
ceeded perfectly well."
Another account says that "in the winter of 1689-90, three ex-
peditions were fitted out against the New York and New England
settlements by Count Frontenac. It was done by him to recover
the prestige he had lost on account of the capture of Montreal by
the Iroquois Indians."^
From Montreal a party of one hundred and ten French and of
the Christian Iroquois Indians under the leadership of De Manet ,
and Sainte Helene,^ and DTberville,* the hero of Hudson Bay, and
Bienville s as volunteers, started in the depth of winter on the
expedition against New York. They waded through the snow to
Schenectady, which they destroyed on the 8th of February, 1689.
' Orange was the name which Albany was generally called.
^ Bancroft, 3, 182.
^Le Moyne de Sainte Helene was one of the sons of Charles Le Moyne.
Was leader of the attack upon Schenectady, and in the defence of Quebec in
1690 against Sir Wm. Phipps, and was killed at that time. (Parkman's New
France).
■» Sieur. de Pierre Le Moyne Iberville, brother of St. Helene, was a Canadian
military and naval commander. He was born in Montreal, July 16, 1661 ; died
in Havana, July 9, 1706. He was distinguished in many engagements against
the English, including the capture of Pemaquid in this State. He was one of
the founders of Louisiana. (Amer. Cyclopedia, 9, 142).
' P'rancois Le Moyne de Bienville (another brother), was a prominent French
military leader in Canada. He was killed in a battle with the Iroquois Indians
in 1691. (N. Y. Col. Man., ix, 518). His name and estates were given to his
brother, who afterward became the governor of Louisiana. (Charlevoi.x).
52 CAPTURE OF FORT LOYALL.
i
The horrors of that massacre are well known as a frightful chapter ;
of our colonial history.
After the destruction of Schenectady by the French and Indians, |
accounts were written by various parties to the Governor and '
Council of Massachusetts giving information of the same, and |
that they might provide against similar attacks upon their frontier .
settlements. Of a letter from P. Schuyler, Dirch. Wessels, K. V.
Renesselaer, Convention of Albanie, under date of February 15, !
1689, '90, the following is an extract:
" Now Gent. The Indians speak well yet we are satisfied by all their '
actions that they will side with the strongest and ye Indians yt are among the 1
french are all of our Indian Relations So y' it cannot be Imagined that they will 1
destroy or anoy Therefore if their maj'«« subjects doe not Rise like one only :
man against ye french there Maj^<=^ Interests in these parts will be Destroyed ;
and they once being Rooted out all y^ Evills which spring from them as the
fountain will B quashed, the Longer we stay the worse it will B. for we must doe !
it at last and then probably after we have lost many hundreds of our people 1
which would be fit to help in such an Expedition we have felt the Smart of that ,
nation — and Pray God our neighbors may not come to same Disaster we are -,
Satisfyed they did not design to destroy Shinnechtady but all ourout Plantations j
but fynding them so secure sett upon them & left the others untoucht, thinking '■
they could never Escape there Cruelties.
Dear neighbours and friends
we must acquaint y"" y* never Poor People in y^ world was in a worse Condition j
than we are now at Present, no governour nor Command"" no money. . . . [
We have here Plainly laid y« case before you, and doubt not you will take it to '
heart and make all readiness in y* Spring to Invade Canada by water." |
(Vol. 35, p. 245, Mass. Archives). ;
I
]
The following was the reply from the Governor and Council j
of Massachusetts : |
" Hond Gent. Boston, 27* February, 1689, '90.
Yo^ of the 1 5* instant bringing the sad and Solemn news of the desolation of i
Schicinectedy and the barbarous cruelties exercised towards the people of that 1
place came to hand on Munday the 24"^ of this instant, which is a loud Alarm ;
to the whole country to make all meet preparation to put themselves in a posture i
of defence. The Government here have had before them the consider- ■
DESTRUCTION OF FALMOUTH, 53
ation of an Expedition against the French in the Eastern Parts,' And have con-
sented to severall propositions for the Encouragement of such as shall undertake
the charge of carrying on the same, divers considerable gentlemen offering to
advance towards it. And hope that something will beesoon brought to Effect