Chronology of the Indians By Bud Hannings 1621 - America - At Plymouth, Massachusetts, one-half of these new colonists perish from cold and hardship before spring. Among the casualties is Rose, the wife of Captain M. Standish, who succumbs by drowning on January 29th. The Pilgrims sustain a severe winter, but there is little contact with the Indians. The death rate climbs so rapidly that for every house constructed for the living, seven graves are dug for their deceased. In conjunction, the Pilgrims bury their dead near the banks of the landing spot, but to conceal the losses from the Indians, who might take advantage if they learned of the weakened state, they quickly plant corn over the graves. Surprisingly, during the spring of 1621, a bold Indian, named Samoset (Squanto) walks directly into the camp and bellows: “Welcome Englishmen, while offering them a modified salute.” Thanks to him and his broken English, a treaty of friendship is agreed upon between the Pilgrims and Massoit, the main chief of the Pokanokets (also Wampanoags). During March, trading with the Indians begins. The Pilgrims reelect John Carver as Governor, but he succumbs within several weeks during April . William Bradford is then selected as governor. The Mayflower returns to England on April 5th. The colonists begin to probe deeper into the country. A contingent explores Massachusetts Bay about forty miles north of Plymouth and they also explore Shawmut peninsula, which is present day Boston. September 1621- The Narragansett Indians, led by Chief Canonicus, agree to initiate friendly relations with the Pilgrims in Plymouth, as had similarly been agreed to by the Pokanokets earlier in the year. The Pokanokets and the Narragansetts are enemies, and each tribe is located near the Pilgrims’ settlement. In other activity, King James I, gives a Scotchman, Sir William Alexander, the territory east of the St. Croix and south of the St. Lawrence, called Nova Scotia (Acadia). During the war between England and France which breaks out during 1627, Alexander using force gets control of the territory, but subsequent to the peace treaty, during 1632 , the land reverts to the French (Treaty of St. Germain). March 22nd 1622- In Virginia, the Indians under Opechancanoough, seek retaliation and revenge for the murder of an Indian brave. The Indians, who have now also learned the skill of firing guns, attack every settlement and massacre the men women and children. One Indian, Chanco, a convert, is able to give some warning to the colonists of the imminent attack or more would be killed. About 350 settlers are killed, including six members of council. The colonists that had been spared, begin retaliation, but they are also fighting disease and chronic food shortages which soon deplete their numbers from about 4,000 people to 2,500. Intermittent warfare continues for twenty-four years when a peace treaty is finally signed during 1646. July 1623 - England - American Colonies - The Privy Council in England assumes the administration of the Virginia Company which faces financial ruin. The Virginia colonists, their numbers trimmed considerably since the Indian attack of the previous year, initiate a retaliatory attack against the Indians to seek vengeance. In other activity, Virginia is introduced to the silk worm, bringing about the manufacture of silk in the colonies. Later, the House of Burgesses passes legislation “the Silk Laws,” mandating the planting of Mulberry trees, the source of food for the silk worms. These laws are repealed during 1666. 1623 - England - American Colonies - English Colonists, operating under the grant (1622) of Gorges and Mason, settle Portsmouth and Dover, on the Piscataqua River in New Hampshire. In conjunction, the Laconia Company fails to prosper and seed permanence, rather the towns retain the status of fishing towns. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, Andrew Weston, under a grant from Plymouth Co., attempts to create a plantation for his own success. He dispatches sixty of his indentured servants to found the settlement at Wissagusset (Weymouth), Massachusetts along the south shore of Massachusetts Bay; however, these men seemingly lack the character of honest men and the endeavor goes awry from the start. With a propensity to avoid the labors of genuine toil, they begin to plunder the Indians. In turn, the Indians prepare to annihilate the colonists. Based on a tip from Massasoit, who is suffering from ill-health and dying, Miles Standish foils the plot. He pulls a surprise raid on Chief Wituwamot and executes him and several of the conspiring braves. Later, John Robinson, upon hearing the news of the actions of Smith, writes to the colonists and states: “OH. HOW HAPPY A THING HAD IT BEEN, HAD YOU CONVERTED SOME, BEFORE YOU HAD KILLED ANY (Indians)!” Once the ordeal ends, the sixty colonists quickly abandon the plantation and retire to safer quarters. During the following year, another attempt is made to revive the plantation, but this effort also fails. Capt. Christopher Levett explores the coast of Maine, and builds a house near the site of Portland but does not make a permanent settlement. In other activity, a settlement is founded at Quincy, Massachusetts by Captain Wollaston; however it is not Puritan and its governor, Thomas Morton is soon disliked by the Puritans. 1624 - Roger Conant, as agent of the Plymouth Co., founds a settlement near Cape Anne, Mass. The continued opposition of the House of Commons paralyzes the Company. Consequently, squatters colonize the coast from Cape Cod to the Bay of Fundy. York, (Maine) is settled about this date. In other activity, Reverend Lyford arrives in New Plymouth to replace Reverend Morrell who has returned to England, but he too is not well accepted by the Puritans. Lyford and some others are forced to leave the colony; they resettle at Nantasket at Boston Harbor. After about four years of attempting to colonize Plymouth and make it prosper, it becomes apparent that things must change. With the absence of private property, there is a lack of willingness to labor for the common good. In essence, the socialistic society is not working. A new blueprint is drawn to initiate an incentive to prosper. The new plan provides one acre of land for each person and they would plant the crop for their profit. Soon after implementation, there is an abundance of corn, so much that the Puritans begin selling to the Indians. In essence, the Puritans undergo a transition from socialism to capitalism. 1625 - At about this time, Pemaquid (Bristol), Maine is settled. Later during 1631, two Englishmen obtain a patentto become the proprietors of Pemaquid, The region is inhabited by Pemaquid Indians (Abenaki/Algonquian) and the Wawenock Indians who live along the coast between the St. George and Kennebec Rivers. In conjunction, The Pemaquid, part of the North Virginia Colony is coveted by both England and France. May 4th 1626 - Netherlands - Colonies - Peter Minuit arrives at Manhattan and assumes the duties of director-general of the New Netherlands. Manhattan Island is purchased from the Indians for a sum of sixty gilders, equivalent to about $24.00. At the southernmost point of the island, the Dutch construct Fort Amsterdam. The Indians also sell Staten Island to the Dutch The New World is paying dividends to the Dutch and because of the expanding commerce, they spend little time thinking about permanent colonization. Rather, the Dutch concentrate on the immediate profits and the continuing relationship with the English that have settled further north in New Plymouth. 1628 - Virginia declares that no treaties shall be made with the Indians. 1630 - Massachusetts - Maine - At about this time Fort Pemaquid (also known as Shurte’s Fort) is established. The fort is later destroyed in 1676 during a conflict with the Indians known as “King Philip’s War.” Subsequently, the colonists rebuild the fort and rename it Fort Charles, but it too is later (1689) destroyed during a confrontation with the French. Undaunted, the fort is again reconstructed during 1692, and renamed Fort William Henry, but fate strikes yet again. During 1696, the fort’s garrison capitulates to the French. The on-again off-again confrontation between the English and French continue well into the 18th Century. Nonetheless, the English establish Fort Frederick in this same vicinity during 1729 and it remains under English control through the French and Indian War and beyond up to 1775. By this time, the fort is no longer a strategic installation. It is demolished. 1630 - Fur trading leads to tension between the different colonists and the Indians. The various tribes in the Great Lakes area and the Ohio Valley such as the Iroquois who trade with the Dutch and the Huons who trade with the French enter into a prolonged period known as the “Beaver Wars,” which lasts until about 1700. 1630 - Dutch West Indian Company - Godyn gets an Indian deed for his land in Delaware (July), the first deed of land in Delaware. He and Samuel Bloemart buy the Indian title to the east coast of Delaware Bay (N.J.); this tract called Swanendael or Swansdale. Kiliaen van Rensselaer buys from the Indians land (24 miles long and forty-eight miles wide) between Fort Orange and the Mohawk River; this tract is called Rensselaerwyck. Michael Pauw buys Staten Island and Pavonia (the country around Hoboken, N.J.). During December, De Vries, acting as agent for Godyn, sails with the emigrants for Swansdale or Swanendael (Lewistown, Delaware) and founds a colony during the early part of 1631. At about this time, the Dutch also establish a blockhouse (Amersfort Blockhouse) in Brooklyn (Flatlands). May 1631 - Charles I, King of England, Grants to a company under William Clayborne (a member of the Virginia council) a license to trade with the Indians of Virginia; John Harvey, Governor of Virginia confirms it.