MARY ROWLANDSON: FROMA Captivity Narrative (1676)51MARY RowLANDSONFROMA Captivity Narrative (1676)During Metacomet’s or using the colonists’ name for that leader of the Wampanoags King Philip’s War (1675-78) bands of Indians attacked numerous frontiersettlements. After the 10 February 1676 attack on Lancaster Massachusetts thewarriors led away a group of captives among whom was Mary Rowlandson. Shewas the wife of the minister Joseph Rowlandson and the mother of four children.Rowlandson remained a captive until ransomed in May for the £20 raised by thewomen of Boston. Her account published a few years after her ordeal stands as oneof the premier examples of a distinctive form of colonial literature: the captivitynarrative.From Mary Rowlandson The Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson (Cambridge MA: Samuel Greer 1682; Lancaster MA: John Wilson & Son 1903) pp. 1-11 15-17 19 22-24 30-31 43-44 46 48-50 53-55 59 64 72. [Spelling and punctuation modernized-Ed.]0f[l]y like hail; and quickly they wounded one mann the tenth of February 167[6]. Came theamong us then another and then a third AboutIndians with great numbers upon Lantwo hours (according to my observation in thatcaster: Their first coming was about Sunamazing time) they had been about the house berising; bearing the noise of some Guns we lookedfore they prevailed to fire it (which they did without; several Houses were burning and the SmokeFlax and Hemp which they brought out of theascending to Heaven. There were five persons takenBarn … they fired it once and one ventured outin one house the Father and the Mother and aand quenched it but they quickly fired it again sucking Child they knockt on the head; the otherand that took. … Then I took my Children (andtwo they took and carried away alive. Their wereone of my sisters hers) to go forth and leave thetwo others who being out of their Garison uponhouse: but as soon as we came to the dore and apsome occasion were set upon; one was knockt onpeared the Indians shot so thick that the bullettsthe head the other escaped: Another their was whorattled against the House as if one had taken anrunning aroug was shot and wounded and fellhandfull of stones and threw them so that we weredown; he begged of them his life promising themfain to give back. … But out we must go the fireMoney (as they told me) but they would nothearken to him but knockt him in head and striptincreasing and coming along behiad us roaring him naked and split open his Bowels ….and the Indians gaping before us with their Guns At length they came and beset our own house Spears and Hatchets to devour us. No sooner werewe out of the House but my Brother in Law (beand quickly it was the dolefullest day that evermine eyes saw. The House stood upon the edg of a -‘- ing before wounded in defending the house in orhill; some of the Indians got behind the hill othersnear the throat) fell down dead whereat the Indiinto the Barn and others behind any thing thatans scornfully shouted and hallowed and werecould shelter them; from all which places they shotpresently upon him stripping off his doaths thebulletts flying thick one went through my side against the House so that the Bullets seemed to 52CHAPTER3COLONIAL WAYS OF LIFEand the same (as would seem) through the bowelsand hand of my dear Child in my arms. One of myelder Sisters Children named William had then hisLeg broken which the Indians perceiving theyknockt him on head. Thus were we butchered by–· those merciless Heathen standing amazed withthe blood running down to our heels ….***The first RemoveNow away we must go with those Barbarous Creatures with our bodies wounded and bleeding andour hearts no less than our bodies. About a mile wewent that night up upon a hill within sight of theTown where they intended to lodge … To add tothe dolefulness of the former day and the dismalness of the present night: my thoughts ran up onmy losses and sad bereaved condition ….***The second RemoveBut now the next morning I must turn my backupon the Town and travel with them into the vastand desolate Wilderness I knew not whither. It is notmy tongue or pen can express the sorrows of myheart and bitterness of my spirit that I had at thisdeparture: but God was with me in a wonderfullmanner carrying me along and bearing up myspirit that it did not quite fail. One of the Indianscarried my poor wounded Babe upon a horse itwent moaning all along I shall dy I shall dy. I wenton foot after it with sorrow that cannot be express.At length I took it off the horse and carried it inmy armes till my strength failed and I fell downwith it: Then they set me upon a horse with mywounded Child in my lap and there being no furniture upon the horse back; as we were going downa steep hill we both fell over the horses head atwhich they like inhumane creatures laught and rejoyced to see it though I thought we should therehave ended our dayes as overcome with so manydifficulties. But the Lord renewed my strength still and carried me along that I might see more ofhis Power; yea so much that I could never havethought of had I not experienced it.***The third RemoveThe morning being come they prepared to go ontheir way. One of the Indians got up upon a horse and they set me up behind him with my poor sickBabe in my lap. A very wearisome and tedious dayI had of it; what with my own wound and myChilds being so exceeding sick and in a lamentable condition with her wound. It may be easilyjudged what a poor feeble condition we were in there being not the least crumb of refreshing thatcame within either of our mouths from Wednesday night to Saturday night except only a little coldwater. This day in the afternoon about an hour bySun we came to the place where they intended viz.an Indian Town called Wenimesset Norward ofQuabaug. When we were come Oh the number ofPagans (now merciless enemies) that there cameabout me … The next day was the Sabbath: I thenremembered how careless I had been of Gods holytime how many Sabbaths I had lost and mispent and how evily I had walked in Gods sight: whichlay so doss unto iny spirit that it was easie for meto see how righteous it was with God to cut off thethreed of my life and cast me out of his presencefor ever…. I sat much alone with a poor woundedChild in my lap which moaned night and day having nothing to revive the body or cheer the spiritsof her but instead of that sometimes one Indianwould come and tell me one hour that your Master will knock your Child in the head and then asecond and then a third your Master will quickly “knock your Child in the head.This was the comfort I had from them … Thusnine dayes I sat upon my knees with my Babe inmy lap till my flesh was raw again; my Child beingeven ready to depart this sorrowfull world theybade me carry it out to another Wigwam (I suppose because they would not be troubled with suchspectacles) Whither I went with a very heavy heart MARY ROWLANDSON: FROMand down I sat with the picture of death on my lap.About two houres in the night my sweet Babe likea Lambe departed this life on Feb. 18 167[6}. It being about six yeares and five months old …. I havethought since of the wonderfull goodness of Godto me in preserving me in the use of my reasonand senses in that distressed time that I did notuse wicked and violent means to end my own miserable life ….Now the lad began to talk of removing from thisplace some one way and some another. There werenow besides my self nine English Captives in thisplace (all of them Children except one Woman) Igot an opportunity to go and take my leave ofthem; they being to go one way and I another Iasked them whether they were earnest with God fordeliverance they told me they did as they wereable and it was some comfort to me that the Lordstirred up Children to look to him . …A Captivity Narrative ( 1676)**53*The fifth RemoveThe occasion (as I thought) of their moving at thistime was the English Army it being near and following them: For they went as if they had gone fortheir lives for some considerable way and thenthey made a stop and chose some of their stoutestmen and sent them back to hold the English Armyin play whilst the rest escaped: …The first week of my being among them I hardlyate any thing; the second week I found my stomachgrow very faint for want of something; and yet it wasvery hard to get down their filthy trash: but the thirdweek though I could think how formerly my stomach would turn against this or that and I couldstarve and dy before I could eat such things yet theywere sweet and savoury to my taste . …The fourth Remove***And now I must part with that little Company I had.Here I parted from my Daughter Mary (whom Inever saw again till I saw her in Doroester [Dor-The eighth Removechester] returned from Captivity and from fourlittle Cousins and Neighbours some of which Inever saw afterward: the Lord only knows the endof them. Amongst them also was that poor Womanbefore mentioned who came to a sad end as someof the company told me in my travel: She havingmuch grief upon her Spirit about her miserablecondition being so near her time she would be often asking the Indians to let her go home; they notbeing willing to that and yet vexed with herimportunity gathered a great company togetherabout her and stript her naked and set her in themidst of them; and when they had sung anddanced about her (in their hellish manner) as longas they pleased they knockt her on head and thechild in her arms with her: when they had donethat they made a fire and put them both into it and told the other Children that were with them that if they attempted to go home they wouldserve them in like manner: The Children said shedid not shed one tear but prayed all the while ….On the morrow morning we must go over theRiver i.e. Connecticot to meet with King Philip two Cannoos full they had carried over the nextturn i my self was to go; but as my foot was uponthe Cannoo to step in there was a sudden out-cryamong them and i must step back; and instead ofgoing over the River i must go four or five milesup the River farther Northward. Some of the Indians ran one way and some another. The cause ofthis rout was as i thought their espying some English Scouts who were thereabout. In this travel upthe River; about noon the Company made a stop and sate down; some to eat and others to restthem. As I sate amongst them musing of thingspast my Son joseph unexpectedly came to me: weasked of each others welfare bemoaning our dolefull condition and the change that had come uponuss …. We travelled on till night; and in the morning we must go over the River to Philip’s Crew.When I was in the Cannoo I could not but beamazed at the numerous crew of Pagans that were 54CHAPTER3COLONIAL WAYS OF LIFEon the Bank on the other side. When I cameashore they gathered all about me I sitting alonein the midst: I observed they asked one anotherquestions and laughed and rejoyced over theirGains and Victories. Then my heart began to fail:and I fell a weeping which was the first time to myremembrance that I wept before them …. Thereone of them asked me why I wept I could hardlytell what to say: yet I answered they would kill me:No said he none will hurt you. Then came one ofthem and gave me two spoonfulls of Meal to comfort me and another gave me half a pint of Pease;which was more worth than many Bushels at another time. Then I went to see King Philip he bademe come in and sit down and asked me whether Iwould smoke it (a usual Complement now adayesamongst Saints and Sinners) but this no way suitedme. For though I had formerly used Tobacco yet Ihad left it ever since I was first taken. It seems to bea Bait the Devil !ayes to make men loose their precious time: I remember with shame how formerly when I had taken two or three pipes I waspresently ready for another such a bewitchingthing it is: But I thank God he has now given mepower over it; surely there are many who maybe better imployed than to ly sucking a stinkingTobacco-pipe.***The twelfth Remove. . . This morning i asked my master whither hewould sell me to my Husband; he answered meNux which did much rejoyce my spirit. My mistriss before we went was gone to the burial of aPapoos and returning she found me sitting andreading in my Bible; she snatched it hastily out ofmy hand and threw it out of doors; I ran out andcatcht it up and put it into my pocket and neverlet her see it afterward. Then they pack’d up theirthings to be gone and gave me my load: I complained it was too heavy whereupon she gave me aslap in the face and bade me go; I lif(t]ed up myheart to God hoping the Redemption was not faroff: and the rather because their insolency grewworse and worse.But the thoughts of my going homeward for sowe bent our courses much cheared my Spirit andmade my burden seem light and almost nothing atall . …***The sixteenth RemoveWe began this Remove with wading over BaquagRiver: the water was up to the knees and the streamvery swift and so cold that I thought it would havecut me in sunder. i was so weak and feeble that Ireeled as I went along and thought there I mustend my dayes at last after my bearing and gettingthorough so many difficulties; the Indians stoodlaughing to see me staggering along: but in mydistress the Lord gave me experience of the truth and goodness of that promise Isai. 43.2. Vvhenthou passest thorough the Waters I will be with thee and through the Rivers they shall not overflow thee.Then I sat down to put on my stockins and shoos with the teares running down mine eyes andmany sorrowfull thoughts in my heart but I gatup to go along with them. Quickly there came upto us an Indian who informed them that I mustgo to Wachusit to my master for there was a Letter come from the Council to the Saggamores about redeeming the Captives and that therewould be another in fourteen dayes and that Imust be there ready. My heart was so heavy beforethat I could scarce speak or go in the path; andyet now so light that I could run. My strengthseemed to come again and recruit my feeble knees and aking heart: …***The nineteenth RemoveThey said when we went out that we must travel toWachuset this day. But a bitter weary day I had of MARY ROWLANDSON:it travelling now three dayes together withoutresting any day between ….***Then came Tom and Peter with the second Letter from the Council about the Captives. Thoughthey were Indians i gat them by the hand andburst out into tears; my heart was so full that Icould not speak to them; but recovering my self Iasked them how my husband did & all my friendsand acquain[t]ances they said They are all verywell but melancohly They brought me two Biskets and a pound of Tobacco …. When the Letter wascome the Saggamores met to consult about theCaptives and called me to them to enquire howmuch my husband would give to redeem me whenI came I sate down among them as I was wont todo as their manner is: Then they bade me stand up and said they were the General Court. They bid mespeak what I thought he would give Now knowingthat all we had was destroyed by the Indians. I wasin a great strait: I thought if I should speak of buta little it would be slighted and hinder the matter;if of a great sum I knew not where it would beprocured: yet at a venture I said Twenty pounds yetdesired them to take less; but they would not hearof that but sent that message to Boston that forTwenty pounds I should be redeemed ….***The twentieth RemoveIt was their usual manner to remove when they haddone any mischief lest they should be found out: andso they did at this time. We went about three or fourmiles and there they built a great Wigwam bigenough to hold an hundred Indians which theyjid in preparation to a great day of Dancing ….The Indians now began to come from all quarters 1gainst their merry dancing day. Among some ofhem came one Goodwife Kettle: I told her my1eart was so heavy that it was ready to break: so isnine too said she but yet said I hope we shallear some good news shortly. I could hear howFRoMA Captivity Narrative (1676)55earnestly my Sister desired to see me & I asearnestly desired to see her: and yet neither of uscould get an opportunity. My Daughter was alsonow about a mile off and I had not seen her innine or ten weeks as I had not seen my Sister sinceour first taking. I earnestly desired them to let mego and see them: yea I intreated begged and perswaded them but to let me see my Daughter; andyet so hard hearted were they that they would notsuffer it. They made use of their tyrannical powerwhilst they had it; but through the Lords wonderfull mercy their time was now but short.*On Tuesday morning they called their GeneralCourt (as they call it) to consult and determine whether I should go home or no: And they all asone man did seemingly consent to it that I shouldgo home; except Philip who would not comeamong them.*****… I may well say as his Psal. 107.12. Oh give thanksunto the Lord for he is good for his mercy endurethfor ever. Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so whomhe hath redeemed from the hand of the Enemy especially that I should come away in the midst of somany hundreds of Enemies quietly and peacably and not a Dog moving his tongue. So I took myleave of them and in coming along my heartmelted into tears more then all the while I was withthem and I was almost swallowed up with thethoughts that ever I should go home again ….***Before I knew what affliction meant I was readysometimes to wish for it. When I lived in prosper-ity; having the comforts of the World about me my relations by me my Heart chearfull: and takinglittle care for any thing; and yet seeing many whomI preferred before my self under many tryals andafflictions in sickness weakness poverty losses crosses and cares of the World I should be sometimes jealous least I should have my portion in thislife and that Scripture would come to my mind 56CHAPTER3COLONIAL WAYS OF LIFEHeb. 12.6. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every Son whom he receivith. But nowI see the Lord had his time to scourge and chastenme. The portion of some is to have their afflictionsby drops now one drop and then another; but thedregs of the Cup the Wine of astonishment: like asweeping rain that leaveth no food did the Lordprepare to be my portion Affliction I wanted andaffliction I had full measure (I thought) presseddown and running over; yet I see when God callsa Person to any shing and through never so manydifficulties yet he is fully able to carry themthrough and make them see and say they havebeen gainers thereby. And I hope I can say in somemeasure As David did It is good for me that I havebeen afflicted: The Lord hath shewed me the vanityof these outward things. That they are the Vanity ofvanities and vexation of spirit; that they are but ashadow a blast a bubble and things of no continuance. That we must rely on God himself and ourwhole dependance must be upon him. If troublefrom smaller matters begin to arise in me I havesomething at hand to check myself with and say why am I troubled? It was but the other day that ifI had had the world I would have given it for myfreedom or to have been a Servant to a Christian.I have learned to look beyond present and smallertroubles and to be quieted under them as Mosessaid Exod. 14.13. Stand still and see the salvation ofthe Lord.REVIEW QUESTIONS1. How did the Native Americans treat their cap-2.3.4.5.tives? Was what they expected of their captivesvery different from what they expected of themselves?What did Rowlandson’s observations-especially those that surprised her-reveal aboutnative lifestyles and the colonists’ lives and prejudices?Rowlandson was most vulnerable at the very beginning of her captivity when she was sufferingfrom shock. How did she start to recover? Whatdid she say supported her through all her afflictions?How did she explain this episode in her life toherself and others?What does this story reveal when analyzed as aPuritan sermon? What does it reveal when interpreted as a frontier epic?COTTON MATHERFRoMAccounts of the Salem Witchcraft Trials (1693)Cotton Mather (1639-1728 ) a respected minister in Boston straddled both the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. By birth -as the son and grandson of Puritan divines-education and profession he was primarily a man of the earlier century butas a profoundly curious intellectual he proved himself ready to consider and adoptsome new ideas. Mather’s belief in witchcraft and fear of the devil’s work in NewEngland reveal his seventeenth-century mental map but his embrace of a new andcontroversial medical procedure shows how he adapted-both consciously and unconsciously-that map to a new age.A communal hysteria over witchcraft engulfed Salem and Andover Massachusetts in 1692 and 1693. Historians able to focus a more objective wide-angle lens on
