The Quaboag were a tribe of the Algonquin family. Together with the Nashaway and Nipmuc they were refered to as the Nipnets or Fresh Water Indians and were counted 3,000 in 1675. Geographically, they were located between the Indian River (today in Connecticut) and the Cape Cod (today in Massachusetts).[1]
The Quaboag tribe controlled a territory, now roughly making up the towns of New Braintree, Barre Plains, Brookfield (Wekabaug), Warren, Brimfield (Ashquoash) and parts of Sturbridge was later considered strategically well located. They practiced agricultural activity (mainly harvesting corn) and used the Quaboag River and its tributaries for fishing.[1]
They resided mostly in the west and north of Wickaboag Pond, extending from Sucker Brook far into New Braintree. This was the area of the Nipmuc Indians, a tribe occupying the territory between the Connecticut River and the easterly line of Worcester County, then extending south about 20 miles into Connecticut.[1]
History with European Settlers
editMoving from Ipswich, On 31 May 1660, John Warner, John Ayres Sr., William Prichard, Daniel Hovey came to the Quaboag (The village is referred to as Quaboag aswell) to start a new settlement and plantation. From the Massachusetts General Court, they obtained a land grant for an area of six square miles, under the condition that they have twenty families and one minister in residence within three years.[2]
On November 10, 1665, the English purchased another piece of land from an indian, for a price of three hundred fathom of Wampum. The value at the time in English shillings and pence made the price for the land 1,500 shillings.[2]
On 15 May 1667, when the three year limit expired from the original grant, there were only 6 or 7 families living there and the Court voted that the time be extended for a year. 1673, the inhabitants sent a petition to the Massachusetts General Court asking to be organized or incorporated into a township, which was granted after the town was renamed Brookfield.[2]
The Indians and the English settlers lived in harmony until 1675, when the King Philip's War reached
See Also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "The Indians". westbrookfield.org. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ a b c "Brief History of Quaboag Plantation". westbrookfield.org. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ Harris, Gordon (2023-11-09). "Ipswich, the Brookfield Massacre and King Philip's War". Historic Ipswich. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ "Lake facts". Lake Wickaboag. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ "Lake Wickaboag Boat Club". lakewickaboagboatclub.com. Retrieved 2024-06-27.