Thaddeus Clark letter on King Philip's War, Portland, 1676

Contributed by Maine Historical Society

Description

Continued pressure from disputes over deeds, “ownership” of land, and restriction of access to food resources led to Wabanaki retaliation. Colonists made overtures about accepting the philosophy of making “kin” with Wabanaki during the signing of documents, but rarely reciprocated.

Thaddeus Clark of Casco Bay wrote to his mother-in-law in 1676 during King Philip's War to tell her about the family members and friends who had been slain and taken captive in the area of Falmouth (later Portland).

The Brackett family mentioned in this account were living on land deeded by Warrabitta in 1670, when increased colonial pressure on coastal lands drove her to deed “four hundred acres of land lying upon the Long Creek in Casco Bay” to Anthony Brackett.

That the two families affected by this assault were those whom Warrabitta had attempted to make alliances with, and who had violated the borders of their agreements, suggests the attack was retribution for fraud.

Fearful that King Phillip’s War would continue to threaten his family, Clark asked his mother to,
"entreat the Governour that forthwith aid might be sent to us either to fight the enemie out of our borders that our english corn may be inned in wherby we may comfortably live or remove us out of danger that we may provide for our Selves elsewhere."

Clark was married to Elizabeth Mitton, granddaughter of George Cleeve, a settler of Falmouth. Elizabeth Mitton's mother, Elizabeth Cleeve Mitton, remarried in 1666 and became Elizabeth Harvey.

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About This Item

  • Title: Thaddeus Clark letter on King Philip's War, Portland, 1676
  • Creator: Thaddeus Clark
  • Creation Date: 1676-06-14
  • Subject Date: 1676
  • Location: Casco Bay, Portland, Cumberland County, ME
  • Media: Ink on paper
  • Local Code: Coll. 420, Box 7/32
  • Collection: John S. H. Fogg autograph collection
  • Object Type: Text

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Maine Historical Society
485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
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