From 1675 to 1676, a war between
colonists and Native Americans erupted in New England. It was
the result of tensions over the colonist's continued expansionist
activities. The bloody war raged up and down the Connecticut
River valley in Massachusetts and in the Plymouth and Rhode
Island colonies.
By the end of the numerous battles and skirmishes,
over 600 English colonials and 3,000 Native Americans had been
killed, sometimes savagely, including women and children on
both sides. King Philip was the colonist's nickname for Metacomet,
chief of the Wampanoags. On August 12, 1676, he was hunted
down and killed in a swamp in Rhode Island. This effectively
ended the war in southern New England and the independent power
of Native Americans in that region. For more details, see the Wikipedia entry for King Philip's War
The early settlers of Simsbury suffered greatly by the Indians.
On 13th March, 1676, it was ordered by the General Court that
the people of Simsbury remove to the neighboring settlements
or plantations with their cattle and valuables, and soon after
their buildings were burned by the Indians. This took place Saturday,
26th March, 1676.
Says Phelps the Historian: "The ruin was complete. Nothing
but desolation remained. During all the Indian wars before and
since this event, no destruction of an English settlement in
New England has taken place, in which the ruin was more extensive
or more general than this conflagration."
A neighboring mountain overlooking Simsbury was then called "Phelps
Mountain," because Mr. Phelps owned lands on it, and where it
is supposed King Philip [an Indian leader] was then encamped,
overlooking and gloating in the destruction he had caused.
Early in 1676, the danger being over, most of the settlers returned.
May 4th, 1677, we find Joseph Phelps, with nine others, petitioning
the General Assembly for assistance in taxing, on account of
loss caused by the Indians, which was partially granted.
May 7th, 1683, we find him with thirty-one others, in all thirty-two
(probably the voters of Simsbury at that time), signing a paper,
the substance of which was that they not agreeing on a spot for
locating their Meeting House, there being two places selected.
It was decided to cast lots, and Gov. John Talcott and Capt.
John Allyn were chosen to do this. Their action is thus described
in the History of Simsbury.
"May 8th, 1683, the above written agreement of ye above sides is well approved by John Talcott, John Allyn."