Peace and Goodwill

Dear Editor,

The theme at Christmas is peace and goodwill.

When we think of the Plymouth colony in Massachusetts and the Boston Bay Colony we think about peace and good will and religious freedom.

They maintained an uneasy but an peaceful relationship with the Wampanoeg, Narragaqnsett, Nipmuck, Pequot and Mohegan tribes. March 22, 1621, leaders from the Plymouth colony negotiated a peace treaty with Massasoit (1581-1661), chief of the Wampanoags.

Byt 1661, the population of colonists had increased greatly. The best farmland was located along the Connecticut River. They built settlements near it in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

King Philip (Metacom), the son of Massasoit, took over as a leader of the Wampanoegs when Massasoit died. His older brother, Alexander (Wamsutta) died in 1662. King Philip believed the colonists murdered him. Metacom or Metacomet was unhappy with the expansion of colonial settlements. He waged a war that is referred to as King Philip's War in history books.

Wamsutta died after being questioned at gunpoint by Plymouth Colonists. Metacomet took revenge. He got the support of other tribes and attacked outlying colonia villages. The settlements of Roxbury and Springfield, Mass., during an Indian attack. In October 1675, King Philip's men burned Springfield. The cause for the attack was the execution of three of Metacom's warriors.

According to legent Metacom sat in a cave and watched the burning of Simsbury. Other attacks took place at Longmeadows, Mass., and Plymouth.

During its first 39 years, Springfield had a peaceful existence. After Kin Philip's or Metacom's death, Aug. 12, 1676, the war continued for 100 years. One in 10 persons on both sides was killed.

A good title for these events is "War and Peace."

Helen Ruth (Hancock) Arnold,

Trenton, Nebraska