Second Settlement 1686-1718

After King Philips destruction of the Brookfield plantation, planters and family members of those who were killed, fled the area. Some returned to where they formerly resided.

Act of 1679 Passed

For the safety and welfare of the settlers, General Court passed an Act to make sure that the people who went back to these destroyed plantations, did so with careful consideration. An application would have to be approved by Governor and Council, or County Court. They would have to form a committee to put in writing how this town was going to be formed, they would have to handle security issues, they would have to provide Church Communion, education for children and civility.

Petition & Request of James Ford

The first request for petition in the second settlement of Brookfield. Other members settled in Brookfield, would be John Woolcott, Jr., Samuel Smith, Jr., who settled on the east side of the Woolcott place. Joseph Mason, who took land on the West side of the Woolcott's, John Lawrence, built further west, not to far off from the Woolcott's place.

1687

The settlers located closely to other each other, creating a considerable cluster of houses, which stood in the Woolcott neighborhood.

1688

New settlers: Samuel Owen from Springfield, Daniel Tosh [McIntosh], Matthew and Isaac Tomblin, Josiah Beamon.

This year is known to the settlers as the King William's War as well as dealings with Sir Edmund Andros. King Philip destroyed several other towns, Deerfield, Northfield, each of which were on the rebounds of being re-occupied.  But they had few settlers and poorly fortified.  Seeing this the French in Canada saw this as a temptation. The French instigated the Indians to harass these plantations.

Eleven Indians, who used to belong to the Penacook, Pacomptuck and Quabaug, traveled down the Connecticut River, stopping in Deerfield. On July 27, five peaceful indians at the Spectable Pond near Springfield were found murdered.

"Aug 16, six people, three men, two women, and a girl were murdered by Indians on the Northfield town street. One of the men was John Clary (father of the John Clary who was killed at Brookfield in 1709) and the girl was his daughter Sarah aged 15." J.H. Temple, History of North Brookfield, 1887.

Two of the Indians in this group were recognized as Quabaugs, Cungowasco and Wahacoet.  Settlers from Brookfield were alarmed.  A garrison had not been built as of yet.

August 17, 1688 Quotes from John Pynchon's Account Book

Gilberts Fort

Dea. Henry Gilbert built a considerable sized fort with barracks for soldiers and for families. It was surrounded by a large stockade. It stood at the intersection of North Main and Maple Streets. A monument now stands in its spot.

1693

The Indian assault on the Woolcott Family.   Family member of three Brookfield families were suddenly destroyed.