Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUly 26, 2024 ~ The Old Sachem ~ King Philip’s War T By Bill Stewart he Pequot War was an armed conflict between the Pequot tribe and colonists from Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Saybrook and their Indian allies of Narragansett and Mohegan tribes. The war ended in 1638 as the forces defeated about 700 Pequots, killing about 500. The remaining were sold into slavery. The Pequot and Mohegan tribes were allies before the coming of the colonists. Around 1630 the Connecticut River Valley had a problem because the Pequots wanted more land and fought the Wampanoag in the north, the Narragansett to the east and the Algonquian and Mohegan to the west. The colonists were also seeking more terriGerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. tory for settlements. English Puritans wanted dominance in the areas and settled in Windsor, Wethersfield, Hartford and Springfield – pushing the Indians out. John Stone and seven of his crew were killed by a subgroup of the Pequots named the Niantics. Stone was from the West Indies and had been banned from Boston for malfeasance, including drunkenness, adultery and piracy. Colonial officials felt that the Indians had no right to kill any colonists, even ones they penalized themselves. There was The Great Hurricane in 1635 in the colony area, which added to the problems, including winter food supply, and the colonists were ill prepared to avert famine. Tensions grew between the Pequot nation and the colonists. There was the case of John Oldham, who was killed by Indians, and colonist preachers put forth sermons against the Indians in the area. Governor Vane sent John Endecott to carry out revenge. There were over 50 years of disputing land areas used for grazing the colonies’ livestock and fishing spots, and interracial insensitivities, and additional land needed by the colonists was formerly settled by the Indians. Troubles continued between colonists and Indians and eventually erupted into what became King Philip’s War from 1675 to 1676. Philip, whose real name was Metacom, son of Massasoit who greeted the colonists in 1621, was the sachem of the Wampanoag tribe. The war was also caused by the Plymouth Colony killing three of Philip’s warriors. They had been tried and convicted of killing John Sassamon, a Harvard educated “praying Indian” who had converted to Puritanism and who served as an interpreter and advisor to Philip, but Philip had accused him of spying for the colonists. The Wampanoags did a series of raids against the Swansea village of Massachusetts, 40B | FROM PAGE 2 ger subject to 40B projects? This question is better suited for our Planning Department, which our Town Manager supervises.” The town currently is at a disadvantage, as it hasn’t filled the vacancy left by the departure of the planning director. Saugus currently sits at 6.88 percent affordable housing, S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping killing many colonists and destroying property. They continued many attacks against the Plymouth Colony. Governor Josiah Winslow formed a militia and attacked a large Narragansett and Wampanoag fort near the Great Swamp in West Kingston, Rhode Island, and over 300 Indians died from the attack, and this forced the Narragansetts to join with King Philip’s Wampanoags. They continued throughout the winter of 1676 to attack colonies of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Maine. Led by Chief Canonchet they attacked Plymouth and forced most of the citizens to flee to the coast. The tribes annihilated Providence, Rhode Island. The spring of 1676 saw Chief Canonchet captured, given to the Mohegans, shot, beheaded and quartered. On August 20, 1676, John Alderman shot and killed King Philip at Mt. Hope, R.I., and Philip was drawn and quartered and beheaded. There were minor clashes throughout New England and eventually the Treaty of Casco was signed in 1678, which ended the war. King Philip’s War is considered the bloodiest war per with 10 percent required by state law, according to Cogliano. “This percentage doesn’t include the Towle Brothers project being constructed along Prankers Pond,” Cogliano said. “When that project comes online Saugus will be at approximately 8.3 percent. The proposed project at 961 Broadway would bring Saugus close to or at the required 10 percent,” he said. Prior to the proposed 40B development, Cogliano said, he helped the property owner, Sal Palumbo, for two years to rezone his property because he had an Alzheimer’s care facility that he wanted to build there. “In my opinion, that would have been a huge win for Saugus,” Cogliano said. “The first year the Planning Board gave its stamp of approval for the project, but Town Meeting asked for a continuance. The second year the Planning Board elected not to support the rezoning and forced the property owner to look at a 40B development, which is not subject to zoning,” Cogliano said. “My only goal in supporting the rezoning was to prohibit any access through Forest Street because I know the disruption it would cause in the neighborhood. As it turns out, Mr. Palumbo has assured the town that Route 1 will be the only access point for the 40B as well.” “The Old Sachem,” Bill Stewart. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Joanie Allbee) capita in U.S. history. It included several hundred colonists dead and dozens of settlements destroyed or heavily damaged. Thousands of Indians were killed, wounded or captured and sold into slavery. Thus ended one of the worst wars on American soil. (Editor’s Note: Bill Stewart, who is better known to Saugus Advocate readers as “The Old Sachem,” writes a weekly column – sometimes about sports. He also opines on current or historical events or famous people.) Cicolini cites “a silver lining” Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Jeffrey Cicolini noted that the town has “no say” in the approval of a 40B project because these projects are allowed by the state’s legislation. “The town can impose certain restrictions under conservation laws or for specific infrastructure. However, the basic project itself bypasses our local zoning bylaws,” Cicolini told The Saugus Advocate. “Construction of more apartments is concerning given the current traffic situation on Route 1. However, there is one silver lining to the proposed 40B project. Because it falls under the 40B rules, even though only 25 percent of the 189 units are identified as affordable units, all 189 of the units will count towards Saugus meeting the state’s 10 percent affordable housing requirement,” he said. “Furthermore, in any typical apartment development project, only 10 percent of the units are required to be affordable. This is the main reason why we have never been able to attain the 10 percent threshold, which continually leaves us vulnerable to these 40B projects,” he said. “Assuming this project moves forward, the town will 40B | SEE PAGE 11
5 Publizr Home