Andrew Townsend in King Philip's War

The year 1675 is memorable for the commencement of the great war of Pometacom, called King Philip, sachem of the Wampanoag Indians, in Plymouth county and Rhode Island, just one hundred vears before the war of the independence of the United States. Ninetacom was a son of Massasoit, but was more war-like than his father. Perhaps he had more cause to be so. As we have received the history of this war only from the pens of white men, it is probable that some incidents that might serve to illustrate its origin, have been passed unnoticed. It commenced in June, and some of the eastern tribes united with the Wampanoags. One of the causes of their offence, was an outrage offered by some sailors to the wife and child of Squando, sagamore of Saco. Meeting them in a canoe, and having heard that young Indians could swim naturally, they overturned the frail bark. The insulted mother dived and brought up her child, but it died soon after. The military company in Lynn, at this time, was commanded by Capt. Thomas Marshall, Lieut. Oliver Purcbis, and Ensign John Fuller. The troops from Massachusetts, which went against the Indians, were commanded by Major Samuel Appleton. The following answer of the Court, despatched in October, to a letter of the Major General, will give a glimpse of the existing state of feeling.

"Sir: Wee received your letter dated at Lynn, 23th instant, and have perused the particulars inclosed, which still present us w' sad tidings (the Lord have mercy on us) touched by the performance of yor promise to Major Pike in your designe to raise what force you can to resist the enemy's head quarters at Ausebee. Wee approove of it; only wee presume your intelligence that the enemy is there is upon good grounde. Wee cannot give you particular orders,but leave the management of this affayre to your prudence and assistance of Almighty God, not doubting your care in leaving sufficient strength to secure the frontier townes of Norfolke and Essex, least the enemy should visit them when the forces are abooard. Wthout doubt, if their squawes and pappooses, &c. beat Assabee, and God be pleased to deliver them into our bands, it would be much for our interest. As for your personall marching, it will be acceptable, if God inable to psecute it."

Fifteen men were. impressed at Lynn, by order of the Court, on the 13th of November, in addition to those who had been previously detached. Their names were Thomas Baker, Robert Driver, Job Farrington, Samuel Graves, Isaac Hart, Nicholas Hitchens, Daniel Hitchens, John Lindsey, Jonathan Locke, Charles Phillips, Samuel Rhodes, Henry Stacey, Samuel Tarbox, Andrew Townsend, and Isaac Wellman. On the 19th of December, says the Bible leaf, there was "a dreadful fight with the Indians." This was the great swampfight, at South Kingston, R. I., when eigbty white men, and more than three hundred Indians, were killed. Mr. Ephraim Newhall, of Lynn, was one of the slain.

Andrew Townsend of Lynn was a soldier in the Expedition to the Narragansett under Command of Capt. Gardner, and received a wound.