Map indicates the location of "Phillips Creek" named for Nicholas Phillips. It also indicates the location of the "Block House", built for protection from the Indians. The Indians had free reign around this area and frequented Wessagusett. As can be seen, there were not many inhabitants at this time and their main concern was food and protection. These men were not ready for the hardships imposed by the New England winters and had not made provisions for gathering food. As winter approached, the men in the settlement took advantage of the Indians by stealing food. The Indians, in protest, would come to the settlement and voice their concern to the leaders. The leaders agreed that this should not happen, but the practice continued.

The story goes that a man entered the place where the Indian kept corn for seed for the following Spring, and he set about to steal this corn. The Indians were so infuriated that they came to the settlement and demanded retribution. The leaders agreed that they were right and decided to hang the culprit. Unfortunately, the culprit was a young 20 year old man and in excellent health. It was decided that to keep the Indians happy they would have a hanging in front of the Block House, but they could not agree on hanging the young man. It was finally decided that an old man in very poor health, who probably would not make it through the winter, would be hung in the young man's place, to the delight of the young man. They removed the old man's clothes and put on him the young man's clothes, and proceeded with the hanging. After it was done, the Indians knew that this was not the man who stole. However, they were appeased with what the leaders had done.

Source: Immortal Voyages by Jack Frost

NOTE: My thanks to Phillips cousin John Buczek for this story and pictures. If anyone knows the identity of the old man who was hung, or the young man who escaped his just desserts, please let me know. It's my understanding that there were 60 people in the ill-fated Wessagusett colony, but I have never been able to find a list of their names. Does anyone know if such a list exists? Thanks, Sue

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