Death and Captivity at Bridgewater

For thousands of years, the Taunton River had provided for the Indigenous people who called what is now Southeastern Massachusetts home. A site of fishing, hunting, and a means of transportation, it had contributed to the creation of a rich culture and served as a communication network.

In July 1676, however, it became the site of death and captivity. Having been instructed by Governor Winslow to make his way to Bridgewater, MA, Captain Benjamin Church had set up camp at Monponsett Pond, a site approximately eight miles from Bridgewater. On July 31, Church’s men came across a number of Indigenous people crossing the Taunton River. Launching an attack against those in the midst of crossing, the English killed several people, among them relatives of Metacom. Even more were taken captive, among them being one of Metacom’s sisters. This event would not be the first time that Bridgewater would become a site of death during King Philip’s War. (1)

1. Among those killed was Metacom’s uncle, Unkompoin. It is known that at least one of Metacom’s sisters was captured but it is unclear in the secondary sources if it was Amie, the wife of Tispaquin, or another sister whose name is not known.