Dorchester Description, 1654

Johnson, in his Wonder Working Providence, thus speaks of Dorchester in 1654.

“The forme of this Towne is almost like a Serpent turning her head to the Northward; over against Tompson’s Island, and the Castle, her body and wings being chiefly built on , are filled somewhat thick of Houses, onely that one of her Wings is clift, her Tayle being of such large extent that Shee can hardly draw it after her. Her houses for dwelling are about one hundred and forty; Orchards and Gardens, full of Fruit-trees, plenty of Corne Land, although much of it hath been long in tillage, yet hath it ordinarily good crops; the number of trees are near upon 1500. Cowes and other Cattell of that kinde about 450. Thus hath the Lord been pleased to increase his poore dispersed people, whose number in this Flock are near about 150. Their fisrt Pastor called to feede them was the Reverend and godly Mr. Marveruck.”

Among the first settlers of Dorchester was George Minot, a ruling elder of the church for thirty years. He erected a dwelling-house in that part of Dorchester where the pleasant village of Neponset now stands. That house is now standing, and its doubtless one of the oldest houses in the country. It is in good repair, and has ever remained in possession of Mr. Minot’s lineal descendants. Mr. Minot died December 24, 1671, aged 78. This house is more celebrated for the female heroism displayed within its walls, than for its antiquity. A party of Narraganset Indians, hunting on the borders of Neponset river, stopped at elder Minot’s house and demanded food and drink. On being refused they threatened vengeance, and the sachem, or chief of the party, left an Indian in ambush to watch an opportunity to effect it. Soon after, in the absence of all the family, except a young woman and two small children, the Indian attacked the house and fired at the young woman, but missed his mark. The girl placed the children under two brass kettles and bade them be silent. She then loaded Mr. Minot’s gun and shot the Indian in the shoulder. He again attacked the house, and in attempting to enter the window, the girl threw a shovel full of live coals into his face and lodged them in his blanket. On this the Indian fled. The next day he was found dead in the woods. The Indian’s name was Chickataubut, but not the Narraganset sachem of that name. The government of Massachusetts bay presented this brave young woman with a silver wristband, on which her name was engraved, with this motto, — “She slew the Narrhaganset hunter.”