Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/149

 had a village on the site of Warren, the story of the spring must be classed with other authors of the times. Massassoit probably drank from the spring, but if we are to attach the name of the illustrious chief to all the springs from which he drank, in his travels over his kingdom, the monuments to his memory in Bristol County will be legion, as the earth-fountains are very numerous.

At the close of Philip's War, the Indian lands at Pokanoket were deserted and the whites took measures to possess them. The Sowams proprietors under date of Dec. 28, 1676, voted, "That for the Lands at Popanomscutt, and parts adjacent, left & deserted by the Indians, now in disspute between the Proprietors and the publique wheather owers or Conquered Lands the Proprietors doe (forthwith all as one man) take Effectual Course for the defence and clearing our Interest in the Lands aforesaid in order where unto it is mutually Agreed and fully Concluded by us the proprietors in manner following viz:

That Some meet person or persons be forthwith Chosen to prosecute the business for the defence of our Interest as Aforesaid."

This record shows that the Indians were dwelling on the Sowams Purchase until the opening of Philip's War, when their desertion of them forfeited the lands to the white settlers.