Page:Massasoit's town Sowams in Pokanoket, its history, legends and traditions (IA massasoitstownso00bake).pdf/42

36 sachem of Seaconnet (Little Compton, R. I.), sold "land in Swansea called Towsett," to Nathaniel Paine. In the early records of Swansea Touiset is generally termed "The Sheep Pasture." It was laid out in 106 lots which were divided among the Swansea proprietors in 1686. In July 1675, a great concourse of Philip's warriors gathered at Touiset, near the "narrows" of the Kickemuit River, "to eat clams, other provisions being scarce." Captain Benjamin Church, then at Pocasset (Tiverton), greatly desired to surprise and capture this body of the enemy; but, as he had peremptory orders to proceed from Pocasset directly to Mt. Hope, he was compelled to allow them to remain unmolested.

After the close of Philip's war, the remnant of the Wampanoags fled to Maine, and ultimately became merged in the Penobscot tribe. Up to half a century ago, parties of Penobscot Indians were in the habit of making periodical visits to Warren, camping for several days in various parts of the town. Before returning to Maine, they invariably paid a visit of a few hours to what is known as the "Hicks' Farm" on Touiset Neck, though for what purpose this particular locality was visited they never divulged.

, the "National Grinding Mill" of the Wampanoags. The following article, contributed by Gen. Guy M. Fessenden, appeared in the "Warren Telegraph" issue of June 2, 1860.

"Mr. Editor: An interesting discovery in reference to the aboriginal history of this town has recently been made. Mr. Francis Loring, an intelligent Indian, and a member of the Penobscot tribe, who has been in this vicinity for several weeks, informed the writer that the tribe had in their possession, and which they carefully preserved among their national archives, an ancient book made of skins, containing many descriptions of important historical localities, some of which