A tragic anniversary, 350 years ago today. King Philip's War was waged between English settlers and Native tribes in 1675-1678, a catastrophe for both sides. One of the tragic battles was the Great Swamp Massacre on December 19, 1675. A large Narragansett settlement existed on an island of Great Swamp near South Kingstown, Rhode Island; about 1000 people lived at the 5-acre fort. On December 19, 1675, a force of New England militia and 150 men of the Pequot tribe destroyed the fort and killed hundreds of Narragansetts, including many women, children, and elderly. Capt. Benjamin Church, who later wrote a history of King Philip's War, was wounded. In the spring, the Narragansetts would make destructive raids on English towns, for instance, burning Providence, RI. The location of the battle was of later interest; even Yale president Ezra Stiles rode over to look for it. Finally in 2021, the probable area was transferred to the Narragansett tribe to be held by them in trust. https://smallstatebighistory.com/the-search-for-the-site-of-the-great-swamp-massacre/
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