have been compared with the originals. To two works in particular, it was thought most advisable; namely, Penhallow's "Wars of N. England," and Prince's Annals. The first of these is now reprinted in the I Vol. of the N. H. Hist. Soc. Col., which, though not so perfect as it might have been, is, on the whole, a work to be prized. A handsome edition in octavo of the valuable Annals was published last year, by Messrs. Cummings, Hilliard, and Company, Boston. Though this is not exactly reprinted, yet, nothing is altered, that I have met with, but for the better; and, excepting a few typographical errours, is splendidly executed. Having already drawn out my preface to too great a length, the whole is submitted without any apology. And the publisher takes this opportunity of giving his grateful respects to all his patrons, and with pleasure subscribes himself, their much obliged and sincere friend. SAMUEL G. DRAKE. Boston, 2 January, 1827. [The following is an exact copy of the title page of the old edition.] THE ENTERTAINING HISTORY OF KING PHILIP'S WAR, WHICH BEGAN IN THE MONTH OF JUNE, 1675. AS ALSO OF EXPEDITIONS MORE LATELY MADE AGAINST THE COMMON ENEMY, AND INDIAN REBELS, IN THE EASTERN PARTS OF NEW-ENGLAND: WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE COL. BENJAMIN CHURCH: SECOND EDITION. BOSTON: PRINTED, 1716. NEWPORT, RHODE-ISLAND REPRINTED AND SOLD BY TO THE READER. T HE subject of this following narrative, offering itself to your friendly perusal, relates to the former and later wars of Newengland, which I myself was not a little concerned in: For in the year 1675, that unhappy and bloody Indian war broke out in Plymouth colony, where I was then building, and beginning a plantation, at a place called by the Indians, Sogkonate, and since, by the English, Little Compton. I was the first Englishman that built upon that neck, which was full of Indians. My head and hands were full about settling a new plantation, where nothing was brought to; no preparation of dwelling house, or outhouses, or fencing made; horses and cattle were to be provided, ground to be cleared and broken up; and the utmost caution to be used, to keep myself. free from offending my Indian neighbours all round about me. While I was thus busily employed, and all my time and strength laid out in this laborious undertaking, I received a commission from the government to engage in their defence: And with my commission I received another heart, inclining me to put forth my strength in military service: And through the grace of God I was spirited for that work, and direction in it was renewed to me day by day. And although many of the actions that I was concerned in were very difficult and dangerous, yet, myself, and those who went with me voluntarily in the service, had our lives, for the most part, wonderfully preserved by the overruling hand of the Almighty from first to last; which doth aloud bespeak our praises: And to declare his wonderful works is our indispensable duty. I was ever very sensible of my own littleness, and unfitness to be employed in such great services. But calling to mind that God is strong, I endeavoured to put all my confidence in him, and by his Almighty power, was carried through every difficult action; and my desire is, that his name may have the praise. It was ever my intent, having laid myself under a solemn promise, that the many and repeated favours of God to myself and those with me in the service might be published for generations to come. And now my great age requiring my dismission from service in the militia, and to put off my armour, I am willing that the great and glorious works of Almighty God, to us, children of men, should appear to the world: And having my minutes by me, my son has taken the care and pains to collect from them the ensuing narrative of many passages relating to the former and latter wars; which I have had the perusal of, and find nothing amiss, as to the truth of it, and with as little reflection upon any particular person, as might be, either alive or dead. And seeing every particle of historical truth is precious, I hope the reader will pass a favourable censure upon an old soldier, telling of the many rencounters he has had, and yet is come off alive. It is a pleasure to remember what a great number of families, in this and the neighbouring provinces, in Newengland, did, during the war, enjoy a great measure of liberty and peace by the hazardous stations and marches of those engaged in military exercises; who were a wall unto them on this side and on that side. I desire prayers, that I may be enabled well to accomplish my spiritual warfare, and that I may be more than conqueror through Jesus Christ's loving me. BENJAMIN CHURCH. THE LIFE OF COL. CHURCH.* co COLONEL BENJAMIN CHURCH was born in 1639, at Duxbury, near Plymouth, of reputable parents, who lived and died there. His father's name was Joseph, who, with two of his brethren, came early into Newengland, as refugees from the religious oppression of the parent state. Mr. Joseph Church, among other children, had three sons, Joseph, Caleb, and Benjamin. Caleb settled at Watertown, the other two at Seconet, or Little Compton. Benjamin, the hero of this history, was of a good stature, his body well proportioned, and built for hardiness and activity. Although he was very corpulent and heavy in the latter part of his life, yet, when he was a young man he was not so; being then active, sprightly and vigorous. He carried dignity in his countenance -thought and acted with a rational and manly judgment-which, joined with a naturally generous, obliging and hospitable disposition, procured him both authority and esteem. He married Mrs. Alice Southworth, by whom he had a daughter, Mrs. Rothbotham, and five sons, viz., Thomas Church, the author or publisher of this history, and father of the honourable Thomas Church, Esq., now living in Little Compton; Constant Church a Captain under his father in the eastern expedition, and in the militia; and of a mili The life of Church was not added to the first edition.-But to the second it was, and was the last article in the book; excepting a Latin ode of one page, which is now omitted. This life containing some prefatory remarks, it was thought proper to place it at the beginning of the work. It was judged best to omit the above mentioned Latin ode to give place to more interesting articles. What follows was placed at the head of the page. Ode Heroica (a nepote Herois composita) Biographia pracedenti diffigenda sit. |