Sarah's Swamp (So Called): A Possible Story

“Two Indians, one named Sarah and the other the widow of Deacon Nauhaund were lost in separate incidence, not far from home.  They may have been turned out, or were possibly out gathering food.  They were of usual health but weak due to lack of necessities and ultimately got caught in brush and perished.  One corpse was too decomposed to be removed - that of Sarah - and she was buried in a hole where she was found.  The other woman was Widow Nauhaund." 

Sarah’s Swamp is an area in Yarmouth, Massachusetts well known to locals.  Many citizens past and present, have childhood recollections of adventures in the woods and skating on the shallow water that make up Sarah’s Swamp. 

Lore tells us that Sarah was an indigenous woman who died in the swampy area across from Long Pond where it was said her father, Deacon Elisha Nauhaught, made his home. Elisha Nauhaught was a preacher and member of the local tribe at Yarmouth. Long Pond is situated at the northeastern most part of the land or reservation that was set aside to the indigenous people in 1713.  This reservation land of course has long ago been divided up, leased, and developed. Over the years, many have attempted to alter or manipulate the swampy area for various uses, including farming. Sarah’s Swamp still exists today at some fraction.  Growing up in Yarmouth, this story always fascinated me - what happened?  Did Sarah drown? Did she wander into the swamp when she knew her natural death was imminent?  From the landscape I have personally experienced on the Cape I wondered, how could someone get caught up in the brush and not be able to get out?  Well, of course I am visualizing the landscape in 21st century experience but it would have been very different at that time. The landscape is described in a 1913 Yarmouth Register article: 

Until the time when Zeno Kelley (1775-1850) conceived the idea of improving this sunken spot, it had been covered with a dense growth of cedars, huckleberry bushes and other vegetation common to swamps in this section of the country. There was no natural outlet, and in consequence, the water level varied according to the season and the amount of rainfall. (B.J.’s Saunterings, South Yarmouth, Yarmouth Register, Saturday, October 8, 1913; Page 3.)

But First:

Elisha Nauhaught v. Thomas Greenough

There are some who believe that Elisha Nauhaught and Thomas Greenough are the same person. Thomas Greenough was another well known historically significant indigenous person at Yarmouth.  While one could theorize all sorts of familial relationships between the two, currently I have no found no documentation to show that they are the same individual. In fact, the documentation shows otherwise.

It seems clear through records though, that Elisha Nauhaught and Thomas Greenough were at least living at some overlapping period of time at Yarmouth and probably at the same locations, i.e., Long Pond and Bass River.  Thomas Greenough’s life is fairly documented, and his descendants researched extensively.  Thus far, information on Elisha Nauhaught has leaned more towards hearsay, he being the subject of many written references regurgitating the same dramatic language about black snakes and returned bags of gold. Town records assist in placing Elisha Nauhaught on a more factual timeline.  

The story of the swamp does provide a name of a possible Nauhaught descendant - Sarah.  Greenough and his wife Jane Freeman had many children. Yarmouth vital records documenting the family at no time identify a daughter named Sarah. Thomas Greenough’s death at approximately age 90 in January 1836 provides a birth year estimate of 1746.

One of the earliest records I have found of Elisha Nahant is in the Yarmouth Town Records on 20 July 1714 where it seems he was fined for violently abusing Joseph Pees, alias Joseph Nahant. I cannot currently state what the relationship between Elisha and Joseph was.  Note that the name of Nauhaught appears in various spellings throughout records: Nahant, Nawhut, Nowet, Nauhand, Nauhaught, etc.  Additionally, the name of Joseph is sometime used in referencing Deacon Nauhaught of Yarmouth as opposed to Elisha as a first name.. The name Pees is also subject to further research and several instances of the name do occur across records.  

 

Transcribed from Yarmouth Proprietor’s Records: 

July 20th 1714

This Day Elisha Nahant was brought before my

self & Esqr Thacher & being committed by his

own confession of abusing of Joseph Peese alias

Joseph Nahant in a turbulent manner this

matter being considered by us he has sentenced

to pay a fine of       shilling    4  3  4 to

his master and cost of ______ full with

Warrant …………..             1   0

To serving warrant  de.       6   0

To my time making record  1   0

                                            8  0

One year prior to this incident, July 1713, the Town of Yarmouth Selectmen voted to set aside land for the Tribe on which to live.  The Town also set aside a small portion separately and individually to Samuel Ralph out of Rev. John Hall’s lot (the Proprietor's Records states "lets ye Indian Ralphs have ... ," but the deed itself is addressed specifically to Samuel Ralph). Given the history and importance of the Ralph family throughout the lower part of the Cape, I would assume that Samuel Ralph was the leader at Yarmouth. Whether there was a family relationship between Nauhaught, Ralph, and Greenough is unclear yet possible. Samuel Ralph (of Harwich) died before 5 April 1748 when William Bourn was appointed administrator to his estate.  (See Probate record: Barnstable Probate VII-114).  Note also that William Bourn was appointed administrator on the same day to the estate of Joseph Ralph of Harwich (Barnstable Prob VII 111).  According to Warren Sears Nickerson "these two were probably brothers and may have died in the Indian troops in Gorham's Rangers and died under William Bourne’s command." There are quite a few probate records entered on the same date for many indigenous men. I hope to follow this post with a separate report on the Ralph's of Yarmouth and/or a related timeline of Yarmouth related events.  Additionally, Samuel Ralph is listed under "indyan debt[s]" owed in the Barnstable Probate Account dated 1 September 1700 of Thomas Howes (son of Jeremiah) deceased; and in 1714 listed in the Howes' estate accounting as a debt paid out by the estate to Ralph for "his boy."

Set out to Deacon Joseph Hall a piece of Land bounded Southerly by a piece of Land Laid out to John Burgh in ye first Division & bounded Westerly by ye way & Northerly partly by a piece of land Laid out to Bejamin killey & partly by ye 99th Lott & bounded Easterly by ye hundredth Lott for which Sd piece of Land Sd hall Lets ye Indians Ralphs have 10 acres of Land of part of his Lott Lying by ye Bass River.

 

In 1765 Elisha Nahant reported there were six wigwams in Yarmouth.  "Deacon Elisha Nauhaut of Yarmouth informs that there are six Indian families living at Yarmouth about three miles from Rev. Mr. Green and that it would be more convenient to have their supplies come through Green’s hands than through Mr. Hall (Deacon) who is more remote."  Dr. Rev. Stiles conducted a census or listing of indigenous people included in the society at Potenumicut (Stiles visited the area in 1762 and report dated 1765. Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society).  Potenumicut was the location of an Indian meeting house where members from groups above Mashpee gathered for worship.  Members of this congregation included individuals from Harwich, Eastham and Yarmouth.  Both Elisha Nawhut and Thomas Greenough are listed in this record, as are Elizabeth Nawhut (also an Elizabeth Nowet listed), Sarah Nawhut, Hannah Nawhut, and 11 individual Ralphs. (Massachusetts Historical Society Miscellaneous Bound.)

A brief related timeline compiled through Yarmouth Vital Records, Congregational Church Records, and Journals and Letters of Gideon Hawley:

In 1768 Thomas Greenough and Jane Freeman both of Yarmouth marry. 

By 1774 Thomas Greenough begins to appear as a payee in the Yarmouth Account Books (Yarmouth Clerk's Records, Yarmouth Historical Accounts, Records, Meetings, Militia, Other; Records 1778-1790) - before this time payments were made out to Thomas and Joshua Ralph.

1775 Yarmouth Vital Records -  Marriage Intentions recorded for Hannah Nawhut and Charles Ralph.

177[6]:  Noted in Gideon Hawley records - an aged widow named Sarah Esau found dead - aged 90 (no location mentioned).

1777 August: Gideon Hawlely notes: 

In the Army this Summer ____ _____ _______

James Keetoh & Elisha Keetoh & James the

Son of Beck their late sister by her first husband

And Zacheus Nauhand & George and several others

this year when 70 people perished.

1777 April:  Yarmouth Vital Records — marriage record for Davis Quippish and Hannah Nawah.

1778/79:  Noted in Memorabilia of Yarmouth and other publications that the Yarmouth "Chief" at this time had the small pox.

1778 12 November:  Yarmouth Tribe requested funds to pay for expenses incurred due to small pox and the town “having no money” voted to lease or sell the reservation.

Yarmouth voted to lease or sell indian land to pay for small pox expenses, reserving a piece for Thomas Greenough.  One would assume that the absence of Elisha Nawhut’s name implies that either Nawhut was dead and/or Greenough was at this time the “head” of the group remaining. It appears (according to Historian Robert Kelley) that the Long Pond acre purported to belong to Elisha Nauhaught was reserved for Thomas Greenough. 

1779 20 January:  Town of Yarmouth voted to sell or lease reservation land.

1779 30 March: Thomas Greenough v. Yarmouth - subject to further research.  Thomas Greenough evicted from land probably at Bass River.

1780: Yarmouth records sums due from various citizens for Indian lands.

[Congregational Records 1781-1807 Gideon Hawley:]

Gideon Hawley’s letters and journals, while mostly focused on Mashpee, on occasion mention other indigenous people living separately in various small villages and groups including Potnumecut, Harwich, Sandwich, Falmouth and Yarmouth. 

Gideon Hawley's journals note the death of Hannah Dives, 5th wife of Davis Queppish, a daughter of Deacon Nauhand of Yarmouth. In 1782 Rev. Timothy Alden mentions having attended Nauhaught some years prior at his death bed. Gideon Hawley's records describe many people living long into their 80's, 90's, and beyond, and marrying multiple times to include spouses generations younger which could account for wives and children of varying ages in records. A separate entry for Hawley in 1782 records the death of Widow Nauhand, mother to Hannah Dives. Multiple entries describe the Widow as being the mother of Hannah Dives who was the 5th wife of Dives Quepish, and the daughter of Deacon Nauhand of Yarmouth. 

1781 March 6: Died Hannah Dives fifth wife of her husband and daughter of Deacon Nahand of Yarmouth, 45 years old (makes dob approx. 1736). Hannah Dives/Davis wife of Davis Quippesh.  [[Congregational Records 1781-1807 Gideon Hawley:]

 

1782 September 11th (p. 7): Lost Elisha Nauhand’s widow and mother to Dives Quepish’s fifth wife …. aged 80.  As described in a description of incident by Hawley - Widow Nauhand was not found until her flesh was consumed.

1782 October 7:  Dives Quepish dies of a fever.

Sarah Esau, noted above in 177[6] as having been found dead, is an individual listed on the Account of the Guardians of the Marshpee Indians submitted to the General Court.  [Approved by the Council and House with the Consent of Lt. Gov. Spencer Phips 13 Apr 1751 (Mass. Arch. Vol. 32/P. 128); and 3 Jan 1753 (Mass. Arch. Vol.32/P. 314); 12 Nov 1761, Account submitted to the General Court by Edward Bacon and Nymphas Marston, Guardians of the Mashpee Indians.]  The account lists the expenses incurred providing for the Mashpee Indians, including their medical care and clothing. Account approved by the General Court with consent of Gov. Bernard 16 Nov. 1761.

Lost Not Far from Home

Several written accounts by Gideon Hawley concerning the deaths of Sarah Esau and Widow of Deacon Nauhaund exist - one account being a "copy" of what Hawley reconstructs as being the content of a letter to the Governor of Massachusetts.  Gideon Hawley does not provide any information further identifyng Sarah Esau aged 90.  Widow Nauhand is identified as being the 80 year old widow of Deacon Nauhand of Yarmouth.  While Sarah is obviously not the daughter of Widow Nauhand, given that other records and information provided by Hawley identify many instances of multiple marriages including those at late ages in life, possibilities of other family relationship are possible.  Hawley's account does not identify the location specifically as at Yarmouth, however it is also possible to be the case.  At the very least, this information provides a story of a similar death. Sarah Esau does appear in earlier Mashpee records.  I have not currently found any records of Widow Nauhaund being at Mashpee.  Hawley does report that many people from Yarmouth and upper Cape towns did remove to Mashpee, and I believe it is possible that individuals moved between towns.  Additionally, Dives Quepish may offer a key to events, as he was of Yarmouth in some records, but ultimately identified as a leader of some sorts later at Mashpee. Recalled in the 1765 census, there were two instances of the name "Sarah Nawhut"  - one with the suffix of "jr." It is possible that Widow Nauhaund’s first name was Sarah; it is also possible that both women died in the same swampy area in Yarmouth ("at times not far apart").  

 

Gideon Hawley journal and letterbox, circa 1777-1806, creator Hawley, Gideon, 1727-1807, image 32 of 161, congregational library digital collection.

Transcription:  Sir, it is time that I conclude my address, already prolix; but beg your excellency’s indulgence and patience while I observe that without guardians the poor here will perish: and they will all waste property and become a public charge —
A few years time/since two widows of this people, in usual health, but feeble perished not far from home. They were Sarah Esau & Wd. Nauhand. The latter was not found until her flesh was consumed - the corpse of the other was putrid, and buried in a hole near the spot where it lay, as unfit to be moved. No coroner was called. The squaws might be seeking wild fruit or some necessaries when they got lost, entangled & perished. Happy for them to die if prepared for the event. I suppose the present regulation prevented a similar mortality in old Jerusha last summer who had neither house nor home and was wandering about and sometimes lost before the guardians [     ] her. They could not get her into an Indian family.   When the two squaw perished this people were a body politick: but all corporations elect officers according to their views; their representatives being themselves in mineature. [Congregational Records, Hawley, page 32.]

In 1782 Hawley notes in a second description of the same event, that Widow Nauhand is lost, as is Sarah Esau.  This separate almost identical description, which Hawley identifies as his attempt at a copy of a letter he sent to the Massachusetts Governor, describes that two widowed women were lost at separate times --  Sarah [Esau] and Widow Nauhand were lost not far from home.  Sarah’s corpse was putrid and unfit to be removed, and was buried in a hole where it was found.  He emphasizes that no inquest was taken and no coroner called.

Documents were accessed at the Massachusetts Historical Society (original letters and microfilm) but are also available online in the Gideon Hawley journal and letterbook, circa 1777-1806, Congregational Library and Archives, History Matters.

Somewhere between lore and half facts there is a truth. What I offer here are some items I have found in my research that while not completely and undeniable accounting for the story of Sarah’s Swamp, offer at least possibilities and perhaps, inches closer to the truth - an offering in a two steps forward one step back sort of way.  Interesting and exciting yet still maddening.

Sources:

The History of Cape Cod: the annals of Barnstable County, including the district of Mashpee, p. 176, Archives.org.

Swift, Charles F., The History of Old Yarmouth. Comprising the present towns of Yarmouth and Dennis, from the settlement to the divisioin in 1794, Yarmouth Port, published by the author, p. 173, Archive.org.

Hawley, Gideon, 1727-1807, Gideon Hawley journal and letterbook, Congregational Library and Records, Church Archives, History Matters, Digital Collections, image 32 of 161, accessed online.

First Congregational Church (Yarmouth, Mass), Church Records, 1729-1861, Congregational Library and Records, Church Archives, History Matters, Digital Collections, accessed online.

Yarmouth, Clerks, Yarmouth Historical Accounts, Records, Meetings, Militia, Other/Records 1778-1790, Laserfiche, accessed online.

Yarmouth Accounts, Book 11, Town Meeting Records 1790-1848, accessed online.

Yarmouth Proprietor Records, Image Group 008297230, Image 200, Film No. 945517 (p. 320/321), Library Edition, FamilySearch.org.

Howes, Thomas, Barnstable Probate Records 1686-1894, Probate records. v. 6-7, 1740-1774, Film No. 007705400, image 331, Familysearch.org.

Commissioner's Book for the Propagation of the Gospel, Americanancestors.org.

Newspaper Indexes, Barnstable Patriot and Register, Digital Archive, Sturgis Library.

Historical Newspapers, Weekly Oracle: Date 08-05-1797, Vol: 1; Issue 42: Collections, Historical and Miscellaneous: And Monthly Literary, Volume 2, accessed online. 

Miscellaneous Bound, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, Massachusetts.

Hawley, Gideon, 1727-1807, Gideon Hawley diaries and letterbook, 1757-1804, Samuel Savage Collection, MS. N-316, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, Massachusetts.

Alden, Timothy, A Collection of American Epitaphs and Inscriptions, With Occasional Notes, Volume 3, New York, 1814, Google Books.

Enright, Susan, Personal Photo Collection, Swamp off rte 6A near Nobscusset Cemetery, Dennis, MA, Susan Enright photographer.