The Merrimack River: its source and its tributaries. Embracing a history of manufactures, and of the towns along its course; their geography, topography, and products, with a description of the magnificent natural scenery about its upper waters./ By J. W. Meader.

THE MERRIMACK RIVER;
blind. After they had retired, the people of Chelmsford assembled
and set fire to this wigwam, which, together with these poor Indians,
six in number, was destroyed.
At the time of the settlement of Chelmsford, the beautiful island
in the river here, which was called Wickasauke, was a spot of considerable consequence, and no little interest. It appears that this
island belonged to the family of Passacona,way, and was an important cornfield, and the occasional residence of his successor, WAVonnalancet. The elder brother of the latter, having become surety for
another Indian, was taken and lodged in jail in Boston. The kindhearted Wonnalancet set about providing means to release his unfortunate brother, and all else failing he sent the following petition,
requesting to be allowed to sell the island that he might release
Nanamocomuck from prison. This petition received the following
answer:
"License for Indians to sell an Island. - Whereas this Court is Informed yt
Peasconaway's soune now in prison as surety for ye payment of a debt of
forty-five pounds or thereabouts, and having nothing to pay but affirms that
several Indians now in possession of a smale island in Merrimack River
(about sixty acres), the half whereof is broken up, are willing after this next
yeares use of their sayd island to sell theire interest in ye sayd island to whoever will purchase it, and so redeem the sayd Pleasconaway's sounne out of
prison. The Magistrates are willing to allow the sayd Indians liberty to sell
ye sayd island to Ensigne Jno. Evered as they and he can agree for ye ends
aforesaid. If their brethren the deputys consent hereto. 8 Nov. 1659. The
deputys consent hereto provided the Indians have liberty to sell the said
island to him that will give most for it.
"Consented to by ye Magistrates.
"EEWD. RAwSON, Sec'y."
The island was sold. Ensign John Evered, or Webb as he was
sometimes called, being the purchaser, and Nanamocomuck was released from jail. Wonnalancet, however, received a grant, through
pity, of one hundred acres, which was located on a hill ten or twelve
miles west of WAVickasauke. In 1665 another petition came from
him concerning the island:
"To the Worshipful Richard Bellingham, Esq., Gov'r, and to the rest of
the Honord Generall Coart.
"The petition of us popre neibour Indians, whose names are hereunto subscribed, humbly sheweth that whereas Indians severall years since we yr
petit's out of pity and compassion to our pore brother and countryman to re
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