Food for Thought

Many English settlers attributed the decline of native populations to divine providence – clearing the land for them. Today we recognize it as a tragedy and a lesson.

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“God hath consumed the natives with a miraculous plague, whereby the greater part of the country is left void of inhabitants.”

– Governor John Winthrop

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Massasoit, leader of the Wampanoag, befriended the Pilgrims. Ironically, he sought English allies because European diseases had significantly reduced the Wampanoag population. Photo by Gkullberg. — Massasoit befriended the Pilgrims. Ironically, he sought English allies because European diseases had reduced the Wampanoag population.
*- Gkullberg photo*

A Changing Landscape
Native people endured tremendous shocks. Although they traded furs and other commodities there was no connection to a worldwide market. Large European ships brought beaver and other furs across the globe creating enormous demand. Many species – including beaver - became nearly extinct. Wolves were hunted down as nuisances. New animal species crowded out familiar ones. Forests were felled to create open land for grazing animals and European crops. This changed temperature levels and contributed to floods. New European diseases devastated native communities.

Environmental Awareness
This 1708 law deals with the problem of cattle and horses “running at Large and feeding upon the Beach” in Truro. “The beach grass is destroyed, and by reason thereof…Sand is driven from the beach upon the meadows and a great part of the meadow is already buried.” To preserve meadows for grazing this law mandated a fine of 40 Shillings per head for cattle on the beach.

A 1708 law addressing the issue of cattle and horses running at large and feeding on the beach in Truro, Massachusetts. The law aimed to preserve meadows for grazing by imposing a fine of 40 shillings per head for cattle found on the beach, as beach grass destruction led to sand covering the meadows. — *- Massachusetts Archive*

A period map showing the native lands of several nations in Massachusetts, including the Wampanoag, Nipmuc, Massachuset, Mohican, and Pennecook-Abenaki. The map is not completely accurate but provides historical context. — Massachusetts was (and remains) home to several native nations including the Wampanoag, Nipmuc, Massachuset, Mohican, and Pennecook-Abenaki. Although not completely accurate, this period map includes native lands.
*- Gilder Lehrman Institute*

Country roads in Massachusetts passing by stone walls amidst woods, remnants of colonial-era farms. Forests have reclaimed the land as farming declined. — Many country roads in Massachusetts pass stone walls in the midst of woods. These were likely farms during the colonial period. Clearing forests for planting, grazing, and building was seen as essential for progress. As farming declined the forest returned.
*- Plimoth Plantation*

A Narraganset Perspective
“Our fathers had plenty of deer and skins, our plains were full of deer, as also our woods, and of turkies, and our coves full of fish and fowl… But these English having gathered our land, and with scythes cut down the grass, and with axes fell the trees; their cows and horses eat the grass, and their hogs spoil our clam banks, and we shall all be starved.” Miantonomi, Narraganset Sachem, 1641.

A complex figure, Miantonomi aligned with English colonists but later attempted to destroy their settlements. Sentenced to death in Boston he was turned over to Indian adversaries for execution.

Pictograms . . .

Food for Thought: Climate Change

Many English settlers attributed the decline of native populations to divine providence – clearing the land for them. Today we recognize it as a tragedy and a lesson.