The start of the War, June 20, 1675

Marker at the site of the Myles Garrison where English troops gathered at the start of the War.

Angered by the loss of land, liberty and lives, the Pokanoket warriors first attacked just east of the Kickemuit River on the farm of Job Winslow on Sunday, June 20, 1675. (Job Winslow was the son of Kenelm Winslow.) While the settlers were in church, the warriors looted several homes, setting two on fire and sending residents to the Myles Garrison and a garrison house off today’s Gardner’s Neck Road in Swansea. Within days, all forty or so of the colonists houses were burned, bringing troops from Taunton and setting off a war that quickly spread.

  • On June 20, some natives enter the town of Swansea, Mass and loot several homes while the colonists are at church. During the looting, one of the natives is shot by a colonist, which King Philip interprets as the first act of war against him.
  • On June 20, King Philip responds by ordering a raid on Swansea during which a band of Pokanoket warriors attack, loot and burn several homes.
  • On June 23, more houses are looted and burned in Swansea, a Wampanoag warrior is shot and wounded by colonist John Salisbury, Salisbury and six other colonists are later ambushed and killed near Swazey Corner in Swansea.
  • On June 24, King Philip orders an attack on Swansea, which becomes the first official battle of King Philip’s War.