Hockomock Swamp
Encyclopedia
The Hockomock Swamp is a vast wetland encompassing much of the northern part of southeastern Massachusetts
. This 6000 acres (24 km²) land is considered the second largest wetland in the state. It acts as a natural flood control mechanism for the region.
as a strategic base of operations for Metacomet
(also known as King Philip) to launch assaults upon nearby white settlements.
During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, white settlers deemed the swamp to be worthless barren land and attempted to drain it and convert it into profitable farmland. Benjamin Drake of Easton
and later William L. Chaffin were early advocates of drainage schemes.
However, the natives of the region placed a higher value on the swamp. For centuries, natives had relied on hunting game there, and the swamp had gained a revered status among them. They named it Hockomock meaning "place where spirits dwell".
There are many stories and legends that have become associated with the swamp. Even in modern times, it has, for some, remained a place of mystery and fear. The paranormal enthusiast community considers the Hockomock Swamp part of the "Bridgewater Triangle
."
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. This 6000 acres (24 km²) land is considered the second largest wetland in the state. It acts as a natural flood control mechanism for the region.
History
During the seventeenth century, the Hockomock Swamp was used as a fortress by the Wampanoag, the predominating tribe of natives in the area, against invasion by early white settlers. It played a role in King Philip's WarKing Philip's War
King Philip's War, sometimes called Metacom's War, Metacomet's War, or Metacom's Rebellion, was an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day southern New England and English colonists and their Native American allies in 1675–76. The war is named after the main leader of the...
as a strategic base of operations for Metacomet
Metacomet
Metacomet , also known as King Philip or Metacom, or occasionally Pometacom, was a war chief or sachem of the Wampanoag Indians and their leader in King Philip's War, a widespread Native American uprising against English colonists in New England.-Biography:Metacomet was the second son of Massasoit...
(also known as King Philip) to launch assaults upon nearby white settlements.
During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, white settlers deemed the swamp to be worthless barren land and attempted to drain it and convert it into profitable farmland. Benjamin Drake of Easton
Easton, Massachusetts
Easton is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 23,112 at the 2010 census.Easton is governed by an elected committee of selectmen and a town administrator.- History :...
and later William L. Chaffin were early advocates of drainage schemes.
However, the natives of the region placed a higher value on the swamp. For centuries, natives had relied on hunting game there, and the swamp had gained a revered status among them. They named it Hockomock meaning "place where spirits dwell".
There are many stories and legends that have become associated with the swamp. Even in modern times, it has, for some, remained a place of mystery and fear. The paranormal enthusiast community considers the Hockomock Swamp part of the "Bridgewater Triangle
Bridgewater Triangle
The Bridgewater Triangle refers to an area of about within southeastern Massachusetts in the United States. claimed to be a site of alleged paranormal phenomena, ranging from UFO's to poltergeists and orbs, balls of fire and other spectral phenomena, various "bigfoot" sightings, giant snakes and...
."
See also
- BridgewaterBridgewater, MassachusettsFor geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Bridgewater, please see the article Bridgewater , Massachusetts.The Town of Bridgewater is a city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States, 28 miles south of Boston. At the 2000 Census, the population was 25,185...
- Bristol County, MassachusettsBristol County, Massachusetts-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 534,678 people, 205,411 households, and 140,706 families residing in the county. The population density was 962 people per square mile . There were 216,918 housing units at an average density of 390 per square mile...
- EastonEaston, MassachusettsEaston is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 23,112 at the 2010 census.Easton is governed by an elected committee of selectmen and a town administrator.- History :...
- North TauntonNorth Taunton, MassachusettsNorth Taunton is an unofficial neighborhood in the city of Taunton, Massachusetts. It is not a census-designated area, but is considered by local residents as a municipally designated populated region of the city.- Location :...
- NortonNorton, MassachusettsNorton is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, and contains the village of Norton Center. The population was 18,036 at the 2000 census...
- Plymouth County, MassachusettsPlymouth County, MassachusettsPlymouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. As of 2010, the population was 494,919. Its county seats are Plymouth and Brockton...
- RaynhamRaynham, MassachusettsRaynham is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,739 at the 2000 census. It has one village, Raynham Center.-History:...
- TauntonTaunton, MassachusettsTaunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County and the hub of the Greater Taunton Area. The city is located south of Boston, east of Providence, north of Fall River and west of Plymouth. The City of Taunton is situated on the Taunton River...
- Taunton River WatershedTaunton River Watershedright|thumb|200px|An USGS map of the Taunton River WatershedThe Taunton River watershed or Taunton River basin is made up of of rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands in southeastern Massachusetts, USA. It is the second largest watershed in the state...
- West BridgewaterWest Bridgewater, MassachusettsWest Bridgewater is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,634 at the 2000 census.- History :West Bridgewater was first settled in 1651 as a part of Olde Bridgewater...