Today Redemption Rock can be found along a hiking trail, where guests can stop and take photos of such a cool piece of American history. King Philip was with the Indians but refused his consent.” “Upon this rock was made the agreement for the ransom of Mrs Mary Rowlandson of Lancaster between the Indians and John Hoar of Concord. the rock was covered with this inscription: Mary went on to write a book about her experiences as a prisoner that became an international best seller. The Native Americans and the Colonial settlers negotiated the release of Mary, her children, and the fellow hostages. That point was a large flat rock in the woods, now known as Redemption Rock.
The tribes, angered by the spread of colonial settlements, took the hostages and held them against their will in the surrounding woods for months.įinally in April of 1676, an agreement was made to negotiate, and the Wampanoag leader, Metacomet, or as he was known to the English, “King Philip,” brought his hostages to a neutral area. On FebruNative Americans attacked the Massachusetts town of Lancaster, capturing more than 20 people, including Mary White Rowlandson and her children. But if you take the time to get an up close look, you’ll notice that Redemption Rock has actually been completely inscribed with words. At first glance you might think Redemption Rock Trail North was just another big boulder sitting inconspicuously in the woods.