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All the United States Massachusetts Princeton Redemption Rock

Redemption Rock

This massive boulder is inscribed with the story of a sensational hostage negotiation dating back to Colonial times.

Princeton, Massachusetts

Added By
kensears37
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Redemption Rock   kensears37 / Atlas Obscura User
Redemption Rock   kensears37 / Atlas Obscura User
Inscription on Redemption Rock.   kensears37 / Atlas Obscura User
Historical marker for Redemption Rock.   kensears37 / Atlas Obscura User
Sign explaining the story behind Redemption Rock.   kensears37 / Atlas Obscura User
  e1savage / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Resting in a forest in Massachusetts is a large, flat boulder that was once the unofficial neutral zone between early Colonial settlers and the American Indians they were quickly encroaching on, and after a sensational hostage negotiation between the two parties, it has been known forever since as Redemption Rock.

To retaliate against colonial expansion, 400 Ipmucs, Narragansetts, and Wampanoag American Indians attacked Lancaster, Massachusetts on February 10, 1676. More than 20 people were captured, including Mary White Rowlandson, and her three children. After the attack the raiders held their prisoners in the wilderness where they met up with the Wampanoag leader Metacom, who was known as "King Philip" by the English. The prisoners were held in the wilderness for months before returning with their captors to the flat rock in Princeton, Massachusetts that acted as a negotiation point between the American Indian tribes and the Colonial settlers. It was here that in April of 1676 that King Philip and the other tribal leaders negotiated with a man named John Hoar for the release of the captives, earning the large stone the name, "Redemption Rock." An inscription was etched into the rock describing the events, saying that while the hostages were released, King Philip objected. 

Rowlandson wrote a book about her experience as a prisoner which went on to become a bestseller in both England and the Colonies, but while her book sales have disappeared, the huge rock that marked the occasion of her freedom remains.

Related Tags

Rocks Politics Geology

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Added By

kensears37

Edited By

e1savage

  • e1savage

Published

October 22, 2014

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redemption_Rock
  • http://www.midstatetrail.org/rrock.html
  • http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/central-ma/redemption-rock.html
Redemption Rock
Redemption Rock Trail North
Princeton, Massachusetts, 01541
United States
42.506722, -71.869667
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Grave of Martha Keyes

Princeton, Massachusetts

miles away

The Spite Wall

Westminster, Massachusetts

miles away

Frances H. and Jonathan Drake House

Leominster, Massachusetts

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Princeton

Princeton

Massachusetts

Places 2

Nearby Places

Grave of Martha Keyes

Princeton, Massachusetts

miles away

The Spite Wall

Westminster, Massachusetts

miles away

Frances H. and Jonathan Drake House

Leominster, Massachusetts

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Princeton

Princeton

Massachusetts

Places 2

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