The Old Connecticut Path passed through what is now modern Ashland, Massachusetts. Two variations on the route of the Path have been proposed by local historians JosiahTemple in his History of Framingham, Massachusetts and George Higley's presentation included in History of Ashland, Massachusetts . Higley's description of the route (map right) closely follows the route mapped by Levi Badger Chase in his book The Bay Path and Along the Way .Based on review of the different accounts of the Path's route, the line of travel researched by George Higley based on the earliest homesteads appears to provide the most direct connection with the Path coming through Framingham to the east and continuing on towards Hopkinton in the west. The route described by Temple in his History of Framingham will be addressed in the Framingham web page.
Modern development has overtaken much of the route of the Old Connecticut Path through Ashland. However, it is possible to visit some of the places that would have been landmarks along the Path. The approximate route described by George Higley can be traced to link the Path landmarks. Places along the way can be explored by walking on quiet paths and driving along ancient roads.The map (right / click on to enlarge) highlights six places along the route of the Old Connecticut Path through Ashland. Sights along the route of the Path are further described below.
1. Devil's Den
The Old Connecticut Path entered Ashland from Framingham along East Union Street and crossed the hill to the south of what is now Ashland High School. Steve Leacu of the Ashland Historical Society writes about Devil's Den, "Located in a fairly remote area of Ashland, the Devil’s Den is really a cave, and it is also known as a talus cave. Talus caves are formed when irregularly shaped rocks are piled on top of each other, and are usually located on a sloped surface. Gravity and time can shift these rocks creating an opening, or 'cave'. Ashland has an abundance of these caves, including the famous Witches Caves located in the Ashland Town Forest." "The Devil’s Den is located on what was known as the Old Mendon Road, or the Framingham to Mendon Road. This stretch of the road is located directly behind the new Ashland High School on East Union Street and the back side of Wildwood Cemetery at its furthest corner. Some sources say it is along the Old Connecticut Path." "The road or path along Devils’s Den was well used and traveled, most likely by the Indians living in the area who probably used the cave for storing grain and other provisions." (see Ashland Historical Society Devil's Den)
Over the years, the cave has been partially filled in so that the present depth reflects only a portion of the original cave. Recent construction of the new Ashland High School and athletic fields has significantly altered the landscape. Steve Leacu of the Ashland Historical Society writes, "The athletic fields include the pathway that is considered part of the Old Connecticut Path, and this path passes by the Devil’s Den." "By all counts, this area has historical significance. The construction of the high school underway has now stripped the landscape around the Devil’s Den up to the cave’s entrance leaving no signs of the pathway once considered part of the Old Connecticut Path." (see Ashland Historical Society Devil's Den Revisited) The picture "Finding the Devil's Den" (right) can be enlarged to view the present conditions found at the site of the cave and area of the Old Connecticut Path.Access to Devil's Den is now difficult due to the removal of the hillside and blasting of ledges to create the athletic fields. The Devil's den site can be approached using the Bay Circuit Trail through Wildwood Cemetery (see below).
2. Wildwood Cemetery & Bay Circuit Trail
The route of the Old Connecticut Path now lies buried within the Wildwood Cemetery. A portion of the Bay Circuit Trail provides access across the town owned cemetery to the footpath leading east to Devil's Den. The easy walk through the cemetery and along the path provides access to the area through which the Old Connecticut Path traveled. Views from the cemetery look across the valley toward Magunko Hill.Access to the Bay Circuit Trail through Wildwood Cemetery is from
The route of the Old Connecticut Path, as described by George Higley, continues west from the entrance to Wildwood Cemetery after crossing Chestnut Street along an old cart path that is still visible today. Note that the cart path is not open to the public or passable now to Pout Rock.
For more information about the Bay Circuit and other places to explore in Ashland, visit the Ashland Open Space Committee web page http://www.ashlandopenspace.org/trails.html
3. Pout Rock
Chestnut Street in Ashland. The trail description (right) travels along the north side of the cemetery to the top of the hill before entering the woods. The return trip can retrace steps from the Devil's Den area to the cemetery and descend the hill through the graveyard. Views of Magunko Hill can be seen through the trees looking west.Click on the pictures (left) and map (right) to enlarge.Note that the line of the Old Connecticut Path (green) is an approximation based on description by George Higley.
Connecticut Path.The map (left) displays the location of Pout Rock in relation to Ashland and the route of the Old Connecticut Path (green line). The and and pictures of the access path can be enlarged.
Pout Rock on Cold Spring Brook has been recognized as the fording place of the Old Connecticut Path by the Ashland Historical Society. George Higley's research on the line of early settlement indicated that the Path traveled down hill from the area that is now Wildwood Cemetery to a place on Cold Spring Brook where the stream is small and water is shallow. Access to Pout Rock on the south side of Cold Spring Brook is relatively easy following service path for approximately 300 feet east from Main Street. The rock stands on the brook down a short but steep bank. The inscription (right) on the stone commemorates this place along the Old
4. Megunko Plantation
Megunko was among the Praying towns established by Rev. John Eliot as part of the missionary work to convert the Indians to Christianity. Although the area of the village can be identified, commercial and residential development has erased any physical remains of the Praying town.
Frank Metcalf of the Ashland Historical Society wrote of Megunko (http://www.ashlandhistsociety.com/Pages/Magunco.aspx#_ftnref1), "This name is the name of an Indian Village that once stood on the south side of the Sudbury river and it has become intimately connected with the town in that it has been applied in these later times to the first hand fire engine, to one of the markets, a club, and the hill on whose slope the village stood, as well as to one of the largest farms that is situated on that hill. The spelling of the name is by no means uniform in the contemporary documents. Magunsquog, Magunkook, Makunkokoag, and Megonejuk are found, and Mr. Eliot, the missionary to the Indian and one who knew the Indian language well, spelled it Magwonkkomuk. The word means "place of the great bend" or as some say "place of the great trees," but either signification agrees with the facts for the place lies between the bend of the Sudbury river and Cold Spring Brook which flows into it, and it is covered with big trees."
"This tract of land was called 'country land', that is, land not appropriated to white settlers, and was early occupied by the Indians. It was selected by John Eliot as suitable for one of his quarters and organized them into a civil community about 1660, Their wigwams were built on the southern declivity of the hill ... a place selected for several reasons. For on the knoll they put their fort for protection, and at the foot of the knoll was a spring of Iiving water .... "
Metcalf wrote, "The condition of the town in 1674 is thus described by Major Gookin, superintendent of Indian affairs: Magunkaquog is the seventh of the old Praying towns. It is situated partly within the bounds of Natick and partly upon land granted by the country. It is near midway between Natick and Hassanamesit [Grafton]. The number of inhabitants is about eleven families and about fifty-five souls, there are, men and women, eight members of the church at Natick and fifteen baptized persons. the quantity of land belonging to it is about three thousand acres. The Indians plant upon a great hill which is very fertile. These people worship God and keep the Sabbath, and observe civil order. There ruler's name is Pamhaman, a sober and active man and pious. Their teacher is named Job, a person well accepted for piety, and ability among them. This town was the last settling of the old towns. They have plenty of corn, and keep some cattle, horses and swine, for which the place is well accommodated!"
The route of the Old Connecticut Path passed through the land that would later be part of the Megunko Plantation. Traveling west along Union Street/RT 135 in Ashland, the modern road passes homes dating to the 1700's when the land became open for English settlement.
Additional information may be found in Paul Brodeur's presentation Rev. John Eliot, The Praying Indians & Megunk Plantation.
5. Ashland State Park
Although much of the landscape that once was Megunko has been forever altered, Ashland State Park provides a quiet refuge within the ancient Indian land. The foot trails along the brooks and around the reservoir provide a gateway to enter the woodland. The beauty of the land provides a place to connect with the Megunkos, those who traveled the Old Connecticut Path and the later settlers. Off season, parking is available at the Ashland Recreation Department located at the park entrance. Admission fee is charged when the state park is open (June-September). For more information, visit the Ashland State Park web page at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/ashl.htm .
6. Frankland Road
Frankland Road leaves Union Street/RT 135 in the western part of Ashford to continue across the side of Megunco Hill to reach Hopkinton. The old roadway is recorded as the original route followed by the Bay Path/Old Connecticut Path. The historical importance of Frankland Road was once recognized by the placement of one of three "Bay Path" signs. While the marker at the corner of Union Street and Frankland Road has been lost, the other two markers remain with one in Hopkinton and the other in Wilbraham.Frankland Road offers the opportunity to travel at a slower pace through residential, woodland and farms along along a stone-wall lined roadway. Old colonial homes can be found along the way intersperced with comfortable suburban homes.
Frankland Road gained its name from an early resident, Sir Harry Frankland, who built a lavish 400 acre estate and gardens here in 1751. While on duty as Collector of the Port of Boston, Sir Harry met Agnes Surriage in Marblehead. The "Agnes Surriage Well" historic marker in Marblehead commemorates their meeting. Agnes was a beautiful, poor and illiterate 15 year old girl when they met in 1741. Her life changed as she became a true "Pygmalion" under the guardianship and later affair with Sir Harry. The differences in their class and social status caused their affair to be scandalous in Boston with Agnes being snubbed by Boston society. While Agnes reached a level of knowledge and culture, the continued rejection by family and society lead to the move to Ashland. The refuge of the estate and gardens built by Sir Harry no longer remain along Frankland Road.The story of Sir Harry and Agnes took a dramatic turn in 1755. While in Lisbon, Sir Harry was traveling in a coach to church when the great earthquake of 1755 struck. Being All Saints Day, the streets were full of people. Over 30 thousand people died that day. Sir Harry’s coach was struck by a collapsing wall of a stone house along the road and the driver and horses were killed. Buried under the rubble Sir Harry had ample time to recollect his life and vowed to marry Agnes if he were to survive. Meanwhile, Agnes stumbled out of the rubble of the villa where she was staying to search for Sir Harry. On a broad stroke of luck she passed the spot where the wall collapsed on Sir Harry and heard his pleas for help. With the help of others she pulled Sir Harry from the rubble. Keeping his promise, Sir Harry immediately married Agnes. To be sure, on the return trip to England they performed the ceremony again with an Anglican priest. Agnes was finally Lady Frankland, and was accepted by the family and friends.The love and redemption story of Sir Harry Frankland and Agnes Surriage was immortalized in the poem "Agnes" by Oliver Wendell Holmes.
For more information about the story of Sir Harry & Agnes Frankland, see Steve Leacu's article Sir Harry at the Ashalnd Historical Society http://www.ashlandhistsociety.com/Pages/SirHarry.aspx.
For more information about Ashland's history and local stories, visit the Ashland Historical Society web site at http://www.ashlandhistsociety.com/Pages/default.aspx
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