1.60 Megunko: Ashland, MA

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.

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

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

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.