as grantor of the land, was a warrior whose bravery had been tested in the contest between the Nipmucks and the Mohawks; and was so firm a friend of his white neighbors at Lancaster, that when Philip persuaded the tribe with its Sagamore Sam, to go upon the war path, James refused to join them.  He even served as a spy and betrayed Philip’s plans to the English at imminent risk of his life, doing his utmost to save Lancaster from destruction.  General Daniel Gookin acknowledged that Quanapaug’s information would have averted the horrible massacre of February 10, 1676, had it been duly heeded.  The fact of the friendly relations existing between Prescott and the tribe whose fortified residence stood between the two Washacum ponds is interesting and confirms tradition.  It is related that at his first coming he speedily won the respect of the savages, not only by his fearlessness and great physical strength, but by the power of his eye and his dignity of mien.  They soon learned to stand in awe of his long musket and unerring skill as a marksman.  He had brought with him from England a suit of mail, helmet and cuirass such as were worn by the soldiers of Cromwell.  Clothed with these, his stately figure seemed to the sons of the forest something almost supernatural.  One day some Indians, having taken away a horse of his, he put on his armor, pursued them alone, and soon overtook them.  The chief of the party seeing him approach unsupported, advanced menacingly with uplifted tomahawk.  Prescott dared him to strike, and was immediately taken at his word, but the rude weapon glanced harmless from the helmet, to the amazement of the red men.  Naturally the Indian desired to try upon his own head so wonderful a hat, and the owner obligingly gratified him claiming the privilege, however, of using the tomahawk in return.  The helmet proving a scant fit, or its wearer neglecting to bring it down to its proper bearings, Prescott’s vengeful blow not only astounded him but left very little cuticle on either side of his head, and nearly deprived him of ears.  Prescott was permitted to jog home in peace upon his horse.

After hostilities began, it is said that at one time the savages set fire to his barn, but fled when he sallied out clad in armor with his dreaded gun; and thus he was enabled to save his stock, though the building was consumed.  More than once attempts were made to destroy the mill, but a sight of the man in mail with the far reaching gun was enough to send them to a safe distance and rescue the property.  Many stories have been told of Prescott’s prowess, but some bear so close a resemblance to those credibly historic in other localities and of other heroes, that there attaches to them some suspicions of adaptation at least.  Such perhaps is the story that in an assault upon the town “he had several muskets but no one in the house save his wife to assist him.  She loaded the guns and he discharged them with fatal effect.  The contest continued for nearly half an hour, Mr. Prescott all the while giving orders as if to soldiers, so loud that the Indians could hear him, to load their muskets though he had no soldiers but his wife.  At length they withdrew carrying off several of their dead and wounded.”