Military Service
of Capt Nathaniel Seeley during King Philip's War
King Philip's War is a period of American colonial history that is almost forgotten. However, as described in King Philip's War: Based on the Archives and Records of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Rhode Island and Connecticut, and Contemporary Letters and Accounts: With Biographical and Topographical Notes, by George W Ellis and John E Morris, The Grafton Press, New York, 1906, at page v:
"The period marked by the Indian wars of 1675 and 1676, known as King Philip's War, is one of the most interesting and epochal in the early history of the New England colonies.
"It was the first great test to which the New England Commonwealths were subjected, and it enforced upon them in blood and fire the necessity of a mutual policy and active co-operation. The lesson that union is strength was learned at that time and was never forgotten. New England after the war, free from fear of any Indian attacks, was able to turn her attention to her own peaceful industrial and political development undisturbed."
Separated from the events by over 300 years, the authors of King Philip's War (which is available as a free download) do not white-wash the colonists or picture the Native Americans as barbaric devils. Instead, they attempt to present the historical situation as accurately as possible after the passage of so much time.
Nathaniel Seeley is described in footnote 1 to Chapter VIII of this book, page 125, as: "Lieutenant Nathaniel Seeley, son of Robert of Wethersfield, was of New Haven in 1646 and later removed to Fairfield. He early entered upon military duty in the service of Connecticut, and fell in the Naragansett Swamp fight at the head of his company, December 19, 1675."
The "Great Swamp Fight" or "Great Swamp Massacre" of Dec 1675, is thus described on the website of a descendant of Thomas Miner, 1608-1690, who participated in the battle: "The Great Swamp Fight on December 19, 1675 was the most significant battle of King Philip's War, what has been called the bloodiest (per capita) conflict in the history of America. It was a critical blow to the Narragansett tribe from which they never fully recovered. In April 1676, the Narragansett were completely defeated when the Wampanoag sachem Metacom was shot in the heart by John Alderman, a Native American soldier."
The same website includes a roster of the Officers of the Army of the United Colonies. Under the Connecticut forces, this roster includes the Third Company, under the command of Capt Nathaniel Seely, of Stratford. Of this company, 20 were killed, and "Capt. Seely was wounded by Joshua Tefft and later died."
Although it is not known for certain, there is a good possibility that Capt Nathaniel Seeley was buried in the mass grave for colonial dead near the battle site. He was 48 years old and left a wife of only one year, and eleven children from his first marriage.
There are many other websites describing King Philip's War and the Great Swamp Fight.