SAND DUNES AND SALT MARSHES 



region by Captain John Smith, who landed 

 at Agawam, the Indian name for Ipswich, in 

 the year 1614. He says: " This place might 

 content a right curious judgment; but there 

 are many sands at the entrance of the Har- 

 bour, and the worst is, it is imbayed too farre 

 from the deepe sea. Here are many rising 

 hills, and on their tops and descents are many 

 corne fields, and delightfull groves. On the 

 East is an Isle of two or three leagues in 

 length; the one half plain Marish ground, fit 

 for pasture, or salt ponds, with many faire 

 high groves of mulberry trees and gardens. 

 There is also Okes, Pines, Walnuts and other 

 wood to make this place an excellant habita- 

 tion, being a good and safe harbour." The 

 Indians were in the habit of clearing the 

 ground by burning, and to this is due the 

 openings for their corn-fields and gardens. 



It was indeed a favored region, a happy 

 htmting ground, and the Indians lived here 

 in comparative peace and plenty before the 

 white man came with his devastating diseases, 

 his fire-water and fire-arms, and his corrupt- 

 ing morals. On the drumlins and in the dunes 

 are many evidences of the departed race,— 

 ancient shell heaps of clams and oysters,— for 



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