The Nashaboh, Praying Indians prospered during their time at the Nashobah Plantation until 1675, the start of the King Phillip Wars. Reference History of Littleton - 3 for related info. Up to the onset of the King Phillip War, the Nashobah tribe coexisted peacefully with the English settlers. This forthcoming dark period placed the Nashobah tribe in a precarious situation where both the English and King Phillip warriors built a level of distrust that would eventually prove their undoing.
In an attempt to protect the Nashobah Praying Indians, the entire tribe of about 58 was moved to Concord MA under the protection of Mr. John Hoare. He provided shelter where they "lived very soberly, quietly and industriously". The objective was to avoid charges of unfaithfulness to English interest. However, their loyalty was rewarded with "such public hatred toward them". In August 1675, and in spite of the efforts of John Eliot to prevent it, the General Council of Boston weary of complaints ordered removal of the Nashobah from Concord to Deer Island in Boston, MA. Other Praying Indian tribes from Marlborough and Natick were also moved to Deer Island totalling about 500 in all.
Sarah Doublet, wife of Tom Doublet (Nepanet), was said to "have a significant leadership role" with the tribe and was among the 58 Nashoba moved to Deer Island. During the winter of 1675-1676 Sarah and the tribe were held on the island without adequate food and shelter resulting in many deaths. John Eliot states: "They lived chiefly upon clams and shell-fish, that they digged out of the sand, at low water; the Island was bleak and cold, their wigwams poor and mean, their clothes few and thin; some little corn they had of their own, which the Council ordered to be fetched from their plantations, and conveyed to them by little and little...." There they stayed until released in 1677, but the world to which they returned was totally changed. The English had defeated the warring tribes, leaving the Native Americans strangers in their own homeland.
At its height, Nashobah Plantation consisted of 16 square miles of rich farming and prime hunting land. During their imprisonment at Deer Island, English settlers moved into the deserted plantation and settled there with no real right, though some purchased land from the tribe even though expressly forbidden by the General Court. At the end of the war most of the Deer Island survivors dispersed but a few came back to their ancient corn fields and hunting grounds, among them Sarah Doublet. However, only 500 acres remained where Sarah outlived the remaining few Nashobah.
Sarah eventually became infirm and was was taken in by the Elnathan and Ephraim Jones in Acton. In exchange and "by authority of the Legislature, given in 1735, Sarah Doublet, otherwise called Sarah Indian, relift of Thomas, sold this reservation to Elnathan and Ephraim Jones". Sarah Doublet, the "Last of the Nashobah" died in 1736 sadly marking an end of a society that existed for centuries.
Today, the Sarah Doublet Forest and Nature Reserve Link provides a glimpse into where Sarah lived her remaining days on what remained of the Nashobah Plantation. As I hike these trails, it saddens me to think that given the prime arable land that mostly comprised the Nashoba Plantation, this tucked away area was perhaps the least desirable. If one looks closely, perhaps one can see a vestige of Sarah's Tears.
To find the cache you must determine Sarah's true Algonquin name. Then by applying the "correct value" with simple math, you'll be on your way.
North
(1st*4+3rd)
(2nd+5th+6th+4th+7th)
(3rd, 6th, 2nd)
West
((9th-1st),(1st*2nd-1))
(8th*9th)
((1st-2nd),5th, 3rd)
You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.
While at the GZ area take note of the geological formations. Perhaps shelter was found here?
Good Luck
Note: If at the Primary Parking location, please follow the trail system until within 100-200 feet of GZ, even though your GPS may beckon otherwise. The Alternate Parking location will present the cacher with a quite steep initial climb!