Quipnock and Bedford
Ralph Bedford (1640-1712) was an explorer and aristocrat from England who settled Bedford Park in New England in 1667. Bedford was known for working with Indians such as Setatunca and Quipnock to defeat the Wanasetock tribe, and Bedford Park grew into a sizeable community.
Biography[]
Ralph Bedford was born in 1640 in Bristol, England to an aristocratic family. He came from a family that was ennobled due to its military service, and he sought to explore new lands for the crown, acquire raw materials to be sold in Europe, and to become a landholder in the New World. In 1667, Bedford and six colonists from Bristol (namely the Walsinghams, the Lawrence family, and the Powell family) arrived in the New World, setting foot in New England and building a colony known as "Bedford Park", named in honor of its founder. Bedford rescued a native named Setatunca from some outlaws, and he became Bedford's guide. Bedford also rescued Quipnock from some outlaws, allying with the Cherokee warrior. Bedford and his Indian companions would build a trading post with the Huron and three trading posts along the main trade route, gathering wood for Bedford Park's expansion. However, Bedford had to fight against the Wanasetock tribe of Quimmequin, which sought to reclaim Bedford Park's lands from England. Bedford, his native allies (including a company of Huron warriors), and a force of English pikemen, musketeers, and longbowmen set out to repeatedly raid the Wanasetock community and attack the Native Americans that lived there. Bedford and his army destroyed the Wanasetock village after many raids, and Bedford Park was able to live securely for centuries. Bedford died in 1712, having completed the trade route and upgraded it to a wagon route.