Rehoboth is one of the oldest towns towns in Massachusetts. In the 1640s, over 100 years before Daniel Read was born, Daniel’s 2nd great-grandfather, John Read (Reade) became one of the first proprietors of the town after following a clergyman named Samuel Newman from Weymouth. The name “Rehoboth” means a wide open space in Hebrew.

In 1675, only 32 years after the first colonists arrived, Rehoboth became a major stage at the start of King Phillip’s War (1675-1678). Metacomet, also known as King Philip, lead the first surprise attack against the small settlement. During the attack, buildings were burned and several settlers who stayed in town to defend it were killed. The fighting would end a little over a year later in August of 1676 in the town at Anawan Rock. Chief Anawan was captured shortly after Metacomet was captured and killed a short distance away at Mount Hope in Bristol, Rhode Island. He was executed shortly after in Plymouth.

The end of King Philip’s War marked the end of the Pokanoket’s control over Rehoboth and their territory in Rhode Island and South Eastern Massachusetts. The war claimed the lives of over 3000 Indigenous and 1000 colonists. The war was devastating on all fronts. The Pokanokets who survived were either forced and sold into slavery and/or forced to leave the area. Colonists needed to rebuild their settlements, and Rehoboth was no exception.

King Philips War started only 82 years prior to Daniel Read’s birth. It is likely the conflict still felt fresh in the minds of the town and that Daniel was well aware of the details.