New Braintree in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Wheeler’s Surprise

1630 – 1930

Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, May 24, 2011

1. Wheeler’s Surprise Marker

Inscription. One mile to the southwest, off the North Brookfield Road, Edward Hutchinson’s company seeking a parley with the Nipmucs was ambushed by Indians August 2, 1675, and more than half were slain. Captain Hutchinson died from his wounds. Captain Thomas Wheeler was wounded but escaped.

Erected 1930 by Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the King Philip's War 1675-1676, and the Massachusetts Bay Colony—Tercentenary Commission Markers series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1675.

Location. 42° 20.1′ N, 72° 6.825′ W. Marker is in New Braintree, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. It is at the intersection of Barre Road (Massachusetts Route 67) and Daniel Whitney Road, on the right when traveling north on Barre Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Braintree MA 01531, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Quiet Corner

and in Greater Worcester.

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is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Battle of New Braintree (approx. 1.4 miles away); Sarah P. Rowlandson (approx. 1.4 miles away); Entertainment & Industry (approx. 1.4 miles away); New Braintree Veterans Monument (approx. 1.4 miles away); Education – Business (approx. 1.4 miles away); Sgt. M.J. Ryder (approx. 3.1 miles away); Sgt. Joseph Illiscavitch (approx. 3.1 miles away); PFC. Francis R. Sinclair (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Braintree.

Regarding Wheeler’s Surprise. In their King Philip’s War: The History and Legacy of America’s Forgotten Conflict (Contryman Press, 1999), Eric B. Schultz and Michael J. Tougias call this one of the war’s most devastating ambushes. Hutchinson and Wheeler had with them a mounted force of about 20 men and three friendly Indians as guides.

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 26, 2026

2. Wheeler’s Surprise Marker

While proceeding to the site of a prearranged meeting to discuss a treaty, they were set upon by about 200 Nipmuc warriors who, as Wheeler later wrote, “sent out their shot upon us as a shower of hail.”

Despite what the marker says, the exact location of the ambush is not known with any certainty (see, for example, Jeffrey H. Fiske’s 1993 book, Wheeler’s Surprise: The Lost Battlefield of King Philip’s War).

Also see . . .
1. Wheeler’s Surprise. Wikipedi entry. (Submitted on May 27, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts.)

2. Tercentenary Commission. Original 1930 publication by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Tercentenary Commission, commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. (Submitted on May 27, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts.)

Wider View Looking North image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, May 24, 2011

3. Wider View Looking North

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 26, 2026

4. Wheeler’s Surprise Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 2,842 times since then and 117 times this year. Last updated on October 26, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. Photos: 1. submitted on May 27, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. 2. submitted on June 27, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. 3. submitted on May 27, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. 4. submitted on June 27, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.