South Lancaster in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Rowlandson Rock
1630 - 1930
Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, July 25, 2010
1. Rowlandson Rock Marker
On the crest of George Hill, near by, is situated Rowlandson Rock where the captives from the Rowlandson garrison house passed their first night after the burning of Lancaster by the Indians February 10, 167576.
Erected 1930 by Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the King Philip's War 1675-1676 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 10, 1644.
Location. 42° 26.498′ N, 71° 41.21′ W. Marker is in Lancaster, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. It is in South Lancaster. It is at the intersection of Main Street (Massachusetts Route 70) and Sterling Road, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 Main St, Lancaster MA 01523, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Quiet Corner and in Greater Worcester. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, 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: Sawyer-Carter Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Rowlandson Rock (approx. Ύ mile away); Site of Mary Rowlandsons Capture (approx. 0.8 miles away); Site of the Great Elm (approx. one mile away); Neck Bridge (approx. 1.3 miles away); Prescott Grist Mill
this page online
More about this marker. This marker is actually rather far from the rock referred to. The rock itself is in the woods, about 0.7 mile away, where it has its own marker. See other nearby markers section above for the link to the other marker.
Regarding Rowlandson Rock. During King Philips War, the town of Lancaster, MA, was very much on the frontier. Six houses of prominent citizens were designated garrisons for refuge, including that of Rev. Joseph Rowlandson. While the minister was away, a band of Indians led by Nipmuc sachem Monoco assaulted the town at dawn, killing or capturing four dozen residents. Among the captives were the ministers wife, Mary, and their three children.
Mary Rowlandson later wrote a gripping account of her 82-day ordeal that is considered a classic of Colonial
Era literature.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, July 25, 2010
2. View of Street Intersection with Marker
1. Wikipedia entry for Mary Rowlandson. More about Mary Rowlandson. (Submitted on July 25, 2010, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts.)
2. Original 1930 publication by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Tercentenary Commission Markers. Original 1930 publication by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Tercentenary Commission Markers, commemorating the three hundredth anniversary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. (Submitted on May 21, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2010, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 2,964 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on May 4, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2010, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
