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'' ''■ I ' • ; kp III ( .'an \n \
ESrHER .VHEEL^VRIGHT
MOTHER SUPERIOR OF THt URSULINES OF auEBEC
/■>.'.■'.■ ., horh-ait s,:„t lo lu-r „.■.,//„;■ n. ,j,„
e. A LICK HAKF-H
(K97
-i
'^.:
TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES
Carried to Canada During the Old French and Indian Wars
BY
C. ALICE BAKER
CAMBRIDGE 1897
GLEANINGS FROM NEW '" ^''''''''""■""
VES
('"Vyright, ISO?
(UIEENFIELD, MASS.
1897
TO
iKOIKC.K,, OUK CAI.nVKS,NCAXA„..V .NO .O THKIK SUC- CESSORS MV WHOM I HAVK MKEN KINDI.v HELPED IN MV WORK THKSE NARRATIVKS A RK AFFECl'IONATELY JJEDICATEl)
PREFACE
ada whence thev le o ^T r;'''''"'"' ^■="'"^-^' '" ^■•■'"■ fate of the captiVe. r h ^ 'i, ' ^ ""'"' '" '""'' ^'- I have taken t,no„ ,„v 1 " '"""""" •' l""'!'"^-. a„c!
their return. ' " '"'■'■^'"" '" °I»" 'he door for
Mr.'sii::; o'Dr^:::;:;-^! "r' '-^-'-'^^'^-e Anti,n.rv.
the Wilderness. „;:':: " """ '"-^ "''"««"- -"
- the work Of ™, ur::-^ ;rer:: '^-^ " """^^' ^'=''-'
Cambridge, Mass. ^" '^- '"
March, 1897.
CONTENTS
CMRiSHNK Ot,s. (A romance Of real life on. 1 r •
told in the records ) ^'"" ^'■""^'^•'" ''-^
Esther WnEELWRionr '■■••■
Storv or A York Family. '■■■•••
DiEFicui/riKs AND Dancers IV T,n^',, ' ' " •
•HKR Town ,670. '''''"""■•'"■' "'■•'^"■■N''' ">• a Fkon-
Eunice Wh.uams. . "'■•••
Ensign John Siieedon. ''''•••
My Hunt eok the Captives" '"■■••
Tw„C...,v.. (A ™K,„ce „r „.,■„/.,„„„„.,„, ^,^,„.^ •
A Dav at Oka. .■"••••.
Thankful Stelmins. ."''■■•• A Scion oe the Church in Deei'li,", >, "t ' ' ' P'^KSsis. (;\ntten for M, / J-seimnOctave
of the foundir H T ;■'• '""''"'^'^'^ anniversary Hertel Dk Rouvii li ''"""'^ '" '^''^'•'^^'^••) •
Father Meriel-Mary Silver '■■•■• APPENDIX. "■■••■
A Christinr Otis.
B Esther W„,rEL,^,j,j,,„,,. " " ' •
C Eunice Williams. .."■'■
I^ Ensign John Sheldon ' ' ' '
E My Hunt FOR THE Captives '
INDEX ^"^^--^^^ Stebiuns. . . . ' _ " ^
I'AfJK 5
35 69
89 128
'55 ■93
259
272 304 319
335 358 394 396
399 401
/
nxUSTRATlOiVS
KSTHKN U'i.KKMVRlo.n.,
Mother Supenor'„f the LJrsulin.. . .. J'>o'itispiece.
Croix. . '-f- '^y Kev. M^.,,. ,Sa,nt-
^VnKK,.UK„;Hr Cat „„• a,<ms' f ' ' " • •
,,, Esther in ,„,;'"""'" •""- -H .., l.c- dauglue,:
flCSlMJiEOf THE MARRUrc D„ ' ■ ■ .
M^'K. Joseph-Octave P,,ssis. " " • •
5^
60 66 68
12
'32 166
206
252 256
268 272
CHRISTINE OTIS.
A ROMANCE OP RKAL ,„E ON T„E FRONTIER AS T<H,„
IN THE RECORDS.
IN'TRODircTION.
di.sturbed in the ho„,es of th "cHff Dweller^ ' --an^ed un-
immemorial had been a terror to every land The -itorv nf the first meeting of the white man and the red man on o,?r
R^;;rtre'rte';t^L\t^^^^^^^^^
Apparently he had no encounter with the natives. Whether
6 TRUE STOKIKS OF NEW ENGLAND CAITIVES.
his mickleness, or his moderation and wisdom, had anything to do with this, the chronicler saith not. Now there was great talk about Leif's Vinland voyage, and Thorvald, his brother, thought the land had been too little explored. Then said Leif to Thorvald, "Thou shalt go with my ship, brother, if thou wilt to Vinland."
So in 1 002, Thorvald and his men came to Vinland, to Leif's booths, and dwelt in peace there that winter. In the summer they sent the long boat along to the westward to explore. On the island they found a corn-shed of wood. More works of men they found not, and they went back to Leif's booths in the fall. "After that they coasted into the mouths of firths
that were nearest to them and to a headland that
stretched out, and they saw upon the sands within the head- land three heights. They went thither, and saw there three skin boats and three men under each. Then they divided the people, and laid hands on them all except one, that got off with his boat. They killed these eight, and then went back to the headland, and saw in the firth some heights, and thought they were dwellings. Then came from the firth in- numerable skin boats and made towards them." Thorvald said, "AVe will set up our battle shields, and guard ourselves as best we can, but fight but little. So they did, and the Skraelings shot at them for a while, but they fled, each as fast as he could." Thorvald was killed.
Karlsefni came next, "And this agreement made he with his seamen : that they should have even handed all that they
should get in the way of goods. They bore out to sea
and came to Leif's booths hale and whole After the
first winter came the summer, then they saw appear
the Skraelings, and there came from out the wood a great number of men. At the roaring of Karlsefni's bulls the Skraelings were frightened and ran off with their bundles. These were furs and sable skins, and skin wares of all kinds.
mM M IIJBU.l"^!!
, '^;>..,...r■r■'Vtl'■'.
CIIRISTINH OTIS.
Karlsefni had the doors of the booths guarded. Then the Skraelings took down their bags, and opened them and of- fered them for sale, and wanted weapons for them. But Karlsefni forbade them to sell weapons. He took this plan : he bade the women bring out their dairy stuff, and no sooner had they seen that, than they would have that and nothing more. Now this was the way the vSkraelings traded : they bore off their wares in their stomachs ; but Karlsefni and his companions had their bags and their skin wares, and so they
parted Karlsefni then had posts driven strongly about
his booths, and made all complete."
"Next winter the Skraelings came again, and were more than before, and they had the same wares. Then Karl- sefni said to the women, 'Now bring forth the same food that was most liked betore,and no other.' And when they saw it, they cast their bundles in over the fence. But one of them being killed by one of Karlsefni's men, they all fled in haste, and left their garments and wares behind. ' Now,' said Karlsefni, ' I think they will come for the third time in anger, and with many men.' It was done as Karlsefni had said, there was a battle and many of the Skraelings fell."
The whole story of the dealings of the white man with the red man is here in a nutshell. Thorvald goes ashore with his company. "Here it is fair," he cries, "and here would I like to raise my dwelling," but seeing upon the sands three boats, and three men under each, "this iron-armed and stal- wart crew," — thirty broad-breasted Norsemen, lay hands upon the helpless nfne and kill them. One escapes to tell the tale. A fight ensues, and Thorvald pays the penalty of his mis- deeds. The savage has felt the power of the white man's weapons. He covets them. He comes the next year to Karlsefni with sable skins and wants weapons in ex- change. Karlsefni wisely refuses. The women bring out the dairy stuff, and the simple savages trade. "They bear
m
8 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENCILAN'D CAl'TIVES.
off their wares in their stomachs ! " Hut Karlsefni had their bags, and their precious skin wares. vSo they part. The booths are palisaded. Winter brings the hungry savage once more to the white man's door. With reckless generos- ity he throws his bundles in over the palisade. vSupplied with food in return, he is going peacefully away, when, for mere pastime, he is felled to the earth — killed by one of Karlsefni's men. His followers llee. They come back. There is a battle and many of them fall.
Here we might rest the case of the red man i^crsus the white man. But the evidence is cumulative against the lat- ter. Columbus has left us an account of his reception by the "Indians," as he names them. Native and Spaniard were an equal surprise to each other. The savage thought that the ships of the strangers were huge birds, that had borne these wonderful beings down from heaven on tlieir great, white wings. They were "friendly and gentle" 1 > the new comers. Columbus gave them colored caps, beads :> ^ hawks bells, in exchange for twenty-pound balls of cotton yarn, great numbers of tame parrots and ta]iioca cakes. He coasted about the island in the ship's boat, and some of the natives swam after him, while others ran along on the shore, tempting him with fruits and fresh water to land. He speaks of them al- ways as decorous, temperate, peaceful, honest, generous and hospitable. "They are very simple and honest," he says, "and exceedingly liberal with all that they have, none of them refusing anything he may possess, when asked for it, but on the contrary inviting us to ask them. They exhibit great love towards all others in preference to themselves ; they also give objects of great value for trifles, and content
themselves with little or nothing in return A sailor
received for a leather strap as much gold as was worth three golden nobles,' they bartered like idiots, cotton and
'A noble is about $i.6o.
ciiRisTiNK orrs.
tiful and acccptall. art c ts 't, ^ '' "'™' "■■'">' '^<-''-'"-
rvor a,c th..^. .slow or stiipui, but of very clear understand „;/ rjamc r """t/""""^ "'>' f'-- f-- "- first 'S
and^;%o„iinurrert:rt;f ir:;;7:r T' i".sofa.,est.,iraee,.t;^:t;-;^::-i::::tiS^
would come out in fhi-Mnrrc.. f,. ,. ^"iiuien
• ^ LiLciimenl and overworV W^-,vof ^f n /
-Usfy Spanish avarice, he sent great :;:,bers „ the™ to be"
1; :: '■'s:;'"t''T/"'" ""■ '^^"^^«' -^ "-at ki„g!w
th ^c s'v;^" a ,'r" 'r--!'^"','-^"'-"^ '" '-"g Henry the Seventh
to the beach malcing signVo wXm' Th T^^l^-^ded want of water and trie'd to LL^ Z^ihe' ^^f'^^^^ 0:^,^
towards the natfvr'"'nT ''-"'^ V""" '"^^^ "'^ '""^'-'^ shore and tJr ^ ''""'" '""■'"-''' '"™ back upon the
wm :;":ttrfir;"'?h':??™, '-t '"^ =^-'' -^-^^^^
,,reat nre. 1 he sailor shrieked with fear. His
wm^^^^mm
10 TRUE STORIES OI" NEW ENCI.AND CAI'Tn ES.
comrades in the boat <i^azed with horror, cxpcctiiv; to see him roasted and eaten before their eyes, l^iit after tenderly warming and dryinji^him they led him baektotlie shore, and stood aloof while he swam off to his friends. vShall I tell you how this kindness was repaid ? Coastinj^ north, a party of them landed. The natives fled to the woods. ( )nly two wom- en and half a dozen children remained, hiding terrified in the grass. These civilized Frenchmen carried off one of the ba- bies and would have taken the vounger woman, who was handsome, but her outcries made them leave her behind. There is no clue to the fate of Verrazano ; it may be true, as Ramusio affirms, that on a later voyage he was killed and eaten by the savages.
Ten years later, Jacques Cartier sailed into the ni(uith of the St. Lawrence and bore away for France to tell the King- he had discovered the northwest passage to Cathay. He car- ried with him two young Indians "lured into his clutches," says Mr. Parkman, "by an act of villainous treachery." I suppose "the greasy potentate," whose sons they were, loved his boys as well as any father loves his children, but the wild Indian was no more than a wild turkey to the European ex- plorer, and both were constantly carried over as samples of the natural products of the New World. Cartier brought back the boys the next year to guide him up the river. He went up as far as Montreal, and coming back to Quebec his crew were smitten with scurvy. There he might easily have been cut off by the savages, but "they proved his salva- tion." He learned from them a cure for the distemper, and his crew were restored to health. "When the winter of mis- ery had worn away," he seized Donnacona and his chiefs, to carry them back to the French court. Mr. Parkman tells the story: "He lured them to the fort and led them into an am- buscade of sailors, who, seizing the astonished guests, hur- ried them on board the ship. This treachery accomplished,
CHRISTINE OTIS. I I
the voyag'crs proceeded to plant the emblem of Christianity. The cross was raised, the fleur-de-lis huntj upon it, and spreading their sails they steered for home." Cartier came back once more, and told the natives that their chief, Donna- cuna, was dead, and the others were living like lords in France • — which information must have been very gratifying to them, under the circumstances !
In 1602, Gosnold visited the Massachusetts coast. The In- dians traded with him valuable furs and "their fairest col- lars" of copper for the merest trifles. "We became great friends," says one of the party. "They helped cut and carry
our sassafras, and some lay aboard our ship They
are exceeding courteous and gentle of disposition,"
"quick-eyed, and steadfast in their looks, fearless of others' harms, as intending none thcm.selves. Some of the meaner sort, given to filching, which the very name of savages, not weighing their ignorance in good or evil, may easily excuse."
In 1605, Weymouth entered the Penobscot river. He gave the savages "brandy, which they tasted, but would not drink." He had two of them at supper in his cabin, and pres- ent at prayer time. "They behaved very civilly, neither laughing nor talking all the time, and at supper fed not like men of rude education ; neither would they eat or drink more than seemed to content nature." They carefully returned pewter dishes lent them to carry peas ashore to their women. As Weymouth "could not entice three others aboard," whom he wished to kidnap, he "consulted with his crew how to catch them ashore." Then they carried peas ashore, "which meat they loved" and a box of trifles for barter. "I opened the box," says an actor in this tragedy, "and showed them trifles to exchange, thinking thereby to have banished fear from the other and drawn him to return. But when we could not, we used little delay, but suddenly laid hands on them, and it was as much as five or six of us could do to get them ito
grrjjg--'!*''?!.'^:-
12 rKUH STONIKS OF \K\V KXCI.ANI) CAri'FVKS.
the light gig, for they were strong, and so naked as by far cur best hold was by the long hair on their hepds ; and we woMld have been very loath t(. have done them any hurt, whieli of necessity we had been constrained to have done if we h"d attempted them in a multitude, which we must and would, rather than have wanted them, being a matter of great importance for the full aeeomplishment of our voyage." The chronicler after praising the country, thus concludes his re- lation : "Although at the time we surprised them they made
their best resistance yet, after perceiving by their
kind usage we intended them no harm, they have uever since seemed discontented with us, but very tractable, loving, and willing by their best means, to satisfy us in anything we de- mand of them Neither have they at any time been
at the least discord among themselves, insomuch as we have not seen them angry, but merry and so kind, as, if you give anything to one of them, he will distribute part to every one of the rest."
Mr. Higginson tells us that Weymouth's Indians were the objects of great wonder in England, and crowds of people followed them in the streets. It is thought that vShakespeare referred to them in "The Tempest" a few years later. Trin- eulo there wishing to take the monster Caliban to Eng- land, says : "Not a holiday fool there but would give a piece
of silver When they will not give a doit to relieve a
lame beggar, they wuU lay out ten to see a dead Indian."
John Smith's disasters in Virginia were due to the disor- derly conduct of his men towards the natives.
It is true that an Indian arrow was "shot into the throat" of one of Hudson's crew, but the chronicler who tells the tale, says they found "loving people" on their first landing ; and the disgraceful debauch in the cabin of the "Half Moon," does not speak well for the conduct of the Dutch on that occasion.
John Smith narrates how Captain Hunt "betrayed" twenty
CHRIS TINK oris. 13
savag-cs from Plymouth, and seven from Cape Cod ";il)()ar(l his ship, -nd most dishonestly and inhumanly, for the kind nsaj^e of ■• , % and all my men, earrieu ihem with him to Ma- ligo (Maktjjfa) and there, for a little private t^ain, sold these silly sava<j^es for rials of eijji'ht." An old woman of ninety af- terward told Edward Winslow, with tears and j^roans, tliat her three sons, her only dependenee, were among the number.
The unserupulousness of Morton's followers at Merrymount, whoeheated, abu.sed, and stole from the Indians, and sold them liquor and weapons, eame near being the destruetion of the Pilgrims.
It is an unweleome ta.sk, while commemorating our ances- try who suffered death or a cruel captivity at the hands of the savage, to say a word in extenuation. I am no hero-wor- shipper. I find more shrewdness than saintline.ss in Massa- soit's friendship. It was for him a jhoice of evils. I see nothing of statesmanship or valor to admire in Philip. No more do I think there is any basis for a wholesale denuncia- tion of his race. We have seen how from Maine to Cuba the explorer was the aggressor. In later colonial times it was a poor schooling we gave the red man, and he did credit to our teaching. We know little of the savage before his con- tamination by the white man. Revenge belongs to the child- hood of nations as well as to that of individuals. To love our enemies, — to do good to them that despitefully use us, is a hard feat even for an adult Christian civilization. If, as John Robinson wivshed, we had converted some before we had killed any, we should make a better show in history. That was a grim satire of old Ninigret, who told Mr. Mayhew, when he wanted to preach to his people, that he "had better go and make the English good first." We should not shrink from tracing effects to their causes. The Indian trader from Karl- sefni to Richard Waldron, (I may say to the frontier agent of to-day,) was dishonest. He sold rum to the savage, and then
Kg
■^
wmmm^m
14 TRIJK STORIKS Ol" NKW KXCl.AM) CAF'TIVKS.
fined him for ^ctting^ drunk. Was it truth the Indian ut- tered, or a bitter jest on thedihited quality ot the li([Uor, when he testified before the eourt tliat he "had paid /,"ioofora drink from Mr. Purehas his well?" The fine was not always crossed out when it was paid till the exasperated savaj^'e crossed it out with one blow of his hatchet, for which he had paid ten times its worth in furs. The (jovernment was not always responsible, though the "Walking Purchase" and the murder of Miantononioh are rank offences. Usually the frontier settlement suffered for the sins of individuals. There is no more striking illustration of this fact than the story of
CIIRLSTINE OTIS.
In 1623 some London fishmongers set up their stages on the Piscata(iua river.
Passaconaway. the sagacious sachem of the Pennacooks, desirous of an ally against his troublesome neighbors, the Tarratines, urged more I'^nglish to come. He gave them deeds of land in exchange for coats, shirts and kettles. The natives continued peaceable, — the whites fished, planted and traded unmolested. Feeling death approaching, old Passa- conaway made a great feast, and th is addressed his chieftains : "Listen to your father. The white men are the sons of the morning. The (ireat vSpirit is their faLher. Never war with them. If you light the fires His breath will turn the flames upon you and destroy you." Knowles, a tributary chief, whose tribe occupied the regii)n round about the settlers on the Piscataqua, felt similar presentiments. vSending for the principal white men, he asked them to mark out and record in their books a grant of a few hundred acres for his people. The old sachem's son Wannaloncet, and Blind Will, succes- sor to Knowles, determined to heed Passaconaway 's advice, and keep peace with the whites, and the Pennacooks remained
ciiuis'iixi': OTIS. 15
neutral throiij^h Philip's war. At that time Cochcco, now Dover, New Hampshire, was the main tradinjj^ post with the Indians of all that rey^ion. Mnjor Richard Waldron was the most prominent man of Coeheco. He held many offices of trust under the (iovernment, and a command in Philip's war. He was naturally severe; wa.s a successful Indian trader, and had the reputation of bein^ a dishonest one. It was said that he did not cancel their accounts when they had paid him, and that in buyinj^ beaver he reckoned his fist as weij^hin^ a pound. Though Philip's war bcj^an later in the l*^astern country, it ra<>ed there with terrible ferocity, "where," says Mr. Palfrey, "from the rouj^h character of the Enj^lish set- tlers, it may well be believed that the natives were not with- out provocation." Troops were ordered out by the (jcncral Court of Massachusetts to subdue the eastern Indians, but the snow lay four feet on a h vcl in December, and military operations were impossible. The Indians, pinched with fam- ine from the severity of the winter, and dependent upon the frontier settlements for food, sued for peace through Major Waldron, promising to i^ivc up their captives without ransom, and to be quiet in the future. In July, 1676, Waldron, on be- half of the whites, siyfned a treaty with them at Coeheco. After Philip's death some of his followers fled to the Penna- eooks. They were taken and put in Dover jail. Escapinj^, they incited some of the Maine Indians to renew their dep- redations. Two companies were sent to the East under Cap- tains Sill and Hathorne. They reached Dover on the 6th of September. There they found four hundred Indians, part of them Pennacooks who had taken no part in the war ; others who had been party to the treaty a few months before, and the rest, southern Indians, who, fleeing to the eastward afier Philip's death, had been received into the tribes there. Why they were at Dover we are not told, but evidently with no hostile intent, as their women and children were with them.
|6 TKUK STOUIKS OF NKW ICNCI-.WI) CAP TIVKS.
The bclli'^crcnt cai)tains would have annihilated them at onee, as their orders were to sei/,e all Indians eoneerned in the murder of ICnj^lishmen, or who had violated the treaty. Waldron proposed a stratagem instead. Inviting- the Indians to a sham liy^ht the next day, havinj;- drawn the Indians' fire, the English soldiers surrounded and disarmed them. Wan- nalonect and the Fennaeooks were sot free. The rest were sent to Boston, where seven or eijj^ht of the well-known mur- derers were huni^. and the rest sold as slaves abroad. It is .'.aid that Major Waldron was opposed to the seizure, but re- garded it as a military necessity. It is true that he mij^-ht have been censured by his government if he had refused to obey its orders, but a strictly honorable man would rather have left his case to the judgment of posterity, or have thrown up his commission, than to have committed so gross a breach of hospitality and faith. The Pennacooks looked upon his conduct as treachery. It was a time of peace. They had never broken faith with him. They were, as it were, surety for the good behavior of Philip's Indians and the rest. They never forgave him.
Thirteen years passed. vSome of those who had been sold into slavery came back. The emissaries of Castine whispered vengeance. The opportvmity for retaliation came to the Pen- nacooks, and a plot was laid for the destruction of Dover. In June, 1689, the Dover people began to be suspicious that the Indians were unfriendly. Larger numbers seemed to be gathering in the neighborhood than usually came to trade. Strange faces were noticed among them, and now and then they were seen eyeing the defenses. More than one friendly squaw hinted of danger to the settlers' wives who had been kind to them, but they were not heeded. "Go plant your pumpkins," cried Waldron to those who told him their fears, "I know the red skins better than you, and I will let you know soon enough if there are any signs of an outbreak."
fn^rmtf -«— .r^,.v*^t»,*%*».
CIIKISTINK OTIS. 17
Waldron, Richard Otis, John Heard, Peter Coffin and his son Tristram had each a jji'arrison house at Dover at that time. Into these their neighbors who felt uneasy, retired to sleep. On the morning of the 27th of June, a younj^ man rushed to Waldron's house and told him that the town was fiiT of Indians, and that the people were thorouj^hly frij^ht- en( <( "1 know the Indians well," replied Waldi-on with some a;perity, "and I tell you there is no danger." That very morning, however, the following letter from Major Hench- man of Chelmsford was received by Oov. Bradstreet at Bos- ton :
Junk 23, 1689.
Honored Sir : — This day two Indians came from PtMUiacook, viz., |()1) Maramasfinand and Peter Miiekanuiji;, who report that damajie will iiiuloiibtedly be (hnie wittiin a few ilays at lMscata(|ua, and tliat Major Waldron in particular is threatened. 'I'he Indians can ji;ive a more particular account to your Honor. They say if damage be done, the blame shall not be on them, having given a faithful ac- count of what they he;,r, and are upon that report moved to leave their habitation and c(jver at I'ennacook. 1 am constrained from a sense of my duty, and from love to my countrymen, to give the in- formation as above, so with my humble service to your Honor, and prayers for the safety of an endangered people,
1 am your humble serv't,
Thos. Henchman.
A mes.senger was at once dispatched to Cocheeo with a let- ter from the Oovernor and Council "To Major Richard Wal- dron, and Mr. Peter Coffin, or either of them. These with all possible speed."
The Governor's letter is dated June 27th, 1689. It informs Major Waldron of the receipt of Major Henchman's letter and tells him that " one Hawkins is the principal designer " of the intended mischief. That it is particularly designed against Waldron and Cofftn, and that they are to be betrayed
iar.«^ar.'a'»r-»rr,
l8 TKUH sroKIKS OK NEW KXCLAND CAP TI VKS.
"on a pretention of trade." The Governor warns them to take " eare of then own safeti^uard "and to report "what in- formation they may receive of the Indians' motions." Un- fortunately the messen^'er was detained at Salisbury ferry and reached Dover only after the tragedy was over.
Mesandowit', an Indian chief, took supper at Waldron's house that niji^ht, as he had often before. During supper he said, half jestin.<.',ly, " vSup})ose strange Indians eome now, Brother Waldron ? " "I have but to raise my linger," replied Waldron. boastfully, " and a hundred soldiers will be at my command." Later in the evening two squaws applied at each garrison house for leave tt) sleep on the hearth before the kitchen fire. As this was no unusual request, it was readily granted, and they were shown how to open the doors in ease they might want to go out during the night. Tristram Cof- fin alone refused to admit them. As Waldron was barring his doors for the night, one of the squaws quartered with him said to him, " White father big wampum ; much Indian eome." Still unsuspicious, he retired to dream of the mor- row's gains.
Just before dawn, at that hour when night is darkest and sleep is heaviest, the treacherous squaws rose softly in all the houses, and opening the doors, gave a long, low whistle. A dog at Heard's garrison answered with a furious barking, which awoke Elder Wentworth. He hurried down stairs. The savages were iust entering. Pushing the oaken door back against them, the old man of seventy-three threw him- self on his back and held it against them till help came. Bul- lets crashed through the door above his head, but the heroic old Puritan did not tiinch and the garrison was saved. Plac- ing a guard at Waldron's door, the waspish horde swarmed into his room. He sprang from his bed, and though over eighty years old, he drove them at the point of his sword,
'Sometimes written Mesambowit.
-iWWf«iawa'iwwftM''ii'^iw-W'»j.^'ii!B>ti'«B»tif«^iai6^
CHRISTINE OTIS. 19
through three or four rooms. As he turned back for other weapons, they followed him and dealt him a blow with a hatchet, which stunned and prostrated him. With horrid threats, they ordered his family to get supper for them. When they were surfeited, they placed the old man in his arm-chair on the table and tortured him. They gashed him with their knives, screaming derisively, "Now we cross out our accounts." They cut off his finger joints and threw them in his face, asking with fiendish glee, "How much will your fist weigh now. Father Waldron ? " Finally as he fell faint- ing from his chair, they held his own 3word under him, and death came to his relief. His daughter and his little grand- cliild, Sarah (xerrish,' were taken captive, his son-in-law killed, his house pillaged and burned. The houses of Peter Coffin and his son were also destroyed.
Richard Otis, the blacksmith of Dover, occupied the next garrison house to Waldron's. He was of good family, and had removed from Boston to Dover in 1656. At the time of the attack he was well on in years, had married sons, and was living with his third wife, Grizel- Warren, a young wom- an of less than half his years. She had borne him two chil- dren. Hannah, the elder, was about two ; but the delight of her old father's heart, was his three months old baby, Marga- ret, fair as a summer daisy. Otis was shot dead as he was rising up i"i bed, or had reached the window, seeking the cause of the alarm. The s. . ages killed his little daughter Hannah, by dashing her head against the (^^lamber stairs. His wife and baby were dragged from their beds, and with more of his family, hurried with the other captives to the woods to begin the doleful march to Canada.
Meantime, all unconscious of these horrors, the Widow Heard and her sons, with her daughter and son-in-law, were
'For the story of her captivity see Dralte's "Tragedies of the Wilderness." '•'I have often found the name written Grizet and Grizit.
20 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
returning from a day's trading at Portsmouth. The soft air of the vsummer night was heavy with the srent of the sweet brier ; the frog croaked hoarsely from his solitary pool ; an owl, scared from his hunting, flitted screeching to the woods. No other sound was heard save the pla.sh of their oars as they rowed up the pHcid river, when suddenly on the midnight stillness, burst forth the awful war-whoop. Faster they plied their oars, not daring to think of the possible fate of kindred left safe in the garrison at morn. Silently passing a body of the enemy, they landed near Waldron's garrison. Seeing a light in a chamber window and supposing it put there as a signal of refuge to the English, they demanded entrance at the gate. No answer being returned, they shook and pound- ed the palisades, in agonized tones reproaching their friends within for not opening to them. At last one of the young men looked through a crack of the gate, and saw to his hor- ror an Indian with his gun guarding Waldron's door. De- spair seized them at the sight. Mrs. Heard sank fainting, and declaring she could go no further, ordered her children to leave her. After much entreaty, feeling that all would be sacrificed if they remained, they left her and proceeded lo their own garrison. On the way they met one of Otis's sons, who told them that his father was killed. John Ham and his wife, Mrs. Heard's daughter, rowed rapidly down the river again, to give the alarm at Portsmouth. Meantime Mrs. Heard had revived a little, and dragged herself to the garden, hiding there among the barberry bushes. With the approach of daylight, she fled to a thicket at some distance from the house. A savage who had watched her, came twice to her hiding place, pointed his pistol at her and ran back with loud yells to the house, leaving her in safety. She rec- ognized him as a young Indian, whom at the time of the seiz- ure by Waldron, she had hidden in her own house and aided to escape. Thanking God for her preservation, she remained
CHRISTINE OTIS.
in her covert, till the enemy had retired with their captives. Then stealing along by the river, she crossed it on a boom, and reaching Gerrish's garrison, learned of the brave defence of her own house by Elder Wentworth, and of the safety of its inmates.
At eight o'clock in the morning, John Ham and his wife, spent with fatigue and anxiety, reached Portsmouth. A let- ter was at once written by Richard Waldron, Jr., still igno- rant of his father's fate, to the Governor and Council in Bos- ton, giving the facts so far as related by Ham. This letter was enclosed in the following :
" To the lion. Maj. Robert Pike of Salisbury— Haste post I/aste : —
PoRTSMou JH, 28th June, 1689.
Honored Sir : — We hcrewitli send you an account of the Indians surprising Cocheco tliis morning which we pray you immediately to post away to the Honorable, the Crovernor and Council at Bos- ton, and forward our present assistance, wherein the whole country is immediately concerned.
We are Sir your most humble servants,
Richard Marivn. Wii.MAM Vauchn. Richard Waldron, Jr. Samuf,i, WEN'r worth. Benj. Hull.
This dispatch was received at noon by Maj. Pike, who im- mediately forwarded it to Boston with the following :
^^ To the much Honored Synian Bradstreet, Esq., Governor, and the Honorable Council now sitting at Boston, these present with all speed — Haste, post Haste" : —
Salisiuiry, 28th June, (about noon) 1689. Much Honored : — After due respect, these are only to give your honours the sad accounts of the last night's providence at Cocheco,
22 TRUK STDRIl'IS OF NKW ENGLAND CAI'TIVES.
as by the enclosed, the particukirs whereof are awful. The only wise God, who is the keeper that neither slunabereth nor sleepeth is pleased to permit what is done. I'ossibly it may be either better or worse than this account renders it. As soon as I get more intelli- gence, I shall, ('rod willing, speed it to your honours, praying for speedy order or advice in si) solemn a case. 1 have dispatched the intelligence to other towns with advice to look to yurselves. I shall not be wanting to serve in what 1 may. Should have waited on your honours now, had 1 been well. Shall not now come e.xcept by you commanded, till this bustle be abated. That the only wise God may direct all your weighty affairs, is the prayer of your honours'
most humble servant,
RoHERT Pike."
The post went spurring' into Boston at midnight with Pike's dispatches, and the next noon an answer was returned to Portsmouth as follows :
" To Messrs. Richard Martyn, William Vaughan, Richard Waldron, &'c.
Boston, 29th June, 1689.
Gentlemen: — The sad account given by yurselves of the awful hand of God in permitting the heathen to make such desolations upon Co-
checo and destruction of the inhabitants thereof arrived the
last night about twelve o'clock. Notice thereof was immediately despatched to our out towns, and so they may provide for their se- curity The narrative you give was laid before the
whole Convention this morning, who are concerned for you as friends and neighbors, and look at the whole to be involved in this unhappy conjuncture and trouble given by the heathen and are very ready to yield you all assistance as they may be capable and do think it nec- essary that (if it be not done already) you shall fall into some form
for the exercise of government so far as may be necessary
for your safety this Convention not thinking to meet under
their present circumstances to exert any authority within your Prov- ince. Praying God to direct in all the arduous affairs the poor peo- ple of this country have at present to engage in, and to rebuke all
CIIRISTINIO oijs
23
Vour humble servant,
i'er order of r ^'''^''''' '^'"^'ngton, Sec'y. AiM , . "-' "™^' of (convention." "^
Aid was at once sen t in p,x^i
^z.?;- ////.«.;.,„, ^„„^._ ,j,X"'"7"' 5'h July, .6J9. '
"" """ ''"'-en f„„y .„„ fifty l;,::^^^//-''"^ Major Ap^le- .".compan.ecl by Major Pike imdTe f '""'"'>••"■'■''"=<' here
ti.e one„,y ab, twelve mile. „ "n£ T, .'' """""^ "P"" '"ck of -turned in ye evening witl„,„t "ny f" ; ' T'"^ "'^>'<^<»'H but body of one of ,|,e captive n,e„ tZv , , ,'"'°^'='"^ '^"^ J"= ''^ad "'■•» ■•'"y "f the enen,y been Te'e , 'r™" "'"" ""' ^"'^ at last
Vour most humble servants,
William Vaughan. Richard Waldeon."
While these thino-s wer^ t. ■ ■ '*'™"" Waldeon." their hapless pn.oSJZ:Z"Z"y:'''' ''^'"^'' ^^ -d the morninj, of the attack, a party of? T^""' ^''"^'^^- «" ■n pursuit, but, as usual, tLe eneTw h.Tr '°,"""^'"'«dout The Cocheco party ovei^toot „ '^ >^^ divided their forces -teeeeded i„ reeo';e~„:: ^tl'^T '"'' Conway, aTd daughters. When the re« oT?! ? *> """" three of Otis's
do not .now. o„ tLi^ rrXa'^'ry 'r'"'"'' '^^^''^ - taken from her savage eaotorli ' \7^ ^^'-"-ffaret was at once «nd under the name^of Xl'i'' ^"''''' ''^P"^^^ anew! real to be reared in the fai h of he' r" '° 1"' ""»^ «' Mont-
mm
24 TRUE STORIKS OK NKW KXCI.AND CAI' TIVKS.
Montreal in the serviee of Monsieur Mariconi." It is prob- able that the little girl spent most of her ehildhood with the good nuns of Montreal, in the very heart of that religious eommunity founded by Maisonneuve and his followers. vShe would have been fifteen years old when the Deerfield eaptives were earried to Montreal. As in lier eoarse serge gown, she passed with the nuns in and out of the old eathedral, good Mr. Williams may have seen her, and groaned in spirit at the sight. vShe must have been a girl of strong eharaeter, for she absolutely refused to take the veil, though persistent- ly urged to it by priest and nun. As the next safest thing for the interests of the ehureh, they married her at sixteen to a Frenchman of Montreal, named Le Beau. The following, translated from the parish records of Montreal, bears the au- tographs of the newly wedded pair, and of the bride's friend, Marie Joseph Sayer' :
"On the 14th clay of June, of the year 1707, after publishing one ban, and dispensing with the other two by pernnssion from M. Frangois Vachon de Belmont, (irand \'icar of iMonseigncur, the Bishop of Quebec, I, the undersigned priest, ofificiatiMg as curate of the parish of Ville-Marie, having obtained the mutual consent of Louis Le Bau, aged twenty-nine years, son of Jean Le Ban and Etiennette Lore, inhabitants of the parish of Boucherville in this I^iocese, of the one part, and of Christinne Otesse, aged eighteen years, daughter of the defunct Richard hautesse- and Marie Made- leine la garenne'' of the town of Douvres', in old England, now liv- ing in this parish, of the other part, — having married them accord- ing to the rites of our Holy Mother Church, in presence of the said Jean Bau, father of the bridegroom, of the Sieur Dominiqua 'I'hau- mur Surgeon, of Philippe Robitail Master cooper, father-in-law of the said bride. The aforesaid Jean Bau and Robitail have declared that they could not sign this certificate according to the ordinance."
Christine's husband may have entertained her with the story
'See "Story of a York Family." ^Otis. •'Warren. 'Dover.
CIIRISTIXK OTjs.
-J having been .au^lTCthJZ^ "''"''' '''"^'^'^'
'""■ned .-it the stake had h,. „ V ""' '"'"''' h-We been
-«' 'icd to the hott^e ; 'a 1.;:; ,t™ '"'' 'r™ ''■^ '°™""-"
The Governor had orcilred , ' ' """" '■'•'n»°™ed him. imi^ri.soned for four months '-.T- """ ,',"■ '"""" """^ '■'''«<-'ly ■nay liave .said. ••y>,„„." ','"". '""f'' '"'" right," Le Beau for the story of Baker^ nd^nf: ' ''""'''"P^ ^''"■'«"ne sighed, of her own eaptivi.; a Vd l t^m T,""'' '-'^ ^'^' '-^thi 'king go baek to New England „' ."'7 " ^""hod that she eonid ■she was born. ThesI Z ''"' '''"'' •*« "'^ spot where
Christine .-eeoneOedToSrhr^'r: '^'IT^ '"■^P""^'^' '-^ children. We hear no mom of h ■ '' "^ ^""' "™ ">■■«<=
jor .Stoddard at llontrea ""'" "''^ ""^'l of Ma-
^"r th jtix:::;: i^riinir '^r -^^^ ■-' -p^^'"™
were still held in Canada m^t " "''™>' '""■'e Engli.sh eldest danghterof ,:ti":::f :"" '''"'"- William.,' the J" November, .7.3. eomm^^^ner: w e't ' ^'^'"^'''"^^y IJudley to Canada to ne<n,tiiteth,.^- ?""" «<="' by Gov. the other xVew EnglanI eamivt '^'^,^^™P"°" "f Euniee and ■nission. was CaptaTn John CT' ,1 l''" '^'^'''^ °^ '^e eom- the tninister of t'hat pC M '^1 ,?' Northampton, son of Martm Kellogg, one of the Deet^I I-' "'-''••°»Panicd him. e-seaped with Baker from M , ?P'""''' "''° ''''«i finally Ti>ere were three otL tTemLms": f T"' ""' '"'^■'P-'- hnnself. Both Kellogg and he id f °'" ™'= ^-^ ^^k^f -nee their flight from M^tr^al Hr°"'<"°"' ^"'^"='^^^ liaker now. The year before he h , ''^P'''''" Thomas
ont river with a seouting p^ crold'""' "" "^ ''^°""-«- was.set, and at its eonfJuonce wL ^ •°'''"' '° ""= Peraige. oalled Baker's river,-he had^ n T ?,°' f 'ribntaries-sifee 'anummon, without' the loL „;"1, '^ ^^"°— >-m, Wat-
a man. lakmg as much of
26 TRUE SToKIliS OF NEW ENCLANI) CM'TIVES.
the vSachem's beaver as the party could carry, he burned the rest and went down the Merrimac to Dunstable, and thence to Boston. The Council Records of the 8th of May, give h^'s report of his proceedings and his application for scalp money. He produced but one scalp but prayed " for a further allowance for more killed than they could recover their scalps as reported by the enemy themselves." After some delay the (jcneral Court, willing to encourage and reward such bravery and enterprise as Baker had shown, allowed him and his company twenty pounds, " for one enemy Indian besides that which they scalped, which seems very probable to be slain." On the i6th of February, 1714, the commissioners reached Quebec. We have the record of their negotiations with the governor of Canada. De Vaudrc nil assures them that all the captives are at liberty to go home ; the more, the better, for him and his country ; and his blc^'-'ing shall go with them. He gives the ambassadors permission to mingle unrestrained with the English, and to have free speech with those in religious houses. Learning that the priests and some of the laity are terrifying and threatening the prisoners against returning, the commissioners complain to the Gover- nor, who replies that he " can as easily alter the course of the waters as prevent the priests' endeavors." Finally, under the pretext that the captives have been naturalized by the King, he refuses to let any return except those under age. Dis- couraged by this unexpected obstacle, and in order to be nearer the captives, the Commissioners return to Montreal, arriving there on the 3rd of March, 17 14.
ChrivStine's husband had died a few months before. The young widow had doubtless heard of the presence of the ambassadors in the city, as they passed through to Quebec, and all her old longing for release returned upon her. While the naturalization question is pending, Mr. Williams, whose heart is occupied with Eunice's affairs, demands that
CIIRISTINK OTIS. 27
" men and women shall not be entan<^lcd by the marriages they may have eontracted, nor parents by cliildren born to them in eaptivity." Christine sees here her ehanee. We may assume that she seeks an interview with the eommissioners and tells them her wishes. Brave Captain Baker, a bachelor of thirty-two, is smitten with the eharms of the youthful widow. He undertakes her cause. The Governor eunnin<(ly concedes that French women may return with their Enj^lish husbands, — that English women shall not be compelled to stay by their French husbands, — -but about the children he " will take time to consider." Christine now reciprocatinj^ the passion of her lover becomes doubly anxious to return. The Intendant and the Governor violently oppose her. By order of the former, the property of her deceased husband is sold, and the money is withheld from her. The priests bring their authority to bear upon her. " If you persist in going," they say, " you shall not have your children ; they must be nurtured in the bosom of the Holy church." Her mother by turns coaxes, chides and tries to frighten her from her resolution. " What can you do in New England? " she says to her. " There are no bake shops there. You know nothing about making bread or butter, or managing as they do there." All this Christine confides to her lover, who kisses away her tears and calms her fears. If she will but trust to him, and go with him, he tells her, his mother shall teach her all she need to know, and his government will see to it that her children are restored to her. In the midst of his wooing. Captain Baker is sent back to Boston by vStoddard to report progress, and demand instructions. He was too good a soldier not to obey orders, though he would, doubtless, have preferred to make a short cut through the difficulties, by running off the prisoners and taking the risk of re-capture. In his absence Christine secretly conveys her personal effects on board a barque bound for Quebec, intending to follow.
:^Ti
wwk:
immsm
2S
TRUK STOKIKS OK \K\V KXCI.AND CAI'l'IVKS,
and put herself under the protection of vStoddard and his party who have returned thither and are trying toet)lleet the captives there. The Inlendant orders Christine's ji^oods ashore, and forbids her to leave Montreal. In vain the Com- missioners protest. " vShe is a prisoner of the former war," replies the Intendant, " and cannot be claimed by the IDnjji'lish under the present Articles of Peace." ihit " Love lau,i;hs at locksmiths, " and when Captain Ikiker returns from his embassy and tells her that the yood brij^antinc Leopard is probably then lyinj>- at Ouebee, and that she must ^o with him, now or never, she docs not hesitate. We have no record of her Hitting, except the pithy sentence in Stoddard's Journal announcing Capt. Baker's return from New Enj^land, "brinjjf- ing with him one English prisoner from Montreal." We cannot doubt that this one is Christine.
The anger of the Intendant, when he learned of her diso- bedience and escape, may be better imagined than described. De Vaudreuil used his most politic endeavors to get posses- sion of her again, promising if she might be returned to Montreal, he would send her under escort by land to New England. Stoddard knowing the value of " A bird in the hand," refused to give her up. The Governor finally threat- ened if vShe went, to give her children to the Ursuline sisters and never let her see them again. But her lover triumphed, and she embarked with him for Boston, where they arrived on the 2ist of September, 17 14.
On the Brookfield land records, Dec. 9th, of the s."- > year, there is a grant of '"upland and meadow" to " ]! .argarett Otice, alias Le Bue, one that was a prisoner in Canada and lately came from thence, provided she returns not to live in Canada, but tarries in this province and marries to Captain Thomas Baker." Christine tarried and married. The ad- vent of Captain Baker, with his foreign wife and her strange speech, and her Romish observances, must have made quite
en U IS TIN K oils.
29
eve,-, an<i s,c,;c ;.';;; ';■" "r- ^" '""" '" "■"■"• ""«-
will, l.cr,,n.nn, 1: ,/;■''''• ''""" '■'•■I'^'I'U^^c.l by |,i„,
chiki by Thorn' ;r, ,•■';■«■■;'"'■ '"''^ '"■"' -f i-- i-st
Thomas a„,l Man-arct " ' '"""'' "'"^■"■' ''•"'"'■'"■ '"
possession of ;::jm 1 :^'i ',!'■;•'" ""• '^r -^ «-^'"'"«
won, .,„,, she was aepriv";i oft /^X;"' T', .'^,^'" '"'^ tain Baker was the fir^t P,.,., . . ^^^rexci. m ,;,f^^ (j.
b.aspho„,y, on the tiic^n^^.h;,;; "';';Vt"'''r«'^-''' ^"■-
coiirseof (WshavitKrin IT- '".^'- -^^1^1^' ^t'lno- a dis-
SuHt'ijt:::^^^:::!:^--™-'""---"
ffiiilty." The snni,. v,..Vn, . ""-' ■'"''>' "■•''» "Not
nest /ette,. f n». Mo s i ,^::;;: "ir .tt'^'' '■' '"'"»' '-""' -^■
had been her former conf, s^.M *"='"'"''"">' Pri«»t, who turn to Canada an^toThe to [l / ^^ '' ^OitT''- of eourse in French nnri ", -.^ ^i^Lucn. 1 lie letter being-
legible hand;. ::^„^:::^i:-^';f r ■^^■"-•'
order to get some person to an^er t ' i^ o de'r to ""'"' '" the priest of the folly of anv fnrth.,- ;,V . convince
The letter eame to the noH, / f attempts to eouvert her.
IHIIIMIilu.
aaPs^siWF
30 TKLIl': sroiUKS OK NKW KN(U.ANI) CAl' IIVKS.
whilst yon liad the happiness of makiiiji; one of the family of
Jesus, Maria, Joseph, Joailiini and Anne, and tha.. you, as well
as Madame Kohitail your mother, (whose confessor 1 liave become,
) were of the Nund)er of about I'wo llundretj Women of the best
fashion of Ville Marie, who then made up the mystical IJody of that holy Association. 1 own also that all our Members of the Seminary, as well as all Mount Keal, were edified with your Carriajj^e, you being so- ber.and living as a true Christian and jjood C!atholic having no remains of the unhap|)>' l-eaven of the irreligion .ind errors of the I'aiglish out of which M. Meriel had brought you as well as your Mother, taking you out of the deep darkness of Heresy to bring you into the Light
of the only true ("luirch and the only Spouse of Jesus Christ."
" 'I'he Catholic Chundi is the only mystical Ark of Noah in which Salvation is found. All liiose who are gone out of it, and will not return to it, will unhappily perish, not in a deluge of Waters, but ir. the I'Ueriial I'lames of the last Judgment Who has so far be- witched and blinilcd you as to make you leave the Light and Truth, to carry you amongst the English where there is nothing but Darkness and hTeligion?" The priest goes on to appeal to her conscience, and to her love for her chiklren in ('anada, as incentives to her re- turn. " Dear Christine," he says, " poor stray Sheep, come back to your Heavenly Father," own yourself guilty to have for- saken the Lord, the only Spring of the healing Waters of (Jrace,to run
after private Cisterns which cannot give them to you hearken
to the stings of your Conscience Read the two Letters I send
you concerningthe happy and Christian Death of your Daughter;
weigh with care the i)articular Circumstances by which she owns herself infinitely indebted to the Mercy of (iod, and the watchful- ness of her Grandirother for having withstood her Voyage to New England, and not suffered her to follow you thither. Consider with what inward peace she received all her Sacraments and with what tranquility she Died in the Bosom of the Church. 1 had been her Confessor for many Years before her Marriage, and going to Quebec where she lived with her Husband peaceably and to the Edification of all the Town. Oh! happy Death! my dear Christine, would you Die like heras predestinated; come in all haste, and abjure your Apos-
CIIKISTINK OTJs.
31
Holy HuMd/w i ; ' ir:^: "",'.'" """ """-'•■'^"'«- ■n-^
Arn,s, as ,vdl .s Mr' . u f ,^':"; ;"'"" "^r'™ ^"" " '"' ""- not want I!r,iad here ■„„ "' >"""■ """'"• V"" "I'^^H
r.n,i i.>, so,„e in .;,::.:::;:;;:;'"';:;;''■;- '•••'"<'. - s„a,,
any, a,„, „aCh a Tnuie, „o shall ;,,. ;:V'"';:;" l'"*^
await your answer to my letter and S /.•''' ^
yours in Jesus and Marie ' '''" '''""'•'^''"^' ^'■^^'■'•''■ly
iV^t of tl. Seminary at ViHe-Marie. you know n.e .::;::r' AtVdle-Mane, thesthofjune, ,727."
Gov. Burnet begins his reply as follows
1^ f r Boston, Jan. 8, 1728-0
MaJa,n..-l am very sensible of the Disadvanfi^es I III , •
not be.ng able to address myself to you unde 5 "'''' '"
as that whieh Mr. Segueuot'take to hi j L'Td'"?/ "^^
I)ut your eood sensp will ,.„, '"inseit. iiut I don't doubt
ing evpres^siol vhkirl '"" '"; '"'" «'""' "«'""« ""^h "»«<='■-
Arguments' -m '""'"""''y ^''^ "^^ "^ <"' -'"' "f Soo.l
'-'--'-et/^::;:r„ra.-:'rti:-:::::;::;i-
The Governor then proceeds with calmness to refute the
yg^ggi
B55P
32 IRIIK SIOKIKS OK NKW KXCl.AXI ) t'AI'l'l VKS.
le
1
priest's assertions and expose his speeious arguments. II shows Ciiristine how Christ j;-ives "visil)le marks" l)v whie his true followers may be known. "By tliis shall ye know that yc are my diseiples if ye have love one to another," "whieh," says (Governor Ihirnet, "ean never aj^'ree to a perse- entin^L;' ehnreh, as the Roman is." lie jioints her to Paul's deseription of false Christians in the ICpistle to Timothy, "Of this sort are the\' whieh ereep into houses and k>ad ea[)- tive silly women ; " and asks, "Would not anybody sav that the Apostle points direetly to those '' )nfess()rs who ])retend to direet the Conseienees of the Ig-norant and ehielly of Wom- en in the Church of Rome? "
Alludinj^ to the priest's oJfer of lands and work to Captain IJaker, the (iovernor says, "It is hoped that Mr. Seoiienot does this out of i<^noranee. Hut for Persons that know what it is to live in a free Country, to "^d and throw themselves headlon<>; into the Clutches of an absolute (lovernment, it can- not be ima^^'ined that they can do such a thin_i;-, unless they have lost their Senses." lie concludes by tellinj;- her to send this letter to Can;ida and let it be answered, that she may see both sides, and "I'ix on what is l)est for the salvation of your soul and the Happiness of your Life, which is the hearty de- sire, Madam of your unknown but humble servant." The (lovernor's letter, which was in French, to<^ether with that of the priest, was afterwards translated and printed in Bos- ton.
Pjy the sale of their lU'ookiield property to a speculator in 1732, Captain Baker and his wife became impoveris':. 1. They lived for awhile at Mendon, Mass., where we (ind Chris- tine connected with the church, — and were for a short time at Newport, R. 1., and finally removed to Dover, X. 11. In the latter part of the year 1734, Baker's health j^ave out en- tirely, and the next year his wife applied to the Legislature for leave to keep a tavern for the support of her family.
■VJl^HHIfJ^l?;^^-^^^ ■', **^""
'l",ii:^i^m^^ .,
(MklsriM.; oils.
33
■'-'t^i::;!::f;r;;:;.;:-,;;[f "■;-.-;' ;vas .a,H ,„ ,„ ,„.
'"'"'"y- A,K, „. . .,.,.',"" "; "";,''""»" -iKTsciti,,;, ..,„„
'-'-•■■'i™ ... s.. ,„',;: '"f ••'"'' »'- l-l " ve,-y ,;.,,t
'I«^ i.a..anl and UaiJ, ,1" ';'"■, ""^-■. »"'■ '!'<' -"I.r.atc
I'" l"ss« arc irchl,!,.., „„'■'' '",' ' '" "" '" '"'" ' -' 'I''-'
"f .'.-i,l.,-al,k: part ,f ,. v 'i ^ 'f ""»■""« I" i' : Her,,,,,,. „,.. ,,„s
-y i" ou,a„a. a„„ u ,;*',, ' T"!' r'Tr '" '"■■■ ''-' '""■-
I'-tii iiiis ,,„„f,„.i ,i„^.^. 1,*^: • '•"- "f i'--- ch.i.i,-,,,. i-,i s.iii si,..
' "<- Ai,„i,.„tv ,;,„i. A, „':'"■'"■"" '^'" """^' "-"■'">■
' "'••''le her a present of Vo •'^^;';">'y .,f that (^ovcnuncnt
-eoryo.M>etitione,-(ex:U.-:';; :^;;:,''^;^^^^^^^
t" <1'> witi, it.) No,v your IVtifinn . "" ' '''^'■'"- anything-
'^"^ ^^ '<>t <'f land and 1 ui - I 7 ''". '"''^ ^"^ '^•■^^'' ''-' "as
'><'vcr Meeting. Il.n.se tCo 7 "" '''' "^"^'-^ '^'^'-^'^ f--
ellers, .Vc" ' '''^'"'^ '^*"- ''a.tcrtainn.cnt of Trav-
34
TUUK^K,,, ,„.. „,„ ,^,^,^^._^ ^,^^,__^^^^^
applied to the Courts for a licence ^'^^^ '^'^f ^^ ^roval, had pohtieal reasons, refused it to her " ,n^ ' ^" ^^"'' ^'''^''^'^y f"^' the former inn-keeper. ' ^^ '^^"^^^^ ^^^ license to
The Legislature on hearincr pi..- .• .
ment at Dover^for many ;eat' Hi! 'l"' f""f °' »'-'-- lethargy" at Roxbury in lyT'u:, ^"'^'""^ '^^"'^ «f "the
there. Her mother. Madame R^i! °?, '' T"" '° '^'""'= »»«"« age of ninety, being beSe^th T f' ^""^ '" ^'•'"="^='»' ">«
Christine or Margaret OtLl 1 ^"''"•'^ "^ •>«■• ««• on Feb. .,3, ,7,3, leav ngalLe n , ""'^ ^'' ^^"'^"1 «« her obituary, ■..•; good^reputfti, „ T"'^' "'""' "^«'>" '^''J- try, prudence and eeonomy Seb ^"^ " P"""" "' '""<«- much patience, and met death wUhrimnlfi"''' """" """
MMaiMiiai
in^HMimiMv^MHwvMBW*
m V' wniiiin t»m
ESTHER WHEELWRIGHT.
In the first part of the decade immediately preceding the landing of the Pilgrims, two lads from the middle class of society, entered Sydney College at the University of Cam- bridge. Of these, the elder, John Wheelwright, was born on the Lincolnshire fens, not far from old Boston. His fellow student, Oliver Cromwell, first saw the light at Huntingdon.
While we have no record that either of these youths dis- tinguished himself in his college studies, we have no scant testimony to the excellence of both in athletic sports. Cot- ton Mather says, that he had heard that "when Wheelwright was a young spark at the University, he was noted for a more than ordinary stroke at wrestling." Cromwell's biographer declares, that at Cambridge he was far "more famous for football, cudgelling and wrestling than for study."
Judge Bell, in his memoir of Wheelwright, quotes the Lord Protector himself, as being reported to have said, "I remem- ber the time when I was more afraid of meeting Wheelwright at football, than I have been since of meeting an army in the field, for I was infallibly sure of being tripped up by him."
It was hardly to be expected that these pugnacious young athletes would have no convictions, or would prudently re- frain from expressing their sentiments on subjects, that were at that time rending the political and religious world. As vicar of th'^ little hamlet of Bilsby in Lincolnshire, John
■itCimii»Mimt»nm
3rt
™"^":':^!!i:::--vK.„,.„,,„„,,,^^^
Wheel wrio-ht hemm^ " — ~""^ — —
;•'">• follow..! „,a„y of Z: r "' "5,33. VVheehvrifflu „at.,r
was warmly welcomed by iis w ?''', 'T '"■ "^^^ Here1,e mson.and by Re^. Toh,w!'7"^''f'"-"">er, William Hntch
.Soon admitted to the cb„r,i, ■ „ "'''" ''^'ened. P"ritan divine beea me ^th , /" ''°''°"' "'^ '^"'■''■•"t yo„„„ n.a„y wi.shed bim to be' t i^ /:;:;^'';-;'h '1- peopl^ Z Cotton as second teacher of be ch, f"' ^'■'■'"" ""d Mr, favored the plan, but Wilson all '■'''?, '" ^°''""- Cotton ''« .ground that ^Vheelwri ht to a o .' '^^ "P"'''''' '^' »" '«l'S.ous opinions of his sifter Us'" "•"'""'■ ^''■•'■•«I 'he was therefore .Iceided that Wh ' ' f "™ """-'hinson. l° of a new ehnrch to be gatheJerb "';'^''' "''°"''' "'■'™ '^har./e
I'>om this time on u ' ,' ?'■" '" ""'^ Ouincy.^ '^
wagred fiercely. i„ Ma'rc .s^ Toh w,*"""'''" controversy
'" ^■;'™«« Fast Day Ser„,n [iV"t,T'f""'"^""P^'='-'^'''ed
he General Court, i, answ" ' t " V"','" '"'' arraig„„,ent by
,7"'empt. In t,,g .j,,,. ^^' the charge of sedition and
that he had not forgotten ,"'""' ^^'''■'-'='w.-ight showed at wrestling, ■■ f„,, „,r,^,;-''« more than ordinary ,.rol^f
At length the .Synod assemw V '''''" ''""""■•<•
'«!7, declared, that ei. htT wo '■" Newtown,' A„g„«t ,o
pant, and making sad h vo, "'"''" "' '^'"^^""'^ we?e ram
was theviewhaltx, fo ;^'"""?/"-= P»ritan flocks, '^^
° -t about bunting do ™ t 'he,:,'"''':' ^'""■■' ^^ waiti g
they were in at the death ""■'' "'"'ves,--and so.n,
In November, Wheelwright w-s ,1 r . S'o- o, s,„,„ .„ „,,,,, -- M-y ..mchi„,„„. „, „,^, ,^„^ ^^^^ ^^^
Hra.n.recorMi, W„llas,„„, ■'Cambridge.
'**9Vpn^ff^MtolbSSliAn9i&^te«{
icy^y-..-
KSTliEk WHEKLWRIciiT
37
he .sh„„kl not preach a^,t;„.,- '■"'''"' '"■'""""""■ "'at
Wheelwriglu gave a s^t^n'^j^fj;'" ^''y '" ^'---'husetts, It was a bitter winter. Bevonrl fl„. Ar •
his Ma.s,,ael„,sett.s' friend, [tiT '","" ^'"""' "^^ ■'^'^™"> "f cleared, a cl„,rej, g„t ,",ed ^J"""^'"!"''- '"'I'^' '•" ' ™.s ment agreed upon ^^ and all ''""''■"■""« f'"' -elf ern-
elaim of Ma.ssaeh„s;ttTto Z T P'-"«Perou.s, when the
'he desire of some of the F,'S"'" '"'''' ^'^'--^tac.na, "and jurisdiction of the Bay Cnl™,, 'T'' ' '° """° "'«'«■• 'he Wright and his iloek iJselt? 'ew hoinl •'."'"'"-" "" ^^"-"-
In 1 64 1, some of the FvPtr.,- .. from Thomas G„ro-es„eoh,"T^?''?'"'°" S"' Permission Governor of the ptvinee oTsf , "' f «'■'""•■>"''. and Deputy
'-en the Offtu^qL Td^K nte ^nk Rr"''V'^ ''-""^ ''- e.Sht tniles inland, and two -ears later "1?' rT ""■' '"'• wnght, minister of Gods word ^L \f ' ^^"^ J"'"' Wheol- lute power, to sett forth "1'^?'"' """»""'«'l ^I^-^"- that shall come to inhabU ' °' """''" ""'° '''"y "an
bo^frxn^ihi iroi"' T' ^^^°"^' ^'-- -«
a pioneer in two'frontter^trretnr 1:':^;:;?/™"^^- ^'^
"The Combination."
38
TRUE SroKIES OF NKW ENCJLANI) CAPTIVES.
our Puritan preacher must have stood him in good stead. The historian of Wells, in speakin<^ of the connection of the Rev. John Wheelwrij^ht with that town adds, " He left sons whose enert^ies were instrumental in buildin<^ it up, and giv- ing it an iniluential position in the public councils; — men whose services were of immense benefit in those early days, when souls were exposed to the most severe tests of a true citizenship."
Samuel, son of the Reverend John Wheelwright, filled successively all offices of trust in the gift of his townsmen.
"In 1677 he was the representative of York and Wells. In 1 68 1 he was one of the Provincial Council, and later he became Judge of Probate and of the Court of Common Pleas."
Picture the Wells of two hundred years ago. On a plateau, perhaps a mile back from the ocean, a narrow clearing, bounded on three sides by a vast and gloomy wilderness. A stony highway following the trend of the ridge. On one side of the road, a row of houses scattered far apart. Opposite, the rocky slopes descending, subdued by incessant toil, bear a scanty harvest of maize. Below, wide reaches of marsh, threaded by winding creeks, the haunt of countless wild fowl. The desert beach, and the sullen sea beyond. To York, the nearest settlement, a day's journey by the shore if the tide was right ; if not, by any way that a man or horse could take.
With few exception.s, if we may credit its historian, the people of Wells, up to about the year 1700, were poor, — materially, in< Uectually and morally. Their houses were mostly of logs, daubed with clay. They had few personal comforts or conveniences. Their beds were of the cat-tail rushes, which they gathered from the marsh. Knives and forks, teacups and saucers, silver spoons, chairs, carpets and looking glasses, were luxuries almost unknown. Their food
KSTIIKR \VIII.:KL\VRrGIiT.
was of the simr)lr>«f tt,^ i i ^ ~ ■
tea nor coffee 'S^n .llZ^^iT''^'' "° """-' -" "" tne chief of ,hei,. diet Th, , "' '^"^ ''""''' '•''-"*. were WcILs i.s thus descril^ed bvtl^c , "' "'" "^''=«' ■"'•>" «
■•« also ti^c .sitting room and par :™ l''^'''"- '"^""^ '^'"^hen cover a table, a pewter potrha„„er = "m'lf """""^ ^'^ '"- Pini? pan and a skillet No cr„7.r I- ° ™°'''''"'' ■'' drip-
knives, forks, nor spoons -..t'?' " ""' ^'''' ""«• N" contains two other L^; i eaeht"V","""- '''"' ''™«'-' et and a chest." "'' "^ "^''''d' >s a bed, a blank-
si ™lt:: b::wtr r a!i"ofi ''"'f^-">' ■■'■^ -»e, and
not wonder at this eo, dit?„„ „ ,T "'"' V'™'/-' We can- that the labors of the ne 1^" ^T' *'"'" "« '"emember dian attacks. Rath r ,^t Ts .dmb- " h™ '"'-™P'«1 by I„. and nndauntcd eonra-re JtV ,? "-' """•■'Srginif energy
-' danger, they ste^Sfls^y ^n'to therrt"" °' ''""■*'P
and Ignorant they mav havV. hi" " territory. Poor
rality according to'^.,S.'Xd'^^™,r"°'".f ""^ '''s'^''^' -"O" brave settlers fro™ th tr / o„tier p'r^p""" ""^ "'^- I.ves were in jeopardy. Ao-afn If ■ ™''>' '"'"'• ""eir devastated, their Louses btS '?■'*■'''"" '"*='■• fie'ds were or carried into captivUy b t not 1 ' ""'''^^°'' """^'"=^ed ment wholly deserted """''^ ^^'^ "^e little settle-
From 1688 to the peace of Rvswi,.l- r.r ■, provoked and unjust liable attacks ' ^P '^ "^""'^ "^ "n-
tier, by the French, undo the „T '""^' "P°" "" f™n- Eastern Indians, from encroa.^,/ i f "^ Protecting the divert the Aben^qui., to prevem'irr , ' ""^ ''"«"■* T"
A hook on which to hang a pot
mmmmmmmmmmmm
40 TRUE STORIKS OK NEW ENCI.AND CAl'lIVKS.
the English with proffers of friendship, to keep the luiglish to the west of the Piscataqua, and thereby to seeure Maine as a part of Acadia, was the motive of these attacks. The instructions to Villebon on his appointment as Governor of Acadia, were to make the Abenaquis live by war against the English, and himself to set them a laudable example.
Admit that the blow struck at Pemaquid' in 1689, and at Casco' in 1690, were the legitimate fruit of the pillage at Pcn- tagoet' in 1688, — no such justification can be offered for the butcheries at Kittery, Berwick, York and Oyster River.'
In this border warfare, religious fanaticism was the strong- est weapon of the French. If the Abenaki chieftain flagged, and seemed willing to listen to overtures of peace from the English, the exhortations of the mission priests of the Ken- nebeck and Penobscot, fanned the liame of war afresh. The scene at Father Thury's mission on the departure of these war parties was one of great religious excitement."' The warriors crowded the chapel, seeking confession and absolu- tion, as if going to certain death, and when these savage cru- saders, hideous in fresh war paint, set out from the mission, headed by their priest, their women and children threw themselves upon their knees before the altar, and relieving each other by detachments, counted their beads continually from daybreak till nightfall, beseeching Jesus, the vSaints and the Blessed Virgin, for protection and victory in the holy war. The infant towns of Eastern New I^^ngland received a baptism of blood at the hands of the Abenaki converts, which was sanctioned and encouraged by their mission priests.
'Fort at moiiili of the Kennebec.
'■^Portland.
■'Castine.
■•Durham.
'See Relation du Combat de Caribas par M. Thury, Missionaire, 1689. Vol. I, Doc. pub. a Quebec, p. 478.
M>«MMIHWM«||*H>M»
KSTiiKR \viiKi:i.\vRi(;iri\ 41
The French archives contain abundant authority for these statements, in the correspondence of those concerned, in the instructions of the government, and in the reports of oflicials.
We of to-day are not responsible for the unpleasant facts of history. They must be met without excuse or denial, without prejudice or passion. The evidence that the mission priests of the Abenakis were active proin(jters of the strife can no more be refuted, than the testimony again.st the Puritan ministry for their part in the persecution of the Quakers, and the horrors of the Witchcraft delusion.'
The names of the Fathers Thury and Bigot are as truly and painfully connected with the tragedies of Pemaquid and Oyster River, as those of Cotton Matlier and Pastor Wilson with the whipping, mutilating and killing of Quakers, and the hanging of witches. It was an age of intolerance. We may not judge the past by the standards of the present.
During the period 1 have mentioned, Maine had passed under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, but though every English settlement to the east of Wells had been laid waste, (the survivors fleeing to Wells for refuge,) the authorities at Boston seem to have shown an indifference to the needs of that place. There were, however, valiant men in Wells, keenly alive to the perils of the hour, and ever on the alert to save the town, and defend the province. Conspicuous among them were Lieut. Joseph vStorer and Capt. John Wheelwright. In the annals of New L^ngland there are no nobler names.
John Wheelwright was the son of Samuel, and grandson of the pugilistic Puritan, Rev. John Wheelwright. By his prudence, his energy, his fidelity, his bravery and his pat-
'The archives also contain letters from Acadian officials, censuring and asking for the removal of certain priests, "do nothings," who took no part in the war, but attended strictly to their religious duties and were therefore sus- pected of favoring the English.
42
TRUli STOKIKS OF NKW KNGLAND CAI'TIVKS.
riotism, he earned the distinction, of beinj^ "the bulwark of Massaehusetts for defence against Indian assaults."'
Letters abound in our archives, sisj^ned b)' Storer and Wheelwrii^ht, and other faithful sentinels on this outpost, entreating' that they may not be left to perish, but that sol- diers and ammunition may be sent to their relief, with money and provisi(Mi for their support.
By their foresight, some houses were palisaded, and vStorer and others built garrison houses as early as 16.S9. As these garrison houses are a feature fast disappearing from the face of New England, I may be pardoned for describing them. They were two stories in height, the upper story projecting a foot or two beyond the lower, small port holes being some- times made in the floor of the projection, through which those within might fire down, or pour boiling water upon rin enemy attempting to force an entrance through the door or win- dows below. There were also portholes in other parts of the house. Other garrison houses were built of hewn timbers, eight or ten inches square, laid horizontally, one over the other. The do(jrs were of heavy plank, and often there were port holes for windows. Some of these houses had Hankers, or watch towers, at two diagonal corners, from which one could see every part of the building. The principal garrison houses of the town were palisaded, and like the so-called "Old Indian House" in Deerfield, served as a refuge for the neigh- bors in any alarm; — and as quarters for the soldiers, sent for their protection. vStorer's was the largest garrison house in Wells. For his heroic defence of vStorer's house in 1692, Captain Convers was made Commander-in-Chief of all the forces in Maine.
In the midst of these troubh)Us times, in the very year of the building of vStorer's fort, John Wheelwright married Mary Snell and took her home to the little one story house,
'Maine was bought by Massachusetts in his time.
•'-•■STHKK WlIEKI.WRlciiT
43
•short d„rati.,„. By l!^^""''^y ''' """■''■• 1"" P«.ce was „f his irrandson i„ ,;oo ah^ ^'h, "T 'Y""' "' ■^■'■™' f- Jf^Scmcnt made to \Vil|i.im of FnT-' , '^ "'" ""''^""> <••"- "f Partition. His sub ",'"",, r.'';' '" ""' '"" '''--''-- the Pretender, as l<inj. ,' '.■" ,,m '"' " "' -'•""^" ''•''-••"■''. of the treaty of Ry^^^^ ''"»'"•'"''• «»■•< ••' «ross infri„ge„,e„t
'"^"^'"^oy^lTu^^Zi":^!;'' ',^""<'y ■•^■'"■•"ed to H„.s.
■■'fter Lisarrival, he wa t™ ,;,,•. '^'^ "'"'"" '•^" "■•'>•«
ration of war against Franco F "' ''•'"«^'''"<l-s <Ieefa.
Imlians at the Eastward he wiih ■"'"'*'' "'""''^'' ^'""^ the "nee to Pemaqnid,. a, Veoe ed '? ''" 'V" '"^■"''■''' «"■■"' •''t •■egion, promisis,, peace SaHr.'"" "" •^■•"••''-"» "f ti>at roturned to c,.,<..atuVate the G ""ra c \""^ T"''"^'''^- •"-' h>« journey, and to reiterate 1 i , , "" "''•' ''^"'-•'-■'-'^s "f
of/he fort at Pemaqui'ir ""•■""' ^™- "''•' --estoration
J- nc follovvino" f>vf"'i f ^ to the Governor, dated A™;" ^':"'•■''°f J""" Wheelwri,.ht ■'^Id no faith in the wordfclrti:; '4°; .t"^ '"•^' "'^ '"™"
<'.-ea. I.ro,„is „f P„,„ J„„ f^>^' ,^; ; ""'I "e English nation, „,t,I n>ay»tand with theire owr e « \ h T ''■"'"'»« -"""K as it "o onger, their teachers ; .,s "' b^' h ^ "'"' '"»>' '"^--'l'. ■'•"I he kept with Heretielcs, sucl ™ | 5 ''^ "■'■" "'"•'' *» "» faith to alsoheingnatundeydeseatf,,, ""=>', ^'^"""'"s to he, the„,»clves °f tl«T horahie deseatfulness in the I « r""^ "^-^P^ience,! .o mutch ;At .he „„„,h „, „, ^^„^^^^^ ^;;;^ ''»•=' war, upon many treaties of
This was a sorf nf "/■' .1
tne debatable ground of Acadia.
44
TKUK SIOKIKS ()!• NKW LNCLAM) CAl'llVES.
Peace, so lliat 1 caiiiiol but apprehend ourselves tliat live in tliese re- mote parts of tlie countrey, and bcinj^' frontires, to lie in (ireat Han- ger, and ronsiderinj;' that war was rroclainied with the Kreiuli
who may send out an army aj^ainst us this town he-
injj; tlic nearest to the I''.nemy. our Iniiabitants doth therefore I'ray, that your Mxt:eleni;y wouhl assist us witii sum men twenty or tiiirtie, or so many as your Kxcelleney in Wis(h)m may lliini< fit."
Wheel ,vri<j^ht g;t)es()n to risk for the "Liberty of a (iarrisoii I house I Infonnin^' your I'^xeelleney that if I niiist remove into the middle of the town, I mtist leave that Little I^^state I have to tiiaintain my Family with, and Carey a larj^e Family where I have but little to maintain them withall."
vSix or seven of their eleven ehildren had already been born to John Wheelwright and Mary Snell, and the little one story house at the Town's End, being in an exposed and isolated situation, and now too small for his inereasint.'" family, Wheel- writ^ht asked the eonsent and help of the government to build a substantial garrison house, not only for the safety of his own family, but as a refuge in ease of attack, for his nearest neighbors.
vStorer and Wheelwright, being the leading men of the town, were licensed as retailers of beer and strong liqu(jrs, and their houses served as ordinaries or taverns for the pubb'c. "In those days," sighs the historian of Wells, "public houses were not always ntirseries of virtue." It is a hint of the mor- als of the times, that both Storer and Wheelwright were "in- dicted for keeping Keel '^i''d bowls at their houses contrary to law."' Perhaps th' lary was not an unmixed evil.
Ministers and jud' . up here, in their journeys from
place to place, bi g the latest news from other parts.
Courts were held hcie. Here the town officers met to delib- erate, and the men of the village gathered here for social chat and pastime. Commissioners, referees and executors
'" Keels and bowls," old English for nine-pins and balls.
ESTIIKK WIlKKI.WkKill r. 45
met in the "foreroom" of the ordinary, to lay out roads, deeide disputes, and settle estates. Rum was a necessity of life in those days, and the Hip and toddy, mixed by John Wheel- \vrij4ht oti sueh occasions, was scored a^'ainst the town, the man, or the estate, whose business was there transacted. To the l)oys, who had neither books, nt)r ^ames, nor school, the ordinary was aniusinj^, and I have not a doubt, that lilile ICsther Wheelwriy^ht stole away now and then from her busy mother, to look on at the ^ames. We may fancy her with her closely cropped head, her I'uritan cap and homespun frock, clappinj^ her baby hands and shoutinj^f in glee at a ten strike with the bowls and keels, made by S(Mne j^aunt frontiersman.
Early in June, 1703,' Dudley was notified by the (lovernor of New York,^ that the French and Indians were preparinj^ ' 3r an attack on I3eerfield. Whereupon Dudley invited the Abenaqui sachems to a conference at Casco. Thither he re- paired with a splendid retinue on the 20th of June, and there to meet him, came all the famous sachems of the time. For the Norridge weeks there was that loup ijarou Ilopehood, ex- celling all other savages in eruelt ;, — and Moxus the brag- gart, and Adiawando, for the Penr icooks, and Wattanummon, for the Pequawkets, and Bomazeen, the crafty, for the Kenne- becks, and Wanungunt, for the Penobscots. The Governor tells them that commissioned by his victorious Oueen, he has come as to friends and brothers, to reconcile all differences since the last treaty. After a solemn pause, their Interpret- er replies:
'■"Brother, — the clouds fly and darken, 3'et we still sing the songs of peace. As high as the sua is above the earth, so far are our thoughts from war, or from making the least breach between us."
'Dudley's 2nd trip 10 the Eastward.
''Lord Cornbury, a cousin of Queen Anne. Palfrey Hist. N. E. Vol. IV, says that Lord Cornbury kept a spy at Albany to hear the talk of the Six Nations.
■HSHH!™™^^^^HMi
46 TRUE S'l'CJKIKS OF NEW ENGLAND CAITIVES.
After an interchange of gifts, both parties cast more stones on the mounds heaped up at a former treaty and called the Two Brothers, to signify fraternal love existing between the English and Abenakis. At this memorable council. Captain Samuel, a savage of great renown, who was most officious in trying to lull the fsars of the English, said:' "Several mis- sionaries have come among us, sent by the French Fryars to break the peace between the English and us, yet their words have made no impression on us. We are as firm as the moun- tains and will so continue as long as the sun and moon en- dure."
Parti; »'t)lleys were fired on both sides, and Dudley re- tired, believing that present danger was averted from Deer- field and the whole frontier. His satisfaction with this re- markable love feast, must have been somewhat lessened by the presence of Mesambowit and Wexar for the Andros- eoggins, who thcnigh "seemingly affable and kind, came with two hundred and fifty men in sixty five canoos, well armed and gaudily painted," — by the late arrival of Wattanummon, who purposely lingered, as was afterwards said, expecting a re enforcement of two hundred French and Indians, with whom they were to fall upon the liinglish, — and by the dis- covery at the parting salute, that the guns of the savages were charged with ball.
Not two months had passed since the treaty of Casco, when one midsummer day, six or seven bands of French and Indians fell upon the scattered settlements. Charlevoix says calmly,'- "They committed some trifling ravages, and killed about three hundred men, but the essential point was to en- gage the Abenakis, in such a manner, that to retract would be impossible."
'Drake, Fiook of the Indians, Vol. IF. p. 125. •Charlevoix, NouvcUc France, Vol. II, p. 28().
■Wta
■'''*'**»''^*'«»^M*-.^ ^,
Hampton," sa,.s th» .'t., . *:'^f'-'" ""-''■e attacked. -
47
Hampton," saj-s" 'ti;;:7i;,;„;:;e, V;-^,";";' -•-'■■o attacked/ "It"
that wa.s attendinjr her ^nc ,n ^ > P.f ''■'='""8 the misery -aided one of thc^n t' de^t. 'f "L °'''"''' ""■'» "" '"- «- the second time. Her hu^,?,; , *^ , ''' '''^''"«'' '■''•'Ptive for his second e.xpeditio to C 'j 'T'Tr''"-^'^'" "'-''^«". ™ James Adams of VVells Zrettjf T"'' '"'"'''''y »d redeemed on that expeditkm '' '"'''•^-f""^ ^'"P'ives
atl^eerfieldinthets; ' T,nf '■"'',-■ r'""' ^'"'^- -> ' '°V4 the captives of both twn- ,^ "^ ' "'" ""'^'^"^ ">« "vcs of
Wells. havin<, sneces ,11 "■'"' '''■"-''' ""'"■•
eame the specia! o^^r:^^^'^ "^'^ '^:^-^"" "^ -^-'. be- at that t„„e, Cotton Mather sits- tV ^'"""l>''tin{f victory S0.1.S and plun.ler. s' : ; * ''■'^' '"" '" '""'"»!? Pe.^
■'"> one, and his wife be nrll of f ""'=■"'''" »""»ld serve such Air. Whcelwrijfht, instc^a ui bdn "r '" ","" " '^l"-''' '••"d now hs. was to be the servant of ^, '""■"'^ Counsellor he
•''W';eeiwr.,..was„ri;\;v::;;rrr-'' '^''--'"-
■-rnLr:itr::'',;^-:;,:;: :^:"" - -'-^ 0.... on the l^^o.ior.1 " ' '^°-^' ^"^^^^^ ^" the capture or death of
•'Kennehiinkport.
"F":»lm()uth.
■"Portland.
^Penhallovv, India,, wars
48
TKUIC sroRIKS OF NKW ENGLAND CAP TIVKS.
thirty-nine of the inhabitants. Whecl\vri<jfht's house being at the eastern end of the villag'e, was probably one of the first attaeked. His little daug'hter Esther, then seven years old, was eaptured. The intrepid St(jrer was also bereft. His daughter jSIary, aged eighteen, was among the eaptives. One longs to know what fc^llowed. Was there pursuit ? Whither were the captives hurried, and how did it fare with them on the retreat ? Aias ! no echo from the past replies. We may assume that Mary Storer and Esther Wheelwright were kind- ly treated by their savage eaptors, who knew the value of their prize, and doubtless expected a large sum for the ran- som of the two girls.
In gloom and despair, the meagre liarvest was gathered that autumn by the survivors at Wells. Drearily the winter settled dw,, n, — joylessly came planting time again, and a sec- ond harvest was garnered, before the veil of silence and sus- pense, that hung over the fate of the captives was lifted. Then came a letter from Samuel Hill, dated Canada, Oct. 4, 1704, with assurances of the safety of his family, and that of his brother Ebenezer. Meantime Deerfield had been sacked, and in the December, following Hill's letter. Ensign vSheldon of that town set out for Canada. The hearts of all the New England eaptives there were cheered by the news of his ar- rival. On the 29th of March, 1705, while in QueDec, he re- ceived from his son's wife, Hannah Chapin of vSpringfield, then a captive in Montreal, a letter enclosing the following,' from James Adams, a Wells captive :
"1 pray glue my Kind loue to Landlord Sheldeii, and tel Him ihat i am sorry for all his los. 1 doe, in these few lins showe youe, that god has shone yo grat Kindness and marcy. In carrying youre Daigliter Hanna and Mary in partif'--eler, through so grat a jorney far beiend my expectation, noing How Lame they was ; the Rest of yore children are with the Indians, — Rememberrance Hues near ca-
'Now in Memorial Hall, Deerfield.
ESTHKR WlIEEIAVKr,;in- . , ^^ — ^J 49
y<- „.... ... ;:;:;,.; ,r:,:;;^ -^ »•«> ;!<« „■ ,„„ .., „,„
Shortly after this „n n, ""' ^'■'"" "« "'<'^'"«»-"
«-'->Hi„,™,:^„,™^;-;^^" April. „os, the eaptivo
De Vaudrei,ir.s reply to Di w", "™' ""' ^ 'te'Treter with prisoners, vvhieh pmpo °,I lo ?7c, ^'i?"'"'^ ""■ '-■■'^^■liange of -I.-;. Hin visited his'fr^L/sW,f'™i ','"' ^■"■■'■-" '"Can- and was probaljly the btnr r nf ^ ^/'"'''°" ""■'' '•'■nl«'^«y brother Ebenezer: "'^ ""•■ f""""'''"S- I'-'tter fro,n his^
Cousin I'cullet,,,, Flctdicr „f « ., "*i"'^'"'-'; March ,,0,
-gi-r, a,„, M.., St™. 'oM^:;;: ^,;7«'^^-.'>rotherJ.,L;„, -Sl.-rs here, are .1, „,!!. My e ', ';"'' "'""■ f™""» -ul
""' '""> -">■ ^«p. a,K, i„ u„,. t't;,:;/;:';,!'^""'' "' ""■ '■">■
Vour loving brotlier and sister Never was tlie sea so bl,„. ''''"^^-^'^ -nd An,,;,, h,,,,,."
gaily to the shore.^ever w;7tr"; "'" '"'-■ — ^ 'eap so ■"Oft. or the scent of the pi„T , " "'^' "" ^'"-^ "■■ 'he air so hat letter sp.-ead fro,^ dooTto 1'"'';'^"'"" "''^ »^-» °f ;o years they had mou^^j th^i^ In' , ^''''- '""' '"^'^'Y 'he glad tidi,.,^s eomes hat "c' .,?''-'^ '''^ '''-''■"I' ^-"e,,
Sayer and brother ToseDh's , ' ^^•'''^''' ■''"d Mary
"'her friends and neioll s'^f' ' ;'"" ''""'y «"'- -'<!
Joy.nStorersgarrisoI I , Whee^"'""' ' "'" ""-'"■" '^" -•''•^ revived,andyearnin..,no,-e , '"•'^'^ "='"«• "ot joy. but hope 'o fi»d and rescue E^tr,' if ^^'•''■"''^ '■-<"- -"-n^'hened:
tint where was Esthe,-> Pi ' 1 , Adants were i,.,ora„t o ' he ^^ie'' f ! ?'"' ••""' J"^'"- ^lude the sharp eyes of To ,! Sh, iT " ''°'' "'<' ">■« '-'hild De Vaudreuil? "' '" Sheldon, and the vigilance of
'Quebec.
mmssmmsassssssssmmmB^mBmsmmm
50 TRUK SroRlKS OF NEW KNtJLAND CAl'TlVi^S,
Far away in the depths of the forest, to the head waters of the Kennebee, the Abenaki wolf had swiftly fled with the bleatint^ lamb thus snatehed from the fold. There, in one of the Abenaki villa<^es of Father Bigot's mission, Esther lived in the wigwam of her tawny master, an object of wonder to Lis children, of jealousy, perhaps, to his fiei-ce squaw.
The days lengthen into weeks, — the weeks to months, and these to years,' when one day as he is making his arduous round from village to village, baptizing, catechizing, confess- ing his converts. Father Bigot sees a little girl, whose pale face, shrinking manners and tattered garments, show her to be of different race from the bold, dusky, naked rabble around her. He calls her to him. He speaks to her, perhaps, an English word. She does not answer. She has lost her childhood's speech. He sends for her savage master, and learns that she is Wheelwright's child. "The l*2nglish rose is drooping," says the priest, "the forest life is too hard for her." He will "transplant her to Canada, where she will thrive better under the nurture of the gentle nuns." "The little white flower must not be plucked up," says the Indian, "let her grow up among the pine trees, to deck by and by, the wigwam of some young brave." On each return of the priest to the village, this discussion is renewed, but neither promise nor threat can move the sullen .savage.
The lot of the little captive is easier from that day. The Indian knows it is in the power of his Great Father the French (jovernor, to take the child from him, and he tries by kindness to win her to stay. The priest spares no pains to teach her, and the intelligent child quickly responds to his efforts. Soon she can say her crrz/o and her catechism in French, as well as in Abenaki. Only she finds it hard that even Father Bigot does not seem to understand her when she talks about her mother, and her brothers and sisters. And if
'Esther Wheelwright was six years with the savages.
KSTIIER WMUEI.WKIC/ItT,
She asks when her father will eom. r~, ~, " "
.-ingry and the priest frownr \r ?■ ''"' '"•■'' '""»ter is formed by Father HiJ7L "hi d i' "T '"^ ^'■'""'■'-''"' ■■« -" .n some way or othei- the news f 'T "^ """^ ^'"'•'. ■'•■"I
Wheelwrij;l„, long sinee g vj; „rb*t' "'""' '"'■" "'^">-- alive, i-'™" »P by her parents as dead, is
while on hrlaytfY;,,'rt^'""'- •'"■'''••''' ''""'^"'•■''l •>' Wells to Canada, arriWng at M^^lrf'"""-'' ''"" "'"''^'^ -1"'^^ after, he writes a.s follow"" "" "^^ ^rd of J,..„e. Lon
'"Dear and loviiur chilflr^,-, ,• .
-'ito„,,,.„,,„^:^:i''--^'<"^^^
*^f» 1 have liberty runted', '"*' f™"'» alt
aaJ to the governor, ,-ukI formy redel ". ''"' '" '">' '"'•■'"'^.
';l>e redee„,ed, hy two 1.Z 'ZZ::' '" ""'T''' ^^""
'"■'' anil I have been with the , "■'"' "'« «"S-
have promised, that if our gl e nor.v^lK"";" ''''^ "'-ning.and h^ redeemed, for the governo: h. "e '1 .^ ' ""' '"•■" "'= '"a" '»= chdd, and do looke for hin, , „ ' '" ''"''='='" >>'h':ilerites
Mo™, where , an,, and f Id ' :; "^^ "^^ '-» '^^ child to matter, that we n,ay eo.ne ho e befor " '" "" ""' ""<=< '"' ''- Albany, and 1 have all.o acquainted """"; "'' "= "■"'' -»- ^X same." acquainted our gofnear Dedly-' with the
Li«le''fie''w tife"" ^"""^'•'^ "="-' "'"- at the san,e titrte,
'--- "M:;irt!:,rv:ri:':r '^ -"• -'• -orar
ourr^r^ro:^-- ""-'-^' - ^-"•■'-"1 consearning
■B„„™.. „,. """"'■ '"' '^'^ '-^'^ase of Esther
'B»"r„,. History „, Well,, p. j^j, ^Governor Dudlej-.
ii
52 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENOLAND CAI'TIVES.
Wheelwrij^ht. After much trouble, Father Bigot succeeds in buyins^ the En<4lish rose from the AbencKjui sachem. In the autumn of 170S, he transplants her to Quebec, where she is kindly welcomed by the (lovernor and his wife, who re- ceived her into their own household. From the sqiuUor and rags of the wigwam on the Kennebec, to the luxury of the Chateau vSaint Louis, what a contrast! — What are the thoughts of the twelve years old girl? Have the five years of forest life blotted out her remembrance of the little house at the town's end at Wells? She has learned to love Pcre Bigot as her kindest friend and father. To priest and child alike, the parting must have been painful. Does she console herself with the belief that she is now to be restored to home and friends, or is she dazzled and pleased by her sur- roundings?
No effort seems to have been made by De Vaudreuil to re- store ILsther to her parents. Madame la Marquise, his wife, having received an appointment as assistant-governess to the royal children at the French Court, decides to place her eldest daughter, Louise, with Esther in the boarding school of the La'suline Convent.
"The 1 8th of January, 1709, says the Register of the Con- vent, "]\L'idamc la Marquise brought us a little English girl, as a pupil. vShe is to pay 40 ^67/.s-."'
The names of Louise de Vaudreuil and Esther Wheel- wright stand side by side on the list of pupils at the poisioii of the Ursu lines at yuebec. Thanks to Father Bigot, shortly after entering the school, Esther took her first communion "with angelic fervor." Beloved by the sisters, and happy in her convent home, Esther expressed a strong desire to be- come a nun. "But," says the annalist of the Ursulines, "the Marquis who considered himself pledged to restore her to her family, would not hear a word to this, and took her home
'About .$40 of our money.
mmmsx-^'i-ssesiiMaaasait
iSK
'^*'"*'^tPO.Wf:',.p,„,,„ „.,,^„,, ^^
DORfHHFF :v fg,)'
1
I
I
v^
J
.■fij
LA
1' ^'^
i;sTiii;k \viii;i;i,\VKi(;ii 1-. jj
with his (lan^^-hter to the fhiUcan.'- A political prisoner of
such importance, could not he permitted to imninre Iiersi-lf
in a convent, (iraceful, amiable, mi.desl, I'stlier won all
hearts at the chateau, as before at the convent, but her life-
for the next two years must have been restless and unhappy.
It was a time of much nej^otiation between the two o-,,vern-
ments, ccMieernin^r a <reneral exchano-e of prisoners. 1 )urinj>-
this business, Ivstheraccompanicd I )c X'audrcuil to Three Riv-
crsand Montreal. At Three Rivers she stayed with the Trsu-
lines, and at Montreal, in the cloisters of the llntel-Dicu.
On Saturday, Oct. 3, i;ii, while at Montreal, she was oo,].
mother at the baptism of iJorothce de Noyon, infant daiioh-
ter of Abijrail Slcbbins, a Deerlicld captive, and sioned her
name in a handsome handwritino- in the jxirish res^Hster, with
Father Meriel, and the son of the P)aron of Lonoucil.
Tn June, 1712, the French Oovcrnor proposed that our ca[)- tives be br()U<,dit from Canada into or near Dcerfield, and French prisoners sent home from thence. Two of the iMvnch in our hands, absohitely lefusinjr to return to Canada,' youno- vSamuel Williams'' set out from Deerfield with the others on the loth of July, returning; to Boston in vSeptember, with nine New I*2no-land captives.
The absence of Madame de Vaudrcuil in l':uro])e, making it inconvenient for the Governor to kee[) Esther with him at the the chateau, he yielded at last to her entreaties to be allowed to go back to her Ursuline mothers. Fostered by the atmos- phere of the convent, a religious exaltaticm took possession of her soul.— "One thought alone," says the annalist, "occupied her mind, — the preservation of her faith and the salvation of
'Esther Wiis thirteen in 1709, when she entered the pension, reniaininjr there till 1711.
'Cosset and Le Fevre.
■■'Lieut. Samuel Williams, then but twenty-three years old, a redeemed cap- tive and son of the Rev. John Williams of Deerfield.
.,.„......._.„_..: .._. ,..t-i^e—
54
''''^'"•; STOklKs OF VFW l.-v,., .
;>f "••';i.-- lii.... in .sen-, ;■„;'" ;;:/"^ «-""^' v.,.,-,. ,,,. j„ :
pcn.ses „r ii„, „,,,,,„i, "- '"•-■■'-'"1 "11 clL.fravinj. tlie cv
-.n.>,e„ to wiu,.ss 't,::: •,;:;-''"• - 'i.^- .mm^t,,,,; ::-
f'-'^'I'iiS and i-Iooucncc F, .V ''''"'"" Kl"win.r „,,■,,,
tst ic, t|„. „_,„„, ,,^ ,,,„^.i'; ;' '>"1'1 "K.," U>. ,,nc..s, .sl,„„..s "IJoar .sister,- ),e savs h, h ■"''•■ '■■^^'"' '"' !'<-•■■ lifo
^l-ill hold them. n,, , ^^^ His nVht h-mrl
;"• >- <"K. yo.M..;e,f -t,;,^ ^. t;',-"--;'-^ ->f <!"crs ,;,:;;;
f -om a sterile, and i„^.,,,to hn^.a '' ''^'''''">' '■■'■'"^Pl.-nUed 'h- »'avc of „„, ,,„ ,„ . f ', !;^;''«'--- y- would l,ave boon promise, u-lierc vou are .,1 V^ ^' '" '■" '■""' "f ^^ossimr .J '"f ^'LiULen of <■„;;,•'."' •"""" '" ™J»y the sweet freedt.n of
ft-om tho/aet that tl.eirlVot: ,'"?'' '■^ ^'"""^ ^"•^"^'e" ■''eek her, '"'""" '''' 'indegr.jom went .so far tj
sist't^'thffm;,?-;;!,';;;',,!';;"--. "a- yo„ .„t. ,„y ,,.„
•*-ut to open the doo „ .he U r"" ■'' '"'"'''' ^'•'■'"^"y i» Aha..,e„,s,-hut of the Mas.e , ^r' ""' "' =' i'->«'il„l Lord.s and King of Kinjfs t'V ■'^ '""f"«™^---'he Lord of >n tnumph. and if this trhtmnh s '''"'^ '""■ """> --^'"^ i» led °f the magnifieence of . m " ' "7: "' T" '" '"''^<= »°'hing
-°->o->e the ,e.isr;--;f --:;:---
t' I
I
l^^niMi WIIKMr.wn,,;,,.,.
";;'l'P.Ulms,|,c^.,.,,,,,,,.,,, ;^ '''^-H^^^ lie ,lc.|„V,.s
,"'■'" "."-l".'> r-C,s..,,.s, I ;, ':T,;"^";'"- --'K- n,,.,sle," '""> "I all u|,„ l,.,v, „„ cv «."',''' ''"y""'' "'<•■ ".nccn ■">• -ic.ar SLstc,..- „e ,';, J ' M;^: , ' -" ■- X"" and , „,,', ^•tancc.s ,n which he round 1 ,,■ ""-' '^"■■■■""■f.d circ„„,.
'" ••" IKT perils, Pnvati,,:; ;,■,;;;*■; "' I''-"™ '" iK-r that I'flcd and ,e,l 1,3. (,,, ,,,,„„, „;';"»-'"«-. «l.e had been up.
Alhulinj^- to hvv rcli ■( <;"ve,n„r-,; con,n,an,l. and";!^,',','. '"'"■'■' '>' ""'™'" '•" the f""!^'. «".spe„.se, anxi -ty . n ' t^f r,"' "','"«-'^''-- - full o^ nvocat.on: ■■Oh ,ny rJv. t.w', ,;;,',"■■ "V' '--'-^ i"to this
o t e .s„,.,„„.Ad adventures <,f a : „'""', '"' '"^"^bleonly f J hy care and wh,, seem. , , ^ ■" ""'""Ser, so vvcrthv iJKlst Thou seek her i, e ':'^""-:' '"'^'^'h tfreat thin/s^ »° Sfreat a tumult to ear vh^ ""''"' "^ "''•■'■''■•^y. and sttrn,, only .0 see her snatle^if™" ,■■'«■•■'>' '""^ '■"native an .nto this eountry, onlyt. " ,j ''?""-' , "-^t Tiu,u led lor' ever attain? Hast '/,,„„ ^^^^ '^^^ happiness she may only to make her re.nei it« i ""^ "'estimable nri.rf
-,--^-Vo„ea„„o;t;,:^^^'-~'^it.erly. No! ^."^ t'
"bstaeles are removed No Z ""' "'y"" «o<l. All
happiness. So lonjf as you v/^' '"''■•* '" ""= «'-->y "f ym"
yonrself, Providente , s^^, ::w';"' °' '" '^' '" '"'^I-o- - "f
y"".- father and ,„„ther ,„ , ' "•■'"""•''' 'en.lerness of
fi'-«f pursuit of ti,eir ehih,'™" '""'"' "-' -S-ness of tL?'
Now that the law m-il-,.. , - longer oppose th " i'lu h""" '" ^•°"'-'f' "-y -u ■on. and a eondition of 1° e wh^ , ?r' """^" °^ ^ ho'y rehV ^a«.se they know „ot i,s exceP , -^ disapprove, only bf
In April followin,, the T "•' "" "' '^anetity." ^ ''^"
'"<, tne Ireaty of ntr»,.i,f f^
y "I utreeht, Captain John
56
TRUE STORIES OE NEW ENCI.AND CAI' TI Vi:S.
Schuyler arrived in Canada as ambassador for a jveneral ex- chano;e of prisoners. Later in the year, Reverend John AVil- liams and Captain John vStoddard were in Canada on asimihir errand.
By all these envoys, a special demand was made for the re- lease of Eunice Williams, and doubtless for Wheel wrij^ht's daughter; and Esther received pressinj^ letters from her fam- ily urgino- her return. This is the first record of letters to Esther from her family, but her resolution to become a nun was unshaken by them. However, lest stron_i^er temptation should assail the youn*^ ncn'ice, and at her most urg-ent en- treaties, it was thought best to shortcm her term of probation, the circumstances being con.Mdered by all, sufficiently extra- ordinary to warrant this exception to their rules, — -the only one of the kind ever made by the Ursulines (;f Quebec. Whether the (xovernor wholly approved of this prcKX'cding, or whether in this instance, the state succumbed to the church, we have no means of knowing.
On the morning of the 12th t)f April, 1714, the Marc^uis do Vaudreuil with his brilliant suite, — the Piishopof Canada and the dignitaries of the church, in all the splendor of their priestly vestments, — with all the beauty and fashion of Que- bec, assembled in the church of the Ursulines, which was decorated as if for the grandest festival. There h^sther Wheelwright was invested with the black robe and veil of their order, by the Si.sters of Saint Ursula, and the young New England captive, known thereafter as ^Mother Esther Marie Joseph of the Infant Jesus, serenely turned her face away forever from her childhood's home and friends.
A quarter of a century passes before the curtain rises again on Esther Wheelwright.
It is just one hundred years since the Ursuline, Marie de rincarnation, and hc-r sister nuns landing at Ouebec from a little boat "deeply laden with salted codfish, on which un-
MS'IIIKK WllF.KI.WKKIII T
57
cooked, they had subsisted for a fortnio;-ht fell prostrate,
and kissed the saered soil of Canada."'
Just a hundred years, too, sinee the Puritan exile, John Wheel wrij^i^ht forr ed with his eonipanions at Exeter, that remarkable Conibination for self j^^overnnient.''^
It is the year of our Lord, 1739. For a year by prayer and penanee extraordinary, the Ursulines of Quebec, have been preparinu- themselves with rapturous devotion to celebrate worthily the centennial anniversary of their foundation.''
At midnight the cathedral bells, echoed by a ^ayer peal from the convent, announce to the city of Ouebec,that a festi- val day is at hand. The altars of the Ursuline church are mat^nificently decked. The freshly gilded altar screen re- flects the lij^-ht frt)m hundreds of wax tapers blazing- in silver candlesticks. From four in the morning till noon, mass is celebrated uninterruptedly. Processions of priests, in vest- ments stiff with g'old, and lace from the looms of Europe, come and gx) chanting the Te Deum.
As the day declines, the plaintive voices of the nuns, sluic- ing their vesper hymns, steal softly from behind the gri//i\
In the little house at the town's end in Wells, in the dim candle light, an old man, and his old wife sit alone tog-ether. The click of her knitting needles is in sweet accord with the scratch of his quill, while he writes as follows:
"1 ccMiinu'iul my soul io (lod my Crcalor. hoping for I'ardoii of all my Sins, and everlasting salvation through the alone merits of Jesus Christ."
'Parkmaii, Jcsiiiis in \. A., p. 1S2. TIk- ship atuiioreil at Tadoussac. TliL'iice the iiiuis proceeded in a small Ijoat to UiU'bec. Marie de i'liicarna- tioii, aged 39. Mdlie. de la Peltrie, 30. Mere St. Croix, 30. Marie de St. Jo- seph, 22. ^Idlle. Charlotte Harre, 18. Indians ran along the shore.
-'Monday, June 5, 1639.
■'Among those pioii^. virgins are three New England captives, Esther Wheel- wright, Mary Anne Davis, and Dorothee Jeryaii, whom I believe to be Jordan.
58 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAI'TIVES.
He makes his wife, Mary, .sole li^xecutrix of his will, and be- queaths to her lands, mills, his household goods, his cattle of all kinds, his negro and mulatto servants, and a share of his money. Then his thoughts dwell on the little child, long ago so cruelly torn from him:
"I give and bequeath to my daughter Esther Wheelwright, if living in Canada, whom I have not heard of for this many years, ami hath been absent for more than 30 yeares, if it should please (rod that She return to this country and settle here, then my will is that my four sons viz: John, Sanniel, Jeremiah and Nathaniel each of them pay her Twenty l""ive pounds, it being in the Whole One Hundred Pounds, within six months after her Return and Settlement."
Captain John Wheelwright died Aug. 13, 1745.
On the i^th of November, 1750, his widow who survived him ten years, disposed by will of her temporal estate.
She bequeaths to her four sons, "each i)£ in old tenor bills, or the value thereof in lawful money."
To her daughters Mary Aloody and Sarah Jefferds, all her "wearing Apparell," including her "Gold Necklace, Rings and Buttons to be equally divided between them," and to Sarah Jefferds in addition, a "negro boy named Asher."
Of her "Real and Per.sonal Estate, within Doors or without," one fourth is bequeathed to each of her two daughters afore- said, one fourth to her "three beloved Grand-daughters," children of her "deceased daughter Hannah Plaisted," and one fourth to her "fcmr beloved Granddaughters," children of her "deceased Daughter Elizabeth Newmarch."
In the division of her property, her "Negro servant Wom- an named Pegg, shall be Divided to such of my Aforesaid Daughters or Granddaughters which .she shall choo.se to live
with after my Decease" and "ftirthermore Provided my
Beloved Daughter Esther Wheelwright, who has been many years in Canada, is yet living and should by the wonder wf)rk- ing Providence of God be Returned to her Native Land, and
ESTHER WHEliLWRIGHT,
59
tarry and dwell in it, I give and bequeath unto her, one Fifth part of my Estate which I have already by this Instrument will'' should be divided to and among my afores'' Daughters and Granddaughters, to be paid by them in Proportion to their Respective Share in the above mentioned Division unto her my vSaid Daughter Esther Wheelwright, within one year after my Decease Anything above written in this Instrument to the Contrary notwithstanding."'
It would seem from the wills of Captain John Wheel- wright and his wife, that the testators did not know that their daughter had bound hersslf by irrevocable vows to a monas- tic life. The History of the town of Wells, published in 1875, confirms this opinion. Its author, alluding to the refusal of some New England captives to return from their captivity,
says, "Esther Wheelwright was one of the number
Whether she acquired any more intimate than the natural relationships of life, does not appear from any tradition or
written. relics of the day vShe wrote to her father from
her captivity. He lived in the hope that she would come back, and provided for her in his will, in the event she
should return from her wandering after his death the
fate of all humanity may have overtaken her before that
time." On the contrary, the annalist of the Ursulines
states, that "Immediately atter Esther's profession as a nur., word was sent to her family, who far from being offended with this step of the young girl, sent her a messenger from Boston, charged with letters and gifts." These statements, both made by respectable authority, are irreconcilable. Care- ful study forces me to the conclusion, that the annalist of the convent records actual events, of which at the date of the publication of the history of Wells, not even a tradition remained to Wheelwright's descendants in New England.
Imagine the stir at the convent, when in January, 1754, a
'"Maine Wills." Library of the Hist, and Gen. Soc. Boston.
6o rki'K sroKiES ok m:\v enci.and cai'TIVEs.
yoiin<^ <;'entlcnian from IJoston presented himself at the door, announein;^' himself as the nephew of Mother Ivsther of the Infant Jesus, and demandin;^' an interview with his beloved aunt. The (hitter of the Toitrilri} the hesitation of the Mother .Superior, the hurried eonsultation of all in authority, — may be better imaj^'ined than deseribed. After some delay, the Bishop kindly o^ranted entranee to Major Wheelwrit;-ht, "hoping- that it migdit result in his eonversion."
How one longs to know what this aunt and nephew, meet- \\\<g then for the lirst time, had to say to eaeh other, — in what language they talked, — what questions were asked by the eaptive of fifty years.
All we know is, that at his departure, the young man gave to his aunt a miniature portrait of her mother, and present- ed the Community with some "fine linen, a beautiful silver flagon, and a knife, fork and spoon, of the same material."*
At the moment of ]\Iajor Wheelwright's return to New England, young Major Washington was making his report to (lovernor Dinwiddle, of the refusal of the Freneh to aban- don their fort at the headwaters oi the Ohio.'' The tardy at- tempt of the English in the following February, to build a fort at the fork of the Ohio,' brought on a skirmish between Washington and the Freneh eommander, whieh, says ]\Ir. Parkman, "began the war that set the world on fire."
'The attendant at the revolving grille at which all visitors to the convent apply for admission.
■This account of Major Wheehvriifht's visit ma}' be found in Histtjire des Ursulines de Quebec, p. 327, Vol. 11. Our own Archives record at least three journeys of Major Nathaniel VVheelwri,t(ln to Canada as ambassador from our Government for the exchange of captives. See Appendix: especially Wheel- wright's letter to Gov. Shirley, dated Nov. 30, 1750, in which he refers to his em- bassy of the year before. From this it would seem as if he must have seen Esther, previous to 1754.
'This was Fort Le Hcjcuf, on a branch of the Alleghany near Erie and with- in the English i)rovince of Virginia.
^Pittsburg.
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was the reft,j,e of h.L^.^^^^^^'^^'! "' '^^ P-'i'^^^.. the ru,„s of tl,e Lower To„-„ ^ ' ''""« '" f'-'«ht f>-om
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with the eare of the „,ai„,ed I ' , ''''■' 7?' "'''^'" •■""' day. ■ntervals, the quick strX of t e t^''""" ,'"'"' '■"■'"'■^■■^- A to their devotions, gave them h 7' '''"' ^■^'"'"ff them
P'-ayers rose the gn,a,s t>^, ! '' T'^/ '''''■ ^^^"-- their -«1 .shell, the ro.a' o^^.me ',„,''',"' "'' ','"• ^"■^■="" "' '^'-t '"if- In the gray of the rn'ri „ 'o,^?'"'''. "'. '''"'"^ '^'"M. ever memorable sieo-e the ttr ^, ' "'^"''"' '^"y "f tlie
diers, elambered up m'e 't- f "^' "'" "^ '■^■"■"«t«' -"l- haUle on the Plains of A rah-. m^'lr',"" ''"'"''" '" '"'^ "f n.S,'ht gathered on that C &d\, i™ '"" ■^'''•"'""'•^ »' America was virtually ended nfd' ' ■^"™" ^''■'''"■^ War in
or England was to be mt tr'o ' ^V'""''"" "'"''■■"'^'■F'-'-'"'--- settled. '""''tet of this eontinent was forever
brea°hld'hril"r''Thfdal''l^'"''' ?' ^'"''''' "ontealm Venturing from itJl^ZI;:^:^'' ''''''''■
cella, of the monastery, where
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they had stayed out tlie sir^c, liisther Wheelvvri<^ht and her companions <j;azcd upon a desolate scene. In peril of their lives, and with ^reat labor and fatij^ue, they had saved most of their windows. Their cells were demolished, their chini- neys battered and tumbling, their roofs charred and riddled.
Confusicm reij^ned everywhere. No workman could be found to make a eoffm for Montcalm. Finally old Michel, factotum and general overseer at the Convent, the tears streaming down his face, nailed together a rough box from the di'hns of the bombardment. In this rude casket, at nine o'clock that evening, the Marcjuis de Montcabn was carried to his rest.
Silence and gloom brooded over the city. "Not a drum was heard, — nor a funeral note." No gun was fired, — not a bell tolled. Men and women, wandering dazed among the ruins, fell into line with the little procession that bore the dead soldier from the house of the surgeon Arnoux to his bur- ial in the chapel (^f the Ursulines. Two little girls stealing unnoticed into the church, stood by his grave, while by the flare of torches, the body of the hero was lowered into a hole in front of the altar, made by the bursting of a shell. The service for the dead was chanted by three priests. The quiv- ering voices of Esther Wheelwright and her sister nuns were heard in response, then sobs, repressed through all the horrors of the siege, burst forth, "for" .says the annalist, "it seemed as if the last hope of the colony was buried."
General Murrav, who was left in command of the Entrlish troops in Canada, repaired the Ursuline convent, and quar- tered there a part of his wounded men. Esther Wheelwright and her companions cheerfully assumed the duties of Hospi- tal nuns, and the soldiers proved themselves truly grateful for the Christian charity thus shown them. Among the troops, was a Scotch regiment. The good nuns were so dis-
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""'-. ti.c,r co„.stit„,i„„;;,t ' ,: ;" "" ":" ^--mmitij r
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S„p..e,nae>. i„ Canada, the fust (a' 0 itr'r' "V"" '^"«^'»" '" '>".■ IfrsulEncsof Oiiebe,. „-n , ^' ''"«''sli .Superior
'•■■""f "f 1.- robust hSt J "t't'^t *-"■'"'■ "^■■- '-•ketion ; P -- in l.or by the Co,!,; , ..'"";;• -""f 'he eonhde,::
Alte, the fall of Quebee r-,t; qnerors for the .sub.s^tenc^''„ "' "°''"' '■^■■^""1 I'X the eo„ ore Esthers election. o.Uw ,"/""'"',"• '"''' >^"'-'-^vZ tl.e convent, General Jlurr" IT' " "'^ ""-' ■'ol'li'^rs fro,„ "■^.ons should be ft,r„i. 1 :.; f^' °'-dorc<I that „„ „,„,, ''^
■"oney ,st,eh ropre,,entaU j,s I d I """' T"'"' '<"■ ''-y ta-n : r " P'-^'^Jocessor in office th a ,""'"'' '° "'"= «'="''-aI tc manded. I„ the .spring after 1 1;, ' ',"'*'' *'''■'' "'»«■ * 353.46. was rendered bv th, ''":'■'''"'>' election, a bill of
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^4 TkVV. SI'OUIKS OK M-;\V KNCI AM) CAI' II VMS.
Motlicr Ksther wrote at once to ricneral Miin-ay, statin;^- the inability of the nun;' to ])ay the debt thus eontracted; at the same time puttinjjf at the disposal of the j^overnment eertain of the Community's lands. "Nevertheless." she adds, "we hope that upon the representations whicli you will kindly make in our bL-half. his Majesty will not refuse to absolve us from this debt. In our (.•onfidrnec in your {^-oodness. of which you have hitherto y;iven us the most conx-incing' proofs, we assure you of our sincere j^ratitude, and of the respect with which I have the honor to be, cSrc, 6cc., c^c." She mij^'ht have hinted, that the shelter and care j^iven to the wound- ed ICu'j^lish ou.u'lU to count for somethinj^ towards the payment of the debt. In the interval of suspense, while Murray wrote for instrueticnis to ICn^'land, Ivsther wrote to the Mother Community in Paris: "We shall try to (h) without evcrythin*;", for, (ov some years we shall have to herq) U[) the interest on our French possessions, to pay the Kinj^ of ICny;- land whom we owe thirteen hundred and lifty-two dollars."
From the Capitulation at Montreal to the Peace of Paris, the lot of the French Canadians was hard. A soi'rowful suspense, as to whether Canada would be restored to France, agitated all hearts. In \/Cu, Esther writes to the Superior at Paris, "It has just been announced to us that peace is made, and that this poor country is restored to the I'^rcnch. I hope it may be true."
The non-arrival of letters from France, caused much anxi- ety. In October, writinj^ a.^ain to Pcaris, she says, "h>vcry- bodv of position is surprised not to hear a word by way of l'vny;lan(l, thou.t^'h many laymen have received letters. I can hardly believe, however, that some are intercepted, uku'c than others."
A later letter runs thus: "We shall very soon be in a con- dition not to be able to dress ourselves according to the rules. Since the war, we are especially in need of bombazine for
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our veils. Indeed the need is so pressing, that soon we sliall not be able to api^ear deeently, havinj;' nothinj^ but ra^s to eover our heads. We eannot bu)' these things of the ICn;;'- lisli. They don't yet know how to coil'fir the nuns. T think, my dear mother, you mi^ht send us a few pieees oi bomba- zine by some of our Canadians, who must return to their poor eountry. M. de l\oU\ ille who was the bearerof your letteivs, would have considered it a pleasure to brinjjf some bomba- zine to us, and could have done so without murh ti'ouble. There is i)lenty of food, but everythins^' is very dear, and sil- ver is very scarce, never havinj;- been much curi'cnt in Can- .nda."
A courteous letter from dcneral Murray to Mother ICsther is extant, dated Jan. 2nd, 17^)4, thankin;^- her for a "Happy New Year" she had sent him, and wishinj^-her many in return. After Murray's return to P^n^land, the Mother Superior and sisters send him j^ifts of their own beautiful handiwork, which he acknowledt;-es with j^'raceful compliments and more than civil expressions of esteem and friendship.
The first days of April, 17^)4, were spent by Mother Ivsther of the Infant Jesus, in profound retreat, to prepare herself for the festivities of her (xolden Jubilee, (the fiftieth anniver- sary of her espousrds as the bride of Christ,) whit;h occurred on the twelfth of April, 1764.
Nothing; was omitted in the celebration of I<2sther's fiftieth year ()<" religious profession as an LTrsuline nun, to convince her of the love and appreciation of the Community. The chapel was beautifully lighted and decorated. After the public re- newal of her vows in the presence of the Bishop and a mul- titude of people, mass was celebrated with fine organ music, and much singing of motets. A. sermon on the happiness of a religious life followed. At the close of the mass, the nuns, each with a lighted taper in her hand, sang the Tc Dciiin, accompanied by a flute and violin. The day was
wmm
66
IRUE SroRIKS OK NKW KN«;i,ANI) CM' 11 VES.
given u\) to recreation and eonj^ratulation. In llie Refec- tory, there was feasliny and joyful conversation. Tlie t^'reat hall was t^ay with (lowers and j^ifts, and the cliililren of the /ynisioii, with son<^' and dance, brouj^ht their offerinj^s to tlieir beloved Mother Superior. I^ate in the afternoon, a benedic- tion service was held, and the day ended with jul)ilant music of drum and life.
In her girlhood, Ivsther had embroidered much for the al- tars. Seeing at this time the <';reat admiration of the ICnglish for embroidery on birch bark, she encouraged this kind of work among the nuns, and gave herself up to it with incred- ible industry.
In May, 1761, writing to the Procurator of the Ursulinesin Paris, she says, "It is true tliat notwithstanding our misfor- tunes one need not lack the necessities of life, if one had plenty of money, but we have only what we earn by onr birch baik wor':. As long as this is the fashion, the money we earn by it is a great help tow^ards our support. We sell it at a high price to the English gentlemen, yet they seem to con- sider it a privilege to buy, so eager are they for our work. It is really impossible, for us notwithstanding our industry,
to supply the demand." "I should like to know," she
continues, alluding to their indebtedness to the gover.iment, "exactly what wall be left, aft-^i paying Cai)tain Barbutt. Ac- cording to v/hat you will do me the honor to write me on this point, we shall pay some debts here, — for we are not lacking in debts, and some pretty large ones. Nobody but myself, however, knows abcnit them, and I am in no hurry to acquaint the Community with the fact, for fear of distressing them." This extract shows her self-reliance, and her tender consid- eration for her sister nuns, in sparing tb^nn anxieties which weighed heavily or ner ow-^. hcai-t.
Too constant use of her e\es, brought on in her declining years, weakness o'" sight and disease. When she could no
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lonsjfer embroider exquisitely, she busied herself with mend- ing' the underelothing of the Community, showinj^' the same skill and delieaey in darning- and patehing" that eharaeterized her more beautiful handiwork.
For nearly seventy years, Esther Wheelwright fulfilled with fervor and fidelity, aH the duties of a monastie life. No one was more serupulous in the observanee of all its rules. In the feebleness of age, as in the vigor of youth, — in sum- mer's heat and winter's eold, she was always in her plaee. In learning' to obey, she learned to eommand. x\s a teaeher of young girls, she was very sueeessful. Her happy disposi- tion and sweet temper, made her example even more elo- quent than her preeepts. With her, forbearanee and gentle- ness, with the most eharming politeness, took the plaee of a strieter discipline, and never failed to win the love and obe- dience of her pupils. She was promoted to her responsible position as vSuperior, at the most critical epoch in the history of her adopted country. French in all her sympathies, — a Romanist of undoubted zeal, — yet, undaunted by embarass- ments to which a woman of less strength and breadth of character would have yielded, she so adapted herself to the exigencies of the situation as to win for herself, and the Com- munity, the favor and respect of the conquerors.
In 1766, the rules of her Order not allowing her re-election for a third successive term, she was discharged, but again re- elected in 1 769. She was then seventy-two years of age, — but her mind and heart never grew old.
In 1 77 1 , writing to the Mother .Superior of Paris, she says, 'I, beg you to accept the assurance of our most tender attach- ment. I wish I could give you some proof of it, other than by words, but we cannot even find a way to send you those trifles from this country, which we used to take pleasure in sending you. In our prayers, you alwa^^s have a large share. Pray for me that God in his infinite mercy may grant me a
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happy death." In ( )cl()l)c'r, 1772, it was feared that Mother I'vStlier would not li\-e till the Deeeniber eleetions. vShe ral- lied, however, and on the 15th was honorably disehar<;'ed from the superiorship, only to be made Assistant Superior, and six years later Zelatrix.
At S o'eloek in the evenin*;- of the 2Sth of Oetober, 17S0, I'lsther Wheelwrij^ht died, at the ay;e of eio'hty-four years and eii^'ht months. '\She died as she had lived," says the annalist, "in eontinual aspirations towards Heaven, repeating' uneeas- ini;-])' some verses of the Psalms
ller caneestors were noble, but her heart was nobler still, and the memory of her virtues will be forever dear to this House From 1712 to 17S0, she was one of its finest or- naments and firmest supports."
'J'he name of Wheehvri^i^ht is still revereneed by the l^rsu- lines of Ouebee. At the eonvent to-da} , they tell you with pride of the ^-ifts bestowed on them by Esther's eousin and fellow eaptive, Mary Saver.'
'J'he silver llaj^'on presented by Major Wheelwrif^ht is still in use in their Infirmary, and the miniature of Msther Wheel- wrij^iit's nn^ther, a blonde with hazel eyes and an oval faee, is saeredly preserved. Retouehed by the addition of a veil and drapery, and enelosed in a riehly embossed frame, eontainin<^ also four relies of the vSaints, it is now reverently eherished as a Madonna.
I have been permitted to stand in the inner ehapel of the Ursulines at Ouebee above the spot where the mortal part of l^sther Wheel wri-'h. lies buried.
My fondest ambition in writing- this story is that in some hour of reereation, it may be read to the noviees by the Mother Assistant, who entering the eonvent fifty years ago, fcmnd there as a nun, the little girl who saw the burial of Montealm, and later was an inmate of the eonvent, during the last seven years of Esther Wheelwright's life.
'See "Story of a York Family."
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TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
Sir Ferdinando Gorges, at that time Governor of Plymouth, was living there the listless life of a garrison oflficer. Into the gubernatorial mansion on the Hoe he took three of Wey- mouth's Indians, had them taught English and kept them three years. Did anybody ever compute the influence of these "three little Indian boys" on our history? They told him about the "stately islands," "safe harbors" and "great rivers" of their native land, and inspired him to plant . ~1- ony there. "This accid_ it," says Sir Ferdinando, "was .xu means under God of putting on foot and giving life to all our plantations."
Being a man of wealth, rank and influence, he easily se- cured the co-operation of vSir John Popham, Lord Chief Jus- tice of England. How the Popham colony, planted by the Plyiriouth Company in August, 1607, on the Kennebec river, starve! with the cold the first winter, — how Jamestown, the offspring of the London Company, thanks to a milder clime, survived, — how Capt, John Smith, "a fugitive slave," as Mr. Palfrey happily calls him, after founding the Old Dominion, sailed up and down the New England coast, printed lavish praise of its resources, and made a map of all its capes, in- lets, islands and harbors, to which Prince Charles gave the familiar names they bear today, — ^how Gorges, not doubting that God would effect that which mxan despaired of, was a part of every scheme of colonization: — all this is known to every careful reader of our history.
It was doubtless under the auspices of Gorges that the first English settlement at Agamenticus was made, and when in 1635, the charter of New England was surrendered to the crown and its territory parcelled out among the patentees, Gorges received the territory between the Merrimac and the Kennebec, extending one hundred and twenty miles inland. With this province of Maine, the Crown conferred upon him almost unlimited power and privilege.
STORY OF A YORK FAMILY.
71
A'
i
I I
Mr. Bancroft says of Sir Ferdinando, "The friend and co temporary of Raleigh, he adhered to schemes in America for
ahnost half a century and was still bent on coloniza-
tion, at an a-e when other men are but preparing to die with "^.^^"^^^"^ Like another Romulus, this septuagena- rian royalist and veteran soldier resolved to perpetuate
his name," and in 1642 the ancf.nt Agamenticus became the city (.orgeana, ' "As good a city," says Bancroft, "as seals and parchment, a nominal mayor and alderman, a chancerv court and a court leet, sergeant rolls and white rods can make ot a town of less than 300 inhabitants."
In the King's patent to Gorges it had been expressly stip- ulated that Episcopacy should be the established religion of his province. s ^ ^a
In 1643 John Wheelwright, removing from Exeter to es cape the bigotry of the Bay settlements, l)etook himself to a tract adjoining Agamenticus, which he bought of Gorges to which he gave the name of Wells. ^ ' > ^"
The same ymr Plymouth and the Bay Colony made a league ..th Connecticut ana New Haven for mu^.al protectfon Those of Sir Ferdinando Gorges his province . . were not received or called into the Confederation," writes" Win throp, "because they ran a different course from us, both in their ministo^ and civil administration, for thev h^d latelv mac e Accominticus (a poor village) a corporation, and had made a taylor the mayor, and had entertafned on^ Hull an ^xcommiuiicated person, and very contentious, for their min st p ,^'^^'''\^''^' "^^y have been the faults and follies of bii Ferdinando we cannot help admiring his persistence-his Mekong devotion to the great idea of colonizing Ne" En^
and^c^ed tf "T ^" ^^^^^^"^^^^^ ^-^^^^t with the cavaliers and died before the execution of the King. The population of the ancient city wa. increased by the accession of a con
■uJUpIWI
72 TRUE STORIIiS OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
tingent of vScotcli prisoners taken by Cromwell in his famous victory over Charles II, at Dunbar in 1650. These v/ere shipped over seas to be sold as apprentices for a term of years, and naturally found a home in the plantation of the royalist Gorges. Scotland Parish is to-day a thriving and interesting locality of the old town, and the names of Mclntyre, Junkins and Donald still survive there.
Old York is now New York. Many of its old-time houses have been drummed out by the so-called march of improve- ment. The straggling cottages of the fishermen have disap- peared from the landscape. The winding cowpath along the cliff, through bayberry bushes ?nd sweet-briar roses, has been supplanted by the smooth-clipped lawns of costly seashore estates, packed in too close proximity to one another along the water front. The rugged face of the cliff, over which the woodbine and beach pea used to scramble, is now disfigured by the unsightly waste pipes of modern improvement that wriggle like so many foul ser oents to bury themselves be- neath the ocean. Pretentious hotels and livery stables ob- trude themselves upon the moorlands, where the "fresh Rhodora" used to spread its "leafless bloom."
College youths in yachting costume and city belles with tennis rackets, flirt harmlessly on the beach at bathing time, and in the late afternoon, the brilliant parasols of the gay butterflies of fashion flutter far afield, and prancing steeds with glistening trappings curvet over the rocky roads under the guidance of liveried coachmen. On Sunday, a crowd in silk attire, with gilded prayerbooks, wends its way to a little church whose golden cross towers aggressively above the rock-bound coast.
"Behold!" cries the Puritan antiquary, "the fulfilment of Sir Ferdinando's dream." Then he turns away to the river bank, where to this day may be seen the veritable streets of the "Ancient city" as laid out by Thomas Gorges, its first
-■j'-i
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i'\b t r'.' in.'"'
fe
n-.r JUf.'KiM'; GARRiEorj Mouse
BUM I tM 1679
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•SroRV OF A YORK FAMrf.V
73
mayor. Pursuinjr his history, he reads that at Sir Ferdinan- do s death the pe<,ple of (lorc^eana wrote repeatedly to h\ W n '"^'"'^^''^-•^i""•^' ^-t -eeivin^ no answer they, w Wells and P.seataqua. formed themselves into a body po.itie for self-jr,jvernment. ^ p^nuc
In .652 Massaehusetts assumed eontrol of the settlement the cty eharter was annulled and Gor^reana. degraded from her eommanding position as the first ineorporated eity in Ameriea, joined the rank and file of New England towns un- der the name of York.
The alarm of Philips war in ,675, extending to the east- ward, the distressed inhabitants built garrison houses against Indian attack. Two, known as the Junkins garrison aifd the
Parish of Old York as late as .875. Of the former not a ves- tige now remains, exeept a panel that forms a eupboard door in i* rary house.
The first blow struek by the enemy in the old Freneh and Indian war fell upon the eastern towns. At the instigation of the Jesuit priests, Wells, York. Berwick. Kittery and others received their baptism of blood at the hands of the French
r! Sfield.'^^" '^'°" ^^^^"'^^'' ''''''^''' Northampton On the same page in the parish records of Canadian towns and villages, I have often found the deaths, marriages and baptisms of hapless captivec, carried from the border towns of Maine and Massachusetts. This is why I tell the story of a York family. ^
Edward Rish worth, or Rush worth as the name is known m England, the friend and son-in-law of John Wheelwright
Thomrr^'"""" '\""'''' ""' ""^ °^ '''' S'^^'^^' to whom t?iav n^,t T '' """^r "^ ^'' Ferdinando, gave authority to lay out and assign lots at Wells
In the history of both Wells and York, his intellectual
74 TRUK sroRIKS OK NEW KN(;LAN1) CAl'TIVKS.
ability is prominent. lie was one of the commissioners of the newly made town of York and clerk of the court there the same year.
In the prolonged resistance of the Province of Maine to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, Rishwortli was prominent. His commandinjjf intellij^ence and his personal influence in the province is shown in the humble petitiott of the leadin}^ men of Wells, in i66S, to be restored to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, with apoloj^ies for their former disol)edience, the pet" tioners assij^ninj^ as the cause of their dereliction, the influence of Mr. lulward Rishworth, they "havinjj;' been well affected with said Rishworth, and confidinj^ in liim."
Rishworth was appointed Rectirder for the province, in October, 1651, and held the office continuously, excpt in 1668 and 9, for thirty-three years. In June, 1686, Rishworth wrote his last official line, being then an old man.
The name of his wife, Susannah, appears on a legal paper for the last time in 1675. vSo far, I have found but two chil- dren of Edward and vSusannah Rishworth, daughters Mary and Susannah. Her grandfather Wheelwright, in his will dated Nov. 15, 1679, names "my son-in-law, Edward Rish- worth," and "my grandchild, Mary White, daughter of ye said Rishworth." This proves that Mary Rishworth, then about eighteen, was, at this date, the wife of one White.
I assume that this White, and Rishworth's wife had both died before October, 1682, when, as he says, for "diver's good cau.ses and more espetially for yt tender love and affec- tion which I beare unto my beloved daughter, Mary Sayword, wife to John Sayword," he conveyed all his property to his "sonn-in-law, John Sayword," for £60, to be used in the pay- ment of Rishworth's debts.
At the same time, Sayword gives his bond, "to pay unto
father Rishworth the just some of six pounds per Ann :
to bee pay'd in good Mrehan'ble pay, boards, provisions, or
^^
t — u "J t-mmm^mmmmmtm
4
STo.xV OK A VORK FA.MII.V. --
such other g-oods as his ocifionc i i . "
tain s,I kislnv„rtl, ' , /' ^•'y"'"'' i« t" mayn-
I, as yet, find no record of TmI-,,-. q„ i. , .
entag-e. He mav hat^ . ^'^^'^yword s birth and par-
& AiL. may nave been the son of Houv.r y^ \
promment man in the annals of Wells and York mu \ ' IS a eommon appendage to the names f W Millwright
period, for men must en/., ii^? """^ '"''" °f *at
in York, where tZc;'? "' ^'^'^'-^l- The mill pond
and sawed t^e /umber r^i ""'' '""''" J-'^'^-^h^ /ri.sts known. ' '°' "''^ '^""'"'■y "■""-'I about, i.'well
We have a grant from the town of York t„ t i o dated Dec. ,o, ,68o, of three Taere lo f I J? ^"^^''"'• privilege and timber rights eo'ndMrn.H l ""f ""'" "'" leries and seats in the meedng house °" "" """'''•'g S^'-
■■first that the Said Sayword, shall huild or cause to bee built a.
Hinin^K==^i^'^winSSawBMHMw5im!ft^
76 lUUK sroRIKS OK NKW ENGLAND CAI'TIVP:S.
ye meeting house at York, three sufficient (lallerys, with three con- vcniciU scats in each (iallcry anil one beancli i)csiile, in ye hyest Rownie in every j^allcry If the sti C'onvenicnry of Rowine will hare it, the fronlure seats, hee is to make with barreste'h, am! two peyre of stayrs to ^o up into the jjallerys, one ft)r ye men and anothe"* for the winiine. Second : The sd John Sayword stands Injjajjd, to seat the sd Meetiiiji; house bjlow, with convenient Seates, too Seates to be barrestreil below, one for men and ye other for wimine ; and re- payreinji of ye ilefects yt are in the ould Seates, and by make*' jj and adding so many more new Seates, as shall be necessary for ye full and decent seateing of the whoole house. Which worke in mak- ing of Chdlerys and seateing the lower part of the sayd house, is by John Sayword to bee done and finisheil at his own proper Charge, (naylcs onely excepted) which the Town is Ingag'd to provide, very speedily, at or before the last of October next Insewing, Ann : Dom ; 1681.
There is a deed signed by Sayword, Mareh 24, 1684, and also by "Mary Sayword, the younger." As I eannot stippose this to be his daughter Mary, (then only thirteen) it mtist c his wife, m'e Mary Rishworth, who on this oeeasion signs herself Mary "the younger," to distingtiish herself from his mother Mary, whieh again inclines me to the belief that John Sayword was son of Henry, whose wife Mary long survived him. John Sayword probably died early in December, 16(89 ; f(^r on Christmas Day of that year, whieh was neither a holy day nor a holiday with the Puritans, Mrs. Mary Sayword ap- peared and took oath to the inventory of her husband's es- tate, which was valued at ^85.
She was administratrix, and with Matthew Austin, gave a bond for £\66, for the lawful administration of her husband's estate. How soon after Sayword's death his widow became the wife of one Hull, does not yet appear, but as we have seen, she, as Mary Hull, testified to the inventory of her fa- ther's estate, on Feb. 25, 1690-91 [see ante]. Her connection with Hull must have been brief, for at the time of the attack
STORY OK A YORK I'AMII.N.
n
on York, l'\'l). 5, 1692, M .ry Rishworth, tlieii l)Ul thirty-two years old, was living with her fourth husband, James IMaisted. Of Plaisted's aneestry or antecedents, or of tlie date of liis inarriage to the younj^ widow Hull, I have so far found nothinj^.
Of the calamity at York, i-'el). 5, 1692, Cotton Mather writes : "Oreat was the share that fell to the l''aiiiily of Mr. Sluihiiel
Dununer He had been solicited, with many temptations to
leave his i'lace when the ("loads grew I'hick and iilack in the In- dian Hostilities, but he chose rather with a I'aternal affeclicjn to
stay In a word, he was one that might l)y way of Hniinency
be calletl A (rood Man He was just going to take Horse at
his own Door, upon a journey in the Service of Ood, when the Ty- gres t' t were making their Depredations upon the sheep of York, sei. I upon this their shephertl; and they shot him so that they left him Dead."
His wife, Susannah Rishworth, sister of Mary Rishworth Plaisted, "they carried into captivity," continues Mather, "where through sorrows and hardships among those Dragons of the Desart, she also quickly Died; and his Church as many of them as were in that Captivity, endured this among other ai;guishes, that on the next Lord's Day, one of the Tawnies chose to exhibit himself unto them [A Devil as an Angel of Light!] in the Cloaths whereof they had stript the Dead Body of this their Lather — Many were the tears that were Dropt throughout New England on this occasion."
Mather calls the York minister,
"The Marlyr'd Pelican, who Bled Rather than leave his charge unfed. A proper Bird of Paradise Shot, — and Flown thither in a trice."
James Plaisted's wife was taken, with her two childrer, Mary and Esther Sayword, aged respectively eleven and seven, and her baby boy. This is Mather's relation:
"Mary Plaisted, the wife of Mr. James Plaisted, was made a cap- tive, about three weeks after her Delivery of a male Child. They
-r
78
TRUE STORIES OK NEW ENGLANl) CAl'TIVES.
then took her, with her Infant off her bed and forced her to travel in this, her weakness, the best, part of a Day without any Respect of Pity. At Nig^n the CoUl ground, in the Open Air, was her Lodg- ing; ind for many a Day she had no Nourishment l)ut a little water with a little Hear's Klesh, which rendered her so Feeble that she, \*'th her Infant were not far from totally starved. — Upon her cries to Ciod, there was at length some supply sent by her Master's tak- ing a Moose, the Broth whereof recovered her. But she must now Travel many Days through Woods and Swamps and Rocks, and over Mountains, anil I'Vost, and Snow, until she could stir no far- ther. Sitting down to Rest, she was not able to rise, till her Dia- bolical Master helped her up, which, when he diil, he took her Child from her, and carried it unto a River, where, stripping it of the few Rags it had, he took it by the heels and against a Tree dash'd out its Brains, and then Hung it into the River. So he returned unto the miserable mother, telling her she was now Ivised of her Burden, and must walk faster than she did before! "
Was this infant the posthtimous son of her third husband, Hull? He does not appear on the old York records among the children of James Plaisted.
A native poet has thus immorralized the attack on York:
They marched for two and twenty dales.
All through the deepest snow; And on a dreadful winter morn,
They struck the cruel blow.
Hundreds were murihered in their beddes,
Without shame or remorse; And soon, the floors and roads w',re strewed
With many a bleeding corse.
The village soon began to blaze,
To heighten misery's woe; But, O, I scarce can bear to tell.
The issue of that blow!
They threw the infants on the (ire;
The men they did not spare; But killed all, which they could find
Though aged, or though fair.
STORY OF A YORK FAMILY,
79
Our next meeting with Mary Rishworth Pkiisted is at her baptism in Montreal. The following is a free translation of the Parish reeord:
'>n the 8th of l)ei;eniber, 1693, there was baptized sous conditio'., an i..ijrlisli woman from New England, named in her own country, Marie, wh(j horn at York on the 8th of January O. S. 1660, of the marriage of Kdouard Rishworth, and Suzanne Willwright, both Pro- testants of Lincohi in old England, and married last to Jacques Pleisted, Protestant of New England, was captured the 25th of Jaii- uary O. S. of the year 1692 with two of her children, Marie (renevieve Sayer born the 4th of April O. S. 1681, and Marie Joseph Sayer, born the 9th of March O. S. 1685, — by the savages of Acadia, and now lives in the service of Madame Catherine (lauchet, widow of M. Jean Baptiste Migeon, appointed by the King first lieutenant gen- eral of the bailiwick established by his Majesty in Montreal. Her name Marie, has been kept, and that of Madeleine added to it. Her god-father was M. Jean Baptiste Juchereau, lieutenant-general of the Royal bailiwick of Montreal, and her god-mother, Madame Made- leine Eouise Juchereau.
Signed.
Mary Magdalen Pleistead signs the reeord in a good hand- writing. So also do her god-parents, Jtichereau and Madame, his wife, Catherine Gauchet, and iinally Jean Fremont, Cure — ^all as clear as if written yesterday.'
Two lists in our archives tell briefly the story of the final separation of Mary Rishworth Plaisted from these Sayword children, one is the "Names of English captives Redeemed from Quebec by Math'w Carey in Oct'br, 1695," which con-
'The information conveyed by this simple baptismal record is remarkable. It gives the date of the captive's birth, atid consequently her age when taicen; her mother's name, about which historians disagree, — the home of her father and mother in both Old England and New, — the fact of her marriage to Plaisted before her capture, — the dates of the births of her daughters and by inference their ages, — the fact that previous to this they had been already baptized in Canada, and the names then given them — and, finally that the name Sayword had already become Sayer in Canada.
8o
TRUK STORIKS OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
tains the name of "Mrs. Mary Plaisted York." Another sent at the same time, is of "Those Remaining still in the hands of the French of Canada," and bears the names of the two sisters :
Mary Sayard girll Dover Esili Svvayard " "
In October, 1696, a year after Mary Plaisted's redemption, she was "Presented at the court at Wells, for not attending ye Publick worship of God upon ye Lord's Day."
The godless weaklings of our day might find palliating circumstances, without considering the hardships of her every day life, and the terrible experiences of her recent cap- tivity. Nevertheless,
"Mr. James Plaisled, at the following court helil at York, on the 6th of April, 1697, appearing in behalf of his wife, to answer her presentment for not frequenting ye Publick worship of God upon ye Lord's Day, she being under some bodily infirmity, hindering her own ai)pearance, Is for her offence to pay 4s. ud. fine, and to be ad- monished; ffees payd in court."
In April, 1696, "Lycence was granted to Mr. James Play- stead to retayle bear, syder an victuals at his now dwelling house." This license was renewed from year to year.
January 20, 1707, there is this vote of the town, from which it appears that the conditional agreement between the town and John Sayword had not been faithfully kept, by one or both parties :
"Whereas, there is several differences between the Inhabitants of the town of York in the Province of Maine in the Massachusetts Government, and Mr. James Plaisted and Mary his now wife, the Relict of John Saword, all of said York, relating to work done by
said Jt)hn Sayword aforesaid, to York meeting house A referee
shall be chosen by the town and another by Plaisted and his wife, to hear, and determine, all Differences."
ISKJl
zjoa
■j, ',>«rJi-^m^
STORY OF A YORK FAMILY. 8 1
James and Mary Plaisted both sign an agreement on penalty of fifty dollars, to aeeept the result of the arbitration.
Later "Wm. Sawer," [Say word] and "Wm. Goodsoe" state that they "have looked over the matter and eannot agree and have left it out to Daniel Emery of Kittery to make a final end of the controversy."
July II, 1 710, Capt. James Plaisted and his wife Mary, deed land together. Here, busied with the occupations of the yeomanry of the period in New England, active in church and state, respected and worthy citizens of old York, and in the prime of life, we will leave them and look for their two daughters, left behind in Canada.
Many summers ago, in an idle hour and with no purpose, I copied a few pages from the old town records of York. It was long before I had heard of James Plaisted and his wife Mary Rishworth. The quaint spelling and simple directness of the language interested me, but it seems to have been by what Cotton Mather would have called a Remarkable Provi- dence, that this particular page of the record should have captivated me.
A humble romance seemed to unfold itself in this step- father, willing to father his wife's children by a former mar- riage, though his own children, later born, are naturally put first in the record. Here is the story as it stands, written more than two hundred years ago on the old book :
James Plaisted, Hearths of His children. Lydia Plaisted was Borne the fouerth day of Janerwary in ye year 1696.
Olife Plaisted was Borne the first day of May in ye year 1698. Mary Sayward was Borne the fouerth April 168 1. Susannah Sayward was Borne the ninth day of May 1683. Esther Sayward was Borne the seventh day of March 1685. Hannah Sayward was borne the twenty-one of June 1687. John Sayward was Borne second of Janerwary 1690.
■ ^SS^^^^^E^^^!
82 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
The last was evidently a posthumous child, the only son, born shortly after the death of his father, John Sayward, and named for him.
We are now to follow the fortunes of Mary, the first born, and Esther, the third child of John Sayward and his wife, Mary Rish worth.
On the parish records of Notre Dame in Montreal, with the baptism of their mother is a note interlined, in a different handwriting, and apparently written long after. This note records the indisputable fact that on the same day and in the same church, her two daughters were also baptized. As it was the custom of the church to add the names of saints to the newly baptized, Mary, the elder, then about thirteen, received the added name of Genevic've. Esther, the younger, lost her New England name entirely and was re-baptized as Marie Joseph, she bting then about eight years old.
In a list of the pupils of the nuns of the Congregation in 1693, the name ot ne of the Sayer sisters appears.
When we remeni. r that the captives were in Canada dur- ing the most romantic period of the history of New France — that the}' saw daily those whose religious devotion has won them world-wide fame, truth seems stranger than fiction.
A profound impression must have been made upon the sensibilities of all the young captive girls when Jeanne Le Ber, the only daughter of the richest merchant in Montreal, renounced the world and abandoned her family, to devote herself to a religious life. Marie Genevieve Sayer was, no doubt, perfectly familiar with the face of the young devotee, and witnessed her voluntary incarceration m the cell which she had had built for her, behind the altar in the chapel of the Congregation.
At five o'clock on the evening of Aug. 5, 1695, after ves- pers, M. DoUier de Casson, with all his clergy in splendid attire, went to the house of the Seigneur Le Ber, whence.
MMMI
ar,T-s
STORY OF A YORK FAMILY. 83
chanting psalms and prayers, they marched in procession. Behind them came the yoiing Jeanne Le Ber. She was robed in gray, with a black girdle. Her father, pale with weeping, accompanied her, followed by all their friends and relatives.
The people who thronged the streets, awe-struck at the unusual spectacle, could not restrain their sobs. To them the act about to be consummated, seemed like a living death to both father and child. On arriving at the chapel the recluse fell upon her knees, while M. DoUier blessed her little cell and spoke to her a few words of counsel.
Her heart-broken father, unable to bear the sight, fled weeping from the spot. But Jeanne Le Ber, with tearless eyes and steady hand, firmly closed the door upon herself forever.
Three years later, Mary Sayer must have been present at a happier scene, in the same little chapel at what we may consider the permanent establishment of the order of the Nuns of the Congregation in Montreal. The three years of anxiety, discussion and delay were ended. The rules of the order had been the day before, "solemnly accepted and signed by all the Community." Now, on the morning of the 25th of June, 1698, the religious world of Villemarie had assem- bled to witness the performance of "that article of the regu- lations which prescribed the simple vow of poverty, chastity, obedience and the teaching of little girls."
There were the most distinguished of the Sulpitian priests, conspicuously the zealous and scholarly Father Meriel. There was the Vicar-General, Dollier de Casson, "tall and
portly, a soldier and a gentleman- -albeit a priest As
pleasant a father as ever said Benedict i\'' says Mr. Parkman. There was the great bishop. Saint- Vallier — dominant, a pas- sionate extremist, believing in himself and impatient of con- tradiction— fulminating in those days as sharply against the
84 TRUK STORIES OV NKW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
"big sleeves" and ".ow-neck'.^d dresses" of Quebec damsels as the sterii'\st Puritan of the period, in Boston.
Perhaps a shade of disapointment clouded the brow of the haui^hty prelate at his failure to force the c'oister upon the ladies of the Congregation; perhaps also a corresponding elation on the face of Marguerite Bourgeois at the success of her passage at arms with that almost indomitable will.
Well might she have said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy ser- vant depart in peace." Howev^er this may be, the h(^ur was one of peace and joy for the Sisters, as one after the other, each pronounced her vows and received from the bishop the name of some noted saint or martyr, by which thereafter she was to be known.
The fact that the name of Marie des Anges does not ap- peal r in the list of those who took part in this solemn cere- mony seems to prove that Marie Genevieve vSayer had not yet completed the two years of preparation necessary be- fore assuming all the rights and duties of a convent life, but was still living under the direction of the Maitrrss'^ des No- vices. She was then about eighteen, and must soon after have taken up the full duties and responsibilities of her office; for, although the name of her sister appears often on Montreal records, her own is seen no more after the baptism of her mother in 1693.
The years following her novitiate were busy ones for the nuns of Canada. Up and down the St. Lawrence, missions had been early founded by the Sisters of the Congregation. With incredible fatigue, but untiring zeal. Marguerite Bour- geois had gone back and forth between Montreal and Quebec, often in winter creeping prostrate over frozen streams or wading knee-deep in the icy water.
The Mission of the Mountain was removed to Sault au Recollet. Soeur Marie des Anges, (the captive Marie Gene- vieve Sayer) was there at the head of the Mission School for
'^"""■"■Rlffl^S
'"'"'^^ '"•■ A vn„K ,,nn,,v.
«^5
. 1 he missions at ( )„cb,.c w,.r,. r
"lat l)laco,sl„„„ the ust,.,.,„ , .*^^"' '-nslaiid eaptive l^or
"'^'"■. "'orits, by their eo"ra.;. n^l','^"""" ""i-^"".f"i.slied by .'I'l^o.nted. Tl,„„gh the "1^:/ '''-'"'■'" '•'"'' •-'"•'itv," were -■•"in^ her, it u-o' ,d be' c ; t ;V"r';"-'f'- '- -'em e,
"e» that reeord the laboV ^f the :, "'"■ -^'"'T ''^'-een the "ourgeots between ,69s and T; ' .,7 ^'^'"'-^ "f ^^rfft.eri.e
vvJiile lookinp- for n,. ^ ;/ '/ at guebec. :"«^"-- in the'n, ;„':; i'^:' -P'»'- at y„ebec, the word ■"*f-only this and n':,thh,V,t„:r"''"' '"' "'"^ '" "- fol><"v-
'■'■I.e 2Sth of ,M;,rci, ,,,,„, , , - A.a,.ie de» A,„e, a™^ ;,' ,;':':T i" f.^ ''--" Church, Sis-
™»"orot-/p - --- i-™™enTlr[-- .,
New England familie ^0^,1 ' ''f "'■'"^ "'"^^ «' leaTiniJ finely to wed then, eithl^ t" tt Xreh"""/^-^ "' "-» -^
i^sther Say ward wTiot^ i ^^^"^<^h or state.
%;er was e'^neatrby , " IT "] ''f "-''^ -^ ««- Joseph probably remained under tie '"" Congregation aS
--': ;in pt-eseni o^^in f- -;^;/-;h eh„reh of Mon- • ■"" "-^^ ■""■-'■ '°"'>-Se'X rp:■:fde°L■p7"-
86
I'RIM': SroRIHS OF NHW ENCLAND CAl'I'lVES.
merchant, of Montreal. The fact that the three banns were dispensed with, hints ihat ambassadors fiom our government, concerning an cxchanj.'o of prisoners, were then in Canada, anci it was thought best speedily to clip the wings of this captive bird.
Marie Joseph, the first child of Pierre de L'Estage and Marie Joseph vSayer, was born October i, 17 12. The child's godmother was "Marie hardin," who "could not sign the rec- ord, on account of her great age." This child died at the age of four. Jacques Pierre, the second child, was born and baptized Aug. ', 1714. Its godparents were Jacques Le Ber, Seigneur de Senncville, and Madame Repentigny. In the record the father is called "Monsieur Pierre Lestage, Mar- chand Bourgeois of this city and treasurer for the king." In 1 71 5, he became the owner of the Seigniory of Berthier, op- posite Sorel, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence.
To the kindness of Rev. Pere Moreau, cure of Notre Dame des Monts, county of Terrebonne, antiquary, savant and author of the History of Berthier, I am indebted for the fol- lowing :
"Pierre de Lestage built the first Catholic church of Ber- thier, about 1723, and obtained on Dec. 3, 1732, from Gov- ernor Beauharnois and the Intendant Hocquart, a great ad- dition to his Seigniory because, as is said in the deed; 'he was worthy of it.' "
He also improved the highways, and built at Berthier a saw mill, a gristmill and a fine mansion for himself with a grand avenue leading thereto, which still exist. His friend M. Louis Lepage, Vicar-general of Quebec, and Seigneur of Terrebonne, having founded there the parish of St. Louis, built for it a stone church, to which he gave a chime of bells and invited his friend De L'Estage to be godfather at the ceremony of the blessing of the bells.
At eight o'clock in the morning of the 21st of December,
-___
;.'.."WS»^Wb»jK::;
•\ W»R/v F.\M[[ V
- - _ ■ 87
''-«ly «-a.s car.i.Hl Lulu- ch, ■' ^I'T""^- '""" '"•••'<' <lay his -"" mass u..,s said, /.'n n ^ ' v^"''''"' "^"'"^' ^''-'e a so
'" Madame de L'J t "e s ■'" ''''''''''" -^'« 'severe blow ■••"'' consolation to 1 rbel.n V' '"■■■'">' ""•»"' f- synTna hv
f;:">'«I. i'oubtiessky'-thir ,":•■" "';" '^■^<' '-fr-nSr aJjoin.ns the eonvent an I ,T , ' "'"^ P'xchased a hout
ladies of the eonvenr 1,? ''" ''""' '"^•'intc Pierre i r
'" ",t a door 1, vZ 4"? '"■■;■'"'""' M-'-'-med I^Estl^: '■".'hours «,t„ her d ,t 7" ;7'-^^\«'- -^Pent the ret^ of these daujihters die at h'"" '" ""= "»™nt One ^' -*f'ny. Aiilietio, 1^ Vin reasf °' '^^-'y-«ve. the ot^e Se.gn.ory of lierthier in Peb'nr *•' T ^'^ '"'' '" ««" the '50° l.vres,. whiel, with an annu.?: '^''- ^°'- '•' '"- annuity rf -tates in Franee. hands^n,:";";^,' "n';; '""' '^"- "t-bandt y cared for by the Sisters of u' f.^'"'"'' '"'' «^"'«- Tender. Petual pensioner." spent wi ,' I ^""S^'^S^'-"'"". »he as "per 'he remainder of J, d ' s t, "r .P^^^cfully and happ^y
;: ™f '"-''"-'^'-ed to her'^^edT't^T'f-" "' ""^^ '^° ta^-t. I he date of her death is , '' '"''" eyes at the
»aj bttried near her be oved sf /'' "'''"°"" '" '"e. She "nder the ehapel of St ItmelnT 1,""^ Congregafo" Dame, whieh stood in them dd.eof wh.?" *-"'-^* "' Notre fet opposite the present eathedral Ti, " T " ^°'"' ^ame
"f the New England captive M,rier"' 1"'"' "''^ ■"°«'"
I' ve, Mane Joseph Esther Sayer
«■!
88
TRUli SlURlliS OF MCW KN(;i,ANl) CAi' IIVKS.
rested, until about 1830, when all who had bceti buried under the old ehureh, were removed to the Cemetery of the C»')tc St. Antoine.
A^ain exhumed before 1866, they now rest in tlie present Cemetery at Cote des Neiges, — the site of the former Ceme- tery of the Cote St. Antoine l)ein}4- now oeeupied by Domin- ion Square and its fine surroundinj^s.
She j^ave to the eonvent mo,-t of her household ^oods. among them elej^ant candelabra and other articles of silver.
Some of her bequests escaped the successive conllaj^rations from which the Convent has suffered. Amonj^ other things, a '-h'-st of drawers, arm chairs, silver snufife" • and tray, and some exquisite embroidery.
The Cure, who has been kindly interested in this little sketch, writes me as follows:
"Indeed with her mother and sister she was greatly tried at the time ot their captivity, but it was the way Ciod judged proper to lead her to a religion, which they thought after- wards to be the only one able to lead men to eternal happi- ness, and for them to a suitable establishment."
mm
■aHHi
^mn
maa
"^"^T*
Jl.t-MKNTOFAKKONT
i6;o.
THE SET- IKR TOWN.
" rile Independent Chnr I " 'he way f„.. u,. I.Klc,K.,K!:;n's:::;-;:;;-,™'7nter. ..prepared
"""■ fhu most Htiperfici-,1 ,-„',,*" ^"'''^P^ndent Na ™"nent,y .seeu.ar .Ler.: „ ^ ,:;,;f ^'-y. - this pt Jheeorner,sto„e„f New F,,;!.'™, *"'"'"''-' ">« foc-t that
■■'-•'■ff'",,," .u,r can he faH To "ofe "'■"; ''■"''' '" ""= ^'■-'"^e o ■nan were the providence of f ""■' '"•■'-'i^'ent.s o
"'""try. """^ °f f'"'" -n the settlement of our
f^^^^^^:r'^:::::::^s;r ^ '--—of a
London onr forefathers sigfed if f '"'° "''='' company at imlo cabin of their storm rZlV "°"' Compact in the
'an they knew. Mag" J™ ^ ,,aTt'' ""^^ ''"'"«' ^ette of that simple act, to^lstab h" h I jern'o '" "' "^""^equences -t the purpose whereunto the ^4^^ sfnT '^^ ™^
"What sought .hey thus afar? Later, it was the .I'!' f°"^''' ^ ^-""^'^ P-e shrine.-
mmm
oo
^-^ '■■>"'l AM, ,„.,,v|.;s.
'>H'l.-na. R„,,,„,,. '"- I'-.y. a„,l .seUlcl \V,„i,,„
f'""<.u,s curl „f Uj.w, '■ '"'^" '''•'^•^■" l>ythreau„f ||„, ;,
"■-•mo of n.«„„, '"■^ ..i-n.al. ,„„,, U.u.k.cA,,,!, uIc
^ ^le same rcliuioi,^. r
^""W seem. i„ our d-u i^, "^J^'-^'^^'ti cable and i.nft.J
moral worth and ^,„„,,„,.,^ "•''' "f Personal character, of We need to ren,en,ber a„,id the disse. ■
«<• d,.s.scn.sion.s that arc agi.
^i-'Tn.EMHNT (.!•
■^ '''<"Mii;k mux.
' ■■"•^■VLT lllcy „,av h.ux. , !s , . ''^' '"■ '""■ "^"i"".
: -'- -•' "P-.n whi. ,' ,y",;';;r"r';' '"'" "- ■- "■
«•" "« frucl,,,,,, thai I>l.„Uc.,I ,h . r *" '"'"■'' ^'■^•'1 •""' rc-
^^ -I."n a,ul his R,,,,,„,., neij^^ w' ■.'■'•''""^■^'' "f William W.t.han, and his Dorches'te, / , " ■^l"'"'Klicl<l, „|- |„|,„
'eld, and „f U„„k^^^|. ,,„ , 1., '""" ■"■ il« paster, t„ VVeiih,. .:
^-;^> ™ thJs:,;*:!;';?;' - ;;f ,;;---i"n.y .,r the uan.„,
St^riie'r' "' '"' -^"^^^^'ifJCT'""-'^''
92 rRlK SIOKIKS Ol" NKW i;.\(il.AM) (AI'lIVKS.
It could not be supposed that men professing "the propa- gation of the Gospel to be above all their aim in settling this plantation," would be long indifferent to the spiritual wel- fare of the savages around them. The conversion of the na- tives was early an object of their solicitude, but the obstacles were such as might have appalled the most enthusiastic zealot; and not until 1644, was the work begun in earnest.
John Eliot, destined to become the Apostle to the Indians, on quitting the University at Cambridge, England, was as- sistant to Thomas Hooker, in a private school. Leaving his native country for the same motives that impelled other Puritans at that time, and arriving in 1631, at Boston, he there for a season supplied the pulpit of the absent pastor, and later was appointed teacher of the newly organized church at Roxbury. The missionary spirit, which prompted him to undertake the conversion of the Indians, was greatly aided by his natural fondness for philological studies, in which he is said to have excelled at college. Employing his leisure hours in endeavoring to master the language of the natives, at length, in the autumn of 1644, he preached in a wigwam on Nonantum hill, his first sermon in the Indian tongue. Some authority seemed to be given soon after to his under- taking, by an order from the (leneral Court to the County Courts^ "for the civilization of the Indians and their instruc- tion in the worship cf God."
The passage of such a decree was an easy task. What be- nevolence and fortitude, what faith, patience and courage were requisite to its execution, those who have read the life of Eliot know full well. From this time to the end of his long life, his labors for the Indians were unflagging. Having the good sense to see that they must be civilized before they could be christianized, he wished to collect them in compact settlements of their own. "I find it absolutely necessary," he says, "to carry on civility with religion." To quote his
III Ilk I II .iiiwimmiinnrm
-K>^r-^j:
SKTTI.KMKXT OK a FRoNTIKR T,,WX. ^.
enclosed lands." the Court approving ^o"re,^6"''' '"
»£zs::; -Trss:- S;;?r^^^^ rx -r^zi'trrrs-t^sf-tF- Ss.:rj:txs;::;r::°;::';':::::';:t;:
dians be not dispossessed of siuh Itnds •,. fl,.v
^"^^^■^r^BF^* i^^. i« i^ Pi ^^■ii^l»»-^^ipi^Bf^p^p->-S-
94 TRUK SI'OUIKS OV NEW ENCLANI) CAPTIVES.
thereby sustained by Dedham, together with charges sustained in suits about the same, be determined by the said committee, such allowance being made 1 jm out of Natick landvS, or others yet lying in coii^ non, as they shall judge equal."
One of the committee appointed "being disabled by the prov- idence of God," and the other utterly declining the work, the Court at its autumn session,
"Being sensible of the great inconveniency that accrues to both English and Indians by the neglect of an issue to the controversy, elects others in their stead and orders that the work be issued with- in six weeks at the fartherest."
June i6, 1663 — "For a final issue of the case between Dedham and Natick, the court judgeth it meet to grant Dedham 8000 acres of land in any convenient place or places, not exceeding two, where it can be found free from former grants, provided Dedham accept of this offer."
At a general meeting, Jan. i, 1664, the town, as we learn from
the Dedham records,
"Having duly considered this proposition, their conclusion is about
the 8000 acres, that the care of managing the same so as the town
may have their ends answered, be left fc the Selectmen now to be
chosen,"
among whom were Ensign Daniel Fisher and Lieut. Joshua Fisher.
Sept. 21, 1664, John Fairbanks having informed the Select- men that Goodman Prescott, "an auntient planter and pub- lique spirited man of Lancaster," thinks it probable that a stiitable tract of land is to be found at some distance from there, they depute Lieut. Fisher and Fairbanks to repair to Sudbury and Lancaster, and report upon their return. An item here occurring of "9s allowed Henry Wright for his horse for the journey to the Chestnut country, judging it well worth that," has reference to this expedition, and Nov. 6, 1664, the committee reported that the tract of land where-
of they had been informed, was ••iW.-uhT'l ', ~~
several farms, and altogether ufAhl.!^ T"""^ "P™ '^^
It is preciselv at t1,;= ,t . .^ '" ''"PP'y "'em."
gins, f folC'the records "' "" ""'">' °' '^-^A^''! be-
towne to provide th.u th,- -i™ ' ' ' ' u " ""*''= '" '"■half of the fie that grant, and t a vit r^M ::!; "' ''"''" '"^' '-" ""' to .satis! grantee enter „p„„ i. and Xnl ul" ""' '"""' ''''"'= ->" °'""
e'tt?hr„; ."Lt ;:;:fn?d ■:"'^"^°' ^'^"- j--" ^■■■*-
to repayer to ihe pll^^'n," f ' t"""^^'"^?'' f"' ™'^^''"=" out the Land accordino. t„ thei bis t^-' ' ' '"°™ *''"'' ''V
ing promised ",00 aer^e of lILlTn f n""'""'" '="^''' "'•'" b^" Paynes, onely to Lie t F > f"" f •'"■=*f«="o„ for thier
as shall be judged eoual F, tt' '"'•''' """=■■ ^-'"■'f^etion was preventid fy th?'::!mi„g'r:f SeT^'^i '" '"^ ^'"'^ some unwillingness seems fo^. ' '^""""S: which
mittee, to undenake the^usLr ^ '''"" ^>^ '''' -«"^- Selectmen. busmess on the terms offered by the
As appears from the remrrl f^f tvt i. was amicably settled wher ' '°' "''' "^" <"«'™>'y
'•Vpon further consideration of effecting th^ I. ■
Acres Lieft Fisher d.,.i, "'"^^ '""= 'ayeing out the 8000
aboue tendered hin, f ""^ ^fi^-ptance of „.. .J
acres, it is consented vnto p^vkled he"Tr"'7 ""™""'' "''"^ ^co true and sufficient platt of tha r ' , ""'^'' ''™"'^ f^ 'he Towne a
tendered, viz-. ,50 achers [„ t,' 'fZ'" '' '"^ P^^-" '-'""ly
hilTrhiXfeiit'firfs 'v^;,""' '- '^^ ■'-'"-
horse for the journey. A 'port^f h "' '""^ *"" '"'
/ A report of this committee with
96
TkUK STORIKS OF NKW KN(;r,AM) CArTIVKS.
reference io an accompanying^ plot, certified and fij^ured as "layd out by Joshua Fisher, May, 1665," proves that the work was accomplished without much delay.
The principle of vSquatter Sovereignty by which men nat- urally at first possess themselves of lands in a new settlement, is as naturally set aside b)- the first attempts at corporate government. The land was granted by the (General Court in townships, without prescription as to the manner of its ap- portionment among the inhabitants, and though per'^;ons and property seem to have had some consideration in the distri- bution, no uniform rule was observed in the different towns.
Dedham, at this period, was occupied by two classes of inhabitants,— landed proprietors, and landless residents. All the lands of the township, at first held as common property, had been divided into 522 cow commons, a name Ijased upon the ntmiber of cattle then running on the common pasture, and by a somewhat arliitrary rule, a certain number of these shares assigned to each proprietor, with the understanding that his rights in all future grants of land to the township of Dedham would be proportionate to his proprietorship there. In the actual division of the Pocumtuck grant, however, there are 523 cow commons, one more than [n the Dedham property, a discrepancy as yet inexplicable.
After the allotment of the 750 acres promised to Lieut. Fisher and his three associates, for their assistance in laying out the grant, the remainder was to be divided into cow com- mons. The surveyors doubtless selected their tract on their first expedition, and their choice was made with great '-.agac- ity. It included about one hundred and fifty acres ol the very best land in the north meadows, situated as we believe from a careful comparison of allotments, in the region now known as Pogue's Hole, the Neck and White »Swamp.
It may be a satisfaction to property holders there, to note the advance in real estate since Dee. 10, 1665, when
^n.KAIK.Xr ,„.• A ,.K,>.NT,KK T„WK.
t«>l. and Lioiit. Fish,.,. „,.,,.° ■ ^^ '" ''■"''" ""'' '^^•'t- f"'- "A in ca.sh and Jc, "t,!,'' '^?"="' "''f-' "^ l"'^ rights. prob..blv, when -^ Jr . " !""' '■••'"""■" "'e only !,„,.
• "- i-n b,4rcrft f ;t;'r;;: '"" "-^«=''' -'^'
1 Hat each pi-opretor's l-nirl .i, ii '
'enanc. of „„ (J,,,,, ^^ M 1^ ' ,7 """T"*' """■■"■^ "- ---
""y pan of d,e Sooo in pr,,,,,,,.,) ' " " ^""' '''" ""'"■■^ "'" Lold
c-vc„m,„„„s, shall |K.ypn ' •',' """"""' ■""'""" "-'"-^
The Ia.st elause refer, / ,"^ '"■'"'"'«''^'" "-■<=''
>-.. a Pasfer '^uKa^';:;^:^ f, -;-: ^^^^^ f en,p,.,..
Any man unwillino- „r „„.,hi,. ,'"'■"•"": ^'""■'-•h- '0-. wa.s en,p„wered1o ,s ' t ", u ' ' "^ '■''^^"'- '^ ""-- b} a mai. „y „f ,|,^ propriet, rV 5,^ '' ''""'' '" '^^ «''«<'
be fonnc. the inhabitan of p": /",'■''"""" '^">'"='- ^'""Id
rights at that priee. or e hLr'"!' /"•'^ '" '•■"^•« »'« The bound.s „f th^ errant h, ,"" "'" •''f"'-«»«i'l ta.x-.
"- ne.t thin, to be^u^l t^^tul^'l ""' '" ^^' "^'^'^ t tie by a nominal pnreha,se of hiv f , ' "^ ""= '"dian ^•hase. I .say, beea,,.^. reniemb ., t"h "" 'i, f ""■""'^' l"- ands from Suffield to Nor fie 1 *" ' '■'" "'^ f'-'"''"'' river Indian.s for a few .n-eat c , t. 1 "'"''•' •""■'-••''''^ed from the wampnm. I eannot'^u L " "'f Tu """""■^' '""^"'"-^ "f
p-^^:;^ietti:^-'^-S-^
T^m^mmmmm'^^^gmrmmmmmmimmmmmmm'mimmmmmmmmmmmm^mm^m^i^fs^^^ -wdfiixq i
98 TRUl-: SrORIKS ok new KNdLANI) CAl'TIVES.
poet, says "It would be difliciilt to tell why Penn's purchase is more worthy of renown than the purchase of Indian lands in Hadley by John Pynchon twenty years before." With less partiality than the former writer, he adds, "both bought as cheaply as they could."
Let us cast no imputation on the general justice of the policy of the early settlers of Massachusetts towards the In- dians. Still it is noticeable that the very records of their pur- chases make complacent mention of the "Indian title in [not to] the land," and we must admit that it was usually a bar- gain in which might made right, the simple wants and characteristic lack of foresight of the red man being no match for the ambition and shrewdness of the civilized white. Ma- jor John Pynchon of vSpringfield, (Worshipful John) in his double capacity of magistrate and trader, dealt largely with the Connecticut River Indians and effected nearly every im- portant purchase from them. The Sachems of the valley kept a running account at Pynchon's shop, buying from him wampum and other small merchandise of which they stood in need, and pledging their lands in payment.
He in turn transferred the Indian deeds to the white set- tlers, receiving from them money, corn, wheat and other standard articles of trade. The following items from Pyn- chon's account book is a small part of the debt of Umpacha- la, the Norwottuck Sachem, in payment of which he gave Pynchon a deed of the town of Hadley :
"1660, July 10, 2 coats, shag and wampum, 5^; Red shag cotton, knife, 7s. July 30 to September 14, wampum and 2 coats, 5^' los; a kettle, i;^ 5s; for your being drunk, 10s."
Thus for the vice of drunkenness which the imtaught Pagan had learned from our Christian civilization, we forced him to forfeit his home, and yet we boast of the fairness of our deal- ings with him.
Major Pynchon, acting in behalf of the Dedham proprie-
■Bi
SETTLEMENT o, A I-KONT,,,:, TOWN.
s'y
tors, obtained from tfi^. p . — -
'-<;. Three of t w'te',X' "•' '"''^"^ ^""^ "-"» "f
J^he first, dated February ■>4ti, ,fir„ • ■ 'nark by Chacjtte, Sachem of Pocmntn' V*''""''' ^'"'' '"'^ vahtable considerations." transfer "' "■''° *"'' «""" •■■'"'l ntory of his tribe, to Toh„ I nc , f 5'' P"''"°" °f "'« 'er.
agreeing to defend the same fr '-"*f''*'n™ of Dedham dian.s, and reserving the riglt '"^ '""'estation from In.
a-r\^;" ":ar::a:;rt„^s;'"V^- "-"^ - -- -^r
""ts and things on the comm^",,^" ™''""^' '^''=«'""» a,ul other
The .second, dated Tune i6th ,^« ■ . owner of certain lands .at PocimUtcf ''h" ™'" ^asseamet, agreed to ".save them harmless frl'aT,'" '■™™y'"S '"em
By the third, dated July „d Z '"'"'■'"""" °' ^■'••'™«-"
squ.nnitchall of Pocumtuek "and hi V ?""1"''"' '"'''as Me-
both Weshatchowmes t and ToI'h t''"' '^"^"^ '^"^' ««"
waters. Profits and commod1tJswha!f ""'"^ "" "'« '■■<^«^.
.es to hold and enjoy, and taT forever' The""""^ P""
of this business was the chief tnn.v V '^ Prosecution
"i"- ^th, .66;, the Se, «: ^ ^r ' T"' '' ^^'^''^»- respecting Poconipticke and the rir'- r'''''™''°" "' »><= ca.se eren lateiy upon the place Z, ''™"«'" '>>' '^ose breth-
to make reporte in publik^ IhenVvf . ""'' "'''"'' 'hem ....
AlLso that the Towne be ,n'd' •"'"'''= ''••'>' a"" Lecture.
Worp™. Cap. PinchiL n'^^tSr';'' '^^ "-"-sn... of the'
'f <"= who haae decl ed !- I ^ ''"' "'*"' "' '''"^""'l'-
about 40^ and is yet in pro „u„ „ . "-'-.al'reudy layed o t by word and writeing ha e exp" Id ht 7"' '''"*^ """ '""''"^' '""> i;ayen,. he desire is money vhe te a < T '" "" ''•••""b'.rsed, the 'be^Towne to remember L g^Urie^hil ::*:"•■ ' "'' "'""" "»'-
-■"^"^---"'por t^k sixL^':- :^-"""" "-
' ^^^"^ ^'^ W'i« assessed
^9^1
mm
100
I'KUK SIORIKS ol' NFAV KNlil.AND CAl'TlVKS.
upon each cow common, rcclconino- 14 acres or thereabouts to each common, and an e(jual assessment, acre for acre on the "farms" of the surveyors.
The list of [iroprietors at this time numbers sixty Dedham men.
The deeds, meanwhile, having been delivered to Elea/.ar Lusher, by v^hom they were deposited in Deacon Aldis's box, — at a general meeting of the proprietors, vSeptember 29th, 1669, g6£, los were ordered raised to pay L'apt. Pyn- chon, (the first assessment evidently not having been collect- ed), by an assessment of 3s 4d on each cow c(~)mmon, the 750 acres constituting the farms of the surveyors being rated at 54 commons, .showing thus an estimate of about 14 acres to a common.
This list contains t. e names of eighty-four proprietors, prov- ing that the fever of speculation in Deerfield land was spread- ing in Dedham. Among several transfers of rights recorded, is the purchase of Anthony Fisher's 1 50 acres by (tov. Lev- erett, who sold it again to John Pynchon "for £g current mon- ey and several barrels of tar," in the manufacture of which Springfield was largely engaged. Permission was also grant- ed in 1668, to Lieut. Fisher, to sell a part of his rigl: s to John Stebbins of Northampton, ancestor of the vStebbins lamily of Deerfield.
On May loth, 1670, a committee of the proprietors, assem- bled to fix a time for drawing lots and settling proprieties at Pocumtuck, order notice to be given of a meeting of the pro- prietors for that purpose, at the meeting house in Dedham at seven o'clock in the morning of the 23d instant.
"The proprietors by Grant or purchase," assembled accord- ing to appointment on the morning of May 23d, 1670. At this meeting
"It is agreed that an Artist be procured vpon as moderate tearmes as may be that may laye out the I-otts at rawcompticke to each pro- priato'."
•simu^r or A .KoNr.KK r.nvx.
lot
Three Hadley men -.ThT ~~~~~
^""« (except h„„se l,ott ) tl,e 1 " , """^ '''"'"'»" °f l.an N o^ ' M e'-lyanci westerly and , , ■ "'"'"' "' ""= '-"tts shall n
nil,,, 1 •^' *^' '^"^ heein iio-nf i. ■ ' '^unne east-
'-^.l ^vayes be on the northerly si ^ ^""^ ""^ '"^"s . . „ ' ,
side " "•-"■> ■'"de and make an end nn fi '
,,,, ■ *""" "" ^''t; southerly
^ he mcadou' lands only ^vo. n a cow eommon represen dTh 1 """^ '^ ^^^^^ ^^---^. and Propnetors inelttdes two won In ■ ? ''' ^'^"^'- '^^^e H t o four names, amon^. vvhich are n ''"? ^^^^^^^''^'"■'^ i" all thirty Samson Frary. ""'' ^^^««^ "f San^uel Hinsdell and
^ittee yLted tlT^rZ '"'"'f f ^'"S" this allotment th.
*<"■ 'he,r homesteads was of o„, " ' '■"" '""^ ^''^a set apart served for tillage. ' ™"'''' ■""<=!> less than that "-
f" ' V'^'-^' ''^'^''--tr'" ^- '- too, p„ee
town of Dedham of all tT '" " detailed report tn f^'
esting document' H £' 'I'^Lr^'^''^^. -^ a'm t „ te,
ea.^ and west on the street thJ "%""" '°'^ ^« 'hey fron^"
-" -th, and a .^i.hwI^StTe^-Jddr:,^-'-^
Mrs. Buncker.
102 TKUK STORIKS OF NKW ENCJLANI) CAl'TIVKS.
east and west to the mountain and river, nearly as we see them to-day. The lots were numbered in regular order, No. i being at the north end on the west side; l)Ut as the area of eaeh man's house lot was proportioned to the number of cow commons of which he was proprietor, they varied in extent from one acre nine rods, to seven acres ten rods, and cannot be identified. Various circumstances lead to the conclusion, that lot No. 1 3, drawn by John vStebbins, was that now owned by Samuel Wells.
The first and second divisions of the meadows were defined as they still appear, though we no longer recognize a curious distinction, borrowed doubtless from their salt marshes around T3edham, which they made between the lower lands on the river, called by them "the meadows," and "the more higher sort of lands," called "Intervale or plow lands." The report also furnishes the clearest evidence, that the country surrounding the meadows, (the east and west mountains, from Long Hill south, and from Cheapside hills north), was densely wooded, which is contrary to tradition.
It must not be supposed that Deerfield was settled by a colony from Dedham, as Windsor had been from Dorchester. The thirty-four names appearing on the list of original pro- prietors of Pocumtuck, do not represent actual settlers.
Robert Hinsdell and his son Samuel, Samson Frary, John Farrington and Samuel Daniels, are the only Dedham men appearing among the thirty-four original proprietors of Po- cumtuck, who ever became actual settlers in Deerfield. John Stebbins, a Northampton n also on the list, settled here. The other Dedham propria jrs sold out their rights.
Robert Hinsdell, his son Samuel, and Samson Frary, were living in Hatfield just previous to the allotment of lands at Pocumtuck, May 23d, 1670, and very soon after that date, the two latter took up their abode in Deerfield. The report to which I have alluded, fixes these two men as the first set-
■MMiiiHiiiiiHliaiaMHailHHIMiiMMii
SI'rm.KMF.NT OF A FRONTIER TOWN. 103
tiers of Deerfield. In it, the street is deseribed as extendinj^ "from Ivai^le lirook on the south to the banke or fallinjr ridge of kind at vSamson Frary's celkir on the north;" and permis- sion is given to Samuel Hinsdell "to enjoy a pereell of land on which at present he is resident, considering his expense on the same."
The third settler, (xodfrey Nims, came from Northampton to Deerfield in 1670, living there "in a sort of a hou.se where he had dug a hole or cellar in the side hill," .south of Colonel Wilson's. At the allotment of the homesteads in 1671, he built a house, on what lot is not known.
In 1672, the town of Hatfield, complaining that their north boundary was obstructed by the Pocuintuck line, it was ac- cordingly established where it now is.
The same year Samuel Hinsdell petitioned the town of Dedham. to appoint a committee of .suitable persons to regu- late the affairs of the new .settlement. No heed being paid to this request, the petitioners renewed it the next year, urg- ing their distress by reason of their remoteness from other plantations. Either directly or indirectly, through Dedham, their prayer was heard by the General Court, which in 1673,
"In ans' to the peticon of Samuel Hinsdell, Samson Frary
&c, the Court allow the petitioners the liberty of a Township
and doe therefore grant them such an addition to the 8000
acres formerly granted as t'lat the whole be seven
miles square, provided that an able &: orthodox minister w"'in three
yeares be settled, and doe appointt Lef. Wm Allys,
Tho" Meakins, Sen & Sergent Isaack (iraues, w"' Lef Samuel Smith,
M', Peeter Tylton, & Samuel Hinsdell or any fower of them,
to admit inhabitants, grant lands, & order all their prudentiall af- faires till they shall be in a capacity, by meet persons from among themselues, to manage their owne affaires."'
During the two succeeding years, this committee was not
'Mass. Records, IV. Part II. 558.
104
IRUK STORIKS OK XKW I;N(;1w\NI) CM'IIVKS.
idle. There were claims to be satisfied, and disi)utes con- cerning land titles to be adjusted. Anion^ other jj^rants was one of "20 Akars ca land and Allsoe a hoanie lott, to Uchard Weler and his heirs forever:— of a hoanie lott, and Allsoe a twelve co?nmon Lott of ;/) Akars to Sergeant Plimpton and his heirs forever : — and to Zebediah Williams a house lott of 4 Akars : " on condition of their residing there- on for the space of four years from their (irst occupation. To Mr. vSamucl Mather, the Dedham church lot was awarded, "and an S common lotte more in the most convenient place — 48 Akars in all," on the .same condition.
In 1673, at the early age of twenty-two, he began his labors as first minister of Deerfield. He had been graduated two years before at Harvard, and was a nephew of the distin- guished Increase Mather, and cousin to the more learned Cot- ton Mather.
In the fall of 1674, Moses Crafts, "was licensed to keep an Ordinary at Pocumtuck," — the word tavern or ale-house was offensive to our Puritan fathers, — "and to sell wines and strong liquors for one year, provided he keep good order in his house,"
Inhabitants came in gradually, men began to "stub up" their home lots, and the infant town, now known by the name of Deerfield from the number of those animals in its wood- lands, seemed in a fair way to a prosperous growth.
The savages still hunted, fished, and fowled, in the woods and waters of Pocumtuck, maintaining entire friendliness to- wards the settlers. Often Goodwife Stockwell, cumbered with much care about the minister's dinner, would be startled at her work, by the dusky shadow of an old squaw gliding in at her doorway to bring her a mat or a basket, expecting a few beans or a trifle in return ; or the Indian hunter .strode through the little village with a haunch of venison on his shoulder, to barter with Moses Crafts for tobacco or powder ;
■BnnRnaR
Sl:rTl,KMK\T ciK a IKUNTIEk TOWN.
105
or his y„u„^. wife with hur ln-ight-cye,l papponsc athcrb-,ck pcui-cd w„n,lcr!ngly in at the <l„„r „f the itlie 1,„. ,„,,., ,,"
con::,".' r: z:,j^^jt""" -'-^ "'-^ ''■^■•'""■^' "-■
tunes „f Yolk ,„ Wltls!,, ' ""'' """« '" '^' «"« "'''
Hn.e. at Swa„.e;Vti:^^^:-,™- ;■'-;■:-
mucif 1 . " ^^''^'•' ^'"^'^ ^Hscributed it among the Nip
muck sachems; wherennnn n,..,7. i , ^ i-uu iMp.
r^sf r 'f ■■ '" ■ -« =' =:.'
cvuao e. m the Connecticut va ley, the carnival nf Ki^ /. opened with the Sugar Loaf f...hf L ,1 ''^''1'"'^^ °^ ^^^od Thp rir>f....f r ■, ^ ^"^' ^" ^^^ autumn of 167c
1 ne detection of the Pof-iimfiw.i. t^ v • , . *W5-
w!:f-;s:s.r;-Jrofu,etTu'-
axe for his winters fire ; or ereepin, st'Iu^ny tt'th'e tlbin
— ^^-T^PWW"
U«0
I 06
TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENOLAND CAPTIVES.
whose occupants were wont to greet him with kindness, he tore the child from its mother's arms as she I'-lled it to rest, and with one blow of his tomahawk, silenced its cries forever. "A distressing sense of instant danger," pervaded every breast. The churches everywhere were before the Lord with humiliation and prayer, and pious preachers admonished their tlocks, that their sufferings were directly chargeable to their sins. From the very midst . f the alarm. Parson Stoddard writing to Increase Mather, at Boston, urges the need of a reformation. "Many sins," he says, "are grown so in fash- ion, that it is a question whether they be sins," and begs him to call the Governor's attention especially to "that intolerable pride in clothes and hair, and the toleration of so many tav- erns, especiall> in Boston, and suffering home dwellers to be tippling therein." "It would be a dreadful token of the displeasure of God," he adds, "if these afflictions pass away without much spiritual advantage." Mr. ^Slather, jotting down hastily for the printer, the intelligence that comes post from Hadley, moralizes thus: "It is as if the Lord should say He hath a controversy with every plantation, and therefore all had need to repent and reform their ways." "This sore contending cf God with us for our sins," writes John Pynchon to his absent son, "unthankfulness for former mercies and unfaithfulness under our precious enjoyments, hath evidently demonstrated that He is very angry with this country, and hath given the heathen a large commission to destroy." And Minister Hubbard, from his Ipswich stiuly, where rumors come flying in of tl -^ untimely cutting off of the flower of Essex by Indian hacohet, groans out, "God grant that by the fire of all these judgments, we may be purged from our dross and become a more refined people, as vessels fitted for our Master's use."
The inhabitants of Deerfield, warned by repeated attacks, had been driven from their homes and were huddled togeth-
Btf.^«:a-rr.s
t- ■'«»M'tE-r«PK..»r ij^wsij > ■■'■'■ijuiyaragbr-
SETTLEMENT OF A FRONTIER TOWN.
107
little settlement in isho. wi"i ■•emnant ef their
cli.in.s on their nm-cle,?^; °. '■" -"'^'^Sifling bands of In.
women wa e ed ", w. l'™", P'"'"' ""''' "^'■' f™'''^. 'he some bel<nia™e.r; !'!"'"""■ '" •■"" "«"">• "^ f^-''^ '«t day was thick wihf ",™ '■" "'«''"'•''"• The noon-
dread, hauned 1 1 d ,1 ■"'"• '■'",'' " "'°"-^'''"'' Ph'-'ntom^ of
Wind ^hriera:r;r;:rur;;^-- i™t;^^^^^^^ '"-
proaohil; f^e t d h "^ '"f";,"T "^'^ '-"P "^ '"e ap!
fore the Septen!ter ^le V^", \lf™t '" ""^ ^^^^^ ^'=- ants. Compelled at Z,\ "^ *"■■ "'''''^ffe assail.
families in 1*^,0 bet'tr'ot'rt ""T'^ "' '''^•-'""■- '"■■ "^eir field reh,,.ta„tlv o, " ^'T. ' ■^'^"''•■■"ents, the men of Deer.
won withrh^:::ir:ftretr'r "■"--- '->' •-- la/tp:^ o:f thi ::::: ::;:: '^rvif • ?^ ^'°'"™ - ™
treasures of thrifty 1 on.ef '^e feather beds and other
the mareh fo a'dirb Z f^TT'l" '1' ''-'P'""' ^*°P- """ saw the day breakim. .T I, ^'""''"'^ *"h which they
their way 1^3^ the me , '"°""'^'''"' '^^ "^^^ "-^"-J^d -ornin/the ,8^ of SepttmbeT Z-T""' ""■" "'^""-"^ of mingled relief that t^fr ''' ™'' "" 'I°»bt, one
resolute confitr2 tt thev ^, ''T"'"' "'" '=""->• '''"'l "^ ocenpy the field ot^^ih.LtTo: f";™ '""" ^P""*^' '° well. No foreshadowin^of ?hei a^ful fat' "''"""' '"'^
When the few th^t^ apXid't'h'^rhT fhe^^ ~'
I08 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
known before as Muddy Brook, had been baptized anew and consecrated forever, with the blood of eighteen of the sturdy yeomanry of Pocumtuck, and many a valiant soldier besides. Goodwife Hinsdale wept for her husband and three stalwart sons slain in the fight, and remembered with unavailing penitence, how the year before she had flouted his authority. Upon the ear of William JSmead, mourning for his boy of fifteen, Mr. Mf.ther's Latin ''Dulcc ct dccoruni est, pro patria inori,'' fell unheeded; and vainly did brave Sergeant Plymp- ton strive to hush the wailing of his old wife Jane, for Jona- than, the staff of their declining years, now lost forever.
After the massacre at Muddy Brook, the garrison was with- drawn from Deerfield, and the enemy soon laid in ashes all that remained of that hopeful plantation. Some brave spirits, however, still clung to the hope of resettlement. These, exas- perated by the news, in the early summer of 1676, that the Indians, not only had their rendezvous at the Great Falls, where they were laying in large stores of fish for their next campaign, but were actually planting corn on the rich inter- vales of Deerfield, gladly volunteered, under the heroic Tur- ner, to dislodge them. By his defeat of the Indians at the Swamscott Falls,' Philip's war, so called, was virtually ended. A few months later, the pallid hands of that once haughty chieftain were shown as a spectacle in the streets of Boston. His ghastly head set up on a pole in Plymouth, afforded the occasion for a public thanksgiving, and the body of Weetamoo,^ his constant ally, more implacable in her resent- ment than even he had been, lay stranded by the ebbing tide, the once beauteous form now sodden and repulsive, the long hair, which the proud dame was wont to dress so care- fully, all knotted with sea-tangle, the features once so gaily
'Ever since known as Turner's Falls.
'Squaw Sachem of Pocasset married first the brother of Philip.
SETTLEMENT O. a ,konT,E.< TOWN
" . ■ 109
they feared lest a union of these^n ^^''"'■'■^^^ '° them, and -h.ch would deprive iC^t:Z:TT- Z'"' "' ^f-*". tage. Tliougl, the presenee ofTrLv r u ^""'""tuck heri: the valley, made any attemw ' ^"^ '?""^^'^°"»^'i--'n« in Quentin StocUwel, wolid noT^ dis^aded 'f"'"! '■■^^"^°«-^'
tha, h '" ' P''*^"""^ history bittkH ,° ""' P'^"'?"'^'-'- that he was from Dedham TheW^ " ''"°"'" '-"•«ept
ous tax lists, from ,663 to 67, wh ." "'"' ^P?'^"'^ «" vari- to Hatfield, and thence the „!: T ^^ '■*'"°^'^'' ^^«h his wife Rev. Mr. Mather f:nrd a „" e' ZT '° "f^^'^"' ^'-^ ' - was a man of eners-v n„^ "" "''"^ 'hem. That he
the only DeerfieMr,:"th:";„The''"'r"^ ^'•^ '''^ -^^'i begjn to rebuild his ruined home Dri "? °' "''■ ''"-^ the Indians, who burned h,s halTfini ^ T ^''°'" ^'' '""^'^ by most probably to Hatiield wl e "wth l""",' "'"^ «^'<' ^^^"^ pie, he spent the winter hI 1 """■ 'Jeerfield peo.
tent. The birth of it ehild mad'' v"''™^' '" f™" -n. shelter him,,elf under hi.s own Toof't " """"^ ""-^us to mer he succeeded in nerlTJ '°°f-"'ee. and the ne.xt sum Stebbins, and one or fv™' l^l^f ^ ''^i""" P'.>'-P'o". Ben^; field, where the former had 'i' '°f' """ "'th him to Deer eighteen feet long ''"^ ""^''""^y b«iit himself a house
year Z ^alseT^cf the'^f "') "' ^^^P'-"-. .«77 A onhisvalley,reliev: rof'tfCreh"" ""• ^"^ ""= P-P'^
■MP
m^ju't"
I lO
TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
seventeen captives, mostly women and children, towards Deerfield.
It was near sunset of one of those tranquil. New England autumn days, we know so well. Naught of melancholy was in the song piped by a belated August cricket, nd the striped snake crawled from his hole to bask in the sunshine, as if he half believed summer had come again. The witch-hazel threw into the lap of October a wealth of blossoms, which June could never extort from her. A crown of gold, gemmed with opal and amethyst, rested on the brow of the western hills; the swamps were ablaze with the flame colored sumachs. The mountain, a^eady in shadow, seemed like some massive temple, where in stoles of scarlet and purple and gold, stood maple and oak and chestnut, lik^ cardinal, bishop and priest, to offer a sacrament of peace. No sound in the woodlands, save now and then as a leaf rustled down softly and was silent. The squirrels as they frolicked among the branches, ceased their chatter, startled by the echo of Quentin Stockwell's hammer, as it was borne up from the valley. A light heart was in his bosom, for he thought how snugly his little family would be housed before winter set in, and faster fell the strokes as the sun declined. Near by, sat little Samuel Russell, watching with delight the great chips as they fell from under John Root's axe, when suddenly "with great shouting and shooting," the Indians came upon them. Dropping their tools, and seizing their guns, the men fled towards the swamp, where Root was instantly shot, and Stockwell after brave resistance, was at last overpowered and compelled to surrender or die.
"I was now by iiiy own House," says Quentin, "which the Indians burnt the last year and 1 was about to build up again, and there I had some hopes to escape from them. There was a Horse just by which they bid me take. I did so, but made no attempt to escape thereby because the enemy was near, and the beast dull and slow,
- -^iWMUIPWWU JJ»'ltJ
;»w«iMii'iii>f>mmnipi"i
-^^^JJ'iTf
^™-0,ENT OK , ,«„„,^,^ ,^^^^^,_^
"ear to the,,,, and so fell' till Lo the f " ' ""'" ""' »">=
the company „f other Cai>t,ve,Jh,^' " '°'"' "''^ ' l>™"Kht into Hatfield, Which were X ,7 ' , e","."",":' ^™"«'" --^f" ™ ".atterofjoyand so,™,, both to ; ' th" r "' """""«'" --
vve took up our place for rest i\L ''' '"''^^ f"'-ther, before
o" the east side of the n.:::t'ai: "" '''' '" ' '''^^^' P^- of' ^V^d ^Ve were kept bound all that .. -r,
^"^.:-!r:it::?T"--"'-'^^-^^^'''"'"^'-'
onyoK.e.,a„d Owlfr '' ' A^ ^J -"' ™ade .™„e „o,- „, ">.ght not ,o.e one another, . d i Lf^^'f ' '" '"e end that they "'vered by the English. °"°'""' "'ey n,igl,t not be dj-
About the break of D g'-eat river at Pecnn,ptnck Kivir n*,'"!'"' ^T """ «»' <'ver the ho"rs. There the Indian, ,„ "ke I,' ''' """'= "''"''> -bout two <he.r Captives and Slain as thei/ ',! """" '''"" '"« -"i^e of great danger ; A quarrel aro e lb. 'I ''°" "^ ^ again h
hree took ™e. 1 .hough. I "nst be k mT' . " '''"'"'■^^ ' »■-. f " ^o when they put it to n,e wW 1 w , '"" ""= «""-ove sie me; so they ag,eed to have ,M i si ' '"" "'""' '"^'ans tolk Master, an.l he was „,y cMe ,:s:r:h: l"", J ''' "^ 'h- and thus was I fallen i„to the han u "" '""'"''' "" "e first
Company; as Ashpelon the I„di n ■"" ^"^''J' >™rst of all the
wasall along very kind to ,, a", T' '°" '"^^ '^^-h -Pt n
J" th,s place they gave us „„ v *^''''" ™""''" '» 'he Engl - ™n, the English.' ^-hit ^J^ ^j"-'^ which they had bro^ lown to bring away what th y^co d T '"" "" "^" f°«h 'o - out Of the ..eadow they ^t^ourtor.rHo^sr :hich:r;
112
TRUE STORIES OK NEW ENGLAND CAl'TIVES.
had there taken. From hence we went up about the Falls, where we crossed that River again, and whilst I was going, I fell right liown lame of my old Wounds that I had in the War, and whilst 1 was thinking I should therefore be killed by the I'.uiians, and what Death I should die, my pain was suddenly gone and I was much en- couraged again."
As they recro.ssed the river at Pe.skeompskut Falls, the Hat- field eaptives remembered with satisfaction, how Benjamin Waite had piloted brave Turner to his great victory at this very spot; and a gleam of hope cheered their hearts at the thottght, that he would not be less active in the pursuit of the foe, who now bore his helpless wife and children into cruel captivity. Stockwell continues,
"We had about eleven horses in that Company, which the Indians used, to carry Burthens, and to carry Women. It was afternoon when we now crossed that river. We travelled up it till night, and then took up our Lodging in a dismal place, and were staked down and spread out on our backs; and so we lay all night, yea so we laid many nights. They told me their I^aw was, that we should lie so nine nights, and by that time, it was thought we should be out of our knowledge. The manner of staking down was thus : our Arms and Legs stretched out were staked fast down, and a Cord about our necks, so that we could stir no wayes. The first night of stak- ing down, being much tired, I slept as comfortable as ever. The next day we went up the river, and crossed it and at night lay in Squakheag meadows, and while we lay in those meadows, the In- dians went a-hunting, and the English army came out after us."
Dividing into many companies to elude pursuit, they again cros.sed the river. About thirty miles above Northfield they re-crossed it to the west, and being quite out of fear of the English, lay there encamped about three weeks. On thi.s last march Stockwell's three masters went off to hunt, leav- ing him with only one Indian, who fell sick, so that as he says,
"I was fain to carry his Gun and Hatchet, and had opportunity and
g-»~^.!i!-.
SETTLEMENT OF A FRONTIER TOWN.
that t't c r :;r' '"": r -- »-^. '- <«<■ -, ro.
because if oL s,^^^ "^'''r" ,'^ -'"".T '" one ano^.,
■ -i-ger the res. .hat c.; j;;;';^;.";;;;,:™';'.!'"™^= '^^ ^-'-.s, ,.,„,i
sistecl. No knight ie'le 7 K '" '■'^'" ""^ ^'■■■^'- '•'"'' '■-
Sidney puttinglside t1 e pr ff re^'cn: "of" .''"'. "'^ "^''"^ vered lips, more dese,-vp« , , ^ ™"='' f™'" his fe-
well refLnsHbertr.t;i/'7'''"''' '■''■'" «"^"''" S'O'-'k-
gain n,i,,ht 1>rove I noth ,- ' o :'' wf •,' '^ '"^^^' ''=-^' ''''^ Stockwell says, '• ^^'"'« encamped here,
1 was one .hat was .oLbu.s"'' ''"'''="''"'' "'•"-■"l^
l^enjamin ^Vait his v.ife .,'e t^^ : Z'T, '"""""" ""'"'"='■• '•"'" ^^ l.urnt, yet i perceived so„' ' ,e S,, c ".7 ""' "''^" ™^ '° iMulerstcod of their lansuaee- .h„ ''«'"' "'""""to, so much I "f next dayes work, .he ^^dh ' ' "'^^' ' '^""''' "•" '''eep for fear 'lown .o sleep, and slept ^Z rS 7'"' "'"' """ »-'«• 'aid J wen. „„t and broug " w'l^, '„^ *•"«"■'" «-- all loose, then noise on purpose, but non awaked t""' ""= "''• ^"" '"'-""= a would wake, we n.igh. kil, .;:„,': i , "t"," '"' °' '^^ '^"^''^^ way all the Guns and Hatchets- h „ ! *^' ' <^"'"^"i out of .he "-■ngs where .hey were again ','' J, '"" 'f"^ "''- ' P"t all burnt, our Master and some other soate f" ''' ''""= '° "'=
prevented in .his place." ' '"'' ""> ""'I «!«= Evd was
nes.s, ..no pen i^o^uiZfl-^X^s ^ ''Z'1 ''^^ -''- the council fire and hellish ra^f 1 ' '•'°"''' describe:"
derstood that -some we f desWdTl^'"'"'' '^"'^""" »"- •7«es at length satiated wMn^f'" ,";! ''^'- '"'= .^--ge .^■eep, their t..st.al precautions ^^^e^! 70^1';^!^:
114 TKUK STOKIKS ()K NEW KN(;i,AND CATTIVES.
his soul racked with torturing anguish, meditating on the chances of escape; his desperate resohition to attempt it, and noisily replenishing the fire with the double purpose of test- ing the vigilance of his foes and the wakefulness of his friends; cautiously removing the weapons, where they may be ready for his purpose, and then, as hope dies within his breast, as carefull - replacing them, with the despairing con- sciousness that failure would only hasten the captives' doom, with never once a thought of leaving them to their fate and seeking safety for himself in flight, — all this is pictured with awful vividness.
At this period, there was trouble between the Mohawks and the Christian Indians, on account of the neglect of the latter to pay their customary tribute to the warlike lords of the Mo- hawk valley.
Six Mohawks, fully armed, had been seized near Boston while hunting, and thrown into prison by the authorities there. A party of Mohawks with a scalp, and two Natick squaws as captives, having passed through Hatfield on the very day be- fore the assault upon that town, the opinion prevailed that it was made by them. Distracted with grief, Benjamin Waite, one of the bereaved husbands, hastened immediately to Al- bany to demand redress, but returned with the assurance that the New York Indians were innocent of the affair. A fortnight had elapsed since the capture, and the distressed people of Hatfield could learn nothing of the fate of their friends, when Benoni Stebbins, having escaped from his cap- tors, returned with definite informaticm concerning them. His relation as given by himself to the Northampton post- master, October 6th, 1667, is a curious document. He states that his captors were
"river Indians, Norwattucks, save only one Narragansett, twenty- six in all, eighteen fighting men, two squaws, the rest old men and boys; that they came from the French whither they had fled at the
t^n.l of the war, and intended to Z,Z77,, ~
"ves, having been encouradjte I ,h?, T 7"" '" '"" "»^ -^"P-
ai>ie>:e for them." ^ '"■" "'"•>' '''""><■> have eight pounds
Frin':;; S:r„trd'::r?.;r, "''"^"";"^' — '- «.- the
either in the sprinro ■„ tr inV"' '?"" "" "^■■'" ""-. The party haying encampe t hi , ^', '''■"' """■'^'••'^ "''» time." we have alreadylen ^ Sttt'il's " ■*' ™ '^""'^''-W.- company wa.s .sent to "Wa^ht ! , n"'' "'"' ''' '"" °f 'he Indians that had lived U^rcrlt;;;,'" '''''' '""■'>' '""'- accompanied them, and hlvino- ! "'" ^''^ «t«W.in.s
«juawsanda,naretopielchuciM f"' °"' ^"'" t^™
on the mare and rid tm he t re f th"'"'' ""^ '''^■^ """ "*?"' "P" foot and .so escaped to Hadlev "'''"'• """^ "''•'" '"" °n
without vituals." '^^^ '''•''"S' 'wo days and a half
Wachusett hills n« r^u^
Philips war, initd^d a m,c.h'':frr°/ '^' "'.^ '"■^'"-'- "' m our day. 7 ,e expedition allnder^ f "^'''''P'"'^ "•''tent than chou's letter which follovvs \s 1^^ , " "^tioned in Py„.
way Ponds." '' '"' ^"""'"S been made to "]Vasha
a M^ -mTcXmr "h::""'^* "'"'" "^«^='^. Wonaioncct 'he English, a^;"4 •/ X~h'''= '^"" friendly toward often held meetings, was sniri?'" ^^''°»". wgwam Mr. Eliot pie. by Indians from Ca'„da ^n1 ™^' """^ *™'^ "' '"-^ Peo- It i« quite po.ssible tCtVl, J" '''™'"«<^ '" return. Stebbins was sent to seek tlti.s v '"' accompanied by
Stebbins's return was forwa d d imlrr T', '"'^'"'g^nce of chon at Springfield who ./ ""mediately to Major Pyn. letter to ilbany, Tn ^ ZZ7 it?"''''''' '"' '""-'"S unclenake the recovery of'tr„:L'rca";;;r'" ''"''-'' '"
service. ""''' "=" "a^, for his Majesties special
ii6
TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
SpRlNOFlF.l.l), Oct. 5, 1677. dipt. Salisbury —
Worthy Sir.—
Yesterday morning I rec'tl yo'r kind linis by Bcnj. Waite, whereby I understand yo'r sympathy with ns in o'r sad disaster by ye Indians: and yo'r readiness in mak- ing greate Inciuiries, and greate foirwardness to do what I'ossible lyes in you for us, w'ch 1 have abundant cause to acknowletlge, and
do most thankfully accept and as to your opinion of the
Maquas being free, and assuring me of their innocency, I do fully concur with you, having satisfaction fr'in what you wrote, and from Benj. Waite's relation. Hut to put it out of all doubt, (rod in His Providence hath sent us one of o'r captivated men, Benoni Stebbirfis
by name, w'ch is ye occasion of t'.iese lines to yo'rselt So
desire ye to put ye Maquas upon Psueing their and our ene "^lys, there being greate likelihood of their overtaking them. Benoni Stebbins came into Hadley last night in ye night, whose relation was sent to me, w'h being but an hour since 1 had it, 1 Psently resolved upon sending I'ost to you."
Then follovv.s a mintite account of the capture and flight toward Canada with vStebbins'.s escape.
"He says," continues Pynchon, "that one of the Indians from Nash- away Bonds, seems to be a counsellor w'h they have consulted much; and spoke of sending to the English, but at last resolved for Cana- da, yet talkt of making a forte a greate way up the river, and abid- ing there this winter, and also of carrying the captives and selling ym to ye P'rench, which he concludes they resolved on, but make but slow passage, concludes it may be twenty days ere they get to ye lake
In hi.s postscript Pynchon adds:
"Ben Wait is gone home, before the Intelligence came to me. He talkt of goeing to Canada before, and I suppose will rather be For- ward to it now than Backward."
So good an opportunity for opening a correspondence with the New York Indians, with a view to their pacification and
-•!' •■' '1-".""I for the NaVick sen' «1'*-'^ "' '"^''^ •'^'•■''^"••-'. •■'Samst future <lepre,lati,,n,s ul,e n r" f '''^'"""■'"■■••'"ce - with <Mp,on.,'ti. assur: .s "f 't e'^ :;; "'f™-^' '"t-th- Massachusetts f„r the Maequas, ' '' '■^''^P'-*'-''" "f
" by Ashpel.,„. the c^pt ,;;;"; ;7f«'- i"f"™,ed o'f
treated the K„j.,i,sh with the ut,rs^\;,"' '''■''•"'-'"'»'" ''••'vu
shrewd mediati.,,, saved then ,n ' ' 'h "^'"' '■""' "■'"'»'•■
'leath. ""•'" '"'"^e than once from dreadful
"He met me aiiil tol,| m,. s„.l,i,- "'-- spate „f „„n,i„« s . :J" "^ "^ ,"' " •'"y. -.I the J„.
"■'""'I ^P-ik their ,„i,,K but h J M ''""''' '"=^' ^""".and J,
"'at the India,, ,ha. |e, St'ehh, , '"'"^ '^""' ■•""' >™"''l «y
"" '""•' »""■■'" ^e done .^ ,:;':' .m?' '^"' ""'-^ '" '-'t, and t;
A fortnight after th sei e o Str 1 "T" ^'"-""^'x"
-me „f the same partv firei I e I'n ;■'".'■""' '"'^ f"<="ds.
■"if overpowered were'let ! n ,•:"■' "'■""'^>'- '-""d be-
'" treat for the release oa^L:;- ' .^its"" °' '■""™'"^ -""
ehems from wi:," tttvtt;;™-^ "'"■" ^°'- "> '^"' '■'e Sa- >t. yet were willin,. ,„ ^iTttV'Tj'"' ™"=" 'S^^''^^ and tal^e them. Ashpelon c ,-.r i *" ' ™'^ '° f^" "pon thi , as mischief would cxle'^JIt "' ""' '" ^P"-"^ ^ ^-^ of
•Vliile thev linp-erorl of fi, • ■s" scarce th/t onf efr'' footTad?o'"""^*"'r°^'^'°-''ecame whole days rations, and th^y be' a^ Z'TlfT. ■"P"™'' '" ^ food. At length resumin,r,r^ '"""''="• horses for
small river about two h ,„ drid ■r""^- '^^^ ^"^^^hed a Stoekweirs reckoni,"g where thev " '""^ ^^-"^'d. by
"• ""'' "'<=y separated into two com-
n8 TRUK STOklKS OK NEW ENOI.ANn CAPTIVKS.
panics. The division to which he was attached passed over "a mighty mountain," whicli they were ei^htdays in crossinj^, though they "travelled very hard." They suffered greatly on this march.
•'Here 1 was frozen, aiitl here again we were like U) starve. All the Indians went a Ihiiiting but could get nothing; divers dayes they Powwow'd but got nothing, then they desired the JMiglish to I'ray, and confessed they could do nothing; they would have us I'ray, and see what the Knglishman's (rod could d(j. I Prayed, so did Sergeant Plimpton, in another place. 'I"he Indians reverently at- tended. Morning and Night; next day they got Uears: then they would needs have us desire a Hlessing, and return Thanks at Meals: after a while they grew weary of it, and the Sachiin did forbid us. When I was frozen they were very cruel towards me, because I could not do as at other times. When we came to the Lake we were again sadly put to it for Provibions; we were fain to eat Touch- wood fryed in Bears' (ireace.
At last we found a company of Raccons, then we made a Keast; and the manner was, that we must eat all. 1 perceived there would be too much for one time, so one Indian that sat next to me, bid me slip away some to him under his Coat, and he would hide it for me till another time; this Indian as soon as he had got my Meat, stood up and made a Speech to the rest, and discovered me, so that the Indians were very angry, and gave me another piece, and gave me Raccoon's Grease to drink, which made me sick and Vomit. I told them I had enough; so that ever after that they would give me none but still tell me 1 had Raccoon enough ; so I suffered mnch, and being frozen was full of Pain, and could sleep but a lit- t' must do my work. When they went upon the lake, they lit
.oose and killed it, and staid there till they had eaten it all up.
.dr entering upon the lake there arose a great storm but at
ast they got to an island and there they went to Powowing. The Powwow said that Benjamin Waite and another Man was coming and that storm was raised to cast them away. This afterwards ap- peared to be true, though then I believed it not."
... >*^ir«ual a(>*aBBrt*."JU6»4n>'*»*W)!'W^*'
fMiBSHMIlMlitflll
Mih
__J^^^^^]^^^ A FKONTIKK TOWN.
Continued storms L-or.f tu . . ~~ " •
for aWt three w^.s^i^.f rSu^LTT ^ "^'"""^ -selves were alm.ist starve,! ^ "■' '"'''''"» 'hem.
f!"f TI,e lake bein,! J, 'V^tt: r" "•''■^ "^y" «"'"out
hunger a,u, p!.i„, afte' e t ed W, '"•'" '"'?''"• >'•""' «'"> «P-U." eo,ni,„,es the na.Tat,," '"'" ""^ *^'''' ''^ ^™^ »
'■J I'ail net strength to rise i,K,h, I,,,, p
'■'""g, .md K.„ „|,„„ i,_ „„, t,,,,*^;" '•'",/ "•^■I>t t„ a tree that lay
sharp weather: J c.H,„,ed , er 1 I'l '" T '"«'"■ »"" -""-y
«« thi„ki,„. „f „,^„| ^,„ ; ;*; '" 1 n.nst d,e there; whilest i
I- -.nc to ,„e, and called n,e „;:":; ;7' ' -.-'-"' Hi™;
g" l>f n»,st knock ,,,e „„ ,h, |,,„| V '"'" "« '' ' conl<| „„t
>"' sa,v h„„. J „,„ vvallovve. i, I ,• i""" '"" "= "'"»' "'- so do; h^ ...ok h.sCoat, and wra, t , " .'""" '"" ™"'" ""' ™e; then Indians vmh a sled, one L I Te „ 'Z ^ "T"' '""'' ™" ^^■« '™
-- »»i^ No, the, wotdti ca:rr„,r;::aj:;:: ,;:,::-.? "-^. '^e
t'-t at dayli,,ht L and Sa '' R, t* r"™'' ^V" » »-" child taken from Deerfield win, „ ' " '""'*?''' ^""-^ °ld
■strange an. sad eorn^t til " ZteH^r "" "'^ "••^■- ^ water, was called hack bv the n li ''P'"*^ '"'° «>e
i"g.s, and sending the two ■. ' , "'• "^^° ''"«' ^is stock- they ran f„nr orl e , X-^ t If n" "''" "" "'•^''™ g«ide, The poor little boy cotnlinTn:, V T' "''"'' "P to them, who was mtteh e.xhaus"« t J T"' '"'" •'^'"'^^well,
"ve,forhehim.seIfCte„meit Tf'"' '""''"' »"« well was then laid of rieHitt?; ''*^^''^"''°"^- «'°^k- the ice. He says "T he rest"^ d «1^ ?l '•'"•^>' ^""^ '"m on
after. Samnel Russel I „eve" saw more '"f "'"" ''""'y came of him." "'°'^^' "°f knew what be-
A halt of three or fonr days w^as made at Chambly. where
orvBrnBu^mmmmmmamamFmssss^
1 20 TRUE STOKIES OF NEW EXCLAXD CAPTIVES.
Stockwell was kindly treated by the French, who ^ave him hasty-pudding and milk, with brandy, and bathed his frozen limbs with cold water. He was treated with great civility by a young man, who let him lie in his bed, and would have bought him, had not the Indians demanded a hundred pounds for him. To prevent his being abused, this young man ac- companied Stockwell to Sorel.
From Sorel the captives were taken to the Indian lodge two or three miles distant, where the French visited Stock- well, and it being Christmas, thev brought him cakes and other provisions. The Indians having tried in vain to cure him, he asked for a chirurgeon, at which one of them struck him on the face with his fist. A Frenchman near bv remon- strated and went away, but soon after, the Captain of the place with twelve soldiers, came and asked for the Indian who had struck the Englishman. Seizing him, he told him he should go to the Bilboes and then be hanged. The In- dian was much terrified at this, as also was Stockwell, but the Frenchman bade him not to fear, the Indian durst not hurt him.
"When that Indian was gone," he says, "I liad two masters still. I asked them to carry me to that Captain, tliat 1 might speak for the Indian. 'They answered 1 was a fool; ditl 1 think the French- man were like to the English, to say one thing and do another? — they were men of their words, hut I prevailed with them to help me thither, and I spake to the Captain by an Interjireter, ami told him I desired him to set the Indian free, and told him what he had done for me, he told me he was a Rogue, and should he hanged, then I spake more privately, alleging this Reason, because all the English Captives were not come in, if he were hanged it might fare the worse with them : then the Captain said, that was to be considered : then he set him at liberty, upon this condition, that he should never strike me more, and every day bring me to his House to eat victuals."
The magnaninixty of his captive so delighted the Indian
•SETTLEMENT OF A FRONTIER TOWN.
121
other Indians shook haTd., with , ^ ^.'ITh'V:,'?" "" "''^ next day according to promise S ™.l , '"' '"*"• T^-^
Jiuiig lefi there a w , e,"savs he "r.l, , ■ ,. 'HS wife ,„y lingers, who re e a f, i Jh!' „ ,."'"' ""= ^'"P'--"" =>"<) "P again a,ul In for the chiru feo, I T '"" '''' '™ '^P '' could cure .„e and toolc it in h fr \" '''^'"' '"^ "'•"<' '^''^ he
"f l>ain; the French were afraid I ,,.^ 'iV J' "'ght 1 was full
wi.l. ...e, and strove to L thv t'/'"' """ "'^ ™"^h
"f.-ti.>,es they gave „,e bran'dv the , I'd:; , VrV""'^ '" '^""•■ again, as he di.l all the while til MaV l V ^'"rurgeon came '>"'"'<= till lienjan.in Waitec 1 f , '"'"""""' ""l>e Captain's
""' •" ".-ney; pawned :",; "a' t'un "'f '" "'"'" ''""« '"
th<= worth „f then,, which if he did nT "'' """'" ''"^'>^>^. or
- -I .ne f„. one and tw n tv ZZ'"^ " '"."f '■'" "'^ P"--
- I «as sold, and in (iod's g. « t , ^^'I'^f^ «" "° "--ers, t" .ny friends in N\w Rnglantr" "'^ ""'' ruarn„d
v^:::s^X u:;™f ™":'-'-"™ "?-'= <=^ «--" "«•« eom.
Septentber daj^ 'Z c t rieT:: a "f '^ "" "'^ ''"^^' primeoflife;-butwl,osl, ttllf, Z"'™*^ "^" '" the
old man of four..sJ<^re the tend! ,"k ""'"' ^'"^^""S' °' '^e who witlt l,i,n were li,^^ t, t" , h °'' "'"'' '"^'P'^^'' *°»en, captivity, travelled la e.b"'ol "■'"^•' ^J' '"'° ^"dian
Waite, .shndderin ' a tts'ho" 7 'T'' '"''' ■^=">-'™i» three little girl.s So er," n'd 7 "'' '"^ ^'^''^'^ -'fe and if he eottld m>t ecov them " ^^7 ""'' ^'''"•'= "^«"- f^te, Hatfield ,nan, who.se v e an chiw:' " ^"'"'"^"- """"'^^ lives, joined him ''"" '^'''^ '''"""g the cap.
its''stwi!,r "te";": -rrti" ' " ^'""■^' "- «°'--« '-
-ed, the Oeneral l:-\:[:^Z Z^^^^-^^^^Z
122
TRUE STORIES OF YPw r^x. - ^ ^^^"^ ENGLAND CAl'TIVES.
field, issued an order f^^Tn ^ "
■•esolved that ail incidental trn""''^;'/,'? "-"P'"'-' -<' tlie colony. -^penscs sliould be defrayed by
On the 24th of October ,67, w ■. forward on their mis,io„ „'f Lte rf f "' J-^'''''''^--^ «^t ••"Id letters from tl,e the r? ^ ''''>"^<"-e a commission persons, explaining tL„'4,!:~.'- -^ ""-r i„,u,e„t°
■ng he aid of the Ne«- Yorrandr'r^™™'^^' '■'•'■'' be.peak- ■"otmg it. By way of WestfiLd /f''"" ■'•uthorities in pro-
,?„7.P'- Salisbury, Commandam n tt, *■"' '■'■'edcntials
the dtsconrteons manner of h? lb '""'-■ Convinced by no des.re to forward their e„^ "^ ""^'^"r, that he had
with his orders to call ,,no„ ^^'"'"P"'"^' "^^Y did not comrfv ^« we„, ,, „„^,^ to Sc,;re".ta™ r "0 '^'°'-'= 'eaving^.^ fo thetr jot,n,ey. Enqnirin^ " , "„ ^T "" '""*•'" ^""'« Uu ch were told that they belon<.°, '^'■•■'"ff'^fs were, the declaring that the E„gli,sh,„e„ " aU ? °"°"'' ^^"e-'enpon longed to Boston, and actim" ^ "''■" "-^henectady be from Salisbury, tley;e,''kdH""'' ""''" '^eeret oMert were detained as pr so"^'' '" '° ^"^•''"y- There they them down to New Yorl , "PP^^unity offered to send »d Council. These proceed n^sT'"fr" ''^^ '"^ «overnor able of the wolf and the lamb f T'"'' '■'^"''"^' one of the Ma.ssach„setts for her o « patiof rf o""''' '''" ''-er forgiven was ready to seize upon the ^ ", , " Conneet.cut River, and The e.x-,sti„g iH.will appears i^t '"'""" '°'- '•• Ifarrel. cioncerning the e..amin,ation of W /"'"""'■'' "' "'« eouneil Wane is reported as deny " tf " '"""' >nnings where
'"" that he had .sa d th7^ ? '■"'"''■"'■°" "^'-""gh? aga ns" 'on. pretending som mttalct thev"'''/ '^'°"*^^^ '° «" "
fo p~'rs A;- -% rr .r t 'r n,r
--holes, then act.?! ^ S:^ ThaTt f^^f
i
delayed by the difficulty of obtil' °" "f ''•"^"<=^' ^"1 ^'^o cember arrived before fhel: «:::"f;' f ^^. 'O^' -th of De- the arrangements for tlieir nerilnn^ . '""''' P^'-f*":'
derness. The French Inl^]^ "''"''''' ""'°"g'' 'he wil-
thematthelastmimtTMohltri"?'^ """ '''■■^<'' '^"4 them to Lake George. Mt^-h to tL r" "'^"'"^ '° =""di,rt nvng there, it was free f ro n ;': '";";; ■-''PP^ntment on ar- Jndian refitted it, and after d nwint f r,^"" "''' "='■""'=■ "><= a rough draft of the 1i)cp« „ ?5 "^ ""="" °" birch baric
bade themadien. ThtedavIT' w','' ''^>' ^^^^ '" P-- he George, and carrying thei.~t"^ '° '''' °""'=' <>f ^a^e they reached the.sh:re o I akeM ° ",""^ ^""'^■^ the portage, eember. Here they took t'the ^"^!''" °" "'^ "5"> «' ^e! >t proved too weak to bear them ^^ ^'"' '' '^^J''" J™™ey
■step,s, they carried the canoe ftwtcl t """'^ '""''^""^ '^eir embarked. Imagine the de« Xn. rf T" "'"=■"• ^"^ '^'f-" wayfarens, a,s they floated for ^In f ^'''"' ™"ow.stricken
«kiff, buffeted an^ to:edb;,h ':;«.' °"' 'r '" "'-• '-■" of that unknown sea ""^ "^'"ds and icy waters
fect:ttth'Sus1tr'::::;,;-;:-r ^y '"- -.hty a.
-":h7r:r:L^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
on New.Years day. EcX f ; '"'^ ""'^^ '^^ «' >ast fre.shed on the way by some .f l ."^^ *"'' ^'■^^"y re- left by .some hunter i'°T dcs/'r"^ ' '"""^ °' brandy Chambly, then a fronti .Settle, 2 TTT "'«>• P--d reachmg Sorel, they came '"„ .n T v '°"^^" ^^f°^e where Jennings wa,soverioyef to r,'"'''^" encampment, and broken speech she tol him aH sh"1 ^f ^''^^ ^'''"'- »bs tt had fared with the re t iTow s f ^'"^"""^' »°d how
Mary Foote had been kmedTn'rhT:' f "^'^ 'r^' """=
cne way, how Goodman
mgmamgmmm^ama^tf^mmmi^mmmfmmmmfmmmmm^ii-*^^^^^
124 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
Plympton had survived the perils of the journey only to be murdered at the end; and how, after all had been continually threatened with burning, this old man was selected as the victim, and led to the stake by his friend and neighbor, Obadiah Dickinson, had walked serenely to his dreadful death. Groans burst from the lips of the two men as they listened to the harrow ing details, but restraining their in- dignation, they hurried off to bargain for the redemption of their beloved ones. At vSorel they saw live more of the com- pany, two of whom had been pawned by the Indians for rum. Waite's wife with all the rest of the captives was found in the Indian lodges in the woods beyond. Stopping only to comfort her with the joyful tidings of her speedy release, Waite and Jennings pushed on to (Juebec, where they were kindly received by the Governor. Glad of an opportimity to make return for a favor lately done him by the English Gov- ernment, Frontenac aided them in collecting the captives and procuring their ransom, which was effected by the pay- ment of ;^200.
On the 19th of April, 1678, the redeemed captives with their deliverers, escorted by four gentlemen of Frontenac's household and a guard of French soldiers, began the home- ward march. Travelling leisurely and hunting by the way as occasion required, they arrived at Albany on the 22d of May, whence a messenger was at once sent post haste with the following letters from Stockwell and Waite to their friends at Hatfield:
Albany, May 22, 1678.
"Loving Wife: — Having now opportunity to remember my kind love to thee and our child and the rest of our friends, though we met with great afflictions and trouble since 1 see thee last, yet here is now opportunity of joy and thanksgiving to God, that we are now pretty well and in a hopeful way to see the faces of one another, before we take our final farewell of this present world. Likewise
iJmifiifei.
""VMOVMaMtan..
SETTLEMENT OF A FRONTtpp .- ^KUJS'TIER TOWN.
(iod hath raised un fnVnHc ~~~ ~~ -
'h-e „f „. ,e,, „/ in'Z:z:z::v"""''- -' "-^- ■» >-
I'-^'ng M, hasee and ,e« your ,,, , r l""" "'™>' So I conclude makes a separation. " •'"'-•ct.onate husband till death
- I- you und^Ca^d tttte'trf r"-'''^-' '"^ — -e '-«>.% and we now stand inn edof al il" "'/"""">' """ ""= cap Sreatand heavy and therefor any th::""' " "'^-"-S" i>< ve y on. let ,t move them to co„,e ad ', /"° ■'"'' '"^^ '" «■■• Condi! he captives are .nurdered- o d ' "■' '" ""'' ^'™''- Ihree of
'l-«"er and San,uel R ssc ' Z I"'" '^'^"'l'""". S^-el iC eS now a. ,„an,. , ,„,^ yorhast^' r„::;:,;'7 """ """ "^" "-' "aste. Stay not for the Sabliaih 7 '"'itter, for it ret.uiretli »re-,t »hall endeavor to meet ^a^c';";:' ''l' "^''"''"^ "^ !>"--• w" ;-K. >Ve n,„st con.e ver'y o ,y 'c!: .'f / " -'>■ ^<= - Housato- i pray you hasten then iav L "' "'"' """' an.l children
n-i-h haste, .rin, provi's^In^viuf J^r,:;':^; '"' "^ "•--';::
Your loving- kinsman,
At Albany written from nVm. . . ^k^jamin Waitk.
to yours all that were fath r ^ Zlt^r ' ''''' ^^'^ ^'^-^ed
ancl stay not, and ease me of mv rh '" '"^^ ""^^' ^'h' hasten
afraid of any enemies." ' ''''''^''- ^'-^' «hall not need to be
Copies of these let-f^,.,,
ci. at Bcston. v^i r;::;;;:i"':° "" «~---i co„n.
and who itnmediately is 'ted t^^ "PP<"nted a day of fasti„<, on that day the minsters an; "' ■'''^'nnteuding "th^t
rf>afity for the captitrb; " '"X"^'''"" "^'•""f-s^ tl etr quicicening of the CrB4!l,;°';';f """ and that for ihe read that day in all the churches" ' ''""' ''' P»Wicly
t-nt;:tr-:;:r;: '^i^tc--^"'^ -">■ -- -n wt
awaited them. At Westfi.M ' ^'^'^ "^^'" and horses
126
TKUE STORIKS OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
like a triumphal procession, every neighborhood turning out to greet them. Two proud and happy men were Benjamin Waite and vStephen Jennings, as they headed the cavalcade into Hatfield street that May morning, each bearing in his arms his new, little daughter, and tears streamed from every eye as crowding round to welcome home the wanderers, the people passed from one to another the two little babies, born in bondage and christened in commemoration of the sorrows of their mothers, Canada Waite and Captivity Jennings. It may interest some to know that both children grew to womanhood, and that the former became the grandmother of the late Oliver Smith, gratefully remembered by many in the Connecticut valley.
Stockwell's experience of Indian hospitality seems to have disgusted him with frontier life, and the year after his return he removed to Suffield, Conn. That others still cherished the hope of finally possessing their lands in peace is proved by the following :
"To the honoured Generall C'ourt of the Masachusetts Bay now setting in Boston y'' 8th 3, '78:'
Rigt Worshipfull :
We do veryly hope your thoughts are soe upon us & our con- dition that it would be superfluous to tell you that our estates are wasted that we find it hard work to I^ive in this Iron age to Come to the years end with Comfort; our houses have been Rifled & burned — our flocks & heards consumed — the ablest of our Inhabitants killed — our plantation has bccinne a wilderness — a dwelling place for owls, — & we that are left are separated into several townes — Also our reverand & esteemed Minister, Mr. Samuel Mather hath been invited from us tV greate danger ther is of o'' loosing him; all which speaks us a people in a very misirable condition, & unlest you will be pleased to take us (out of your father-like pitty) & Cherish us in yo' bosomes we are like Suddinly to breathe out
'Mass. Archives, May 8, 1678.
SETTLEMENT OF A FRONTIER TOWN.
127
o' last Breath. Ricrht Hnnniii-A,i -im, --. . . age „- .,ffair. for u/t e Ra^M M e^::i";f '"''''"'^' '" ■"- saten us, & we ihe »„„' ,,,° ''•"'"'"' y"' quit's fur-
that we mi^u ret & la, "'.I, ','"'""' '"''""^ "^ ""-' earnestly begg ,ta !" .^ n ^ "«^"'"'=- '''•''"'= ''"'"'I
with griat Aclva„e:age t l^ „ "'ife X?"" '"t '"'" '*""'-"'"" dome of Jesus .. fof „■ „w ' sStie " :^Z:"' '"'■■ """= '^^ ^'"^■
follows: rigiits. They conclude as
Kich^a ;::ct'o°narra:':j:ri, "^'':'^''"-- ^^^ ^'. -^'-t ^t as
to entertaiu .. ^ai.u.Xrra I.^lT^f ',7/^'^= ^' ™«'^-"' the upland tmvnes aivje w^r. i, '"habitants as most of
;var. to .,e othe?.:';;;:;": :^^::^;tt ^r'^^'v^ "''"
to the enemie & vervlv (nr.^ , i "/' "^ ^ great disheartening
tience) It would mi^l'tc™::: \:;'''''"''^/''r '™^^''''''^ P" Inhabitants yo^ poof. I.upoveSSd :la:;:V"^ "^"'^ "' "^ '"=
further atten^pt to r.Z^, De^r.^a.: r/eT^ '.^ "°
EUNICE WILLIAMS.
Towards the raickUe of the seventeenth century „n the bank of the tce-b„„„d St. Charles, ro.se a hut. with'the hMa soundmg name of Notre-Dame des An^es. Two fee above .ts low eaves rose the drifted .snow. AVithin i^reat I k. 1 t
•n the "wide-throated ehimney." before whi^fn?;'.;::
the fitst Je.su t AI.s.s,on at Quebee in New France. The trees in the neighboring forest cracked with the frost like the r" portof aptstol. Le Jeunes ink and his fingers froze but late ,„to the n.ght. bribing his Indian teachfr with t'^a^ he toded away at h.s decle..;sions, translating his PaUr Zur
hi W;:lT'°,"' ""'"•'"■^ Algonquin." fhen, wrappid „ his blanke , which was soon 'fringed with the icicles of his eongealed breath," he snatehe.l an hours rest, and waking with the dawn, with a hatchet broke the ice in his ea k f" r h.s morning ablutions, and began his labors afresh'
From Old France to New," says Mr. Parkman. "came sue eorsand re-inforeements," and a year before Harvard Col We wa,s founded, there was at Quebec, the beginning of a school and a college for Huron boys and French youth. "Our La v" smiled upon Paul Le Jeune's mi.ssions; and as in the days of I'outnncourt, the wealth and patronage of the ladies of the
EUNICE WILLIAMS. ,2-
French Court sent the first Jesuit to New Fra„c^.s7the suT
^c-en" a Vine v'' '"T'u "' V-^'^--' -'• of the newly :o„; stLratccl Ville Mane <le Montreal, was in great measure ,l.,c t. the zea and ron,antic devotion of Madame de La Pelt c Manedc L'Incarnation, Mdllc, Jeanne Mance, and Maw e rite Bourgeois ; and no one ean read the stcry o P uf Le Jeune and his associates as related by themse ves w "Lnit
r ^Caldr "" '"' '-'-' '"■■ "- '-'-^ "< '<"■-■ Meanwhile with a Icindred zeal, that noble apostle lohn
the Lnglsh B,l,le into the Algonquin tongue for the benefit
o he ndians near Boston, often meeting them a. Nona„"um
hill, after the duties of his own pulpit were discl,ar„ed "
the week and there expounding to them its simple^t'-ut
Nor was thrs the end of his labors for their imp, n- eme t'
Believing that civilization, or civility, as he call isl „u l'
Ko hand in hand with religion, he in.itructed the sachems 1
iffi-iculture and the use of tools, bought spinnin.-wheerfor
he .sxiuaws and not neglecting the primer for the Catechism
gTc witt'r^ifT f^-^^"-"'""--^. .-varding'th!:if di-^:
hid "stabl si ed T " ■'■%'"■ '■•" '•'PP'<=' At last, when he
nacl tstablLshed his praying Indians, as they were called in
fn^ ^'^rif ''■' """ '■" Natick,the town of Dedh m I "s ndemmfied for the loss of land appropriated to the' u"e bv
ea ize how resolute and pious must have been the hearU
■"-i r T *',''""''-^' "' "'^ ™«" -d women who S 16/1, began the settlement of Deerfield A ,.„.l„ v .u
UO
TkUK STOKIKS OF NEW KNCILAND CAl'TTVKS.
othy of Dorchester, ministered to them in 1673, boarding at the time with (Jucntin JStockwell. Driven from their heri- tage by the savage hordes of Philip, it was not till 1682 that an effort at resettlement was made.
In the senior class at Harvard at that time, was John Wil- liams, a studious youth, son of Deacon vSamuel Williams of Roxbury. (iraduated from a class of three, of whom two were Williamses, John Williams, then but twenty-two years of age, after studying divinity, was ordained minister of Deerfield, in 1688. There would seem to be little in the po- sition of pastor to a frontier settlement to attract a yoiing man born and educated at the metropolis ; and without doubt- ing that Mr. Williams was mainly actuated by that mission- ary spirit, which characterized the preachers of that period, it is possible that a previous acquaintance with the North- ampton lady, whom he married the year after his ordination, made him more willing to accept the call to Deerfield. This was Eunice Mather, a cousin of the first minister of Deer- field, daughter of Rev. Eleazer Mather, and descended on her mother's side from John Warham, a noted Puritan Di- vine of Exeter, England.
Eunice Williams, second daughter, and sixth child of Rev. John Williams, was born vSeptember 17th, 1696. vShe was the middle child of eleven, all born to her parents within sixteen years. Though nothing can be definitely stated of her child- hood previous to 1704, we may suppose that her five little brothers and sisters, whose births are i^ecorded as rapidly succeeding her own, monopolized the attention of the mother with whom Esther, the eldest daughter, was more naturally associated in the care of the younger ones; while the father, busy in providing for his rapidly increasing family, and much occupied with his parish duties, devoted the little lei- sure that remained, to planning for the education of the old- er boys. So I fancy Eunice a pale, delicate, dark-eyed child,
EUNICE WILLIAMS.
left pretty „„,ch to her own ^^n.:f~^;:::^ :^7^::;:7!
Lot us Klaneo at the Dcerfiel,! „r that period. We see it
houses outside- tli(w>I,l 1,. .• i roitsoi stockaded
;He,„M.eo,.,^t,S':;^r^:;;;.X^:r^^^
ty, truth compels me to state for th,. h,.u / , ^
sounded so pleasantly in our .^n-. ' '''''"'''' ^'""^'"^-^
ly been silked 2ZrZZZ^Tr7r '^''^ '''''''''■ the people, with nam::^.^ L Ue f 'iSs t J'^" -f ^^" ^ us.-valiant, hard-vvorkin.r /, ' '"^^!^'"-"' ^'^^e-'"''" f^^mdiar to
endurin,., pious v^^I ^oX to"l"'^ T'' ';""'' '""^"^^■ house, where Punier i- 1 t i ''''^'"" '^^ ^^^^ •'^^■h""!-
But thou<.h the fnH P^"^^^^^^>^ ^^^'"t to school, is missin^r
he VIS ted the school Put.; ^ i. aoubt, that when
liked to g-o to De^(Yln Pt-»., j • i. *> ''""^^^^"-"^-r at all. She site of th'e .ee":rZl ' t:;:te'"T,rD '"' ''^""""'^
Eve, a,.„ ,H, auac. „„ D.erfieM. .„„„„ „ ,He ■■Old ■„.,.„ „.„„ ..
132
TKUK srOKIIiS OF NKW 1<:N(;1,ANII) c:A1'IIVKS.
the stumps in the newly eleared lands. As the sparks Hew up from the llamin^ f<)rj>;e, she thouj^^ht of the verse in the Hible, "Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward," and wondered what it meant. Too soon, alas, she learned.
The Indians for a time held in cheek by the defeat and death of Philip, were be^inninj^ a^ain to desolate the scat- tered villajj^es. When in iGSy, they settled old scores with ^-lajor Waldron at Dover, they killed Richard Otis, and took his wife and baby with other captives to Canada. Scalpinj^ ]>arties hovered perpetually about Deerfield, and the new- born settlement was soon baptized in blood.
When in 1702, Dudley left JMij^land to assume the govern- ment of Massachusetts, it was evident that the li^n^lish ([ueen could not overlook the insult offered her by Louis XIV. As ever since the peace of 169S, the Canadian *f'()vernment had lost no opportunity of excitinj^ the eastern Indians to hostil- ity, under the pretext of protecting them from the encroach- ments of the Enij^lish, it was inevitable that war between the two nations in the Old World, must be followed by a renew- al of atrocities in New England. As a precautionary mea.s- ure, Dudley appointed a conference with the sachems, in June, 1703, at Casc<i,and repairing thither with his suite, was met on the 30th, by llopchood of Norridgwock, Wanungunt of Penobscot, and Wattanummon of Pennacook, with their chief sagamores. In stereotyped phrase, the new governor said, that commissioned by his victorious queen, he had come as to friends and brothers, to reconcile all differences since the last treaty. The Indian orator in turn assured him, that peace was what they desired above all things, and in lan- guage as poetical as it was false, declared that "as high as the .sun was above the earth, so far distant should their de- signs be of making the least breach between them." Both parties then heaped up fresh stones upon the pillar called the Two Brothers, that had been set up at the last treaty, and
HHO; JH3HW JriliOH a'Teai'r M
».. .A^VAlM-i.'U^',- /' 'iW'j.l TlIU,
HOO" JU1W0f)flO2 YH3- iJHi3fi OI*A aOli^ua V»A? fliiJvUH-j,
• >• ■ ■' .,1
ri
c
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1(
i1
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t-
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n
o c'
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a; tl
P
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tl
si
P'' T
FORT SAINT-LOUIS AT CAUGhNAAACJA AITH PR,F.ST'S HOUSE .VHEKt .OHN
SCHUYLER SAW EUNICE AND BEING VERY SORROWFUL TOOK
^FR B'. THf i.AND ANIj LEFT HER
EUNICK WILLIAMS.
to seduce them frm^ ,u ■ "'';,''^^^"™ the iM-ench had tried moon endured " ^ '^ ^"^ •'^^^" '^nd
wfth L c Tt ■ ^""^ ^'"■'^ ^'^'-'^ protected by her trealv
their „ati;4 tol ^ ^^H ':,; Th'e' Se f ''""""'^' '" "'^™ winsr of the clu,rH, h.T \u Lawrence under the
no/cau,;:iaX^'::fnrrCMre:;''Tr-''°"'-^''
rally allied Hiemselve^ wifi. fi i^ f ^ntieal. 1 hey natu- tribe who rem "net, p L .rfH • """'' "°" °' *"^
derthesu^avof the E„L ih Th ' ?'''""'-^- '■'■''™" ""■
hawks, who's- P nHn,r ^; '"''■'^■"'^' '"'^'™'* «' '^e Mo-
by them to A.C;o„^:i"Ter„Tnd "'""''" '™"^''' Schuyler to the autLritiesIn N^w "EnStr""""™^'^' "^^
134 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
the north meadows in Deerfield and carriid to Canada. So impressed was the Rev. Mr. Williams with a presentiment of the danger hovering over the town, that both in the pulpit and out, he urged the utmost vigilance upon his people. The old fable of the boy and the wolf was acted over again, and the savage foe, stealing from the forest at midnight upon the fold, found the guardians sleeping, and fell with rapine and murder upon the little flock. The story is an old one and needs no repetition here. But who can tell the horror stamped forever upon the heart and brain of Eunice, by the sights and sounds of that awful night? vSviddenly waked from the untroubled sleep of childhood, to see the hideous faces of demons bending over her; dragged by bloody hands from her warm bed, hurried through the room where she sees her father, bound hand and foot, helpless to protect her, and afraid to pity lest he may hasten her doom; over the door stone, where her little brother lies dead, and by his side, gashed and bleeding, the faithful black woman, whom next to their mother, they loved ; out into the cold winter night, reddening now like the dawn, in the glare of the burning village, and so to the church, the child is borne. Pine torches flaring in the hands of the dusky warriors, lighted up the scene within. The enemy's wounded, groaning in agony on the floor ; old men praying and calling on God for deliver- ance ; women speechless and despairing, among them her mother pale and wan ; her playmates shrieking with terror ; infants wailing with cold and hanger; — huddled there in woful companionship, while the mocking fiends completed the work of destruction. At dawn, the shivering captives began their weary march. The impression made upon the tender mind of the child, by the dreadful scenes of this night and the twenty-five succeeding days, may explain the fact of her reluctance to return to the home of which she had re- tained only this frightful remembrance.
EUNICE WIIJ.IA.MS
In he chstnbtition of the eaptives, Euniee fell to the lot
bieast to pity, it is certain that she was f-ated wiH^T consideration by her master thin hZ " """'^
theirs. When iL Htti:^." .^^ ^ll^^h 'T ^' brawny shoulder, or bore her tende vVn hi arl Wra pmg her warmly in his blanket, he drew Lr ^a S ovei the ley rivers, spread her bed softly with thiek LmtTwv
.earned to love each other ^^el,. 'on'^he aX,7„T"r
tt>:io:r A'T 'u"u '"■"^'' '^"^ ""-^ -™ -
who was -u U. „r.n, ;, " '""''" ''">'"'" °f '"=■• fe'her,
enle"™. f ,; I ^T'"'""' ■'""' * P"«^' -'^'^ '""> 'o
ciiaea\oi toi her ransom. But the Tp^nif of fi,^ c • .t
mi-ion would not permit Mr. W 1 ,: ,n ' to e„ 'hTfort^r sunng him that it would be labor los for thl v ' '"'" would part with their hearts sconer th!: wi h h "hM To' compan.ed by the governor, Mr, Williams (tnally obtained ' d XTTtT";', ''"""" ^""^ ^"'^ ^°'« -'" tears b'^ed place .Soothing her as well as he eould. though her sorrovv
=jr.:'i,:™ -:;s-'„;: '".,";■' :'; " « "■•
Ma,>i- ,.. "^' '^ ^vicked man in a Ioup-
fc i coiucs eveiy clay, and makes me sav some T nH'ti
no ha.m. She told h,m how the savages profaned the Sab-
136 TRUE STORIES OK NEW ENCH.AND CAl'TIVES.
bath, and promised him that she would always keep it holy. For a few minutes again before his release, Mr. Williams was permitted to converse with his daughter. The Gover- nor's wife, seeing his deep-seated melancholy f)n her account, had Eunice brought to Montreal, where she told him of the methods used to drive heretic children to the bosom of the mother church.
It is a mournful picture. The Jesuit with his slouched hat looped up at the sides, in a long black cassock, a rosary at his waist, and a scourge in his hand. The timid English girl, scion of a grand old Puritan stock, cowering in abject terror on her knees before him. Rebaptizcd Margaret, with the sign of the cross on her brow and bosom, Eunice is alternate- ly threatened with punishment and allured with promises. She is told tales of her father's conversion, frightened with pictures of fiends tormenting the souls of little children, and beaten for refusing to make the sign of the cross. All offers of ransom were refused for her, and when she entreated to be allowed to go home, she was told that if she went she would be damned and burned in hell forever, a threat terri- ble to the ears of a child bred in the Puritanic fear of the ev. erlasting fire. Fond as her Indian master was of her, he was powerless to protect her from these cruelties. While he did not deny the justice of the claims made for the restoration of the prisoner, he always asserted that he could not release her without an order from the governor, whose subject he was. On the other hand, the governor pleaded his fear of the king's displeasure, lamented his want of authority to command the Indians, who, he said, were his allies and not his subjects. The priests, appealed to as a last resource, scornfully repelled the implied suspicion, and declared that humanity forbade them to interfere to separate the child against her will, from the master whom she loved as her father.
After the blow fell upon the devoted town of Deerfield,
EUNICE Wll,r.[A«S. ,
Schuyler did n„t relax his efforts tc, protect New England He open y protested ajrainst the n.aintenancc of neutrality
. attack the people of Massachusetts: and remonstratine in then- name with the (Governor of Canada, he said he had thought .t his "duty to God and ,nan to prevent as for as pos Mble, the tnmction of such cruelties as had too often been commuted on the unfortunate colonists." In all negodations or the redemption of English captives he was espedaly ae" ive. He sent out friendly Indians as .scouts into the enemy s country, and reported faithfully to our governor all th "he could learn of the designs of their captor^ in regard to them He was much interested in the restoration of Eunice anHi that we know of her condition after her fathers released gleaned from hints in his correspondence. In a letter to Lol. Partridge, commanding at H.itfield, dated Feb, l8 1706 7 he says "As to Mr. Williams Daughter, our spie; are
te wth th" t" T '''"T' '•""""^' ''"' ^'■■' Williams daug i ter wth the Indian who ownes her. .She is in good heakh but seemes unwilling to returne. and the Indian not very w 11
hi, as I have formally wrott to him, and indeed to all others hat are prisoners." In conclusion, after notifyin.. Cofpar tridge of certain movements of the enemy, he says- "I wish you and us may be all on our guard, and God preserve iila
on the nth of August, .707, he notices the return of two trusty Indians whom he had sent as "spys" to Caughn1wa;a
A. J,;"' irrj:,!:'',;:;:,^::':^:-' -;;-; -- '- '- ^-'»- ->
L-.y.;^aa^ifflEg?'''^WPB11Pi^i 1^1 tSff^--^' * ''^n
138 TRUE STORIES OK NEW ENOI.ANI) ("AI'TIVES.
in Canada, and who reported a party of the enemy at Otter Creek on their way to New England, and also "that they see Deakrn Sheldon of Deerfield at Montreal, who walked the streets, but was told he was deteind and had not liberty to goe home." vSehuyler adds, "Do be on your guard to pre- vent your people from falling into the hands of these bloody savages; but I eannot enlarge, for I will have the mes- senger ride this night, and it is now ten o'elock."
Air. Sheldon went at least three times to Canada, in behalf of Eunice and others, and on the above occasion was not al- lowed to return, there being another expedition on foot against the English. Deacon vSheldon's kind offices seem to have produced some relenting in the heart of Eunice's mas- ter, for I have befcn^c me a letter written from her cousin in Northampton, to her brother in Roxbury, dated Aug. 4, 1707, which says, "A post came from Albany last Saturday night, that brought letters from Canada, also a letter from Albany, that saith, 'Ye Indian, Eunice's master, saith he will bring her in within two months.'"
One can picture the quiet little village on that Saturday night. All work laid aside, the Puritan Sabbath already begun; the pious psalms of t'ae different households borne out upon the summer air, and perhaps the solemn voice of the pastor, as with the remnant of his once happy family, he prays for the return of the captive still languishing in chains afar; the sound of horse's hoofs, as the messerger rides post from Albany, sent by Peter Schuyler to announce that Eunice's master will bring her within two months; the stir in the village, as the glad tidings spreads from house to house. Hope beating high in the bosoms of some, with the thought that now, perhaps, they may rejoin their beloved ones, long since torn from them by a fate more cruel than death; sorrow in some at the renewed remembrance of those that can never return.
EUNICK WIl.lrAMS. ,,
Satklcst of all ,.s the remembrance of the ten years old girl a Canjthnawaga, in the wi«wam of her master. It is .1 ways her master and never a hint that any. even of the nd est of her sex, surro.md her. She may have hear.l that e has promrsed at Ia,st to take ber honte. and perhaps beg^Mm vuh tear.s not to wait, but to go at onee. fie tells lier ne ■ hap.s that ber father has ceased to care for her tha ; Ls left he alone, and taken her brothers and sister home with hnn; that her .nother is dead and her father has a new wife who w, 1 beat her if she goes home; that she is to stav w th him t.11 some yot.ng brave elaim.s her as his sqnaw U r v be th.at she St 11 weeps obstinately, and that he dr g.s her o the pr.est. to be terrified into obedience
The two month.s pas.s, and no tiding.s yet of Ettnice at Al- bany. .Seven years elapse; seven weary years of alternate hope and despa,r .since her capture.-'vhen. one sttmrner morntng. a strange visitor ascends the broad steps of the Ud ...vtnee House tn Boston. She glides through the spacious doorway and mto the grand reception room, where she gTze about her w,th a half frightened, half curious air. The gov ernor ,s there with several gentlemen. "Who is she' What does she want.-" he asks. "An Abenaki squaw " the usher rephes "who demands her children, captured by'the En^lh some t,me smee, and now in ]3oston." A thought .strikes he governor. He will e.xchange the children of this ^m an for Eumee. An interpreter is sent for. "The white man s a.xe IS laid at the foot of the forest tree," .says the AbeZki "tts branches are lopped away and it will soon die The pappooses are brought, and while the mother fondles her young m. savage fashion, the interpreter answers for the gov
Su flT\"" '""';': '"'^ ''''■'■ "^■*«p''-'^ f"d hTs'
were Med ,,^r' ^™" ''^"'"^ "?"" *em, and some were kdled. and others driven far away. Day and night the shepherd grieves for the youngling of his flock, goneTs ra"
140 TRUE STOKIKS OK NKW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
In the north the white lamb bleats, but cannot find her way back. Let the Abenaki brin^ her back to the shepherd, the white chief savs, and her papp(K)ses shall be restored to her; the branches shall be safe and the forest tree shall live again." "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." "The Abenaki knows where the white lamb is hid. She will go, and before so many moons are gone, the shepherd shah have his own again." Another fierce embrace of her chil- dren, and the squaw strides forth into the wilderness. How she sped on her quest, is shown by the following extract from a letter in our archives, written by Father Meriel in Canada, to Mr. Johnson Harmon' at Shamblee :
'^"MoNTKEAL, June 26, 171 1. Sir ;
Since you are gone, a squaw of the nation of the Abnakis is come in from Boston. She has a pass from your Gov- ernour. She goes about getting a little girl daughter of Mr. John Williams. The Lord NLirquis of Vaudreuil helps her as he can. The business is very hard because the girl belongs to Indians of another sort, and the master of the English girl is now at Albany. You may tell your Governour that the squaw can't be at Boston at the time appointed, and that she desires him not to be impatient for her return, and meanwhile to take good cart of her two papows. The same Lord chief Governor of Canada, has insured me in case she may not prevail with the Mohoggs for Eunice Williams, he shall send home four English persons in his power for an Exchange in the Room of the two Indian children. You see well, Sir, your (iov- ernour must not disregard such a generous proffer as according to his noble birth and obliging genious Ours makes. Else he would betray little affection to his own people."
'Johnson Harmon of York, Maine, is on a "List of Captives still in the hands of the French and Indians at Canada given to Mr. Vaudruilie's messen- gers," and dated 1710-ir. Mass. Archives, Vol. 71.
' Mass. Archives, Vol. 51, p. 212. See Appendix.
EUNICE WILLIAMS.
'4'
A^rain Dcerficld is ajritatcd with rumoiwThT^ \ covery of Eunice Willhm. Ii ^''''''^y '*^^-
In a letter to the Freneh if"vern„r. dated Nov ,o ,,„ Dudley.impatientef thedeliv «•,,-,;. ..it ■ ^ ■
one Indian saehem of O ,ebeek , k- V, '™ '",'"-' '^'"'""S
erwise I will never set them free." Meantime, h.aving notified Sehuyler of his interview with
ou fo ''S'retTJrr;:":!^^'^"-""' 'r '"^-P-«>^' >"ok from Peter SchTler ""'''"'' ^' ''"^' '^^ following letter
••May il please your Excellency,
of y 6". and ,0". Currant for Exnre«e hJt '''^"'^''«"'^>'''' '■"'«••» five letters fur Mens' V„„lr.,, l ,, • ''"'^'''' "'«""•" "i"'
to y. freneh offic r l)ayri ," ,,r;„: 'f" V'''"'' '"™ "^"""" & have taken his Recelnr or ^ZfT,. '"" >" I ''I '"^'^""
is here Jnclo.sed a, to v .t vo\ J V "' "' '"" '"="«"«'' >'»i<^"
nor have I heard anyfhr '.rhe:*^" inT:,: „= rr:!, ^T "" r,' to see then, and do assure your ExcelleTu v If if '' *'"''
or he it y. squaw alone I shall use al ' , "s k ''/ "'" '"^"''" child e.xchanKed Either as vour pU , ' '° «>" ""=
way the squafv will ^: Zi:Z^^^Z^':^ °; T^' "^"
s:u:;t';:h';;:i'™:eLt;^'r'''T7"''^""^
vour K.e„eney :naT:;^„:X;'::att?;ea7d?fr y'.'^J^
This IS Jean Baptiste Dageuille Sero-ean. in fh est. who on May 26, ,711 at the aJ!'o7 r ^"mpany of M. de la For-
Priscille Storer, da ghter' o Jere^^ ah and "r'TV^""' '""^ '^^P''- ^-'e Maine. *" Jeremiah and Ruth [Masters] Storer of Wells.
142
TUUK SToKIF.S OF NKW EXGLANlJ CAPTIVES.
ing of y" s'' Child shall at no time he wanting. So shall take leave to siil)scrihe my Selfc
Your Kxcclh'iu'y"
Most humble .Si Obedient
Servant
P. Schuyler. Albany, Dec. 19. (?) 171-'."
Accompanying this letter in otir Archives, i.s the foHowing : "Received of CloU. P. Schuyler, three French letters sent him from Ciovernor Duiiley, tlirected to Moils'" N'audreiul, govern'r in (Canada which Letters I promise carefully to C^onvey & Deliver to y* said (jovcrn' in Canada as soon as 1 shall arrive there witness my trtid this 19th December 1712
[Signed] Dageuille.'"
Father Meriel had written that the French governor wouhl give four English captives in exchange for the two Abenaqni pappoo.ses. It had now become evident that he wovild not give one ; that one being Eunice Williams.
Months later than the date of vSchuyler's letter, and the re- turn of Dageuille to Canada, the sqitaw appeared alone at Albany. The same old story is repeated. The child Eunice refuses to leave her master. He is loath to cotnpel her. Such influence is brought to bear upon Dudley, that he dares not reject the offer of the Canadian government. Four New England households are made happy by the return of their beloved ones ; the squaw and her babies are sent home ; but Eunice Williams, the child of so many prayers, the object of the solicitude of so many sorrowing hearts, the coveted prize of two governments, is still a helpless captive.
In the spring of 171 3, John Schuyler, impatient of the long suspense, and fully confident of his own ability to mediate efitectually between the two powers, undertook the weary
'It is an interesting fact, that Frenchmen who had married our captives, were often sent to New England, as ambassadors from the Canadian govern- ment.
Kl'NlCK W'lLUAMS. ,^, '43
jmm,ey to Canada. Hi. letter' to Ooy.rl^::^^^~^~;~
''May it please your /uxceiiency:—
-diately w.ho.t .., ...... 0..ssi..., u^^ ^^ 2^7^
Icncy n>y return fro.n Mont Real! to Albany, u, J, ^ .."'h':
instant June with Mons-" Holock md M,r,.,. .., ^
., li^t ,.f .1 • »"'ocK and three more, and nine prisoners
a list of their names is herein inclosed'^ 1 sett th^m f-
Neu- England with Samel Ashly tncrDan ei T"'^ ^"^
instant. I have not herein inc ft h c , J f '""" "? "" '"
■nake up the Acc^^ till v^ nffl ^haiges; l,y reason I cann'
enclos.- for VV Fx I ^'^^^'IJ^^^^'^^ ^- 0.n:..\^. I have likewise
My indefatigueahle Paii^ ^.^.^^1!:'::^^:;:: ^ ^^'^ '
sh rdi' M : ^^^^"" "^ ^"^^^^^ ^ ^'"^^ ^^ recJive'them ; nd t^^n" shal dispatch them away as directed. 1 found a great fati.ne in
.es n 3 uay u the Prisonirs To Dilate thereon would be prolix I now beg leave to assure your Excellency of my Effection -.n 7. .' U> every^. Commands and that in all SiLerit/l^^; ^Pl^^
Vo'- most obedient humble Serv'
... , ^o^^n Schuyler.
Albany June y*^
i8"' 1713"
htatePapei The writers sanguine hope, after his confer encewth the fair-spoken De Vaudret.il! his indignation a^" the m.qu.tous marriage, calmed by the explanatfo"of he pr.est ; h.s gentle and chivalrous reception of the girl bride •
'Mass. Archives, Vol II, p. 4^8.
'■'Herte! de Beaulac, brother of Hertel Hp Rr^nuni^ •
144
TRUE STOKIKS OF \KW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
his patient and repeated pleading with her to return to her afflicted father ; his unrestrained anger at her continued ob- stinacy ; and the silent grief which overwhelms him at the thought of his fruitless mission, as he leaves her to her In- dian lord; — all are told with a simple pathos, to which the words of another cannot do justice. It is thereft.re given entire.
"A true and perfect .Memorial! of my proceedings Jn behalf of Margarett Williams now Captive amongst ye Jndians at the I'fort c*" Caghenewag. Jn Canada, Insisting upon her Reliese and to pe'-suade her to go home to her father and Native Countrey, it being upon the instant and earnest desire of her ffather now Minister at Dearfeild in New England. J arrived from Albany at Mont Reall on ye 15"' of Aprill last, 17 13, Where J untlerstood y' Mons"' de N'audruille, Govern"" and chief of Canada, was expected then every day from Quebeck. Upon which J thought i)roper not to ment'on anything touching the aforesaid Captive, untill his P^xcellency {■/lould be here himself: and accordingly when he arrived here J propos'd the mat- ter to him, who gave me all the Kncouragem' J could immagine for her to go home, he also permitted me to go to her at the ffort, where she was, to prepare if J could persuade her to go home. Moreover, his Exceileiu y said, that w"' all his heart, he would give a hundred Crowns out of his own pockett, if that she might be per- suaded to go to- her Na'dve Countrey: T observing all this, then was in hopes J should prevaile with her to go home. Accordmgly J went to the ffort at Caghtnewaga, being accompanied by one of the King's Officerb and a ffrcnch Interpreter, likewise another of the Jn- dian Language Being upon the 26 l);>v of May. Entring at the Ju- dian ffort J thought fitt first to apply mySelf to the priests ; As J did. Being two in Company, .Vnd was informed before that this in- fant (As J may say) was married to a young Jndian, J therefore pro- posed to know the Reason why this poor Captive should be Married 1- an Jndian, being a Christian Born (tho neerly taken fron) the Mother's BreaSv. ari such like Instances &c) Whereupon the priest Sett forth to me Sucii good Reasons w"' Witnesses', that mySelf, or
EUNICE TILLIAMS.
145
any other perso,, (as J bdieve) could fairly make Objection against . e,r N arnage; (Kitst, „■. he they came to me to Marry then f v r
» g e^hft '^""""»'"« ■■> th-r forn.er resolution to Such a
IJeg ec that J was constrameii to l>e absent from y" ffort three Sev era I nnes. because not Sa.isfyecl mySelf in their Marriage Un ill = t las after S„n,e clays past they both came to n,e, and s^that .1, v were Jomed together, And if he would not marry th^n they t r' not. for they were resolved never to leave one the other But In-e tog.. her heathen like ; Upon w^'' J thought proper .0 Join Z, n
"rh'a;;:, a t"'" '"" f^^T"'"^ ^'"^'■'"■^' '^^ »™- "■" i''^^"'
et n e see her at h,s house, llor J knew not where to find her upon M rt ;rrth : V"" "^■''•"">'-'- "Itl, the .mdlan s e 'a m the face but proved harder than Steel in l,er breast a her 1 ^.m-ance n,to the Roon, J desired her to s„t down, w'l: h 11 J firs bpoak to her u, Knglish, Upon w- she did „t Aus v ue And J bebeve She did uo. understand „,e, she being very V„ ^ when she was taken, And liveiug always au.ougst th,- f„ l"'„, f ,
i firs! r he';!- ""^T" '■'"'"'''" '" ''' - ^"^ '•-"-"«
nun first b the llreuch J.uerpreter, who uu.lerstood the Knglish
Ask her Accordmgly he d,d J understood an.ost all what he said .0 her; And found that he Spoak according ,0 „,y Order u Id no. gett one word fro.a her. Upon which J deLed the p iest " t
imher ag. ,„, I he priest made a long Speech to her and endeavored .opersu,ade her to go, but after abnost half a„ hours d sc ts could not get one word from her; And af,er,vards whe he fo „"^ She d,d not Speak, he agau, Endeavoured to per--,ade her to M and see her ffather And J seeing She continued impersuad e to spea
her Itather J would convey her to New Kngland and give her As .sureance of hbert, to return if she pleased-the priesf asked he"
'^^"W
^
m^
146
IKUF. STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
Severall times fur answer upon this, my earnest request And fair offers w'^'' was after long Solicitations zaghte Oi^hte which words being translated into the F.nglish Tongue, their Signifycation is may be not; but the meaning thereof amongst the Jndians is a plaine denyall, and these words were all we could gett from her; in allmost two hours time that we talked with her. L^pon this my eyes being allmost filled with tears, J said tt) her mySelf. had J made such pro- posalls and prayings to the worst of Jndians J did not doubt but have had a reasonable Answere and consent to what J had s'". Uj)- on w'"' her husband seeing that J was so much concerned about her replyed had her ffather not Married againe She would have gone and Seen him long Ere this time, Hut gave no further reason and the time growing late and J being very Sorrowfull that J could not prevail upon nor get one word more from her, J took her by the hand and left her in the priest's house. John Schuyler."
De Vatidreiiil sent a letter to Dudley by Schuyler, on his return, in which he says, "Colonel John Schtiyler, to whom
I have catised to be delivered nine of your captives,
will tell yoti in what manner Mr. Williams's datii^hter received him, and how he could never oblig-e her to promise him any- thing but that she would go to see her father, as soon as peace should be proclaimed. I am surprised at the little jtis- tice you do me in what you say to me about the marriage of that girl with a savage of the vSault.^ I am much more cha- grined at this than yott are, on account of her father for whom I have ai^solute respect ; but not being able to foresee this, it was impossible for me to prevent it."
Schuyler's ill success did not prevent ftirther efforts for the .aemption of Eunice. (>ri the 271:11 of June, 1713, short- ly after the receipt of the above memorial. Governor Dudley writing to congratulate the Governor of Canada up(;n the re- ttirn of peace acknowledges the receipt of his letter of the 1 2th inst. and acquaints him of the arri\^al of "John vSchuyler
'Saint-Louis. [Caughnawaga.]
EUNICE WILLIAMS. , .-
far sLort o h *" , ""7'""'' ''''' --™™Panied him being far short of the number I justly expected should have been eturned me ; who would doubtless have been vervlrward o have come home had they been allowed soe to doe Th
sire and Choice, at ray charge, .all the French prisoners that were m my hands, and am in the hourlv expectat'o, „ re ce.v,„g an order directed to yourself 'from' t h^ C u o" i ance, requ.r.ng the same on your part fa copy of wh eh I have now >„ my hands), I have no satisfactory explantk.n
Hm? "r'"'r' "' "" ""'•""^"' "f "- Revc end'M, W 1 hams s daughter, referring to her marriage with a Salvte and the unaccountable detention of her. 'she ^0,0"™' .deed as a m.nor within y^' age of consent to make chi^e fo. herselfe bcng carryd away early in her infancy before she had drscretion to judge of thing,s' for her o„m , o d hope you w,Il interfere with all good offices to free hcM- rom the Impositions made on her tender vears tint si, rescued from those miseries she irthoCgh y b "i:; ^ and restored to her father." D„dlev ad.ls tl,.f ; ,' ,
«pon the receipt of the order fr^ 7he1tnc 'k r'"' ^rt*- I elea.se of the captives he "shall put that affair i Uo si c a disposition that r may be provided to transp r md e eh home ray people: and I desire you will cause tl In, to be drawn near together, that the messengers I slnlw^ 1 that .rvice raay easily and speedily^-miVat 'Urh'Ti™
The order above alluded to having been received (^.m..,-
"*aMsi^-.-
148 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
manuscript, is before me, and though it contains little per- taining especially to Eunice, it gives us a clue to so much of the romantic story of some other capti^'es, that the substance of it is here given.
On the 5th of November, 171 3, Capt. Stoddard, accompan- ied by Eunice's father, set out from Boston, reaching North- ampton on the 9th. Here they were joined by Capt. Thomas Baker, Martin Kellogg and two others. Baker and Kellogg had both been carried captive with Eunice to Canada, whence the former had almost succeeded in escaping, but was recap- tured and sentenced to the stake. The fire was already lighted, when with a bold dash he broke from his captors, and sought refuge in the house of one LeCair, a Frenchman, who bought him of the Indians for five pounds. The gov- ernor hearing of his attempt, put him in irons and kept him four months closely confined. When again at large, he, with Kellogg, Joseph Petty and John Nims, all Deerfield men, made his escape in 1705. Their sufferings on the way home were dreadful. Exhausted with fatigue and hunger, they fell upon their knees and prayed fervently for deliver- ance, when a great white bird appeared to them, such as they had never seen before.' The despairing men eagerly seized and tore it in pieces, ate its quivering flesh and drank the warm blood, revived by which they finally reached Deer- field in .safety.
By way of Westfield and Kinderhook, Stoddard and his party on horseback, reached Albany in four days from North- ampton. Detained in Albany by a thaw which rendered the river impassable, they at last resumed their journey on the 22d of January, by way of Saratoga and Crown Point. Some- times on snow-shoes, sometimes in canoes, and sometime
'According to tradition tliis bird was an owl. Petty's own account of his escape, now in Memorial Hall, Deerfield, transforms this owl into a turtle. See also Sheldon's Hist. Deerfield, p. 354.
fli
EUNICK WILLIAMS. j .q
running on the frozen rivers, they reached Chambly, whenee
llhTZrr/""^ "' " "''''^'^' " ' '" ^'^"^^^^^' --^^-^i^^i"^ there on the i6th of January.
The next clay, they presented their ere.lentials to the <rov.
ernor and demanded the prisoners. De Vandreuil ..?ves
them h.s word of honor as a gentleman and an officer that
all prisoners shall have full liberty to return, and with in-ea
condeseenston promi,ses his ble.ssing to all who will go He
ells tl,e eomm.ssioners to go freely amonff the prisoners and
o send for them to their Iod,nn,.s. Mueirpleas'd witl their
ecept.on, and full of the hope of soon regaining their lone
that the pr,ests and .some of the laity are praetising to pre vent the return of the prisoners, they complain hylet efto he governor, to which he replies that he -can as easily a ter dd-'un; "^«-^f-.-P--nt the priests' endea™ " adding that upon reflection he cannot grant libertv to return to tho.se of the English who are naturalized, bn only to u h as are under age. Tney answer with clear and cogent argu ments against the naturalization pretext, and e.xpo.seitsl^
rcl'id n"ot ""'/''^ ''/'"""""'^ "''--^P^'^'"' deelafation hat
e, t 1 h, tt T r '"* '^"»"^'' ■^''■'y«l '" Canada, the few- ei the better for him and the country
field'caoti^s'Tr""'"'""™ """ '■"'""■'-' -«> the otlier Deer, in Mai Th '"-■"-■'""•"f ™=>» ■■eturn to Montreal, where m Ma. h they hold another conference with the governor W th the air and speech of men who know that tnith and
ot faith ,n throwing obstacles in the way of the departure of
he prisoners, when he had at first pretended to favor i and
.ck with hope deferred, they demand to know the wo," t
they have to expect. "Heaven forbid ! " said Dora' nana to
David Copperlield -that I should do any man in^istiee 'bm
'A carriole is a Canadian sleigh.
mmmmmm'm'im^^Km^rsmmmmiim^''^itimf^Kr'^-xst- --an^
i;o TKUK STOKIKS OF N'KW E\(;LANI) CAPTIVES.
I know my partner. Mr. Jorkins is not a man to respond to a proposition of this nature ; " — and lamented the severities whieh he was eompelled to praetise, by the invisible and inexorable Jorkins. In like manner the governor protests that nothinj^ is nearer his heart than the liberation of the prisoners, whieh t)nly the fear of the king- his master, pre- vents his effeeting at onee ; and at length he hints, that if the so-ealled naturalized persons can be smuggled to a point below Quebec, Captain Stoddard may take them on shipboard as he drops down the river, and the government will not in- terfere.
One reads the sorrow and anxiety in the heart of Mr. Wil- liams, as he demands that "men and women shall not be en- tangled by the marriages they may have contracted, nor parents by children born to them in captivity." The govern- or concedes that French women may return with their English husbands, that English women shall not be forced to stay by their French husbands, but about the children of such marriages, he is not so sure.
John Carter, a Deerfield youth of Eunice's age, Iiaving ex- pressed his willingness to go by land, if only he may go home, the governor says, "If John will say this before me, he may go." Carter being sent for is at first awed by the governor's presence and denies that he has any desire to re- turn, but afterwards repeating what he had before said to Mr. Williams, De Vaudreuil is very angry, uses the lad roughly, and tells him he is to wait for the ship. This scene is fre ently re-enacted, till John at last is overpowered, re- tracts his wish, and remains forever in Canada.
Mr. Williams is forbidden to have any religious talk with the captives, and they are not allowed to visit him on the Sabbath. The "Lord Intendant," hearing that Mr. Williams had been abroad after eight o'clock in the evening to dis- course upon religion with some of the English, threatens
EUNICE \VII,I,[A.N[,S.
'3'
If he Offence is repeated, to confine him a prisoner in his lodgings: "fc.r,- says he, "the priests tell n;e you undo in a moment all they have done in seven years to establish the people m our_ relicrion/'-an unpremeditated compliment to Mr. \\ illi.ams s power as a preacher
Wlicn Mr. Williams bcKS ll.at his d,ikl may b. restored to l,im. she beintf a minor, ami the eireumstanees of her ed tication preventins: licr fro,,, k„owi„jr what is best for her the governor says if l,er I,rdia„ relatives eonsent. he will co,„pe her to ,-et„r„ with he,- father. The government in. terpicter .s .se,,t to talk w,th her and her Indian .elatives. 1 1"-' 1=; t^'-- profess that she may do as sl,e pleases. Knowin.r what th,s a,n.n,nted to in John Ca.-ler's ease, JI,-. Williams"
he found the pnsonei-s "worse than the natives," has a eon fo-enee w,th the p,-iest,, of the mission at the h.mseof t7e gm-ernor who ,„akes a show of intereeding in behalf of the Cat^hl ""■• "'^ J-"''» -ply coldfv, that those of
ed^ hi ?'■■'''"■' T '"^■" '" ''""■""'■-^' ''""'«™ l'--" adopt- ed as ehildren, and eannot be compelled to retnni ■x.r-.iL
i r W.lUams knows the freedom whieh the .nother ehnre of the Jestnts leaves to its adopted ehildren. The eommi ■sioners so ,e,t her deliveranee as a favor whieh willTe an predated by the sove.-eig„s of the two nations, and t.itably ackncnv edged by the governors of both provinces. It tt
le nit! tw^- """™'r' '" '"" '^■'--""*^-»' ■■'-'P— '« to the iddftlev ■ """I"! "r" "'«" t" '•<-■'-" sueh children, While they cannot but be .sensible that their parents an much exercsed about then,," and with tears strean>in"do™
be done by. \ a,n appeal to tlie heart that knows not "he force of paternal love. In sueh discussion weeks were spent. The disappointment
«OT
152
TRUE STORIES OK NEW ENGLAND CAFTIVES.
of Captain Stoddard, who with liis personal interest in the restoration of Eunice to her family, had also honied to render a signal service to his <;"overnmcnt ; the conflict in the soul of Mr. Williams, as he tried to reconcile Ids natural affection as a parent, and his spiritual anxiety as a Protestant minister for the salvation of the child's soul, with a due submission to what seemed to be the over-rulin;^' decrees of I'rovidence for her ; and the impatience and indignation of Martin Kel- logg and Captain l>akcr, who would doubtless have ])referred to make a short cut thnmgh the difficult)- by running oil the prisoners and taking the chances of recapture, —all this is easier imagined than described.
The expression of their feelings being limited by their ig- norance of the French language, and the inconvenience of speaking by an interpreter, they poured forth their souls in letters, in which the straightforward, plain dealing of the English Puritan, appears in striking cf)ntrast to the eireum- loeution and diplomacy of the French Jesuit.
On the arrival of the l)rigantine Leopard from 1 Boston, a final demand was made for the captives.
The commissioners, finally compelled to abandon all hope of Eunice's return, insist that ^Madame Le Dean' shrdl be al- lowed to depart ; and desire that Ebenezer Xims and his wnfe and child may be sent for, tlicy being anxious to return but afraid to say so, "till they see themselves clear of all danger from the Indians." Nims, then seventeen years old, had been carried captive from Dcerficld in 1704, and adopted by an Indian .squaw. Sarah lloit, a maiden of eighteen, was taken at the same time. When after some years, her cap- tors were about to resort to force to compel her to marry a Frenchman, she had offered to accept as her husband any one of her captive neighbors who would thus free her from her troublesome suitcu-. Ebenezer gladly offered him.self.
' See the story of "Christine Otis."
EUMCK Wri.IJA.MS. j..
1 hey were married at once, and at this time were with their baby boy at Lorette, eagerly hoping for deliverance The governor promises that a horse or cart shall be sent for Nims's wite who ,s ill. and that all the family, unaccompanied by priest or Indian, shall be bnn.ght to Ouebec. Captain Stod- dard sends his „wn physician to assist her on the iournev He returns with the information that the woman is able to walk to town, and that he has been grosslv insulted by the Jesuit priest at Lorette. Nims is sent, 'accompanied by
divers Indians, but at last by the persistence of Stoddard all are assembled and put on board. The next day a ^rreat concourse of Indians came from Lorette, and demanding to see Nims, were assured by him that he wished to go home Ihen they insisted upon his giving up his child, which he refusing, was permitted to return with his family to his na tive town. Years after, the Deerfield records tell how'"Eb- enezcr Nims. Junior, having been baptized by a Romish priest, in Canada, and being dissatisfied with his baptism upon consenting to the articles of faith," was baptized anew by good Parson Ashley. - i^w
One more effort was made by the Bishop, and high officials to prevent Madame Le Beau from going, but in vain
On the 24th of July, 1714, after nine montns absence from home, the commissioners set sail, having effected the deliv- erance of but twenty-six prisoners; as Stoddard sadly re- marks, "Not having received the promised list from the gov- ernor; without having our people assembled at Quebec, or half of them asked whether they would return or m^t, or ;ne mnior compelled ; having never seen many of our prisoners while we were m the country."
This was the last official effort for the redemption of Eu- nice \\ ilhams. In . 740, their faithful friends, the Schuylers brough about an interview between her and her relatives and yielding at last to their importunities, she in later years
154
IRUE STORIES OF NEW ENCiLAND CArilVES.
thrice revisited the place of her nativity. That she insisted upon returnin}^ to her Canadian home, and linally died there at the advanced a^i;'c of ninety, is to i.iy mini), no more than her marriai^e, a proof of her preference for sava<je haunts and modes of life. It is well known tluit ICno-H.sh jrjrls, cap- tured at the same time, were forced into marria^-cs with the French and Indians, iitterly repu.i^'nant to their feelinj^'s. At the time of Eunice's memor;d)le visit to Deerfield, children had been born to her, and to the maternal instinct, the r.trou}^- est passion of which the human soul is capable, even filial al'feetion must yield.
If we admit the statement that her Indian husband as- sumed the name of Williams,' this, and the name of her father bestowed upon her eldest child. ])rovc the ling-erinj^ fondness in her heart for lier kinsfolk. Althougdi robbed of the Christian name g-iven her by her father in baptism, she would not renounce the name of her race.
Another proof that the heart of Ivunice ^Villiams never ceased to turn in love towards the home of her infancy, and that she spared no pains to perpetuate this affection in her descendants, is afforded by their visit nearly a hundred years later, to the spot from whence, on February 29. 1704, she had been painfully torn."-' Weighino- carefully the evidence, it seems indisputable that it was Ro: .anism warring" against Protestantism, Jesuit against Puritan, that held Eunice Wil- liams eighty-three years a captive.
'Eunice Williams's husband is kimuii in Xcu' ICiiglatnl as "Anirnsus." I believe this is a corruption of the FrtiKii "Anibroisf," [Ambrose,] vvhiili was proliably given to this ("hristiaii Indian at his bajitism. ('. A. K.
'•'See Appendix.
ENSIGN JOHN SHKLUON.
A noted ph,co is the Plyn.s ,„uuth in OUl ICnj^hincl. On U.bU,e waters have Hoated ships „f Tyre and tnerehantnien of Massd.a. Kelt.e eoraele and Roman galley. Saxon keel and Norman corsa.r. Callant fleets with fair foreign brides for LngMsh prmees, have sailed into I'lymouth harbor. Hither too eame false Philip of Spain, on his w.ay to his luckless weddtng; and hence the pride of En^dand's n.avy went ottt to chasase „s msolent Arn,ada. Not for these will the Plym.
t lerctcpfr'p'" ";■■"■"■ '-""""-^^ ""■■ "e-«seitL hue the Hiaek Prnue landed with his royal c.-tptivcs, .-.fter
iav "!',?.,.""'■ T, ",'■"'"■ '""' '^■•'^^^'"•^- """ '>">'-■'■ "ot«d na .gato,,s. proceeded thence on their voyages of discovery:
but because U ,s .he port fron, which those nobler heroel
f eed,nf'n"", ", "■■ ""'"' "■'"-'" "'=>• ^■■•'"«^ '<> -''-'blish world , 'T ? '" '""^ ^'"■■' "'"'"• Pl^'"""g here the
lutle seed whtch has grown and blossomed into the grandest Republic on the globe. kianue.si
Ten years later than the Mayflower, with no les •, precious
o" Pk":"^ 'fT"' '" "^'' '■■••'^■^■' ■••"°"'- ^hip sailed ou of PI) mouth harbor. Before the landing of the Pilgrims
the coasts of Massachusetts Bay were famUiar to Ihe we"t o^
KNSIGN JOHN SIIKI.DOX. 185
clrded a full exchange, but were virtually a treaty of peace between the French and English in America, with the stip- ulation however, that "if not signed by the governors of Bos- ton, New York and all other special English governors be- fore the end of February, the articles should be null and void." The articles were rejected by the assembly and council at Boston, as not "consistent with her majesty's hon- or," and with thanks to Dudley for his past endeavors, it was left to him, upon advice with Lord Cornbury, to answer De Vaudreuil. To avoid their subsistence during the win- ter, and to set an example of generosity, Dudley early in December, sent home fifty-seven Port Royal captives, re- taining Baptiste and others of importance.
On the 17th of January, 1706, the governor read to his council his answer to De Vaudreuil's proposals, "to be des- patched to Quebec by Mr, John Slvldon, attended with a servant or two, and accompanied by two French pris. ners of war."
Mr. Sheldon now appears upon the stage as a full fledged ambassador. His attendants were John Wells and Joseph Bradley, a Haverhill man, whose wife was languishing in her second captivity. They left Deerfield on the 25th of January, taking the same route as before, another dreary winter journey. They arrived at Quebec in the beginning of March. Mr. Williams went up again for a few days to see Mr. Sheldon, and doubtless told him with indignation, the vigorous efforts of the priests to gain proselytes after Mr. Dudley's departure. "When Mr. vSheldon came the sec- ond time," says Mr. Williams, "the adversaries did what they could to retard the time of our return, to gain time to seduce our young ones to Popery."'
Although the dispatches carried by Mr. Sheldon were not satisfactory to De Vaudreuil, he could oppose nothing to Mr.
'"The Redeemed Captive," Sixth Ed., p. 113.
1 86
TRUE srORII":S L)F NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
Sheldon's arguments, that he was in honor bound to release some captives in return for those already sent home by Dudley, and he at last reluctantly consented to release for- ty-three.'
Captain Thomas More in his boat, the Marie, was to take them as far as Port Royal, with orders to the governor of Acadia to retain them there until "all the French prisoners without distinction" should be returned to Port Royal. Meantime the Marie was to proceed to Boston with Mr. Shel- don and his attendants, the two Frenchmen also returning with De Vaudreuil's ultimatum.
The Marie must have sailed soon after June 2d, the date of the governor's letter.'^ vShe evidently stopped at Port Royal, for we have John Sheldon's account there of his "pocket expense.:: the Doctor for John Wells," and "for two blankets and other things for y'' captives."
Whether Monsieur de Brouillant assumed the responsibil- ity of forwarding the captives with Mr. »Sheldon, or how it was, we know not, but there is evidence enough that they arriv^ed with him in the Marie at Boston on the first day of August. Mr. Williams, writing after his own redemption and before Mr. Sheldon's third expedition, s^ys, "The last who came, in numbers between forty and nfty, with Mr. Sheldon (a good man and a true servant of the church in Deerfield, who twice took his tedious and dangerous journey in the winter from New England unto Canada on these oc- casions), came aboard at Quebec, May 30th, and after nine weeks' difficult passage, arrived at Boston, August ist, 1706." On the 2d, Dudley informed his council of the letters "re- ceived yesterday, from the Governor of Canada by a Flagg of Truce with forty odd English prisoners." Who were the
'Letter from De Vaudreuil to Dudley dated Quebec, June 2, 1706, B. P_ Poore Coll. Vol. 5, p. 295.
'The New Style had already been adopted in Canada.
ENSKJN JOHN SHELDON. 187
forty odd we know not. Sheldon's daughter Marv was one; James Adams, another. Mr. Williams was still in Chateau- Richer, and the intendant threatened "if More broiio-ht word that Hattis was in prison, he would put him in prison and lay him in irons."
De Vaudreuil's letter also threatened reprisals if the Marie did not carry back tidings of Baptiste's release. One clause of this letter shows John Sheldon as an honest government official : "I have done myself the pleasure to honor the letter of credit you have given to Mr. Sheldon upon me. He has used it^ very modestly, and has demanded of me only 750 Livres." Mr. Sheldon's account shows how the money was expended. His landlords at Quebec and Montreal got a good part of it. The destitute captives were clothed; other interesting items are: "For a carriall' to goe to see the cap- tives at the Mohawk fort." "For a canoe and men to go from Quebec to visit Mr. Williams." "More paid to y" Bar- bour for me and my men and for my Blooting." "Laid out for my deaughter Mary for neces-ary cloathing." "More for my darter."
Mr. Sheldon's account being allowed, Wells and Bradley petitioned to be reimbursed for sundry expenditures, "snow- shoes and pumps," "a dog 15 shillings," and "besides there was a gun hired for the voyage, which said gun was broken in the discharging." Thirty-five pounds were voted to Mr. Sheldon, and twenty pounds each to the others for their ser- vices, over and above their outfit. While Mr. Sheldon was settling his affairs in Boston, young John Sheldon wrote him as follows : —
"Honored Father Sheldon :— After duty presented, these are to let you noe that I reseived your letter, which we desire to bless you for it. pray give my love with my wife's to sister Mary and
'Carriole. A Canadian sleigh.
1 88 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
all the rest of the captives I pray you to buy for me a
paire of curtings and a feather bead, and a greaine coverlid and a necklace of amber."
No doubt these commissions were faithfully executed, and the "Old Indian House" was soon gladdened by the return of its master, and another of the long-sundered household.
A week after the arrival of the Marie at Boston, the coun- cil advised Dudley to reject the proposals brought by her, and "yet send away the French prisoners without exception to Port Royal and Quebec and demand ours in return, and to send a vessel forthwith to Quebec in hopes of seeing them before winter."
Captain Bonner and his vessel were hired ; Mr. Samuel Appleton of the council was appointed as bearer of dispatch- es ; and towards the last of the month the brigantine Hope, auspicious name in such a service, convoyed the Marie with Baptiste, and all but one of the French prisoners out of Bo.s- ton harbor. Narrowly escaping shipwreck, they reached Quebec about the first of October. Mr. Appleton appears to have made himself pretty comfortable while the negotiations were pending, if we may judge from his tavern bill, on which I find beef and mutton a plenty, with ducks, broiled chickens and according to the fashion of that day, many bottles of eau de vie} There being no longer any excuse for retaining Mr. Williams, he and fifty-six others, among whom were his two sons and probably Sheldon's, came home with Mr. Ap- pleton.
Mr. Williams sayi. they left Quebec the 25th of October, but I find by the inn-keeper's bill that Samuel joined his fa- ther and Warham there on the 28th; that one of the boys was charged for breaking a glass on the 29th, and the board of the three is charged up to the 31st, so that unless their
'Mass. Archives, Voi. 71, p. 248.
mm^t^mmmm^m^^^^,^^
P:NSIGN JOHN SHELDON. igp
landlord was unusually rapacious we must take this as the day of their departure. After a stormy passa^^e, they reached Boston on Nov. 21st, and were imme liately sent for by the general court, then in session, where their'pitiful appear- ance excited such commiseration that it was at once "Re- solved that the sum of twenty shillings be allowed and paid out of the Publick Treasury to each of the captives this day returned from Canada." On Appleton's account, presented after his return, is the following item which must have made him doubly welcome to good Mr. Williams: "5 English Bibles, which Capt. Appleton carryed with him by order of y'' governor and council and given to the captives -> £ 13 s. 6 d."
On his return to Deerfield aftjr his second expedition, John Sheldon entered again upon the town business. With- in ten days after Mr. Williams landed in Boston, he was "chosen a committee to go down to the Bay to treat with Mr. Williams about returning to settle in Deerfield." I know not whether to admire more, the energy and courage of the people, or the fidelity and self-sacrifice of the pastor, in their action in this matter.
Early in 1707, by a vote of the town to build a house for the minister "as big as Ensign Sheldon's with a lean-to as big as may be thought convenient," he was chosen on the building committee. But his country again needed his ser- vices, and he was not permitted to remain long with his re- united family. On the 14th of January, Gov. Dudley in- formed his council that there were about ninety English still held by the French and Indians of Canada, whom the gov- ernor had promised to return the coming spring, and pro- posed to have "a Person Leger at Quebec, to put forward that affair, and endeavor that all be sent, and that Mr. John Sheldon who has been twice already, may be employed with a suitable retinue to undertake a journey thither, on tha:
IWMfc'fmiiTfirBtiiiaBiii tj i
190 IkllK STOklKS OV NKW KNT.I.ANF) CAI' II V KS.
service, if the season will permit." /\s we have already seen, John Shelijon was not one to permit the season to stand in the way of his servi'ij.^ the state. Aeeordinj^ly, he left Deer- (ield on llu' i/tli of April, .attended by ICdward Allen, Na- thaniel iirooks,' and ICdmiind Riee. We have a hint <>l how it fared with him on his noithward march, in this item fiom Ids acconnt book: "Paid six livres to tan Indian to j^nitU; ns into the way wiien bewildered." Mr. Sheldon was in i^reat- dan^ei" dnrin^' this last journey to Canada, and his sojourn there, 'idle l''rencli wei'e exasperated b\' rumoi-s of another ijivasion from New ICnj^land, and the woods were full of small |)arties of Indians, on the war-path to the l)order set- tlements.
He arrived the nth of May. His reception there was n(jt the most courteous, as we learn by this letter from the court of V'ersailU.'S to tht; j^-overnor of Canada: "His Majesty ap- proves of your having- spoken as you did to the man named !-)cheldin, wliom that (iovernor (Dudley) sent )'ou by land, in search of the ICn-^lish prisoners at Ouebec, and even if you had had him i)ut in prison with all his suite, it would have l)een no j^reat matter."-' I'^rom Montreal, Mr. Sheldon wrote on the jolli of June, that the I'reneh were colleetinji^ forces there, beinj^ alarmed by the report of an ;ii)proaehin^ l^^ii^- lish lleet. He was not permitted to return until this excite- ment had subsided. In mid-summer, escorted by six soldiers under Monsieur de Chambly,'' who had .secret orders to ac- (juaint himself with the condition of things at Oranj^^e, he with seven more captives, came down Lake Champlain in canoes, arriving;- at Albany on the 24th of August. To Mr.
'Ih; w<;r)l to S(;ek his dauKliter, captured F'el). 2g, I7(j3-4.
'^Leiter fioiii the I'lench Minister to De Vaudreull, June <j, 1708. Doc. pub. iyueljcc. Vol. 11, p. 488.
•'Brother of Hertel De Rouville.
KNSI(;N JOHN SIIKI.DON.
191
Sheldon's rinnoyance, his escort were held as prisoners dur- inj^ their stay in Albany, by Col. Sehuyler, who knew from friendly Indians in Canada the hostile attitnde of alTairs there, and he was sent with theni down to Lord Cornbury at New York. 'IMience by S.'iybn»<»k. M<;w London and Ston- inj^ton, now on horseback and now on foot, the captives came slowly home, and on the iStu of September, John Sheldon was in Boston ;ind delivered his desj)atehes to the jj^overnor in council, and ^ave a narrative of his nej^otiations.
In October, Mr. Sheldon is aji^ain in Deerlield, where he is appointed to manaj^e for the town as a i)etitioner to the Gen- eral Court for help towards Mr. Williams's salary. His name appears onee more on xhe (General Court records in Novem- ber, 1707, on two petitions for aid in consideiation of his own losses, and for his .services and tliose of his attendants in his last journey, "in which they endured much fati;j;-ue and hard- ship and ])assed throuj^h jj;reat dan^^er, sustaininj^" also con- siderable damage by their absence from their liusinesse." In answer, lie was j^^iven fifty ])ounds for his services, thir- teen of which was to be paid him by a mulatto whom he had brouj^ht out of bontla^e, :ind a j^rant of three hundred acres, not to exceed fcjrty acres of meadow land, was made him.
Shortly after this he removed to Hartford, where, in 1708, he had married a second time. In 1726, "beinj^ weak in body, yet throuj^h (lod's i^otxlness to me, of sound mind and memory," he made his will, and died in 1734, at the agfe of .seventy-six.
We need not search the rolls of heraldry for the pedigree of old John Sheldon. We have found him a brave man, and a good citizen, a tender husl)and and a lovinj^ father, true and faithful in all his private relations and public positions, a pillar of the church and state. What more need we ask?
The j^reat Archbishop Sheldon used to say to the young
192 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
lords who sought his advice : "Be honest and moral men. Do well and rejoice." John Sheldon was both. He did well, and his descendants may rejoice.
■:r-- -,;;-r,"^- .^^#j
»
MY HUNT FOR THE CAPTIVES.
There have been moie noteworthy journeys to Canada than that whose fruits are gathered here.
There is that one abounding- in thrilling experiences, from which Benjamin Waite and Stephen Jennings returned tri- umphant to Hatfield,
Many others, endured perforce ^y our captive ancestors with a fortitude never to be forgot ;n ; and equally memor- able those undertaken for their redemption.
Rev. John Williams thus writes of the most notable of these : "Mr. Sheldon, a <jood man and a true servant of the church in Deerfield, twice took hi.-, tedious and dangerous journey in the winter, from New England into Canada on these occasions."' Though, with the Redeemed Captive, J have "blessed God that deliverance was brought for so many," the number left behind could not be forgotten. As often as I have read in our annals the pathetic story, "taken cap- tive to Canada, whence they came not back," I have longed to know their fate. The longing has become a purpose, and I have taken upon myself a mission to open the door for the return of the long-lost captives. I doubt if Deacon Sheldon himself was thought so demented, when he announced his
'Mr. Sheldon went three times to Canada for the captives.
194 TkUK STOKIKS OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
intention of going- to Canada in mid-winter to demand the release of his kinsfolk and neighbors, as I was, when I made known my purpose, to go to Montreal in December.
So with that apparent vacillation which often cloaks our firmest resolutions, I bought my tickets with the privilege of returning them, in case of a heavy snow storm on the day of departure The day and the storm arrived together, but I had set my hand to the plough, and even if it should prove a snow plough, there was no turning back. Two hundred years have robbed the winter journey from New England to New France of all its tedium and danger, and one needs all the reflected glory of his heroic ancestry, to reconcile him to the ignoble ease with which it is performed.
After two days of fruitless search for the trail of our cap- tives, I had begun to despair, when chance led me to the rooms of the Natural History Society. There, by a rare good fortune, I found a remarkable collection of the Old Regime, — priceless treasures, hitherto guarded jealously in the home, the convent or the church, now, for the first time, and prob- ably the last, by the energy of the Numismatic and Anti- quarian Society of Montreal, brought together for a week's exhibition. This alone would have repaid me for my jour- ney. There were portraits of Wolfe and Montcalm, and sil- ver mugs once owned by the latter. There were Champlain's autograph, and the patent of nobility conferred upon Franyois Hertel and his posterity. Here I stood, face to face, with the illustrious founders of New France — soldiers, nuns, mis- sion prie.sts, Intendants, Governor-Generals, heroic martyrs, gallant captains and faithful viceroys of Louis XIV. The frank, sensible, practical, womanly and warm-hearted Mar- guerite Bourgeois; Madame de la Peltrie, the ardent and sin- cere, albeit romantic and sensational enthusiast ; Pore Jogues, the refined, scholarly and pious missionary, with his poor, mutilated hands, and his deeply-lined face; timid, humble,
mtm
MY HUNT FOR THE CAPTIVES.
'95
self-distrusting, meek and patient as a lamb under Indian tor- ture, bold as a lion in defence of his faith. Laval, the high- born prelate, stubborn fighter for the supremacy of the church; Talon, the intendant, sagacious, alert, whose deli- cate face gives no hint of his energetic character ; Charle- voix, cotemporary and historian of them all. Here were Boucher and d'Ailleboust, representatives of the old tiohhssc, and de Montigny, greatest of Canadian warriors; the same to whom Esther Jones and Margaret Huggins and poor little Elisha Searle, may have appealed for mercy for their kins- folk slain at Pascommuck. And here were the Hertel broth- ers, faces all too familiar to our Deerfield captives, handsome and noble faces, nevertheless. These were the features first revealed to our woe-begone ancestry, in the light of their burning homes, nearly two hundred years ago. This deco- ration may have been De Rouville's reward for his success- ful attack on Deerfield. Those very eyes must have beamed gratefully upon Mary Baldwin Catlin, as she tenderly raised the head and moistened the fevered lips of the wounded French youth. This thought was an inspiration. An hour later I found myself on a bench in the church vestry, with a crowd of old women, anxious for confession, awaiting my turn to speak with the Cure of Notre Dame. At four o'clock when the early sunset of that northern latitude overtook me, one might have seen me perched upon a high stool, at a grated window, straining my eyes over the ancient record, and translating letter by letter from the old French, the fol- lowing, in the hand-writing of Father Meriel :
"On Monday, the 21st day of December, in the year 1705, the rites of baptism were by me, the undersigned priest, administered in the chapel of the Sisters of the Congregation, with the permission of Monsieur Franyois le Vachon de Belmont, Grand Vicar of my Lord, the Bishop of Quebec, to Samuel Williams, upon his abjura. tion of the Lidependent religion ; who, born at Dearfielde in New
196 TRUE STURIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
England, the 24th of Jan. O. S. [3d of Feb. ] of the year 1690, of the marriage of Mr. John Williams, minister of the said place, and his wife Eunice Mather, having been taken the 29th of Feb. O. S. [nth of March] of the year 1704, and brought to Canada, lives with Mr. Jacques Le Ber, Esquire, Sieur de Senneville. His godfather was Jacques Le Ber. His godmother Marguerite Duat, wife of Antoine Pascaud, merchant, who have signed with me."
Then follow the si<^natures of Senneville, Marguerite Bouat Pascaud and the unformed and tremulous autograph of Sam- uel himself. Dear lad ! On this very spot he was sent to school, to learn to read and write French. The schoolmas- ter sometimes "flattered him with promises, if he would cross himself, then threatened him if he would not;" and finding promises and threats ineffectual, he "struck him with a cruel whip, and made him get down on his knt es for an hour." For weeks, this went on, till at last, after many tears, "through cowardice and fear of the whip," says his stern, old Puritan father, "he was first brought to cross himself." From this to abjuration and baptism, was a natural step. Two days after his baptism, he wrote to his father in Quebec a strange letter, filled with accotints of the conversion of his fellow- captives to the Roman Catholic religion, and not one word of himself. "When I had this letter," says the heart-broken father, "I presently knew it to be of Mr. Meriel's composing, but the messenger who brought it, brought word that my son had embraced their religion. The news was ready to overwhelm me with grief and sorrow — anguish took hold upon me. I asked God to direct me what to do, and how to write, and to find an opportunity of conveying a letter to him." That letter, and Samuel's answer, may be read in "The Redeemed Captive."
Far into the twilight I sat there, spellbound by the old manuscript. How' many tales it unfolded. True stories of real folks, far tran.scending in interest, any wonder book of
DKIf'-IW^Mt"*-— "T— -^ ■"■t."' -ij^fW*"* -wSOWMiTi^
MY HUNT FOR THE CAPTIVES. 197
fiction. I pictured the fourteen years old boy in the house of his so-called master. It was, doubtless, one of the best in the town, for Jacques Le Ber, shopkeeper at Montreal, had by industry and thrift made himself a fortune, and am- bitious for his children had "got himself made a gentleman
for 6000 hvres, so far had noblesse already fallen from its
old estate."'
_ Though Jacques Le Ber was the possessor of riches and a title,— though it pleased him to be called Eeiiyer or Esquire and to sign himself Seigneur de Senneville, he had had sore disappointment. His wife had died. His eldest daughter his favorite child, instead of helping him, in the care of the younger children, had shut herself up at twenty-two, in her chamber, where for ten vears she sat embroidering altar cloths and vestments, r- .ng to see any one but her con- fessor, and the girl who urought her food. An odor of sanc- tity must have pervaded the house of Jacques Le Ber, and Samuel probably heard from her own sisters t!:- story of Jeanne Le Ber. Ten years before he became an inmate of the family, she had retired to a cell which had been built for her behind the altar, in the new chapel of the nuns of the Congregation ; and the boy and his master must both have thought of the family saint, so near and yet so far, as they stood by the altar when Samuel was baptized. It was kind in Jacques Le Ber to burden his household with the boy and Samuel felt it ; for he tells his father, in excuse for his con- version, that they told him (perhaps Le Ber's own children) that he had never been bought from the Indians, but was' only sojourning in Montreal, and that if he would not turn he should be given back to the savages, but that if he would he should never be put into their hands any more.^
I wondered as I sat there putting the two ends of the story
'Parkman. Old Regime, p. 256.
'"The Redeemed Captive," p. 77. Edition of MDCCC,
198 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
together, whether it was all so dreadful to the boy as it seems to us. Whether, as he waded from Jacques Le Ber's house to school, through that Canadian winter, he was ever gay and merry like other boys, and snowballed and frolicked on his snow-shoes. Or whether the thought of his mother slain, his father far away, his brothers and sisters scattered he knew not where, haunted him day and night. The priests spent whole days urging him to renounce his father's re- ligion. To rescue from heresy the child of the Puritan preacher, was an object worth their labor, and they spared no pains nor argument to that end. When at last the ship came to take him home, they tried to frighten him with tales of shipwreck, and threats of eternal damnation. They told him if he would stay, the king would grant him a pension, and that his master, an old man and the richest in Canada, would give him a great deal of money ; but that in New England he would be poor and homeless. It is a relief to remember that neither promise of preferment, nor the fear of poverty on earth and of hell hereafter, could keep him from home and native land.
When I w^alked back to my hotel, the stars were shining. The Montreal of to-day had vanished, and men, women and children from the Deerfield of 1 704, thronged the snowbound streets of the old French town. Ville-Marie de Mont-Real— what legend of the age of chivalry equals the romance of thy true history ! The most brilliant conception of the imagination pales before the simple recital of the exploits of thy crusaders.
To all readers of "The Redeemed Captive" the name of Father Meriel is as familiar as that of Parson Williams him- self. For the next two days I followed his steps in the old records as he went in and out among the captives. On the triumphant return of De Rouville from Deerfield, the vSeign- eur de Montigny, whom I have already mentioned as the
MV HUNT FOR THE tAl'TIVKS. igg
^n-eatest warrior of New France, was sent to the Connecticut valley with a party of French and Indians. Montigny at- tacked Pasconimuck, a little hamlet of Northampton, occu- pied by five families, and known also as Northampton Farms. The Hampshire record is as follows :
"May 12 |i3| Pascomok Kort taken by ye French and Indians l)enig about 72. Tlicy took, and Captivated ye whole Garrison be- ing about 37 Persons. The English Pi.rsueingof them caused them to nock all the captives on the ii^d, Save 5 or 6. Three they ear- ned to Canada with them ; the others escap'd and about 7 of those knocked on the Head Recovered, ye Rest died."
Those carried to Canada were Esther Inghesson, [Ing-ersol] wife of Benoni Jones: Margaret Huggins, her niece, aged eighteen, and Elisha vSearle, a little boy of eight.
Imagine the emotions with which I read the Canadian ac- count of the Pascommuck story. It is so strange to find the homely names of "nn />r//t A/^o/o/sr or -unc petite Ani^r/oiser and their fathers and mothers, old-time friends and neigh- bors of our own ancestry, done into French in Father Meriel's beautiful hand-writing as bright and clear to-day as if fresh from his pen. Stranger still it is to see them coupled with names of warriors and courtiers, who not only figure brill- iantly in the annals of New France, but who once shared at Fontamebleau, the pleasures of the corrupt and splendid court of Louis XIV., who may have seen the rise and fall of the LaValliC're and the Montespan,— and have lounged in the ante-chambers of Madame de Maintenon.
The old record reads like a novel, it is all so vivid. In- stinctively I hold out my arms and whisper, "Don't be afraid " to the little Elisha Searle as I see him there, in his blue checked apron and shabby homespun, just as he was snatched from his mother's side. He stands there ready to burst into tears, clinging tight to the hand of Jean Baptiste Celeron de Blainville, with whom he lives. How he shrinks from the
200 TRUK STORIKS OK N'KW KNCIANI) CAPTIVES.
priest and the baptismal water, and turns half trustfully to- wards Dame Marie Anne T.eAIoyne de Chassai}2^ne, his god- mother. It is all over now, and this is our last sijj^ht of little Elisha, or h^lisre, as the Freneh have it. His god-father, the Sieur de Hlainville, has taken away the name j>iven him by good Parson Stoddard, and when we meet him again, if we ever do mee', him, it will be as Miehel Searls. A year later, Margaret Huggins is baptized. I'^ither Meriel tells us that she was the daughter of John Huggins and I<>xperienee Jones, born at vStony Hrook in i6S6, and baptized at vSpringfield four months later; that she was taken by the Abenac(uis at Pas- eommuek, near Northampton, and earried by the Indians to St. Franeis. From them she was bought by that illustrious exile, the Marquis de Crisafy, governor of Three Rivers, with whom she lived until August, 1 706, when .she was brought to Montreal, Her sponsors were Monsieur T^tienne Robert and Marguerite Bouat, who seem to have been as zealous in the eonversion of heretics as l^ither Meriel. I doubt not that her name re-appears later, where laek of time forbade me to look for her.
My next find was the story of l*}sther Jones, as Father Mer- iel wrote it out for vSamuel Williams to eopy and send it to his father. Between the lines it is easy to read the prolonged agony of that first year of captivity, ending for this poor woman in weeks of sickness in the hospital. There, "dis- tempered with a very high fever, if not distracted," as Mr. Williams says, on their death beds, scarcely conscious of their acts, and "at first disdaining," she and Abigail Turbot yielded to the threats of the priests and the importunities of the nuns who took care of them, and, confessing the sins of their whole lives, abjured Protestantism, received extreme imction, died and were "honorably buried side by side, in the church-yard next the church," "close to the body of the Justice Pese's w-ife," writes vSamuel, "all the people being
^
mmmmmmmm
M\ HUNT rok iiiK cAi'irvKs. 201
present." What a picture these few lines recall. The beau- ty of that spring nij^^ht on Northamp^cju meadows; the still- ness broken l>y the horrid war-whoop; the terror of those five families; the flaminy^ farm-houses; the ilight with the prisoners; the brave pursuit and the merciless slaughter; the three desolate ones, marching on to unending captivity; the meeting with some of their Deerfield friends in the In- dian camp at Coos ; the arrival in Canada ; their separation ; the year of illness ending with the hospital, where Esther Jones finds her cousin, Abigail Turbot, who had been taken at Cape Porpoise, Me.;' ^inally, that gloomy vSunday after- noon in December, when both sufferers lay spent with the struggle, life ebbing fast from their fever-racked frames; grey-robed nuns Hitting s<jftly back and forth between them;' black-gowned priests reiterating in low tones alternate threat: and promise, their efforts at last successful ; Father Meriel pressing forward with extreme unction for the penitents ; Samuel Williams and other English prisoners "looking on! awestruck at the scene ; Madam Grizalem, as they call Chris- tine Otis's mother, whose captivity has had a happier end- ing there too, let us hope as a kind mediator between the sufferers and their persecutors ; the burial, at which "all the people were present ;" the captives standing sadly about the open graves and wondering whose turn would come next ; then, earth to earth, rajuicscant in pace ; and Father Meriel hurries to the church vestry to write down before it is quite dark the record, which two hundred years later, shall be thus read by a descendant of Deerfield. So the curtain falls on the tragedy of Pascommuck.
In the attack on Deerfield, Sarah Jeffreys, widow of Thom- as Hurst, and her six children were captured. The young- est, Benjamin or Benoni, was slain in the meadows. Sarah eighteen, Elizabeth, sixteen, Thomas, twelve, Hannah, eight,'
'Kennebunkport.
202
rUITK sroKIKS OK NKW KNCI.AND CAI'TIVKS.
Kbcne/.cr, five, were carried with the mother to Canada, where they were j^robably separated. Widow Sara, tlie mother, was re-l)a])ti/,ed, and apjiears on the Canadian records as Marie Jeanne.' IChenezer was l)aj)ti/-ed l)y I'\alher Meriel t)n vSnnday, Di'c. <">, 1705, and the name of Anloine Nicolas was {>i\'en liim l)y his j^od-father. Monsieur Antoinc Adhc- mar, rej^isti'ar of the jurisdiction of X'iilc-Maric. His l)rot]i- er Tliomas was carried to the Mission of Xotre Dame de Lo- rette and baj^ti/ed by I'\'ithcr Meriel at Montreal, on the 17th of January, 1706. We have heretofore believ(.Hl that the Wid- ow Hurst, with her two eldest dau«4hters, was redeemed and rettirned to New Rnj^land, I'^benezer, Thomas, and Hannah i-eniainin<4' in Canada. I am led to doubt this statement in rejj^ard to lClizabi.-lh by the followin;^- extract from the Mont- real rejj;"ister :
"Oil Monday, tiic ^d of ()ct()l){'r, 1712, after the ])iil)lic.ati()n of the three haniis. 1, tiic uii(k'rsijL>iie(|, Si-miiiary priest of Monti d, witli the [Permission of Monsieur {''raneois de Vauchoii, (Irand \ icar of the IJisliop of Quebec, and will', tiie imitnal cdnsent of 'I'lionias Hecraft, weaver, a^ed tl)irl3'-liire'j, son of Thomas llcerafi, deceased, and of Ills wife;, iCIizahelh (lay, of the Ihshopric of Norwich in i'lng- iand, of the first part, and of Marie ICli/abeth Hurst, aj^ed twenty- tiiree, dauj^hter of the late Tliomas Murst, and his wife, Marie Jeanne Jeffreys of Deerfieki, in New l'',n,<i;lanil, of the second part, both now living in this parish of Ville Marie, have married them and have given them the nuptial benediction in presence of Mr. John 'IMiom- as, master shipbuilder to the kiny-, in this country, and of l)ani(d Joseph Maddo.x, friend of the groom, of W^illiam I'erkins, step- fatherof the bride, of Thomas Hurst, her brother, and of several oth- ers, friends of both parties, who have signed this certifi(;ate accord- ing to law, with the exception of Thomas Hurst, who says that he cannot sign."
Then follow Thomas's mark and the autographs of Marie
'See Ilurst fatiiily in "A Day al Oka."
memam
MY llUiNT FOR rilK CAI'llVES. 203
Franyoise I'^rcnch, Williriin I'crkins, John 'IMiomas, Jricol) (lilinan, Daniel Joseph Maddox, Joseph hiTllcL and Meriel I'ri'Lre. As the age of the l)ride eorrespoiids exactly to that of ICIi/abeth iliirst, I am led to believe that Hannah went baek with Sara and their mother to N(.'W iCns^land, and that ICli/abeth, with the name of Marie added at her baptism, was left with ICbenezer and Thomas in Canada, where she married as above. The Marie l'ran(;oisc French, who appears as one of the witnesses at the weddinj^' of her fiiend iOlizabeth Hurst, was a dauj^-hter of Deacon 'I'homas l'"rench and his wife, Mary Catlin. Deacon I'rench was the town clerk of Deerheld, and also the blacksmith.'
The deacon and his children, Mary.aj^ed seventeen, Thom- as, fourteen. Freedom, eleven, Martha, eij^ht, and Abigail, six — were ear/tured. His wife and their infant John were killed on the retreat. Deacon l''rench and his two eldest chil- dren were redeemed. I'^rce(h>m was placed in the family of Monsieur Jac(|ues Le IJci', merchant of Montreal, and on Tuesday, the (")th of April, 1706, Machime Le Her had her ba|)tized anew by Father Meriel, under the name of ^larie l'ran(;oise, the name of tl'e \'irj;-in added to that of her god- mother, being substituted for tlie Puritanic appellaticni of Freedom, by wdiich she had been known in Deerfield. vShe signs her new name, evidently with difficulty, to this regis- ter, and never again does she appear as Freedom French. I find her often as a guest at the marriages of her Englisl friends. Her sister Martha was given by her Indian captors to the Sisters of the Congregation at Montreal. On the 23d of January, 1707, she was l)aptized softs cofu/i/iou, receiving from her god-mother the name of Marguerite in addition to her own. On Tuesday, November 24, 171 1, when about six-
'Thomas French's lioiisc stood just south of the present parsonage of the Second church : his shop, on the street in front of it. Not lonp ago, our An- tiquary, digging on the spot, found charcoal and bits of iron, that must have fallen from the blacksmith's forge.
204 TRUE STORIES OF NKW ENGLA.M. CAPTIVES.
teen, she was married by Father Meriel to Jacques Roi, a^cfl twenty-two, of the village of St. Lambert, in the presence of many of their relatives and friends. Jaccjues Roi cannot write his name, but the bride, Marthe Marguerite French, signs hers in a bold, free hand, which is followed by the dashing autograph of the soldier, Alphonse de Tonty ; and Marie Franc/oise French, now quite an adept in forming the letters of her new name, also signs. Two years later, on the 6th of February, at the age of twenty-one, Marie Fran(;oise French married Jean Daveluy, ten years older than herself, a relative of Jacc[ues Le Roi, her sister's husband. Daveluy could not write, but here, appended to the marriage register, 1 hnd for the last time the autographs of the two sisters writ- ten in full, Marie Franyoi.se and Marthe Marguerite French. Elizabeth Catlin, sister of Deacon French's wife, both daughters of Mr. John and Mary Baldwin Catlin, married James Corse, who died before the destruction of Deerfield, leaving her with three children, two boys and a little girl just the age of her cou.sin. Martha French. On her arrival in Canada, Elizabeth Corse, then eight years old, was taken by Pierre Roy or Le Roi, an inhabitant of St. Lambert, and on July 14, 1705, Pierre Le Roi's wife, Catharine Ducharme, and Gilbert Maillet, master mason, stood as sponsors at her baptism. She is allowed to keep her own name intact, though Father Meriel writes it Elizabeth Casse. The Cana- dian French sometimes pronounce the vowel a ah and sometimes axv. The latter doubtless represents the child's :>ronunciation of her family name, the r being entirely sup- pressed. With Pierre Le Roi's children, Jean, Jacques Barbe, and the rest, Elizabeth Corse gi"ew up to the age of sixteen, when, on the 6th of November, 1712, she married Jean Dumontel of the same village. It is interesting to note that she named her first child Mary, in memory of her aunt, Mary Catlin French, and her second, Elizabeth, for her
MV HUNT IT)R TFJK CAPTIVES. 205
mother. Several with Frcneh names follow, tvnnn^ them a Pierre, whieh seems to hint at a kindly regard for her hene- faetor; Pelagie. the last, was born in i/jS. On the 6th of January, 1730. lUizabeth Corse married, at St. Lambert, her seeond husband. Pierre Monet. It was in this very year'that her brother James went up from Deerfield to look for her in Canada. How one longs to know whether he found her a widow, at the head of her young familv, or whether he ar- rived too late for the seeond wedding. It seems hardly pos- sible that his .seareh eould have been fruitless, or that the little eolony of cousins and friends, settled in and near Mon- treal, eould have escaped him.
Thanks to the detail of Father Meriel in his records, a thread of fancy moy be interwoven with these bare statistics. We may imagine the grief and loneliness of these three cousins, when, after the horror of their seizure and the suf- fering of the journey were somewhat abated, they found themselves separated among a people .so different and speak- ing a strange tongue. No doubt good Catharine Ducharme was at her wits' end to know what to do with the wailing little girl, who had fallen to her share in the distribution of prisoners ; and that Martha French gave the pious nuns of the Congregation no end of trouble. The solemn routine of the -loister must have been very irksome to the wayward child, who had been free to rove with her mates, at their own sweet will, up and down the beautiful street of Deer- field. We may suppose that, after Elizabeth's baptism, Dame Le Roi asked the Sisters to let Martha French go home with her to St. Lambert for a while ; and that this arrangement was found to be such a relief to all concerned that the visits became frequent, and that Freedom, a/urs Marie Franjoise French was of the party. P is possible that Mary Brooks, who was the same age, was there too. She had been bap- tizea as Marie Claire the Sunday after Elizabeth Corse, and
J- . "jwsms^'^^m
206 trup: stories of new England captives.
was livin^r with the Seigneur Joseph de Fleury in .Montreal, (iradiially their homesiekness wore away, and they grew to womanhood. We ean pieture these grandchildren of Mr. John Catlin, light haired, dark -ved— race type that we have known so well in later generations. No wonder that Jacques Roi and Jean Dumontel thought they had never seen maid- ens so winsome as Martha French and Elizabeth Corse, or that even grave, sober Jean Daveluy, with his thirty-one years' experience, was finally captivated by t..c beauty, vi- vacity and saucy wit of Mar^e Franyoise French, who was probably living with her married sister at that time.
The condition of the people of Deerfield in the fall and winter of 1703-4 is pathetically described by :\Ir. Williams in a Icttler to Trovernor Dudley, which I have quoted in anoth- er story. Though their elders were depressed by foreboding and fear, the young people of the village seem to have gone on as usual. Early in December young John Sheldon rode down to Chicopee and brought home Hannah Chapin, his bride, on a pillion behind him, clad, perhaps, in that famous pelisse, which the gossips had quilted of double thickness, laughingly telling her she would need it when the Indians should carry her off to Canada,— s<i perilous was the situation at Deerfield considered. 1 must confess that I have always looked with less favor on two other marriages contracted that winter, that of Elizabeth Price to Andrew Stevens, the Indian, and that of Abigail vStebbins to James Denio, of whcMii all that we have hitherto known is that he was one of three Frenchmen then living in Deerfield. That these two girls, born of good Puritan stock, should have done this thing, and especially at a time when the very name of French and Indian was most hateful to the people of New England, has always shocked my sense of the fitness of things. An- drew Stev^^ns, "the Indian," was killed at the sacking of the town. His young wife, with James Denio and his bride, Abi-
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g-ail Stebbins, her father and mother and the rest of their children were captured. John Stebbins, his wife Dorothy andtheir two sons, John and vSamuel, came back. Abicjail and her husband, lier sister Thankful, and her brothers, Eljcnezcr and Joseph, remained in Canada ; so also did Eliz- abeth Price Stevens. The latter lived for a time with the Nuns of the Con^irre<rati()n, and having made formal abjura- tion of the "Calvinistic heresy," was baptized on the 25th of April, 1705, her godmother, Marie Elizabeth Le Moyne, daughter of Charles Le Moyne, Haron Longueuil, giving her the added name of Marie. Father xMeriel says that she was "born at Northampton, and was the daughter of Robert Price, Episcopalian, and of his wife, Sara Web, Independent, and widow of Andrew Stevens of Northampton." She signs the register as Marie Elizabeth Stevens, but the autograph looks as if her hand were held and the letters traced by another. On the 3d of February, 1706, at the age of twenty-two, she married Jean Fourneau, a UKister shoemaker. Among those present were Samuel ^Villiams, "friend of the bride," Han- nah Parsons, Marie Esther Sayrs, Christine Otis and Catha- rine Denkyn, all English captives. She died ten days after the birth of her seventh child, Nov. 4, 1 7 1 6. Though we may object to his methods, we cannot have followed thus far the ministrations of Father Meriel without admiring his persist- ent efforts to save the souls of those whom he regards as heretics. According to his light he befriended the captives, and there can be no question of his sincerity. I felt sure that his unflagging zeal would sooner or later put Abigail Stebbins's name on the baptismal register. When I tell you that but for her marriage with the Frenchman I should not have been I and this sketch might not have been written, you will understand the satisfaction with which I read the following :
"On Monday, the 28th of May, 1708, the rites of baptism have
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208 I'KUE STORIES OV NEW ENGI.AM) CAI'TIVES.
been administered by nie the undersigned Priest, to an English woman, named in her own country Abigail Stebbens, who born at Dearfield in New England, the 4th of January 1684 (N. S.) of the marriage of John Stebbens an inhabitant of that place, and of Dor- othy Alexander, both Indei)entiants, having been baptized by the minister of that place some years after and married the r4th of P'ebruary 1704 to Jacques Desnoions now Sergeant of Mr. de 'I'on- ti's company, came with him to ("anada, towards the end of the fol- lowing March, and lives with him at Jjoucherville. Her name Abi- gail has been changed to that of Marguerite. She has had for her godfather the High and Mighty Seigneur I'hillippede Rigaud, Mar- quis de \'audreuil. Chevalier de rOrdre Militaire de St. Louis and Governor-General of New France ; and for godmother. Marguerite Bouat, wife of Antoine I'acaud, royal treasury clerk
who have signed with me according to the ordinance."
The autographs follow :
Vaudkeuii, Mgte l^ouAT Pascaid Margueritk Stkbhen
Abigail's signature shows that she was over-powered by the presence of the //a/// it puissant Governor-General.
"Both Independants." How it stirs the dissenting blood in one's veins to read this of old John Stebbins and his wife Dorothy. How much in a little Father Meriel gives us. Here we have for the first time the real name and occtipation of Abigail's husband, Jacques Desnoions, now Sergeant in Mr. de Tonti's company. That no'-u' banishes my life-long fear that the three Frenchmen in Deertield that winter were scouts sent in advance by Hertel de Rouville. It is notice- able that Abigail wStebbins is not spoken of as the others have been, as "captured F'eb. 29. 1704 and brought to Cana- da," but as having "come with her husband to Canada, and living with him at Boucherville." Here then was the clue. Boucherville was the home of Abigail's married life. On
n«P«!iii,iim
MY HUNT FOR THE CAPTIVES,
209
its parish records I must look for the births of her children. With reluctance I shut the Montreal register and set about going- to Boucherville.
Easily accessible in summer, it was not to be thought of in midwinter, said the officials. Thought, however, is not so easily dismiissed. The thing done often seems of so little worth, compared with the thing foregone. After groping awhile among the defective copies of parish records in the court house, the Gordian knot was cut by a suggestion from the lady from Philadelphia that we should get across the river by train and trust luck for the rest. Booming through the great bridge, we halted for a moment at Saint-Lambert, the adopted home of Elizabeth Corse and her cousins, and thence to Longueuil. Here the courtesy of our conductor was our luck. He gave us in charge to a clever French driv- er, in whose capacious sleigh, with only our heads visible above the bear skins tucked up close under our chins, we glided on to Boucherville.
The road from Longueuil to Boucherville is a forcible re- minder of that modified feudalism which formed the basis of Canadian colonization. Longueuil and Boucherville are among the oldest seigniories granted by the king with pat- ents of nobility to the more prominent colonists of Canada. Charles Le Moyne, Baron of Longueuil, the son of an inn- keeper at Dieppe, was a man of rare worth. The family founded by him is still eminent in Canada. Boucherville was the seigniory of Pierre Boucher, whose descendants, the De Bouchervilles, a family of distinction, still live on the spot. "The fief of the seignior," says Mr. Parkman, "varied from half a league to six leagues fronting on the river, and from half a league to two leagues in depth. The condition imposed on him may be said to form the distinctive feature of Canadian feudalism, that of clearing his land within a limited time, on pain of forfeiting it." This was to prevent
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2IO TKUE SI'OklKS OF NHVV ENdl.ANI) CAPTIVKS.
the kinds of the colony from lying waste. "Canadian feudal- ism." still quotin-,^ Mr. Parkman, "was made to serve a double end,— to produce a faint and harmless reflection of French aristocracy, and simply and practically to supply a^^encies
for distributing land among the settlers." "As the
seignior was often the penniless owner of a domain three or four leagues wide and proportionally deep, he could not clear it all himself, and was therefore under the necessity t)f plac- ing the greater part of it in the hands of those wh(j could. But he was forbidden to sell any part of it which he had not cleared." He must grant it in turn to his vassals, on condi- tion of a small annual rent. The usual grant from a seign- ior to his vassal included woodland and tillage. It was about a mile and a half in depth, with a narrow river frontage. The ccnsitairc or tenant, habitant as he is still called, natur- ally built on the front of his lot, close by the river, which served as his highway, and as his neighbors did the same, a single line of dwellings, not far apart, was ranged along the shore, forming what is to this day called a cote. A continu- ous cote connects Longueuil and BcHicherville. The pictur- esque beauty of the landscape and the splendor of that win- ter day are indescribable. The road of spotless white fol- lowed for seven miles along its southern shore the curves of the magnificent river. At the right, quaint old dwellings, each with its long well-sweep, its Lombardy poplars and its rude paling ; the houses a story and a half high, built of stones and bits of rock of a rich brown color, irregular in size and shape, and imbedded in coarse, gray mortar; high, steep roofs, painted black or dull red, with curved and far projecting eaves ; huge chimneys at the gable ends, built up from the ground outside ; casement windows of different shapes and sizes, set without regard to external symmetry, and protected by heavy red wooden shutters ; long, low barns, whose warped and weathered sides are crusted with yellow
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MY HUNT FOR TFIK fAl'TIVES. 211
lichens, their roofs thickly thatched, the thatch bristlin^^ erect like a close cut mane, along; the ridge pole. Enormous ricks of straw were clustered in the ang-les of the buildings ; shaggy, stout-legged horses huddled together in the barn yards, resting their necks on each other; clumsy Breton cows moved slowly about; dingy, lieavy-lleeced sheep poked their noses down among the dead grass of the lields, which the winds had laid bare in spots. An habitant raking straw from a snow-topped rick was the only sign of human life. His boots of untanned deer skin, his blouse of blue home- spun, belted \ ih a scarlet sash, the tasselled peak of his red woollen cap falling to his shoulder, gave a bit of bright col- or to the picture. Behind the farm buildings lay a vast ex- panse of snow-drifted meadow, sparkling as if encrusted with gems; here and there a graceful elm in its naked beau- ty; and in the middle distance, rising abruptly from the plain, a pale blue mountain, vague and tender in the rimy atmosphere. At the left there was the low slope of the riv- er's bank. Now and then the blackened thyrse of a sumach, or the dry pod of a milkweed rustled on its stalk, turning its buff satin lining to the light. Clumps of the red osier and yellow twigs of dwarf willows already gave promise of spring. At intervals immense blocks of ice jammed togeth- er, formed a rampart that cut off the view. Near Boucher- ville the river bank broadened into a great stretch of marsh, the haunt of innumerable wild ducks ; and far beyond this the long, low Isles of Boucherville broke the otherwise dreary expanse of the gulf-like river.
Road and river, mountain and meadow are the same to-day as on that blustering March day in 1704, when at the disper- sion of the captives at Montreal, Jacques de Noyon and his young bride wended the same way to his old home at Boucherville. Perhaps her husband, pitying her distress, had begged that her father and mother and her young
212 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
brothers and sister mi^ht aceompany them. The hou-ses may have differed somewhat from those of to-day. Doubt- less some were built of loj^s and daubed with elay. What- ever the material, the form was the same ; "Sueh as the peas- ants of Normandy built in the reign of the Henries."
From the northern provinees of Franee, from Brittany, Normandy and Pieardy, Canada was peopled. They eame in sueh numbers that the kin<^ at last instrueted his minis- ter to inform the intendant that he needed his peasants for soldiers and eould not afford to depopulate Franee in order to people Canada. Year after year, ln)wever, shipload after shipload sailed from Roehelle or Dieppe. An anonymous writer of the perit)d deseribes them as "doeile, industrious and pious." Mr. Parkman adds : "They seem to have been in the main, a deeent peasantry. vSome of them eould read and write, and some brought with them a little money."
Renowned as is the town of Noyon in Pieardy for its linen faetories and its magnilieent ehureh of the thirteenth een- t.ury, famous as the plaee where Charlemagne was first erowned and Hugh Capet eleeted king, it is still more famous as the birthplaee of Jean Chauvin, or John Calvin, the great reformer. It is not unlikely that another John, born in Noyon at a time when surnames were unusual, eame to be known as John of Noyon, or Jean de Noyon. Be this as it may, we may assume that among the emigrants who, not- withstanding the king's protest, sailed yearly from Roehelle or Dieppe, eame Jean de Noyon, with his wife, Jeanne Franehard, and Marin Chauvin of the Calvins of Noyon, with his wife, (jilette Ban. The women were Normans, from the neighborhood of Rouen. I have no doubt that their husbands were Pieards, old friends and eomrades in the town of Noyon. They were among the earliest settlers of Canada. On the 8th of December, 1650, Marie, daughter of Marin and Gilette Chauvin, was baptized at Three Rivers.
MV hUNT I'OK rilK CAl'l'lVLS.
213
Shu married at fourteen, Rolin Lan^lois of Three Rivers, a man ten years her senior. He died within Hiree months af- ter his marria<^c, and the youth fid widow married the same year Jean de Noyon of Three Rivers, she being then fifteen and he. twenty-three years of age. This was at the time when sueh an incentive to early marriai^e was offered by the kinjif in yearly pensions to those who should become the par- ents of larjjfe families. Pierre I»oucher was then {governor of Three Rivers and his daughter married there at the age of twelve.
William, the oldest son of Jean de Noyon, and Marie Chau- vin, the widow Langlois, was born about 1666. Their sec- ond son, fac([ues, our James, was baptized at Three Rivers, Feb. i2lh, 166S. Jean de Noyon, 2d. son of Jean and of his wife, Jeanne Franchard, and father of William and James, was an edge tool maker and a master of his trade. A man who could make bill hooks and felling axes must have been very useful in a new country, and I dare say that Pierre Boucher, governor of Three Rivers, offered him some in- ducement to become a tenant of his seigniory. Whether this be so or not he removed with his famih' soon after the birth of his second son, to Boucherville. There three more sons and five daughters were born to him, ten children in all. They probably ran about bareheaded and barefooted, in scanty clothing, and "grew stout on bread and eels." As I find no evidence tliat any of them became priest, monk or nun, I suppose that Jean de Noyon received annually three hundred livres of the king's bounty money. This, with what he could earn from his trade and the product of his tillage, supported the family. The eels of the St. Lawrence, smoked and salted, supplied them with much of their food. As they grew older the boys hunted and fished, and in winter, per- haps, helped their father to fell and hew timber for the mar- ket, getting in exchange the bare necessities of life. The
214 I'KUK sroKU. i»l' NKW KNC.I.AND tAl' i I VKS.
j;cncr;il tcsliinony I'Diu-ri-niiij^- llu- Canadian yoiilli of that period is that they woiihl not work, hut were idk- and unnily, and as soon as thev eouM handle a ^un the\' spurned re- straint and spent ihc-ii- time in the woods.
Ilou.sehoUl dinulj^ery oeeui)ied the inothei'. The ^irls worked in the liehls in summer hut s|)ent their winters in idleness. 1 )omestie spinninj;' and weavinj^' were unknown arts in CaiKuhi at that time and hemp and lla.\ were not eul- tivated till mueh later.
fean de Xoyon, mastei" eih^e tool maker, died in 1692. ^Vhether his eldest son, William, who had married three years before, li\ed with his motlier and sueeeeded to for^e and farm, 1 know not. At this time the disorders arisinj^' from tlie fur trade were at their heij^ht. In vain did the home government try to rei;ulate or eontrol this Iral'tie. I^i- eenses were ^'ranted, annual fairs estal)lished, to no purpose. Hundreds of yoiiny; men took to the woods, earrying y;o()ds and brandy to e.xehange with the savage for peltries at their own priee, to sell again at large prolits. All the youth and the vigor of the eolony was absorbed in this irregular trade. Men could not be found to till the seignior's acres. Farms ran wild again. Agriculture languished. Poi)idation di- minished. A year or two of this free life in the wilderness made men aver.se to labor and loath to marry. The king was in despair. Severe edicts were followed by generous amnes- ties. The lawless vagabonds cared no more for one than the other. Neither threats of branding, whipping, hard labor at the galleys, nor promise of the king's grace and bounty could induce this army of courciirs dc bois^ to return to the duties and obligations of civilized life. vSt) general was this outlawry, that at one time the intendant writes to the minis- ter that "There is not a family of any condition or quality
'Bushrangers. By the Dutch caUed Bos Loopers: by the English, Swampiers.
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M\ IIIIN'I' l'(»K IIIK CAI'IIVKS.
215
soever that lias not children, brothers, uncles and nephews anion^- them," and lie expresses the fear that if a1)S()lute par- don is not offered them "they may he drawn to pass over to the ICnj^iish. .vjiich would he a j^a-neral loss to the country." A^ain he wi-iles: "'IMie co/iriiirs di' /ois not only act ()[)enly, hut they carry their peltries to the Hnj^dish and try to drive the Indian trade thither."' There is plenty of evidence that the iCiij^iish look advantaj^e of the situation, paid the I)ush- rau,L;ers twice as much for their beaver skins as the Canadian merchants and sold them merchandise at much cheaper rates.
jac(|ucs, the second son of Jean de Noyon, would have been twenty four years old at his father's death. It is hardly l)r<)l)al)le that under any circumstances he would have stayed at home under his brother's rule. Of his career uj) to the time of his a[)pearance in Deerfield lam ij,aiorant. As he was probably no better nor worse than his fellows, why may we nv;t assume that he was a part of this general exodus of the youno- men? Official letters from the New York gov- ernment conlirm the I-rench accounts of the attitude of the loiinnrs dc Iwis—Boss lopcrs as they are called. On Aug. 17, i/oo, David Schuyler writes to the luirl of Bellamonf'' that Jean Rosie, the interpreter, whom Peter Schuyler mentions as an inhabitant of Albany and a very honest man although a Frenchman, "told him that there were thirty of the Princi- pall Bush loopers, Canadians born, had combined together to come to iMbany for pa.sses to go to Ottowawa, for the gov- ernor of Canada would give them no passes there." In No- vember t)f the same year Samuel York, a Portland man who had just been released from a ten years' captivity in Canada, and with Jean Ro.^ j, a loyal citizen of Albany, pas.sed fre-
'Memotial of Duchcsneau to the Minister. N. Y. Col. Doc. Vol. IX, p. 131. ■'Memorial of David Schuyler to the Earl of Bellamont. N Y Col Doc Vol. IV, p. 747.
ii"<'m
^wi^gjpw iiiiw«^j».,j««i«,
1 6
Kill': sroKiKs oi'' Ni'.w i:n(;i.ani) cAnivKs.
(|iK'nlIv l)ack and forlli as ciivoys hct wci-n New VovU and Canada, tcstiru'Son cxannnatinn that many of tin- coiiirins dr buis WW in lli-j ()tla\va\va cDnntry, "in a sort of i-dxdlion," rc;- fiisinj;' to obey llic ordci'sof llu- ( "anadian ^nv't'iaior and "very desirous lo come to tradi- liei-(> witli the ICnj^lisli, old)' fi'ar tlie I'^ive Nations will not sniTci- llieni to pass thi-on,L;Ii their eoiintry."' N'oik and Rosie also told (lovefiiof Hellanioid that these linntei's had assnrecl thcin they would eoine and oiler their sei\dees to hini and (|nit Canada r(nc\'er. ICvi- dently t he <;()\'ei"nor (lid not diseonra;.a' tlii'se advances, f(»r on the -iC)!!) of ( )i'tol)er, 1700, two h'rcneh bushranj^cfs a])- pi'ared in New N'ork with the following- petition :'
"My 1,(11(1, W'c, jciii !)(• .\()3'()ii ;iii(| Lopis ( lossclvii, ( oinc lo |)I.icc (iiirsi'lvcs inidci- ydin- I'InccIIcihv's prdtecUDM, in llic iiopc thai yon will allow n^ to live and trade with Kinj^- William's siih- jcrts in the town of Alhany and jfrani lis the same ri^lils and privi- Icj^cs as 01 hers <'njoy, in wlii( li case wc siihmil omscUcs with prom- ise' ol ridclity to I lie laws of die j^ovcrnmcnl . W C arc commissioned hy oiir comiadcs to assinc yoii, if onr rc(|iicst he ;^rantci|, diat twcntylwo, all line yoiin.i,f men, will come loAlhmv ncxl i''cl)iii- ar\'. And aftci' lli.at we |)romise to hrinj^, 01 the monlli of Sepiem- hci- of llieye.ar 1701, thirty hrave fellows to 1 he sam town of Al- hany, all laden with peltry : and fiiialK', we ohlii;c onrselves fiirllii'r in }4()od laith to hrini;-, in llic .aforesaid month of Seplc inher. on onr naurii from hiinliii;;, ten or twelve of the |)rni( ipal Sacliims of the Ottowawa Nations. Dated in New \drk, this j6. ()(loher, 1700.
Dr.NovoN. L. (iossia.iN."
Tlie ^-overnor acts eantionsly, iV-.irinj;- the (Iret^ks, even heafin.o- j^ifls. 'Idns oppoi'tunit \' to trade will) the ( )flowawas and to sediiee the Northei-n Indians from their alie^^-i.'Uiee to the iM-eneh, is a stronjj;- tein])tali(»n. In November he writes
'Memorial nf Samuel Ymk, ( ai pciiiiT. N. Y. Cul. Doc, Vol. IV', p, 7.((j. •'Memorial of Two l'"ieiiili HiisltiaiiKcrs. N. V. Col. Doc. Vol. IV, |). 7(j7.
M\' lli:\l |(»k rill', ( Al'l IVKS.
217
uMil.'Llivcly to the I.oids of Ti-.-uh;, s( 1 1 iii;;- lorLli lliu advan- ta^^cs of heaver liiiiil iiij'; in the Ullowawa eoiint i-y.'
Who w.'is the jciii i\^' Noyoii who was in New V'ork in the anUimii of 1700, as envoy fron) the rebellious ^rv/r^v/y-.v ^A ^^/.v ? jean, the faiiier of Ia(,'(jiu;s, was (K:a(| low^i; Ijefore. ((^aii I'aptiste, jae(|nes' hiotluT, was hut a l.'id of fouiliHMi. It wouhl hi' too (larih;^' a j^uess, for a matter of fael liistoi-jan, that it was |ae(|iics himself. It is not inipossihlc tliat the translator of the' petition ma)' iineonseiously have rinidcrcd )ae(|nes as Jack, the niekn/inie of John, and thus ehan;.M.Ml the name. This (|uestion is left to h(j solved hy future rc- scareh, eitju-r directly fri^m ("anad.i, oi' inoi-e likely hy way of Aihany.
Jaccjiies de Noyon, a huslii-anj;er, discontented with his ^'•overnment and scekin;^- a new home, came to Oeerlield. That lie was thirty-si.\ yc-ars old and unmarried favors my theory that he had led a rovinj^ life. I'"lattiM-ed hy the pref- erenct; of the sti'an^^ei-, a man so much older than lierself, the soherniinded Puritan ;^irl was attracted hy the }.(ay ///- soiiddiKc of such a cliaracter. His vivacity and intellij^cnce, !ns ardent tempei-an.cnt, his reckless courage, his .son;^s and tales of wild a(lvc;ntuie t:a])tivated her, and under his prom- ise that her people should he his people, her (1(k1 his (Jod, she marrii;d him.
"The l)est laid ])lans of mice and men '^\i\v^ aft a;;!ey," and sud(K'idy, in a most unex])ected manner, jaecpics de Noyon was i-estored to his native land. lV;rhaps his presence on that fateful niL;ht saved his wile'.s whole family from the tomahawk.
On his retuin to !'>ouchcrville, Jactpies de Noyon prohahly found his mother and her three younjrcst children, a son and two dauj^hters, livinjr on the old spot. We can imagine tlie stir in the family at the return of the cnitlaw with hi.s
'LeUcr of Hcllaiiionl lo Uie Lords of 'I'liidL'. N. Y. C<d. Dcjt. Vol. fV, p. 781,
41... ^Ljiu.i'i'iuimit .ai.ii«w .,.. jf'tss^gssmmmm
218 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
English bride and her relatives. In the following Decem- ber the first child of Jacques de Noyon and Abigail vSteljbins was born. On the 28th of December, 1704, in the parish church of vSainte-Famille at Boucherville, Father de la Sau- dray baptized "Reno de Noyons, born the 26th of the same month, son of Jacques de Noyon and (rabrielle Stebben, his wife living in this parish," Jean Boucher, vSieur de Niver- ville and Marie de Boucherville standing as sponsors to the child. In Gabrielle I recognize the attempt of De Noyon's mother and sisters to render into French, Abigail, the harsh English name of his wife. Other children followed in rapid succession. On the 12th of March, 1706, Father Meriel, who seems never to have lost track of a single Deerfield captive, baptized Marie Gabrielle, born the day Ijefore, Louise de Noyon, the baby's aunt, being her godmother.
Jean Baptiste was born August 11, 1707, and baptized the next day, his paternal uncle, for whom he was named, acting as godfather. This child died "in the communion of the holy Catholic church" exactly one year from the day of his birth.
Up to this time we have no clue to the occupati(jn of Jacques de Noyon after his return to Canada. His life in the bush had unfitted him for farming; the forest was his element; a young family was pressing upon liim for sup- port ; a soldier's life was most to his taste, and he became a sergeant in Mr. de Tonti's company. This was Alphonse de Tonti, younger brother of the distinguished Henri de Tonti, friend and companion of La Salle. Father Meriel had never ceased importuning De Noyon to have his wife baptized into the holy Catholic church. vShe felt that the baptism which she had received from good Parson Williams was sufficient, and as her husband's long separation from church and priest had made him indifferent, he did not urge her. Now that he was turning his back on his former
■■
MV HUNT FOR THE CAPTIVKS. 219
life and ranging himself on the side of law and order, and as at any moment he might be killed in battle, he probably thought it wise to seenre for her the protection of the church. Accordingly one Monday morning in May, 1708, they pad- dled over in their canoe to Montreal, where, as we have al- ready seen, she was baptized Marguerite. This was an eventful summer. On the 29th of June, her young brother Ebenezer, who was living with her, was baptized, receiving from his god-father, Jacques Charles de .Sabrevois, captain of a detachment of the marine, the name of Jacques Chai .-;s. The certificate is signed by the priest, by De Noyon in a handsome handwriting, by De vSabrevois, and by the wife of the Seignieur Boucher as god-mother.
The fourth child of Jacques and Abigail vStebbins de Noy- on, was born on the 12th of October, 1708, and named Jean Baptiste in memory of his dead brother. His aunt, Thcrcse Stebbins, whom we remember as Thankful Stebbins of Deerfield, and who was living with her sister Abigail, was his godmother. In the record of baptism the Ijaby's mother is called by her new name. Marguerite. The father was ab- sent on this occasion, being doubtless with his company at Fort Frontenac, then commanded by Captain de Tonti. It is probable that Abigail's father and mother and brother John had ere this been released from captivity. Before the Ijirth of their next child, Francois, baptized July 7th, 17 10, Jacques de Noyon had removed his family to the Cute St. Joseph, another part of the parish of Boucherville. This must have been an equal relief to his mother and his wife. I fancy that the housekeeping now began to show New England thrift and industry, and that the noise of the shuttle and the cheerful hum of the spinning wheel were soon heard in the new home. Dorothce, named for her grandmother Steb- bins, was baptized Oct. 3, 171 1. Then followed Marie Jo- seph, who died in infancy, Jacques Rene, Marie Charlotte, an-
mmmmgammmr-^
220 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
Other Marie Joseph, Marie Magdalen, and finally Joseph, born June 21, 1724.
Rene, the eldest of these children, when about ten years old, had been sent with a party of French and Indian trad- ers to visit his grandparents in Deerfield. His grandfather Stebbins induced him to stay, and when the hunters were ready to go back Rene could not be found. Not understand- ing the boy's pronunciation of his own name, or wishing him to bear a more godly appellation, his grandfather called him Aaron. So Rene de Noyon grew up in Deerfield as Aaron Denio. In 1723, John Stebbins died. In his will he left one-eighth of his lands to each of his children then in Canada, to wit: Samuel, Ebenezer, Joseph, Abigail and Thankful, provided they would come and live in isfew Eng- land. Each one's share, if he died in New England, was to descend to his heirs ; otherwise, to revert to those who re- mained in New England.
"Those that will not live in New England," says the old man, "shall have five shillings apiece, and no more Yet be it for- ever understood that if my daughter Abigail come not and tarry as above said, then Aaron Denieur, her son, shall be my Heir in her Room and Stead, provided Said Aaron continue in this Countrey then. After my decease and my wife's decease. Said Aaron shall enter upon that which should have been his mother's part, and pos- sess it until his mother comes, but if She come not and fulfill the above said Conditions, and Aaron stays in New England and doth fulfill them, then the said eighth part of my lands to descend to
said Aaron's heirs forever." And if some of my children,
now in Canada, shall come and fulfill the conditions though
the rest come not then my lands shall be divided between my son
John and Aaron, and those that do come John having three
times as much as one of the rest
It is to be supposed that Jacques and Abigail de Noyon had heard at intervals from their son, and that Rene had in-
MY HUNT lOR THE CAI'TIVES.
22 I
formed his mother of his grandfather's death. His unele John must also have notified his brothers and sisters in Can- ada of the conditions of their father's will. yVfter much talk, Abigail decided to accompany her brother Samuel to Deer- field. It was certainly no mercenary motive that led her to undertake such a journey under the circumstances. Five shillings was to be her dole if she returned to Canada, and to husband and children she must return. But her heart yearned for the boy from whom she had been separated for years. She longed — who does not ?— to revisit the home of her childhood and to see her old mother once more before she died. How or when the journey was performed, how long the visit lasted, and what was her escort on her return to Canada, I know not. I only know that in Deerfield, on the 27th of February, 1726, her thirteenth and last child was born.
The little Marie Anne, "born," so the record reads, "at Guerfil, in New England, on the 27th of February, 1726," was baptized at Boucherville on the 5th of November of the same year, her eldest sister, (labriclle de Noyon, then the wife of Nicholas Binet, being her godmother.
Samuel Stebbins remained in Deerfield.
At the marriage of one of Abigail de Noyon "s daughters at Boucherville in 1731, Nicolas Binet and Joseph Stebbins, uncle of the bride, both from the parish of Chambly, appear as witnesses.
Abouc '734 Joseph Stebbins married Marguerite vSanssou- cy. He died the 23d of April, 1753, aged fifty-two. Their descendants stih live in Chambly. Marie Chauvin, the mother of Jacques de Noyon, died in 1723, the same year as his wife's father.
Abigail de Noyon, born Abigail Stebbins of Deerfield, died at the age of sixty, and was buried at Boucherville, on the 15th of November, 17^0. Her husband, Jacques de Noyon,
*mmm
2'>'>
TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
aged about seventy-eig-ht, was buried on the 12th of May, »745-
Here ended my hunt after the captives. It was as if I had laid the ghosts of unburied shades that had wandered, restless, haunting my whole life. It was a sad satisfaction to find that these offsets from the first planting of Deerfield, though rudely transplanted, had not been utterly blasted ; that when the sting of their first grief was over, these young men and maidens in their turn had loved, married, reared children, founded homes, and at length rested in peace.
TWO CAPTIVES.
A ROMANCE OF REAI, FJKE, TWO IIUXDRED YEARS AGO.
The name of Somers Islands, corrupted in our time to "Summer Islands," was given to the Bermudas, not, as many- suppose, on account of their genial climate, but because of the shipwreck therein 1610 of Sir George Somers and his companions on a voyage to Virginia. Up to that time, doubtless because of their dangerous coast, the "still vexed Bermoothes," had been known to the English as the "He of Divels,' and reputed a most prodigious and inchanted
pl'^ce never inhabited by any Christian or Heathen
people."
The report of the shipwrecked men who dwelt nine months upon the islands, enjoying the balmy air, and finding the soil "abundantly fruitful of all fit necessaries for the susten- tation and preservation of man's life," removed all fears of the He of Divels from the minds of the venturous youth of England.
Sir George Somers sold his claim to the Bermudas, to a
'Pamphlet by Silvester Jourdan, published in London, 1610. "A Dis- cription of the Bermudas otherwise called the He of Divels."
mmmrnun
■nm
224 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
company of one hundred and twenty, who j^i^ot a charter for their settlement and in 1612, sent out sixty settlers. During the jivil war in England, and immediately after, many per- sons took refu<^e there. The poet Waller invested money in Bermuda land, and ]\lr. lulmund (iosse thinks that he wrote his poem of the "Battle of the vSummer Islands" as an advertisement of his plantation to his rich and noble friends. In exchange for the products of the Islands England sent cloth, which, says the poet,
"Not for warnilh, but orn.Tnient is worn
Such is the irmuUi, that the blest tenant feeds, On precious fruits, — and pays his rent in weeds;
With candy'd plantain, and the juicy pine, On choicest melons, and sweet t'l'rapes they dine.
And with Potatoes feed their wanton swine.
Tobacco is the worst of weeds which they To English landlords, as their tribute pay,
So sweet the air, — so moderate the clime.
None sickly lives, or dies before his time ; For the kind spring which but salutes us here.
Inhabits there, and courts them all the year."
Dear to the student of New England genealogies is a book entitled "Original Lists of Persons of Quality, Emigrants, Religious Exiles, Political Rebels, Serving men sold for a term of years, Apprentices, Children stolen, Maidens pressed and others, who went from Great Britain to the American Plantations from 1600 to 1700." According to this book, on the 13th day of September, 1635, the good ship Dorset, John Flower, Master, weighed anchor at London "bound for y'' Bermodas." Aboard her was a motley company, ninety- five passengers all told. Full half were lads under eight- een. Eight had already reached that important age. The rest were mostly young men under thirty-five, half a dozen of whom were accompanied by their wives. Among the passengers were two ministers. Rev. Geo. Turk and Rev. Daniel Wite or White. Two linger longest at the stern, as
TWO CAPTIVES. 225
the ship slowly leaves her moorincrs, Judith Haijlcy, a lone, lorn woman of fifty-eight, apparently with no kith nor kin to keep her company, and James Rising-, a resolute stripling of eighteen,— the only one of his name discoverable among the founders of New England.
To which of the afore-mentioned lists shall we refer this ship's company ? "What sought they thus afar ? " For lack of present knowledge, I shall assume that love of adventure led James Rising to seek his fortune in the New World, and that he came, apprenticed for a term of years to labor in the Bermudas. Of his life there, we have as yet no details. vSugar and molasses became important exports from the islands, and New England afforded a good market for the latter ar- ticle, being then largely engaged in the distillation of rum from molasses.
"Att a general town meeting held at Salem on the 20th day of the 4th month of the year 1657 James Rising is re- ceived an Inhabitant into this Towne." About three weeks later, on the 7th of July, 1657, he married at Boston, Eliza- beth, daughter of Robert Hinsdell, the sturdy pioneer of Dedham, Medfield and Deerfield. I conclude that he prob- ably chose vSalem as his home in New England, as being a port of entry for ships, freighted with the products of the islands. He was admitted as a member of the First Church in Salem, on the 22nd day of the i ith month, 1661,' by a let- ter from his Pastor Wite or Wliite of the church in Bermu- da. On the 20th day of the 2nd month, i663,''^ his daughter Hannah was baptized in the First Church of Salem. Whether his two sons James and John, were older or younger than their sister is unknown.
Windsor, Conn., was at that time a leading commercial town, and carried on an extensive trade with the West In-
'Jan. 20. (3. S. i^April 20. O. S.
*--'■— ""IIWIH— III
226 TKUK SIORiKS i)V NKW KNGI-ANI) CAI'TIVKS.
dies and adjacent islands. There was no bridge at Hartford, and Windsor became a noted port of entry, not o dy for coasters and West India vessels, but for iCny;Hsh ships. The river was at all times full of vessels loadinj^ and unloading there, and "Windsor <,jreen, often heaped with goods'' await- ing storag'e or transportation, "was lively with jovial sea captains" and sunburned sailors. Makinj^ and shippinj^ pip<^- staves was an important industry of this vicinity, and James Risinj^ may have wished to add this branch of trade to his business. However this may be, he was "voted an inhabi- tant of Windsor," on March iith, 1668, and the next year he was formally dismissed by letter from the church of vSa- lem to that of Windsor. There his wife died on the 1 ith of August, 1669. Four years later he married the Widow Mar- tha Bartlett, who died in less than a vcar after her marriage. It is said that he kept the ferry at Windsor. To the contri- bution made by that town to the sufferers from Philip's war in other colonies, James Rising gave five shillings, his son John one shilling and sixpence, and his daughter Hannah, one and three pence.
The same year a grant of fifty acres was allotted to him in Suffield, and in i6Sj as a proprietor he voted at the organi- zation of that town. There in 16S8 at the age of seventy- one he died.
Of his daughter Hannah nothing more appears. His son James died unmarried two years after the father's death, being taken care of in his last illness by his brother John, who inherited his estate.
John Rising lived at vSuffield. His first wife was Sarah, daughter of Timothy Hale of Windsor. By her he had nine children. Josiah, their seventh child, was born Feb. 2nd, 1694. His mother died when he was but four years old, and his father soon married again. The stepmother, burdened with the care of a house full of children, the eldest of whom
TWO CAI'TIVKS
227
was but fourteen, pr(>l\'ib1y fouml little Josiah, a robust boy of five, a trial to her patienee. At st)mc unknown period, probably on the birth of a new baby in 1702, he was sent to Deerfield to stay with his father's eousin, Mehuman llinsdell.
Leaving little Josiah Rising with his eousins in Deerfield, we must go baek and take up another thread of our story.
It is the morning of the 24th of September, 1667: the day when the County Court begins its fall session at Springfield. A erowd is already gathering at the ordinary, so the inn of the olden time was ealled, a room being always set apart there for the holding of the eourt. Men with pointed Ijeards and elose eropped hair, in tall steeple-erowned hats, short jerkins of a sad eolor with wide white wristbands turned baek over the sleeves; leather belts, broad falling eollars stiffly starehed, tied with a eord and tassel at the throat, hanging down on the breast and extending round on the baek and shoulders ; full trousers reaehing the knee, where they are fastened with a bow : long, gray woollen stoekings, and stout leather shoes, broad, low and well oiled, e()mplete the eostume. vSome of the younger men are in great boots rolled over at the top. and slouehing in wrinkles about the leg.
The women are in steeple hats, not unlike those of the men,— and Mother Hubbard eloaks. Some are bareheaded or wear a handkerehief over the head, with white kerehief pinned straight down from the throat to the waist, white euffs and long, white aprons eovering the front of their gray or blaek woollen gowns. The boys and girls, miniature copies of their elders, except that the boys wear woollen caps with visors, and the girls, close fitting hoods of the same material.
A constable ?rmed with a long, black staff tipped with brass, having three youths in charge, forces his way through the crowd. They have been sent by the commissioners at
228 TRUK STORIES OK NK'V ENliLAND CAl'liVES.
Northampton, to br tried and sentenced at Sprinj^ficld. The culprits are p.'de and cvidiMitly frij;hlcncd. The face of the Niuinj^cst, a mere child, is swollen with weepini;". The oth- ers, who are perhaps sixteen and seventeen years old, affect an indifference lo their situation which theii' pallor belies. It is easy to see thai the eldest is the most hardened of the three.
"In sooth they are not ill lookins^' lads," said a .gossip, "I marvel of what evil they are accused." "The little one is the son of (loodman John vStebbins our foiMuer neij^-hlxn*," said another, "He numbers scarce twelve summers, yet me- thinks he is old in sin, for they say he hath entered the house of his stepmother's father, with intent to steal " "One (iodfrey Nims is the rin^deader of these villanies," put in a third. "II j hath conspired with the others to run awa\- to Canad)', under the j^uidance of a drunken Indian varlet, who hath been han<;-ino; about Xortluampton of late." "It is be- lieved that 'loodman Hutchinson will intercede with the Court in behalf of Henitt," added the last speaker, "he hath lately t.aken the lad's mother to wife." "Poor boys," said a youni;" mother, who led her little son by the hand, "I hope our Worshipful mai;istrate will mercifully consider 'heir youth, and the shame to their parents."
"Our magistrate is ;i (rod-fcaring- man," replied a stern Puritan father at her elbow. He will deal justly with the malefactors, but it behooves him not to be merciful over- much. Our youno- men are getting overbold in their car- riage. Our maidens wear silk in a flaunting manner, and indulge in yxeess of apparill to the offence of sober people. They must be taught to fear Ood, to obey the law and hon- or their parents."
"Ay, verily, it were better if they were more often admon- i.shed and scourged," interrupted a hard-faced woman, "and for my part I should like to see a .score of lashes well laid on
TWO CAI'TIVF.S.
229
to the hacks of Ihcse kna"cs I inisdoubt if thcv pet off with less."
The entrance of tlie niauislrates and jurors put a stop U) the talk, and the trial proceeded. The story is told in the records far better than I could tell it :
"Sei)t. 24, 1667. Alt the Coimty Court lioldcn ;itt Springfield, Capt. Joliii I'vMclioii one of tlie Honored .Assistants of this Colony presidinj,^, "James Hennett, (iodfrey Ninis and lienoni Stebbins, young lads of Northampton being by Northampton Cjjnimissioners IkhuuI over to this ("oiirL to answere for diverse crimes and mis- deeds comitted by them, \ve:i: brought to this court by y constable of y' towne, \v'''3 lads are accufed by Robert Hartlett, for that they gent into his house t\V(« .Sabbath days, ulu-n all the family were at the I'ublike Meeting, on y^' first of which tymes, they, viz Nims and Stebbins did ransack about the house, and look away out of diverse places of the house viz, .'4 shillings in silver and 7 sh. in Wampum, with intention to run away to the ffrench, all W'' is i)y them confessed; W '' wickedness of theirs hath allso been accom- panyed with frecpient lying to excuse and justify themselves espec- ially on Nims his part, who it sems hath been a ringleader in the villanyes; Ifor all which their crimes and misdemeands thi.s corte doth judge y^ the .said 3 lads shall bee well whipt on their naked bodies, viz Nims and liennett with 25 lashes apeece and Benoni Stebbyngs with 1 i lashes ; and the said Nims and Stebbins are to pay Robert Bartlett the Summe of 4^ being accounted treble dam- age, according to law for what goods he hath lost by their means. Allso those persons that have received any money of any of the said lads, are to restore it to the s" Robeit Bartlett. But their be- ing made to the Corte an earneft pitition & request by Ralph Hutchinson, father in law to y" .said Bennet, and diverse other con siderable persons, that the said Bennett's corporall punishment might be released, by reason of his mother's weaknese, who it seemed may suffer much inconvenience thereby, that punishment was remitted upon his father in law his engaging to this corte to pay ffive pounds to ye County, as a fyne for the said Benitts of-
mi
530 TKUK ST()Rn:S OF \i;\V KN'Cil.AM) ( Al'TlVKS.
fence; which 5/^" is L 1 Ix; paid to yc county 'rrcasurcr for yc use of Sil county. Allso joiiii Stcbliins Junior, beinjf much suspected to havj some hand in tiieir ])lottinj( to run away, This Corte doth order ye ("ommission(M-s of Nortiiamplon to call him l)cfore >'", & to examine iiim about liiat, or any other tiling wherein he is sup- posed to be Kiii'ly with y" said lads and to act therein accordinjr to their discretion attendmj^ law. Also they ar<; to call the Indian called Oneiiuelat, who had a hand with '"' in their plotl, and to deale with him according as they fynd."
The three tlioroiijrlily seared boy.s were sent baek the next day to Nortlianipton. 1 here let ns hope th.'.t little Benoni wa.s taken from the j^ra.sp of the law, and ptit into his father's hands for ehastisenienl. Bennett's fine was paid by his vStepfather. As for Godfrey Nims he paid the j^enal- ty of his misdeeds at the whipping post m front of the meet- injy house. Alas for poor (iodfrey ! lie lived in the age when a spade was ealled a spade. Lyinj^ was lyinj^ in j^ood old eolony days. Nobody thoiijj^lit of applying- to the wild boy the soft impeaehment of being an imaginative youth.. The luekless wight had no indulgent frienrls to plead for him that "l)oys must be boy.-" and that wild oats must be sown Wild oats wcn-e an expensive luxury in those days, as poor (xodfrey foun;l to his eost. 1 )oiibtless he was a disorderly fellow, yet without wishing to palliate his offence, I may say that he was without the good innuences of a home life. There is no evidence of his having father or mother, kith or kin cit Northampton. An active and excitable lad, with no legitimate scope under Puritan rule for his sur[)lus energy, he fell in with the Indian vagrant, by who.se tales of bush- ranging, his .soul was fired to daring and recklf,',''.'^ cleeds. It is of such stuff that picmeers and heroes are often made.
Another turn of the kaleidoscope gives us a better [)icture of these imp^ilsive youths.
It i.^ the i8ih of May, 1676. The sun, sinking behind the
■|\\n ( Al'l IVI'.S.
J3I
western hills, throws ;i golden j^low over meadow and river. The llolyoke ranj^e is already in shadow. A foree of about one hnndred and forty-fonr men is gathered at llatCield, awailinj^ the order to mareh a.t^ainst Philip's horde, for it was now the "^enerall voyeeof the people" that "it was time to distress the enemy and dri\-e them from their fishinj^ at l*eskeompskut.' Xearly al! are mounted ; a few on foot. Amoni^ the volunteers from Northampton are (Godfrey Nims and James Hennett, eomrades to-day in a rij4;hteous eause. Nims as nsual with a dare-devil look in his eyes, resolute, eareless and ready for any fate; liennett more serious and sul)dued. The Reverend IIo])e Atherton, ehajjlain of the exj)edition, pours out his soul in prayer for the little army, and the eavaleade moves northward. Who at that mcmient remembered tin youthful eseapade of (Godfrey Nims and James Ik'nu; It.-- .Surely not Mary iJrouj^hton, who stoot! .sobbinj^- amon^- the women that watehed their departure. Slie had married liennett in 1674, n )i jon^r after she herself, had had a brush with the ma^'istrates. At the Mareh Court""* of 167^, held at Xorthampton by Worshipful John Pynehon, Captain llolyoke and Deaeon Chapin, Maid Mary Brou^htoii had been severely admonished, and lined ten shillinj^s f(jr weariu}^ a silk hood orsearf eontrary to law. A synipathetic revolt aj^ainst Puritan di.sei])line may have attraeted Bennett and Mary Brou.i^hton to each other. Their happiness wa.s short-lived. On Saturday Nims brouj^ht her the sad news that liennett h;id been killed in the Falls figdit. In the spring of 1^)77, th(' younj^ widow married iienoni vStebbins, her hus- band's dearest friend, another of the trio of bad beys of .\orthampt(/n. Soon after his marriaj^e Henoni cuebbins joined Ouentin Stoekwell and several other bold men who
'Now Tiiriifi-'s l'"alls,
'^Courls were liuld in March it Nurth-iiiipluii, lul in September ai Spring- field.
232 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
returned to Deerfield two years after the massacre at Bloody Brook, to begin a new settlement. There Stebbins worked early and late at the house to which he fondly hoped to bring his bride before winter should set in. At the end of their day's work on the 19th of vSeptember, 1677, they were sur- prised by twenty-six Indians from Canada under Ashpclon. Hurried up from the clearing to the mountain, they found there seventeen people from Hatfield who had been seized the same day, and with them, began the weary march to Canada. They were the first to follow that woful road, trav- elled later by so many New P^ngland captives. Crossing and recrossing the Connecticut, they journeyed rapidly by day. At night they lay stretched on their backs upon the ground, a rope about their necks, arms and legs extended and tied to "stakes so that they could stir nowayes." Halting thirty miles above Northfield, Ashpelon sent Benoni Stebbins back towards Lancaster, to notify a part of his band to join him on the Connecticut. On the return, vStebbins escaped on the 2nd of October and reached Hadley in safety. His own ac- count taken down in writing on the 6th by the postmaster of Northampton, says that "being sent out with two squaws and a mare to pick huckleberries, he "got upon the mare and rid till he tired the mare, then ran on foot, and so es- caped, being two days and a half without victuals."
Notwithstanding the sorrows and perils that so beset the life of Mary Broughton, her high spirit seems not to have been crushed. The following from the Court Records of March -J, 1678, shows that she never yielded a woman's right to make hersilf look as pretty as she could, and that ;ihe was upheld in her resistance by her admiring husband.
"Mary wife of Benoni Stel)bins being presented to this Court for wearing rilk contrary to law, and for that she agravates it by per- sisting in it, when as she was once presented before : This court considering the agravation, and how unfit such things are in this
TWO CAI'TIVES. 2^^
day of trouble, did adjudge her to pay a fine of lo shillings : As al- so Benoni Stebbins, openly affronting the court in saying he would not pay the money due for fees to the clerk of the Court; this Court ajudged hini to pay as a Fine to the County lo sh. forthwith, and committed him to the constable for the payment of the aforesaid fines."
Benoni Stebbins returned to Deerfield at its permanent settlement in 1682, beeoming a prominent eitizen there, and filling the highest town offices ereditably. to himself and ac- ceptably to his neighbors. Mary, his wife, died in 1689.
About the time of Benoni vStebbins's marriage, Godfrey Nims had wedded the Widow Mary Williams and become the guardian of her little boy. He owned land in Deerfield in 1674, and if he were not, as tradition declares, one of the first three inhabitants," he and Benoni Stebbins with their families, were certainly among the earliest permanent set- tlers. Godfrey Nims, cordwainer. appears to have been an industrious and law abiding citizen. He was the first con- stable of Deerfield, being chosen in 1689, and later held oth- er town offices.
In 1692 on his marriage to his second wife, Mehitable Smead, widow of Jeremiah Hull, he bought the lot on which the second church, the town house and Memorial Hall now stand, and built a house which was burned Jan. 4th, 1693-4. His little stepson, Jeremiah Hull, perished in the flames. The same year he bought the adjoining lot, building again on the site which has ever since been held by his descend- ants. When Joseph Barnard was wounded at Indian Bridge, and his horse killed under him, Godfrey Nims bravely took the helpless man upon his own horse, which being soon shot down, he was forced to mount behind Philip Mattoon, and "so got safely home."'
Immediately tipon Queen Anne's accession, the people of
'Samuel Hinsdell and Samson Frary were in Deerfield in 1670.
234
I'KIJK SroRIKS OF SEW KN(;i,ANl) CM' 11 V1';S.
Deerfiekl bcj^an to make ready to meet the tem))est from tlie noi-th which Ilie\' feh to be im])en(lin<4-. The fort was "rijrliled U])," the seliool master was asked to lielp tlie se- leetmen "in wording a petition to llie ^ovei-nor for lielj) in the distress oeeasioned by a prospect of war." In tlie snm- mer of 1703, Peter Sehnyler warned tlu- ])eo])le of Deerfiekl that an expedition aj^ainst them was littin^- out in Canada. 'Phose who had settled at a distance from Meetinji;' House Hill, bej^an to sei'k shelter within the prdisade. Twenty soldiers were sent as a ;;arrison to the settlement. On the 8th of October John Xims and Zebediah Williams, son and stepson of (lodfrey Nims, while lookins^ after their cows in the meadow, were ea|)tiired by Indians, and carried to Can- ada. Such was tlie alarm and distress of the peo])le, that they ur^ed their minister to addi-ess the j^'overnment in their behalf. The letter is a credit to pastor and i)eople. In askinj^' for relief from taxation as the fortification must be rebuilt, Mr. Williams says: "I nex'er found the ])eople nnwillin}.i; to do, when they had the abilit\-, yea they have often done abo\'e their abilit)-." lie spi'aks of the "sori'ow- ful ])arents and distressed widow of ijie poor captives taken" from <hem, as rcquestin;^- the ^-overnor "to endeavor that there may be an exchaui^'e of prisoners to their release." Parson Stoddard of Noiiliampton also wrote to (iovernor Dudley in behalf of Deei-field. lie tells him uhat the ])eople are much de])ressed and discouraj^ed by the captivity of two of their youn^" men, and asks that doL;s may be trained to hunt the Indians, "who act like wolves and are to be dealt withall as wolves." To this letter dated Northampton, Oct. 22, 1703, the followiu};' postseri])t is added: "vSinee I wrote, the father of the two captives' beloni^inj^- to Deerfield has importtmately desired mc to write to your lOx'ey that you w' endeavor tlie Redemption of his ehildi'eii."
'(iodfrcy Nims.
TWO (Ai'i ivi;s. 235
Notwillistandinj;" the ^^cncral uneasiiu'ss, pi'ivate affairs went on as usual. P.irlli, niarriaj^e, death, like time and tide, stay for nau}.^ht. Wintei" wore to sprinj^". 'IMie soldiers were still billeted in the homes of the ])eo|)le. The minds of all \vi'i-e tense with an.xiety. 'The air was thiek with omens. Sounds were lieard in the nij^ht as of llie tramj)in}jf of men around the fort. Mareh eame in like a lion. 'IMie village lay buried in the snow, the i)eoj)le in sleep. In that hour before dawn wiien nij^ht is darkest and slumber deep- est, the lonj^-dreaded storm l)urst; unexpeeled at the last, like all lon^-ex[)ee'.c(l events. ( )n whatawreek the morninj>^ l)roke I Henoni Steljbins, aftei- (ij^htin^r for hours like a ti \fci' at bay, lay dead in his house. In the soutlieasl auj^le of the fort, Oodfrey Nims's house was still burninj.;', three of his little ^irls somewhere dead anion;;" tlie embers. His dauj^hter, Rebecea Mattoou, aiul her baby, slain b)- tl.'e tom- ahawk. l'>bene/,er, his seventeen years ohl son, his step- dau<4hter, l^^lizabeth Hull, a^ed sixteen ; his wife with Abi- j^ail, their youngest eliild, about foui" years old, already on the mareh to Cana(L'i.
His o])posite nei^libor, Mehuman llinsdale, bereft of wife and ehild by the same bh)w,— adso a eaptive, with the boy Josiah Risinj4", his little Suffield eousin, whom he had taken into his home and heart. Did (iodfrey Nims and Henoni Stebbins in those hours of liorror, remember how in their boyhood, they had "i)lotted toj.(ether to run away to the ffreneh" with ()ne([uelatt the Indian?
How Thankful Nims and her family were saved by a snowdrift: how (iodfrey 's wife was killed on the mareh: how Zebediah Williams died at Ouebee, firm in the Prote.s- tant faith: how John Nims eseaped from eaptivity, and was finally married in I )ecrneld io his step-sister, Elizabeth Hull: how i'^benezer Niins eontrived to outwit the good priests, who were faithfully trying to secure his sweetheart's
; jiaa»a'".f!iSi'i.'!"j 'iu<iiij>^«
236
rkiiK si'()Ki|.;s 01 Niav I':n'(;i,ani) cai'Iivks.
conversion' by inarryinjjf her to ;l I-'rcncliin.-ui : how Mt'hu- m;iii Hinsdale vnmr. hack to Dcu.Miicld, and was aj^-ain "('apti- valcd l.)y yc Indian Salvages," aix; inaU(;rs of liisLory. UiiL what of Al)i};"ail Ninis and josiah Kisinj^?
Up to this moment, from llic honr when cruelly roused from tlu; innocent sK'cp of childhoixl, tliey were draj^-j^-ed towards tlic north, over the siiowhound meadows and icy river, this (|uestion has hei-n asked in vain. 'I'hanks to the careful records made at the timi' by Canadian priest and nun, and llianks ajj^-ain to the kind heli) ^riven me by Cana- dian priest and nun of to-day we can now follow the fortunes of tlie two ca])tives, so rudely torn from home and kin.
In the history of New France there is no more interestinj;; and romantic eliapter, than that of the life and labors of Marjruerite liourj^eois. To brino- about the conversion of the .savaj>^es by ^rivin^r U) their children a Christian education, was her dearest wish. Not only literally but fii^uratively did she plant the cro.ss on the mountain of Montreal.' [n 1676, the priests of Saint-Snlpice built a chajjel on the moun- tain and founded there a mission for such Inxjuois and others, as wished to settle on the island of Montreal. In 1680, soon after the school for Indian lioys was bej^un at the mission of the mountain, Marj^uerite liourj^eois sent two nuns of the Conji^reji^ation there to teach the j^-irls.
In 1685 forty Indian j,nrls were in traininjr at this school. It takes but a moment to tell the story, but the ])ain, peril and privation, the self-a1)nej,^ation, the devotion by which this resnlt was achieved, cannot be estimated. This Indian village, palisaded to protect the Christianized Iroquois from le attacks of their savage brethren, who were incensed against the converts, was an out-post of defence for Montreal itself. Destroyed by fire in 1694, through the carelessness
'Sara Hoyt.
'Vie de Marguerite Bourgeois, Tome I, p. 274.
I wo ( AITIVKS.
!.^7
of ;i (Iniiikcii Indian, the fori was rchnilL of slonc, with iinh; towers al eacli an^lc, Iwo of whic:h were set apart for the nuns and tlieir school.
In 1701, distnrhed by the o|)i)oii n nity an'ordcd tin' Indians by llieir nearness lo the town of ohtainin;.;- stron.i^' li'|nois, yet tinwillinj;- to deprive Montreal of their lieli) in ease; of attaek from their enemies, the j)ri(;sts i-emoved the mission to the other side of the mountain, to a pietnresfjne spot called Sanll an RcMjoIlet, on the bank of the Riviere des Prairies. There they built a ehureh, modelled aftei- the Cbai)el de Notre Dame (!(■ Lorett(; in Italy, anrl a house for themselves and their sehool. The Sisters of tlu; (j)n<rvi'.<r:i- tion also erected there a building- for theinselves and for a
school
fo)- j^irls.
Th
e vulaj^e and mrssion buildiUL'' wen; en-
closed by a palisade with three bastions.
It was to the vSruilt au Reeollet fort that oui' two captives, doubtless with other,', from I)ec-r(ield were carried at once on their arrival in (Canada. Tin; ,s(|uaw ( ianastarsi, [)robably the wife or mother of her captor, jrladly took little Abigail into her bark wij^wam, and josiah Risin^i^ was led to that of his Mac(|ua master. There they lived in true Indian fashion, rollin;^^ in the dirt with the jxappooses and ])uppics with which the villaj^^e was swarminjr, and cjuickly catching'- tin; Irorjuois lanjrua^e. To Josiah, the sava^^es j^-ave the name of Shoen- tak.Sanni of which the In-ench cfjuivalent is II liii a nir son villai::c.r Abijr.-iil was known as T.Sato^Sach, which ren- dered into P'rench is "/tV/r rciirv </c /'caii."'''
'his an ititcresiini,' fact ihalSoeiir Maru; <ies An^es, the I,;uly .Superior of this tiiission school, was herself a New FCn^latid ca|)tive. She was Marie (iencvieve Sayer |Saywaril| taken with her mother aixi sister, Feh. 5, i0(j2, al V »rk, Me.
• 'lie has lakiMi away his village."
•'"She [licks >,(jrii(lhiti)i out of the water."
For this and for other valiialjle assistance, I am indebted lo the kindness of Rev. Pere Cuoq, the venerahle mission priest at Oka, an adept in the Iro- quois language, and of more than local renown for his sch(jlarshiij. '-• a. h.
^JvssMi^.iM^ms7.r?rTisxm»^<^'^ri!^
238 ruiiK sroKiKs OF Niivv I';n(;i.am) cai'Tivks.
Tlie lillli- foil)- \'c;its old ICnj^lisli ^irl, with lici' umoulli naim-, her pak- face and her yclh)\\' hair, did not lonj^' escape the notice of the holy sisters of the mission. The I'ollowin;^' is a translation of her I'reneh reeoivl of l)a|)tisin ;
"()iillic I 51 li (lay i)f I line of llic y(\ir 1 704, tin: rites ol haptisni have hccai adiniiiistcrcd by me, ilic tnidersij^iicd, to a lilllct l''aij;lisli {.(iii, named in her own counliy Al)i).(ail, and now Mary I'lii/ahct li ; horn ill I )carli(:l(lc-, in .New I'aij^land the ^^isl of May, of tin' year 1700, of the uiariiaj^c of (icolfrcy Niiid)s cordwaincr, and of McclaMc Sniccd alsD deceased, I'lie child, taken at tlu' said placi" the 'jlev- entli of Man h last, and livinj^ in llie wigwam of a scinaw of the Mountain, named (lanastarsi. Tlic ;^<)d-mollier was Demoisidle I'lli/ahetli I.e Moinc, daui/liter of Monsieur ("liailes I ,(• Monu; es- (|uire, iiai'on dc Lon^iicMil, ( lievalier of the oi'dcr of S.iinl-l.ouis, and ca|)tain of a (ompaiiy, with francois Uonnet who says that lie cannot sij^ii.
Si^iu.'d Marie l'lli/al)i:Lli l.)ni^ueiiil. Meiiel, |)rctre."
What the nuns of the Conj^re^ation did for littU; Abioail, was done for Josiah Kisino- by the j^ood |)i-iests of Saint-Sul- ])iee at the Sault an Recollet mission, lie was l)a])ti/.e(l on tlie ^.^rd of l)ecem])er, 1706, heino- then about ele\'en years old. 'l''he name l^ji'uace was ji^iven him. and it was ;is Ij^nace Raizenne on Canadian records, that 1 recoo-nizcd Josiah Rising.
Picture the life of these children at the Indian fort. The dark, cold, smoky wigwam; the scanty clothino- in which they had been snatched from home all raj^s and dirt, replaced at last by a blanket which was their dress by day, their bed at nit^ht; coarse and unpalatable food; corn pounded, soaked and l)oiled in unsavor)' ])otta<4e; roasted pum])kin a rare lu.\- ury. Hettcr times came for the poor waifs when they could ^o to school. 'I'here they were decently clad, for Marg'uerite Bourgeois knew that the first step towards Christianizing any people, is to make them dress decently and to inspire
TWO < AI'IIVKS. 239
Ihuni with ;i love of vvoik. "If you f.iii iiitroducu petticoats and drawers into your mission," wroU; Monsieur Tronson, "vou will make yourself famous; nolhin;^" would be more tisefid, oj- frau^^lit with hetter results."'
At school, they learned tosinj^and ehaut, to read and write and to s))eak I'rench. 'I'he catechism and creed were tauj^ht in JM'cuch, as well as in ICn^^lish and Indian. 'IMie ;^irls U.'arned to sew and knit, I0 s])in and make lact-. The boys were instructed in carix'ntry, slioemakin^', mason woi'k and other trades."'*
I>nt Sunday, so ;^1oomy to the (diildren of i'uritan house- holds, was the day of da)'s to the j^ii'ls and boys of the mis- sion. Then Abij^ail went in pivx'cssion with the other j^irls to mass and saw the j^orjjfeous altai- cloths and vestments, and the candles l>urnin^- bi-i;^litly, and the |)i<turcs of the saints, and little Jesus and his mother lookin;^ kindly down upon hei". She sat close lo Sistt-r des Anj^'cs, and crossed her.self and said her prayers, and \\:\\. very <^()(h\ and very ha])py; only she wished tliat ShoeiitakSanni would just look at her; but he sat amon^' the choir boys and san^' away and never lifted his eyes from his book.
I like to think of the busy school days and cheerful Sun- days of the little New ICnj^land cajjtives, thus cared for by gentle nun and kindly jjriest. We must not for;j;"et, how- ever, that the "Oso" fort,' as the New ICn^land cajjtives called the fort at .Sault au Recollet, had its sadder pictures.
Sometimes an Intaan would come back from the town, en- ra;j;"ed by the white man's fire-water, and brinj^'in;^ the news
'I.cltii; (h; M. Troiisoii ;i M. t\t: IkHiiioiii, April 15, 1O85, in "Vicdi; Mar- miciilc Houi^^cdis," Vol. I, |):Llt 11, |). 2.Sr).
'•'Vic (Ic .Marguerite Hcnirj^enis, Vol. !, p.iri II, p. 2H1), 'Zi)2.
"The I'rencli, doublUrss, spokcof visiiiiig this mission asKoinj("Aii S.iull," [I'ronuuiiced (J-so. ) llenee the ICiiKlisli naturiiily called it llie "()s(j I''ort." A Newbury captive in liis narrative calls Saiilt an KecDllet, "Sadrolielly," tlie nearest approach h(; could make to the French proiuinciation.
jiL*.,^ ■..!:"*Ba,i;,tf»«.,^^.>,>-~^-
240 VRDE SIOUIKS OK NKW KN'Cil.AN 1) CAP 11 VKS.
tluiL soniu "IJastonnais" had arrived in Montreal. ICvcry incssenji^cr from onr <;"overnnient, no matter how fai' from Boston his home mi^lil be, was a "Jiastonnais," in Canada.
Then Abijj^;iii's master wouUl threaten to earry her into the woods, and (ranastarsi wonkl be ver}' eross, and eall her Kanaskwa, the shive,' atid possibly, j^'ive the child a slap in the faee, — for she had <^rown fond of TcSato^'Saeh and did not mean to }j^ive her up to the liastonnais if sheeonld help it. Sister des An<4'es and the other nuns would seem distressed and anxious, and kept the little i^irl day and ni_!.Hit at the eonvent, out of sij^ht of any possible JCn^lish visitors. Abi- gail was too young to mind mueh about any of this, but Josiah knew, and I dare say, asked the sehool master if he might not go home with the messengers. At this the priest would frown and speak sharply to the lad, reproaching him with ingratitude to the Indian who had saved his life. No doubt he would tell the boy what he himself sincerely be- lieved, that if he went l)aek to Protestant New h^ngland, his soul would be damned eternally. When Josiah's master heard about this, he beat the boy and sent him off to the woods with a hunting party.
Deacon Sheldon came back from his embassy in 1703 with but live captives, not having even seen his boys, who, lie was told, had "gone a honten. ' Shortly after this, bitterly dis- appointed at not being allowed to go home with Deacon vSheld(m, John Nims, Marti' Kellogg, Joseph Petty and Thomas Baker ran away. It went harder with Josiah and the rest after this. luisign Sheldon must have have kept the Sault an Recollet mission in a stir in the first years of the captivity. He was certainly there twice in the spring of 1706. Among his accounts is an item of i2livres paid "for a carrialP to goe to .see the captives at the Mohawk fort," and
'Abigail appears once on the records by Uiis name. ''A carriole is a Canadian sleigii.
TWO CAI'TIVKS. 241
"4 Hvres more for a second visit." Tie probably saw Josiah and Abij^ail at this time, but they were not amonjj^ those whom lie broiij^ht home, (irim and direful scenes our two captives .saw, when the war parties returned with scalps and prisoners. Then two lon^ rows of savaj^es armed with clubs and hatchets, were formed at llic j;ate of the fort, lietween these the weary and footsore captives ran for ncai'ly three- quarters of a mile, the savaj^es mockin<;- and strikintj^ at them as they ran. Then came the dreadful pow-wow, when the' poor sufferers were made to si!i<^ and dance round a ^'reat fire, while their tormentors yelled and shrieked. The chil- dren saw many of their Deerfield neijj^hbors brouf^ht into the fort in this way. Martin Kello^'j;' in the fall of 170S, Josiah's cousin, Mehuman llinsdell the next sprinj^", and Joseph Clesson and John Arms in June, 1709, all ran the gauntlet at the Oso fort.
After John Sheldon's third journey to Canada in 1707, there had been no t^eneral exchange of prisoners. In the .summer of 1712, the Canadian governor proposed that the English captives in Canada should be "brought into or near Deerfield, and that the French i)risoners should be sent home from thence." (lovernor Dudley ordered Colonel Partridge to collect the French captives at Deerfield.
There must have been some excitement in the usually quiet town of Deerfield when it was known that the French captives were mustering there, especially when the dogged refusal of some to return to Canada was noised abroad. That Colonel Partridge met with some unexpected obstacles in dispatching the French captives is shown by the following extract from his letter to (iovernor Dudley:
Hatkiij,!), July 1, 1712.
"1 begg yo'' Excellency's excuse & tender Resentnient. OlT our repeated demur & delay of nioveiiig towards Canada by the l''rentch- men cV o'' Messengers, which is wholie by the indisposition of the
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TRUE storip:s of new englaxd captives.
Frentchmen, Especially two of them, who will not be p^suaded to go, neither by p''suasions nor force, except they be carried, viz, Cosset iV Laffever. the Capt. hath used all means with them, es- pecially Cosset, in so much that I believe if they go into the woods together, they will murder one another before they get to Canada. Cosset positively refusing to go, Chuseing rather to Remayne a prison'' all his days, as he saith, rather than go with him. The Captaine vehemently mad with him, as he saith, will kill him tV its thought by their violent treatm' one towards another, that mur- der had been done if o'' men had not p'vented itt. They canni *
speak together but some fall lv) blows Laffever has been
oposite of goeing all a Long & now it comes Loo positively op- poses it, except he be forct. Yesterday I went up to Deref'' &' two of the Frentchmen orderd him &: the I'Yentchman to attend me in order to their goeing immediately aw.iy."'
When it was known that an escort was to be sent from Deerfieid with the French captives, there was no lack of volunteers. Colonel Partridge continues :
"As to Messengers, severall offer themselves to go We
had pitcht upon Ltt. Williams,- with the consent of his ffather, who hath the Frentch tongue, Jonath Wells, Jno Nims & Eliezer War- ner, but haveing in yo'' last letter a forbidd to any of Baker's Com- pany, we pitcht on Lt. Wells, Sergt. Taylor, John Nims iS: Thomas Frentch, who also hath the Frentch tongue, but think the former most apt
I have had no small fategue in this matter, buty* disappointment hath been on y^ Frentchman's p' as aforesaid."
On the above letter was the following endorsement : "Co'U Partridg : Honn'' Sir, I have all along been much against returning home : to Canada : but am now come to a Resolution that 1 will not go, except the Governor with yourself, doe compell
'The adventures of Cosset and Le Fevre as well as those of Baptiste, will be narrated later. c. A. B.
'Lieut, Samuel Williams, a former captive.
TWO CAPTIVES.
243
me to return ; which I hope you will not do ; I have an Affection for the people and Countery ; and therefore do not intend to lieue it until! there be a Peace ; and then only for to give my Parents a vissitt and Returne againe. from your humble serv't to command; this is I, a ffeveres words."
The party under command of Lieitt. Samtiel Williams,' a youth of twenty-three, started from Deerfield on the loth of- July, returning in September with nine English captives.
Godfrey Nims had died some years before. Ebenezer was still in captivity and Jonn Nims evidently went as the head of the family, hoping to effect the release of his brother and sister. I judge that in urging Abigail's rettirn, John made the most of the provision for her in his father's will, as the story goes in Canada, that the relatives of the yonng Eliza- beth, who were Protestants, and were amply prov'ded with this world's goods, knowing that she had been carried to the Sault au Recollet, went there and offered a con- siderable sum for her ransom ; and the savages would will- ingly have given her up, if she herself had shown any de- sire to go with her relatives. To her brother's entreaties that she would return with him she replied that she would rather be a poor captive among Catholics, than to become the rich heiress of a Protestant family,^' — and John came back without his sister and brother. About this time came Abigail's first communion. vShe walked up the aisle dressed in white, with a veil on her head, and all the people looked at her, and a bad Indian girl muttered, "Kanaskwa," [the slave].
ShoentakSanni, in his white surplice, swinging the censer, ringing the bell and holding up the priest's robe, seemed al-
'Lieul. Samuel Williams was chosen Town Clerk in March, 1713, and died the following June. His headstone may be seen in the old burial ground at Deerfield.
'^The inventory of Godfrey Nims's estate shows that he was not a rich man.
244
TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
most as grand as a priest himself, and it ",vas all very solemn and very beautiful to the ehild. That was the summer when Hannah Hurst of Deerfield was married. Marie Kaiennoni, she was called at the Mission. She was seventeen, and Mi- chel Anenharison, a widower of thirty-two. T8at.og<Sach heard them called in church. She wondered at Marie. Sho- entak8anni was ever so much nicer than Michel. I think Father Quore had his doubts about this match. He urged Marie to leave the Indians altogether, but she declared she wished to live and die among them. Sister des Aages heard her say this often. Father Ouere asked Monsieur Belmont what he ought to do about marrying them, and Monsieur Belmont .said she must be treated as if she were really an Indian girl.' Then Father (Juere told Thomas Hurst and Father Meriel, and as they did not forbid the banns, he mar- ried them.
A year passed. The treaty of Utrecht had been signed. Peace was proclaimed in London, and a grand Tc Dcnmsung to Handel's music in St. Paul's Cathedral. In this interval of peace, renewed efforts were male by our government for the recovery (tf the English captives in Canada. Nothing daunted by the ill success of John Schuyler's mission. Captain John Stoddard and Parson Williams with Martin Kellogg and Thomas Baker as pilots and interpreters, and com- missioned by the government to negotiate for the release of the remaining captives, arrived in Canada the middle of Feb- ruary, 1714.^
It is a long and tedious business. De Vaudreuil is vacil- lating and contradictory in his promises. He shirks the responsibility alternately upon the captives who have been formally naturalized; upon his king whom he fears to offend;
^" C/fie Sauvagesse."
''They started November, 1713, but were detained ten weeks in Albany till January, 1713-14, on account of warm weather and weak ice.
TWO CAPTIVES.
245
upon the savages who claim the ownership of many and who he says are his alHes, and not his subjects to command Finally he says that he "can just as easily alter the course of the rivers, as prevent the priests' endeavors to keep the chil- dren."
The long sojourn of this embassy, its influence and diu-ni. ty undoubtedly made a profound impression at the Sault all Recollet mission. What more natural than that Abicrail Nimss captor, knowing that the English envovs were insist- ing on the return of minors and children,and feaVing to lose his reward if general terms of release were agreec; upon, should have fled >/ith his prize to the Boston government, to secure the money for her ransom before Stoddard's return. This he could have done without the knowledge or consent of Mission priest or nun. Moreover, had thev known his purpose, they would have been pcnvcrless to prevent its ful- filment.'
Whether this theory be correct or not it was before the re- turn of the envoys that Colonel Partridge (mi the -8th of July, 1714, wrote to the Council at Boston, crivin^r an ac count of an "outrage in the country of Hampshire," a Mac- qua Indian, having brought to Westfield and offered for sale a girl "supposed to bean English captive carried from Deer- held, It appearing so by her own relation and divers circum stances concurring." The Council at once advised that Capt. John Sheldon, then living at Hartford, should be the bearer ot a letter to the Indi.^n commissioners at Albany, demand- ing a strict examinatici of this matter. The result of Capt i^heldon s mission is told in the Council Record.'^
"In Council Aug. 32, 1714. Upon reading a letter from the Com- missioners of the Indian affains at Albany by Capt. John Sheldon,
'She had not been lought by them from the savage-she was his bv the law of war, to dispose of as he saw fit. ^ '^^
■^Mass. Archives.
m-tCs^i^'iff}.
246
TRUl': STORIES OF NKW KNCJLAND CAPTIVES.
messenger thither, to mo ce inquiries concerning a young Maid or (iirie, brought thither into Westfiekl by a Macqua and offered for sale, very probably supposed to be English and daughter of one [(Godfrey] Nims, late of Deerfield, and carried away captive, the Commissioners insisting upon it that she is an Indian:
Ordered, that Samuel Partridge Esq. treat with the Macqua, her pretended Master, and agree with him on the reasonablest terms he can for her release and then dispose her to some good family near the sea side, without charge, for th present to prevent her fears; unless Capt. Sheldon will be prevailed with to take her home with him.
Paid John Sheldon for journey to Boston, from Northampton and back to Albany and back with his son, 17^, i6s, yd for time and expenses.
In Council, Sept. 20, 17 14. Ordered, that the sum of ^25. be paid to Elewacamb, the Ad)any Indian now attending with letters and papers from thence, who claims the English girl in the hands of the English and her Relations at Deerfield, and that a Warrant be made to the Treasurer accordingly. Also that a coat and shirt be given s'^ Indian."
"Here," says Mr. Sheldon in his History of Deerfield, 'the curtain dropped. After this not the slightest trace of Abi- gail Nims was found."
Had the story ended here, it would have been romantic enough ; but truth is stranger than fiction.
An interval of eight months elapses, and the curtain rises
again :
ACT I.
SCKNE I.
A marriage in the church of Notre Dame de Lorette, at the Sault an Recollet fort,
ou the Island of Montreal.
DRAMAI'IS I'KRSON.K.
Abigail Nims, aged fifteen.
JosiAH RisiNc;, aged about twenty-four.
SoEUR DES Anges,' and other nuns of the Congregation.
PeRE Qu6r6, a Mission priest.
Iroquois Indians.
'Soeur des Anges was herself a captive. She was Marie Genevieve Say- ward of York, Me.
TWU CAl'TIVKS. 247
The ceremony is soon ended. Father Qucre records it on the parish register where it stands fair and clear to-day. Here is the translation :
"This 29th July 1715, 1 have married I.tjnace ShoentakSanni and Elizabeth TSatogSach, both English, who wish to remain with the Christian Indians, not only renouncing their nation, but even wish- ing to live en sanvai:;es, Ignace aged about twenty-three or twenty- four years, — Elizabeth about fifteen. Jioth were taken at Dierfile about thirteen year.s ago. [Signed] M. Quere, pretre S. S."
How Abigail Nims got back again to the Sault au RecoL let from Deerfield, is the missing link in the story of her long life. But what more probable than that she should have run away. There is of course a shadow of doubt as to the identity of the captive bought of Elewacamb, with Abi- gail Nims. The girl had said she was a Deerfield captive : John Sheldon and Colonel Partridge believed her to be Abi- gail Nims, and had satisfied the governor and council that she was. They had bought her of Elewacamb, paid for her in lawful money and given him a bonus besides. It was not strange that the commissioners at Albany "insisted that she was an Indian." From her babyhood, for eleven years she had lived among the savages, and had become one. An or- phan, a stranger, not knowing or caring for her Deerfield relatives, bred a Roman Catholic and irked by the straight- laced customs of the Puritan town and church, hating the restraints of civilized life, homesick and unhappy, pining for the nuns and for her free life in the wigwam of Gan- astarsi, fearless and fleet of foot, she may have betaken her- self to the woods, and somehow got back to the Macqua fort.
Fancy the joy at the Mission, when the stray lamb re- turned to the true fold. It was then, as I believe, that the priests, to settle the question forever, with much difficulty obtained the release of TSatogSach and ShoentakSanni from their Indian masters. "They deserved this favor," says the
248 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
historian,' "for the odor of virtue whieh they shed abroad over the mission of which they were the edification and the model." Their speedy marriage and the emphasis laid in the record upon their wish to c()nft)rm to the Indian mode of life, was to protect them from future importunities for their return to New England.
John Rising of Suftield died Dec. 1 1, 17 19. In his will he bequeaths to his "well-beloved son Josiah, now in Captivity, the sum of five pounds in money to be paid out of my estate within three years after my decease, provided he return from captivity." Josiah Rising and Abigail Nims, his wife, never returned. When in 1721 the mission was transferred to the Lake of the Two Mountains, the priests, charmed with the edifying conduct of Ignace and Elizabeth, with their indus- try and intelligence in domestic affairs, for their advantage and as an example to the mission at large, resolved to estab- lish them in a permanent home of their own, and accordingly gave them a large domain about half a league from the fort.
There, they served as a pattern to the savages and to all the people round about, of patriarchal life and virtue, by their care in training their children in the fear of God, and in the faithful performance of their religious duties.
Abigail Nims, wife of Josiah Rising, died Feb, 19, 1748. In her last illness, she refused to leave off the hair shirt which she had always worn as penance. She left eight children, six daughters and two sons. Her eldest, Marie Madeleine, was a nun of the Congregation by the name of Sister Saint- Herman. Having learned in childhood the Iroquois language, she was sent as missionary to the Lake of the Two Moun- tains and there taught Indian girls for twenty-five years. When about ninety, she died in the convent at Montreal.
Four of the daughters of Ignace and Elizabeth Raizenne, married and reared families, many of whose members filled
'Abb6 Faillon. Vie de Marguerite Bourgeois
•|\V() CAI'I'IVI'S. 249
hig^h positions in the Roman Catholic church. I learn from one of the ladies of the Conj^rei^ation, who was the pupil of one of Al)i<^ail Nims's <ifrand-dauf^hters, that she has often heard from this teacher the story of her j^randmother's life, and that she always laid particular stress on the fact that she refused to return to Deerfield when sent for
The eldest son of Ignaee and h>lizabeth was a priest and Clin' of excellent chara^ler and ability. Jean Baptiste Jerome, their younger son, unable to carry out his wish to take or- ders, married and settled on the domain originally granted to his father. His house 'Aa-: a ^"cfuge for the poor, the or- phan and the unfortunate. He regulated his household as if it were a religic^us community. The father and mother rose early and prayed together. Then both went to their respect- ive labor, he to his fields, — she to her ten children. The hours for study, for conversation, for silence and for recrea- tion were fixed by the clock. All the family, parents, chil- dren and servants, ate at the same table and while eating, the lives of the Saints were read. After tea the father ex- plained some doctrinal point to children and servants. Then followed prayers and all went silently to bed.
Marie Raizenne, born in 1736, was the most distinguished of Abigail Niras's children. She entered the Community of the Congregation at the age of sixteen, and in 1778, under the name of Mother Saint-Ignaee, attained the honor of be- ing its thirteenth Lady vSuperior. She was deeply religious, full of energy and courage, of extraordinary talents and fine education. vShe is said to have possessed in a remarkable degree, the real spirit and zeal of Marguerite Bourgeois, and to have sought untiringly to revive this spirit in the com- munity of which she was the head. She died at the age of seventy-six.
Thus again did the blood of the martyrs of Deerfield become the seed of the church of Canada.
A DAY AT OKA.
General Hoyt in his "Antiquarian Researches," writes of the Deerfield captives, "Twenty-eig-ht remained in Canada and mixing with the French and Indians and adopting- their manners and customs, forgot their native country and were lost to their friends." The names of the twenty-eight who never came back follow. This list must now be corrected by adding to it the names of the Widow Hurst and her daughter Elizabeth, making thirty in all, and I doubt if the list is yet complete. We may congratulate ourselves to-day, on having found, within the last three years, eighteen of these exiles from home. Would that I could tell you these tales of the captives as they might be told; pathetic, full of incident, and glowing with romance as they are ; but I can only transcribe the bare facts of their lives as I find them clearly recorded on the parish records of many a picturesque Canadian village, where they lived, died, and lie buried in nameless graves.
In the settlement of Deerfield, home lots were laid out and granted at Plum Tree Plain, now Wapping, as early as 1685. The little colony at Wapping consisted mostly of young men with their young families, nearly connected by blood
A DAY A r OKA. 25 I
or marriage. Thither came Thomas ilurst, freeman of Hacl- ley, with his wife Sarah.'
The people of Phim Tree Plain probably removed for safety to the town street, where Thomas Hurst died in 1702, leavin<^ a family of six children. Among the captives of the 29th of Fel)ruary, 1704, were Widow vSarah Hurst, then about thirty-eight \ears old, and her children. The youngest was killed on the march. On their arrival in Canada the family was separated, some remaining in Montreal, Thomas and Hannah being .sent, with .several other Deerfield children, to the mi.s.sion at the Sault au Recollet or Lorette, on the Riviere des Prairies, cm the other side of the island of Mon- treal.* The only one of Thomas Hurst's famil / who ever came back to New England was Sara, the eldest child.
With nothiiig to guide me, groping laboriously through pages of old French manuscript in the archives of Quebec, in the portfolios of ancient notaries of Montreal, dead and turned to dust a century and a half ago, in the pari.sh rec- ords of both cities, finding here a little and there a little, and putting the disjointed fragments together, I had nearly succeeded in rehabilitating the Hurst family of six Deer- field captives, when 1 .saw that for further knowledge of Thomas and Hannah, I mu.st seek the records of the Oso fort. These were to be found at Oka, the Indian name for the village of the Lake of the Two Mountains on the Ottawa river, whither in 17.^0 the vSault au Rec(jllet mission had been removed. By early morning train to La Chine'* where one drops perforce from the 19th to the early 17th century. Here, before 1615, the most important trading post of New
'Their homestead was a part of the lot now owned and occupied by Josiah Allen.
'■"'The Oso F"ort," it is called in the narratives of New Engl.and captives.
•'La Chine was the Seigniory of La Salle: China, byway of the great river and the West, being his goal.
-aa
25-' rkl'K sroKIKs •)!• m;\V KNCMAND ( AI'TIVKS.
France was set up l)y Champlain ; and here, to-day, in ^ood preservation, stand the great eobl)ie-stone chimney and oven of Chaniplain's post, with the broad fireplaci;, by which Rob- ert de La Salle later sheltered himself until he had built his palisaded villaj^e, a mile to the west, on the land j^-ranted him by the <;entlemen of the Seminary of .Saint Sulpice. Opposite me. across Lake Saint Louis, as I stood in the ruined doorway of La Salle's homestead, where he must so often have stood lookint;' loiij^inj^ly westward, were the crumbling;' ruins of the .NL)hawk fort, where ICuniee Will! ms and other Deerlield children sobbed out the first months of their eai)tivity, and the low roofs of Cauj^hnawaga, the cross gleaming from its piclurcs'-iue steeple. Was it the wail of the Deerfield bell, a cai)tive still, that (loated faintly above the sullen murmur of the rapids? Who knows? Swan-like our boat glides on to .Saint Anne, Bout de I'lsle, Tom Moore's .Saint Anne, the house where he wrote his Canadian boat-song, in full view from our steamer. As we round the end of the island, at our right loom up the ^dne- eovered towers of the ruined chateau de .Sennevilk, the seigniorial mansion of Jacques Le i]er, "a Canadian feudal castle of the 17th century." While in captivity .Samuel Wil- liams, the son of the Deerfield minister, lived with Jacques Le Ber, a rich merchant of Montreal, whose chateau was then in process of building. Hack from the river, on a hill, stands the old stone mill of the seignory, not unlike that at Newport, R. I., but more imposing, from its solitary and com- manding position. A little to the northwest of the chateau, "Ottawa's tide" expands into the Lake of the Two Mountains, beyond which the twin mountains form the background of this beautiful picture. Nestling at their base and folU)wing the curve of the lake shore, is the C(")te, or village of Oka, as the Mission of the Lac des Deux Montagues is now called. On a finely wooded point, formed by the double curving
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A DAY Al' OKA. 215 ^
of the shore, the site of the aneient InHjuois fort, are tlie mission Imiklin^rs, the eliiireh and the presbytery or priest's house. The eon vent stands where it stood in 1720, l)ut the eomfortless bireh bark eabin, tlien oeenpied by Soenr des Anjres, and her eompanion, the two devoted nniis of tlie Con^rre^ration, who ^rathered here their seh.x.l ..f Indian ^nrls, has jriven plaee to a modern jrray stone buildin^r. Here another Sister des An^^es, with two assistants, still teaehes the little Indian i^irls their eateehism. To her I was introdueed by a letter from a nnn of the mother house of the Conjrre^ration of Montreal, whose friendship is very preeious to me. Being herself the deseendant of a New ICngland eaptive, she takes the warmest interest in my work, and does everything in her power to help me. We were eordially received by the Lady Superior, who would not hear of our going u> the inn, but gave us a room in the convent. The vSault au Reeollet mission was the Canadian home of the two captives, Abigail Nims and Josiah Rising. There they went to school, there they were married ; and that their virtues and their piety might be an example to the neigh- borhood, they were granted by the priests a large domain at the ].ake of the 'J^wo Mountains, about a half a league fnmi the fort.
"There are farms in Canada," says Mr. Parkman, "wliich have passed from father to son for two hundred years " The estate given to Ignace Raizenne, by the gentlemen of the vSeminary m 1720, having passed from father to son for one hundred and seventy years, is now owned and occupied by Jean Haptiste Raizenne, great-great -grandson of Josiah Ris ing and Abigail Nims. I therefore left word with the shop keeper of Oka, that if Mr. Raizenne should come into the village that day, he was to be told that a lady who could fell him about his New i:ngland ancestry was at the convent and would like to see him. In half an hour he appeared, and I
mgrnamnmrn
254 TkllK STORIKS OK NEW KNfW.ANI) CAI'TIVKS.
am sure that T slirill never ajj^riin be treated with sueh dis- tinetion or weleomed with siu;h frank hospitality as I was l)y that simjjle t'anadian luxhitant, of whieh class he is a line type.
A face of stron};" character, mobile in expression, with ])ierein}j^ black eyes; (|uick of apprehension, alert in manner, rapid in speech and {gesture, with a lithe, aj^ile and nervous frame. Naive, unconscious and enthusiatic, he showed the greatest delij^ht in meetinj;' one who came from the homt; of his remote iMicestry, of whom he is very proud.
We j^ladly yielded to his desire th.at we should j^o with him to visit his ""propriclc." I'Mrst, iiowcvcr, to the records. After dinner 1 ])rcsentcd myself at the I^reshytery.
With the Apostle to the Indians at Oka. I had had an in- terestinj^- corresponclcnce, yet I had not been able to decipher his name, and liad I known that he is a savant, considered the best living authority on the Iro(|Uois lanj^i'uaj^c, I should hardly have ! 'resumed to make such demands as I have, upon his time and Matience. This venei\ablc father is as modest, kindly and sii. le as he is learned, and I owe him much. The j^reatest are always the simjjlest. Oreat poems, o-reat pictures, j^^reat music, and j^reat men.
The most careful reader of the mission records in Canada, finds, at the outset, an impenetrable veil shroudinjj^ their ])re- eious secrets, in the fact that the captives on arrivinj^ at the mission with their savaj^e captors, were adopted into Indian families, receivinj^- Indian surnames. Added to this, at their baptism by the mission priests, in nine cases out of ten, the names of their r^rench s[)oiisors, or of the saints of the Catho- lic church, are substituted for the Ch istian names j^iven to theiri at their baptism in New linj^land. It is only by the most persistent pursuit of i.solated facts, hints, dates and names, thr"i.j^h register after register, collating, and compar- inj^ them, that one finally evolves the stories of the captives.
m
A DAY AT OKA. 255
These records are like the photog-rapher's nej^ative. They require patient and skilful manipulation and developing. At first all is a blank, a haze. By straiiMng a little in one part, restraining a little in another, the pieture begins to come, and when it does come, its contrasts of light and shade surprise and thrill one. 'i'he photographic distinctness of every detail of these lives, vvliich, hidden from sight for nearly two centuries, are now suddenly revealed almost takes one's breath away. For example, when I first struck the trail of Abigail Nims, she was baptized as IClizabeth in Mon- treal and was said to be "living in the cabin of a squaw of the mountain." Of the Mission of the mountain, and its suc- cessive transference to the Sault au Recollet and to the Lake of the Two Mountains I then knew nothing. As [ chased her from record to record, the little I'^lizabetl flitted before me like an elf, appearing as ii^lizabeth Stebin, Eliza- beth Krinaskwa, I'^lizabeth Sahiak, l*>lizabeth TSatogcSach. When 1 finally ran her down as IClizabcth Naiin, married to a fellow-captive, Ignace Raizcnne, I had no difficulty in recog- nizing the two little playmates who were livingopp(xsite each other in Deerfield on the morning of Feb. 29, 1704. My first clue to the Deerfield Hursts at Oka, on the vSault au Recollet records, was the birth of a son to Michel Anenharison and Marie Kawennaenni. This Marie I found to be Hannah Hurst. Doubtless hei' descendants still live at Oka.
At four o'clock, Jean Haptiste Rruzenne drove to the con- vent gate. We clambered over the great wheels, into the liabitcDifs cart, a revised edition of our dump cart, and tak- ing his little daughter (ruilhelmine between us, we set out for the old homestead of Abigail Nims and Josiah Riseing. Though it was October, the sun was warm, and the sky and river a summer blue. Leaving the village, our road lay over high .sand dunes, the rolie of some old sea beach of the an- cient continent. To stay these shifting .sands, which are
ftm.i'i.g""'*'
256
IRUiO STORIES OF NEW KN(;i,ANl) CAI'TIVKS.
alike an ornament and a proteetion to the villa^i^-e, the Cure an ntellii^ent and ag'reeable man, has planted on their sK.pes ^his year forty thousand yoiMj^ pine trees.
As we ploughed through these great drifts up and d )\vn, there was no sound but that of the sand sift\njr throu<rh our wheels and the sad murmur of the pines. At the foot of a tall blaek eross, planted in the yellow expanse of the plateau, an oasis in the desert, as it were, knelt a group of pilgrims on their way to the mountain ehapel of Calvary.
As we struek into the primeval forest Jean Haptiste began to ehatter with the volubility of a Frenehman. " / 'oici Id pro- prictc du pauvrc Ignacc!'' "This is the estate of poor Ignaee," he eried. "This road the eaptive made with his own hands." When we eame in sight of the house, his exeitement was in- tense. ''2farc/u\ done vitc!" "Go on quiekl" he shouted to his horse, and to me, '']\>i/a la vicillc maiso)i, la maison d^ Ig- naee! oh, que Je rai/ne!" "There is the old house, Ignaee's house! oh, how I love it!" And it was ''voilcY' this, and ''voila' that, and finally, ''Voilh le be'be!" as the little toddling thing met us at the kitehen door, and here wt were under the very roof-tree of the two eaptives.
I shall not attempt to deseribe my feelings, I was dazed and overwhelmed with memories of the f-nr-off past. ISIr. Raizenne's pretty wife and old mother received us without embarassment, and urged us to prolong our visit. We drank to the memory of the eaptives, and to the health and pros- perity of their descendants, in wine made from vines origi- nally planted by Ignaee. We tasted water from his well; we ate apples from the sole survivor of his orchard. The cli- max of the afternoon's enjoyment for Jean Baptiste was reached when he presented to us his only son, a chul)by boy of nine, named Riseing Raizenne. After taking a photo- graph of the place, and leaving little Guilhelmine in tears at our departure, we drove back to the village.
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A DAV AT OKA
257
des Anges not to condemn ,Jr; ^^^' ^^^'^^«:^''^ ^^lother outburst of „ir k ' :;;""" '■■,""■ j-^ "•^"■■'">' "'-^"1 i.y a„
Oka. The j;:: : ,^ : :, .;r;;;:': f ".- -"^'k- n„. i at
the doorsteps of the convent t-ilH,,,, ' ^^ '■■" ""
The soft air was rertolem " t h H ^ '"" "■'"' "''^ ■^'»'<='-'^-
miifnonette fro,, the ;tde: ,e o v nr'Tu"' .'«^""'-!- ■•"'"
faee«famirror,retIeete<Uh,..n , /"^"^ "™'-- "till as the
der the Lombard J nop, ;„'r''"''''''^^ I'n- '
■-.sod mission pr e t v" Ike LT '"'"'Y''''' «'-"""'''^- "'«
breviary. Now and tht^u^^^^^^^^^
past, on her way to say h;r evenit' "''""'■ ■^"''" ^''"^""y One by one the stars oLne „„ r*\, ' "f '" :'"'•' ^''''"-^■ planet left a silvery wake u 1 ' h . *- '"'•''" "^ ^ '^"'"«"' the midsummer nirtTw,V' ? f '"•■■■• '''"^ «"""'='<» of
fish at some wiftly 4 m' ■':'"' ""'>■,'''■ ""-' '-'Pi"g "f the the Indian boys and the Tf' "'^ ■'^"^"""l ™''--'^'' of
glided by in thef; ^Tnlis °""" "' '^••■"- '»""'-■ - they
The peaceful beauty of fh^. ,„i,^i quiet of the village- the amvent .t . "''"' ' "''= ''"'■'""•"o
content; the sere^niiy and po"o7t'hr''''"''-''''""°'^-''''™ tranqnilHty of natnre ,,, ''"'"'^ °' ''',<= 'ow voiced „„„s; the
dream of Heaven " ^"^""^ '° ™'"^'' '"« hour a
But all things must have an end and «n „,■ day at Oka. We went over i,\, '■"' '"omorable
to the reverend fuher Tnd ""™'"^' '" ■'^'•'>' ''•"•«««»
was undergoing tXL'-hVgS'''-^''" ''"■*^"^^^ open, they kindly gLe us ^eJ^^^ZI^:::;^ -'^^^^
.,^t^»a
TT'lfH^^^T
25s
T:\VK STORIKS ok NKW KN(il,ANl) ( Al'TIVKS.
cent trees. As we stood with them for a moment under the cross, beneath which is a cannon, on the extreme point of their land, I rallied the ciin' on the inconjrruity of a cannon in the domain of apostles of the Prince of I'eace. "It is to shoot Pagans" he replied quickly. "vSincc that is its use," said my companion, "It is lucky for us that we are on this side of it." "But mademoiselle," he answered with ready wit, "we do not shoot heretics, wl pray for them." And so we said good-bye.
THANKFUL STEBBINS.
John Stebbins, son of John of Northampton, and jrrand- son of Rowland Stebbins, founder of the family in Ameriea, was one of the earliest inhabitants of Deerfield, Mass., at its permanent settlement. He was a earpenter by trade ; a sol- dier under Capt. Lothrop, through Philip's war, and, accord- ing to Mr. Sheldon, "the only man known to have come out whole from the massacre at Bloody Brook." His homestead in Deerfield was that known t'^ the present generation as David Shekhm's. In the assault of Feb. 29, 1703-4, his house was burned, and he and his wife with their six children, ranging in age from five to nineteen, were carried captives to Canada, whence the father, mother and eldest child re- turned to Deerfield.
How Abigail, the girlish bride of Jacques de Noyon,— one of three Canadian bush-rangers unaccountably living in Deerfield at the time of the attack,— thus doubly a captive, went with him to his boyhood's hon^" in Boucherville ; how later, she sent her eldest child, Rene, a lad of ten, with a hunting party of French and Indians, to visit his grand- parents in Deerfield ; how, on the return of the hunters,
26o TRUE STORIES OK NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
Renc' stayed behind, and grew up there as Aaron Denio, in- heriting his mother's share of his grandfather's estate ; how Abigail, his mother, after her father's death, probably ac- eompanied by her brother Samuel, returned to keep the twenty-seeond anniversary of her mairiage and her eapiure, with her widowed mother ; how. though Deerfield reeords are silent coneerning the interesting event, the parish priest of Boucherville, reeords the l)aptism there ' of Marie Anne, her thirteenth ehild. All this is a twice told tale, and ro- mantic enough to bear twice telling.
The following is a literal translation from the records at Boucherville, of the baptism of the little Marie Anne:
"On the 5th of November 1726. M. Meriel, Seminary I'riest of Ville-Marie, in the presence of me the undersigned priest, ci/rc' oi lioucherville, has baptized in the parish church of Sainte-l'"amille at Bc)ueherville, Marie Anne, daughter of Jacques Denoyons and (ra- brielle Stebl)en married and living at boucherville, who was born on the 27th of February of the same year at (nierfii in New Kng-
ianch 'I'he godfather was JMerre Arrivee the godmcjther
Gabrielle Denoyons wife of Nicolas Binet and sister of the infant.
[Signed ] Meriel Pretre.
R. de la Saudraye,
Cure de Boucherville."
Samuel Stebbins probably remained in Deerfield. His name does not appear in Canada. Of his young brother Ebenezer, nothing has been "ound later than his boptism in Boucherville as Jacques Charles.
In (jeneral Hoyt's Andquarian Researches we read that "A gentleman who recently resided in Montreal, staved that at the Lake of the Two Mountains, near the motith of Grand
'This record shows that Abigail Stebbins de Noyon was d(,jbtless in Deer- field on the twenty-second anniversary of her marriage there, and that the little Marie Anne was born there two days before the twenty-second anniversai-y of the massacre.
THANKFUL STEBBINS. 261
River, he saw a French girl, who informed him that her grandmother was Thankful Stebbing, who was one of the captives taken from Deerfield in 1704."
Since the day of her capture we have had till now only this echo faintly sounding through the ages.
One October day, I had lingered long over the portrait of Bishop Plessis, in the sacristy of the parish church of Saint- Rochs, a suburb of Quebec. The sunset gun boomed from the citadel. Bror.d-hatted peasant women chattered noisily, as late from market they bumped along homeward in their quaint little carts. I was hu/rying up the steep zigzags to the upper town, when I saw in a tailor's window, a pile of old pamphlets. Hoping to find among them some printed memorial of Plessis, I entered. "You are then a bibliophile?" was the eager question of the handsome young tailor in an- swer to miy enquiry. Without waiting for my answer, he urged mc; to visit his private liljrary. and I followed him to his dwelling above the shop, and was ushered into a long narrow room, with bare floor and no furniture but a common table and two wooden chairs. The back of the kitchen stove protruded through the wall at one end, the usual ar- rangement for heating two rooms in Canadian houses. At the opposite end a large window. The two long sides of the room, literally lined with the rarest books in choice editions, and elegant bindings. The pride of the young shopman in his books, and his delight at my surprise, were interesting. He flew from drawer to drawer, pullin^^- out here a rare en- graving, there an autograph. Finally he tossed me a ragged scrap of discolored paper. "What is it?" I asked. "Oh, nothing much, — autographs," he said laconically. "Vaudreuil and Raudot, Governor-General pnd Intendant of Canada." The names were suggestive. The paper, dated Quebec, Oct. 30, 1706, proved to be the petition of certain English and Dutch in Canada for naturalization. I ran my eye down the list :
^tmmasam
262 TRUK STORIES OF NEW ENGEANI) CAPTIVES.
Louis Marie Strafton, Mathias Claude Karnet,
Pierre Augustiii Litrefield, Madeline Ouareui,
Christine Otes_ , Thomas Hust,
Elizabet Price, Marie Franyoise French,
Elizabeth Casse, Therese Steben.
How many desolate homes these names recalled. Too well I knew them all, disguised as they were by their French names.
Amended the list would read :
Charles Trafton of York, Me.
Matthew Farnsworth of Groton, Mass.
Aaron Littlefield of Wells, Maine.
Grizel Warren and Margaret Otis, wife and „hild of Richard (' 's,
blacksmith, of Dover, N. H. Thomas Hurst, Elizabeth Price,
Freedom French, Elizabeth Corse,
Thankful Stebbins.
All of Deerfield.
Fancy these New England boys and girls, baby Otis and the rest of them, wrecked on a foreign strand by the storms of war, beseeching his Majesty, the High and Mighty Louis XIV, to be graciously pleased to grant them citizenship, declaring that they have established themselves in His col- ony of Canada, and that they wish to live and die in the Holy Roman Catholic faith. Much excited by my discovery, I sat there in the twilight and told the story of these captives to the little French tailor.
This was my first introduction to Thankful Stebbins, citi- zen of Canada, robbed of her Puritan name, member of the Apostolic church in good standing.
A year elapsed. I found her next at Boucherville in 1708, Therese already, and godmother to one of her sister Abigail's children. The record of her baptism not there, nor yet her marriage; neither at Boucherville, nor at Montreal, nor at
TMANK FVL STEHBINS.
263
Quebec. Yet Thercvse she was, and a grandmother she was to be, (according to General Hoyt,) before my quest could cease.
On the parish register of Longueuil, the old Seigniory of Charles LeMoyne, stands the following:
February 4th, 171 1, After the publication of the usual banns made at the mass in the church of La Sainte-Fauiille at Boucher- ville, on the 25th of January and the 1st and 2nd of February, to which no legal impediment has been found, 1 the undersigned, priest, aar of Boucherville, have married in the aforesaid parish church of Boucherville, Adrien grain, called La Vallee, inhabitant of chambly, aged 23 years, son of the deceased Charles le grain, and louyse la fortune living, inhabitant of Chambly to Therese louyse Stebens, aged 21 years,' daughter of John Stebensand Dorothy Alex- ander his wife, inhabitants of the village of Guiervil in New England and have given them the nuptial benediction in presence of Joseph Maillot, cousin of the groom, of Sieur Jacques de Noyon, brother-in law of the bride, and others.
Thus at last Thankful Stebbins of Deerfield, our little pe- titioner for citizenship, having obtained her naturalization papers in 17 10, under her new name of Therese Louise did "establish herself in His Majesty's colony of Canada," as the wife of Adrian le Grain, nicknamed La Vallee, habitant sol- dier of Chambly.
In my rambles among the records, there have been many red letter days, notably that at Chambly, in search of Thank- ful Stebbins, wife of Adrian Le Grain, bride in her 19th year and grandmother to be.
In the titne schedules of suburban service on Canadian railways, the interest of the tourist is neglected. Properly enough, trains are run for the accommodation of the rustics, who must be in the city at early morn and out in the late afternoon. This prevents the student from looking up the parish records, even if he or she were bold enough to face
'Her actual age was nineteen.
mmi
264 TRUE ST(3RIES OF NEW ENCJLAND CAPTIVES.
the possibilities of a night in a Canadian vnllage inn. How- ever, the will makes the way, and one who is not too nice, may avail himself of a mixed train, heavy freight with a comfortless caboose attached, and crawl to his destination at the rate of six miles an hour, subject to tiresome waits at intervening stations.
However we go from village to village, up and down the noble river, we can never forget that we are treading the path once trodden by our footsore and sorrowing kinsfolk, listening to the same accents, that fell so strangely on the ears of the forlorn and homesick captives.
In 1665, the Marquis de Tracy arrived in Quebec as Lieu- tenant-General of Canada. The famous Carignan regiment had been given him by the king with orders to subdue or destroy the Iroquois. "The Mohawks and Oneidas were persistently hostile, making inroads into the colony by way of Lake Champlain and the Richelieu, murdering and scalp- ing and then vanishing like ghosts."
Tracy immediately built a picket fort at the foot of the rapids of the Richelieu. Sorel, an officer of the Carignan, later built a second fort at the mouth of the river, where now is the town of Sorel ; and vSalic'res, "colonel of the regiment, added a third fort two or three leagues above that at the rapids." No fort, however, could "bar the passage against the nimble and wily warriors who might pass them in the night, shouldering their canoes through the woods," and Tracy prepared to march in person against the Mohawks with all the force of Canada. This expedition against the Mohawks is the subject of one of Mr. Parkman's fin- est pictures, and, says that author,' "was of all the French expeditions against the Iroquois the most productive of good." Tracy's work being done, four companies of the splendid reg-
'Parkman. Old Rtgime.
THANKFUL STEBBINS.
265
iment were left in garrison, and the Marquis with the rest of "the glittering noblesse in his train," went back to France. Many of the officers, however, weary of their life in the cor- rupt Frenjh court, and stimulated by promises and money from the king, who had the peopling of the colony much at heart, remained to marry and settle in Canada.
The lands along the Richelieu were allotted in large seign- iorial grants among these officers, who in turn granted out the land to their soldiers. "The officer thus became a kind of feudal chief, and the whole settlement a permanent mili- tary cantonment." .... "The disbanded soldier was prac- tically a soldier still, but he was also a farmer and a land- holder."' Tracy's picketed fort below the rapids of the Richelieu, then known as Fort Pontchartrain, with the land adjacent, was awarded to Captain de Chambly. After his death the seigniory of Chambly passed to Marie de Thauven- et, his betrothed or his sister-in-law,^ through whom her hus- band, Franyois Hertel "The Hero," father of Hertel de Rou- ville, became its owner, being known thereafter as Hertel de Chambly.
From that day to this, Chambly has been closely connect- e' with our history. The fort was the point of departure ctud arrival for most of the expeditions against New Eng- land. Hardly a New England captive but was at some time sheltered within its walls.
On Saturday, probably March 25, 1704, Parson Williams^^ of Deeriield says :
"We arrived near noon at Shamblee, a small village where is a garrison and fort of French soldiers. This village is about fifteen miles from Montreal. The French were very kind to me. A gen- tleman of the place took me into his house and to his table, and
'Pari rr^n. Old Regime.
'Authorities dififer on this point.
^Redeemed Captive. Sixth Edition. MDCCC, p. 31.
266
TRUK STOKFKS ( H' NKW KN(il,AM) CAI'TIVKS,
lodged me at nijjlit on a j^ood fcallier l)(;d. Tlie lidiahitaiits and officers were very ol)lij>;inji; to me the little time 1 ..tayed witii them, and promised to write a letter to the j^overnor in chief, to inform him of my passinji down the river. Here 1 saw a j(irl taken from our town, and a younj( man, who informed me that the j^rcaler part of the captives were come in, and that two of n»y children were at Montreal."
Many of the DeerCield ciptivcs had reached Chatnbly three weeks before Mr. Williams's arrival. His son Stej)hen did not arrive there till the ne.xt Aiij^iist. There the French were kind to him. 'They j^ave him bread, which he hai not tasted before since his capture, and (b'essed his wotindcd feet ; - and later, llertel de Chaml)ly tried to btiy him from his savaj^e master. (Jiientin Stockwell stayed four days at Chambly, and was kindly treated by the French, who gave him hasty piiddinj^ and milk with brandy, and bathed his frozen lim])S with cold water. One young I'^renchman gave the poor stifferer his own bed to lie on, tried to btiy him, and went with him to S(^re1, to protect him from abuse by the Indians.
Chambly was a village of but ten houses when lien Waite and Stephen Jennings htirried through it, in agonizing .search for their beloved ones, whom they found in the Indian lodg- es not far away.
I will not attempt to describe my feelings, as I walked alone throtigh the village of Chambly on my way to the priest's. Aside from its associations, Chambly has a beauty of its own. A long line of Lombardy poplars defines the cote of Chambly, which with its low, red roofs and broadly overhanging eaves, goes straggling along the bend of the swift-flowing river. Opposite, two picturesque mountains, then gorgeous in their autumnal colors, complete the circle formed by the lake-like expanse, called Chambly Basin.
TIIANKMJI, S'lKIUUNS. 267
Half way round, the circle is broken by the river, which comes roarinjr and tumblinj^ down, in a series of rapids, at the foot of which the ruins of the ff)rt which in 171 1 suc- ceeded Tracy's palisade, advance boldly into the current.
The (Kfi' received me with a kindness which seems from the days of the captivity to have become habitual to the place, and I was soon abs(jrbed in the records.
They be^in in 1706, and on one of the lirst pa^es stands tlie baptism of Thankful Stebbins. The spellinj^ and the {grammar of the original would puzzle a .schoolgirl of to-day. The following is a literal tran.slation :
"I'liis 23(1 of April 1707 1, I'ierre Dublaroii officiating in the parish of Cliainbiy, certify that 1 have administered the rite of baptism to Louise I'licrese Stehen, luigiish jjirl and baptized in England, (sic) Ilcr gotlfalher and go'imotlier were Monsieur Hertel, Seignieur tie ('hambly and Madame iW. I'erygny, wilt of ^\n\ comni.indant of tlie fort of (Miami)ly."
|Signedl I lertel de (Jiiambly, I-ouise de I'erygny.
As we have already seen, it was in February, 1711, that Thankful or Thercse Louise Stebbins was married in the ])arish jhurch of Boucherville to Adrian le (irain. In March, 1713, her first child Franyoi.se Therese was baptized at Chambly. The child's godparents were Hertel de Beau lac and There.se, wife of Hertel de Niverville. In due succe.s- sion follow William, Marie Jeanne, Marie, Charlotte. Lsabelle, Antoine and Marie There.se. On the 4th of July, 1729, Ver- onique, the ninth and last child of Adrian le Grain and Loui.se Therese vStebbins, was born and baptized. Two children of Abigail Stebbins de Noyon' stood by their little cousin at her baptism, and just a week after followed Thankful vSteb-
'Baptiste de Noyon and liis ni.irricd sister Marie-Gabriellc de Noyon, wife of Nicolas Binet.
268 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
bins to her last resting place on earth. She was only thirty- eight years old when the end camu.'
My labors for her were finished. Listlessly turning the leaves of the register, I found the marriage of her brother. Joseph Stebbius, and learned from the ciir(^ that there are still in his parish descendants of Joseph, possibly also of Thankful. Fifty minutes to train time. Too little to prove my kinshi]) to my new found cousins, if found. Enough perhaps to give me a nearer view of the old fort. Could I reach it ? Father Le Sage, glancing at the muddy road, at me, impeded by my weight, and my long skirts, prudently an- swers, "T have done it in twentv minutes."
The cassock notwithstanding, thought I, and bade him a hasty adieu. The little children stared and the little dogs barked, as I flew through the town. Nor stopped I, nor stayed I, till trying a short cut to the fort, I crossed a swol- len creek, on a shaky plank, and brought up breathless at a high picket fence, painted black and bearing the date 1707.
By a special Providence my steps had been led to the an- cient burying ground of the Seigniory. Wading through the wiry, brown grass, plunging into pitfalls, caught among the brambles and stumbling over hummocV-s and half buried fragments of old head-stones, I ran about the place. Would the grave give up its dead? Should I find here any of the lost ones of Deerfield?
No answer came to my eager question. Time and the an- nual overflow of the turbulent river, have levelled all the mounds. Here and there, a deeply furrowed slab of weath- ered oak, in form and color like the slates of our own old burying ground, totters to its fall, not a jot of its legend re- maining. Two gaunt wooden crosses, lately reared by the
'The death of Thankful Stebbins is thus briefly recorded immediately after .the baptism of her child : "The burial of the wife of Charles le grain, July 11, 1729.
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nrANKFiri. KTKBMINS
' 269
reverent hand of the village antfcnnrv ' t T "
also the preservation c,f the ru ,?' /" '''"'' ''''^ ^^' "^^'-•
names of the old R.'-^ri.ne I W , r •'*'• '*"'■'''" •^"'"^' ""ted fair devotee, who c.tne with , n " ^^''^^ ^hauvenet. the t" dedicate herself to the ed ,' '^'r'V" '■'^' ^"^•''^''"''^tion Canada. "^ educ.ition of the Indian ^.irls of
Turned fnmi her purpose hv th.. f-. • • some youn^. captain n theCai, '^•^•^^''"^^^""'■^ "^ a hand- h's betrothed. Wreft of I^cm W " ;-e.^^'m..nt. she became
names and date „f .eath of'p.eLf ,;;,-;'--. "-r the
What gracous impulse ln,l l,.,i ',"•■ W"te the. this „ame'a,K, Oa?: .IrL'^:;-;',!,^;^' "'"'" '"
I hcrcse Steben.
of her life. „eertel<l t<, O^L I chTf^'''"'' "'^' "'^'^ ^nd back asain to ChamW W.^ """"^'^ '" """'•herville firm and colors bright and dca, ?, T^ *""'• '" '"^'"^'^ dullest might have foUou-cd it '" "' P'"'" "''•" 'h*^
Carried in her finit-f^ .1
one of his th':: t",^' ">; "-""' d>- Kouviiie, or
Keeri5eld, to the fort ,t rh ',' ' '" '""''•'"='' "'"h him to
father, Thankful Stebb n^ ^ ^^•"' ""^ *'*f"'<"-^- "f the "
the ladies of the Her eUni,"! F^l '" ^'''"^<= '" "ne ot" Hertel mansion. ^ ' '""'^ P'^'^^^h' domiciled in the
- : 'Mr. J.F. Dion.
L
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270 TRUE STORIES OK NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
The seigniory was well stocked with sheep and cattle and the house was a good one. It brings us very near to the Old Regime in Canada, to remember that Franyois Hertel the Hero, and Marie de Thauvenet, his wife, must have talked with the child and questi(Hied her nbout he.' home and peo- ple. Unable to comprehend or pronounce her outlandish name, the family of the Seignior, perhaps induced by the similarity of the initial letters, called her Therc'se, after the wife of Hertel de Niverville. Becoming fond of the child, wishing .j keep her in Canada and conscientiously believing that her salvation depended on her becoming a good Catho- lic, they put her name on the list of petitioners for natural- ization in 1706.
The next year. Father Dublaron baptized her in the chap- el of the fort, her godfather being either the Hero himself, or his son. Her godmother, Louise de Perygny, wife of the commandant of the fort, added her own name to that by which the girl was already well known in the neighborhood. We may fancy the feelings of the maiden of sixteen on that summer day of the same year, when she saw Mr. Sheldon, Nathaniel Brooks and Edward Allen of Deerfield, with .sev- en more redeemed captives, escorted by young Hertel de Chambly and five French soldiers, set out from the fort for home. Standing on the very spot nearly two centuries later, I seemed to hear the plaintive voice of the girl plead- ing with the Captain, (Hertel de Chambly,) to let her go with them, and her bitter wailings when the boat put out from shore without her.
It was, perhaps, to spare her the recurrence of such .scenes, that .she was .sent to Boucherville in 1708 to live with her sister Abigail. Here she gradually re.signed her.self to her lot.
Citizenship with all its privileges and penalties having been graciously accorded to her in 17 10 by His Majesty,
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THANKFUL STEBBINS. 27I
Louis XIV, she married the following year, Charles Adrian ie Grain, habitant soldier of Chambly, returning there to live with him.
There I find her faithful friend Therese, wife of Hertel de Niverville, with Hertel de Beaulac' standing as sponsors to her first child, and there at the birth of her ninth child, she died in 1729. The spirit of the unredeemed captive, ransomed at last and safe in its eternal home, her dust lies there with that of the old noblesse, her friends and protectors.
Gentle breezes whisper softly among the grass that waves above the sod ; the rapids of the Richelieu cease their angry roaring as they draw near the spot ; and the beautiful river .sings its sweetest credence as it flows by the place where Thankful Stebbins sleeps.
'The frequent connection of Ihe Hertel family with the Dcerfielil captives in Canada is interesting.
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A SCION OF THE CHURCH IN DEERFIELD.
JOSKPH-OCTAVK PI.KSSIS, FIRST ARCHBISHOP OF (lUKUFC. Writton for tlic Two Iliiiiilrc-th Annivi'iisary of tlic foiiiKliiig of tliu I'liiircli in Dciiliclil.
The church in Deerfield, as in all our New England plan- tations, is coeval with the town. The plan of the eight thousand acre grant' being laid before the General Court in 1665, was approved and allowed, "provided that they mayne- tayne ye ordinances of Christ there, once within five years. When in 1673, discouraged at the slow settlement of Pocum- tuck, Samuel Hinsdell, Samson Frary and others, petitioned the General Court for liberty to cut loose from the mother town,"^ and order all their own prudentiall affairs," permis- sion was given them, "provided that an able and orthodox minister within three years be settled among them."
These requisites of ability and orthodoxy were easily found in the person of a Harvard graduate, young Samuel Mather of Dorchester, nephew of Increase, and cousin of Cotton Mather, the famous Boston preachers. "If God should
'See the "Difficulties and Dangers of a Frontier Settlement. '^Dedham.
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A SCION OF THE CHURCH IN DEERFIELD. 273
be provoked by the unthankfulness of men, to send the plague of an unlearned ministry on New England," writes Cotton Mather, "soon will the wild beasts of the desart live there, and the houses will be full of doleful creatures, and owls will dwell there."
This ancient town has never been stricken by the plague of an unlearned ministry. From vSamuel Mather to the present day, her ministers have been able, and I venture to say, orthodox in the best sense of that word.
It is probable that the first gathering of the church in Deerfield was in the garrison house of Quentin Stockwell, where the boy-preacher boarded. This house stood on the site now occupied by the parsonage of the second church. Meeting-House Hill is named, in John Pynchon's account book, as early as 1673. From the same source, we le,-rn that Worshipful John, who held much good land in Pocumtuck, paid there in 1675 a rate for the minister's house, and also for "y" little House for a Meeting house, that y" Meet in."
Years passed. Mr. John Williams, another youthful grad- uate of Harvard, was "encouraged" to turn his back upon the more alluring fields of the Bay settlements, and cast his lot among the pioneers of this frontier town, "to dispense the Blessed word of Truth unto them."
"Att a legall Town Meeting in Deerf'', Oct. 30., 1694, Ensign John Sheldon Moderator that there shall be a meeting house Built in deerfield, upon the Town charge voted affirmatively : That there shal be a comitty chosen and impowered to agree with workmen to begin said building forthwith, and carry it on fast as may be: voted affirmatively
That y^' meetinghouse shal be built y" bigness of Hatfield meeting house, only y^ height to be left to y judgment and determination of y'" comitty voted affirmatively."
We cannot too often rebuild the little hamlet as it was on that Sunday morning in February, when for the last time,
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274 TkUK STOKIKS OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
the faithful shepherd gathered his whole flock within the fold. North of Meeting-House Hill, on the west side of the street, lived Daniel Beldingon the old Stebbins place. John Stebbins's lot was the home of Lieut, and Deacon David Hoyt ; I know not which of his titles to put first, as both were then of equal value to the little community. Fibenezer Brooks then held the homestead of the Deerfield Antiquary. On the east, John Stebbins and his good wife Dorothy, dwelt on what we know as the David Sheldon place. Martin Kel- logg was their next neighbor. On the knoll now occupied by Mrs. Allen, lived Hannah Beaman, ever to be remembered as the good school dame of the early settlement, and a gen- erous benefactor of the town. At the south, was the pick- eted house of Lieut. Jonathan Wells, the boy hero, whose valor in the Falls Fight made his name illustrious. Philip Mattoon's family lived on Mrs. George Wells's lot, and the widow Smead, in the old house still standing opposite Mrs. Elizabeth W. Champney's. These, and many others equally worthy of remembrance, lived outside the stockade.
The fortification enclosed the whole of Meeting-House Hill, including the present sites of both churches. Towards the northwest corner of the palisade, was the well-built house of Ensign John Sheldon, the "Old Indian House" of our childhood.
Where Lincoln Wells's homestead is now, stood the dwell- ing of Benoni Stebbins, forever to be venerated as the spot where he, and six other brave men, nobly aided by the women, "stood stoutly to y'r armes with more than or- dinary couridge," says an eye witness of that dreadful day. As our school books mistake the old Indian House for the home of the Rev. John Williams, it is well that Deerfield children should be reminded that Parson Williams lived next south of Benoni Stebbins. The well that stood in his yard just west of the present Academy, is still in use. From the
A SCION OK TIIK cnUKCll IN DKKUl' I Kl,l >.
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minister's to Mchuman llinsdcirs,' there were no houses ex- eept perhaps a few rude struetures, built for those families who, havinj,^ homes outside, fled for shelter within the pali- sades in time of dan^^er. The lot next south of llinsdell's was held by Mr. John Riehards. sehoolmaster. Opposite, was old (rodfrey Nims's ; and next at the north, Samson Frary built the h(mse in 1698 whieh is still standing.' Nims and Frary were two of the first three settlers in Deerfield, Next north of vSamson Frary lived Mr. John Catlin. Mis son-in- law, Thomas Freneh, on the lot adjoining, now owned by the Seeond Chureh. In the northeast eorner of the stoek- ade,-' was Samuel Carter's house.
Equi-distant from the houses of Benoni Stebbins and En- sign vSheldon, a few rods northwest of the soldiers' monu- ment, stood the meeting house, a square, two-story building, with pyramidal roof surmounted by a turret, tipped with a weather-eoek. In the front was a low, wide door, with a broad window on either side, and eorresponding windows above from the galleries.
Sunday morning, Feb. 27, 1703-4 dawned bright and fair. One of those severe storms, whieh are so often the immedi- ate forerunner of the breaking up of winter, had eovered the ground with snow, to the depth of three feet on a level. A "sort of house" whieh Benjamin Munn had dug out and boarded over as a shelter for his family, in Mr. Riehards's hillside, was hidden by the drifts. A little rain, and a gusty night had followed, a hard and glittering crust had formed, and the dead twigs lay scattered far and wide over its sur- face. Yet there was cheer in the air and sky, and though the mountain loomed black against the horizon, that tender
'Now Mrs. Whiting's.
•^The oldest house in the Connecticut Valley. Restored in 1892 by a de- scendant. *-•• ^- •*• ''Now owned by Mrs. Yale. ,-„- .^^ - ^
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276 TRUE ST(^R1KS OF NKW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
flush that shows the stir of the sap in every bush seemed to soften its outline. The brooks babbled joyously through the iee-bound swamps. The shrill erowing of eoeks eehoed from neighboring- barn yards. The erows .sereamed noisily from the bare branehes, as they wheeled from tree to tree in the meadows. There was spring in the air and in the hearts of the people as, at beat of drum, they slowly and deeorous- ly wended their way to meeting. Climbing the hill from both ends of the town plat, they passed through the gates of the palisade, and filing silently into the meeting house took their allotted plaees on the long wooden benches. At the i"ight of the preacher are the men : first the town officers and aged men who have formerly served in that capacity ; then tho.se who hold any military rank. Heuind them such as are known in the community as "Mr." or "Dr.," and final- ly all the rest of the men, with due regard to age, estate and place. Their wives occupy corresponding seats on the eft of the broad aisle. The young men and maidens go quietly by separate stairs to the gallery, where a high railing .sepa- rates them. They look down with curiosity, and perhaps envy, upon the three young couples lately joined in holy wedlock, who shyly pass up the broad aisle, to rear seats in the body of the meeting-house, to which marriage has pro- moted them. A .sense of strangeness, and a half homesick longing for the old Chicopee meeting-house, lends a shade of sadness to the face of Hannah Chapin, but a glance from her manly husband, young John vSheldon, reassures her. Eliza- beth Price shows a consciousness of having somewhat out- raged public opinion by her marriage with "the Indian." Abigail Stebbins has a self-complacent air, mingled with pride and satisfaction, which stings the heart of many a youth in the gallery, — while her husband, Jacques de Noy- on, bears himself with an air of saucy superiority and triumph, and evidently submits with ill grace to the tedious solemni-
A SCION OF THK CHURCH IN DEIlKIl Ki.n.
277
ties of the Puritan Sablxith. The bovs are rn,i<.ed on bench- es against the walls under the windows; the little children on the floor near their mothers. Ikdow the pulpit and raised some steps above the floor, on a lon^^ bench facin^^ the con- .^rre^raiion, sit the two deacons, Lieut. David Hoyt and I<:nsii,ni John Sheldon. The j^rarrison soldiers are seated near the j,n-eat door with bandoliers on shoulder and matchlocks close at hand. The seats were hard, the service lonir. the meetin..-. house cold and gh.omy, but the piety of our fathers was fcT- vid.-and warmed and comforted, the people dispersed.
Among- the dignitaries on the foremost seats of the meet inghouse that day, were Mr. John Catlin and his daughter's husband, Thomas French, the town clerk.
Mr. John Catlin, born in Weathersfield. Conn., in \C^7, and married there at the age of twenty.f<nir, to Mary, daughter of Joseph l^aldwin, had been an early settler at J^.ranford Conn., whence he removed to Newark, N. J. He was a lead' ing man in church and town affairs in J^ranford and Newark He stands on Nev/ark records in 1678 as "Town's Attorney " and IS spoken of as "an honest brother to take care that all town orders be executed, and if a breach occurs to punish the offender." He was one of the selectmen of Newark from 1676 to 168F. In 1C83 he was in Hartford, where, the same year, his oldest daughter, Mary Catlin, married Thomas, son of John French, formerly of Rehoboth, Mass., but then of Northampton.
Thomas French and his father-in-law, John Catlin, prob- ably came together to Deerfield in 1683, French settling on the Quentin Stockwell place which his father had bought some years before, and Catlin, on the next lot south. Cat- lin s dignity, services and influence, soon gave him the hon- orable title of "Mr." among his fellow-townsmen, and as be- fore in Branford and Newark, he was in Deerfield a trusted leader m public affairs.
2;^S TRU li STOklKS OV M;\V KN(]I,AM) CAPIIVKS.
French, a blacksmith by trade, at once built a shop, and set up his anvil by the roadside in front of his house. The industry and morality of Thomas French gave him the re- spect of his nei^hl)ors, and from the beyfinninjj^ he served them in responsible positions. vSometimcs as hayward, some- times as corporal of the guard : on committees for building and seating the meeting-house, and for hiring a schoolmas- ter: for measuring the common fence, and laying out to ev- ery man his due proportion of the expense, and for fortify- ing Meeting-house Hill. His name appears in i6S8, as one of the first selectmen chosen by the town. To this office he was repeatedly re-elected.
Encouraged by the news that the Prince of Orange had landed in England, the people rose in their might against Sir Edmund Andros. He was thrown into prison. A Coun- cil of Safety, headed by old vSimon Bradstreet, was elected A convention of delegates was summoned from the several towns of Massachusetts to assemble in Boston, on the 226. of May, 1689, to deliberate upon the future government of New England. There is no town record of any meeting in Deer- field in response to this summons. In the Mas,sachusetts Archives the following paper may be found :
"Deekfikm), May 17. 1689
We^ the Town of Deerfiekl, complying with the desire of the present Counsell of Safety, to choose one among us as a representa- tive to send down, to signify our minds and concurrance with the Counsell for establishing of the government, have chosen and de- puted Lieutenant Thomas Wells, and signified to him our minds for the proceeding to the settlement of the government as hath been signified to us from the Honorable Counsell of Safety, and those other Representatives. [Signed]
John Sheldon, ^
Benj. Hastings, ( selectmen." Benoni Stebbnis, | Thomas French, J
A SCION OF TIIK CIIUKCII IN DKKKI' U;i,D. 279
1
Tho part played by Thomas French and his associates on this occasion, shows them to have been shrewd diph)ma- tists and fearless patriots. However justifiable, this was a revolution. If unsuccessful, the result would be for Thorn- as Wells, who held his commission from Andros, trial and punishment for treason. Vov John Sheldon. Benjamin Hast- in^r-s, Benoni Stebbins and Thomas French, the .severest pen- alties that a vindictive governor could inflict upon the lead- ers of a rebellion. The names of Thomas French and the others who did not hesitate to assume this grave responsi- bility for the town, must be forever honored.
At a Town meeting held "March i i6y4-5 Joseph Uarnard was chosen Town Clerk for the year iMisuing"
*'Sept. 17, 1695 Thomas ffrench was chosen Town Clerk" Between these entries made by the two men respectively, he who runs may read the tragedy known in the annals of Deerfield as the Massacre at Indian iiridge. The births of a son and four daughters to Thomas and Mary Catlin French, had been duly registered by Joseph Barnard. When his hand wa.s^ stilled in death by a shot from the skulking foe, Thom- as French took up the pen and wrote the following:
"Abigail, daughter to Thomas and Mary ffrench was born ffeb 28 1^97-8"
^ "Jtrusha and Jemima tw'ns,— daughters To M' Jn" and Mrs. Eunice Williams were Born Sept. 3, 1701.
Jerusha (2nd) Daughter To M-" Jn" and M-'s Eunice Williams, was Born January 15, 1703-4.
Jn" son to Thomas and Mary ffrench was born ffeb. i 1703-4I This is the last line of the town records written by Thom- as French. Minutes of a town meeting held late in April instead of in March that year; the election of a few town officers,— notably of a new town clerk; the following and
'From the Town Records of Deerfield,
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280
TRUE STORIP:s of new ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
similar entries in a new handwritinjj upon the town book, — these are all the record left by the afflicted people of Deerfield of the sorrows that befell them on the 29th of Felj., 1 703-4.
"jerufha Williams Daughter to M'' jn" ^: M''s Eunice Williams was flain y'^ 29 of ffebruary 1703
Mrs Eunis Williams wife to M^ Jn" Williams head of y'' Family was flain by y"^ enemi March i 1704
Jn" ffrench fon to Thomas and Mary iTrench w; .. fl.iyn by y'' Ene- my ffebruary 29, 1703-4
Mary ffrench Wife to Thomas ffrench head of this Family was flain by y'' Enimie March 9 1703-4'
Our fathers were men of few words, and of stern endtir- ance. They believed that their sufferings were the result of their sins, and that with wise and beneficent ptirpose, did God chastise them. To Him alone they poitred forth their souls, — never in complaint, but ever in prayer that they "might be prepared to sanctify and honor Ilim in what way soever He should come forth towards them'' — and "have grace to glorify His name whether in life or death." More eloquent than speech is their silence in relation to the "awf til desolations of that day."
Not long before break of day the enemy came in like a flood upon thein. Pouring over the palisade the frightful tide swept on, overwhelming with destruction all that lay in its path. The morning dawned on a scene of horror. Shar- ing the fate of many of his neighbors, Mr. John Catlin with his son Jonathan lay dead among the smoking embers of their ruined home. The house of Thomas French was gut- ted but not burned, and the town records escaped unharmed. The meeting-house that so lately had echoed with psalm and prayer, now resounded with groans of anguish. There lay the captives, ignorant of the fate of friends and kindred.
'From the Town Records of Deerfield.
A SCION OF THE CHURCH IN DEERFIELD. 28 1
There too, stretched upon the hard benches, were the enemy's wounded. There, Hertel de Rouville himself, smarting un- der his hurt, rushed in for a moment to cheer his wounded .brother, to whom he whispered curses on the savage horde who had broken their promise to him that they would fight like jivilized Frenchmen.
There were those whom we saw but late, so proud and happy. Hannah Chapin tense with anxiety, eagerly listening for every sound, while her husband, young John Sheldon, to whom love lent wings, was flying for aid to Hatfield. Eliza- beth Price mute with woe, for Andrew, the Indian, had been slain at hef side. Abigail Stebbins, not utterly cast down, for De Noyon, her father and inother, and sisters and brothers were all with her, and De Noyon had told her tnal his home was near Montreal, and that they would soon be released. There too, bound hand and foot was Thomas French with his wife, Mary Catlin, and their five eldest children. A few hours completed the devastation. The sun as it rose above the mountain, looked down on a dread ■ sight. The main body of the enemy with their sorrowful captives had left the town. A /ew loth to cease their wanton pillage still lingered, and in the house of Benoni Stebbins, around his dead body. Lieutenant (Deacon) David Hoyt, and Joseph Catlin, with four other valiant men still kept at bay the Macqua chief and his followers.
Roused by the hoarse cries of young John Sheldon, as he sped on bare and bleeding feet through the hamlets below, thirty men on horseback, guided by the light of the burning village, were riding fast to the rescue. As they entered the stockade the foe fled precipitately from the north gate, across the frozen meadows to the northwest, reaching the river at the Red Rocks.
Capt. Wells at once took command of the rescuing party, reinforced by fifteen of his neighbors and five garrison sol-
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282 TRUE STORIES OK NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
diers, and instantly followed up the enemy. "Bravely but rashly and without order," I quote from Mr. Sheldon, "the pursuers rush on, intent only on avenj^ini^ their slaughtered friends. As they warm up to the fight, they throw off gloves, coats, hats, waistcoats, neckcloths. Capt. Wells cannot con- trol the headlong chase. He sees the danger and orders a halt, the order is unheeded, and the foe is followed reckless- ly into the inevitable ambuscade."
Meanwhile on Meeting-house Hill, the scanty remnant of the townsfolk, cautiously creep out from their hiding places, and gather in knots seeking for tidings. As the dreadful tale is told, they know not whether most to rejoice or to la- ment that they have been left behind. Among them is Mary Baldwin Catlin. While waiting with her children, and chil- dren's children, the order to march into captivity she had as was her habit, ministered to the needs, and soothed the sor- rows of her friends and neighbors. Nor had she turned a deaf ear to the cry of her enemy for help. With the tender sympathy of a Christian woman, she had held the cup of cold water to the parched lips of the wounded French lieutenant, craving it with piteous appeal. In the hurry of departure, either by design, or by accident, none had claimed her as his captive. Her neighbors look upon her as one suddenly risen from the dead. They go with her to her desolated home, where she learns the fate of her husband, and of her second son. They find her little grandson, baby John French, dead on the threshold of his father's empty house. When some one says that Captain Wells has been repulsed, and that Joseph Catlin, her eldest son, has fallen in the meadow fight, h'^r heart breaks. A Rachel, mourning for her children, and would not be comforted, she lingered a few weeks, and died from the shock of that day's horror.
On the 9th of March, Mary Catlin, wife of Thomas French, was killed on the retreat to Canada. Her husband with all
A SCION OF THE CHURCH IN DEERFIELI).
283
their surviving children, Mary aged seventeen, Thomas four- teen, Freedom eleven, Martha, eight and Abigail six, were carried to Montreal,
Mary French and her brother Thomas, with their father, were brought back to Deerfield in 1706 by Ensign John Shel- don, in his second expedition to Canada for the redemption of the captives. An interesting evidence of the proneness of Deerfield maidens to versifying, exists in a poem said to have been written by Mary French to a younger sis- ter during the. captivity, in the fear lest the latter might become a Romanist. Soon after his return, Thomas French was made Deacon of the church in Deerfield in place of Deacon David Hoyt, who had died of starvation at Coos on the march to Canada. In 1709, Deacon French married the widow of Benoni Stebbins. He died in 1733 at the age of seventy six, respected and regretted as an honest and useful man and a pillar of the church and state.
To his great grief all efforts for the redemption of his three daughters had failed. On her arrival in Canada, Free- dom was placed in the family of a French merchant in Mon- treal, and in 1 706 was baptized as Marie Franyoise, the Puri- tanic name by which she had been known in Deerfield, be- ing thus forever set aside. In 171 3, she married Jean Dave- luy of the village of St. Lambert, and thus became the an- cestress of many French Canadian families of excellent re- pute.
Martha French was given by her Indian captors to the Sisters of the Congregation de Notre Dame at Montreal. In 1707, she was baptized, sous condition, receiving from her god-mother the name of Marguerite. At the age of sixteen, she was married to Jacques Roi, also of St. Lambert. Ma- rie Franyoise French was present at her sister's wedding, and the autographs of the two sisters on the marriage regis- ter, are as clear to-day as when first written. The names of
284 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
the bride's parents are given in full and Thomas French is called "t-Av-f on notairc dc Dicrfildc" in New England.
Bin(;RAPIIlCAI. SKETCH OF JOSEPH-OCTAVE PLESSIS.
On the third of ^lay, 1733, just one month from the day of her father's death in Deerfield, Martha Marguerite French, widow of Jacques Roi, signed her second marriage contract, and the following day married Jean Louis Menard, at St. Laurent, a parish of Montreal. Nineteen years later, her daughter Louise Menard, was married at Montreal to Joseph- Amable Plessis called Belair.
The ancestor of Plessis, the first of the name in Canada, emi- grating from Metz in Lorraine in the beginning of the eight- eenth century, took up his abode in the outskirts of Montreal. There he, and his son after him, carried on the trade of tan- ning, and the place to this day is known as "The Tanneries of Belair." At Montreal on the 3rd of March, 1763, Joseph- Octave, son of Joseph-Amablc Plessis and Louise Menard, grandson of ]\lartha and great-grandson of Deacon Thomas French, was born.
The boy was fortunate in his parentage. His father and mother cultivated the old fashioned viitues of simplicity, honesty and devoiitness. His father was a blacksmith, so- called. Near one of the city gates, Joseph-Amable Plessis had a large shop, where he made axes, hammers, hinges, and all the iron implements in use in a new country. He had many apprentices and was chiefly occupied in making hatch- ets for trade with the savages. Discipline, industry and sys- tem reigned over his workshop. Irregularity, idleness and disorder he would not tolerate. The work of the forge for the year, was planned in advance, and the order never changed. A devout Catholic, determined to secure for him-
A SCION OF THE CHURCH IN DEERFIELD. 285
self and his employes a faithful observance of the fasts of his church, he humanely and with <^ood business foresight, adapted his work to the conditions. In the Lenten season the heavy hammers of the forge were silent and the men took up the lighter labor of sharpening and polishing the axes that had been made in the autumn and winter and stored away unfinished. Once a month the father sent his sons and apprentices to the parish priest for confession. The mother took care that the religious duties of her daugh- ters and domestics were duly performed. On vSundays and fete days the whole household went together to the parish church. The children were taught reading and tlieir first catechism by the mother, who also trained them in habits of economy and order.
From the teaching and example of such parents, Joseph Octave Plessis learned early to love labor, to be diligent, to be orderly and economical in the arrangement of his time and affairs, firm in self discipline, and honest and upright in his dealings. Though by nature merry and gay, the boy was thoughtful and dignified beyond his years, and soon showed such a desire to learn that his parents put him in a primary school, founded by the gentlemen of the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice. Here, Joseph made such progress that he was soon promoted to a Latin School kept in the old Chateau Vaudreuil. Here he tried the patience of good father Cura- teau by his dulness in his Latin grammar which he hated, though he showed a fondness for Geography, History and Literature.
At the end of the first half of his course at the Latin school, he astonished his father one morning, by the announcement that he was disgusted with study, and that he would much rather stay at home than take up logic and metaphysics. The conduct of the father on this occasion, shows him to have been a remarkable man. Without the least intention
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286 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
of permittins^ the shipwreck of the boy's intellectual career, he had too much sense to oppose or argue with him. "Very well, my son," he replied, "take off your scholar's gown, put on one of the boy's aprons, and go into the shop. There is work enough there to keep you busy. When you wish to go back to your books let me know." To the lad, his fa- ther's word was law, and with a heavy heart, he went his way to the shop, where he worked pluckily for a week, though every bone in his little body ached with the unusual fatigue. Then without a word of complaint he threw off his apron, donned his ca/yo/c Rud marched back to school, a wiser and a happier boy.
At fifteen, with his brother and one or two comrades, he was sent to the Seminary in Quebec, which then offered greater advantages than that of Montreal. Communication between the two cities was difficult and infrequent. The choice lay between a schooner, which could not always be had, and a wagon, which was too expensive. Such was the delay and uncertainty, that it often happened that the little fellows would not reach their homes in Montreal till vacation was ended. Every year the Grand Vicar wrote from Mon- treal to the Bishop of Quebec, "The Montreal boys cannot be in Quebec at the opening of the course." Sometimes the more spirited boys took the matter into their own hands, and set out on foot for home at the beginning of the holi- days. Picture Joseph-Octave and his friends ready for an early start on a fine summer morning. In the uniform of the Seminary boy, a long, black frock coat, many seamed and welted with white ; a green sash ; a flat-topped cloth cap, with broad leather visor, — each boy with his little deer- skin pack between his shoulders. First to the chapel for prayers to the protectress of pilgrims, thence to the court yard of the Seminary, where, surrounded by a crowd of their fellows, they cheer the time-honored walls. Pouring through
A SCION OF THE CHURCH IN DEERFIELD. 287
the great gate, they run joyously down the steep hill to the river, and following it to the west, singing gay chansons as they go, they soon reach the open country. At sunset they seek the nearest farmhouse, sure of a kindly welcome. The best room with its plain deal chairs and settle, its clumsy stove, and its bare floor with rag mats, is thrown open for them to rest in. Camping at night on the new-mown hay in the long barn, they rise at dawn to a breakfast of ome- lettes and black bread. The generous lads lling down a handful of coppers to the habitant's wife, but she is not to be outdone in courtesy, ''Non, non messieurs," she is too glad to give her best to the young gentlemen of the Seminary, and oli they start again followed by her blessing and her prayers.
The career of Joseph-Octave Plessis at the Seminary of Quebec, is thus summed up by one who knew him well : "Study had no difficulties that he did not level, nothing dis- tasteful for which he did not conquer his disrelish, no ob- stacles that he did not overcome." Though this may be ex- aggerated praise, it is certain that Joseph was an intelligent, industrious and ambitious pupil, respected by his comrades and beloved by his teachers.
Born at the most critical period in the history of Canada, at the time of its cession to the English, this serious and thoughtful boy reflected much upon how he could best serve his country. Two careers were open to him ; the bar and the church. The former meant the delights of the world, a home, wife, children, wealth, the adulation of friends, office, success. The latter, a solitary life with its austerities, its poverty, and its possible compensations to an exalted nature.
At the age of seventeen Joseph decided to become a priest. It is not likely that the youth comprehended the greatness of the sacrifice, which, later, a man of his temperament must inevitably have realized. Having received the tonsure from
^PP^IIHSS^^P^^
288 TKUK STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
Bishop Briand, who had watched his development with a fa- therly interest, he was sent to the college of Montreal to teach till he could take orders. Though qualified in other respects for the place, young Plessis found to his great mor- tification, that two of his pupils were ahead of him in Latin. Nothing daunted, however, he set to work, and in two weeks mastered the Latin grammar so that forty years after he could repeat pages of it verbatim. We have here the key to his future success. Indomitable will, genuineness, willing- ness to work. His pupils soon learned to respect him. Such a teacher will always be respected. He became so fond of his profession, that to the last day of his life, in the midst of his most brilliant successes, he did not cease to regret that he had given it up. From this time he became fond of the old Latin writers, and liked to recite many of the odes of Horace. In 1783, though still too young to take orders, he was called by Bishop Briand to be Secretary of the diocese of Quebec. The duties of this office, in a diocese extending from New Orleans to the coast of Labrador, were con: plicated and onerous. The Bishop himself was ill. His coadjutt)r, Mgr. D'Esgly, lived at a distance and was, moreover, aged and infirm. Plessis's prudence and good judgment, with the business-like habits to which he had been trained, made him equal to his task. He lived with the Bishop, venerated him as a father, and was beloved and trusted as a son. The Bishop had been a careful student of men and affairs. He talked earnestly with his secretary about the causes that had led to the fall of the French dominion in Canada and ana- lyzed with him the character of the men who had held the reins of government at the time of the ce.ssion. It is safe to say, that the affectionate intercourse between the good Bish- op and his secretary, was the foundation of the distinction finally attained by the latter.
At the age of twenty-three, Plessis was ordained priest,
I
A SCION OF TFIE CHURCH IN DEERFIELD. 289
and six years later, while still fulfilling the duties of seere- tary, he was made cure oi Ouebee. Nothing is more trying than to beeome the sueeessor in offiee of one who has l)een long considered as the embodiment of fitness and nobility in his position. Monsieur Hubert, the predecessor of IMessis, was the idol of his parish. His fine intellect and physical beauty, with the added charm of an affable manner, gentle- ness and consideration for others, had endeared him to all classes. Plessis, in these trying circumstances, behaved with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all. His labors at this time wre very severe. He rose at four in the morning, and rarely went to bed before midnight. This short rest was often disturbed by his duties as iiiri\ which called him to the sick and dying. Eager in the pursuit of knowledge, he resolutely devoted one whole night of every week to study. His youth and good health at first upheld him, but after three or four months of it, he found himself so sleepy the next day that he gained nothing by the practice, and wisely gave it up.
The youth of his parish were his tender care. He never lost sight of them, but watched their conduct, and gave them good advice as they grew up. To those who were too fond of dancing, he liked to quote the words of vSaint Francis de Sales, — "I say about balls, what the doctors say about mush- rooms,—the best of them are good for nothing." Education occupied much of his thought, particularly that of the work- ing classes. He founded schools in the suburbs of Ouebee, chose the masters, and personally supervised the classes. When he found an especially bright child, he urged the par- ents to send it to college, and if poverty was pleaded as ex- cuse, his own scanty purse supplied the means. He took one child into his own house and himself taught him for a year and a half. In a letter to a friend, he speaks of this boy with fond praise, and encloses with pride a ''rondeau com-
290 TkUK SIOUIKS ()|- NKW KNdl.ANl) CAI'll VKS.
posed by my Rrini" us he affectionately calls him. He sent him to coiiej^e, but after finishinjjf his studies, the yoiiiifjf man was unwillinj^ to enter the church for which his bene- factor had destined him, and the j^ood r/z/v*" {generously made it easy for him to study law. He became afterwards Chief Justice of Lower Canada.
The first state i)aper of I'lessis upholds parochial schools a}j^ainst a proposition by the government toestcablish a mixed college on ecpial terms for l^rotestants and Catholics. Plessis s(>es in this a blow aimed at the French lantruaj^e nnd reli^^- ion ; asks what place the Catholic Bishop of Oucbec is to hold in the proposed institution ; reminds the administra- tion that the Jesuits had already a j^ood colles^e, where the boys are tauj.jht reading, writin^^ and arithmetic, -and with keen satire, expresses his surprise that a government so zeal- ous for the education of Canadian youth should have appro- priated this building" for its Bureau of Archives.
As a preacher Msgr. Plessis lacked that personal magnet- ism which touches and captivates an audience. His lan- guage was simple, his manner earnest. He was not a brill- iant orator, though in many of his occasional sermons he rises to eloquence, as in that on Nelson's Victory of the Nile. As an example of his energy, he mastered English in a few months, in order to keep within his fold some English Cath- olic families of his parish. He sometimes preached in Eng- lish, but he never pronounced it well.
I will not detail the steps by which Martha French's grand- son rose from being choir boy in the cathedral of Montreal, to become Bishop of the vast diocese of Ouebec. In thank- ing a friend who wished him joy and peace in his new of- fice, M. Plessis replied, "It remains to be seen whether the happiness of a Bishop on earth is anything but a series of diiiliculties and cro.sses by which he may be fitted for eternal glory." He saw the struggle that was before him. A weak-
A SCION () nil'; ciiuk( II in dkkki'II';!,!).
29 1
cr man would have shrunk from the contest. He nerved himself to meet it, and his foresi^^-ht and prudeiiee, liis mod- eration and eandor, his forbearance and s. it-control, his in- telli};"cnee and his courajj^e,— carried him safely and triumph- antly throtij^h, and made him and his cause respected by all. To understand his position we must 5.^0 back a little.
The treaty of 1763, nominally secured to the I'rench Ca- nadians the free exercise of their relij^ion, and to the clerj^y, their customary dues and rijjfhts from the Catholic pco[)le of Canada. So lonj.^ as both parties desired t(; maintain a j^ood understanding and friendly relations with one another ; so lon;^' as the French Catholic Hisliop was moderate in his de- mands, and loyal to the kin^; so lonj^ as the iCnj^-lish Prot- estant (Governor was conciliatory, and disposed to allow the French reasonable freedom in the exercise of their rclij^cion, all was well. This had l)ccn the state of affairs between I^ishop Briand and vSir (uiy Carleton. Indeed the latter, in 1775, publicly declared that the preservation of the province of yuebec to llreat P)ritain was due to the loyalty of the Roman Catholic clerjj^y ; and the P>ishoi) was left undisturbed in his ancient preroj^ative of creatini^ parishes and appoint- ing ciiri's. The two Bishops after Briand had enjoyed the same liberty unchallenged. On the election of Mcmseigneur Denaut as Bishop, Governor Prescott asked that a list of the cure's appointed during the year sh(nild be annually sent him, in order that he might render an account to the minis- ter, if necessary. In preferring this request, he assured the Bishop that he wcjuld be left free to act in all other matters. All the Bishops since the cession as before, in their private letters and public documents, had very properly signed them- selves Bishops of Quebec. In the meantime, however, Dr. Mountain arrived in Quebec with his commission from the king as Bishop of the Anglican church of Quebec. vStill the Catholic Bishop continued to issue his letters and circulars
292
rUUli STORlliS (JF NliVV liNGLAND CAl'TIVKS.
as Hishop of (Jucbcc. The clou'ls bcj;an to jif.'itlicr. The anti-Catholic faction which had always existed in the eolon- ial ^•ovcrnnuiit, hut had heretofore l)een held in abeyance by the harmony existinj^' between the Oovernor and the Bishoj). be«^an to act more openly. We have seen the spe- cious project of a mixed collej^e, involvinii^ the rij^ht to seize the jiropcrty of the Jesuits and Sulpitians, and to put all the educational interests of a Catholic poj)ulation of two hundred thousand souls into the hands of a Protestant board of di- rectors, with the Anj^liean Bishop at the head.
The most bitter of the anti-Catliolic faction was Ryland, the (iovcrnor's secretary, who did not hesitate to avow his contempt and detestation of that relij^ion. In a letter writ- ten in 1S04, he declared his belief that Catholicism could be annihilated in Canada within ten years, and the kiui^'s su- premacy established. In Plessis, as the defender of the rights of French Canadians, Ryland reco^'ni^^ed a formidable antaj;'onist, and tried by intriy^ue with the home govern- ment, to overthrow and deo;rade him. The Attorney-Cjcner- al vSewall shared Ryland's feelintj, and pronounced a decision in the courts that the government had the sole right of cre- ating parishes and of electing ciifi's ; that all those created since 1 7(^)3, were null and void, and that such a thing as a Roman Catholic bishop of Quebec did not exist. The Lord- Bishop, after tendering his resignation, on the plea that the right to elect curates was denied him, that the superintend- ent of the Romish church publicly assumed the title of Bish- op of Ouebce, while at the same time the said superintend- ent and his clergy took special care not to give him this ti- tle, set out for England to lay his complaints before the king.
This was the state of affairs when in 1806, Plessis became Bishop of Ouebee. Fortunately the Lieutenant-Governor, then acting Governor and a devoted adherent of the English
A SCION OF TIIK CHURCH IN DKKKl'IKM).
293
church and its P>ish()p, was also in Kn<,^lan(l. and lli()u<,di Ry- land did all he could to prevent Plessis from l)cinj^ allowed to style himself Bishop of Ouehec in takin-^-the oath of fidel ity to the kii"^, the chief councillor in char^^c of affairs in the (rovcrnor's absence, admitted .lie oath. Plessis fullv understood the situation. He had always seen, as few had. how easy it woidd be for a tyrannical colonial government to evade that clause of the treaty, permittint^- to the Cana- dians the free enjoyment of their religion. lie felt, too, that that clause had been nullified l)y Parliament in the act of 1774. The destiny of the Catholic church in Canada was committed to his hands. There were rocks on either side. The helm must be firmly f,n*asped, the ship steered straio-ht. Single-handed he must fig-ht a<,^ainst three of its most bitter enemies. Tact, caution, discretion, patience, .self-control, firmness,— these must be his weapons. Tov/ards the last of his li^e he said to one of his vicars involved in ecclesiastical strife, "Foolish speeches are for those who make them. Do not let their bad conduct vex you. Continue to act with charity and forbearance. In every contention, happy is he who knows how to keep good behavior on his side." This was the lesson he had learned in his lon<^ strug'o-le.
During the ten years' contest between the olifieers of the crown and Plessis, he was often summoned to discussion with them concerning the king's prerogative. In his arguments, one hears now a Roger Williams, advocating obedience to the higher law,— and then the civil service reformer, oppos- ing bribery and corruption in politics, and demanding the complete separation of church and state. Inflexible as Lav- al in maintaining the supremacy of the church, his methods were better. L,',>v' 1 was bigoted and imperious; Plessis, liberal and conciliatory. Aggression was the mission of the former, mediation of the latter. In these disputes with the Governor and Council, he never lost his temper, and only
294 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
once does he allude to his personal feelings. At the end of a long diseussion with Craig, he says, "It has been the prin- ciple of my life to support the government in every way that I can conscientiously do so. No one is more loyal, more obedient to the law of the land than I am, and having done as much as my predecessors for the service of the govern- ment, I hoped that the government would not treat me worse than it had treated them."
To efface the bad impression left by Craig upon the minds of the French Canadians, Sir George Prevost, a man of very different stamp, was made his successor. Doubtless instruct- ed to adopt a conciliatory policy toward the French, educat- ed by the mistakes of his predecessor in office, and perhaps believing that the time had come, when a slight concession from the Bishop would forever settle the vexwd question of siipremacy, the new Governor, as Plessis was about to de- part for the missions of the Gulf, addressed him as follows : "I have received despatches from England. The govern- ment desires to place you on a more respectable footing, but it is expected that you yourself will name the conditions. Let me have your ideas on this suoject before your depart- ure. We must provide for everything and ha^^e a good un- derstanding."
Plessis had remained unmoved by the intrigues of Ryland and the threats of Craig. Temptation came to him now in a new form. It wou'd have been easy for a man of weaker principles to have persuaded himself that he had borne and foregone enough ; that he had stood long enough in the breach ; that with a Governor as well disposed as Sir Cieorge Prevost, a merely nominal surrender would secure to himself all the honors, privileges and emoluments of his position ; that he had earned the right to ease and repose, and might now claim the reward of his services. Rut Bishop Plessis was not the man to shirk responsibility for the present upon
A SCION OF THE CHURCH I\ DKERFIELD.
295
the future. His fidelity to what he believed right was un- compromising-. As if to fortify himself at the outset against the sophistry of such arguments, he wrote to the Governor : "I shall have the honor to send your Lordship a statement of my views, but I must declare in advance that no temporal offer will induce me to renounce any part of my spiritual jurisdiction. It is not mine to make way with. I hold it as a sacred trust of which I must render an account."
The memorial that follows defining the position and rights of the Catholic Bishops of Quebec, past, present and future, is a masterpiece of good sense, sound reasoning, candor and justice.
During the Bishop's absence at the missions of the gulf, the war of 1 8 1 2 broke out. On his return to Quebec he found all Canada in a state of great excitement. The government had been forced to appeal to the Canadians, the same Cana- dians whom Ryland and his friends had chosen to represent as continually on the eve of revolt, for aid to resist the entrance into Canada of American troops. The French Canadians re- sponded nobly to the Governor's appeal. This was Plessis' -upreme moment. Mandements. addresses, circulars, pas- toral letters fly fast from his pen. Letters to the people at home and in the rcuks ; letters of comfort to the women and children temporarily bereft of husbands and fathers in their country's service ; letters to the militia, exhorting them to loyalty, patriotism and piety ; letters to his ciin's, thanking and encouraging them to stand by the government. Circu- lars and mondements providing not only for the immediate wants of those left behind, but for possib.^ /amine in the fu- ture in consequence of fields untilledand harvests ungathered in time of war.
Full recognition of the Bishop's services was made by Sir George Prevost to the home government, and in 181 3, the Prince Regent in the name of the king decreed to the Bishop
29'J TRUE srORlKS OK NIOW ENGLAND CAPTIVEfi.
of Quebec an allowance of ^looo per annum, as a testimony to his loyalty and ^ood conduct. Plessis had his private satisfaction from his opponents if he desired it, when Ryland as clerk of the Executive Council had to name him as Bishop of Ouebec.
His triumph was complete when in icSi/, he was appointed by the crown a member of the Legislative Council of Can- ada.
To this hasty sketch of his public career let me add a glimpse of the private life of this remarkable man. Though short in stature, he was of commanding presence. His fine head was well set on his broad shoulders. His forehead was noble, his eyes dark and piercing. His mouth was firm and decided, but his expression was kindly. In his face, as in his character, are many traits of striking resemblance to some of his race whom we have known in Deerfield. Be- neath his grave exterior was a fund of gaycty that won him the love of children and youth. A clerical friend remembers having been carried when a child of five to see the great Bishop, who took him on his lap saying, "Come now, sing to me,— sing me all your little songs." On his visits to college and convent, the pupils gathered freely about him. He told them stories and taught them the games and songs of his boyhood. Affectionate and sensitive, he was equally suscep- tible to kindness and injury, and easily moved to tears or laughter. His keen sense of the ridiculous came near be- traying him into untimely mirth on more than one occasion. In a small parish church, towards the close of one of his most serious discourses, his eye fell upon one of those crude paintings which at that period adorned the country church- es. A purple sky, with sun, moon and stars. Saint-Michael in red coat, blue trousers and heavy riding boots, winging his way with flaming sword to earth and about to crush with heavy heel the big nose of Lucifer, while the latter parries
A SCION OF THE CHURCH IX DEEFU-^IELD. 297
the blow with his horns. The preacher's gaze was riveted. Feeling that he must laugh outright he sat down ; rose again, coughed, — abruptly wound up his sermon, and rush- ing to the sacristy burst into prolonged laughter.
The daily routine of the Bishop was much the same as when he was curate. He was in his office by half-past seven in the morning, and did not leave it, except for his devo- tions and the mid-day meal, till supper time. After that, he gave himself up for an hour to a pleasant chat with his priests. He was witty, with a fine appreciation of liunKn*; a brilLant talker, told a good story, and liked a joke even though he himself was the victim. He used to tell witli glee, how af- ter giving an hour of good advice in English, to an old Irishwoman, she suddenly silenced him by saying that she didn't understand a word of French. His methodical busi- ness habits rendered possible his immense correspondence. He never let affairs accumulate on his hands. Volumes of his manuscript letters are carefully preserved. Letters to his clergy on every imaginable subject concerning the phys- ical and spiritual welfare of his people ; on education, moral and intellectual ; on vaccination, and the state of the crops. Letters to the Ursuline sisters, playful and affectionate like those of a father to his daughters. "In his very familiarity," says one, "there was something indefinable commanding re- spect. If we were entirely at our ease with Monseignieur Plessis, we never could forget that he was our .Superior and our Bishop." Writing, on a voyage to the Gulf he says, "Your prayers have sustained me wonderfully up to this mo- ment, though they have not prevented my having pretty strong doses of sea-sickness several times. So you have not besought Heaven to calm the waves and make the wind blow as softly as one of your lay sisters blows t(j kindle the fire in the morning. This breath of ocean is far mightier, and makes my poor little schooner roll so as to break dishes
298
IKUI'; Sl'OklKS ()|- NKW i;\(;i,AM) CAI'IIVKS.
and IjotLles. All this, however, has no lasLinj^' cITcct on one's health. As soon as one lands the misery is over, and we will not s])eak of the inconveniences of life especially since we know wc- deserve so much woi'se ihin^^s."
JM-oni the Ma;4'da1en Islands he wi-ites, "Here tlu'i'e are no serfjcnts, f roll's, toads, rats or bu^^s. Xo ^rain j^i'ows, nor melons, nor flax, nor onions, noi* turnips noi- Indian corn. The women areas modest as nuns. They till the soil, while the men fish for a livin;^-. Had faith, theft, fjuarrellin*^ are unknown here; locks and keys unlK'ard of. I'eople would have a ver\' bad opinion of anyone- who bolted his door." A}.4"ain he writes, "I am j^oini^' to confess my i^noi-ance. 1
can't succeed in making" an\' joxxl ink I ])c>^ you to
have one of your teachers make me some. I will pay for all the vinej.^ar used. T will exchange emj)ty bottles for full ones, and I will thank you very much into the bargain. " From this time forth the nuns made all the ink lie used, and if the consumption exceeded the supply he was sure to send a note written with bad ink and this postcript: "If vou don't find my ink black enoui;h }'ou ma\' send mc some other." Thou;;h he kept two secretaries he replied jjromptly with his own hand to all who souj^ht his help. Ih; was generous to a fault, and reminds one of the Apostle ICliot in his lavish alms to the need}', lie ne\'er could keep any money for himself. What was (piaintly said of the patriarch White is as true of Plessis. "lie absolutely commanded his own ])as- sions, and the ])urses of his pririshioners, whom he could wind tip to what heij^'ht he pleased on im[)ortant occasions."
The ])est summary of the life and character of IMessis, is to ])c found in his own eulogy on j;-ood Bishop Hriand. "He had learned from Jesus Christ to render unto (Jaesar, the thinj^s that are Caesar's, and from Saint Paul, submission to
the powers that be No one was more uprij^ht
more sinecre, more fearless and self-possessed amid
A SCION ()!■ Illl'. ( III Kill IN l)I-,i;i<IIi:i,I).
?•!(
•j'J
milow.'ird events No one knew hcUci' llirm lie,
liovv lo I'eeoncile wIiaL lie owed to i\in\ with wli.'it lu; con^ sidc'red due to his fellow-inen."
Three times during' liis lC])iseop;ite, liisliop I'lt'ssis visited every parisli in Lower C;ina(hi, and so prodij^icnis was his memory, that he knewtlie namesof every family in eaeh par- ish. If lu; heai'tl ol" a blaek sheep in any floek, he hunted him u]), talked to him like a father, set him on his feet and made him feel himself a man aj^'ain. lie used to relate that when he went to the Irocjuois villaj^'e near Montreal,' he watelied from the saeristy the Indians, as they stole noise- lessly into the ehureh and sat down, the men on one sifle and the women on the othei". Thou^^h the women's faces were hidden by their blankets he could alwa)'s reefi^^nizt; his aunt, by her tall li^uix; and ICui-opean ^ait. This was his j^rand- mothei-'s sister, Abigail, daughter of Thomas l''rench of ])eei"(iel(l, taken ea]jti\'e at the a^e of six, and since lost sight (jf, until now found, amon;^- the Saint-Louis Indi.ans, where, ado[)ting' the language and habits of hei' eapt<n\s, she lived and died unmarried. On his first \'isit to .Montreal after his e!eeti<^n, olfieial announcement as usual was made, of the Bishop's readiness to receive his friends, and the jMib- lic generally. His father receiving no s])ecial notice of his ai^rivrd, sent him the foll(;wing: "xMy son, I am at home, and .shall be glad to reeeive a visit from you, if you wish to sec me." Remembering a former passage at arms between the self-res])>. ting father, and the obedient son, we cannot doubt that Plessis was soon welcomed in the bosom c)f his family.
On the 2nd of Jidy, i.Skj, he sailed for l<2urope on business (jf importance U) the church. He had scarcely left the har- bor when a iiull from the Pope arrived naming him Arch- bishop of (Quebec.
The journal kcjjt on this tmir is extant. He jots down
'Caughnawaga.
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rkUlO STOKIKS OF NKW KNfJLANI) CAPTIVES.
simple and loving thouj^hts of the friends left behind. He notices tlie birds that liovcr al)(jiit the islands of the ^reat river, and the jj^ambols of the fish about the ship. The smoke and noise ol Liverpool annoy him, but he is delighted witli the public institutions of that city. lie is especially impressed by the tender care and instruction j^iven to the blind, and his heart is touched ])y their sin^j^'inj^. He i)raises the smib'n^ landscape, and i^ood roads of JMi^land. "l*'or two hundred miles, between Liverpool and London, I did not see a sinj^le rut," he says, but he misses the j^rand forests of his native land. His description of an liin^lish inn is cap- ital. "The innkeeper .and his wife meet you at the door, with as good grace as any Lord and Lady would receive their guests. That done, they disappear, — leaving you to the dis- cretion of an intendant, who takes care of you with an air (^f grandeur and nobility that would do credit to the first gen- tleman of ICngland Nothing is spared. All your
wants arc anticipated. C)nly at your departure, the gentle- man opens his hand, and l)esides the amount of his bill, he receives with gratitude thesliilling which you give him." He does n(^t relish I'vUglish mutton, but speaks of the fine wool of the sheep. He remarks upon the large size of the horses, and the dexterity of the coachmen who use long whips, but never speak to their horses. He speaks with gratitude of the consideration of some English Protestants, with whom he travelled, who were careful not to disturb his devotions. He expresses admiration and repect f(jr a good old Methodist with whom he lodged, — "Mu.st wy damn without mercy, those who live well, but do not believe?" he says; "No, charity forbids this." He believed that sooner or later, in some way, these good I'rotcstant brethren would be bnnighttoa knowl- edge of the true faith. His trust in the love of (rod and his own great love for his fellow-men, would not permit him to think that any could be lost.
A SCION OF rilK CHURCH I X DKKRl' I I'.I.D. 30I
Iwc'iywhcrc in ICuropc he was treated witli distinction, Geor^^c the I'ourth in London, Lonis the ICit^hteenth in Paris, and Pope IMns the .Seventh in Rome, ^ave him (latterin}^ audience Ilavinj^ accomplislied his mission he returned to Canada, after a year's a1)sence. Ivandinj^ at Montreal, liis passa^-e down the river was a triumplial procession. After an ovation at Three Rivers, a frenzy of joy greeted his ar- rival at Queljec. The wliole population turned out to meet him. He landed amid the firini^ of cannon, the clanj^or of bells, the music of the JMij^lish band, and the shouts of the people. The multitude followed him to the cathedral, and filled the market place outside, while a V'c Dcum was sun<^. A flock of dove-like nuns fluttered on the mansard of the Ursuline convent, watching eaj^erly from afar the move- ments of the crowd, while others in their j^lad impulse, seiz- ing the bell rope oi the chapel, rang (nit a welcome to the Holy Father.
He had long been a sufferer from rheumatism. On the 4th of December, 1.S25, after a few days' illness, his ])usy and useful life ended suddenly at the hospital of the Hotel-Dieu. On the 7th his body clad in his sacerdotal robes, a mitre on his head, a crucifix in his hand, was borne in an open coffin through the streets and followed to the Cathedral by an im- mense concourse of citizens, — the Covernor-Ceneral and his Council, the Legislative Council, judges of the King's liench and troops of the garrison. All the bells of the city were tolled, the shops shut and minute guns (ired. A mar])le in- scribed with an elaborate epitaph 111 Latin, marks his tomb, at the left of the altar, in the choir of the Basilica at Ouebec, His heart in a crystal vase in a leaden box, was carried in procession to the church at Saint-Roch. The vault where it rests is covered by a mural tablet inscribed in P'rench.
Lately I was present at one of the most imposing cere- monials of the Romish church, in the Basilica where Plessis
I ■iiiiiii umiiiii mill—— It,'— —iw^, — ,-, -^■>-.,.,
302 TRUE STORIKS OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
wa.i ordained, consecrated; and so long officiated at similar solemnities. It was the day, when from two hundred thou- sand altars all over the world, prayers arose for all the souls in Purt^atory. A lofty catafalque, covered with a pall, sym- bolic of death, rose at the very ea'irance. Tall candles in silver candlesticks stood at its four corners and hundreds of tapers, row upon row ascendin^j, llared and smoked about it. From ceilinj^ to iloor, the vast cathedral was draped in l)lack and white. Its usual splendor was veiled by emblems of woe. Pictures and images, crystal chandeliers and silver lamps, were shrouded in black. Broad bands of black con- cealed the railing of the galleries, and thick folds of the same were wound about the pillars. Votive lamps burned be- fore all the shrines. Colored lights illumined the recesses of the church. Thousands of people with chaplets, knelt in prayer that the souls of the dead might be released from the torture of Purgatory. From the organ loft came the wail of a solemn requiem. Odor of incense was wafted from the far away chancel, which was crowded with priests and boys. In fancy I saw the great Archbishop there, where he loved best to be, in his pontificals, and seated in his chair of state, at- tended by his clergy in vestments of black velvet embroid- ered with silver.
Then I thought of Thomas French in his leather apron, shaping ploughshares all the day long ; in the evening, painfully recording in the town book the events of the every dav life of the little plantation of which he was a leading member ; on Sunday, in his homespun suit, sitting here in the deacons' seat below the pulpit, half-hidden from the con- gregation by the plain board hanging from the rail in front, and serving for a communion table when needed. Children and grandchildren watched by his deathbed, and finally, kindly hands of mourning neighbors bore him on a bier to his rest in the old burial ground. There the sun shines all
A SCION OF' THE CHURCH IN DEERKIELD. 303
day upon his grave, which is marked by an old red sandstone bearing the simple words,
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."
Would it have shocked the old man more I wonder, to have known that one of his blood should become the most il- lustrious defender of the Roman Catholic faith in Canad.i, - or that a woman of the same stock should stand in this place on this anniversary, to ask you to honor this veritable scion of the church in Deerfield ?
Who shall dare afiirm or deny that to the drop of New England blood in his veins, Joseph-Octave Plessis, owes the grandest traits of his character ?
After all, — what matters it? Neither New l^ngland nor New France, — Puritan nor Catholic, holds a monopoly of virtue.
Sects perish. Nationalities l)lend. Character endures.
-, -P^^yp-n^j^.^ WB-ji^
am"
HERTEL DE ROUVTLLE.
COMMANDER OK THE FRENCH AND INDIANS IN MANY EXl'E- DiriONS AOAINST NEW ENGLAND.
"It is not far from New England to old France." One rushes by train at night across the fertile meadows of the Connecticut and Passumpsic rivers to wake in a wilderness of pines and hemlocks, alternating with forests of the more delicate larch. So, on to the valley of the Chaudiere. Thence winding through picturesque hamlets bearing the names of the Virgin, and all the saints in the calendar, -each a daz- zling row of stone cottages, built close by the river, with low walls and high pitched roofs, whose curved and broadly ov- erhanging eaves are supported by brackets. The lofty gable ends are shingled and painted yellow, pink or dark red, in gay contrast to the white plastered walls. The massive cob- blestone chimneys are built up from the ground outside, rudely daubed with clay, and encased in wood towards the top to protect them from wind and rain. Each cottage has its outdoor oven, its long, low barn with numerous bnght red doors, always open, and barred by wicket gates Behind the buildings the farm slopes gently upward to a high hori-
IlKRTEI. 1)E UOUVILLE. 305
zon line, a mile back from the river. While you are lookinj^ for Evangeline and v/ondering whether this is Acadia or Normandy, you lind yourself towards sunset in the midst of a French-speaking crowd in the market-place of the Lower Town of (Juebec, — on the very spcjt where in 1608 Champlain and his companions built their ''habitat ion' and spent tlieir first winter in Canada.
Above you, t<j the height of two hundred and fifty feet towers the magnificent cliff, so justly termed the (ribraltar of America. Clambering into a ca/i-c/u', you crawl to the top by the zigzag road now known as Mountain vStreet. But you go not alone, — for this is h(jly ground, and your heart beats conscious of a procession from the past that silently goes with you up the narrow pathway.
Here is Jacques Cartier, hardy Breton mariner, first of white men who trod this winding way; Champlain, skilful seaman, brave soldier, restless, untiring adventurer, — cum- bered with much care for the scnil of the red man ; and his gentle and beautiful young Huguenot wife, so far exceeding his efforts for her conversion that she learned to look even upon her love for him as disloyalty to God. Here are men- dicant friars in gray cloth robes, girt up with knotted cord, and naked feet shod in wooden sandals ; black-gowned Jes- uits for whom Indian tortures have no terrors, their emaciat- ed faces looking more ghastly beneath their looped-up hats ; and dark-eyed nuns, whose woe-begone faces, pale and weary with weeping and sea-sickness, are yet radiant with unabated zeal for their mission. Here, too, are splendid regiments of soldiers, whose valor has been proved on many an old world battle field ; and a long line of viceroys, governors and in- tendants, surrounded by liveried guards and followed by a throng of young nobles from the most corrupt of European courts gorgeous in lace and ribbons and "majestic m leonine wigs."
-:m TT^T"
•"wr-
•1' • Wit
306
TKUK STORIKS OF NEW ENGLAND CAl'TIVES.
(raiiiinjj^ the suininit of Ihc rock you look otf ui)oii a land- scape of incomparable l)eauty. Helow, the noble river with white-winded vessels and driftinjjf smoke of tnany steamers. Midway between its banks lies the beauteous island of Or- leans like an emerald set in silver. The lon^, white co/r of Beauport, with its jj^litteriniif twin spires, stretches away to- ward the oicaminij^ cataract of Montmorcnci. Across the river, russet fields of wavini»" ^rain slope in billowy uplands to the blue hori/.(jn. Far away are the rounded summits of the orand old Laureutian mountains, the land first lifted aljove the waste of waters, nucleus of a world as yet unborn. Imperial in the splendor of their autumnal robes, wrapped about in the purple haze of the September afte/noon, tran- quil and serene as befits their di<^nity, solemn and impressive in their sublimity, they stand there as they have stood since time bejifan.
llaltin<^ on the rampart of this walled town that seems like a dream of the middle ages, you hear the muffled drums beating' the funeral march of a soldier. The ./ //iz-^/z^s- peals from the cathedral spire. You listen to the low, sweet chanting' of cloistered nuns at tlieir vespers. Surelv this is a bit of old France.
But again it is not far to New England from Old France, for, to the thoughtful student of our colonial history who stands for the first time beneath the Lombardy poplars on the esplanade at Quebec, especially to one reared imder the elms of Massachusetts, no place is so near to the impregna- ble fortress of the St. Lawrence as the frontier town of Deer- field on the Connecticut. Instinctively he peoples tlie streets of the old French city with the shadowy forms of thc^se, who, driven from their burning homes on the night of th(j 29th of February, 1703-4, dragged out a miserable captivity on this very spot. Yonder, tended by Hospital nuns, Zebediah Williams, that pious, hopeful youth, breathed his last. Not
KM
IIKKTi:!. DK kOlVII.I.K. 307
far away arc the (lila])idatc(l walls of the IntendaiU's palace, over whose threshold inan\' a Xcw lOnj^land captive has passed. Between tliis and the (lo\'ernor's coui-.cil (.hamhcr Ensij^n John Sheldon must have walked daily while besiey;-- ing' these officers with petitions for the release of llu> Deer- field captives.
Here, in this now deserted market-place )'oun54- Jonathan Hoit sat with the vcyfctables wliich he was sent to sell in the city, when Major Dudley saw him and bouj^ht him of his Indian master with twenty brij^ht, silver dollars, i'aein}^" this square were the Jesuit building^s where the Deerfield pastor so often dined and arj^'ued with the l'\ather ,Su[)erior; and within sij^ht, stood the Ursuline convent where the little New England girls were bribed and beaten by those as pi- ously bent on the .salvation of their souls as ever was good Parson Williams himself.
With all these names, that of Hertel de Rouville must be forever a.ssoeiated. We have hitherto thought of him but as a Popish bigot, a leader of murdering savages. It seems to me that the time has come when we can afford to honor him and his ancestry as we do our own for their patriotic and brave defence of their country and their faith.
In that part of Normandy, known as the Pays de Caux in the picturesque town of Fecamps by the sea, lived Nicholas Hertel and his wife Jeanne. Early in the seventeenth cen- tury we find the name of their son, Jacques Hertel in Can- ada, where the rank of a lieutenant gave him the cittrcc to the best society. Here he devoted himself to the study of the Indian language and became known as one of the most skilful interpreters. The interpreter was then a man of high consideration and authority in intercolonial affairs. His position as mediator between the savage and the white man required the possession of unusual courage and intelligence. Mr. Parkman mentions Hertel as one of the four most fa-
^w t«Miupi iiiwji mm — «-»-r-
30S
■ri;k sroRiiis ())•• nicw knuu.and cai'Tivks.
nious interpreters of New l'r;inee in the deeade following 1636, antl s.'iys of the elass, "I'roni iKitred of restraint and lovc! of a wild and adventui'oiis independenee they eneonn- tered priwatioii and dangers seaicely less than those to whieli the [esnit exposed himself from motives widely different, — he fi"om re!i;;ious zeal, charity and the hope of Paradise ; they, simply beeause they liked it. Soni' ; of the best fami- lies of (Canada elaim deseent from thi.s vi^^orons and hardy stoek."
v)nthe 2 Y^ of An^^iist, ii>.}i, |aei|nes Ilertel married at Three Rivei's, the dati^i^liter of P'ranrois iMar;'-U('')Me, anotlier of the (piartette of reno\vned interpreters. 'Three Rivers was then a fur-trading- handet suriounded by a scuiare ])ali- sade. Hetween it and Montrt'al, on ijoth shores of the St. Lawrenee were elearinj^'s, nuirkin;^- the sites of future seij^'n- iories. Amon;^' the early settlers of Three Rivers, are names eonneeted with some of the most romantie e])isodes in the history of Canada.
One of the nei_t4-h1)ors of Jae(|ues Ilertel and I''ran(;ois Mar- j^iKMie was ("hristo])lu; ('r(''vier, whose eldest dauj^'hter later m.irried I'ierre lioiuhei-, (Governor of Thi'ee Rivers. Their daughter, vsdien but twelve and a half years of aji^^e niarriet^ Rene (i.aultier de la Varennc^s, a lieutenant of the Carij^nan regiment, and l)eeamL the mother of La V^erendrye, the dis- eoverer of the Roeky iMountains.
Jac(jues Ilertel, at his death, left two dau.i^'hters and a son. The son, iM'anrois Ilertel, was born ai Three Rivers about 1643, and early distinguished himself as a soldier. Charle- voi.x ealls him "one of the most valiant warrioi's of his time." A latei- I'^reneli writer sa}'s, "liy his boldness and sueeess he deserves to be ealled the most intrepid eiianipion of New J'' ranee .^^ainst its eternal enemies, the Iroquois and the eol- oiusts of New ICn^'land."
One summer afternoon in the year 1661, Franyois Ilertel,
^!R5HSW^P^5^i^^^WBIp^^^
HERTEL J)E RCJUVILKE. 309
then a youth of ei^rhtcen, v^-is made prisoner l)y the Mo- hawks, and with two of his comrades carried to one of their towns, where they were cruelly tortured. With his poor, mutilated hand the brave l^oy wrote (mi birch bark and car- trid^re wrappers a letter to his mother and two to Father Le Moyne, a Jesuit priest, who had been sent a little before to C)nondajr;i on a political mission during a truce with the Iro- quois.' In them not one word of complaint of his own suf- ferings escapes the heroic youth, but elsewhere he thus speaks of his little fourteen years old friend, Antoine Crevier, who had been captured with him : "Poor little fellow, I pitied him so ! These savages made a slave of him, and then while hunting they stuck their knives into him and killed him."
Ilertel's other comrade in misfortune wrote home to Three Rivers as follov.s : "There are three of us Frenchmen here who have been tortured together, and while they were tor- menting one the other two were permitted to pray to (k)d for him, which we did continually; and they let the one they were tormenting chant the Litanies of the Virgin or the Ave Maria, which he did while the others rjrayed. The savages mocked us and made a great hue ai^l cry when they heard us singing, but that did not keep us from doing it. They made us dance around a great fire to make us fall into It. There were more than forty of them round the fire, and they kicked us from one to another like tennis balls, and af- ter they had burned us well they put us out in the rain and cold. I never felt such dreadful pain, but they only laughed at us. We prayed with all our might, and if you ask me whether I did not hate the Iroquois who were hurting us so
and curse them, I tell you, no, that I prayed for them [
and I must tell you about Pierre Rencontre whom you knew well. He died like a saint. I saw them torture him He never said a word but "My God have pity on me."
'Mr. Parkman gives us the«c ie'.ters on p. 67 of the Old R6gi
rime.
"aBnt*att»*»»w
^,„ Tk(JK SroklKS OK NKW KNCil.AND CM'TIVKS.
The youthful cnptivc (lescri])cs more sulTcriuj^s endured at the li.'inrls of the merciless Mohawks, an<l at the ch)se of his letter, as if overwhelmed with the horror of it all, he says "1 can't help weepiu-- in sayin^^ <^<u,^]])yc" What a picture this is of th(' constancy and fortitude ol these lads. The la])se of two centuries cannot deaden our sympathy with those distressed mothers at Three Rivers as they read these a<^oni/.int^- letters from their beloved boys.
"^Thus early did i'ranrois llcrtel be.-(in to deserve the title of "Ar /A'mv," by which he is later known in the annals of
Xew JM-anee. . .
On Sept 2nd, 1664, three years after his captivity amon^^ the Mohawks, Francois Ilertel married at Montreal, Mdlle. Mannierite Thauvenet. She had come to Canada with Mad- ame'^'de la IV'ltrie, intendiu- to consecrate herself to the ed- ttcation of Indian '^\vU, but became betrothed to M._ do Chambly, a captain in the Cari^nan re^nnient, whose seiKHi- iory she inherited at his death, beccmiin- later the wile ot Francois Ilertel and the mother of his nine sons. Mr. F>en- iamin Suite, an eminent historian of Cana.la, K'ves a new versicm of this storv in his history of Saintd-'rancs. lie says that Marie Thauvenefs sister married Captain de Cham- bly and died without childrci ; that De Chambly was killed in the wars with Italy and that his Canadian Hef passed to his wife's sister's husband, l'-ran<;ois Ilertel, who thereupon
av me<l the title of Seigneur de Chambly.' he this as it nKty iM-ancois Ilertci's iVle was Ilertel de la iM-csuicre. Kron. his inheritance of tne sei-niory of Chambly throu^di his wife or her si.tcr, he became Sieur de Chambly. I .nd ..tetter from iM-ancois I lertel, dated at Three Kivers, July 2S, ,r/Atothe sui-eon at Oran-c, | Albany 1 thankiUK^ him
'.,.-,,„.,,islI,rid'smlcwas ll-rl.l <U: U Vr(^s,ubrc. Uc ^... u|. U.is to take !l!a, 'f •'S.:,Kn,.ur ,1. Ch.ml.ly/'an.i is then.fu-r Unn.u as llcrtel -Ic Chambly.
wm
IIKKiKI, l)K KOiJVIM.K.
311
for his ^o()(l trcatincnl while a crijitive, and rc^^rcttin;^- that another iMohawk invasion lias prevented his Ijein^ sent by the ;4-overnf)r on an embassy to All)any. He adfls: "As for news rejrardin;^ myself I will infoi'm you that I've ;^ot mar- ried sinee I was with you, and have a bij^ boy who will soon be able to j^-oand see you ; only let him be fourteen or lift(;en years oMer than he is now; that will make him about six- een.
On the 2,Sth of Man.-h, 1690, we (ind JM-anrois Ilertel lead- inj^ the attack at Salmon I'\'ills' and performinu^ prodij^ies of v.alor at Wooster River, lie had with him his three eldest sons, of whom our Ilertel de Rouville was the third. lie was also aecompanied by his n(;phew, Louis (brevier, ('the son of his sister Marguerite,) and by Nieolas (iatineau, son of Marie Crevier. These were all ;^allant and spirited youn^ officers.
Retreating'- to the Kennebec, he left his eldest son, Ilertel de la h'rcvsnicre, who had becMi severely wounded in the ae- tion, amon;^- the Abenakis, and joining- a war ])arty under Rortneuf, whose soldiers clamored to be led by Ilertel, he shared in the trium])h at I'^ort Loyal on L'asco liay.
We }^et an interesting^- ^lim])se of I lertel's honie life at this period. One little flauj^'-hter hafl been born to hnn to whose education the j)ious mother devoted herself, althou.i(h, says the L^rsuline Superior who tells the trde, "She did not nejrleet her nine sons, as is pi-oved by the fact that thouj^^h they were somewhat ;^ay and tremendously brave, they made it a prin- ei])le to be as faithful to (lod as to their kinjr." While the husband was fij^htinjr f(ji- the klw^ at Sabnon I'\alls, his wife was i)resentin}4- their little ten years old j^irl for her first ef)mn-iunion. This was the first stcj) in a remarkable relij^^. ions career in which the dau^^hter of "'fhe Hero" "dis))layed
'AccorciiiiK to S..111C wriicrs Uiis ailack uti SulitKJii Falls was led by [leitel (]<• Roiivillr, soil of IraiK.ois ilcrlfl.
312 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
the same heroism which her father had shown on the field of battle."
From the time of her first communion, Marie Fran(;oise Hertel's life was regulated by herself with the sole view to her eternal salvation. She showed thereafter no looseness, idleness nor inconstancy in her tasks at the pension. Delight- ed with her progress, her parents took her home intending to arrange for her a marriage suitable to their position, but her heart was fixed on becoming a nun. Though this was a great disappointment to her father, who had counted upon her companionship in his declining years, he loved her so tenderly that he would no'; sadden her by remonstrating against her chosen vocation, and rarely spoke to her on the subject. Her brother, De Rouville, however, was not so considerate. He importuned her incessantly to marry one of his companions in arms who was greatly admired by all. "What nonsense in you, Fanchette," he would say, **at your age to think of shutting yourself up in a convent. Leave your place among the Ursuline sisters to some old maid whom nobody wants, and who is good for nothing but to say her prayers. Why need you put yourself behind a grating to serve God? Look at our mother. Lsn't she a good, true Christian ?"
All this did not prevent the young rcligicuse from fulfilling her intention. In September, i/cxd, she became a novice un- der the name of Soeur Marie Franyoise de Saint-Exupore, taking the white veil, in the convent then newly founded in her native town.
When in 171 3 it became necessary to elect a Mother Su- perior for the convent at Three Rivers, the minds of all his friends and neighbors naturally turned to the daughter of "The Hero." The matter being decided oth 'rwise by the Ursulines at Quebec, a crowd of his tenants, whw oelieved that everything belonging to the name of Hertel must of neces-
Tssssmmmfm
HERTEL DE ROUVILLE. 313
sity hold the highest position, assembled at the convent doors showering invectives upon the authorities at Quebec. The uproar reached such a height that poor little Sister St. Exu- pere was driven by her humility to leave her native town and seek entrance to the Ursuline convent at Quebec, where she toe .. at once the black veil. There on the 4th of March, 1 770, she died at the advanced age of ninety, after a retirement from the world of seventy-one years, which she spent in ac- tive service for the church, showing an especial aptitude for teaching young girl j.
"About this timo," says Mr. Parkman, "Canada became in- fatuated with roblcsse. ..... Merchant and seignior vied
with each other for the quality oi gentilJiouimc 'Every- body here,' writes the Intendant Meules, 'calls himself es- quire and ends with thinking himself a gentleman.' " The exploits of Frangois Hertel entitled him to letters of nobility from his king. These, according to Canadian Archives, though promised in 1690, were not granted till a quarter of a century later.
In 17 1 2, probably despairing of a proper recognition of his services, and ambitious for his sons, Francois Hertel, wrote a memorial recapitulating their military exploits. In this he sets forth in detail the expedition of his third son, Hertel de Rouville, to Deerfield.'
The following extracts are literally translated :
"The Sieur Hertel is 76 years old.* ..... He has ten sons all in the troops The Sieur Hertel plre began to bear arms in
'Canadian Ant. and Num. Journal, July, 1889. Interesting as a cotempo- rary statement of important events by a conspicuous actor therein. It is a draft by "The Hero" of a record of his services, to be sent to the king, with correc- tions partly by himself and partly by some other hand. Its antiquity is un- questionable. Invaluable as authority on the details of the expeditions against New England in 1690 and 1703-4.
'Changed to "70," this fixes the date if thi.-> document as 1712. as Hertel was born in 1642.
314
TRUE STORIKS OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
X657, in the beginning of the war against the Iroquois He was wounded and made prisoner by these Savages in 1659, and was about two years a slave among them. He is maimed in one hand by the
bad treatment of these barbarians
In all the wars there has been no party or expedition in which the father or some of his children have not been. M. the governor eeneral . . in i703> honored the Sleur de rouviUe'^ with the com- mand of a party of .00 men among the number of who.n were three of his brothers. He took by storm at daybreak the fort' guerfil where there were a hundred and twenty-seven armed men He killed in this assaulu and in a combat which he sustained while re- treating with his rear-guard of thirty men. against more than a hun- dred, one hundred and fifty persons, took one hundred and seventy prisoners, his lieutenant was killed and eleven others of his men. He was wounded and twenty-two others, among which number were three officers and one of his brothers who was serving as ad- jutant."
The long-deferred patent of nobility was granted to Fran- 9ois Hertel in April, 17 16, lie being then seventy-four years old. It appears in Canadian Archives as follows :
[Translation.]
"Services which the Seignieur Hertel Lieutenant of our troops in Canada has rendered to the late King, in the different expe- ditions in which he has been against the savages, have led us to give him proof of our satisfaction, which may descend to his poster- ity We resolve upon this the more willingly, as the valor of the father is hereditary in his children, two of whom have been killed in the service, and the seven others who still serve in our troops m Canada and Isle Royale, have given on all occasions proofs of their good conduct and bravery. And since the father and his children
'Changed to "1704." "'"'« ^•^'''^ '°"-"
giiQf " *"Deerfield."
PSSre^SP--. . ., ,> ..«^HWw.l^-». .... 49i.
HERTKI. 1)E ROUVriJ.K. 315
Still continue to serve us, with tlie same zeal and the same affection, we have been pleased to grant to the head of this family our letters of nobility
We find Francois Hertel until his death eonstantly cm- ployed in the service of his iyovernment : a man useful in its councils and idolized by the whole colony. Charlevoix, who saw him at the age of eighty full of health and strength says that "All the colony bore witness to his virtue and his merits."
The head of the younger branch of Fran(;ois llertel's fam- ily was Jean Baptiste Hertel de Rouville, so intimately con- nected with the history of New England.
He was the third "big boy" that rejoiced the heart of his youthful father and was probably born about 1668. His fa- ther procured for him a grant of land on the river Chambly near his own seigniory, - hich, it will be remembered, came into his possession through a romantic episode in the life of his wife. Marguerite de Thauvenet. Embracing, as did all his brothers, a soldier's career, "he became," says the Cana- dian Chronicler, "the rival of all those intrepid warriors who made the English colonies repent of their unjtist at- tacks." He held the rank of lieutenant, and was accompan- ied in his expedition against Deerfield by three of his broth- ers. For his exploits on that occasion he was recommended for promotion by De Vaudreuil in a letter to the ^Minister as follows :
"Quebec, i6th 9ber 1704.
I had the honor to write to you, INIy Lord, and to
inform you of the success of a party 1 sent this winter on the ice as far as the Boston government' at the request of the Abenakis In- dians whom the English attacked since Sieur de Beaubassin's return last autumn, and at the same time took the liberty to speak to you of Sieur de Rouville who commanded on that occasion : he desires,
'Deerfield.
3l6 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
My Lord, that you would have the goodness to think of his pro- motion, having been invariably, in all the expeditions that present- ed themselves, and being still actually with the Abenakis
Sieur de Rouville's party, My Lord, has accomplished everything expected of it, for independent of the capture of a fort,' it showed the Abenakis that they could truly rely on our promises, and this is what they told me at Montreal on the 13th of June when they came to thank me.'"'^
"At a meeting of the Commissioners for managing the Indian af- fairs at Albany the 21 of June, 1709. Intelligence given by an In- dian called Ticonnondadiha, deserted from a French party gone to New England, says that it is now 24 days ago since that party went out from Canada w"^*" he left three days ago at the head of the Otter Creek at a place called Oneyade; and to goe over a long carrying place before they came to the New England river. This party con- sists of i8o men, 40 Christians and 140 Indians; they are designed for Dearfeild and intended to post themselfes near the fort and then send out a skulking party to draw out the English, thinking by that meanes to take the place. That by another Indian come latter from Canada, confirms that this party is out, and that two New England captives deserted from thence 14 dayes ago. Albany 22th June 1709. Hereupon the Com" for the Indian affairs have sent Dan' Ketelhuyn expresse with a letter to Col. Partridge to give an ace* thereof."*
The origin of this expedition was as follows : Having been worsted in an attack by the English under Captain Wright,* "a party of Indians," says De Vaudreuil, "feeling piqued, asked me to let them go on an excursion with some fifty of the most active Frenchmen, and to allow the Sieur de Rou-
•Deerfield.
»M. de Vaudreuil to M. de Pontchartrain. N. Y. Col. Doc. Vol. IX, p. 758-9.
»N. Y. Col. Doc. Vol. 5. p. 86.
*See Capt. Benjamin Wright's narrative in Sheldon's Hist, of Deerfield, Vol. I, p, 369.
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HERTEL DE ROUVILLE. 317
ville and another to command. I immediately assented
the force went to Giierrefille | Decrfield ) where, having pre- pared an ambush they caught two alive.'
Hertel de Rouville appears to have made many little "ex- cursions" of this sort into New England and New York. On the 29th of August, 1708, he commanded the attack on Haverhill. Here his brother, Hertel de Chambly, and Louis de Verchcres, the friend whom he had ardently desired as his brother-in-law, were slain.
Joseph Bradley, the same who accompanied John Sheldon to Canada,* secured the medicine chest and packs of the par- ty which they had thrown aside on going into battle and had not time to gather up in their hasty retreat with their cap- tives.
De Rouville was sent by the governor on an important embassy to Boston. Of this De Vaudreuil writes to Pont- chartrain that he "had been fortunate in his choice of two officers, the most capable of all Canada of reconnoitring a country which at any moment they might be called upon to attack."
Amidst his severer duties De Rouville found time to mar- ry twice. By his second wife he had five children. The names of his daughters appear on the convent lists of pupils, and in their records the holy sisters mention with pride Hertel de Rouville and his brothers as defenders of the church. He was finaLy sent to Cape Breton where he spent some years, and died June 30th, 1722, at Fort Dauphin, of which he was commandant. Among the prisoners huddled
'These two were Joseph Clesson and John Arms. The latter was wound- ed twice before allowing himself to be taken. De Rouville's approach being discovered it is probable that the townsfolk, many of whom had but lately re- turned from Canadian captivity, courageously pursued and compelled the ene- my to retreat.
'See ante.
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318 IRllK SIOKIKS OK NKW KNCiLANI) CAI'TIVKS.
together in ICnsiKMi John Sheldon's house in Deerfield on thai dreadful nioiiL in I'ebnuiry, 170.V4. v/aitin^^ with her weei)in}r children, ^randehildren and nei^rhbors, the order to march into captivity, was Mary I5aldwin Catlin, wife of iMr. John Catlin. A wounded French oflicer was brought in and laid upon the lloor. In his a^a)ny he called piteously for water. Mrs. Catlin raised his head and tenderly moistened his fevered lips. Reproached by a nei^^hbor for this kindness to their enemy, she answered, "If thine enemy hunj4-er feed him; if he thirst, ^^ive him drink." When the captives were ^rathered to^^ether for the march Mrs. Catlin was left behind, —tradition says in return for her ecmipassion. One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. I like to think that the wounded officer may have been llertel de Rouville's younj;- brother, and that that humane act, distilled throu^^h the blood of succeedin^r <renerations, has inspired me with the wish to present the llcrtels in a more favorable li}4:ht than that in which we of New ICnj^iand are accustomed to view
them.
The Canadian heroine, Madeleine de Verehc'res, at the age of fourteen, defended her father's house for a week against the Irocjuois, while he was on duty at Quebec. J'ut- ting a gun into the hands of her younger brother she said, "Remember that our father has taught you that gentlemen must be ready to shed thei blood if need be in the .service of their (kxl and their king."'
In our estimate of the characto- of Jean Baptiste Hertel de Rouville, we must not forget that this was the creed on which he was nurtured.
'This younfjer De Verdieres l)ec;ime lator a prisoner of war in Hoston; was the subjecl of much ncKotiation for exchange. He appears in our Archives as "Hoverey de Vorshay."
FATHER MKRIKL-MARY SILVKR.
INTKODUCriON.
"In 1657," says Mr. Parknian, "the association of pious en- thusiasts who had founded Montreal, was reduced to a rem- nant of five or six persons, whose ei)lnnj^ zeal and overtaxed purses were no lonj^er e(|ual to the devout but arduous en- terprise. They be^i^ed the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice to take it off their hands. The priests consented, and thoug'h the conveyance of the island of Montreal to these, its new proprietors, did not take effect till some years later, four of the Sulpitian fathers came out to the colony and took it in charge.
Thus far, Canada had had no bishop, and the Sulj)itians now aspired to ^ive it one from their own brotherhood. 'JMiis roused the jealousy of the Jesuits, who, for thirty years had borne the heat and burden of the day, — the toils, privations and martyrdoms, while as yet the vSulpitians had done noth- inj^ and endured nothing; — and under the leadership of the great Laval, the long quarrel between the two orders began." It ended in the triumph of Laval and the Jesuits.
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320 TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
From the earliest period of their history, the labors of the three religious communities, — Sulpitian priests, nuns of the Congregation de Notre-Dame, and Hospital nuns, have sup- plemented each other: the Seminary priests serving as teachers of the boys and as directors and chaplains of the other two orders ; the Congregation nuns teaching the girls; and the Hospital nuns doing duty as nurses to them all.
The most pious friendship unites the three orders, and together they are regarded in the eyes of the people of M • treal as an image and embodiment of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
FATHER MERIEL.
In 1690 or 91, M. Henri-Antoine de Meriel of Meulan in the Diocese of Chartres, France, was sent by M. Tronson, Superior-General of the Sulpitian Order in Canada, to succeed M. BartLelemy as chaplain at the Hotel-Dieu in Montreal.
At the age of thirty, M. Meriel bade farewell to riches, honors and the congenial associations of his native land, to devote himself to the poor and unfortunate.
Though his birth, education and talents made him a lead- ing spirit in the best society of New France, his life was one of arduous labor and self-sacrifice. In addition to his duties at the Hotel-Dieu he ministered with great success to the parish of Notre-Dame in Montreal, and was direc :;or and con- fessor to the pupils of the Sisters of the Congregation.
On Canadian records. Father Meriel is everywhere pres- ent as a part of the personal history of the New England captives, and to those familiar with their story, the priest's name is as well known as that of thf^ Puritan preacher. Rev. John Williams. The latter found in him a foeman worthy of his steel.
To Father Meriel's knowledge of the English language, and his facility, in its use, an accomplishment rare at that
FATHER MERIEL— MARY SILVER.
321
time in Canada, we owe the marvellously exact records by which we are able to identify so many of our captives.' The name, age, parentage, the date and place of capture, are given with minute detail, in his exquisite handwriting, which is like an oasis in the desert to one groping among the dry and almost illegible records of two hundred years ago.
By his ability and zeal, many were converted to the Rom- ish church. Not content with devoting himself soul and body to this work, he sp, nt his patrimony in the cause.
Shortly before his death the Intendant and the Governor- General wrote to the home government asking that in con- sideration of his services he might be re-imbursed by the crown.
The French minister replied as follows :
"His Majesty has been informed that M. Meriel, priest at Montreal, has spent his fortune on the conversion of the English of the colony, and that he is so impoverished as to be unable to continue the good work.
As His Majesty is very glad to give him proof of his sat- isfaction with his zeal, he desires M. M. de Vaudreuil and Begon to inform him how much money they think should be annually awarded to M. Meriel."
Father Meriel could not profit by the good intentions of his sovereign. He died in the odor of sanctity while minis- tering to the sick at the Hotel-Dieu, on the 1 2th of January, 171 3, at the age of fifty-two.
MARY SILVER.
One of the fruits of Father Meriel's labors among the cap- tives was Mary (Adelaide) Silver. She was the eldest child of Thomas Silver of Newbury, Mass., and his wife Mary Wil- liams.
'See Appendix for an English letter by Father Meriel.
322
TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
Thomas vSilver died in 1695, and his widow married Cap- tain Simon Wainwright,
On the 29th of Aiig-ust, 1708, [vSept. 9, N. s.J a party of French and Indians attacked Haverliill, Mass., then a village of about thirty houses, with a meeting-house and a picketed fort or garrison house. The following account is by Joseph Bartlett, a soldier in the garrison house under Capt. Wain- wright ■}
"In the year 1707, in November, I, Joseph Bartlett was pressed, and sent to Haverhill. My quarters were at the house of a captain Waindret. August 29, 1708, there came about 160 French and 50 Indians, and beset the town of Haverniil — set fire to several houses; among which was that of captain Waindret. The family at this time were all reposing in sleep; but Mrs. Waindret waking, came and awaked and told me that the Indians had come. I was in bed in a chamber, having my gun and ammunition by my bed-side. I arose, put on my small clothes, took my gun, and looking out at a win- dow, saw a company of the enemy ying upon the ground just before the house, with their guns presented at the windows, that on dis- covering any person they might fire at them. I put my gun to the window very still, and shot down upon them, and bowed down un- der the window; at which they fired, but I received no harm. 1 went into the other chamber, in which was Mrs. Waindret, who told me we had better call for quarter or we should all be burnt alive. I told her we had better not; fori had shot, and believed I had killed half a dozen, and thought we should soon have help.
After reloading my gun, 1 was again preparing for its discharge, when I met with a Mr. Newmarsh, who was a soldier in that place.
He questioned me I answered that I was going to shoot. He
told me if I did shoot, we should all be killed, as captain Waindret
had isked for quarter, and was gone to open the door He
said we must go and call for quarter; and, setting our guns in the chamber chimney, we went down and asked for quarters.
'See Appendix to History of Newburyport.
FATHER MERIEL — MARY SILVER.
323
The entry was filled with the enemy, who took and bound us, and plundered the house.
They killed ..o one but captain Waindret. When they had done plundering the house, they marched off, and at no great distance, coming into a body, I had a good view of them, so that I could give a pretty correct account of their number expecting to escape."
A rare volume, entitled "Incidents in the Early History of New England," gives substantially the following account of the attack on Haverhill :
"One party rifled and burned Mr. Silver's house. Another at- tacked the garrison house of Capt. Samuel Wainwright,' killing him at the first fire. To the surprise of the garrison who were bravely preparing to resist, Mis. Wainwright herself unbarred the door," spoke kindly to the enemy as they entered, served them and offered to get for them whatever they wanted. The invaders, bewildered by this unexpected reception, demanded money. Promising to get it, Mrs. Wainwright left the room, and fled from the house, "with all of her chddren, except one daughter who was taken captive, and was not afterwards discovered."^
The rage of the enemy on discovering that they had been duped by a woman, may be imagined. They attacked the garrison with great violence, at the same time attempting to fire the house. They were forced to retreat with three cap- tives, one of whom was Joseph Bartlett, quoted above, — an- other was Mrs. Wainwright's daughter by her first marriage, Mary Silver, then about fourteen years old. The route of the captives may be traced by Bartlett 's narrative. In Feb- ruary he became the servant of a rich Frenchman afflicted with gout. In his leisure moments he "Wrought at shoe- making." He describes his religious experiences in Canada, with charming }iaivcti'. His mistress asked him why he did not "attend meeting." "I answered that I could not under-
'Simon Wainwright.
'Discovered by the author in 1893, on Canadian records.
324
TRUE STORIES OF NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
stand what they said. She said she could not. I asked her what she went for. She answered, to say her prayers."
In his quaint New England dialect he gives us this glimpse of Father Meriel's work among the captives :
"On my coming to reside with the French, Mr. Meriel, a I'Yench priest, came and brought me an English bible. As I sat at shoe- making, he came and sat down beside me, and questioned me con- cerning my health, and whether _ had been to their meetings. 1 told him I had not. On his asking the cause I answered (as I had done before) that I could not understand what they said. He said he wished to have me come and witness their carryings on. I told him it was not worth my while. But he was very earnest that I should come to his meeting; and advised me to try all things, hold- ing fast that which is good. Who knows, said he, but that God hath sent you here to know the true way of worship. I told him I believed ours was the right way. Says he we hold to nothing but what we can prove by your own Bible. After considerable conver- sation 1 told him 1 did not know but that I should come to their meetings and see how they carried on : which after a little ,vhile I did. Now in their meeting-house there stood a large stone pot of their holy water, into which everyone that came in dipped their finger making a sign of a cross, putting their fingers first to their foreheads, then to their stomachs, afterwards to their left shoulder, then to their right shoulder, saying, 'Father, Son, and Holy Ghost — amen,' and kneeling down, they say a short prayer to themselves. They hove pulpits in their houses for public worship; in which the priests sometimes preach.
After a short tiine the priest came again to visit me, and asked me how I liked their manner of worship. I told him it seemed strange to me. He said this was generally the case at first, but af- ter a while it would appear otherwise."
The simple cobbler at his last, disputing doctrines with the educated priest, is an interesting picttire of the sturdy New England character. Bartlett gives us much more of his theological discussion with Father Meriel, — but the
FATHER MERIEL — MARY SILA'ER.
325
priest's efforts to convert him were unavailing. Bartlett was redeemed and returned to Newbury after a captivity of four years, two months and nine days.
On arriving at Montreal Mary vSilver was probably given at once in charge of the "Sisters of the Congregation." Her name appears in our Archives on a "Roll of English Prison- ers in the hands of the French and Indians at Canada Given to Mr. Vaudruille's Messengers," dated 1710-11.' This roll was probably sent to Canada by the French officers who had come to Albany with Dutch prisoners, bringing also John Arms of Deerfield to exchange for Sieur de Verchc'res, who had been taken prisoner in the attack on Haverhill.'
In Canada the usual agitation follows this demand of our Government for the return of the captives. The records are teeming with their baptism and marriage. Here is one:
"On Sunday, the 2nd of February 17 10, the rite of baptism was administered by me the undersigned priest, to an English girl named Mary Silver, who born at Haverhill in New England on Wednesday, March xoth, 1694, [28 Feb. 1693-4] of the marriage of Thomas Sil- ver, deceased, and Dame Mary Williams now Widow, by her second marriage, of Mr. Simon Wainwright, Judge, Captain and Command- ant of the said place ; which girl having been captured on Sunday, the pth of September, 1708, by Monsieur Contrecoeur Esquire, officer in the troops of Canada, and brought to this country, lives as a pupil in the house of the Soeurs de la Congregation de Notre- Dame, at Villemarie.
Her godfather was the High and Mighty Seigneur Messire Phil- ippe de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil, Chevalier of the military or- der of Saint-Louis, and Governor General of New France ; her god- mother, Madame Charlotte Denis, wife of M. Claude de Ramezay, Chevalier of the order of Saint-Louis, Seignieur de Lageste Bois-
'Mass. Archives, Vol. 71, p. 760.
^See Sheldon's Hist, of Deerfield, Vol. I, p. 373, et seq. See Appendix.
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326 TkUK STOKIKS OF NKW KNCILAND CAI'TIVES.
fleurant, and (Governor of tlie Island of Montreal and its depend- encies,— all of whom signed with me according to the ordinance."
The autographs of Mary Sih'er, her godparents, and Fa- ther Meriel follow.
She was probably confirmed soon after her baptism. The precise date is unknown, as no records of this rite were then kept. As it was the custom at confirmation to add another name to that given at baptism, she then received the name of Adelaide. Thenceforth, on Canadian records, she appears as Adelaide Silver.
rler Puritan mother, distressed by the rumor that her child was about to become a Romanist, addressed to the General Court the following petition :'
"Havkrhim,. April 29. 1710
To His Hxcellency Joseph Dudley Esq
Capt (renerall and Governor in Chief, and to y" Honorable Coun- cil and General Assembly Now Mett the petition of Widow Mary Wainwright humbly showeth that Whereas my Daughter hath been for a long time in Captivity with y^' French in Canada and I have late reason to fe?.r that her soul is in great Dainger if not all redy captivated and she brought to their ways theirefore I would humbly Intreat your Excelency that some care may be taken for her Re- demption before Canada be so Endeared to her that I shall never have my Daughter any more ; Some are ready to say that there are so few captives in Canada that it is not worth while to poot y" Cun- try to ye charges to send for them but I hoope your Excelency no [r] No other Judichous men will thinck so for St. James hath Instructed us as you may see Chap. 5 v 20 Let him know that he which con- verteth the sinner from the errour of his way, shall save a soul from Death and shall hide a multitude of sins this is all 1 can do at present but I desire humbly to Begg of God that he would Direct the hearts of our Rulers to do that which may be most for his Glory
'Mass. Archives. Vol. 105, p. 59.
FATIIKK MKKIKI.—MAkV SIIAKR. 327
and for the good of his poor Distressed Oeatures and so 1 take leave to subscribe myself your most Humble petitioner
Mary Wainwright Widow In tlic House of Representatives June 9. 17 10. Read y' 12"' read and recomended
In Council June 12. 1710 Read (S: concurred in."
This petition was of no avail. It was not long before her friends in New Enj^land learned that Mary (Adelaide) Silver had made publie abjuration of the Protestant faith, and be- fore the elose of the year i/ro in her eighteenth year she entered the eon vent of the "Hospital Nuns of vSt. Jo.seph," usually known as the ''S,n'//rs >!•■ F Hotil-Dicu:' Her deser- tion of the convent in v/hich sh^i liad been protected and ed- ticated, to enter a different order, seems strange and capri- cious. It is, however, explained by the fact that she pre- ferred the duties of a nurse to those of a teacher.
Teaching is the vocation of the Sisters of the Congrega- tion ; nursing, that of the nuns of the Hotel-Dieu. From the earliest period of their history in Canada the two orders have been closely united in affection and intercourse, so that to use their own words they have always regarded them- selves as one and the same community.
In the early days, the two convents were near neighbors, their court yards adjoining, and they made each other fre- quent visits. The nuns of both convents love to tell how in the olden time, they used to sit at sun.set on their respective balconies, responding to each other with hymns and canticles of gratitude and of pious joy.^
The New England girl of to-day will find it hard to under- stand how a young girl, free to choose, vshould have elected the arduous duties of a nurse in a cloister in preference to the more agreeable occupation of teaching, with greater
^''Cantiques de reconnaissance, ct de pieuse alk'gresse,"
SESS
328
TRUE STORIES OV NEW ENGLAND CAPTIVES.
freedom and variety in her life. It is evident that her train- ing and surroundings, at the most impressible period of a young girl's life, had made of her a devotee.
At the Hotel-Dieu she came again under the influence of Father Meriel.
The treaty of Utrecht in 1713, while stipulating for a gen- eral exchange of prisoners, included a clause whereby the English converted to Catholicism during their captivity should have entire liberty to remain in Canada. This ap- parent freedom of will was greatly hampered by their train- ing and naturalization in Canada, and comparatively few converts returned to New England. Mary Adelaide Sil- ver's mother wrote entreating her to return, and sent money with an urgent appeal to the (Governor of Canada, to send her home.
"But," says the annalist of the convent, "the generous girl preferring the treasures of the faith to all worldly advan- tages replied to the Governor as follows: 'Monsieur, I ten- derly love my dear mother, but before everything, I am bound to obey God, and I declare to you that I am resolved to live in the holy religion which I have embraced, and to die a nun of »Saint- Joseph. My dearest wish is, that before my death, I may see my mother embrace the holy Catholic faith, with the light of which it has pleased God to enlight- en me.'"
Mary Adelaide Silver adhered to her resolution to remain in Canada. Her zeal was as fervent, her industry as untir- ing as that of Father Meriel. At his death she took his place as catechist and apostle to the captives. After thirty years of convent life, she died at the Hotel-Dieu on the 2nd of April, 1740. Two days later she was buried in the vault of the old convent church, then standing at the corner of St. Paul and St. Sulpice streets in Montreal.
In i860, those there interred were removed to the crypt of
KATIIKR MKKIEL— MAkV SII.VKU.
329
the church of the new convent on the Avenue des Pins, where the mortal remains of Mary Adelaide Silver now rest.
■a
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APPENDIX.
■
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APPENDIX. A.
CHRISTINE OTIS.
Grizel [or Grizet] Warren, wife of Richard Otis of Dover, N. H., was captured in the attack on that town, June 28, 1689, with her infant Margaret, and two older children. In Rev. John Williams's "Redeemed Captive," Grizel Otis figures as "Madam Grizalem." Captured earlier than those of Deer- field and other towns, she seems to have become reconciled to her fate before their arrival in Canada, and to have be- friended them, while serving as a valuable assistant to Fa- ther Meriel in his ministrations among them.
The following is a copy, verbatim ct literatim of the record of her baptism in Canada. Evidently ''avec trois de ses en- f ants' is omitted before "■dnqiier &c. :
"Ze Samedi neuvieme jour de Mai veille de la Pentccote de Van mil six cents quatre vingts treize a dU solenellement hatisde une femme Angloise cy-devant ndmmt'e Madame Kresek Laquelle nde ' h Barwio en la Nouvelle Angleterre le vingt quatrieme jour de Fi'vrier [vieux stile oii 6 mars nouveau stile'] de Van mil six cens soixante et deux du mariage de Jacques Waren Ecossois Protestant et de MargxLerite Irlandoise Catholique et marii'e c\ defunt Ricliard
^aamnamaiM
334 APPENDIX.
Otheys Ilahitant de Douvrea en la Nouvelle Angleterre ayant Hd prise en guerre le vinythnitihne jour de ouin de Van mil six cens quatre-vingt iieuf {duquel ne ltd est resU quune petite fille agi'e de qxiatre ans comme etant ni*e lel6 Mars 1689) nommde anhatcme Christine aiant I'ti' prise en guerre le vingt huiticme jour de Juin vieux stile [t»w 8 Juillet nouveau stile] de Van mil six cens quatre vingts neuf demeure au service de Monsieur de Maricour. Kile a dtd nommde Marie-Madeleine. Son Parrein a dtd Monsieur Jaques Le Ber Marchand. Sa marraine, Danie Maiie-Madelaine Dupont dpouse de Monsieur le moine Ecuyer Sieur de Maricour, Capitaine de ddtachement de la Marine
[Signed] Le Ber.
Fran : D oilier de Casson, Or. vie. M. M. DupontP
Marie-Madeleine Hotesse is on a list of persons confirmed Sept. 8, 1693.
The following is an exact copy of the record of hei mar- riage in Canada :
"ZV/w de grace mil six cent nonante et trois le quimitme d' Oc- tohre aprc'S les fiayigailles et la puhlicaon d'lin hanfaite en la grand Messe d''onzicmejour dud mois et an, d'^entres Philipe RohitaiUe fils de Jean RohitaiUe et d^Martine Cornion ses j>cre et mere de la Paroisse de Bronroux en Artois et Marie Madeleine oilaren veiwe de dt'funi Richard Otheys hahitant de Bouvres en la Nouvelle- Angleterro tous deux de ce paroiffe Monsieur Dollier grand vi- caire [illegible] ayant donnd la despense des deux autres bans et ne s'dtant dc'counert aucune einpech'"* M. Meriel prHre du Gonsentement de moi soussignd curd de la 2)a7'oiffe de Ville-marie les a inaride selon la forme prdsc rite par la Ste Eglise en prdsence de Charles Le Moyne Ecuyer Sieur de Maricour capitaine rdfoi'mc dans Us troupes de la marine qui sont prdsent de Dame Marie Mmleleine Dupont son dpouse, de Monsieur Jaques Le Ber Mar- chand de M^ forestier et plusieurs autres aniies.''^
APPENDIX. 335
Philippe Robitaille, son of the above, was baptized in Mon- treal, Feb. 5, 1695.
On a list of persons to whom naturalization is granted in
May, 1 7 10, are:
"Mag''"" Ooarin ICnglishwoman, married to Philippe Robitaille cooper, established at ViUe-Marie, by whom she has four children."
"Christine Otis, Englishwoman, brought with her mother to Can- ada, married to Louis Le Beau, carpenter established at Ville- Marie."
B.
ESTHER WHEELWRIGHT.
Note Capt Phineas Stevens was born in Sudbury, Massachusetts, whence his father removed to Rutland, Vt. At the age of sixteen he was carried captive to Canada. On his return he settled in what is now Charlestown, N. H., then known as "Number Jour
He was an active partisan officer during the trench and Indian war, and died in public service in 1756. He was often employed by the Massachusetts Government as ambassador to Canada for the ex- change of captives. His name appears frequently in our Archives.
Note Major Nathaniel Wheelwright, son of Colonel John, grand- son of Colonel Samuel, and greatgrandson of the celebrated Rever- end John Wheelwright, was born in Boston in 1721. He marned there in 1755, the daughter of Charles Apthorp, his disunguished
fellow-citizen. , , , r t> .. >
Maior Wheelwright was a merchant and banker of Boston aiaU London. His character and his social position gave him great in- fluence in public affairs, and he was employed by the Massachusetts government in diplomatic positions, requiring tact, judgment and personal dignity. He served twice at least as ambassador from New England to Canada for the redemption of captives taken in the ok. French and Indian wars. Major Wheelwright died in 1766, on the island of Guadaloupe.'
'To the generosity of a collateral relative, Mr. Edmund M. Wheelwright of Boston I am greatly indebted, especially for the interesting pictures of Esther Wheelwright and her handiwork that appear in this volume.
SBagsssSSSSSSiiSSSSSSSSSSSSS^^
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336
APPENDIX.
In the summer of 175?, Phineas Stevens and Major Na- thaniel Wheelwright, (nephew of the captive Esther Wheel- wright,) were sent to Canada by our government, to demand the rendition of New England captives. The history of their
embassy appears in the records as follows :
"Jan. 30, 1752
In the House of Representatives it was Voted that his Honour the Lieut. Governor with advice of the Council be desired to take speedy and effectual Care for the Redemption of the Captives now in Canada at the charge of the Government."'
"At a Council held at Harvard College in Cambridge upon Fri- day the third of April 1752, sitting the General Court. It was Ad- vised that his Hon"^: the Lieutenant Gov'': appoint Capt. Phineas Stevens & Mr Nathaniel Wheelwright to negotiate the affair of Re- deeming the Captives in Canada in pursuance of a vote of the Gen- eral Court pass'd the 29th of January last, and that His Honour di- rect them to pri'ceed to Canada with his Despatches as soon as the Season of tl e Year will permit.'"'^
"At a Met^ 'ng of a Number of the members of Her Majesty's Council held a the Court House in Charlestown, April 17, 1752, It was advised and consented that a warrant be made out to the Treas- urer to pay unto John Wheelwright Esq. for the Use of the Gentle- men going to Canada in the Service of the Governmen*^: the sum of ninety Pounds towards the defraying their charges on the affair, they to be accountable therefor at their Return. The Secretary laid before the Council the Draught of a Letter his Honour proposed to send to the Governor of Canada for demanding the Release of the captives. Which letters being considered were advised by the Council. The Secretary also laid before the Council a Draught of Instructions His Honour proposed to p've to the Gentlemen going to Canada on the affair of the Captives, to which the Council ad- vised."^
'Mass. General Court Records, i749-i753. P- 426. ''Mass. Council Records, I747-I755. Vol. 12, p. 253. 'Mass. Council Records, Vol. 12.
APPENDIX.
337
"At a Council held at the Court House in Concord upon Thurs- day the Fourth of June, 1752 it was Advised and Consented that a Warrant be made out to the Treasurer to pay to Jacob Wendell Esq"" the Sum of Fift, Four Pounds six shillinj^s to discharge a Bill of Exchange drawn on the said Treasurer by Messrs Stevens and Wheelwright Mc^^engers to Canada for Moneys taken up for the Public service."'
"At a Council held at the Lieut.-(}overnor's House in Cambridge on Thursday Aug. 13. 1752 His Honour communicated to the Coun- cil Letters he had received from Monsieur Longueil Commander in Chief in Canada & Messrs Stevens & Wheelwright Messengers sent from this Government on the affair of the Captives and the Copy of a Conference between the said Centlemen and some of the St. Fraa- gois Indians, with a Fist of the English captives ransomed by them with other papers relating to their Negotiation."-^
The following are the official documents above-mentioned: "Speech of the Abenakisof Saint-Franyoi.s to Captain Stev- ens, deputy from the Governor of Boston, in presence of M. le Baron de Longueuil, Governor of Canada, and of Iroquois frotn the Sault Saint-Louis, and from the Lake of the Two Mountains, on the 5th of July, 1752. ArtiSaneto, Chief Ora- tor:
"Brother,
We shall talk to you as if we were speaking to your Governor in Boston. We hear on all sides that this Governor and the Bastonnais^ say the Abenakis are bad people. It is in vain that you charge as with bad hearts; it is always you, our brothers, who have attacked us; you have a sweet tongue, but a heart of gall. I admit, that when you begin it we can defend ourselves.
'Mass. Conncil Records, Vol. 12.
'^Mass. Council Records, Vol. 12.
^The people of N. E. were known at that time in Canada as "The Baston- nais." On my first visit to Boucl.erville a nonagenarian desired to shake hands with me as "unedes Bastonnais."
338
APPENDIX.
We tell you, l^rother, that we are not anxious for war. We like nothing better than to be at peace, and it needs only that M'r Eng- lish br{)tht"s keep peace with iis We wish to keep possession
of the lands on which we live We will not give up an inch
of the land which we inhabit, beyond that lo g ago decided upon
by our brothers We forbid you absolutely from killing a
single beaver or taking one bit of wood on our lands. If you want wood we will sell it to you, but you shall not have it without our permission. Who has authorized you to have our lands measured ? We pray the Governor of IJaston to have these surveyors punished, for we cannot believe they are acting under his orders. Vou are then the arbiters of peace between us. As soon as you cease to en- croach upon these lands, we shall be at peace."
MK I'RKHKNTS A liKl.l'.
"I repeat, by this belt, it belongs to you only, to keep peace with us Abenakis.
Our father here present has nothing to do with what we are saying to you. It is on our own behalf and for our allies that we speak. We regard our father simply as a witness of our words Un- der no pretext whatever must you pass beyond your limits
We are a free people; allies of the French King from whom we have received our Religion, and help in time of need. We love him anil we will serve his interests. Answer this speech as soon as possible. Report it in writing to your Governor. We shall ke-ip a copy of it. It will not be difficult for your Oovernor to send us his reply. He can address it to our Father who will kindly send it to us."
Stevens's rkpi.v.
"I shall report to my Governor, your words, my brothers, and I will carry it to him in writing that nothing in it may be altered.
I ask you, my Abenaki brothers, if your attacks upon the English during the past two years have been because of their encroachments upon your lands. Are you satisfied with the death of your people by means of the blows you have struck against the English ? I know that we must not encroach on your lands. Those who have done so are stupid, lawless people."
APPENDIX.
339
AliKNAKIS ION riNUK.
•'When peace was made we expected to enjoy it with llie French, but at the same moment we learned tliat you, o-ir Knglish brothers, had killed ouc of our men and had hidden him in the ice. When we demanded why you had killed him, you promised us satis- faction, but your ill-will towards us has been shown by your inac- tion during seven months, and we resolved to defend ourselves, and have destroyed a house. Since that a man and a woman of (Hir vil- lage are missing. We have learned their sad fate by an iMiglish- vvoman who is now with us, who affirms that this man and woman were killed by the English in her presence, and as positive proof of this she has brought us a bag which we recognize as having belonged to these unfortunates. We were touched by this murder as we ought to be, and we avenged ourselves last year. The English that we
have killed this year, and the two others taken prisoners,
may attribute their hard fate to the fact that they have been caught hunting on our lands, and we repeat with all the firmness of which we are capable, that we will kill all the English that we find on our
lands, if any of you are caught on our lands you will be
killed."
TUK IROQUOIS TO TIIK AliF.NAKIS.
"We have heard with pleasure your speech to the Englishman. We are delighted that you have defended your rights with spirit. We beg you to make your words good, if need be, and we promise to help you."
"Proces-Verbal,"' or official report of their embassy dated July 25, 1752, signed by Stevens and Wheelwright with their Interpreter Daniel Joseph Maddox : ^
"Nous soufsignes Phineas Stevens et Nataniel Weerlight deputes par ordre de Monsieur S. Phips Lieutenant Gouverneur et Command- ant en chef a Baston aupres de Monsieur le Baron de Eongueuil
'Mass. Archives, Vol. 5, P- 542.
'Daniel Joseph Maddox, a naturalized captive, baptized in Montreal in 1710, married there in 1713, appears often on Canadian Archives as Interpreter to our ambassadors.
I
rf..*iJ«»U»«#^V..» -..Hifc^^^-i .-
r: v^^jv-- a^'K^, vmix:
340
AlPENDIX.
Gouveriieiir c1;; Montreal et Commandant en Canada a I'effet de traitter (u'c) cle la lihertc des prison niers Anglois qui sont detenus en Canada certifions qae nion dit Sieur l.e Ilaron de Longueuil des le six de Juin que nous sommts arrives a Montreal, a donnc ses or- dres et nous a donnc une enticre libertu pour parler aux dits prison- niers, et les rapelier auprcsde nous pour lesramener dans la nouvelle Angleterre.
Qu'en consequence nous Nathaniel VVierlierlight nous fommes transportes aux trois Rivieres et ;\ Quebec, etavons confere aux trois Rivieres en presence de Mr Rigaud de Vaudreuil Gouverneur, avec les Anglois faits prisonniers par les sauvages, et qui «,ont au pouvoir tant les dits savajes que des Fran(;ois qui les ont rachetes.
Que la meme facilite nous a ete donnee h Quebec oh nous nous sonimes aussi transporte par M. le Chevalier de J.ongueiiil Lieutenant de Roy Com'" en la ditte [sic] Place.
Qu'a notre retour a Montreal nous avons rejoint le d'S' Phinehas Stevens qui de son cote a travaille a rapelier les dits Prisonniers qui sont dans le Crouvernemtnt de Montreal. Et apres avoir fait le sejour que nous avons juge necessaire en Canada, nous nous fommes determines a partir pour aller rendre compte de notre mission a Mr S. Phips notre Com'" en chef et en consequence nous declarons et afifirmons Premierement que les nommes cy apres nous ont ete de- livres, et que nous les ramenons avec nous Sgavoir
Thomas Stannard rachete ci devant a Quebec par un frangois des
mains d'un Sauvage lequel fran(;ois lui a donne sa liberte gratuiteusement. Samuel Lumbart ) retires de chez le S'' Cadet i\ Quebec en lui pay- Edouard Hinkley ) ant cent livres, dont il s'est tenu content, quoy
qu'il eut paye davantage aux Sauvages. retires de ches le S' Gamelin b. S' Frangois, en lui remboursant pour chacun trois cens livres qu'il avoit payees aux Sauvages. retire de ches la dame Hertel de S' Fran(;ois, en payant trois cens Livres qu'elle avoit payees aux Sauvages.
Amos Eastman ) Seth Webb f
Oner Hancock
APl'ENDIX. 341
Thimoty Mackerly (jui avoit restc malade h I'liupital ;\ Montreal,
fait prisoiinier pendant la guerre. Joseph fortner pns aux Mianiis s'est retire volontairement.
En second lieu qu'il nt nous a pas etc possible de ravoir les nomnies cy aprcs quekjues ordres que M. le Baron de Longueuil ait pu donner, Syavoir
Herney Gradey a voulu raster h Quebec.
Rachel Quaenbouts' rachetee cies sauvagcs par Mr De Rigaud, ou elle
veut absolumen'^ rester, s'y trouvant parfaite- ment bien.
Jean Starkes le d'Starkes vient d'etre rendu sous prtjmesse
d'etre remplace par un esclave pris par les Abenakis de St Franyois qui se sont (bstines a les garder quelques instances que Mr de Ri- gaud ait faites, les ayant adoptcs.
Abigail Noble pris et reste au pouvoir des Abenakis de Be-
quancourt qui I'ont sdopte.
Salomon Mitchel age d'environ douze ans a voulu absolument
rester a Montreal ches le S'' Des I'ins, et Mr Le Haron de Longucuil n'a par cru devoir le forger a parti r, malgre luy.
Elizabeth schinner a voulu rester ches M"" de St Ange Charly, qui
I'a rachetee des sauvages il y a quelques annees, elle a fait abjuration.
Samuel freeman Indien au pouvoir de M' de la Corne St Luc a
ete pris a Sarastau- par les fran(;ois. M"" de St Luc le rendei-a pourvft qu'on le remplace quoy qu'il ait ete decede par feu M. le Marquis de la Jonquiere qu'il etait de bonne prise, et qu'il estoit esclave.
'This captive with several others, according to a Procfes-Verbal dated June 25, 1750, having abjured Protestantism, absolutely refused to return with Lieut. Benjamin Stoddard of New York.
^Saratoga.
iHii-h'MliMaMilllili II
*---'■ <l>*ttt>^M...
34^
AI'I'KNDIX.
Thomas Neal Saras Davids
William Ncgre prir. ;\ Chibouctou, au pouvoir de Mr I,c
Ch" I)e La Corne qui le jj;ardc par les mcines raisons que M' de St Luc, et olYrc de Ic remettre aux mcmes conditions, a voulu rester ;\ Montreal.
pris par les Iroquois du Sault Saint-Louis qui I'ont adoptc et n'a pas voulu les (juitter. "En troisicme lieu, nous dcclarons et affirmons, que toutes per- quisitions par nous faites, et quelques facilitcs que M"" Le I3aron De Longueuil nous ait donnc, nous n'avons point trouve d'autres prison- niers Anglois en Canada. En foy de quoy nous nous sommes signcs avec mon dit Sieur Baron de Longueuil t le S'' NLiddox interprete en langue Angloise fait double a Montreal le vingt cinq juillet mil sept cens cinquante deux.
[Signed] Longueuil,
Phineas Stevens, Nat. Wheelwright, Dan" Joseph maddox."
"A List of the English Prisoners which the Abenakis Lidians have brought to Quebec' The Saint-Fran(;ois Indians to the Num- ber of Forty have struck near Richmond Fort to revenge the Death of an Abenakis Chief which the English have killed near Boston, & have Brought in this City, the Prisoners following which they have sold to the French who was willing to buy them, viz*^: The Sieur Chalour^ has bought one
named Lazarus Noble for ;^20o.
For Cloathes furnish'd 40-
|
;^240. |
|
|
Le S'': Rivolt has bought |
|
|
Jabez Chub for |
£200. |
|
For Cloathes furnish'd |
80. |
'Mass. Archives, Vol. 74, p. 57.
;^280.
"M. St. Ange Charly?
|
AIM'KNDIX. |
343 |
|
The S:' 'I'urpine has bouj^ht John Rofs for |
/'SO- |
|
Kor Cloaths funiish'd |
SO- |
|
/-oo. |
|
|
Mr Decouagnc'^ has boujjht Abijjail Noble for |
/260. |
|
For CMoaths l-'urnishM |
122 15" |
|
M" Diiperc has boujjht Anna Homes ft)r |
^282 - IS /200. |
|
For Cloaths Furnish'd |
50- |
|
The S: Bazin has bought |
/2SO- |
|
I'hillipps Jenkins for |
/15O |
|
For Cloaths Furnish'd |
100 |
This man died at the Hospital 28. Oct. 1750.
Those which follows have been taken by the liecancourt Indians and bought of them.
The Cadet Bought John Marten he has Ob- tain'd permission of the Governor General to Return to New England and pafs'd his Note to the S"": Cadet for
M" Fornel has bought
William Rofs for
John Noble
Marie Noble
For Cloaths Furnish'd
/250-
/260.
/124. 150. 184. 100.
/559-
10"
— 10
'Sieur.
'DuQuesne.
344
APPENDIX.
Ten Algoiikins of the same party has boiiglit iS: sold to the S': Aniiot Mathew Noble for For Cloaths I'urnish'd
130.
•5"
;^2'6— 15 One named Solomon Wiiitney' made his Kfi.ape from amongst the Indians to whom the Oovernor (reneral was not willing to give him back again, he died at the Hos- pital 18th Nov'" 1750.
Seth Webb | ■ .. >^. 1-
, 1 vT 1 1 t JH't; at St l'rani;ois
Joseph Noble ) "^ '
Frances Noble at Montreal with
M"" Strange-
Bought for ;^300-
IJenj Noble is at La I'rairie
with l)u May liought ;^2oo.
Abigail Noble at Becancourt. Timothy Whitney^ Bought and Paid X3'5-
This Account taken from Capt. Stev- ens's List Feb>' i, 1752 l" J. Wheelwright."'
The embassy of Stevens and Wheelwright ends with the following letter'" from the Governor of Canada of the same date as their Proces-Verbal. It is addressed to
"M^S. Phips
L"' (iouverneur et Com'": en chef a Baston."
'WhUten or VVhidden.
«St. Ange.
^This is Timothy Whitton [see ««/<■] bought and brought home by Cap'. Jitevens.
■"The narratives of the captives mentioned in the above documents are in preparation by the author, being too long and to<; interesting to be summarized here.
'Mass. Archives, Vol. 5, pp. 548.553.
AIM'KNDIX.
345
••Montreal lu 25. Juillct. 1752.
Monsieur
Km (iiialili' ilc (.'ommandaiil 1 )u ('aiiacla par la niorl iW \V l.c Mar(iiiis \h- l-a joiuiuiere j'ay I'liomicur de ropondre a la I.fUrc ([iic votrc Excellence a ecrite a ce (ItMKiral le 14 Avril
dernier
Les ordres respectifs qui ont etc donnes par I,es Roys He France et De Ladrande l^reta^nic, pour l'Kchanjj:e niutuel des Prisonniers, recut son Kxeculion des I'annee 1750, ct Mr Stouder' votre Depute du (louvernenient De New York raniena tons les prisonniers Anglois qui etoicnt depuis la (Uierre dans ce (Vouvernement, ce dont feu De la Jonquiere rendit conipte a la Com De france
quoy que ces Echanges tuirent entierement termines, et que le dit S' Stouder en eut, donne sa declaration p: r ecrit, neanmoins j'ay re(;u avec plaisir M'' Phineas Stevens, et Nathaniel Weerliwright, Deputes De votre Excellence pour la delivrance des niemes Prison- niers vous verres, [sic] Monsieur, par le Proces-verbal cy joint qu'ils ont eu une entiere liberte pour travailler a leur recherche, et que je leur ai accorde mon authorite, pour avoir ceux qui sont dans cette colonic au pouvoir des sauvages, oudes fran(;ois qui les ont rachetes, ils en ranienent neuf avec eux et a I'egard de ceux qui ont reste vous verres \sk\ par le dit Proces-verbal les raisons qui n ont point per- mises a M" vos Deputes de les ramen^r.
Ce qu'il y a de bien certain, c'est qu'il ne reste par un seal pris- onnier Anglois fait par les frangois pendant la Guerre, dans cette Colonic; ils furent tous renvoyes en 1750 comme je viens d'avoir Phonneur de Pobserver a votre Excellence, ils fur-.nt tres bien trait- tes pendant leur sejour dans ce Pays et Tors [sic] de leur delivrance [sic] on n'eut garde d'exiger aucune ran(;on
Les Prisonniers dont il s'agit aujourd'huy, n'ont point ete pris par les fran(;ois, ils I'ont ete depuis la guerre par les sauvages, et si les instances De feu M-" Le Marquis de la Jonquiere et les miennes aupres de ces nations avoient pu leur fairt 4uelque impression elles ne se feroient point portees k faire les dits Prisoniers quelques fondees 'Lieut. Benjamin Stoddard of the New Yorlc militia.
I
346
APPENDIX.
qu'elles pretendent avoir etees [sic] ou du moins elles n'auroient point hesitc a les mettre en liberie mais vous saves \sic] Monsieiu- que les sauvages de Canada comnie ceiix de partout uilleurs sont entierement libres, et qu'ils ne sont point comptables de leurs ac- tions envers de qui que ce soit aussy ne m'a t'il pas cte possible de leur faire rendre les Anglois qu'ils ont adoptes dans leurs villages ce que M" vos Deputes ramenent avec Eux auroient vraisemblablt'iient subi le meme sort, si desfran(;ois par des sentiments d'humanite ne les avoient retires des mains de ces sauvages, en leur payant une ranr;on que M" vos Deputes leur ont rembourse avec justice et con- noissance de cause.
II n'y a aucune sauvage Prisonnier dans cette Colonic, j'ay tou- jours ignore qu'il y efit des sauvages sujets au Gouvernement Ang- lois; ce seroit une nouveaute merveilleuse dont les frangois n'oser- oient jamais se flatter, les sauvages de cette colonic ne reconnois- sant aucune authorite [sic] et n'ayant d'autre Loy que leur passion et leur caprice.
Les Abenakis de St Frani;ois ont paries a M"" Stevens' votre dep- ute de fa(;on a ne laisser aucun doCite a cet egard, je n'ai eu aucune part a leurs paroles, j'en ay seulement et<^ temoin et j'ay bien voulu, pour faire plaisir a M" vos Deputes, faire transcrire ces paroles, et leur en donner une copie que j'ay certifiee.
Si vous souhaittes [sic] Monsieur, y repondre vous pourres [sic] me les adresser, et je les ferai parvenir aux dits Abenakis Je su|)- plie, votre Excellence d'etre persuadee pendant que J'auray le Com- mandemant de ce Pays et 'lans tous autre tems [sic] je feray tou- jours mon possible pour t .rrespondre a la Bonne intelligence (jui doit regner entre nous, et vous prouver que je suis avec un profond respect
Monsieur,
Votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur,
Longueuil."
The occavsion of Major Wheelwright's next embassy to Canada was as follows :
'See anie.
APPENDIX. 347
During the summer of 1753, Lazarus Noble and Benjamin Mitchell had been sent to Canada by Lieut. Gov. Phips, then acting as governor of Massachusetts, with a passport and of- ficial letters demanding the release of their children, who with others had been captured at Swan Island. This mis- sion had been futile, and Noble and Mitchell had been badly treated in Canada.
Indignant at the treatment of its envoys, the General Court of Massachusetts, upon the return of Governor Shir- ley from England, desired him to demand restitution of all the captives in Canada. The story is thus told in the rec- ords :
At a Council held at the Council Chamber in Boston upon Tues- day, Oct. .?3, 1753. Present His Excellency William Shirley, Elsq. Gov. His Excellency laid Before the Board the Draught of a Let- ter he proposed to send to the Governour of Canada agreeable to the .Desin; of the General Assembly ti demand the Restitution of the Captives in his Government — Which being read and considered was approved of.'
At a Council held at the Council Chamber in Boston upon Wednes- day, October 31, T753
His Excellency asked the advice of the Council respecting the manner of Sending his Letter to the Governour of Canada for de- manding the Restitution of the English captives — Which Matter be- ing fully considered it was Advised that His Excellency send the said Letter by some suitable Person to be by him Commifsionated to make the Demand of the said Captives — and His Excellency hav- ing accordingly appointed M"" Nathaniel Wheelwright for that Ser- vice: Advised and Consented that a Warrant be made out to the Treasurer to advance & Pay unto the said Nathaniel Wheelwright the sum ot Ninety Pounds towards his Charges in his proposed journey to Canada, he to be accountable for the same; and it was further Advised and Consented that a Warrant be made out to the Treasurer to pay unto M"" Nathaniel Wheelwright the
'Council Records, Vol. 12, 1747-1755, p. 306.
^i
"— «'^»«*«»t;A.-ii .- u«n»,'.,*.4i...,,.
■ gi jj^iiTiMMIWMWMWtMtiN-
34«
APPENDIX.
Sum of Thirty-four Pounds one shilling and eleven Pence to dis- charge his Accompt of Expenses in his late Journey to Canada in Company with Capt. Phineas Stevens in the service of this Govern- ment.
Gov. vShirley's letter to the governor of Canada, sent by Nathaniel Wheelwright, dated Boston, October 22, 1753,' is a most interesting document. In it he complains of the in- sult to the ambassadors as a "violation of the Amity between the two nations," as "contrary to the Laws of Humanity," and "an Infringement of the Natural Rights of Mankind." In closing he says "I now send Mr. Nathaniel Wheel- wright to Demand of you the Restitution of any
other English Captives belonging to thi j Government w' * 'i may be found in the hands of the French in Ca lad-. d desire that Your Exc^': would Use Your Influence and Power
over the Indians in whose hands the beforementioned
Children may now be found for the Immediate Delivery of them, likewise of any other English of this Province whom they have made Captive, to the said M"' Nathaniel Wheel- wright.
I have the Honour to be w"' very great Regard, Sir, Your Exc^' most Humble and most
Obedient Servant."
[no signature.]
*' November, 1753.
Instructions to Mr. Nathaniel Wheelwright who is commissioned to transact affairs with the gover"" of Canada for the Release of Eng- lish captives.'-^ Having appointed & Commissioned you to proceed in the Service of this Government to Canada for the Redemption of English Captives belonging to this Province. You are hereby di- rected to set out on your journey as soon as may be The Season of
'Mass. Archives, Vol. V, p. 554. 'Mass. Archives, Vol. 74, p. 135.
APPENDIX. 349
the Year not admitting of Delay, Taking with you sach Persons either English or Indians as you shall find necessary for your (mid- ance & safe Conduct thither and as soon as you shall arrive at the French Fort at Crown Point you must apply to the Commanding officer there for a safe & speedy Conveyance to the Place where the Governor Gen' shall then reside. Upon your Arrival at the Place of the Governor's Residence you must immediately wait upon hun with my Letter & after Delivery thereof acquaint him that you are appointed by me to solicit the affairs contained in the said Letter, (and if need be to shew him your Commission for that Purpose) and desire that he would appoint you some proper time to treat with him about these Matters. When the -' Governor shall admit you to a Conference on that subject, you must Signify to him that you do by my Order in the name of His Majesty the King of Great Brit- ain demand that he would cause to be Delivered up to you the Eng- lish Captives belonging to this Province who are detained by the French in his Governm* contrary to the Peace and Amity now sub- sisting between Great Britain & France. If he should consent to the Delivery of them either with or without Ransom, you must take care of their Speedy & safe conveyance to Boston. If he should in- sist upon the Ransomes as they were Purchas'd out of the Hands of the Indians you must shew him the Unreasonableness of such a Demand considering that their Fathers' with great Expence & Loss of Time had made a Journey to Canada with Credentials from this GovernmS with Money in their Hands for Procuring their Release, but were violently driven out of the Country before they had Time to effect it. If finally you shall not be able to get off the Ransom Money, you must draw upon the Treasurer of this Province to pay
the Same.
You must likewise Request the Governor of Canada to use his li.n- deavor to get any other Captives now in the hands of the Indians to be delivered up to you; and you are upon such Encouragement to treat with the Indians for their Ransom & agree with them upon any reasonable Sum or Sums cSr draw upon the Treasurer for Pay- ment thereof as aforesaid. VVh«n you shall have accomplished your 'Lazarus Noble and Benjamin Mitchell.
■■■■MHIlHiiill
■■■1
»«*»mf*'em^mmm^M':,
■MniV
350
APPENDIX.
business as far as you are able & the Season will admit of your Travel, you must return back to Boston first waiting on the Gov- ern'" of Canada for his answer to my Letter which if he should de- cline to do by Writing & do it by a Verbal Message have such Mes- sage or Reply down in Writing as Soon as you can that there may be no Mistake in it thro Forgetfulness: You must ask the Govern" Passes for your Safe Conduct thro the French Territory.
Given under my hand at Boston the Day of Novem'"" Anno
Domini 1753 in the 27*'' Year of his Majes'^'* Reign.
W. Shirley."
Letter from Major Nathaniel Wheelw^right to Governor Shirley:^
"Montreal, Nov. 30, 1753.
Sir,
1 had the honour the nth of November past to acquaint your Excellency of my arrival at Albany which place I left as soon as possible, and made all the Despatch I could on my journey and voyage to Canada. Permit me to advise Your Excellency by this opportunity that I arrived with Mr. Lydius and my servant yestei*- day noon at Montreal we were immediately conducted by the of- ficer who was sent with us from Fort St. Frederic, and introduced by him to the General, Monsieur le Marquis Du Quesne who asked me my business I acquainted him that I was sent by Your Excel- lency to have the Honour to deliver him a letter which he received and immediately retired into his cabinet. He soon returned saying the letter was in English and that he would send for some person to translate it. Then very genteelly told me as 1 was not a stranger I might go and repose myself and procure Lodgings where I pleased. After dinner he sent an officer, Monsieur St. Luc la Corne, who is my particular friend, and much in favor with the Greneral, this gen- tleman surprised me with a message from his Excellency, that he had been informed that the last time 1 came into the country, 1 had with me an Engineer who passed for my Domestick, and that I had
'Mass. Archives, Vol. 54, pp. 263-266.
'Nov. 29, 1753.
APPENDIX.
351
With his assistance taken a plan of this City, Quebec and the River 1 assured the Gentleman it was false, and that some lU-m.nded busy person must have raised the report, to prevent my havuig an op- portunity to execute the Commifsion I had the Honour to receive from your E...ellency, and desired he would afsure Ine General the t-uth of this He did and was kind enough to acquaint me in the evening that the General had your Excellency's letter translated, and would see me in the morning, when he sent for me, as s()on as i paid my respects to him, he desired me to withdraw with him in- to his cabinet where 1 had the Honour to converse with h.m more than an hour without Interruption. He very genteelly told me he was charmed to have an Opportunity of a Correspondence with vour Excellency and that he would answer your Exce lency s letter very particularly: he was surprised at your Excellency's mentioning his not answering Mr. Phipps his letter which he assured me he never received. He then said he had been informed tha I came into the Country the last time with some other design than for pris- oners, but he was now persuaded to the contrary and did me the Honour to say 1 might stay a convenient time to accomp.'^h my af- fairs that 1 should be at Liberty, and should want no assistance he could give me; that I should go when it was agreeable to me to three Rivers, St. Francis & Becancourt with an Interpreter to en- deavour to get those captives.^ He also gave orders to Monsieur S uc to go with me to Monsieur DePain,^ and acquaint him that ,t was his orders that I should have liberty to see and converse with the English boy, Mitchell's son at all times and as often as I pleased I saw tL Boy but had not time to say much to him. Permit me to assure your Excellency that I shall omit no opportunity to endeav- our to reconcile him to return to his Parents. M^ Noble s child which Monsieur St. Ange Charly has the care of, and which he as- Tured me with great grief the last time I was in the -uim^jas dead is now at three Rivers at the Convent. I hope your Excel- lenc; will be satisfied with my Conduct and permit me to ass.ir you that I shall be very circumspect in my behaviour, and shall
'From Swan Island.
••'See Proc6s-Verbal.
K^'mmiTm
352 APPENDIX.
piinctiially observe your Excellency's Instructions: Should your Excellency Iwive any further commands during my stay in Canada and should send your letters to Col. Lydius at Albany he may have an oppertunity in the winter' of c(jnveyingyour Letters to this Place, 'i'he lir;los'' letter 1 had the Honour to receive from the (ieneral in answer to that 1 had the Honour to receive of Vour Ex- cellency and Delivered Him. Your Excellency will 1 hope Forgive the Liberty I take to inclose a letter for my (iood Father.-'
Your Excellency will excuse my giving you a particular account of the Country. They have had a plentiful summer and a very line Harvest in this part of the Country. Permit me that 1 have the Honour to be with the utmost Respect Your F^xcellency's most
Obedient and most Humble Servant
Nat: Wheelwright."
Letter from M. DuOtiesne, Governor General of Canada to Governor Shirley of Massachusetts enclosed in that of Major Wheelwright :■'
"Mountroyal Dec"' i"^: 1753 S"": I have had the Honour of a Letter from your Excellency dated the 22'' of Oct'': last Jn which J was surpriz'd to find a cir- cumstantial Proof of my Being honour'd with a Letter from M' : Phips On Occasion of a Journey undertaken to this Place by Ben- jamin Mitchel & Lazarus Noble to recover their Children.
Tho J have not the Honour to be known to your Excellency J flatter mySelf you will readily believe this Letter could never have reach'd me, since J had not answer m'': Phipp's Civility, who merits all Respect as well on his own Account, as of the Post he sustain'd, and it would be a heinous piece of Jncivility of which a man of Rank cannot be thought capable.
With regard to the ill succefs the above mentioned Persons met with, your Excellency will give me leave to observe, that if J sent
'Proof that Major Wheelwright remained in Canada during the whole or a part of the winter of 1753-4.
'John Wheelwright of Boston, member of the Governor's Council. ^Mass. Archives, Vol. V, p. 558.
APPENDIX.
353
them away sooner than J might have design'd, they must look upon t a wholly occasioned by the Interpreter, whom they --l ^hos..- who was a Person that Returned here of a very suspected Charact r and who besides began to behave in so n.so ent a manner that J determined to cause him to depart immediately, rather than to be
fnrc'd to out him into Prison.
D„t to convince your Excellency how sensibly J was toucl, d w,th
the lively Sorrow these Fathers felt at returning home w.thout car- y ngtl eir Children with them. I sent for the Child that .s w,th ,ne Desnin and before all the Officers of this Government reproached
hi^ ^th his bad temper in not being willing to f.,llow h,s tather He tlld me for answer, bursting into tears, that absolutely he would
"ts'itTstvidJirthey are Slaves fairly sold J did not think proper toC,b igl tteir masters to give them up, which would have been done without any Difficulty, if they had been I'r.soners of war
Your Excellency will now be Sensible of what Jn,portance us on such an Occasion to make choice of such a Person as Mr Wheel vr'ght for Negotiatour. Since he will have the Honour to Jnform vo 'that Is He was the Bearer of your Excellency's Letter J gave him a very Suitable Reception & promis'd him Protect.on m every- thinff his Commifsion related to. . • j ^f
i depend up.n, Your Excellency's being perfectly convinced of m ^r^estnefs in concurring to maintain the ''r-'^s .P "^a - ; sists between the two Crowns, when you are Inform d that a youi Jn ance J have interposed my authority to cause the two Children IZ are in the hands of y" French to be re^'or'd and ave gwe^M Wheelwright an Jnterpreter to signify to the '^""-'f"' ^ ';"'; cois & Becancourt, that they cannot do me so great a 1 leasure as bv releasing tl« three other Children that are wTth them.
'Your Excellency will have the Goodnefs to look upon ,t m th.s Case as an unavailing thing to lay my Commands on the Jnd.ans and Ihat it is to be done only by Treaty, which can be Concluded by nothing but a Ransom to influence them because they are ex- ■This was Anthony V.n Schaack of N. Y. H. had been before imprisoned in Canada.
354
AIM'KNDIX.
trciiicly attached to their Shives; 'I'his 1 leave; to tlu- I'riKlcnce with wliich 1 think m'' Wiieelwrijjht capai)le of coiukictinjj tV J very Read- ily jfive him all the assistance in my I'ower.
J am very far from pretcndin;^ to Deprive the (Children of your ICxcellency's Nation, which were taken {lurin)f a jirofonnd Peace, of their l.i!)erty and Kelij^ion, when they are Ha[)py enoiijjfh to have fallc!ii Into the Hanils of the Krench, over whom 1 have an Absolute I'ower, hut J repeat it to your Ivxcellency, that J cannot Answer for the Jnclinations of the Jndians in this C!ase, for there is nolliin;^ so difficult as to j^et their Slaves from them, espec iaily when they have distributed them among their Wigwams to make up for their Dead J hasten to inform your ICxcellency that J have the honour to afsure you, that in whatever depends immediately upon me, you will receive intire Satisfac:tion, as no one is more desirous than J am (jf corresponding with you as freepiently as J do with M' Hop- son: J assure you every Thing ingages me to it: Your Excellency's Reputation which '.s kntjwn to me: your distinguished Merit in all Respects, and the Desire J have to maintain ik augment the good Understanding and harmonic which ought to subsist between the respective (lovernours of the two I'rovinces in Amity, must be t(; you a sure I'ledge that J shall keep these objects in view with as much Alacrity (S: lOarnestnefs as J am desirous of proving personal- ly the infinite Respect with which J have the Honour to be
Your Excellency's
most humble & most
obedient Servant
Du Quesne.
J take the I-iberty to pray your Ivxcellency the favour with your leave the Packett directed by me to the Duke de Mirepoix Embas- sadour to his Jiritannic Majesty."
That Mr. Wheelwright's despatches v^ere duly received in Boston, appears by the following :'
'Mass. Archives, Vol. 6, p. 155.
AIM'KNDIX.
355
..In the House of Kcprcscntativ.s Jan. S. ■ 754. Il whs ()nlcr.,l
that Mr. S,H,-ak.r, C.l. l'a.-lrid,a- .V M r I.yma,, w.U. s.uh as ih.
U , ,„ ., shall join be a C.nnuiUec lo lake uud.r ..nsuleraUo-
elers „f the (Lernor of Canada .V M' Nalhan.el Uh.elwn.hl
h:^llU:n.ylhe<.m.nn.rconununi.atedt.. the Cunrt Uus
Day ' .V Report wluU it may he pn-i-r for the Court to d... •" Sent up for Coneurrenee.
T. lluhl)ar(l, Speak^"
"Wednesday, January 9. 1754.
Present in C!ouiu;il , , .
•nJsc.,rmryl.y()nlcr.,f his Kx.xllcM.y laid l.cf-c .h. tw.,
,^ ,1 , .ctur IMS Hxccllcn.y 1h»I rcceivc.l fn.n, th« (;„v.r„.,r „f
■ u;>,;,Kl a„<,thcr fr„n, M' N.tlu.nicl Wheelwright rcs„ceC,„K' the
;C h Captwcs i„ the hands of the ITench & LhI-- "-- ,
„ the House o( Representatives Ordered that M' Speaker, ,.>!.
P-irici.e <S. Mr l.y.nan with sueh as the ll.M> H-ard sludl ,.„, he a
■Int" to take under Cunsiderati,,,, the Letters of the (.overno „;"",ada\ M- Wheelwright to His K.celleney the (governor and
Tarnzr;is::raXrr;^- ---■'-
ter Esq" are joined in the affair. '
While the Coverner and Council it. B.«toti were eonsi.ler- i„r.^ clespatehe. reeeived trotn Wheelwn.h , he wa a- ! erly prosectlting his search for the captives in Canada. Hav. •„K g< t posscssi,™ of Elinor Noble and others, h>^ 1"^ '^em at Three Rivers and proceeded on his memorable visit to hU aunt Esther at the Ursuline convent in yuebee.
I tod no mention in our Archives of his return to Boston, or onils employment later in the service of the government. I ther ore conclude that Nathaniel Wheelwright went m. y tw e to Canada; his second -nbassy e..tcnduig f r,n. he
early autumn of ,793, into the lat'^JP""^ "^^^'^t ™^t misled me at first into the .statement [sec aulc,\ that he went
■Council Records, Vol. .o. Al» i. Mass. Archives, Vol. 6.
356 APPENDL'v.
three times as ambassador to Canada. Proof of this con- clusion seems to me to be also given as follows :
"In the House ot Representat'ves, Dec. 27, 1754. Inasmuch as Sundry persons belonging to this Province, some of whom were Soldiers & taken from the fort on Kennebec River are now in Captivity in Canada — and as this Court have been Inf'jrined that there are also divers Persons in Captivity at Canada belonging to the Government of New Hampshire. Therefore, voted that the Governor of Massachusetts, write to the Governor of New Hamp- shire & Inform him that this Court proposes to employ Capt. Phine- has Stevens of N" 4, to go to Canada to Redeem the captives of Massachusetts provided that New Hampshire joins and pays its pro- portion of the expence of the Same."
A letter of the .same date as the above vote was at once sent by Governor Shirley of Ma.ssachusetts to Governor Ben- ning Wentworth of N. H.' asking his co-operation in .sending Phineas Stevens of N. H. on this joint embas.sy, the expcn.ses of the journey to be proportionately paid by both govern- ments. Governor Wentworth replies :
"Portsmouth, Jan. 4, 1755. Sir, Haveing with great difficulty at last prevailed with the As- sembly to unite with your Excy" Government in Employing Cap. Stevens of Charlestown to proceed to Canada in order to redeem the Captives belonging to this Government now in the hands of the French & Inds. I must Desire your favour in Despatching him here as soon as possible, the Sec. having wrote b'm by my order to that purpose, 'i'he Su " already voted is ^150. Stirling, but 1 am hop- ing to get it En' .,ed by Capt. Stevens arrival. 1 am with great Esteem
S"" Your Excellency" most Obedient humble Servant,
B. Wentworth"2
'Mass. Archives, Vol. 5, p. 196. ■■•Mass. Archives, Vol. 5, p. 199.
AIM'KNDIX.
357
While this embassy is pending one Johnson arrives in Bos- ton, empowered by the government of New llanipshire to go to Canada for the redemption of eaptives and desires to be employed by Massachusetts for the same purpcxse. Ihere arr ving "Just upon his Departure some Intelhgenee that made it appear not convenient that he should proceed at his time " he was called back by Shirley and detained in Boston.
"Feb. 8, .755-' In the House of Representatives: Ordered that Col Hale, Mr. Welles .S: Mr. Quincy with such as the Hon- Board shall join, be Icomntlttee to Consider of son.e Proper Method for the Redemp- tion of the C:aptives now in Canada, belonging to this I'rov.nce In Council Read & Concurred and Samuell Watts & 1 homas Hutchuv son Kstr are joined in the affair."
-At a Council held Tuesday, Feb. it, iTSS-'^ 1" <-'>""^'l ^^^^^^^ ^ first cS: second time ^r passed a Concurre-.ce.
A Report referring to the Redemptirn of Captives in Canada Pur- suant to the above Directions the Committee have attended the Service assigned them; and are humbly of the opinion that it is not Convenient at this time for the Court to Employ any Person in 1 ur- chasing Captives belonging to this Province; now .n Canada. It appearing to the Committee that the Indians have by Means of such Purchases been encouraged to continue their Depredations upon our Frontiers, and the Committee are further of the opinion that no Effectual way can be Projected to put an End to their Depreda- tions but by Revenging the Injury upon the Indians themse ves or upon those by whom they were imployed. Which is Humbly sub-
"""^^- Per Samuel Watts per Order.
In Council read and Ordered that the Report be accepted." The last mention of Wheelwright's services as ambas.sador
is the following : ^
'General Court Records, Vol. 20, p.357. 'General Court Records, Vol 20. ^iCouncil Records, I747-I755-
:ZZZT.
358
AI'I'KNDIX.
"Att a C!()iiiu;il bv.U\ .it the Council ('liaml)cr in Hostoii upon Thursday, the 27 of I'cbruary 1755:
Advised (\: ('ciiseiited that a warrant be made out to the 'IVeasurer to pay unto thj Persons herein after inentioneil tiie following; sums to discharge the Accounts by them respectively exliibited viz:
To Ml. Nathaniel Wheelwright the Sum of 'I'hree Hundred tS; Seventy three rcuuuls »& Six pence, being the Hallance of his Ac- compt of Charges in his late Negotiations in Canada for the Redeem- ing of Captives."
Later, OovcriK^r Shirley writes to explain to Governor Wentworth, his action in not permitting Johnson to proceed to Canada.'
c.
EUNICE WILLIAMS.
THE SIEURS J)E I,A PERI^KE AND DUPIUS, AMHASSADORS FROM CANADA lO I.KAKN THF, CONOniON OKTUINCS IN ORAN(;K"PkKTKXTIN(; AN KXCHANOe" OK UARENT STAATS, NEPHEW UK PEPER SCHUYLER KOR 1 ATHER MAREL'II,, THREE OTHER DUTCH.MEN FOR THREE KRENCHMEN, AND JOHN AR.MKS OK UEERKIEI.U ON PAROLE KOR EN- SIGN DE VERCllfeRES ("liOVENEV.")
By a letter from the Intendant, M, de Ramezay to the Marquis de Vaudrenil written at Montreal the 19th of Octo- ber, 1 709,2 we learn that Lieut. Barent Staats, the husband of Peter Schuyler's niece, was captured Oct. 12, 1709, near Fort Nicholson and carried to Canada, arriving in Montreal, Oct. 1 8th.
'Letter from Governor Shirley to Governor Benninj"; Wentworth, Mass. Archives, Vol. 5.
*N. Y. Col. Doc. Vol. IX, p. 838.
AI'I'KNDIX. 359
May ist, 1710, M. dc Vaiulrciiil writes to M. do Pontchar- train :'
"I'hc; Oniiontaj^iic'S refjuest ine not to harm Peter, that is
ihc jj(»vi:rnii:ciit (if Oraii^fc, protcsliti;^ thai I'ctcr ami the Dutch had been forced hy tlie ICiiglisli to take up arms against us. As these Jinhans requesteil nie, My Lord, to i)e pleased to permit them to untie the cords of J'eter's nephews— that i^. of the Dutch prison- ers— wh(jni 1 held in my hands, i embraceil that opportunity to learn distinctly the condition of thinj^s in the ^foverninent of Orange, and pretexting an exchange with I'eler Schuyler, of his nephew for I'ather de Mareuil, the Jesuit missionary of Onontague, and of three other Dutchmen for three Frenchmen, and ')( :m officer belonging to the lioston government whom 1 have here'' for Ensign de Ver- cheres,'' 1 sent Sieurs de la I'eriere ami Du|niis and six other French- men and an Indian to Orange," 1 go up to iMontreal, My
Lord to be in a better position for learning what is transi)ir-
ing within the govermnent of Orange and among the Iroquois, either by the return of Mess''" de la J'eriere and Dupuis or fr<Mn let- ters they will find an opportunity to write me."
De Vatidreuil's despatches to the Minister, in June, 1710, and his letter of CJet. 3 r of the same year give us the follow- ing :
"Sieurs de la Periere and Dupuis having left Orange so as to ar- rive at Montreal at the opening of the navigation. 1 found them there at my arrival together with Father Mareuil, Jesuit, whom the
'N. Y. Col. Doc. Vol. IX. p. 842. '■'John Arms of Deerfield, Mass.
■'SciKticiir de Vercheres, officer of the CariKnati regiment, had two sons and a daughter, the heroine Madeleine de Vercheres. His el<lest son was ki'led at Haverhill, Aug. 29, 1708. See Parkman, Frontenac, p. 302 and Half Century of Conflict I, p. 94. The younger son Beauvenir de Verchferes figures in our Archives as "Boveney," and was for several years a captive in Boston and Albany. John Arms of Deerfield and Johnson Harmon of York were sent at diUferent times as exchange for him, but he was long held by Dudley for Eunice Williams's return.
36o
APPENDIX.
English carried off last year from Onnontague, where he was on the
mission. This Jesuit and these two officers informed me that
Boston was nut tlisarming and even was expecting a reinforcement from I'Airope to make an attack by sea either on this country or on Acadia."
The story of "Boveney" and John Arm.s and Johnson Harmon is thus continued in our Archives:
"At a Council held at the Council Chamber, Boston, upon Tuesday Ult" [2S"'J February, 1709,' Present His Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq . rov. (Sic, i\:c., iV'C. His Excellency communicated A letter from Col. I'artridge received by an Express the night past accom- panying letters to him from the Commissioners at Albany and copy of a letter from Mr Vaudreuil to Col. Peter Schuyler sent by his messengers from Mont Real now attend- at Albany- who brought in with them some Dutch i)risoners «S: one John Arnies of Deerfield upon their parole to return back with them in case they could not obtain their release by exchange for French Prisoners at New Yorke and some in the hands of this Covernment And the heails of a Let- ter to Col. Partridge were agreed upon to be Signed b}' the Secre- tary."'i
"Letter to Col. Partridge' relating to m'' Vaudrueil' messeng" at Albaii}', — and l''rench Prison'■^
Boston F'ebruary ult: [28"'] 1709-10.
His Excellency has this day communicated in Council your Letters to himselfe accomivinying those from the Magistrates of Albany with the Copy of a Letter from m'' Vaudreuil directed to Col. Peter Schuyler by the hand of his Mef?engers there attending from Mont- Real on pretent-(. o negotiating an FLxchange of Dutch Pris- oners .iv: one Amies of Deerfield broug'nt thither with them, for some
'Council Records, Vol. 5, pp. igi-192. '■'Sieurs lie l;i l'eiierean<l Diipuis. ■'See Secretary Addington's letter anU\ ■•Mass. Archives, Vol. 51, p. 192.
APPENDIX. 361
French Prisoners at New Yorke <!v: Beuvenire taken at Haverhill and I-e-ffever, two of theirs in our hands, the latter proposed to be Ex- changed for Arnies with a great Demand upon him for his redemp- tion out of the hands of the Indians. It's no hard thing to penetrate into their Intreagues, the Designe being to conciliate a new friend- ship and neutrality with the Albanians as they have lately had; to gain Intelligence of the motions and preparations of the English and leave this and other Her Majesty Colonys to take care for themselves. Mr Vaudreuil takes no notice of his Excellency, neg- lects to write to him, thinking to obtain his Prisoners from hence by the Interposition of the Genf* at Albany; well knowing how false he has been and Violated his promises made Once & again to return all the English Prisoners, and that long since, upon which all the l''rench Prisoners on his side were sent home by way of Port- Koyal. Knowing also his Excy" Resolution never to set up an Al- giers trade to Purchase the Prisoners out of his hands and Direction not to have them sent to Albany but to have them brought in a Ves- sell by water from Canada or down Kennebec River to Casco Bay or Piscataqua. In which Resolution he continues and it is agreeable to the mind of the Council.
So that Amies must go back with e Messengers, unlefs he can otlierwise obtain his L.iberty; you will further Examin him particu- larly referring to the State of Quebeck and Mont-Real how they are as to Provisions and Clothing, what store-ships arrived there the last Summer and other Sliipping and what are there now? what new Fortification they raysed in the Summer past and where
And by the next Post from Albany you must send for Ueuvenire from thence and write to the Major and Magistrate to ailjust the .^ccoiupt of the Demand for his Keeping, which as is Intimated is very Extravagant beyond what is usually allowed for Prisoners and Let draw upon the Ciovernm^ here for payment and It shall be Done. In case the Hunting Mohawks attend you Its thought ad- visable that Major Stoddard joyne a Serg*^ t^' six Centinels of his best Hunters w"' them who will take care to observe them and they will be a good out scout for which you have his Excellency^ Letter & Order w*^'' this.
362
APPENDIX.
You may Adjust the Post as is propos'' from Albany. If the ser- vice will be as well Perform'd & the Charge of the Province be thereby Eased but the Albanians must not think to make a Purse from us and to Exact more than it would be done for by our own People It being much better that they have y" Advantage of what must be necessarily Expended. This by the Order of his Exce> with the Advice of the Council from Sr
Your very humble Servant
J** Addington Secy. The Letter to M'' Vaudreuil must be sent to Albany by y*^ Post & forwarded from thence by an Ind w"'out Charge or otherwise by y'' french Messengers there now attending."
"At a Council held &c. upon Monday, the 6th of March, 1709, [1709-10J'
Present His Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esq., Governor. &c., &c.
John Amies of Deerfield, a prisoner with the French in Mount Real & permitted to come with the French messengers to Albany upon his parole, attended bringing a letter from Col. Partridge & another from Mr. Williams, and gave some further account of affairs there and was dismissed, the Governor and Council not seeing rea- son to alter anything of their direction to Col. Partridge by their letters the last week."^
"Tuesday 30th, March, 17 10, His Excellency communicated to the Council a letter from Col. Partridge and another from Mr. Wil- liams, Minister of Deerfield, accompanying some letters from Al- bany referring to Uovenee a French Prisoner of War sent by His Excellency the j'ear past to Albany with intent to be exchanged for Mr. Williams' daughter, prisoner in the hands of the enemy."
As we have seen by De Vaudreuil's dispatches to the French minister, the Sieurs de la Periore and Diipuis re- turned to Montreal before the opening of navigation; iinac-
'Council Records, Vol. 5, pp. 193-194.
''i. e. by Secretary Addington's letter to Partridge of Feb. 28, 1709-10.
APl'liNHlX.
363
parole.
.«, PMriRinr.K' I'KTITIOS OK J""^
™» "■— " ™::-^:;;^.":".^- ----- ^ --"'
\UM1-S ON I'AROl.l'- AS KM,IIA.>iw.
.'Deerfield, Mayy»27, 1710- . Qir Thes Lins are to inform yourself of y'' ac- Worthy & ^--'•-^^f;^''; , "ti-e & expences, sence I Came count of my Charges Both for my I ^^^^ ^,^ ^^^,^^, ^,,.
into this Contrey y- time hat 1 spent ^^^^ ^^^^^^.^^^ ^^^^ ^^
tleman at Albany & m y' marching y 03-00-00
wekes whic at 12 pence par day is 02-06-00
"eharges for my Diyat & Lodging w^
I my charge for 2 horses jorny to Allbanj „ , -00-00
It 10 shilens par jorney
h.vh.g giving yourself an account only
t n y time I my diat & my lodging .j my
"orsel jorney all amounts to s. pound^ ^^_^_
of my Dificult -rcumsun e boU m ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^
prisener & str.pt of all " ^ ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^,,^ ,,y one money having magesend but was f-;-^ ^°^^^^ ^ ^^'^ , ,f „,y oblagasion that 1 am Credit with a gentleman there ^r a y ^^^ .^^^^^^^^^ ^^,^ ^^.
now under which 1 -P^^. f^/,, ; j' o Jelpe .- in so Dificult A
^^r:s::::encyIo.phO^^^^^^
Cheife &c to y^- Honourable Counsell .V Kci
Corte assembled this 31 ^^y .710. Derefield a pris-
J Humbly Move in behalf o J^^-/^;'^^;; ^ ,, j.^e was twelve
oner to the Frentch ^^^^^^^^J^ c me'hither hath been at month & Carried to Canada & since he ca
• Mass. Archives, Vol. 7 •.PP'f«"-^3»-
564
Al'l'UNDIX.
great Charges at Albany as per account annexed prays it may be al- lowed & payd him out of the treasury of this province as alsoe Such other allowances for his Losses of his tyme & Cloathing his wounds &c as this Corce may judge meete & just & for yo'' Excellency & Honors Shall ever Pray Samll Partridge in behalfe
of John Armes afores'^ III Council ist June 1710. Read and Recommended In House of representatives June 16: Read and Comitted
" 17 Read & In Answer to the above Petition Resolved That the Sum of Six Pounds and Six Shil- lings be Allowed & paid out of the publick Treasury to the Hon'"'*' Samuel Partridge '^sq for the use of the s'' Armes Sent up for Concurrence John Park Speaker, 17 June, 1710. Read & concurred Js" Addington Sec^"'
PETITION OF JOHNSON HARMON, OK YORK, SKNT ON PAROLK AS EXCHANGE KOR SIEUR
DE VERCneRRS. ["nuVENEY."]
"To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq'' Cap" Gen" & Gov"" in Chief of her Maj'""* Province of the Massachusetts Bay &c and The Hon*''": Councill and House of Representatives The Humble Pe- tition of Johnson Harman of the Town of York in the Province of Main Sheweth
That Yo' Petitioner being about his Lawfull Occations at winter Harbour on the 8"' day of October last, was taken captive by a party of Penobscot & Kennebeck Indians & by them Carried to Quebecq in Canada, where he continued a Prisoner untill the 22nd day of may following. Having Borrowed some money of Maj Lev- ingston & other friends, by it prevailed on Maj Parotte to come heme to see his family & settle his affairs. Providence favouring this good humour of Mons"" l)e Vaudrieull, and his Excellency's Good- nefs to Return A Prisoner from here in his Room, (which I''avour is for Ever to be Acknowledged) But now he is Commanded away in
'Mass. Archives, Vol. 71, pp. 630-631. Also Gen. Court Records Vol. 9,
p. 39-
APPb^NDlX.
365
.He Presein Kxpe.ition (wherein he ho,.. & »-^-.;;; ;';;^^2? ^'.^i „.U service) Hut hi. ^^'^^^:Z:^^^,Z ^l^^ ^^ '-^^'^
Therefore he humbly prays th.s Hon - ^""^'^'y; ^^^^^,„.
^^-^^ ^rrviiw a^r:. -t o^::^ora^^ support .
r^n: fit h;:.:r oLt t!:.^^o. ... E.peaiUon . . yo^ W.. dom Shall seem meet ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ .^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^,„j ^^^^^
ever pray &c Johnson Harmon"
July 24^'> 17 1 1 In the House of Representatives
"In answer to this petition Voted that Twenty Pounds be paid the petition' out of the provu.cc
'^^'""^'"'■y 1 John Burrill Speaker"
Sent up for Concurrence^ J
July 24. 171 1.
<aJnon Reading the Petition of Johnson Harman of York late Upon ^^^'^^f Consideration of the grea: 'atigue .V
Prisoner of Q"^\^^^' ^^^^ f . circumftance of his Family &
Expence he has been at cV the pooi Representatives,
Affairs Voted in Concurrence with the House ot P ^^
,.. .he sum oCJwenty .nds be P;^ ^ ^^^ ^, ,,,,^, the Ireasury of this irovincc.
While lohnson Harmon of York, Me., a captive in Cana- da was a Cha,„bly fort on his return to New England on da, was at v.ua y f,^ ^'Rovenev " he received the fol-
Vol. 51, pp. 212-213:
'Mass. Archives, Vol. 71, P- 8^9-
•^Court Records, 1709-171 5- Vol. 9. P- 138.
366
APPENDIX.
"To M' Johnson Harmon
at Shamblee.
Sir,
Since you are gone, a Squaw of the nation of the Abn- akis is come in from Boston. She has a pass from your Governour, She go's about getting a little girl, daughter of M' John Williams. The Lord Marquess of Vaudreuil helps her as he can. The business is very hard because the girl belongs to Indians of another sort' and the master of the English girl is now at Albany. You may tell your Governour that the squaw can't be at Boston at the time appointed and that she desires him not to be impatient for her return, and meantime to take good care of her two papows. The same Lord Chief Governour of Canada has insured me in case she may not prevail with the Mohoggs for Eunice Williams, he shall send home four English persons in his power for an exchange in the Room of the two Indian children. You see well. Sir, your Governor must not disregard such a generous proffer as according to his noble birth and obliging genious ours makes. Else he would betray little affection to his own people. The Lord Marquess of Vaudreuil has got a letter for Madam Vetch which he's very glad to see safely convey'd unto her. I pray Sir you with all my heart to present un- to her my most humble respects. We have at Kebeck two vessels by n)eans. whereof we have had this information. In Spain the King and under him the Duke of Vendome have upon the 9 ami 10 of December Last fought a great battle wherein an army of 25,000 men has been routed, (ieneral Stanhope ami 5,000 others taken prisoners at Brihuega. General Staremburg with 4,000 men only made their escape and retired to Barcelona whither before him the Archduke of Austria repaired. The Duke of Vendome was in March to besiege that city. 80 Ships with 6,000 men sent from Eng- land and Holland to relieve it have all of them been destroyed by a storm. The King of Sweeden with 200,000 Tartars invade Moscovy and Poland. At his approach the Northern cS: German crowns with- draw their troops from the Netherlands. The Parliament of Eng- land consisting of Presbyterians has been dissolved, and another
'The Indians of Saint-Louis or Caughnavvaga were Mohawks of ihe Iroquois nation.
AITENDIX.
367
::;;:;:^h:;:^i. ™embe. are Epi.copa,ian ^:,^ti:^
''"' , '" 1.V, ce afe y [///4*'l 'heiv King to,- the ,ro.ecu- IKople of '''""'',f,';jj '„,„„e„ has been taken away an J rent ti„n of the war. 1 he p.ipet n™'=y „^t, „( Noailles
assignee! for the ready P^'"""=" ' !^2„f Vendome f,.r the siege „,,o has taken Girona ,s to 1"^" !^^ '^'^^^ ..^ , ^ ;'H„,u„„,ers having ,1 liarcelona with 25,000 men. 1 "<= r.nghsl . ^^^^^.^
sent to the Most Christ.an ^^^^ ^^ ^X^ ,er the coLtand yield to their propo-fon. '^ Wench qu .^^ ^^^^ ^.^^^ ^^
of Mr DuClerc had landed boo men at Ki p„rt„g„ese hav-
the Ama.on and had taken the town. " °°° «,,^ ,„(
i„gfai„up„,, *-^':rn;:\t™/:::.t'- there is in old are come safe. Iheie is aisu c ^ ^ exuedition against
Knghtnd a navy of 3,000 '-" "' -^; ' j" ; ^"Ln under^Mar-. New I'rance. Our r.rray m 1 landc, o ,0, ^,^_^^
»ha. Vi.lars. Some say the Ktr,g » "-"J,, , , „„^„ ,, ,, i„fer- „f the .Mlies commanded by the l«^ »' |,„„^, , ,„
i„, Tl,ere is no „>ent,on of '■■■';- '''S^^) „;.,„, f^.J tU,i„gs two other French vessels from '-"'•^f "^"';, „„„ \„ y,,,, 1 shall.
and I find an "PP-'-;'\ ;,:;;, "rw 1 from' New Eng- Write. I pray, to n,e '•"" ;^'^;" ^ '^^l^^^ „„ ,„y „,„„nendations
riy:::-:r:;^r^^-:--C-^^
uel Emery, to Lieutenant Thomas Bake. .Vc 1 remain
Out of Acadia we have the confirmation of the news we had already had that most of the souldiers of the garrison at Port Royal were dead of the scurvy.
Ville-Marie in the Island of Montreal June 25. 1711"
Sir
Your Most
Humble Servant Meriel Prieft.
"^""•"WlfflPIBil
368
APPENDIX.
fORRKSI'ONDF.NCK ((INCKKMNC. KNSUiN DK VKKCIICKKS. L"H()VKNK.Y."J
Letter from Governor Dudley of Mass. to (lovernor Hun- ter of N. Y.:
"Boston 31 Decern', 1711.
S^
This last post 1 troubled you with a letter referring to a Letter J .sent to Albany directed to Mr Voderil for the Exchange of prisoners which I have holden with him these nine years past and since I sent M"" Bovency a french ensign who J have had in my hands these two yeares (in exchange for whom nir voderil the last spring sent me Captain Harmon an English officer) with a passport to returne home by way of Albany by whom J further acquainted Mr Voderil that 1 had in my hands forty french prisoners which J offered him in Exchange for as many of mine Jn his hands both my said Letters & Boveney are stayed by the Gentlemen at Albany for your Excellfucys allowance as they write, 1 pray of you s'' that the said french prisoner «!v: the Letters may be allowed to pass that 1 may have her majestys subjects return & may be quit of the french- men in my hands which J judge is for her Majesty's service i\: very well accepted at all times by her majesty's government, if the send- ing by Albany be a trouble J will avoyd it for the future he the said M'' Boveney was sent with General Hill into Canada river to be sent home and is now in Albany at his own desire & will fnid the way home with my letter with a couple of straggling Indians if he may be allowed which is what J Desire of your Excellency if it may con- sist with your own good opinion
1 am "■■
Your Excellency"
most faithful
humble servant
J. D."
'Mass. Archives, Vol. 2, p. 462.
Ari'ENDIX.
369
«'To his Ex-^y ^, ^
Joseph Dudley Esq' (^oV andCapt. (>en" of her Mat>- ^
Province of New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
^^ ., f ,r,.i,rc rel'iteineto the (lentleman-
upon his retume to Canada ^j' " ^J .^ j „,„,„Uecl I.er Maj- at Albany of that persons be.ng "'"'^^ \7;\, „,„e,-s stood it was es.y-s council here, who were o '^'^^^^l^^,, ,i,„e, consider- neither sate nor expedtent o let h™ P/"^'-;',' ?, ,, ,, ^h, „ate
inj; our own ill posture and the admes he m.ght g ^^^^.^^ ^
of the Roads and Lakes by wh.ch he "^ '° ' "^^"^^ ^J, ,, „,eseu.
sent to detain him '^^^'^^^J'^^' .^rt: as they ar'e e
as he could not poss.bly wade th oug accomm.Klate
practicable, 1 fhall Send orders to let h™ « ^_^^ ^„^ ,„.
;-:tC::;;:::>irrr'^9rL.dcaL. .shai,
m all my best Indeavour to approve n.ybelf ^ Your Ex'S'^ most obedt
Humble Servant
Ro. Hunter.
N. York
ort'hVZI'l'eUer of Gov. Hunter is endorsed the foUow- i„rwhichl evidently a e„py of Dttdley's answer : ,„g, wmcn ..Uoston, 29"' January, 17 ' ■•
^- • ,.. „ ,>^«t since 1 have had Exchanges of
, ,, Tin- leuer is endorsed "Gov. Hunters
,M»s. Arehives yo ^. P^4 J ' ■ ^t:;,,,, 30 ]»-ary." L"- relating to Boveney 15 I'l"- »7'»-
"i. e. "Boveney."
370 appf:ndix.
erally Sent them by Albany and have had from Canada by Several Ways by Sea and I, and some hundreds of prifoners and have Sent moie to him a"d have now Forty that J Keep at great Charge to Exchange for as many and More that are in French hands of Her Majesty's good Subjects. The Letters that Accompany M"". Uove- ney the I'Venchman are to procure this E^ichange at the Earnest Desire of the Assembly & Council of this Province at all times to whom J Communicate always what J write to that Side, and would be Glad J could Communicate with you at all times in this and Ev- erything Else Jmporting Her Majesty's Service. IJoveney now at Albany is a poor Country Boy for whome J Rec'' Captain Harmon a very Ciood Officer and must Returne again if J cannot Cet IJove- ney home he was in the Fleet going to Canada with the General to have returned that way and being unfortunate there J thought this the best way J could be Glad while he Stays those Letters might go forward otherwise J shall have no Exchange the Spring coming and if Boveney may not go home Soon J must Send Some other way to Acquaint M' Vaudruelle That 1 have Captain Harmon and That Boveney Shall come as soon as J can Tho if sould L^ Stayed till News from Great Britain it will be worse to Send him then, then it is now
I am S'
Your FLxcellencys
most ffaithfull Humble
Servant
J Dudley."
Letter to Col. Samuel Partridge of Hatfield, Mass., from Jonas [or Jona] Douw :'
"Albany y 15"' Desemb"" 1712 S' this gives Occation to me to write to You Since J did
Some time ago Give nu S;>m" Afhley a power of attorney to Re- ceive Such Sumse of money Due to me for Keeping of mr Bouenc de Verfhare J find Your promife for the payment when J should Send a power of atterney to Receive the same but J at Constant
'Mass. Archives, Vol. 3, p. 130.
ArrKNni>^-
37»
" . u. Rr.-eive Sucl» DenKUids as i)r()p.)scd by
,-„„,„c .-.ivcng p.wer^ K^c V ,., Porfcai.,,, S- J ,.:...nosUy
:>::■!:%:: ;;ilt-..'t.,w\,,. ><..<; y M-^y^'^ - -
l^n, mc .UHl y..« will Vcrry „,u.-.l, .,l,lca.l«. .nc S' Your Verry humb'"
Servant
JoiKi Douw"
Letter from Col. Samuel Partridge to (lovcraor Dudley:'
•♦Hatfield, dec: 31 i7'2
May it pleafe yo- Kxcellency ^ ^^^^ ^^^.^ ^^^^ ^^^^ j^^^^^,,.,^ ^^^
1 v,-v,' r.'-ich' the Frentch Mefsenjiers cV ,He port from A >any w'- - -.cl. .^_^^ ^^^_^ ^^,^ ^^^^^^^^ ^,^
the Letters J Kee of '" ^ Knclofsed fron, MkH.y to
^ ?^'T^'';; : l^^.b. Inft-n' 1.=.- here Hnclofsec, al.,e yo"^ Self cv Dy m i^^u „npr^ for to be payd for his
Capt. Jonas Uowe f»"o- m^ ^"^ 3' ' , Months It' ,^ c. o. Keeping Monf l"'^'="«^''^'^"'■''" i " ^, f„,„, „,e Jn the <lay of °\'rrrrcrrsir o^lir^^tr LorainAoclirections
is not done ] have Enclofed h.s I.au .V ^^^^^ ^^^^
hath happened & 7'',';';:f ;„:'„/: \;'„\,„tion of Wa,r goeing
that an Jnchan fnnn 'j'' " '^ " ';_.^i^„ p-sented to yo' Self Madame forward there w.tlMny ft nd.leSe'e, ^^^^^^^ ^^^.^^^^^
Dudleys; yo' whole f.onily. Kemlenns 1.,
h, Obeydiencc & am yo' verry Humble berv ^^^^^^^ i.^rtridge."
P. s
nAC.K.mi.I.K, AMliASSADOK KKOM
CANADA TO AI.ISANY, MAY. I7>I-
In the corres
.pondence between the Governors of Canada
•Mass. Archives, Vol. 3. P- i3o-
mmmimmmmi
372 APPKNDrX.
and New Enji^lrind quoted in the story of Euniee Williams, p. 146, r? ///<'.'
De Vaiidreuil writes :
"Voiir Interpreter has ill-explained my l<etler in that yon
did not fnrnisli Mr Da^neille with anything I complain with
reason that in sending me three prisoners by him y(Mi obliged him to fnrnish ihem out of his own money with provisions and other
necessaries for the return of thos'i three men, contenting
yourself as he and they inform me, with wishing them a good jour- ney.
To this ehar^e Dudley replies:
"1 dare appeal to any disinterested and competent judges as to my invariable conduct in regard to supplies and provisions for the
French captives returncil by Mr l-esguilles |I)agueillc| It
has exceeded and never fallen short of what lias been done for my poor people elsewhere,"
Letter from General Nicholson and others to M. de Vaudreiul.'^
"Annapolis Royal, 11. oct. 1710. Monsieur,
It having pleased God to bless with success, the just and
royal enterprise of Her Majesty Anne Queen of England,
France and Ireland, defender of the faith, by reducing to her sub- jection the l''ort of Port- Royal and the country ailjacent, we
think it proper to inform you that, since you have made several at- tacks upon her Majesty's frontiers, your cruel and barbarous Sav- ages and Frenchmen hav'.ig inhumanly massacred many poor peo-
'Letter from De Vaiidreuil to Dudley, Montreal, June 12, 1713. Dudley's reply, Koston, June 27, 1713. Mass. Archives, Vol. 2, pp. 631-636.
*Doc. Pub. a yuebec, Vol. II., p. 524.
AIM'KNDIX.
ill
|)le and children, in case the French after your receipt of this letter, shall commit any hostilities and barbarities, immediately upon in- formation of sucli acts, we will aveiijjc ourselves by similar atroci- ties upon your people in Acadia. Hut as we abhor the i;ruelty of your Savages in war, wc hope liiat you will give us no occasion to
imitate them you have a great number of prisoners under
your jurisdiction, especially a young girl, the daughter of the Kev. Mr. Williams, Minister of iJeerlield, we hope that you will have all the Said prisoners ready to be delivered up, at tlie first flag of truce that we shall sentl, in the month of May next; otherwise you may expect that an equal nund)er of the inhabitants of this country will be enslaved among our savages uutil there shall be a complete restitution of the subjects of Her Majesty, whether they
be in the possession of the l'"rench or Indians
[Signed | V. Nicholson, Sam Vetch, Charles l*'. I'"d)l)ey, Robert Reading, CK Martin, 'rhomas Mathcw, William Bidele, (reorge Gordon."
De Vaudreiiil speak.s as follows of the above letter, and of his action thereupon in a letter to the French Minister dated 25th ^ pril, 171 1 :'
"M, de Subercase having surrendered on the 13th of October, he and M"" Nicholson, Gener?l and Commander-in-Chief of the Queen of England's forces on this Continent, have both sent Baron de St Castine and Major Levingston to me through the forest. I annex hereunto, My Lord, the letter M'' Nicholson has written me and my answer to him, which I have sent by Mess" de Rouville and Depuis, being very glad to employ these two officers on this occasion in order to obtain information through them of the movements of
'N. Y, Col. Doc, Vol. IX, p. 853, et, seq. See also a tTsumJ oi this letter, dated 8. novembre 1711 in Doc. Rel., (Sic, &c.. Vol. II., p. 546.
ip^w^iws^^ww
374
APPKNDIX.
our enemies, and at the Same time to make them acquainted with the Country and the most favorable routes to send parties thither."
On the 15th of June, 171 1, Costebello, Commandant at Plaisance, writes that he has "sent the Sietir de la Ronde- Denis to Boston eoncerning an exehange of prisoners. He will reclaim Pure Justinian and bring him back to Plais- ance."^ Father Justinian was a Recollet ])riest, missionary and cure of Port-Royal, who in Janua'-y, 17 10, while cele- brating mass, had been captured with five of his flock, car- ried to Boston and imprisoned there, where one had died. That Father Justinian was not released appears probable from the following:
"At a Council held Munday 2nd of April, 17 ii.'^ The Honourable Governour Vetch Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's Fort of Annapolis Royall and the Country of Nova Scotia 52"=*, representing that Father Justinian a French Priest a lawfull Prisoner of War taken within the Government under his Care was brought hither by his order with design to obtain Mr. Williams' daughter in exchange for him having hitherto been supported at his charge, and that being now abcnit to return to his Government, he shall otherwise dispose of him; unless the Government be willing to take him into their care to be exchanged for Mr. William's daugh- ter or some other valuable Prisoner.
Advised that the said Priest be kept to be exchanged accordingly."
Sieur de la Ronde-Denis came several times to Bo.s- ton, as ambassador from Bonaventure, Governor of Port- Royal.
"At a Council held at the Council Chamber in Boston, 22nd of Feb- ruary, 1705. His Excellency [Dudley.] communicated to the Coun- cil a Letter from Mr. Bonaventure Commander at Port Royal re- ceived by the hand of a French Gentleman whom he sent hither
'Doc. Pub. a Quebec, Vol. II, pp. 537-8. 'Council Records, 1708-1712, Vol. 5, p. 365.
nm
APPENDIX. 375
with Capt. R.ouse who arrived two days since and bnnight seventeen English prisoners, and all appeared at the Board."
"At a C'ouncil held at the Council Chamber in iJoston upon Wed- n lay the 17th of April 1706. His Excellency acquainted the Council that Mr L'Ronde Messenger from Mr Bonaventure Com- mander at Port-Royal is very desirous to return the time for his stay heie being pafs'd and there being several French prisoners to be sent thither and of ours there to be brought from thence.
Ordered, That M' Commissary Creneral do take up and dispatch a suitable Vessel for the transporting of the s'' Mr L'Ronde with the French prisoners, and for bringing home ours from thence accord- ingly.
J. Dudley.
His Excellency communicated the Draft of his letter to Mr. Bona- venture to be sent by Mr. L'Ronde."'
The real purpose of De la Ronde's mission appears in the following resume of a letter f^om Bonaventtire to the French Minister, dated Port-Royal, Dec. 24, 1706:
"He had sent the Sieur de la Ronde- Denis to Boston, under pre- text of informing himself of what had been done between M. de Vaudreuil, and the governor of Boston abou i exchange, in order that he mig.'t examine the harbois, ports, and forces of the colony — This he has done so that he (Bonaventure) is in a condition to at- tack this colony (Boston) if he had a sufficient force. "^
Concerning this embassy the Minister writes to the Sieur de la Ronde-Uenis:
A Versailles 30th June 1707 "1 am satisfied with your account of your journey to Baston and to Quebec for the exchange of prisoners, and 1 am very glad that you have takeii cognizance of the ports of the coast from Por'c-Royal
to Baston You have only to follow the orders of M. de
Subercase, and devote yourself especially to interrupting the com- merce of Baston"
'Council Records, Vol. 4, pp. 265-266. ''Doc. Pub, a Quebec Vol. II., p. 462.
•iPVinH
mmmm
376
APPENDIX.
Writing on the same date to De Subercase, the Minister says :
"1 am very glad that the Governor of Bastoii has sent back the man named l^aptiste who has been a prisoner there for four years.
You can employ him in teaching navigation to the young men of the country, since they prefer this trade, rather than to work on the land."'
An account of an "Enterprize des Bastonnias stir I'Acadie" dated July (>, i/o;,'*^ mentions vSubercase "accompanied by the Sieurs de la Ronde, Faillant, and llaptistc, and about 200 men," attempting to defend the mouth of the Gaspercau against the Bastonnais.
Here we have evidence of Baptiste's return to Port-Royal previotis to June 30, 1 707.
The vSieur de la Ronde came twice, at least, to Boston after this: in June, 171 1, when he demanded Father Justinian, and again in October, 1723.
What tales the Council Chamber of the old State House in Boston might tell.
At a meeting of the Council Munday 2nd of April 1711.'' "His Excellency proposed the sending of the Indian Woman lately taken by the troops under Colonel Walton with a Letter tiirected to Moxis the Eastern Indian Sagamore importing that if he will ])rocure M"" Williams daughter from her Indian Master at Canada & send her hither tliat then this squaw <S: her son tV daughter (\vh(; are to be de- tained as hostages for her return again) shall be sett at liberty iV returned home."
The return of Maj. Livingston and his French escort ap- pears as follows in our Archives:*
'I>()C. I'ub. a yuebec, \^ol. II, pp. 475-f). '•'Dor. Pub. ii Quebec, Vol. II, p. 477. ■'Council Records, Vol. 5, pp. 350-351. ••Council Records,
APPENDIX.
377
Wait Winthrop ^^^^^^^ Townseiul
Klisha Hutchinson l^sii''^'" Andrew Belcher Esq-"'^
S;uiuiel Sewall j,^^l^^.,i Hromfield
Peter Sergeant
John Walley V^^q'"'
Wm Hutchinson
Isaac Addington Ksq--" ....^tcrdav fn)in Canada accom-
panied with son.e «"'=" <"=''^ J;. ,,,'^ vetcl> (tc
,|,euille tu his exoellency '" "• ' ,^,^^„ ^„ ^„„ Council .t cheifly His Excellency c.nmim.u leJ his at ^^ ^_^^^ ,_.^
refernng to a„ exchange of \-""^' ;' Vt". „g ,„ Mr Commissary
And his l.-.xcellency gave <'''■«'■''""'• ",?.,,,,eh Gent" now at
,.,,„„, .„., Mr SherilT ^^^ - ^ ^ ;-;:: „„„ i„ settling their
'"'■■ '■■""'': '^'i;::: ..el at te houses adiontiug and t„ act,na,nt ,|uarters wheie '■^"-i / \^''^ j|,„,„ t„ u,c -I'own House n, Bos- then, that the sherr.lte .,11 -'"^ ™ J",^ ^,^„„ „,,„„ the governor ton on Monday next ' ^^ "^ ;M' icdentials and withall to „iU see then, ,n Councl to rcce.vc t c. ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^
-;r::r::t:™=:".'-----'-^^-"'
day,he.6.>.o...-ebruary„.o.^^^^_^^^
ville and Unpnix Messengers ';»- f .^f ;^';"„„„, ;„ Council, and ada they were admitted ^" :^<^^^ ,,,„,d them, the ac ,hew" forth their credentials; H,s bxcelle y ^^^ ^^^^^^
,..Geo,ge Tavc," on ,... Neck "»' ^^^T",';:!;. ;';.,„;„„' „, DocK S,„ar= in I72t. "George Tavern same as and Elm St.
•^Council Records, Vol. 5. P- 355.
37«
Al'I'KNDIX.
coiiipt depending l)etwixt this j^ovei iinient and M' VaudreiiilU; for money by liini advanced to Mess'" Appleton (Si Sheldon in their re- spective nejjotiat'ions at (^uebeck slioiild be forthwitii adjusted and the Haliaiue paid and that he will confer with them upon the pro- posal for the exchan;(e of prisoners on both sides, if they can come to a mutual aj>;r(;ement thereabout; so as to dispatch them this week without beinjf detained lonji^er aj^reeable to M' Vaudruille's (U-sire in his letter and relurn before the lee bejjjone."
vSewall, the omniscient, has the followinjjf:
"I'd) 26. 1710-11
'i'his day p. in. the (lov' has the i-'rench Messengers from (.'anada in Council; Had the (louncillors on his I^eft hand, ("ol. Vetch and tiiem on his right ; on the right also were Mr. St;crctary and Mr. Commissary. Read their ( Iredcnilials by Mr\V(^aver the Interpreter. Reprimanded one Anthony Oliver' forgoing to them at Meers's- and to the i''rier without leave; made him take the Oaths, and subscribe to the Declaration.'' Told the Messengers they should depart that day sennight as had told lhe('ouncil with some Spirit, last Satlerday : at which time Col. Vetch said the people of N. 1'^. were generally given to Lying; to wliic.h the (lov' said not a word."
"At a (Council held at the Council (!hand)er in i'.oston u|)on Satur- day y'' 3"' March, 1710.'
Ordered that .Mess'''' Rouville i\: Dupui.x ("ommissioners from Mon" iJ'Vaudruille (lovernor of (!anaila to negotiate an e.xchangi; of Pris- oners on both sides be allowed twenty shillings p' Diem for their Table during their stay in this (lovernmeiit
And that M' Commissary Ceneral make up the account of the charge of the two men and the Horses that attended 'em from Re- hoboth to Hoston and have been detained to accompany them back as far as New liondon and pay the men for their service at the rate
'Antoine UliviL-r, Huj^uciiol u( Hoston.
'Sainuel Mears kcpl itic Sun 'ravein in ('niti-("oiiii iirar Dock .S(|ii;irc.
•'Tlicse arc llie Oatlis of All<'>>i.in(tf and Siii)ri'Mia( y, ami ilic Declaration u(rainst Transuljstantiation.
^Council Records, Vol. 5.
Ai'i'i';M>i>^-
379
,,„, u„.|v,' \n:«..<: f.,r ., l...rs<M>' l'"^'" „v.,- ,V al,..v. men ,V ;"- „, ,■„„„„, ,„-,„,osc,l u,-.l .■■""-
„„ u,.: pan ..t .•,.,v,.nun, .... 1^ . ,,s,r <:..".."■'-',•,<■..■-;;■ ,.a..f twc..iy-ciKi.i I"'";':';;';'; ;',„„,„i,L c.vc- ..r <:--i^;
,„„1 Daimix MCSS...KC.-S f'""' ,, v.„„l,-i..ll.t supply.:.!
„„„„ u,c i.,.ii...... "'/;;^ "'-;;;"; ' , " I,,.,a,v.. An.,„..a„..:s „„
,,i,„ f,-,„„ U.is (■...v.-n,....=.>t •""I '"' ''
ll'<^"' , c' ,„ i»„ ..ui.ii.ls foil.- sliilli..«^ ''^' '■'■■"• l"""-''
A,,., 11,.. f„r.l..:.- -"" "' "'^'r'"' ,i,„ .u....r...« ll"^ «i'l "'"f
„ ,,,,,,,.H „f „..:.. .V ...r«- '-^ ' ; ' ,,1,1,,,,, I „„, „.l,„ ., as f...
as New 1 1.... 'V (...- ^1'-' ,'",:';,„„ ;,„„„.ls a,..l uvo p-:... ..,
,-,-a.l'a.axpU..I a.,.l ,„,„,,, ,„„ il....-.:..p...> I"
A,lv,s...l ,V (-.....cl... "■';•' ^■,,;,,A,„l,-cw l,.:l.-.l...- ICS.,. U...
>rLh of April, 17". 11^ ^'/y^ -, ,^„„. The I'.n^-
lish had not received .my new. Boston."
,, ,,.u-cU. U,e ,...t. ..f ; e,^ ^^^^ ^ ^^r.H^-ners in the Hands
They earned a Ron <>i •- ^ ,„,„,^,, „f tue iMcnch ana In.Uans at ^^J^\ ,„„tains the
A dnplicate ..f this l.st .s in oni Af'-^ ^^"; repetitions.
Am.,nn then, are ""-!*" i„,ter Sawyar.l. all ..f
J„hns.m Harmon, M^O' .^^^Vlt'ster Wheelwright. Wells.
Y„rk Mary S Irer. Haveihill, nesie.
On tt.baek'of the list is the foll.nviniJ letter.
38o
APPKNDIX.
Sir,
"Boston 5"' March 1710.'
This comes to your hand by Mess" D'Rouville & Depuis Messengers from Mr D'Voiidruille 1 have to thank your I<ind Dis- creation in sending them the Round Way that they migh. not know our Albany Road, upon the Same Consideration 1 have Returned them the same way & am (ilad we liave had no News from Europe dureing their stay here & hope to have them Dispatch before any. thing Arrive. They have shewed themselves good men here have signed Articles with me for the Rendition of all Prisoners in June next. I pray you to speed them away as soon as possible.
1 am Sir your very humble Serv'
To. Col. Schuyler."
J. Dudley.
EUNICK Wn,LIAM.S AND HER DESCENDANT.S. From the Records at Cmighnawagii.
Since John Schuyler's Memorial, little ha.s been known of Eunice Williams. It is hoped that the following may throw light upon her later history.
Baptismal records at the mission of Sault Saint-Louis, (Caughnawaga) exist from March i, 1735, to March 10, 1745. From this to March 25, 1753, they are wanting. After that to the present date they are complete.
Marriage records exist from Sept. 30, 1743, to June 24, 1747, and from Jan. 29, 1763, forward to this day.
Records of deaths begin January, 1762.
From this it will be seen that the baptism of Eunice Wil-
'Evidently this date should be 1710-11.
APPENTIIX-
381
nrds nor does her Enjrlish name.
or Indian proper names. Possibly Amrusus is a c p
( Ar,.UrnW a favorite French name in Caiiaaa. i^^i^v f PTFTrbl a scholarly man, an adept in the Iroquois Ian-
records, says tliat tne ndim. -pnrhes "are certainly
"Torosoand Amrusus," writes Mr. tmbes, '^^^ ^
c T^ViPv ire not Iroquois at all. iney reunu^i corrupt names, iheyarenoin 4 Iroquois,
^„« rvf "Arosen" and "Tekentarosen, whicti are 1104 one of Arosen a ^^ ^^ Caughnawaga
and proper ^ame foi men. i ^^ ^^^^. ^^ ^^^^
have been carefully studica ^^ ^^^ J ^ Tekentarosen suggestive of .^.rusus ^l^^^^lJ,^^^^^^^^^ with
occur as masculine names bu '^l'''''^'^'^.^^ .^search Eunice Williams or her ^1^^^:^^,^,,^ of the and patient labor «^^[;^F" J^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^-.^ authenticated ex- Iroquois language has fuinislica '^^^ From
tird'enrof\ir^^^^^^ Eunice. Tam able to collate what follows :
382 APPENDIX.
On one of these occasions, she was gfodmother to the child of an Indian named Karenhisen.
A Catharine was also godmother to one of Karenhisen's children. It is now rnid always has been a custom of the Caughnawaga Indians for kinswomen of the father to stand for his children. Therefore, Mr. Forbes concludes that Mar- guerite and Catharine were kinswomen of Karenhisen, and probably related to each other.
We know that Eunice (Marguerite) had a daughter Catha- rine. Why may we not assume that this Marguerite was Eunice, and this Catharine her daughter ? Admitting this, we get here Eunice's Indian name, given in these four bap- tismal records with four variations, viz.: Marguerite Haon'got, Marguerite Gon'aongote, Marguerite Saongote and Margue- rite Aongote.
"This name," says Mr. Forbes, "may be translated 'They took her and placed her as a member of their tribe.' " It thus appears, that whoever this godmother was, she did not be- long by birth to the tribe : "they took her and placed her as a member of their tribe." If this be Eunice Williams, as I believe, what more touching and appropriate name could have been given her ?
The order and the dates of the births of Eunice's children are unknown. Rev. James Dean, missionary to the Indians at Caughnawaga and Saint-Francis in 1773 and 1774, knew Eunice well. He wrote to her brother Stephen Nov. 12, 1774.' "vShe has two daughters & one grandson which are all the Descendants she has."
John, son of Eunice, died childless at Lake George, in 1758"^. Catharine, daughter of Eunice, [see (rntc] appears on Caughnawaga records as Catharine Asonnontie and Catha- rine Kassinontie. (F'lying leg.)
'Sheldon's Hist, of DeerfieUl, Vol. i, p. 351. nVilliam Watd \Vi hi's "Eleazer Williams."
APPENDIX.
383
leg) his wife, m 1807. ^^. ..^^.^ ^,,^,^,ig,^.
.I.e douze seplembre m.l »^^ ' ^^ ^^^ • ,^ Catherine Rasinontie,
a etc inhumce dans le c.nuucre de <^^^^^^ ,.^^,,i,,, ,,atre
.auva.esse de -;;^^^- --^^ ^^^^^^ Presents Charles
gen, Grand Chef de ce "^^^ ' Oassinontie. presents Mess-
Quatre vuigts ans, epoux dc ^-^then ^.j^,.,, Consigny
i^urs lean Baptiste Bruguier, Cu.c dc Chateau, , de la Chine, et autres, ^""^^'^^"^^.^^^^j^ A ; SanFelson ptre
Bruguier ptre
Pierre Consigny ptre ,,
Ch^ Pe Lorimier 1-e ckrc m.ss.
dannasategen elle t^U agec ^^^ ^^^^^^^^.^^^^ ,^^.^^...
Translation. ''On the -enty-sixth^ c. N^-^-e- ;^5, 1^^^ buried Marguerite, mother-uvlaw of Onasategen. five years old." ^^^^^^^ ^^ Ducbarme, Mission priest."
had made her look older than she was.
384 API'KNDIX.
vScptcinber, 1696, and would therefore luive been ei};hly-nine at her death.
Wc have seen that two out of Eunice's three chiUlren died without isstie. Mary is the only child of ICunice throuj^h whom we can trace the descent. The name of her husband, the father of her children, has hitherto eluded search. Mr. Wight quotinj^ JOleazer's statement on this point, leaves it without a shadow of credibility and says, "The fact is that the husband of vSarah, |meaninj^ Mary| was an Indian of un- known, mayhap of unpossessed name."
The foUowing extracts from the records at Caughnawayfa, establish the fact that lumice's dauj^hters were Catharine, who died without children, and Mary, | nt)t Sarah ) who be- came the mother of Thomas.
Mary appears on the records of Caughnawaga as Marie Skentsiese. (New fish.)
There is no record of her marriage. Her husband's name heretofore unknown, was Louis vSatagaienton. (iupially sown.) The only child of this marriage was Thomas, bap- tized as follows:
"1759 Die 6. jan: ego idem [J. B. Deiionville S. J.] IJaptiz.ivi cum ecclesiae ceremoiiiis piierum receiis natiini ex palre budovico Sateguienton et matre Maria Skentsiese conjiigibus qiieni Tliomam nominavit Thomas Taronhiagannere."
Translation. '-On the sixth day of January, 1759, I, the same [the priest here refers to his own name J. B. Denonville of the So- ciety of Jesus,] have baptized with the rites of the church, a new- born boy, the father Louis Sataguienton, the mother Marie Skent- siese, husband and wife, whom Thomas Taronhiagannere' named Thomas."
Thomas Thorakwanneken or Tehorakwanneken, (Two suns together,) of whose Indian name there are several vari-
'The godfather.
■U'ENDIX.
385
H nnlv child of Lcuis SatM^niienton and Mane
ations. was ^^^^^^ death is thus recorded : Skentsiesc. His moth ^ ^^^^_^ fem.ue d • SaUv«a.cnt..n,
.^M.i le .4. .779 - ^-^^ -Y.rand service 1 sur Ic corps. ^^
iijrce d'cnviron 40 ^^"^- "' ' ' '^ j,,, Hujriict ptre. S. J-
u- r;f..'< 'inccstrv. Louis Sata^niienton out of respect to h,s J^^-;^:^''\,^ ,,,nned a secoud
His first child by his f--^^^^^;^ ^,^,,^ died in .S.2.' Louis Satagaienton died m ^03^ ■ ^^^ ^^^^^^.^ ^^^^^^
Anne, f.lle de .^^^ ^ ,„p„lcv, c.re.no-
„ ,,„e „«o ,den> [.. =^ ^' '"^ ' ^,, n.oma teHorakw.nne- niasbaptismi h, 1>"-'™ f '^ :,' GoiiateScntet,.,, cnjugibus, n,.en, gen et ex matre M.iua An h„„„asategen con).ix. •
priest S J. have ad„n„,stere.U;.u^^.^^^ ,^^^^^ ^^^^, ,„
Sa^:^:;:;..:^; ;i.:r:nd ...... o.... ... ... ..
The above is ^^/^'V' °^„,,Hter of Eunice, and grand-
name of John. Thomas's second child,
Catharine was godmothei also to
•Caughnawaga Recor.ls. Marlboro captive named
.Mr. Wight says that she was descended fro.n Rice.
386
API'KNDIX.
a y^irl whom shv named f<»r herself.' Catharine's a(h)|)Le(l (laughter Louise was j^odmolhiM" lo 'riiomas's third chihl, whom she named Louise.' Catharine, (hiu^hter of ICuniee and wife of ( )nosate}j^eu, died in 1S07.'
The reeords at Cau}^hnawaj;a yive thi- births of eleven ehildren to Thomas. We have i)lenty of evidetiee that h^leazer also was his son. There are now in Cau^hnawa^^a several j^randehildren and ^reat-^randehildren of Thomas TehorakSanneken.
Cllll DKK'; OK KK.V. JOHN AND Kt'Nn K M \ I 1 1 !■ K W 1 1,1,1 AMS.
Rev. John Williams married sueeessively two eousins, ^randdauj^hters of Rev. John Warham of Windsor, Conn, ilis first wife and all their ehildren exeept IClea/.er, the eld- est, who was away at sehool, and two who died previously, were either killed or eaptured, Feb. 29, 1703-4.
Eleazer beeame the minister of Mansfield, Conn.
Samuel died unmarried in 1713.
Esther married Rev. Joseph Meaeham of Coventry, Conn.
Stephen beeame the minister of Longmeadow, Mass.
Euniee remained in Canada.
Warham beeame the minister of Watertown, West Pre- einet, now Waltham, Mass.
Rev. Stephen Williams of Longmeadow, kept a diary for many years. It eonsists of eleven Mss. volumes, very elose- ly written searcely punctuated and with many abbreviations peculiar to himself. One volume was burned in the fire which destroyed the old parsonage in 1846. The part eover-
'Caughnawaga Records.
Al'l'KNPlX-
J»7
• ~ , "' ,_w.,„,l ,7, ■ iiu'Uisive, consists < if
insj the period l.cUvco .,,,s ■ ' 1 'J'.^;^,,,M\yca\i.d
/; ^Ir'sLcLlon, l.as been l'"'''',;'- ' f^ ^, , '.Inesy of the
cusUuUans of ll.e 'l-''^' '"^ ' '^^,„ ,^,„.,a„aare here pub- two visits of '•:""'-';.W''"^;:;; ,,, ;„f l.".- Unsbana bas not
^:x::v::^r:Mraia;;;ur.be.efn.sea.,t.>asbeen
buny .nfonn.ng ' - ^ '.^^ •^^^.,^^, „, go thither. Albany next week .V 1 am ucsni.
'1740
Monday
12
27
n,aveW.,teU,a,yb.atMOiu=ing,,l.nanac^
»"' ' "T-^ r •;"; eT "-.Htw^. direct . .,c,p see whether he U come iv on y
.,s all i. tibs -''^lyf;^' „,,„,„pamc.' by my b,-
This day 1 set oat '^^"^ ,,^ „^;„ , „„„f„rtablc
w of m & n.y l^''""'",,^''-' , "' , , .,„ „> p.^niculars „t journey and got to Albany c" y 'D V 1
„'h 1 met with 'i" y" . t „.h 1 propose to
|1 have wr" n, "'^ '"" .';„'s„rro»ful n,eetin« of o- keep] when - "J (f , '> ,,, Ifrom] for above
poor S.ster y' we had '>^^' ,,„„„,, „er Hus-
36 years) Ye next '''^ » ' ;\^ ,„„,, ;, tarry w- band' pronnse to go w tl ' ° "> ^.^ „„, („„
- 4 days, we pr^par <^^^^::',, ,>«, .p„„ us
iSti^r>::^'vtt:,inr^.M---)'
New England.
i2-:i»,JU.'Vz:.x
"" I.^JIUT'W'M
388
APl'ENDIX.
Sept. 3.
'I'liurs
'rid ay
Sat 6
Wed this m [morning] my Brother R. \V. & Br m' went lionie Capt. Ivellogue' sister came to us and y'' neighbours came in «!v: shew'' (ireat kindness & Mr Iviwartls of N. II. came to visitt us'^
This ni I morning I we gain'd a promise o [from] my Sister & Husband to tarry with us untill Monday niglit Capt K left us but his sister tarry' B"" KUjah W'""''' ^: Aunt W'""" of Hatf'' and Sister Meacham come to us.
CUitter'' & full of care & company joy & sorrow hope & fear. This day came Hither cosen Jn^'th" Hunt' Mr Kstabrook an two of Brother W'"" daugters.''
This day Aunt Piawley came hither cS: went along Colen'' Stoddard," Cozen J. S. Hunt «S: Sister Hinsdell.' Uncle Park W'"*"* and his xdren came hither & 1 sent to Capt. Kellogue'"' neighbors & friends show great kindness affection iS: respect 7 Sabbath my poor sister Attend'' y'' publick worship with us both parts of ye day oh yt this might be as a pledge y'' she 'Eleazer Williams and Joseph Meacham.
•Rev. Jcjiiathan Edwards, the great revivalist, then minister at Northamp- ton, Mass.
^Half brother to Rev. Stephen Williams.
■•Jonathan Hunt of Deerfield, Northfield and Northampton married Martha, daughter of Samuel Wi. Hams of Pomfret, Conn. Me was grandfather of Lieut. Gov. Jonathan Hunt ^f Vernon. Vt., and great-great-grandfather of the late William Morris Hunt, artist, and Richard M. Hunt, architect.
■''Rev. Hobart Estabrook married one of the daughters of Rev. Eleazer Wil- liams of Mansfield, Conn.
"Colonel John Stoddard of Northampton, son of Rev. Solomon Stoddard.
'Abigail, half-sister of Rev. Stephen Williams, married (i.) Col. and Rev. Ebenezer Hinsdell, founder of Hinsdale, N. H.
'*Son of Samuel and brother to Rev. John Williams, lived in Lebanon, Conn.
"Joseph Kellogg, Interpreter.
AITENUIX.
389
may return to the house & ordhmncesof God o [from] w"^'' she has been so long separated In y Evenuig we (Col. S. assisting + directing) had a Set discourse with my Sister + her husband and tho we could not ob- tain of y'" to tarry w"' us yet [they]' have promis'd us y' now the waj- is open [they] will certainly come & make a visit & spend a winter in y'' country among y'' Friends [they] seem in earnest & say [they] wont be divert''' unless it be something very extraordinary
Sept 8 Monday Uncle & Aunt Edwards- Br W & Br m iV many friends (!t neighbors come to visit us o'' neighbors sent in plentifully to us and come &: assist us so y' we had Even a i'^east. o'' Sister & Family Din' r.. ye room w"' y'' Company Sister M-' & I sat at y-' table w"' y'" At evening o'' young people sang melodiously y' was very Gratefull to my Sister and company i*t I hope we are something endeared to her. She says twill hurt her to part w"' us.
tuesday y my Sister & company left my house 1 accompany'' y'"
beyond Westfield about a mile & when 1 took leave of her (I do think her affections were mov'') she repeated her promise of coming & spending a long time w^'' us if Cod spared y'' lives
19 This ciay my son John return'' from Allbany & gives
ace'' he got on safely with his company he tells me y' his Aunt & Husband were well pleas''' with their visitt and went away cheerfull"
"1741 July 26. Sunday I preach''' at Suffield in y^ evening
came a messenger to me [from] Westfield bringing me an ace' my Sister was come tc -stf'' [from] Canada
'The characters used by Mr. Williams for the names of his sister and her husband, for the words "from," "they" and others cannot be reproduced in type.
-Parents of the renowned Jonathan Edwards.
•'Esther Williams Meacham.
390
APPENDIX.
Monday 27
Tuesday 28
Wed 29
Friday
Aug I
« 2
13
upon it I went to Capt Kellogue and got his son to go on to Westfield & I myself lodg'' at y captains
1 return'' home & Find my Sister (S: her Husl)and & two xdren here I am glad to see them & pray ("rod to
bless them 1 am in concerin lest they take y''
infection of ye measells.
my Sister & Family seem Easy & I rejoice at it
my brother \v' ham & his son went over to Capt Kel- logue who has sent me an acct what their sentiments are 1 hope [they| maybe prevail'' with to come & tarry in ye country
my sister i^' company are gone to Coventry y" L'' be pleas''' to go w"' y'"'
my xdren came home from M iS: C- having been w"' their Aunt [Eunice] whom the>' left at ni I praise (lotl for his smiles respecting this journey
Ye Sabbath
Last n*- Br W W ^: cosen \V came hither to see Sister E. 1 am glad to see them ye H W'' preached a very agreeable Sermon to us"
'Thej' were probably driven a%vay by an epidemic of measles and a "throat distemper," then prevalent in Longmeadow.
'Mansfield and Coventry.
"This was Tuesday. Eunice and her family were with her brother Eleazer at Mansfield. The day was set apart for Prayer for the Revival of Religion. On behalf of Eunice, a sermon was preached there by her cousin, the Rev. Sol- omon Williams of Lebanon, Conn.
••VVarham Williams.
^'Brother Warham.
"This was the usual Thursday lecture. Eunice being at Coventry lost it. They followed her to Coventry the ne.xt day.
Al'l'EXniX.
391
14
'5
16 17
Tuesday 18
Sept 3
This day thev set away to Coventry B H &
E' came hither & lodged here , , , .^ f
fhevwent away to Coventry y« I/' be pleas"> to Grant ;'^.: meeting of so n.any .M-iends may be for y- bene- fit of y-selves & of o^ Sister my wife is poorly of it
ve Sabbath rc^.^r,-, I
This day my Brethren and Sisters come here [fromj Below the l/> Grant o^ being together may be com- fortable eS: beneficiall
My Br of m. preached a sermon
This day 1 went to Westf- to meet my Sister and Fam- 1 who are upon y" Return to Canad.^ t.s pleasant to S e her but Grievous to part with her ye 1/ mercifully overru e y' she mav yet Return .^ dwell w'" us Oh ^:;^h:u\ast y^ h;arts of all in thine hand ^^ an ^ turn V" as pleaseth thee &c the L" go w-' y c^ pre- serve V" ^^ '- Pl--'" '- ''' "'" ^^ ^"'"''' "' John who is gone w"' them to Albany.
Oh God bless my poor Sister Eunice cS: graciously brmg her & hers home to thy Self .^ preserve her on her journey & cause that she may long to return to us
^isday John return-' home in safety [from] Albany
having had a difficult journey." The volume of the Diary from October, 1742, to March, The volume «i ^^ J ^ ^itl, the parsonage in
in Longmeadow on June 30, 1701, ci ^
•Hinsdell and Elijah Williams.
Sat Sept 5
15
spent but two days there.
The rest of her visit was at
392
APrENDlX.
her family and Canadian friends. They encamped in the orchard behind the parsonage.
1 761 June 30 This day my Sister Eunice, her Husband her daughter Katharine and others come hither from Canada. Y'' L'' grant it may be in mercy to her y' she makes this visitt We have no interpreter and So can't say what her intentions and pretensions are.
July I 1 have been seeking for an interpreter — have sent to Deerfield. Thus I am in concern Y'^' 1/' be pleased to direct and bless me — Grant 1 may take prudent measures 2 We attended y*^ meeting before y^' Sacrament and after meeting people came in Great numbers to see my Sis- ter I am fearful that it may not be agreeable to be gazed upon I am sending hither and thither to my chil- dren & friends, & I pray God to bring them together that we may have a comfortable &: profitable meeting. My cares increase I have an Interpreter come from Sunderland — sent by Sister Williams of Deerfield' — but I fear he does not understand y'^^ Language very well — but I hope will be somewhat serviceable 4 Sabbath & Sacrament My Daughters Eunice (!v: Mar- tha are now here with me upon y^' joyfull sorrowfull occasion of my poor Sister Eunice who is now with me — also her Husband, Katharine and her Husband- and a little son of Mary^ I beg God to Direct me what to do for my Sister, be pleased to incline <S: dispose her and her Husband to come into or comply with such measures as may have a proper tendency to promote her Spiritual & Eternal Good, & that of her family & Offspring
'His step-sister Abigail, wife of Rev. and Col. El)enezer Hinsclcii.
'■'Fran9ois-Xavier Onosategen, "Grand Clief" of Caugiinawaga.
•'This was Mary's only child, Thomas TehorakSannegen, then two years old. He became the father of Eleazer, the so-called Dauphin.
IM
APrENn^>^-
393
lO
, 1 uu wife Stephen with our In-
My children John and ^^ ^ ^ ' } Our Company .S:
terpreter M- Dodge -^^^ ^:;^ ,,,,,,,,,, with my Cares increase . . • • • ' j^,,,. .^^ ^ dis-
Sister >V her "--•/;; ';'-;,:',;:; 1 .„, .a a great i::irurVlrtrsel.ta.e.vHat™ea.,re..o.,
HoVand we are fatigue.. .. fuU of Co„n>^>ny-' "S"' my wife poorly company left us I
.,L ---"«"'v:"'ber ^^ -- 1 "™"' - ""-
think 1 have useJ y be^t g ^^.^^^ ^^^ ^^,j
suade her to tarry ancl ^-:^J^^^ ^ „,„,t leave y" at present they have been ineteetua „,,,,„ i
■"-- "■'" '^-ritif :;: he lught^- ,n the „ar- - •-;:11S :;;s^anO see., at^- . -
rrt;l:ir°.^eU:::rtre„;hraee y.^ reason of
,stepJ~--'-r.->-ft"^;oe
it of Euitice to DeerfieW. She c ^^^ ^^^^_^^_ ^^^^ ^„
Westfield, escorted back '•^"'1 "" Her father died m
her last visit, by S'«=P>7^^ fi^-^t^vsitto New Ettgland and Ueerfield a year before he. A-^ | elsewhere. There
thesttrviving ^'^'"'"[^Zll^md, except a natttral destre ^asttothittgtotakehertol^erfie , ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ .,
to see the place of her bum.
proved •. " the following : ^,^ .,,_„^ ,„„.,,,
™„■ro^v^■»v■r„.e«An,.^^o ^,^^^^ ^^^._^ _^^
..on the .."' of .ast month, otu v a ^^^^ ^„^ ,„ , , ,,
,The,. seems .c „a.e been more "--^ ^^'"^L.Uess .he Presence o.
Katharine s husoaim, ^
394
APPENDIX.
three families of Indians amounting in all to twenty-three of various ages calling themselves by the name of Williams on the ground of being descendants of Eunice The eldest of the party, a woman stating her age to be eighty years claimed to be the grand-daughter of Eunice adding that She perfectly remembered her grand- mother During their short stay, a little more than a week,
they encamped in the vicinity of the village, employing their time not otherwise occupied, in making baskets. They visited the graves of their ancestors, Rev. Mr Williams and wife, and attended divine service on Sunday in an orderly and reverent manner. 'I'hey refused to receive company on the Sabbath, and at all times, and in all re- spects seemed disposed to conduct themselves decently and inoffen- sively During their Stay with us, their encampment was
frequented by great numbers of persons, almost denying them time to take their ordinary meals, but affording them as if to make amends for such inconvenience and privation, a ready sale for their fabrics.' On the first of September they decamped and commenced their homeward progress towards ('anada."
The visit of these Indians to Deerfield, seems to corrobo- rate the Longmeadow evidence of Eunice's love for New England. The possibility that the old squaw was a grand- daughter of Eunice is refuted, however, by what we now know of her posterity, Thomas Tehorakwaneken Vjeing her only grandchild. This old woman may have been one of Catharine's adopted daughters, — or one of the c;hildren of Louis Satagaienton, the husband of Eunice's daughter Mary, — by his second marriage.
D.
ENSIGN JOHN SHELDON.
On his rettirn from captivity, Rev. John Williams did not
'Several of these baskets are still extant in Deerfield.
APPENDIX. 395
go\ack immediately to Deevfield, l^;--g "':>'"-">. fp^j'j'^;!^
"His"t°"on Eleazer, being away at school had escaped th"ialamity at Deerfield and "by the help of divers char.t . S ;e;™ Especially in Boston," entered Harvard C„,U=ge , 705 and was a Freshman there at the tune °lh.^ ^^'I^c ^J^'^, turn- and "living in the chamber over me, says Thomas See, tten a Sophomore, "I fell into an int mate acc,namt nneew th him," Just a week after h,s arrival,' M.. WiHums de fvJ d the Thtirsday lecture in Boston, and the two kids wilked in from Cambridge together by way f ""kI^'" • Teven nUes if we may credit the ancient milestone still smclingn Cambridge, to hear the lecture: "I. with m.W Xrs went down," says Prince, "and in an auditory exceed- m<rlv crowded and affected, I heard the sermon.
On the 7th Samuel Sewall "invited the Governor to dine nt Holmes s"' Mr. Williams and Mr. Sheldon were among the gu" t Mr. WiUiams-s .sermon and the Deerfield captivities mlide a profound impression on Thomas Prince. In 1757 he
"''Ivom the instance of thi. one town only, we -y '-;" "^jf.'^ „„„,.. o. Uie present peojile ^J^-]^::^^:!^ rot;';! :ri:l:i a vi-rLnTarniyof onrs into Cana.., .vih
iPrince says he arrived Dec. 6. Sewall says Dec. 5-
■ S In. D;ary. V„.. U. p. .„, ... -"-■-i:!; ^^ .'Ip^^ly^r: !
•r''''r''"^''""\"otx"r^::«u'se:. - ^e:7wen.^.ou.K ■ ... .
: 1' "spaUe ;.a. a lull o, Coarhs .i^M .e ,.a.e here ,0, Mr. W.U.a^s.
39^ APPENDIX.
E.
MY HUNT FOR THE CAPTIVES.
Among other very rare books in the library of the "Po- cumtuck Valley Memorial Association," at Deerfield, (a mon- ument to the devotion and labor of the Hon. George Shel- don,) is one entitled in part, "Good Fetched out of Evil, in three Short Essays."
No perfect copy of this book is known ; that at Deerfield is perhaps the most perfect. With other treasures, it con- tains the following poem written by Mary French, daughter of Dea. Thomas French :
"The Singular Circumstances of the little Authoress, will make Atonement for it, if we now add a Poem, Written by a Captive Damsel, about Sixteen or Seventeen years of Age; who being afraid that her Younger Sister, at a Distance from her would be led away by the Popish Delusions, addressed her in these Lines : "
Dear Sister, JESUS does you call
To Walk on in His Ways. I pray, make no Delay at all,
Now in your Youthful Dayes.
O Turn to Him, who has you made,
While in your Tender years: For as the Withering Grass we fade,
which never more appears.
But if that God should you afford
a longer Life to Live, Remember that unto the Lord
the Praises you do give.
We still are called to Begin
while we are in our Youth. For to depart from ways of Sin,
and Serve the Lord in Truth.
Tis not To Aforroxu, Christ doth Say
that we shall Mercy find; Oh, then while it is cal'.'d. To Day,
your Great Creator Mind.
Al-rKNDlX.
397
Wc are not certain in this World
We have an Hour to Spend; But suddenly we may lje hurl d
where lime shall have an bnil.
ll.nv soon may this sad News be told.
we no Assurance have; In Winding Sheets our Corpse Ik- roll d and we laid in the Grave.
But still our Souls must Live for aye
in Endless Bliss or Wo. If Unprepared at the Day,
we down to Hell do go.
The Officer, as Christ hath said.
Shall us in Prison bind. Until the last Farthing be paid,
we there must be Confin d.
Since we so oft of this do hear.
Our Teachers have us told. We shall without excuse appear.
If we lo Sin are bold. To dare the pow'r of Hell and Death!
vea. and of God most High! Oh! Let us, while we have our Breath
Prostrate before Himly.
And let us Wisdom now desire
before our glass is run; For Understanding Lets Enquire
while Shining is our Sun.
All Wisdoms ways are Pleasantness.
and all its Pathes are Peace. Those that Gods Throne aright address.
their Joy shall never Cease.
Set not your Heart on fading Toyes, but still Gods Grace implore;
At His Right Hand are Endless Joyes and Pleasures ever more.
That Earthly Things are fading flow'rs
We bv Experience see; And of our Years and Days and Hours
we as uncertain be.
Of all Degrees, and Everv Age,
among the Dead we find; Many there fell by bloody rage,
When we were left behind.
gSSBtaSBf
mmm
.v;«
AI'I'KNIUN.
I.rt us 1)0 Silent llicn this day
under otir SniariliiK Rod. Let us witii I'iUicnce Meekly siiy,
// is ///<• /F/7/ «/ Cxi.
Of Friends and Parents, wee're liereav'd,
Disiress't, and Left alone; Lord, We thy Spirit oft have ^riev'd;
And now as Doves we moan.
For any Worthiness of ours
No mercy ask we can; Ihit still (>od hath laid Helps and i*ow'rs
upon the Son of Man.
Now when the Saiilnii/i doth hejjin
with sorrow we do say, O/i! 'I'liat wc 7iV>r Ciu/'s llome wil/iin,
7\> h',r/> His Ifi>/y Day!
For ("lOtl hath in His Anner hot
Out of Ilis Sanctuary Us hanished far, that we hear nut
its IMeasaiil Melody.
The Temple Sonj^s from us are gone,
to Siglis they turned he; Ensnar'd we are, and there is none
on Earth to set us free.
It is the mighty Hand i>f (iod from which no man can Hy.
Wee're under both His grevious Ro<l and His all-seeing Eye.
Dear Sish'i\ for yon sake now I these Verses Written have.
Bear them upon your Memory, as going to the Grave.
Drar Sister, Bear me in your Mind;
Learn these few Lines by heart; Alas, an aking Heart I find,
Since we're so long to part.
But to the Care of God on high Our cause we will commend.
For your Soul-sake these Lines now I Your Loving Sister send.
MAKY I'KIONCII.
December 23, 1703. [5?]
Al'l'KM'IN.
.VJ9
F.
TllANKl-UI. STKIllUNS.
is given us a J^ood example oi ui^
dian parishes : /• /^/rz-n ,iid>laron
KURA lA.
Page 3,3, for "Taylor," rea.l Fesse.ulen.
INDEX.
M a8 ■■!■ I - — ^....rz:^
h
1 N I) i^: X
Tl»
NAMI'.S oV CaI'TIVKS.
\ .hirns. J:un.-s, .t7-'J. '7« '), '«7. /\ All'M, K.iwar.l, 270. Arms, !uh..,'-i.l., 3-7. 325. 35H-M.
yXusiiii, Mary, 5'-
1 )aUrr,<:iniM,n-,(s.'.'.Oli.). 1-5 •l■|,..■uns,25--^32■4. >4«. >^.^
I Ho, 'iV>, '-!44. 3^'7.
HarlU-U, l-sepl., 2"3, 3"-5. H,,r.f,.Man.Kli-t-th, s.. HurM).
Mr.ullcy, \ViU-"f J-'S^'l'-^?, '"S-
\ Mary, , I i.jo, 205. Brooks, I Marie Claire, )
Nulliii'ii'-l' 'i!7"-
Dav.-liiy, Marie iManyi'^^'. (see Kreiieli). Davids, Saras, :M2> Davis, Mary Amie, 57. De rKslage, Marie, loscpli, (see ^lay-
wanl). Dcnio, lames, (see DeNoyon.Jaoiues).
De.iUy.i, Cailiarine, •2o7-
Noyon, Ja..,ues, 206-8, 2.., 2.3. 215-21, 251J-''". '-^''3, 27'J, 2H1.
Di< kinsoii, ()ba<liah. 124. D.n.i.H.lel, r.li/aheth, (see Corse).
K
^astinaii, Airios, 340-
Charter, Jolia, I5'>- ^ Casse, (sec Corse). CaUin,Mary,(Mal.lwin), i.)5-277,'-'^2,
318. Mary, (see I'reiich;. C,,a,Hn,llannal..(seeShel.lon).
Chub, Jabe/., 342- Clesson, Joseph, 241. 3'7- Corse. Elizabeth, 2o4-(n 20.J, 2^.2.
-T^i^ ( MaUh<-w, {.
H ariisworlli, J Malliias Clau'le, )
47, 2()2.
Fleteher, I'e.i.llelon, 4'^
iMjote, Mary, 123, I25-
Former, Joseph, 34 '• ,
, M'lrie Eli/iibelh,(see I'rict). bourne J, Wiarie
Freeman, Samuel, 34i-
-I'M
INDKX.
Frciuh, AhiKMil, 131, 2113, 271), 283, 2()<).
i()2-f), 262,
\ i'"iccil()m,
( Maiiu I'raiK^oisi;,
283. JdIiii, 2(i3, 27(j-Hu, 282.
/ Maril.i- MarKii.iili-. i '•^'' ' -^
(,, 283-4, 2<J().
Mary, (Call in), 203, 277, 27(j-82. Mary, 203, 283, y/), y)H. 'riiumas, (Dciuoti), 131, 203, 275,
277-8.1, 2(jij, 302. Thomas, Jr., 203, 2.42, 283.
/^ c;rrisli, S.irali, H).
V_J (jillctli;, (sec Sicp-childrt'ii of
Stephci) J('iiiiiiigs). (lilinaii, Jatdl), 203. (iradt'V, Hcrncy, 34 1 . (Iii/alcin (scL- VVarn-ii).
HaiK oik, ( )iier. 340. Ilariiiori, |<)liiis(Jii, i.)o, 35cj-fio, 364-6, 368, 370, 379. Halfield, Capliviis, no, 117, 120, (22,
i2,)-6, 232. Hill, Al.iali, .\().
I'-hciu-ZLT, .\^-').
linnhvi Joseph's (lauj;hter, 4(j.
Samuel, 48. (j, i78-«:/, 183. Uinkley, Kiiou.ird, 340 Hinsdale, Midiiu.-aii, ^35-6, 2,1, 275. Hoit, (see Iloyt). Homes, Anna, 343.
Hoyt, David, ( Deacon and Lieulcnanl), 274, 277, 281, 283.
Jonathan, 184, 307.
Sarali, 152-3, 236. Iluggins, Margaret, Iij5, i(j(j, 200.
Hull, Klizalielli, 235.
II . i IChenezer, /
I lursi, -J A . . M- 1 r 202-3. / Antoine Nicolas, ) ■*
{ Kli/ahelh. /
i Marie Klizahelh, f ="'''• ^''"■
I llannali, )
/Kaieunoni, [ '^'"''^^ -••' -^'•
255-
j Sarah (h (Tries) )
i M .: I ! 201-3, 250-1.
( Mane J(^'lnne j -"' ■'
Sarah, 201-3, .^51.
Thomas, 201-3, 244, 251, 262.
I
ngersol, Ksther, (s(;e }on(!s).
Jtflfiies, .Sarah, (see llurslj. Jenkins, I'hillipps, 3.}2. Jennings, ("apiivily, 126.
Wife of Stephen, 121, 123, 266. (Gillette) Slep-children of Steph- en, 121. Jeryan, Dorothte, (see Jordan). Jones, ICsther, 195, Kjij-201. Jordan, DorolhOe, 57.
K
ellogg, Joseph, 387-8, 3'J".
Martin, 25, 148, 152, 180, 240-1, 244, 274.
Ie Mean, Christine, (see Otis). J
Liiiicficid. ji^:""""'. ,. [262.
' / Pierre Augustm, \ Josiah, 51. 367. Lumbart, Samuel, 340.
JNl)K>^-
405
I "Oiirsoiis, llamK.li, 207.
Ma,kerty.Tl.ii....iy, J.ji. „,, 11 Pcuy, |osr,.h. i-jH, iH... 2.in.
M;uiu<l.-s AnKes,(src M,iry>^.iyw ^^^ _^^^ ^ ,, ^ ^
MartcMi, J')l>'>. 3r.V , . IKli/alirlli, ' -^of.-?, 2fj2,
M^iiard, Mi
KrciK li)- MiU;lu-n, Salomon. 34'-
. 347-R>35>-3.
Mnn.l, Wi/alKMh, (sc. Corse).
^
27(1, '2H1.
-T^T.sil, 'riioin.is,
3r-
t Abi^'.ail, . H5, '235-1'.
Niiiis, j ivlarii: Kli/;'>"ili, ^
243-<;. 253. '-"OS-
Kbenczcr, I53, 235, 243-
I':t>eii(;/L-r, Jr., «52-3-
^^■^^^. ,,f (Iddfri-y, 235-
J..l,-K .33, >4«. '«•'• '-^3l-5,24"-3.
Sarah, (sc; lloyl)-
Nul.le, M.i^ail, 31'. 3-13-4-
Hciijaniin, 344-
I'.linor, 355-
Frances, 344-
John, 343.
Joseph, 344-
La/.anis, 342-
Marie, 343-
M alt lie w, 344-
Children, 347- 35 '-3-
/^ \u.i.-nbniils, Riuliel, I ,,,,,. V J (.jnacluiil'iish, )
Oai/enn., iK"a.<.(M-eK.MnK). \:i K,shw..nh,Mary,(-el'l."^'-i)- Susannah, 77-
\ Josiali, t 226.7. 235-4>. 243- RisioK, , ljr„a<e, \
4, 24M. 253. 255-''- Rolnlaille, Marie Madeleine, (s.-e War-
Roi, Mar.heMarKUcrile.(seel'-remh).
Ross, lolm, 343-
William, 343- Kussell,San.uel, no, ".j, >23, '25.
s
layer, (see Say ward).
(| ICsiher,
/
0\ Margaret, I 1,,, 23-34- '32, l'-^. ( Chrisiine. S
152-3, 207, 2C2, 333-5-
( (iriz.d, ' (see War-
\ Marie Madeleine, S
reii).
, , .- •. , , 2.), 77.
Sayward, ^ Marie, loseph, )
7<).82, H4-7, 207, 37'J-
^M^Cienevieve. [.p,.77, 7<J- ( Marie des AtiKes, )
H5, H7, 237, 23«)-4'>- 244. 2.\(>, 253, 379- Sehinner. Kli/.aheih, 341-
i Elisha, / , ,,,,, 200. Searle, f M ichel. ^ ' ^^' '^ Sheldon. Ebenezer. .08. .88, 240.
4o6
IN'DKX.
Shfldoii, lliitiiiiih, (Chai)iri), 48-9, 168, 178, 180-1, 2()f), 276, 281.
Mary, 48, 168, 178, 187. Rcmemljraiice, 48, if)8, 178, 188, 240.
^'■-^•1 Sd.lej 32., 323. 325-J.
379- Stannard, Thomas, 340 Slarkes, Jean, 341. Staats, Harcnt, 358.
IAbif,'ail. )
Galjrielle, v 53, 2(jf)-8, 21 1, Marguerite, ) 217-21, 259-60, 262, 2O7, 270, 276, "81.
Bcnoni, loij, 114-17. 161-2,167, 229-33, 235, 274-5, 278-9, 281, 283.
Dorothy, (Alexander), 207-8, 219, 259, 263, 274.
( Ebetie/.er, I „ _ „. „
1 I Ai 1 f 207,219-20,
( Jactiues Charles, ) ' -'
260. John, 207-8, 219-20, 259, 263,
274. John, [r., 207, 219-21. Joseph, 207, 220-1, 2()S. Samuel, 207, 220-1, 260.
{ Thankful, / , , „,
.1 • tL- - . 207, 219-
( Louise i herese, \ ' '
20, 261-3, ~^7-l'- 3'J'J- Stevens, Klizabelh, (see Price).
Capt. Phineas, 335-4\ 342, 344- 6, 348, 35^'- Stockweil, Ouentin, 109-15, 117, 119-
21, 124-5, 13". 231, 266, 273. 277.
Storer 251.
Mary, 48-9,51. j Pri^-cilla,
( Marie Priscillc, ) Rachel, 51.
141,
T,, i Cliarles, }.■
rafton, < , • ». • - 262.
/ Louis ^Llrl<.', \
Turhot, Abigail, 200-1.
^'T'an Scliaark Anthony, 353.
w
lite, Benjairiin's Wife. .13, 124, 226.
Canada, 126. Warren, j;^'^;^;^',,^^^,,^,^,,,^^. 9. 23-4. 27-8, 30-1, 132, 201, 262,
333-5.
Webb, Seth, 340, 344.
Wells, llepziljah, (Helding) 172, 177.
f Estlier, I
,,,, , . , S' ICstlier Marie I
Wheelwright, . j^^^^.^^,^ ^,^ I'Enfant j
IJ6SUS, J
45, 48-68, 335-6, 355, 379.
\ Whitney, Solomon ( ~ , , ] Whitlcn or Whidden f ■^■♦'+-
{ Whitney, Timothv, ) „ , I Whition, ■ f344-
Williams, Esther, iSo, 386, 389.
Eunice, [.Mathvr) 130. 196, 279-
80, 386, 394. (Eunice, i
-J Marguerite, > 25, 56,
( Marguerite Saoii'gol, )
13"-', '33-49. '5'-». 252, 359. 3'''2, 366, 372-4, 376, 379.84, 386.94. Rev. John, 130, 134-7. '43. '47 8, 150-2, 162, 167, 171, 176- Hi, 18 ■9, 191, 193, i9(>-8, 200, 2i ', 21K, 234, 242, 244. 265-6, 273-4, 279-80, 307, 320, 333, 3^)2,366, 371,373. 386. 394-5.
\ViUiun.s,S;i.nucl, 53.188. i<)5
207. 242-3. 25^. 38<'- Steph.,., .76. .80. .84. 2f.f., 38f.
93- Warham, 188, 38f>, 3'}". ZclKMiab, 133.234-5, 3"('.
INDKX.
407
Y
„rU,Samud, 2i5-'f'.