Deerfield — Queen Anne's War

Extracted from "History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, Volume II," by Louis H. Everts, 1879.


      The following is a list of those who lost their lives at the attack or on the march to Canada:

      David Alexander, Mary Alexander, Samuel Allis, Hepzibah Belding, Robert Boltwood, Samuel Boltwood, Mary Brooks, Hannah Carter, Mary Carter, Thomas Carter, John Catlin, Jonathan Catlin, Joseph Catlin, Elizabeth Corse, Sarah Field, Mary Frary, Samson Frary, Samuel Foot, John French, Mary French, Mary French, Jr., Alice Hawks, Elizabeth Hawks, John Hawks, John Hawks, Jr., Martha Hawks, Thankful Hawks, Samuel Hinsdale, Jacob Hip, Abigail Hoyt, David Hoyt, David Hoyt, Jr., Benoni Hurst, Joseph Ingersoll, Jonathan Ingram, Jonathan Kellogg, Philip Mattoon, Rebecca Mattoon (their infant child), Henry Nims, Mary Nims, Mehitable Nims, Mehitable Nims, Jr., Mercy Nims, Esther Pomeroy, Sarah Price, Mary Root, Thomas Selden, Hannah Sheldon, Mercy Sheldon, Elizabeth Smead, Mary Smead, Sarah Smead, William Smead, Martin Smith, Benoni Stebbins, Andrew Stevens (an Indian), Benjamin Wait, Nathaniel Warner, Waitstill Warner, Mary Wells, Eunice Williams, Jerusha Williams, John Williams, Frank (a negro), Parthena (his wife), servants of Mr. Williams.
      Wounded.—John Bridgman, Benjamin Church, Samuel Church, Mary Hoyt.

      Of the captives the following are known to have married and had families in Canada: John Carter, Mary Carter, Mary Harris, ______ French, Joan Kellogg, Thankful Stebbins, Elizabeth Stevens, Eunice Williams. Fifty-eight were ultimately redeemed, and came back to their old homes. Their redemption was largely effected by Ensign John Sheldon, who made four journeys to that end. The first was in December, 1704, by the way of Albany and Lake Champlain, on snow-shoes, with provision at back, with John Wells for a companion and Capt. Livingstone, of Albany, for a guide. A letter which he wrote at Quebec, April 1, 1705, to a daughter in captivity, is given above.
      Mr. Sheldon returned in May, having obtained five captives. Jan. 25, 1706, with two attendants and two French prisoners of war, he again started on foot for Canada. Having collected what captives he could, on the 30th of May he embarked at Quebec, and landed in Boston, August 1st, with 40-odd of these exiles, among them Deacon Thomas French. The brigantine "Hope" was at once despatched for the rest that had been secured, which returned November 1st with Mr. Williams and 55 others.
      Many still remaining in captivity, Governor Dudley recommended the council "having a Person Leger at Quebec," and that "Mr. John Sheldon, with a suitable retinue, be employed on that service." This was agreed to, and in April, 1707, a third journey by land was made to Canada. With an escort of six French soldiers and seven more captives, he returned in August, by canoes, up Lake Champlain to Albany. Of his fourth expedition very little is known.*
      After the sacking of the town, February 29th, the remaining inhabitants were ready to desert the place, but Col. Partridge impressed the men for soldiers, and ordered them to remain in Wells' fort. They received soldiers' pay until, July, 1705, arrangements were made that two-fifths of the time they could attend to their husbandry. Little could be done, for the enemy were lurking constantly in the woods watching for prey. May 14, 1704, John Allen was killed at the Bars; his wife was captured and killed soon after. A short time after, Sergt. John Hawks was wounded. Thomas Russell, a soldier, was killed while on a scout. July 19th the enemy were pursued and fired upon by Ens. Sheldon, but all got off.

* The number of captives redeemed and returned, as stated by Mr. Sheldon, probably included many others in addition to those taken on this occasion. — [Editor.]


These pages are © Laurel O'Donnell, 2005, all rights reserved
and cannot be reproduced in any format without permission
This page was last updated on
03 Aug 2005