Why Did John Williams Raid

The story took place during the war between the English and French known as the Queen Anne’s War in New England, 1704. Conflict spread throughout North American colonies like that of Deersfield. The French ally with the Mohawk Indians in attempt to capture their prime suspect, John Williams. On the night of February 29 a raid began throughout the town. Demos described the raid and gave detail of the attack. The residents were slaughtered and scalped leaving the town up in flames. The fortunate escaped while the remaining were taken captive. The reason for the attack was to capture John Williams. The raid was significant because it was the largest of its kind executed by the French and Indians. Resulting in the largest number of captives of

On the night of the attack John’s two youngest children were murdered by scalping. They were six months and two years old respectively. His wife and their five remaining children were trekked to New France (Canada) along with 112 other captives of Deersfield. The journey to Canada was over three-hundred miles and would last over two months. Out of the 112 captives only ninety-two survived the trek to Canada. Most of the captives killed on the journey were women which included John’s wife. His children were scattered and put into smaller groups before arriving in Canada, each going to separate destinations. When they arrived in Canada the captives were sold to the French and Williams family managed to be released by the French Governor. All Johns children were released except

Finally a meeting was arranged after thrity-six years. It was 1740 and the two met for a very brief time. Translators were needed and made conversation difficult. Amazingly Eunice and her husband agreed to spend the summer with Stephan in New England. After the visit in 1741, Stephan and the Williams family tried to persuade Eunice and husband to move to New England but insisted they return again next summer. Twenty years passed and Eunice did not see her old family. She was now a mother of three and a grandmother. As time caught up the possibility of Eunice leaving her Indian home to live in New England was becoming more unlikely. More time would pass before speaking with the Williams family. Eunice had written a letter and had it translated for her brother right before her seventy-fifth birthday. She had requested to hear back from Stephan and stated “I should probably never see you again in this World as I am too old to travel now.” Some hope for Stephan was had when information about Eunices husband had died. Stephan believed with the passing of Eunices husband that she had no reason to stay in Canada and could return home. This was not the case and Eunice was warmly embraced and loved in the Indian community. They awarded her with a loving people who provided support and shelter for her. She accepted the fact that her health was failing and she did not have long to live. She