Empire 150. Worlds Colliding: Seizing Settlers in New England
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May 20, 2024 Explore the harrowing Deerfield raid of 1704, where Puritan settlers faced chaos and despair. Delve into the captivating story of Eunice Williams, who chose to embrace her captors, revealing the complexities of identity and cultural transformation during captivity. Discover the fragility of early British settlements and the nuanced struggles of settlers and Indigenous peoples. Uncover the governance of the Iroquois Confederacy and how it shaped community resilience amidst colonial conflicts. This narrative paints a vivid picture of survival and transformation in tumultuous times.
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Deerfield Raid
- The small Puritan town of Deerfield, Massachusetts, was attacked in February 1704.
- The minister, John Williams, and his family were captured, and many villagers were killed.
Fragility of Early Settlements
- Captivity narratives from early America reveal the fragility of early colonial settlements.
- These stories, like John Demos's The Unredeemed Captive, highlight the frequent disasters and vulnerabilities faced by early colonists.
Deerfield's History
- Deerfield, originally Pokumtuk, was home to a small indigenous tribe before white settlers arrived in 1670.
- The land was disputed, causing resentment, and became a point of conflict between the English, French, and indigenous populations.
