Be Sure to Visit my new 1900 Galveston Storm Website at: http://freepages.genealogy.rootseb.com/~barnette 

EARLY NEW ENGLAND WOMEN HEROES

 It was common in the late 17th and early 18th Century for Indians institgated by the French in Canada to make raids into the frontier areas of New England. They would take corn, kill cattle, burn barns, cottages and small villages. It was common for them to kill and scalp many of the people they attacked and capture others.

 Once taken, those who were captured were treated cruely and harshly. They would be marched many miles and often were forced to run a grueling and painful gauntlet.  It was common for Indians to take captives to Canada where they might be sold into slavery and where the French paid the Indians a bounty on any English scalps they might produce.

 During a day time surprise attack on Haverhill, Massachusetts on March 15, 1697 Indians carried away thirteen captives, burned down nine dwelling houses and killed twenty seven men, women and children.

 After leaving Haverhill, the Indians divided into smaller groups, each taking some of the captives with them. Among the captives of one group was Hannah Duston, aged 40, the mother of thirteen children, her two week old infant and a neighbor, Mary Neff, aged 51, a widow. Included in the group was a fourteen year old boy taken on an earlier raid, Samuel Leonardson. Before going very far the Indians killed Hannah Duston's infant by bashing his head against a tree.

 After traveling two weeks through the cold and snow the group arrived at the village of the Indians on Contoocook Island at the convergence of the Merrimack and Contoocook Rivers.

 During the night of March 31, 1697 the three captives, Hannah, Mary and Samuel killed and scalped ten of their captors. A squaw and boy escaped their wrath and revenge. They scuttled all the Indian canoes on the shore of the encampment except one in which they made their escape. They then proceeded to float down the Merimack to the safety of Haverhill.

 On April 21 the three escapees were in Boston where they were treated to a 'heroes welcome". They were interviewed by Cotton Mather and the Governor and treated royally by all. The General Court awarded Hannah's husband L25 for her heroism and Mary Neff and Samuel Leonardson each received L12 10s.

(note: the L and s above symbolize Pounds Sterling and shillings. MIC)

SOCIETY OF THE DESCENDANTS OF GOLIAD

 The Society of Descendants of Goliad has been formed as a patriotic society to promote a better awareness of the valor of the Texas heroes of the Battle of Coleto and Goliad.

 After being captured by the Mexicans at Coleta Texian prisoners were taken and incarcerated at Goliad. On March 27, 1836 they were taken from their cells and massacred by order of Genral Santa Anna. Many of the men killed were from states of the United States, particularly, Georgia. Col. James W. Fannin was one of the better known men who died that day.

 For more information on this society, contact President General Charles Edward Phebus at P.O. Box 1208, San Antonio, TX 78294

NIGR HELD IN WASHINGTON DC

 The National Institute on Genealogical Research was founded in 1950 and is one of the premier genealogical programs for genealogists to learn the inner workings of genealogical research in a close-up envirornment. The Institute's week long program provides an in-depth look at federal records of genealogical value located primarily in the Washington, DC area. It is not a beginner course. It is geared toward the experienced genealogists, historians, librarians and archivists.

 The NIGR will be held at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC from July 10 to July 15. Tuition is $245 prior to May 15 and enrollment is limited to 44 students. For more information and to enroll, write NIGR P.O. Box 14274, Wasington, SC 20044-4274.

NGS MEETS IN PROVIDENCE, RI

 Those with New England Roots will wish to attend the National Genealogical Society's Conference In The States May 31 through June 3. This year's Conference is being held in Providence, Rhode Island.

 The Conference will feature lectures on all aspects of genealogical research including:  beginning genealogy; immigration from England, Europe and Canada to the United States; conducting research in courthouses, churches and elsewhere; migration in, around and out of New England; and computer genealogy. There will, also, be demonstrations by authors of genealogical software of their latest tools to make genealogy more rewarding.

 To learn more about the conference, write NGS at 4527 Seventeenth Street North, Arlington, VA 22207-2363, call 703-525-0050, email conference@ngsgenealogy.org or visit the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org .

 NEWS FROM THE BOOK SHELF

 Heritage Books, 1540-E Pointer Ridge Place, Bowie MD, 20716 has reprinted one of the classics concerning the New England Indian Wars. In 1875 Robert B. Caverly published HEROISM OF HANNAH DUSTON: Together With the Indian Wars of New England. The book is available from Heritage Books for $34.50, postpaid.

 The first few chapters of the book concern themselves with the capture of Hannah Duston, Mary Neff, Samuel Leonardson and others in 1697 by a group of Indians and the heroic escape of Hannah Duston from her captors. The remainder of the book deals with other tales of depredations and captures of New Englanders by Indians and French in New England. Please be aware that while they are historical many of the tales are quite graphic in their descriptions of death and destruction.