WAR IN MAINE, PART 2

...the enemy beating upon us, we can think of no other, but we are fair for ruin... ~ from an appeal to the Council by the town of Wells

a drowning

With King Philip's War finally behind them, the residents of Wells settled into an anxious calm. The Littlefields continued growing their empire as the years passed. Then, on November 20, 1688, a tragedy struck the family. The youngest brother of our grandfather Francis (10GGF) drowned in a boating accident in Berwick, Maine. Thomas Littlefield (10U) was 55 years old when he died. I can find no definite details of the accident but it probably occurred on the Piscataqua River.

Red = Wells Blue = Berwick Orange = Piscataqua River

There were possible lawsuits involved in the accident because an inquest was held 5 Mar 1689. The investigation required three constables and three coroners, one for each man drowned, it appears. Then, another inquest held on 15 July 1689 investigated the “untimely death of Samuell Lord of Barwick, Robert Houston of Dover, and Thomas Litlefield of Wells who were drowned in Barwicke.” Court records refer to fees for jurors, coroners, and constables to be paid from the respective estates of the deceased. It's seems likely that all three families felt the Colony to be somehow responsible for the deaths and were hoping to win a settlement.

Death by drowning was not an uncommon event in Colonial America. The ocean and its waterways were the lifeblood of the colonies. Rivers were frequently used for fishing and as a means of transportation. Thomas and his companions, however, may have died in the course of an altogether different occupation. In 1688, a new war, King William's, had begun. This go around, the French were allied with the Wabenaki Nation and other tribes in Maine in a conflict against the English. Scouting parties were routinely sent out by the English to ascertain the level of threat from these enemies. It's possible that Thomas was on just such a mission. Still reeling from the destruction that had taken place twelve years earlier, the residents of Maine now had to steel themselves for even more devastation.

King William's War

In early 1688, relations between the English and the French in Europe were on extremely shakey ground. When King William of Orange took the throne, the deposed James II had fled to France. In retaliation, William joined Spain and Holland in their declaration of war against France. The European conflict then spilled over into the French and English colonies in America.

For most of the seventeenth century, France had seemed content to hold only those lands around their Newfoundland fishing grounds. With ever increasing English movement north, however, the French began taking steps to strenghthen their claim in the region. When war broke out in Europe, the timing seemed right to try and accomplish this goal.

Red = Newfoundland Blue = The southern settled region of Maine

For a number of reasons, the new war was particularly hard on the residents of Maine. First, since the English outnumbered the French about twelve to one, the French knew they had to play a smarter game. They had already developed much friendlier relations with the northern Natives than the English and the lingering animosity caused by King Philip's War made recruiting Native allies by the French just that much easier. The English hadn't done themselves any favors with multiple and ongoing violations of the Treaty of Casco. Their actions had pushed previosly acrimonious, warring Native tribes into a solidly united front against the English.

Second, the French and their Native allies lived in the Maine region or its outskirts. While the southern colonies saw a small share of fighting, the bulk of King William's War was fought in the northern territories of New York, New Hampshire and Maine. Third, Massacusetts had its hands full with rebuilding after the destruction of King Philip's War and the witch trials which were soon to begin. That meant that aid from the south for beleaguered Maine proved extremely hard to come by. Finally, the only Native allies the English had, the Iroquois, were somewhat less than reliable.

The fighting in King William's War would continue intermittently for nine years, from 1688 to 1697. Cotton Mather, the preeminent Puritan minister, believed that this war was a direct result of "God’s displeasure with New England." He titled his 1699 history of it Decennium luctuosum, The Mournful Decade.

revenge

King William's War in New England began with a series of small attacks on various northern settlements. One of the first raids ended in the destruction of Dover, New Hampshire. There was method to this particular madness. Dover was the hometown of Major Richard Waldron, the man who had tricked hundreds of Natives into surrendering at the end of King Philip's War. Many of those who surrendered, believing they would be shown mercy, were then hanged or sold into slavery. The deception by Waldron had never been forgotten, particularly by the Pennacook.

On the evening of 27 June 1689, two Native women came to one of the Dover garrison houses begging for a night's lodging. As this was not an uncommon request, the women were welcomed in. This night, however, the women opened the garrison doors to let in let in a number of Pennacook warriors led by sachem Kancamagus. In the raid, twenty-three people were killed and twenty-nine taken captive. The homes and mills of Dover were then plundered and burned.

Note: Kancamagus was nephew to Wannalancet, former leader of the Pennacook. Wannalancet lived for a time at the Wamesit Praying Village near Chelmsford, MA and was a friend to our cousin James Richardson (1C10X).

In the melee, Major Waldron, now 74 years of age, was singled out for special treatment. An account of Wadron's execution appears in a book about "The Old French and Indian Wars" written by Thomas Church. Thomas was a descendant of Colonel Benjamin Church, the man in charge of prisoner exchanges that took place after the Dover raid.

Note: Benjamin Church was also the man whose militia tracked and finally killed King Philip, effectively ending King Philip's War in 1676.

Thomas Church's account was "prepared from notes by Benjamin Church."

"They found the Major's room as he leaped out of bed, but with his sword he drove them through two or three rooms, and as he turned to get some other arms, he fell stunned by a blow with the hatchet. They led him into his hall and seated him on a table in a great chair, and then began to cut his flesh in a shocking manner. Some in turns gashed his naked breast, saying, 'I cross out my account.' [meaning, our account is now settled.] Then, cutting a joint from a finger, would say, 'Will your fist weigh a pound now!' ​His nose and ears were then cut off and forced into his mouth. He soon fainted, and fell from his seat, and one held his own sword under him, which passed through his body, and he expired..."

The account may well be romanticized but, needless to say, it did not go well for Major Waldron that night.

Below is a nineteenth century woodcut entitled "The Death of Richard Waldron."

on the homefront in Maine

A constant flow of hit and run attacks by the French and their Native allies kept the Maine residents in a continuous state of fear. In a 1690 attack on Wells, two settlers were kill and several houses destroyed. One of the men killed in that attack was thirty-two year old James Littlefield (9U), son of our grandfather Frances (10GGF).

Roger Hill, a friend of the Littlefields, sent a letter about the attack to his wife who was staying at Saco at the time:

Dear and loving wife,

These are to let you know that we are all well here, blessed by God for it, and all our children remember their duty to you. The Indians have killed Goodman Frost and James Littlefield, and carried away Nathaniel Frost and burnt several houses in Wells. I would have our son hire a boat and bring you from Saco and some of our things if he possibley can. I fear it is not safe to come by land. John, be as careful as you can of your mother, for it is very dangerous times. The Lord only knows whether we shall ever see one another any more. Praying for your prosperity

Your loving husband till death

Roger Hill

Goodman Frost was our cousin Mary Wakefield's husband. Her son, Nathaniel Frost was sixteen when he was taken. He was never heard from again. Emma Coleman believes he may have died in Canada. It's equally likely that he died or was killed on the trail.

more troubles

John Littlefield (10U), brother to our grandfather Francis (10GGF) was commander of one of the garrisons in Wells in 1690. He had in his garrison house two of his brother's families, our grandfather Francis and Samuel (10U). The record listing the residents adds "where was 10 Souldiers Six of which ware dismist Lately by Capt. Littlefield and are gone."

Most probably the six dismissed were sent from the south and had been called back. The garrisons, therefore, were woefully undermanned. Seeking a remedy for this problem, the town of Wells, in dire straits, appealed to the Council:

Wells, July 21; 1691

We being the front of all the eastern part of the country, remotely situated, for strength weak, and the enemy beating upon us, we can think of no other, but we are fair for ruin, and humbly conceive your honors are sensible of it, without seasonable help; our stocks are wasted the thirteenth of June last. The enemy killed and drove away upwards of one hundred head of cattle, besides sheep and horses; some of our corn is already lost, and more in great hazard; we therefore, distressed, make our humble address to your honors for men, with provision and ammunition for the strengthening of our town, with what force your honors shall see fit to keep out...also that there be an effectual care taken, that the inhabitants of this province may not quit their places without liberty first obtained from legal authority; thus encouraging ourselves with the hopes that your honors will timely answer us herein, that so we and the rest of this poor province in great hazard, may yet stand, which may be to the honor of God, the interest of his majesty, and of the country, we rest, your honored humble servants.

The plea was signed by Grandpa Frances, his brother John and John Wheelwright, son of the Reverend Wheelwright who had led them to Maine. Given its location, Maine was obviously the first line of defense against the encroaching French coming from Canada and the request from the town of Wells seemed reasonable. Occupied with troubles of her own, however, England could provide little aid to her colonies in America. Massachusetts, in turn, sorely neglected Maine.

Storer's Garrison

Two significant battles of King William's War happened at the same spot in Wells, about a year apart. Joseph Storer, a resident of Wells, had fortified his home into a garrison house in 1679. The protection this garrison offered was unequaled in Wells. When the garrison was attacked on 9 Jun 1691, the Wells militia was able to successfully defended the garrison against a superior force of two hundred French and their Native Americans allies. One year later, on 21 Jun 1692, an even larger army attacked the garrison. No less than five hundred French and Native American soldiers held siege over the garrison.

Many residents had already fled the town but those that remained flocked to the fortified house. Only fifteen soldiers and the same number of townsmen were left to defend the garrison. In charge of the soldiers was Captain James Converse of Woburn, father-in-law of our cousin Jacob Richardson (1C9X). The attack also spread to the harbor where three ships were manned by a mere seventeen soldiers. Miraculously, both the garrison and ships held against the assault which lasted for two days. When the captain of the French forces was shot in the head, his troops retreated.

Well's residents saw this victory as the fulfillment of a prophecy: "Berwick, Kittery, York shall fall, Wells shall stand to see it all." Part of this prophecy had already been fulfilled with the destruction of York in January of 1692.

Note: Berwick, Kittery and York were all towns that had been settled near Wells.

Below is a drawing of Storer's garrison and a photo of the home that stands on the same spot today.

Aunt Hannah Littlefield Moulton

Our aunt Hannah Littlefield was the daughter of our grandfather Francis and his second wife Rebecca Littlefield. In 1677, Hannah married Joseph Moulton. The couple moved to York, Maine where Joseph kept a tavern. The couple had four sons, John, Joseph, Daniel, and Jeremiah.

Toward the end of January, a hundred and fifty Abenaki set out for York. On Candelmas Sunday they reached the town. From the account of a sachem who was part of the raiding party "they laid waste everything for about a league and a half in less than two or three hours...Our people spared the lives of a dozen little children and three old women."

The numbers differ in various accounts but aproximately fifty villagers were killed and eighty taken captive. A large number of townspeople were at Joseph Moulton's house on the day of attack. Our aunt Hannah was killed and her husband Joseph was captured along with "many others" at the house that day. The Moulton's oldest son, Joseph, Jr. 10, was taken as well. Son Jeremiah, only four at the time, "remembered the attack and his escape through the snow." Since Jeremiah's name is on the list of captives who arrived in Canada, it seems that his "escape" was probably after he had been redeemed. Spared from either death or cpature were Daniel, 8 and John, 7.

Our uncle John Littlefield was one of five signers of a letter to the governor stating that "This day two Indians came into Wells with a flagg of truce & said ; if ye English will come to Saccadehoc (in a fortnight time...) they may redeem their captives." Uncle John and the others asked for the governor's help in getting their townspeople back.

Joseph Moulton, Sr. did not survive the march to Canada. Young Joseph was still in Canada in 1710 when the French made a list of all captives not yet redeemed. Since there was no further word of Joseph, it is assumed he was converted to Catholicism and spent the rest of his life in New France. Jeremiah returned to York where he was raised by relatives. He took part in the expedition against Norridgewock and Father Râle in Dummer's War in 1724. We'll have that story in a future post.

Below is a marker erected in memory of the event.

the war grinds on

After the defeat at Storer's garrison, the French concentrated much of their efforts in New York and New Hamphire. There, they turned their attention to the English allied Iroquois Nation. so successful were the French in this campaign that the Iroquois renounced their alliance to England and fled. The English, with virtually no allies, were in dire straits.

The only bright spot for the English came when Benjamin Church attacked the French-held Nova Scotia, claiming those lands for England. This victory turned out to be the most successful battle of the entire war. In the final four months of the war, however, the French had hammered out a series of raids up and down the Maine coastline. In the swath of destruction, thirty-six settlements were sacked, two hundred English were killed and a large number of people taken captive. This wave of attacks utterly negated Benamin Church's campaign in Nova Scotia. Church was only able to occupy those conquered lands for one week in September of 1697. That month, peace talks began in Europe.

The red marker on the map below indicates the site of Church's attack:

the death of Aunt Phoebe Littlefield Heard

July of 1697 marked a late attack in the war on the town of Kittery, Maine about 20 miles from Wells near the New Hampshire border. Grandpa Francis Littlefield's daughter Phoebe (10A) lived there with her husband, John Heard. On the morning of July 4th, Aunt Phoebe, her husband and three children were returning on horseback from church when they were ambushed near a large rock on the side of the road. Phoebe was shot and fell from her horse. It is said that her husband went immediately to try and get her back on the horse but her first priority was for him to get the children to safety. She died of her wounds.

The site of the attack later became known as Ambush Rock and was commemorated with a placque in 1918.

the end of the war

In September of 1697, only two months after Aunt Phoebe's death, word reached North America from Europe that peace talks between the English and the French had begun in Holland. The end of hostilities across the ocean effectively ended the war in the colonies.

Nothing but destruction had been achieved in King William's War for the English. The French and their Native allies had killed over 700 people and captured more than 250 during the course of the war. This war, for the English, had been mainly defensive as they suffered through the endless displacement of their families and the devastaing destruction of their towns. The French, on the other hand, came out of the conflict virtually unscathed with extremely low casualties.

aftermath

In the end, nothing had been gained or lost by either side in terms of territory. The Treaty of Ryswick reverted all colonial borders to "status quo ante bellum," or the way they were before the war began. This included Benjamin Church's hard fought for Nova Scotia which reverted to French control.

The English, however, lost much more than territory in terms of lives lost and towns destroyed. They also lost their only Native American Allies. The Covenant Chain, a series of alliances and treaties between the the Iroquois League and the English, was declaried null and void by the Iroquois. Utterly beaten by the French and continually undermined by the English, the Iroquois never again put their lot in with either side in the wars to come.

The treaty of Ryswick was a bitter pill for the English to swallow. Another war seemed inevitable and that is exactly what happend. A mere five years after the Treaty to end King William's War was signed, yet another war began. Queen Anne's War, begun in 1702, would extend the violence for another nine years.