Women of the Pre-Revolution
During this time there was the occurrence of King Phillips war, and
there were tension with the Indians living on the lands. The British
and the French were fighting for the control of the lands, and as a
result the french allied with the Indians against the English.
With this tension many of the settlers feared for their lives
concerning invasions by these Indians, since bounties were set
on the scalps of the Englishmen by the French.
The following are women who were prominent in history during the
pre-revolutionary time. I had difficulty finding women who were
prominent figures during this time, but the women that I did find
were brave, and worth being noted..
Awashonka Sqaw Sachem:
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
I was not able to find much information about this Brave women however I feel that she should be noted.
If you have any information on this courage woman please Email me.
Sachem was from Saconnet Rhode Island, and was one of the women leaders
of Native American Tribes that helped the colonists defend their
settlements during the King Phillips war in 1675.
Hannah Duston:
Born: 1659 in Haverhill, Mass
Died: 1737 at the age of 78
Duston was truly a Brave American woman living during this time. On
March 14, 1697 while in her home , located on the west side of the
Sawmill River in Haverhill, Hannah and Mary Neff (see below)were
captured by an Indian tribe, known as the Pennacock Tribe . These
Indians were in search of scalps that they could turn in for bounties
in Canada to Count Frontenac, the Colonial Governor of Canada.
The Count was using the Indians to win the New World for the French
King, by uniting with the Indians and offering bounties for the scalps
of Englishmen. This tribe succeeded in killing 27 people and capturing
13 that day.
At this time Hannah was married to Thomas Duston for 20 years.
She had gotten married at the young age of 12, and at this time had
12 children with her husband. Thomas and her older children were
outside tending to their farm, when Thomas spied the Pennacock Indians
making their way to the farm. Knowing their intentions he rushed to
the house to save his wife and baby. Hannah told him to go ahead and
get the children who were outside away, knowing that there was no way
that he could save her and the other children as well, and she would
take care of the baby. Grabbing a shot gun he ran out side to lead
his children away. He succeed in leading his children to safety,
however Hannah did not fair as well.
Mrs. Neff, who was trying to escape with the Baby was easily captured,
when the Indians entered the home. They forced Hannah to dress,
while they looted her home, taking all they could. After they were
led out of the home the Indians set fire to the home. Then Hannah,
Mrs Neff , and the baby were dragged into the nearby woods, with Mrs
Neff carrying the baby. To Hannah's horror one of the Indian's took
the baby from Mrs. Neff's hands and crushed the baby's skull on a near
by tree, killing the baby instantly. It is thought that that was done
because the Indian felt that the baby would slow up the pace of their
journey to Canada where they would then turn these people in for
bounties, and where they would possible be slaves.
Over the next few days, Hannah, Mrs. Neff, and Samuel Lennardson
(another prisoner), marched for miles, along with the Indians (2 men,
3 women ,and 7 children). During this time they were beaten on their
heads, and scalped. They also had to endure traveling through rough
terrain such as unbroken wilderness, snow, and rocks. Hannah did not
have both her shoes on so this made for uncomfortable traveling. They
proceeded to travel until they reached what is now know as Dustin
Island. This was the home of the Indians, and this was where the
Indians planned to rest until they continued on their journey to Canada.
During this time they were forced to perform chores by their
"owners", and also during this time Hannah thought of ways to escape.
The Indians told stories of what was going to happen to them once they
got to Canada. The described how they would be marched, and stripped
and made to run the Gauntlet. Hannah decided that she was in no way
going to be submitted to this torture, and wanted to get revenge for
the horrendous killing of her baby. By secretly passing information
amongst themselves during their travels they quickly formed a plan to
overtake and kill this tribe.
Over time the Indians let down their guard, and the plan formed even
more. On March 30, 1967 the group arrived at the island. The Indians
took Samuel in as one of their own and treated him as if he was family,
all the time he was secretly passing information on to Hannah about
them. The Indians felt that the women were too weak to overtake them,
which was a rather large mistake on their part, and no watch was set
on them that night.
While the tribe was sleeping soundly Hannah awoke around midnight,
also waking up Mrs Ness and Samuel. She felt that the time had come
for them to finally escape and for her to revenge for her child's death
. Armed with guns and Tamahawks, they silently crept up to the
Indians and killed 10 of the 12 Indians outright. One Indian escaped
into the woods, and one was severely injured.
After the massacre had taken place Hannah and the rest of the group
gathered some supplies, loaded up a canoe, and set out to return to
Haverhill. Once traveling Hannah decided that the people would not
believe the incident that had just take place and so she returned and
scalped her victims. They then set out on their journey once again
back to Haverhill, traveling by night and hiding by day.
Finally they reached the home of John Lovewell in Old Dunstable,
which is now know as Nahua, New Hampshire. Here they were able to
spend the night and tell their story. In 1902 a monument was
constructed here to commemorate the event that took place. After
a short stay in Old Dunstable, the group again commenced their
traveling until they reached Bradley's Cove, and there they continue
their journey by foot until they reached Haverhill safely. It
surprised the town that they had survived, for the town had thought
that the three individuals were dead.
On Dec 4, 1697 Hannah Duston was awarded a bounty of 25 pounds for
the scalps that she had returned with. At the time the bounty for
scalps had been revoked, however after submitting a request into the
Governor and council she was awarded this money. Mrs. Neff, and Samuel
were also awarded a cash reward for their experience in the amount of
12 pence.
Hannah Duston was truly a remarkable women, full of bravery and
courage. For this I feel that she is a prominent woman in history.
Not much is know about Hannah after her experiences, however it is
know that she did give birth to her 13th child, named Lydia on Oct 4,
1698, and also some letter were found in 1929 behind an old gallery
pew in the Haverhill Church. Monuments have been erected in her
honor on the Island, known today as Duston Island, in 1874, and also
in GAR park, in Haverhill. in 1861. Also an enormous boulder marks
the site of the house in which Hannah died. Hannah was the first
woman to ever have a monument constructed in her honor.
Mary Neff
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
I have been unable to find any information on Mrs Neff except for the
fact that she was Hannah Dustin's caretaker whom helped her with her
children, and that she was also captures by the Pennacock tribe,
however I feel that she should be recognized for her part in this
history as well. She along with the others who endured this pain
staking journey was also a women of honor and courage, and should
most definitely be recognized. If you have any information on
this courage woman please Email me.
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